What is the planet killer?

A "planet killer" is a science fiction term for a fictional superweapon or device capable of destroying planets or rendering them uninhabitable, with famous examples including the Death Star (Star Wars) and the Doomsday Machine (Star Trek). It can also refer to very large, rare asteroids or comets that pose a real, but distant, threat to Earth, though astronomers often use less sensational terms for them.

What was the planet killer?

Abbadon was in the Eye of Terror when he discovered an ancient shipyard where some unknown Xenos race was building a ship called the Planet Killer. This is basically a giant gun which, when fired, can completely destroy a planet (like the Death Star).

What is considered a planet killer?

Any asteroid that's over 1 kilometer in size is considered a planet killer — and one day, one of them might head our way. An impact event of this size would trigger an extinction event like Earth has never seen.

What kind of weapon is a planet killer?

The Planet Killer was a large, spherical superweapon and bomb that was theoretically powerful enough to destroy the entirety of the planet it was detonated upon. Upon explosion, the Planet Killer would supposedly generate a bright light and huge blast as it obliterated the planet.

What was the planet killer in Star Trek?

The "planet killer" was an informal name given by Spock in 2267, based on a description given by Commodore Matt Decker, to an automated, self-propelled doomsday machine capable of destroying entire planets. This robot was encountered by two Federation starships: the USS Constellation and the USS Enterprise.

Can Humanity Stop A Planet-Killing Asteroid?

What is the saddest death in Star Trek?

1. Edith Keeler in The City on the Edge of Forever. Easily the most tragic death in "Star Trek" came in the episode "The City on the Edge of Forever" (April 6, 1967) when Edith Keeler (Joan Collins) was run down by a car.

Which Star Trek episodes were banned?

For many years, the episodes "Miri," "Plato's Stepchildren," "The Empath," and "Whom Gods Destroy" were banned in the UK. Star Trek was considered a children's program and these episodes were deemed too intense for minors.

Who has 90% of the world's nuclear weapons?

Number of nuclear warheads worldwide 2025

There were approximately 12,200 nuclear warheads worldwide as of January 2025, and almost 90 percent of them belong to two countries: Russia and the United States.

Could we stop a planet killer asteroid?

Yes, humanity can likely stop a planet-killing asteroid, but only if we detect it years or decades in advance, allowing time for deflection using methods like kinetic impactors (DART mission), gravity tractors, or nuclear standoffs, with early detection being the most critical factor. Without ample warning, even large threats pose a significant challenge, as current technology struggles to alter massive objects or break them into harmless pieces effectively with short notice. 

Can a human survive a nuclear bomb?

Yes, you can survive an atomic bomb, especially if you are far from the blast, but survival depends heavily on distance, immediate actions like getting to a basement or sturdy shelter, shielding from heat/radiation, and preparing for fallout by staying inside for at least 24 hours and having supplies. While immediate blast and heat effects are lethal near ground zero, effective sheltering drastically improves odds against radiation, with distance being the biggest factor for survival. 

What will happen on 13 April 2029?

On April 13, 2029, the large asteroid 99942 Apophis will safely pass very close to Earth, becoming visible as a fast-moving, bright "star" to people in parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia without telescopes, closer than some satellites, offering a unique chance for scientific study as it won't pose an impact threat.
 

What will happen to Earth on 28 July 2025?

This (51 – 110) meters asteroid will reach its minimum distance (about 633.000 km from the center of the Earth.) from us on 28 July 2025, at 19:44 UTC (source: Nasa/JPL). A similar approach happens on average one time per year. Of course, there were no risks at all for our planet.

How much longer does Earth have left?

Earth has billions of years left as a planet, but it will become uninhabitable for complex life much sooner, likely within 1 to 1.5 billion years, as the Sun's increasing brightness causes runaway greenhouse effects, boiling oceans and ending the carbon cycle. The planet itself will be engulfed by the Sun in about 4.5 to 7.5 billion years when the Sun becomes a red giant, ending Earth's physical existence.
 

Where will the 2029 asteroid hit the USA?

