A2 4 Saving the Dinosaurs

Abstract

In this paper, we found the power and intensity required for a gamma ray laser that would slow
down and stop (or destroy) the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs. We found the power and
intensity to be 1.2 × 1014 W and 1.8 × 1018W/m2 , which allowed the laser to stop the asteroid in 1.59 years at a safe distance of Mars’ orbit, assuming it to be a blackbody. Assuming not, the laser disintegrates the asteroid in ∼ 9 minutes.