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Scientists develop mini Death Star to protect us from asteroids
The Telegraph ^
| March 3, 2016
| Rob Crilly
Posted on 03/03/2016 4:50:09 PM PST by McGruff
It sounds like a weapon straight out of Star Wars. Imagine the Death Star's superlaser used not to destroy worlds but to protect our own from approaching asteroids.
That is the concept being developed by American researchers who believe they have found a way to use a high-power laser beam to deflect space rocks that are on course to hit Earth.
The idea has been around for years but the team at the University of California say laboratory tests show their De-Star - or Directed Energy System for Targeting of Asteroids and exploRation – could actually work.
They envisage putting an unmanned De-Star craft in orbit. At the first sign of a impending disaster it would target the asteroid with a high-energy laser, causing part of the rock to vaporise in a process known as sublimation.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
TOPICS: Astronomy; Conspiracy; UFO's
KEYWORDS: decomposition
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
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1
posted on
03/03/2016 4:50:09 PM PST
by
McGruff
Romney couldn't do it.
2
posted on
03/03/2016 4:51:19 PM PST
by
McGruff
(Get on the Trump Train.)
To: McGruff
Wish they’d develop one to protect us from A-holes. :>)
3
posted on
03/03/2016 4:51:23 PM PST
by
rktman
(Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?!)
To: McGruff
JJ Abrams should make a movie about the black scientist who invented this and blew up the death asteroid and saves earth. I think I smell Oscar
4
posted on
03/03/2016 4:52:23 PM PST
by
ghosthost
To: McGruff
I doubt lasers have the kinetic energy to “deflect” anything bigger than a pea nor will they ever. Even weaponized particle beams are the stuff of SF.
5
posted on
03/03/2016 4:56:08 PM PST
by
sparklite2
( "The white man is the Jew of Liberal Fascism." -Jonah Goldberg)
To: rktman
They could test it out on the Middle East.
6
posted on
03/03/2016 5:00:20 PM PST
by
McGruff
(Get on the Trump Train.)
To: McGruff
7
posted on
03/03/2016 5:01:17 PM PST
by
bobby.223
(Retired up in the snowy mountains of the American Redoubt and it's a great life!)
To: McGruff
8
posted on
03/03/2016 5:01:38 PM PST
by
bobby.223
(Retired up in the snowy mountains of the American Redoubt and it's a great life!)
To: ghosthost
Only if there are enough lens flares ...
9
posted on
03/03/2016 5:05:41 PM PST
by
PIF
(They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
To: PIF
10
posted on
03/03/2016 6:16:40 PM PST
by
NativeSon
( Grease the floor with Crisco when I dance the Disco)
To: McGruff
"At the first sign of a impending disaster it would target the asteroid with a high-energy laser, causing part of the rock to vaporise in a process known as sublimation
decomposition."
11
posted on
03/03/2016 6:31:32 PM PST
by
PeaceBeWithYou
(De Oppresso Liber! (50 million and counting in Afghanistan and Iraq))
To: McGruff
12
posted on
03/03/2016 6:52:16 PM PST
by
Nuc 1.1
(Nuc 1 Liberals aren't Patriots. Remember 1789!)
To: rktman
I remember a quote that the future has arrived when science fiction is science fact.
If true, we’re there.
13
posted on
03/03/2016 7:43:59 PM PST
by
tbw2
To: sparklite2
The laser heats a spot on the asteroid, causing a jet of hot material to spray forth, acting like a small rocket. Over a period of time, the asteroid is deflected from its original course. The laser itself is not supplying kinetic energy directly, just heat.
14
posted on
03/03/2016 7:54:13 PM PST
by
Rebel_Ace
(HITLER! There, Zero to Godwin in 5.2 seconds.)
To: McGruff
This would be the coolest thing ever.
15
posted on
03/04/2016 4:36:42 AM PST
by
marron
To: Lazamataz; SunkenCiv; AFreeBird; grania; Jane Long; RoosterRedux; VanDeKoik; georgiegirl; ...
What government controls this ‘benign’ monstrosity? Donald Trump must seize this weapon!
Glenn Beck is correct. Robot Romney and the Popre are in agreement. And so is Hillary. It’s a VRWC.
This pathetic republic is doomed!
If others wish to join Super Villains for Trump, here is our world domination pamphlet ...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3403254/posts
. . .
... now that it’s already too late to get the word out, I am taking this time to gloat. I am evil, and Trump is evil. You might as well get ready to face it — your silly republic is doomed... [snip]
16
posted on
03/04/2016 7:14:48 AM PST
by
Arthur Wildfire! March
(Dire Threat to Internet Free Speech? http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3394704/posts)
To: Arthur Wildfire! March
17
posted on
03/04/2016 12:10:43 PM PST
by
SunkenCiv
(Here's to the day the forensics people scrape what's left of Putin off the ceiling of his limo.)
To: Arthur Wildfire! March
I think I want to chime in with the upthread posts.
That... is the COOLEST thing EVER.
I’ll help steal it!
18
posted on
03/04/2016 1:43:10 PM PST
by
Luircin
(Supervillians for Trump: We're sick of being the lesser evil!)
To: McGruff
They envisage putting an unmanned De-Star craft in orbit. At the first sign of a impending disaster it would target the asteroid with a high-energy laser, causing part of the rock to vaporise in a process known as sublimation.I stopped right here!
19
posted on
05/03/2016 10:58:10 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Rebel_Ace
Over a period of time, the asteroid is deflected from its original course. Only if the thing is not rotating.
20
posted on
05/03/2016 10:59:23 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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