Is It Feasible to Drill through Earth with a Laser Beam from the Moon?

Imagine a theoretical scenario where a powerful laser beam is shot from the Moon and managed to travel straight through the Earth's center, exiting from the opposite side. Is this feasible, and if so, what could happen to our planet?

Theoretical Scenario

Assuming an ideal environment with negligible atmospheric attenuation, the laser beam could theoretically pass through the Earth and come out the other end. If the beam travels through oceans, it would emerge antipodal to the point of entry. The Earth's center, however, is composed of molten rocks and other hot substances. The passage of such a powerful beam could cause significant damage, including the creation of a hole or dent, depending on the intensity of the energy.

Realistic Challenges

The scenario described is highly unlikely to be feasible due to the Earth's liquid inner structure and the fragility of its thin crust. Even if the beam managed to pass through, the molten rocks would almost certainly block the hole, rendering it impassable. Moreover, the construction of such a powerful laser poses significant challenges in current technology and theoretical physics.

Destructive Consequences

A laser powerful enough to accomplish this feat would result in catastrophic geological events. The sheer energy required to penetrate the Earth quickly would cause severe seismic activity and potentially trigger volcanic eruptions. The entry point alone would create an expanding vaporization zone, leading to massive destruction within a radius of about 50-60 miles.

For the hole to remain stable, the laser would need to be extremely powerful, with energy output measured in millions of megajoules. The intense heat and pressure would cause seismic events of unprecedented magnitude, potentially leading to a scenario akin to a global extinction event.

Explosive Consequences

Due to the rapid heating and expansion of materials along the path of the laser, a massive jet of hot material would be expelled from the entry and exit points. This jet would create a powerful outward explosion, altering the Earth's orbit and axis. Eventually, the energy pumped into the hole would cause the Earth to explode, resulting in the vast release of a gas cloud that would disperse throughout the solar system.

Over millions of years, some of this gas might condense into a new planet. Meanwhile, a significant portion of the debris would be drawn into the gravitational fields of other celestial bodies. A tiny fraction of the material could achieve escape velocity, becoming part of other star systems, perhaps reaching alien worlds where scientists would wonder about its origin.

Conclusion and Points of Discussion

This theoretical exercise highlights the complexity and potential destructive force of such an endeavor. While it may be an interesting topic for science fiction, the practical and theoretical challenges make it an impossible feat within our current technological and scientific understanding.

Keywords: Earth Core, Laser Physics, Asteroids, Geology