StarTalk Radio Cosmic Queries – Cosmic Collisions
May 31, 2022
What happens when galaxies collide? Discover the explosive dynamics behind cosmic events and the role of asteroids in shaping our universe. Dive into the humorous legal implications of celestial collisions, like the Chelyabinsk incident, and how technology impacts liability. Explore the captivating relationship between sound and cosmic events, translating black hole data into audio experiences. Plus, unravel the mysteries of dark matter, star formation, and the intriguing connections between the Big Bang and the Big Rip!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Asteroid Impact Response
- Asteroid impact reaction depends on the asteroid's size; large ones offer no recourse but observation.
- Deflecting a city-destroying asteroid is theoretically manageable, but coordinating global action is doubtful.
Asteroid Impact Evacuation
- Determine the asteroid's likely impact zone, defined by an error ellipse based on trajectory calculations.
- Evacuate the impact zone; it's more effective than trying to stop the asteroid given current limitations.
Asteroid Explosions
- High-speed asteroid impacts cause explosions due to the kinetic energy exceeding the asteroid's binding energy.
- This explosion vaporizes the asteroid, explaining the lack of large remnants in craters.