What's the largest body in the solar system that you could destroy without endangering humanity?

You're an alien that really likes pyrotechnics. Nothing that goes boom on your home planet (in a safe and responsible manner) satisfies you any more. Why not blow up a planet and see what that's like? However, you're not allowed to do that in your home solar system. The next closest one is ours. Oh, but there are humans on Earth; they can't stop you, but you don't want to hurt them either. You're a bit crazy, but you're not a sociopath. You just wanna see the biggest planetary fireworks show possible.

In short, which is the most massive celestial body in our solar system that you could destroy without endangering human life on Earth, subject to the following constraints?

• You don't want to harm humans, so you definitely can't destroy the Earth, Moon, or Sun.
• It's okay if there is collateral damage, as long as that damage does not include human life (directly or indirectly).
  • This implies that human artifacts (like the Curiosity rover on Mars) on other bodies can be destroyed, even if they're in active use.
• This is in the present day, so the only people off the planet are in orbit (like on the ISS). You don't want to hurt them either.
• It's okay if you're detected before, during, or after the show. You're not interested in stealth.
  • This implies that there may be mass panic on Earth. That's not your problem, though.
• You don't want to stick around or communicate with humanity. Get in, explode, and get out.
  • They might try to contact you, but you just ignore them.
  • You won't be around long enough for them to be able to attack you.
• You don't want humans to have to accommodate your little stunt (e.g. humanity shouldn't have to move underground for a few months).
• You do not have any way to prevent collateral damage except by careful planning. Better pick your target carefully.

The method that you use to actually destroy the body isn't relevant as long as it meets the following conditions:

• You can pick with surgical precision which planetary body to destroy (i.e. you can pick Saturn but spare its moons).
• You have fine control over how much energy is used. So you can avoid introducing excess energy (thus releasing massive heat or radiation).

posted almost 7 years ago

JesseTG‭

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