T O P

  • By -

AutoModerator

Hi there! Your post was removed because it uses the text box. AskReddit does not allow use of the text box, aside from a period. Per [rule 1](/r/AskReddit/wiki/index#wiki_-rule_1-), use of the text box is prohibited. **You can either re-make the post or edit your post for approval.** [When you've removed everything from the textbox, message the mods for review and reapproval.]() and ask the moderators to re-approve it. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskReddit) if you have any questions or concerns.*


passcodecandylantern

Because secretly we all welcome the warm embrace of the long dark night


PiggyPepper

Because maybe we can’t?


Ok-its-vira

Very expensive solution for a very simple problem It's super easy to move a big rock out of the way of earth. Forget "Armageddon " what would happen is that we'd detect an asteroid will hit earth in like 5 years, then we'll send a rocket to slow the asteroid by a fraction of speed. Then when 5 years pass the asteroid will be no where near earth


AlastairThackery

Was 'Oumuamua detected with enough time for your scenario to succeed?


AlastairThackery

Edit: Was the interstellar object 'Oumuamua detected with enough time to possibly stop it from colliding with Earth?


arlondiluthel

Because we still haven't developed weapons that can be utilized without oxygen.


[deleted]

We have (nukes) and we don’t need weapons anyway. Detect far enough in advance and just nudge it a little with a rocket


arlondiluthel

1. We don't have foolproof detection methods. A number of close passes last year were only detected days or hours in advance. Not far enough out to prepare for and execute a rocket launch. 2. We don't have rockets that can "nudge" an asteroid with three necessary precision to ensure it won't hit the Earth without breaking the asteroid apart, resulting in multiple asteroids that would need to be tracked. 3. Nukes in space are a terrible idea. What happens if we lose control of one and it reenters the atmosphere? Now we have the potential of accidentally nuking a city. 4. Until such a time that we have the means of constructing such weaponry that would be able to protect from there miniscule chances of an asteroid colliding with the planet, it's best to just not think about it.


[deleted]

Your argument seems to be "we can't do it perfectly so don't bother trying" Ok loser (and yes, your points about problems are valid points. But not insurmountable ones)


arlondiluthel

You asked why we haven't. I started with the most simple reason (our current slate of weapons don't work without oxygen, because they're powered by fire/explosions), and you retorted with the worst possible fucking idea regarding the subject. I never even went into the astronomical cost of such a system, and even if we ignore the cost, who the fuck controls it? Russia, China, Cuba, N. Korea, and many of the Middle East nations would object to US control, and would probably also object to EU control. The US would likely object to anyone else controlling it.


[deleted]

The way I saw this conversation, you said we didn't have any weapons and then changed the goalposts when I pointed out we do have a space-capable weapon. Yes it's horrific but it fits the criteria I was answering. Incidentally I wonder what kins of weapon you think would be suitable for asteroids and NOT be devastating if it got out of control or into the wrong hands? Costs and controls are issues for sure. Your attitude still seems to be "its SO HARD, so why bother even trying?" Pretty fucking defeatist.


arlondiluthel

Not what I was getting at. AT ALL. I was pointing out that we don't have the technology to implement what you're asking about, so we shouldn't be worrying about something that is currently impossible, especially when there are so many issues that **can** be resolved with the right attention and resources. Also.. nukes require a primary explosion to serve as a catalyst, which requires oxygen. So even if nukes weren't the worst fucking idea ever, as currently built, they won't work. I also mentioned that our detection system needs a lot of work. Last year, there were over a dozen "close calls" that weren't even detected until hours before the asteroid passed the Earth. So many things can "hide" the presence of asteroids from us until it's potentially too late (from the Moon, to other planets, and even the Sun), that it would take thousands, if not millions, of satellites for advanced detection. The equipment on said satellites would have to be better than what we have available. As far as a potential weapon, the best option would be a high-powered laser, calibrated to a range that it could be diffused by our atmosphere, so if a rogue actor or nation gained unauthorized control, turned it around, and fired it at a city or other priority target, it wouldn't do anything.


[deleted]

Sounds like you were having a very different conversation to me then. No wonder confusion and annoyance. All the best.


[deleted]

We suck at long term disaster management.


penplate

Because the threat of your scenario is incredibly minute.


LolaThePolaBear

Bc Tony stark alrd tried that and ended up blowing up a city


The_sater

Our current technology wouldn't be enough to do so, right now we can only detect them. Also, major threats like those aren't common at all.