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MOSCOW. (Yury Zaitsev for RIA Novosti) -...
than 1,000 m. Many observatories, Russian observatories included, are now working on the asteroid catalog. Scientists claim that it would become possible to warn about impending asteroid strikes 80 to 100 years in advance if 90% of asteroids are registered, and in case of regular observations. But long-term asteroid protection is still in the realm of science fiction.There are two scenarios for shielding this planet from a dangerous space object. First, any "hostile" object can be shattered in deep space, before it reaches the Earth. Second, its orbit can be changed, so that the asteroid steers clear of our planet. Some scientists believe that a nuclear device could be detonated on the asteroid"s surface or in direct proximity to it. Consequently, it would become possible either to shatter that asteroid, whose fragments may still threaten the Earth. On the other hand, a nuclear explosion near the asteroid would heat up one of its sides and vaporize large segments. The
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