Fortunately, the explosion diverted the asteroid from a course that would have sent it hurdling into our planet. To divert is to change the direction of. The correct answer is option A.
To divert is to a. change the direction of. In the context of protecting Earth from asteroids, several methods for asteroid deflection are considered:
- Crashing a spacecraft into the asteroid to change its speed and orbital period.
- Detonating a nuclear bomb near the asteroid to nudge it off course.
- Using gravity assist maneuvers to gradually move Earth's orbit.
Each method has pros and cons. For example, a spacecraft impact is a direct method, but its success greatly depends on the density and interior structure of the asteroid. A nuclear explosion can be very effective but raises concerns about the use of nuclear technology in space. And while using gravity assist is a creative solution, it requires extremely precise calculations to avoid catastrophic outcomes.
The NASA Planetary Protection Office sponsored the DART mission to test asteroid deflection technology, indicating the practical steps being taken towards planetary defense.