NASA Prepares to Defend Earth

In addressing the danger posed by celestial objects colliding with Earth and the potential destruction of our planet, Hollywood has always been ahead of U.S. government agencies by producing thrilling films filled with superheroes, rockets, and nuclear explosions. However, it seems that government agencies are now considering action as well. The New York Times reports that on Wednesday, the U.S. space agency NASA and the country's nuclear security agency signed an agreement to begin collaboration on a planetary defense system for Earth. The goal of this collaboration is to identify better ways to divert celestial objects from their paths toward Earth. If large celestial bodies were to strike populated areas, they would cause severe casualties. The movement of rogue celestial objects and the possibility of their collision with Earth is not a new topic. However, since 2013, following the impact of a 7,000-ton meteorite approximately 20 meters in diameter in Chelyabinsk, Russia, which injured about 1,500 people—most of whom were hurt due to shattered glass—this danger has been considered more serious. NASA and the U.S. Nuclear Security Agency have long studied such risks separately. They have monitored the movements of celestial bodies, developed rockets suitable for tracking their paths, and examined the potential use of nuclear explosions to break up large meteors using computer models. However, now, influenced by increased public sensitivity and private sector attention to the dangers posed by celestial objects colliding with Earth, it seems that organizations like NASA and the U.S. Nuclear Security Agency have expanded their plans in this area. Alongside the initiation of collaboration between these two agencies, new methods have been launched to inform and raise public awareness about this issue. One example is NASA's new website, which allows enthusiasts to access some of the information collected by the agency regarding the movements of celestial objects. The Huffington Post also addressed this issue, reminding readers that on June 30, 1908, a meteorite struck a point in Siberia, destroying over a thousand square kilometers of forest in the area, and the 2013 incident also indicates that the impact of celestial bodies on Earth is a potential danger. Many astronomers believe that celestial objects break apart before approaching Earth's atmosphere, making it unlikely for a large celestial body to reach Earth. Nevertheless, NASA, in one of its latest statements on this matter, emphasizes that to avoid human casualties, in addition to tracking and predicting the paths of meteors, a warning and notification system should be established that can facilitate the evacuation of local residents before such objects strike. One important topic raised in planetary protection methods is the use of nuclear explosions to divert meteors from their paths. NASA and the U.S. Nuclear Security Agency officials have not made any official comments on this matter. However, a group of scientists believes that regardless of the correctness of this method, necessary studies should be conducted on it to make the right decision before any incident occurs.