Asteroid Alerts, Cosmic Rocks & Life’s Building Blocks: #493 - The Great Space Rock Roundup |...

2025-02-07

This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the support of NordVPN...a must for when online privacy matters. Check out our great New Years deal by visiting www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts (https://www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts) Space Nuts Episode 493: Asteroids, Cosmic Debris, and the Origins of Life Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner in this action-packed episode of Space Nuts as they delve into the fascinating world of asteroids and their implications for life on Earth. From the potential threat of...

Space Nuts Episode 493: Asteroids, Cosmic Debris, and the Origins of Life

Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner in this action-packed episode of Space Nuts as they delve into the fascinating world of asteroids and their implications for life on Earth. From the potential threat of asteroid 2024 YR4 to the surprising discovery of a Tesla Roadster masquerading as a space rock, this episode is filled with intriguing stories and scientific insights that will captivate your imagination.

Episode Highlights:

- Asteroid 2024 YR4: Discover the latest findings on asteroid 2024 YR4, which could come perilously close to Earth in 2032. Jonti explains the ongoing observations and calculations that are helping astronomers refine its orbit and assess the potential threat it poses.

- Not an Asteroid : A new discovery reveals that a supposed asteroid was actually Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster launched into space. Andrew and Jonti discuss the implications of misidentifying space debris and the need for better tracking of objects in our solar system.

- Osiris Rex Mission Insights: Learn about the groundbreaking results from NASA's Osiris Rex mission, which brought back samples from the asteroid Bennu. The findings suggest that asteroids like Bennu could have delivered essential building blocks for life on Earth, including amino acids and nucleobases.

- Solar System Dynamics: Jonti discusses a new study exploring how a rogue planet may have disrupted the orbits of our solar system's planets, providing insight into the unique characteristics of our planetary system compared to others.

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Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and topics

02:15 - Discussion on asteroid 2024 YR4 and its potential threat

10:30 - The Tesla Roadster misidentified as an asteroid

18:00 - Insights from the Osiris Rex mission and its findings

26:45 - Richie planets and solar system dynamics

30:00 - Closing thoughts and listener engagement

✍️ Episode References

NASA's Osiris Rex Mission

https://www.nasa.gov/osiris-rex

Asteroid 2024 YR4 Tracking

https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/