Dr. Robin George Andrews, a science writer and author of 'How to Kill an Asteroid,' dives into the fascinating aspects of planetary defense. He recounts the Chelyabinsk incident and the misconceptions about asteroid threats, particularly 'city killers.' Andrews shares insights into NASA's pioneering DART mission aimed at redirecting asteroids, revealing innovative strategies such as collision and unconventional tactics. The discussion emphasizes humanity's capability to tackle existential threats and transform anxiety into proactive engagement for a safer future.

Robin George Andrews, a science journalist and author of "How to Kill an Asteroid," dives into the fascinating world of planetary defense. He reveals how NASA is already tackling the threat of killer asteroids, making the fear of cosmic collisions a bit less daunting. Topics include the wild Chelyabinsk meteor incident, advancements in asteroid deflection strategies like the DART mission, and the cultural perceptions surrounding asteroid impacts. Andrews emphasizes the potential for technological hope in safeguarding Earth’s future.

When you bring a giant magnet to Mars, apocalyptic eruptions are just the beginning. In an attempt to suck out all of the iron from the red planet, Leah Crane and Chelsea Whyte end up shattering it like an Easter egg.Their new cosmic plaything, a U-shaped Wile E. Coyote-esque magnet, is used in various different ways for the purposes of complete annihilation. With the help of science journalist and volcanologist Robin George Andrews, the team squeeze the core out like it’s toothpaste, turn the magnet into a projectile, bring multiple magnets to the fray to create a work of cosmic art and even hollow out the planet to fill it up with… SPIDERS!Dead Planets Society is a podcast that takes outlandish ideas about how to tinker with the cosmos – from punching a hole in a planet to unifying the asteroid belt to destroying the sun – and subjects them to the laws of physics to see how they fare.Your hosts are Leah Crane and Chelsea Whyte.If you have a cosmic object you’d like to figure out how to destroy, email the team at deadplanets@newscientist.com. It may just feature in a later episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices