Planetary science - for iPod/iPhone
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About
Our planet is at the centre of a cosmic shooting gallery. This album examines the evidence for and effect of asteroid impacts and meteor explosions on Earth. The 6 video tracks assess the environmental effects caused by bolides of different sizes and trajectories. How do scientists detect that a crater on Earth is the result of an asteroid impact? Ian Gilmour visits an unusual circular feature at Nordingen in Southern Germany and Peter Schultz describes the oblique impact at Rio Quarto in Argentina. When comets collide with planets, the consequences can be catastrophic. What kind of impact could cause mass extinction on earth? This material forms part of The Open University course S283 Planetary science and the search for life.
The Nature of Impacts
What happens when an asteroid crashes into a planet? Geologists investigate the causes of the Reis crater in Germany.
The Formation of Craters
When an asteroid penetrates the Earth's surface, it incredible temperatures and shockwaves transform the landscape.
Reconstructing the Impact
The devastation caused in just 5 minutes when an asteroid smashes into the Earth.
Low Angle Impacts
Comparing the size and shape of craters on Earth and other planets. Special focus on the Rio Quarto crater in Argentina.
The Consequences on Earth
Impacts can have massive environmental effects, for example, the meteor explosion above Tunguska, Siberia.
The Pacific Ocean Explosion
Japanese fishermen witness a 20 kiloton event. But what size impact could cause mass extinction on Earth?