Scientists Say Orbiting Mirrors Could Save Earth From Asteroid Collision

London, England (AHN) - Scientists at the University of Glasgow say that flying mirrors could save earth from a catastrophic asteroid collision. In assessing a number of plans for diverting asteroids that could hit the Earth, the researchers have concluded that mirrors offer the best solution.

The plan called "solar sublimation" focuses space-based mirrors onto the object to heat it up and deflect its course. An object 150 meters across could be diverted by 100 mirrors in just a few days, according to the researchers.

Scientists now plan to use up to 5,000 mirrors to focus a beam of sunlight on to the asteroid that would in turn melt the rock and alter its orbital path away from earth.

The announcement came after the scientists compared nine different methods of deflecting near earth objects - asteroids and comets.

Project leader Dr. Massimiliano Vasile told the BBC, "Asteroid impacts are a real threat. The Tunguska explosion in 1908 devastated an area bigger than Greater London.

"With only 10 spacecraft flying in formation, each with a 20-metre mirror, we could deflect a similar sized asteroid into a safe orbit in about six months. Our studies show that this technology is genuinely feasible," he added.

Nuclear weapons could be used to destroy or deflect the smaller object; the scientists said adding that such tasks could be risky because of radioactive emissions.

The results were unveiled at the Jodrell Bank observatory in Cheshire as part of celebrations for the 50th anniversary since the launch of Soviet satellite Sputnik 1.