Asteroids and Comets - The Science and the Risks

Explore the fascinating world of asteroids and comets in this comprehensive lecture that examines these small rocky and icy objects orbiting beyond Earth's distance from the Sun. Discover their crucial role in our solar system's history and learn how recent spacecraft missions have dramatically expanded our understanding of these celestial bodies. Investigate the devastating impact events that have shaped Earth's past, including the catastrophic collision that contributed to the dinosaurs' extinction. Analyze the current risks these objects pose to humanity and examine the scientific methods used to detect and track potentially hazardous asteroids and comets. Gain insights into the latest research findings from space missions and understand the ongoing efforts to protect our planet from future impact events. Presented by Earth Science faculty Joe DalSanto, this educational presentation provides a thorough examination of both the scientific significance and potential dangers of these remarkable solar system objects.