The 365 Days of Astronomy Travelers in the Night Eps. 323 & 324: Big Splash & Newborn Planets
Jun 29, 2025
What happens when an asteroid hits a large body of water? A team of scientists delves into this question, modeling the impact and discovering that it primarily affects the immediate area, unlike underwater landslides that can trigger tsunamis. Meanwhile, the ALMA radio telescope peers into the protoplanetary disk around a young star, revealing insights into planet formation 400 light years away. Tune in for fascinating revelations about cosmic collisions and the origins of new worlds!
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Asteroid-Water Impact Effects
- An asteroid hitting water only disturbs a small region directly around the impact site.
- Large tsunamis require underwater events that move the entire water column from seabed to surface.
Asteroid Impact Size and Effects
- Small asteroids tend to explode in the atmosphere and not reach the surface.
- Larger impactors create huge water splashes and waves but these waves dissipate quickly and don't threaten land at a distance.
Water Vapor's Climate Impact
- Water vapor blown into the stratosphere acts as a powerful greenhouse gas.
- Its presence could persist for months or years, significantly altering climate and weather patterns.