Ask A Scientist Astronomy Archive

name         Melissa W.
status       educator
grade        6-8
location     WA

Question -   My students would like to know: If
the biggest asteroid hit the Earth, would only part of the Earth
explode or would the entire Earth be disintegrated?
-----------------
Hi Melissa!
That would be a tragedy,eh?
That kind of accident always is bound to happen,
nobody knows  if or when.
The result would of course depend upon the size
of that asteroid.
But do not worry too much. Nowadays there are ways to
see much before if such body is at collision route
to the Earth. In that case there are measures men can
take to save Earth, either to send a  rocket with
a projectile able to change the asteroid direction
or even a try to explode it far away from Earth.
Thanks for asking NEWTON!

Mabel
(Dr.Mabel Rodrigues)
=====================================================