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Astronomers discover 3I/ATLAS – Third interstellar object to visit Solar System

(www.abc.net.au)
306 points gammarator | 1 comments | 03 Jul 25 03:19 UTC | HN request time: 0.205s | source

Minor Planet Electronic Circular: https://minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K25/K25N12.html
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artur_makly ◴[03 Jul 25 13:14 UTC] No.44454716[source]▶
If it were to come right for us, what do we have today to stop it (if at all) ?
replies(2): >>44455520 #>>44457593 #
atrus ◴[03 Jul 25 14:37 UTC] No.44455520[source]▶
If we're just talking about interstellar objects, and assuming a decent lead time (not oh hey it's going to hit in 3 days), it's probably easier to prevent it from hitting us since it's most likely just passing through. You'd only need to give it a small enough nudge to have it miss a smidge. That's something we're more than capable now of doing, and have done.
replies(2): >>44458052 #>>44470352 #
1. coolspot ◴[03 Jul 25 18:46 UTC] No.44458052[source]▶
> That's something we're more than capable now of doing, and have done.

You’re very optimistic about our ability to divert 22km-diameter object moving at 70km/s .

DART smashed 680kg payload into a 780m-diameter Didymos changing its orbit.