Observations eliminated the possibility of an impact on Earth in 2029, when it will pass the Earth at a distance of about 38,000 kilometers (23,600 mi) above the surface. It will also have a close encounter with the Moon, passing about 96,000 km from the lunar surface.

What is the deadliest weapon on Earth?

The "most dangerous weapon" depends on the definition: Nuclear weapons (like the Tsar Bomba or modern ICBMs such as Russia's Satan 2) are the most destructive in single blasts, capable of mass extinction; Artillery/Small Arms (like the AK-47) have caused the most deaths historically due to widespread use; and emerging tech like Hypersonic missiles pose new threats. Overall, nuclear weapons represent humanity's greatest existential threat, while conventional weapons cause the most casualties in conflict.
 

What will happen on March 16, 2880?

Scientists writing in the journal Science say there is a one in 300 chance that the asteroid 1950 DA will collide with Earth on March 16, 2880. An encounter would be the equivalent of smashing a million tons of TNT into Earth and could wipe out a large city, trigger widespread fires and tidal waves.

What will happen on 13th April 2036?

A 300m-wide asteroid will not hit the Earth in 2036, US astronomers say. It was thought there was a one-in-200,000 chance that it could strike on 13 April 2036, but revised calculations have now ruled this out. Instead, Nasa scientists said it would not get closer than 31,000km as it flies past on this date.

What asteroid has a 3% chance of hitting Earth?

He emphasized that even a 3% chance of hitting Earth corresponds with a 97% chance of missing it, and in all likelihood 2024 YR4 will not pose threats to our world. "What will happen is, with our gaining knowledge, uncertainty will shrink further and further and further," he said.

Could we be wiped out like dinosaurs?

Humans are not facing imminent extinction like the dinosaurs were from an asteroid, but future extinction is inevitable for all species; scientists debate when, with some models suggesting eventual decline from low birth rates (e.g., centuries) and others pointing to self-inflicted risks like climate change, nuclear war, or AI, which could cause catastrophe much sooner (e.g., this century), though human adaptability and widespread distribution offer some resilience against sudden, large-scale events.
 

Who gave Israel nuclear weapons?

France was the primary foreign power that helped Israel develop its nuclear weapons program by building the Dimona reactor and providing technical assistance in the 1950s and 60s, though Israel also obtained materials and intelligence from other sources, including the U.S., through clandestine means. Israel has never officially confirmed its nuclear arsenal, maintaining a policy of "nuclear opacity," but it's widely accepted to possess them, developed secretly since the mid-1950s. 

Why can't Japan have nuclear weapons?

Japan can't have nuclear weapons primarily due to its deeply ingrained Three Non-Nuclear Principles (not possessing, producing, or allowing them), strong public opposition rooted in being the only nation attacked by nuclear weapons, and legal commitments like the NPT, though it maintains a "threshold" capability due to its advanced nuclear energy sector and U.S. nuclear umbrella, creating ongoing national security debates. 

Do any countries secretly have nukes?

India, Israel, and Pakistan never signed the NPT and possess nuclear arsenals. Iraq initiated a secret nuclear program under Saddam Hussein before the 1991 Persian Gulf War. North Korea announced its withdrawal from the NPT in January 2003 and has successfully tested advanced nuclear devices since that time.

Why was Captain Pike removed from Star Trek?

Pike first appeared as the main character of the original unaired pilot episode for Star Trek: The Original Series, "The Cage", portrayed by Jeffrey Hunter. When this pilot was rejected, Hunter withdrew from the series, and the character of Pike was replaced with Kirk.

Does William Shatner still get royalties from Star Trek?

Shatner has been outspoken about the issue before, explaining to a fan online why he never received residuals from the hit series. "Anything before 1973 (that includes Star Trek Original Series) doesn't pay a cent in Royalties," he wrote on X in 2020.

What does 1701 mean in Star Trek?

In Star Trek, NCC-1701 signifies the United Federation of Planets Starship Enterprise, with "NCC" representing Naval Construction Contract, a designation for major Federation vessels, while "1701" was chosen by designer Matt Jefferies as the 17th Cruiser, serial number 1, using digits easy to read on screen.