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Nasty relativistic idea

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Re: Nasty relativistic idea
Post by jgnfld   » Mon Apr 20, 2015 3:40 pm

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xkcd has an article about the effects of a 100 foot diameter diamond hitting the Earth at various speeds.

https://what-if.xkcd.com/20/
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Re: Nasty relativistic idea
Post by SWM   » Mon Apr 20, 2015 4:41 pm

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Dilandu wrote:SWM, the point is not just the ability to destroy. The point is the ability to destroy quickly, ultimately and stunning.

This is comparable with old-fashioned HE bombs and atom bombs. You COULD destroy the city with old-fashioned HE bombs; it would take a lot of bombs, a lot of bombers and actually may not be effective and definitely not quick. With the atom bomb you coul do the same effective and quick. That's why the conventional bombers was unable to deter World War II, and the atom bomb was able to deter conflicts.

Bad comparison. This isn't the difference between conventional bombers and the atomic bomb. This is the difference between an atomic bomb and another atomic bomb. Dropping relativistic ships onto a planet kills just as quickly, ultimately, and stunningly, and even more certainly, than dropping the same ships onto the star. So how is dropping them onto the star more of a deterrence?

Or do you still believe that this will cause a nova?
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