Asteroids that Hit the Earth - October 3,2007

On Wednesday, Oct. 3rd, 2007, at 7 pm, Astronomer David Morrison of NASA’s Ames Research Center will give a non-technical, illustrated talk on: “Taking a Hit: Asteroid Impacts and Evolution” as part of the Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures in the Smithwick Theater, Foothill College, El Monte Road and Freeway 280, in Los Altos Hills, California.

Free and open to the public. Parking on campus costs $2.

Call the series hot-line at 650-949-7888 for more information and driving directions.

No background in science will be required for this talk.

Asteroids have hit the Earth many times in the past, and they will continue to hit in the future, whether we are prepared or not. Collisions with our planet over 4.5 billion years have profoundly influenced the evolution of life. In fact, were it not for the impact of a 15-km wide asteroid 65 million years ago, it is likely humanity would not be here.

Impacts are important for our future as well as our past. In the last two decades we have learned not only how to evaluate the impact hazard but also (in principle) how to defend ourselves. The astronomers operating the Spaceguard Survey of Near Earth Asteroids have already reduced the risk of fatality from unknown asteroids by at least 75%. Unlike other natural hazards, we now have the capability of removing most of the impact risk within the next generation. However, the government still does not have a plan of action for when an asteroid is discovered heading our way or when an impact happens without any warning.

David Morrison is one of the world’s experts on the study of asteroid impacts. He is the Senior Scientist at the NASA Astrobiology Institute, where he participates in a variety of research programs in the study of the living universe. Dr. Morrison is the author of more than 155 technical papers and has published a dozen books (including several widely used college textbooks in astronomy). He is the recipient of numerous awards for his scientific and his educational work, including the Sagan Medal of the American Astronomical Society for public communication. Dr. Morrison was a founder of the multi-disciplinary field of astrobiology. Asteroid 2410 Morrison is named in his honor, but he assures us that it is not one of those that might hit the Earth.

The lecture is co-sponsored by:* NASA Ames Research Center* The Foothill College Astronomy Program* The SETI Institute* The Astronomical Society of the Pacific.

Past Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures are now available in MP3 format at:http://www.astrosociety.org/education/podcast/index.html.