this post was submitted on 19 Feb 2025
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Futurology

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[–] Lugh 9 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I've always wondered, if decades in the future, a terrorist attack might occur by somebody nudging an asteroid towards Earth. I'm not the only person thinking this, it was a major plot point in the TV show 'The Expanse'.

[–] petersr@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Question: How would the terrorists ensure it hurts the people they want and not their own?

[–] JohnDClay@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 month ago

You can target along a line pretty easily, or your people could be the belters and be from off planet!

[–] webghost0101@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

In modern-traditional terrorism from the middle-east they do this by convincing fellow terrorist that they be honored for their sacrifice of life.

The point is to do the greatest amount of damage and create terror levels fear. Not to survive their own.

Also god is going to make sure it lands where it needs. Such is 100% guaranteed, oc.

[–] Letstakealook@lemm.ee 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

The bugs in starship troopers use asteroids as interstellar projectiles as well.

[–] toynbee@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

With some nuance, see also the Bobiverse book series.

[–] Letstakealook@lemm.ee 2 points 1 month ago

I'll check it out. Thanks!

[–] JohnDClay@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It'll keep going up as we eliminate trajectory possibilities till we eliminate the one with the Earth and it rapidly drops to zero. Unless it doesn't, and jumps to 100%.

Seems surprisingly possible to deflect though. The question is whether the place it would come down is willing/able to devote the resources. https://youtu.be/Esk1hg2knno

[–] Xavienth@lemmygrad.ml 1 points 1 month ago

It's likely we won't actually know with certainty until its next pass in 2028. The window for observation is closing, especially for smaller telescopes. Even with our best telescopes, we have until about June, and these are very busy telescopes.

[–] MummifiedClient5000@feddit.dk 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] vane@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

Big things have small beginnings.

[–] Seigest@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Wooo! You can do it buddy. I'm routing for you!

[–] slazer2au@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

You're not the only one mate.

[–] Majorllama@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

Help me, ~~Obi-Wan Kenobi~~ giant space rock, you're my only hope.

[–] TheReturnOfPEB@reddthat.com 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Don't forget about 99942 Apophis which is hanging around 2.7% chance of hitting earth April of 2029.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99942_Apophis

Screw Iron Dome over any one country. We are headed into a new astrogeologic time frame.