The results show that X-rays could play an even bigger role than the initial shock wave itself, though more data needs to be gathered to form a comprehensive asteroid defense plan. Some 66 million years ago,

A nuclear bomb could save Earth from a catastrophic asteroid impact, according to a first-of-its-kind lab study.The new experiment, conducted using the world's most powerful laboratory radiation source,

Nuclear devices generate massive amounts of X-rays. A new experiment suggests that might be enough to divert a killer asteroid.