In the past, asteroids striking the earth have produced disastrous results. If we discovered an asteroid on a collision course with the earth, we could, in principle, deflect it and avoid an impact by focusing a laser on the surface. Intense surface heating from the laser could cause surface material to be ejected into space at high speed. How would this deflect the asteroid?

In the past, asteroids striking the earth have produced disastrous results. If we discovered an asteroid on a collision course with the earth, we could, in principle, deflect it and avoid an impact by focusing a laser on the surface. Intense surface heating from the laser could cause surface material to be ejected into space at high speed. How would this deflect the asteroid?