Scientists say X-rays from nuclear explosion may deflect asteroids from Earth
Scientists in Albuquerque, New Mexico, say potentially dangerous asteroids could possibly be deflected by exploding a nuclear warhead more than a mile from its surface and showering it with X-rays to send it in a different direction.Previous methods, as seen in blockbuster movies like "Armageddon" and "Deep Impact," involved blowing up a nuclear warhead on an asteroid or comet and shattering it into multiple pieces.But scientists now say the method would change the space object from a lethal bullet headed toward Earth into a shotgun blast of multiple fragments.Last year, the National Academy of Sciences released a report calling planetary defense a national priority, and according to an ongoing NASA sky survey, the threat is credible.STADIUM-SIZED ASTEROID DEEMED ‘POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS...