Thus, the scientists found in 2004 an asteroid Apophis in 2009, flew past Earth at a distance of 500,000 kilometers. According to the forecasts in the 2029-m celestial body weight 260 million tons may be close to our planet is much closer distance is reduced by an order of about 30-40 thousand miles. If this happens, then maybe an asteroid will sweep away a few satellites and affect the trajectory of the Earth. However, most adverse projections for 2036, when all there is some probability of a collision with Apophis.
The odds of collision is small, about 1:250,000. This figure was taken by researchers from the University of Strathclyde (Strathclyde), Glasgow, Scotland, Massimiliano Vasile (Massimiliano Vasile) and Christie Maddock (Christie Maddock). But what would you do if over time it became clear that a collision has yet to happen? Of course, a realistic scenario is the observation of the forthcoming apocalypse from under the bed is quite likely, but it can unconditionally accept perhaps that motley followers of "guru."
Some scientists consider it necessary to develop a global early warning system. Forewarned - forearmed. However, the extent of possible disaster is so great that the warning about it is not enough. The explosion of 510 megatons of power will inevitably lead to the deaths of millions of people to prevent it, except surveillance systems need a specific tool.
The work involves Maddock and Vasile, and practical advice. To fight Apophis, and perhaps with other such aliens, the researchers propose to use a technique known as laser ablation, a method of removing material by a laser pulse, as it qualifies Wikipedia.
In the outer scale of the proposal of scientists looks like this. The rays are directed several lasers on the surface of the asteroid, where, under the combined effect of radiation is the sublimation of a solid, its transition to a gaseous state bypassing the liquid. From the solid matter is a cloud of dust and small debris.
Laser ablation - not a new technique. However, so far as the source of the laser beam was considered a massive nuclear-powered power plant. Scientists at Strathclyde suggest instead to use compact and lightweight solar lasers.
The advantages of solar technology are obvious. They do not need a "change batteries", they do without the periodic supply of energy sources, mistakes and failures in one of the lasers will not lead to a denial of the whole system, problems with cooling small lasers are solved by cheaper methods.
In theory, lasers can work on very distant objects, if not turn them to dust in its entirety, giving them a boost, enough to change the trajectory.
Of course, it is only a theoretical idea. Scientists recognize that its implementation will require the "efficiency of the laser and solar cell at the upper limit of what is currently achievable in laboratory conditions," but the technology
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