The Infinite Monkey Cage Asteroids
Feb 28, 2024
Exploring asteroids, the podcast features discussions with experts on their impact on the solar system and Earth. They delve into asteroid classification, space missions trying to retrieve samples, and the potential use of asteroids for space exploration. The episode also touches on asteroid mining and the legal implications, all presented with a mix of scientific insights and humor.
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What Defines An Asteroid
- An asteroid is any rocky, non-planetary object orbiting the Sun from ~933 km down to ~1 m across.
- Astronomers see them as star-like points of light because even telescopes rarely resolve surface detail.
Why The Oort Cloud Is Spherical
- The Oort Cloud is a distant, spherical reservoir of comets influenced by galactic gravity.
- Its existence is inferred from long-period comets falling into the inner solar system, not direct observation.
A Meteorite That Blew Her Mind
- Sarah Russell recalled holding a meteorite at university and being stunned it was older than Earth.
- She described tiny grains inside formed in ancestor stars, which heightened her sense of awe.