Instant Genius From asteroids to aliens - how space is threatening our planet
Sep 25, 2025
Dr. Ryan French, a solar physicist and author of "Space Hazards: Asteroids, solar flares, and cosmic threats," discusses the various dangers our planet faces from space. He reveals the real risks posed by asteroids, emphasizing near-Earth objects as the most significant threats. Ryan explains the impact of solar flares and their effects on technology, offering insights into how they disrupt satellites and power grids. He also reassures listeners about humanity's growing ability to monitor and prepare for potential space hazards.
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Small Rocks Mostly Harmless
- Meteors are tiny fragments of asteroids or comets that usually burn up in our atmosphere as shooting stars.
- Only larger fragments (tens to hundreds of metres) that reach the ground pose significant danger.
Prioritise Threats With The Torino Scale
- Use the Torino scale to prioritise asteroid threats by size and impact probability.
- Monitor any object with >1% impact probability and larger than ~10 metres closely.
Danger Lies In Near-Earth Orbits
- Near-Earth objects matter more than distant main-belt asteroids because of orbital paths that cross Earth's orbit.
- The most dangerous ones are smaller bodies that swing close to Earth rather than huge distant rocks.
