StarTalk Radio Asteroids Headed Towards Earth with Rick Binzel
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Mar 25, 2025 
In this engaging conversation, Rick Binzel, a planetary science professor from MIT and creator of the Torino Scale, joins Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice. They delve into the likelihood of asteroid impacts on Earth, explaining how the Torino Scale assesses these hazards. Rick shares insights from recent asteroid sample returns and discusses the ongoing search for Planet 9. The trio also explores the NASA mission OSIRIS-APEX and the urgent implications of asteroids like Apophis, blending humor with vital scientific discoveries.
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Rick Binzel's Accomplishments
- Rick Binzel invented the Torino Scale and has an asteroid named after him.
- He co-investigated OSIRIS-REx and loves Pluto.
Old School Tech
- Neil deGrasse Tyson and Rick Binzel reminisced about forwarding calls to other phones.
- They also discussed connecting to campus computers via acoustic couplers at 300 baud.
Early Asteroid Research
- Rick Binzel published his first paper on asteroids at age 15.
- This stemmed from his participation in a formative astronomy camp.