Keep in mind that the event took place back in 1908, in Russia.

I present an interesting thought experiement of ethics:

The trolley problem.

Now imagine something similar, except it involves a huge asteroid, a planet with a foreign intelligent lifeform and you controlling the trolley (spaceship) from a remote location.

Do you take action and save the planet, or do you continue without taking action, though saving the people onboard the trolley?