Big Picture Science: Chasing an Asteroid
Everyone knows that a big rock wiped out the dinosaurs. But the
danger from an asteroid hitting Earth is not limited to ancient history.
To deal with this threat, scientists recently ran an experiment to
deflect a potential “city killer.” We’ll hear the results of that
experiment, and about a visit to another asteroid. In the dusty material
NASA brought back from the asteroid Bennu, scientists found the
chemical building blocks of life, including many of the amino acids that
are found in our cells. Could an asteroid have brought the ingredients
for life to ancient Earth? In this episode, we look at our paradoxical
relationship with the space rocks that taketh way – and may help giveth -
life.
Guests:
- Scott Sandford - Astrophysicist and Research Scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center
- Robin George Andrews - Science journalist, volcanologist, and author of "How to Kill an Asteroid: The Real Science of Planetary Defense"
Download podcast at - https://bigpicturescience.org/episodes/chasing-an-asteroid
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