We were surprised by a phenomenon, notably the movement of an asteroid measuring more than 2.4 kilometers in width circling the earth. Even though this phenomenon does not present and impact to mankind, however its presence does in some way remind us and causes us concern.
As we all know, mankind has passed through three periods of differing times, namely, the Stone Age, Copper Age and Iron Age. Even though the period of time is recognized as the age of technological information (IT), the question still arises over whether it is possible for mankind to avoid this phenomenon of an asteroid of such a size crashing into the earth one day.
Asteroids are considered small in comparison to the nine planets, while the earth which represents a part of this system of the universe is capable of receiving danger in the form of fragments resulting from asteroid splinters or from comets.
All kinds of ideas involving methods to overcome objects moving towards the earth have been produced since the related incident of the Comet, Shoemaker-Levy 9 which crashed into Jupiter in July 1994.
Concerning this situation many scientists are of the view that it can be avoided if a variety of steps had been undertaken earlier, such as planning to explode it with a nuclear weapon before it reached its target.
However, according to science the option of using nuclear weapons may not be successful in its present situation.
This is because many fragments from planets are too solid to break up, and even though such might be successful, the fragments would still move towards the earth and bring about serious destruction.
In view of this, new ideas have been formulated in efforts to prevent the earth from facing the threats of comets, by attaching a giant bag of air. Scientists such as Hermann Burchard from Oklahoma State University, America, is of the view that it would be better to have a ship in space to follow comets that are moving towards earth and then to attach a giant bag of air which is capable of providing trust to push the comet out of harms way. According to him this giant mattress of gas is capable of pushing a big object in space into another orbit, thus preventing it from reaching earth.
However, what is disturbing is the size of most comets or fragments from asteroids, which are said to be more than 10 kilometers. This means that the spaceship must have sufficient power resources to make use of such a giant air bag as well as to make sure that it is of good quality to withstand the ordeal.
So the question that arises is whether mankind is capable of overcoming this phenomenon one day? |
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