A Framework for Simulating Asteroid Impacts and Their Effects

Asteroid impacts pose dangerous threats to our planet, with potentially catastrophic consequences. This paper presents a simplified framework for simulating asteroid impacts using publicly available datasets. Orbital and approach data are obtained from NASA’s CNEO API, while seismic, tsunami, and elevation data are sourced from publicly available USGS datasets. To simulate the asteroid's motion, Newton's laws of gravitation are applied, and an RK4 function is employed to approximate its trajectory toward Earth. On impact, the destructive capabilities are measured on a TNT scale, along with its seismic and tsunami effects, which may be calculated or retrieved from relevant datasets. Finally, asteroid deflection strategies are discussed, briefly touching on NASA's DART mission to deflect Dimorphos from its orbit. This paper provides a framework to create an open-source simulation of asteroid impacts and their mitigation.