# An asteroid's shape influences where a nuclear blast must be aimed to deflect it

- Source: Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories
- Published: 2026-11-03T16:20:09+00:00
- Category: Science
- Original: https://phys.org/news/2026-11-asteroid-nuclear-blast-aimed-deflect.html
- Canonical: https://groundlevelnews.com/story/an-asteroid-s-shape-influences-where-a-nuclear-blast-must-be-aimed-to--5b392d/

If a dangerous asteroid were headed toward Earth, one defense could be a nuclear detonation to blast one side with X-rays and nudge it off course. But new simulations suggest that for a lumpy, irregular asteroid, exactly where those X-rays hit could make a huge difference.

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