Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => That CAN'T be true! => Topic started by: Emilio on 31/10/2008 23:06:06

Title: Could nuclear bombs be used to collect meteorites from Mars?
Post by: Emilio on 31/10/2008 23:06:06

Emilio asked the Naked Scientists:

Hello again (and thanks again for a great show (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/)). I am writing to you from Ecuador. I think I've heard you guys say that meteorites
found here in Earth originated in Mars (Martian meteorites, that is) have great scientific value.

My question is... wouldn't it be feasible to send a pair of nuclear bombs to Mars and detonate them thus creating a scenario which generates a good possibility of (more abundant than usual) Martian debris falling to Earth?

More meteorites mean more chances to study them. Or the nuclear explosions could cause more harm than good?

Regards,
 
Emilio Romero

What do you think?

Title: Could nuclear bombs be used to collect meteorites from Mars?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 01/02/2009 08:27:41

Why would ya wanna do that? A bomb just so we can study rocks??? [???][???][???]

Title: Could nuclear bombs be used to collect meteorites from Mars?
Post by: LeeE on 01/02/2009 13:18:40

Just a couple of potential problems Emilio;  first of all, you'd have to send them up on rockets, which are still a bit unreliable and tend to malfunction rather more often than one would like, then secondly, there's no way of guaranteeing that any (now radioactive) rocks lofted from the surface of Mars would ever reach the Earth and not get burnt up on entry.

Title: Could nuclear bombs be used to collect meteorites from Mars?
Post by: lyner on 01/02/2009 18:44:32

The whole idea strikes me as the ultimate in cosmological yobbish behaviour.

Title: Could nuclear bombs be used to collect meteorites from Mars?
Post by: Flyberius on 17/02/2009 12:37:00

Would you miss it?

Title: Could nuclear bombs be used to collect meteorites from Mars?
Post by: Madidus_Scientia on 17/02/2009 17:03:23

Miss what?

Title: Could nuclear bombs be used to collect meteorites from Mars?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 18/02/2009 03:15:06

Miss Mars?

Title: Could nuclear bombs be used to collect meteorites from Mars?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 18/02/2009 03:15:29

Nah, not really.