Media not available in the Digital Archive
Description
'In the solar system, there are a number of asteroids and comets whose orbits intersect or pass close to Earth. There is a possibility that some of these Near Earth Objects (NEOs) may impact on Ear
...th at some point in the future. The geological record shows that this has happened a number of times in the past. This risk is attracting increasing attention from the public and the media. Although the probability of an impact is quite low the consequences would be catastrophic. What are scientists and governments doing to prevent such a collision? Can these objects be deflected, destroyed or even made use of? Quentin Cooper is at the Open University in Milton Keynes to discover how scientists are monitoring NEOs. He is joined by Professor of Earth Sciences, Simon Kelley who looks at the consequences of impacts, and John Zarneki, the OU's Professor of Space Science, who's more interested in how we might study NEOs in space and stop them from ever hitting; and Dr Benny Peiser a social anthropologist at Liverpool John Moores University and member of Spaceguard UK who specialises in how catastrophic events influence contemporary thought.'
Metadata describing this Open University audio programme
| Series: |
Material World |
| Episode |
7 |
| First transmission date: |
2006-01-05 |
| Published: |
2006 |
| Rights Statement: |
Rights owned or controlled by The Open University |
| Restrictions on use: |
This material can be used in accordance with The Open University conditions of use. A link to the conditions can be found at the bottom of all OU Digital Archive web pages. |
| Duration: |
00:27:36 |
| Note: |
BBC/Open University series Material World. This is the final programme in a series of seven special editions that are being made in conjunction with the Open University to support the new Science in Context course, S250. |
| + Show more... |
| Track listing: |
track listing for this programme
|
Track 1
|
A leaflet about the series is available for reference use only |
|
| Producers: |
Fiona, Roberts; John Watkins |
| Contributors: |
Quentin Cooper; Simon Kelley; Benny Peiser; John Zarnecki |
| Publisher: |
BBC Open University |
| Subject terms: |
Asteroids--Collisions with Earth; Asteroids--Collisions with Earth--Forecasting; Near Earth asteroids; Science--Social aspects |
| Production number: |
AUDA048B |
| Available to public: |
no |
Available online
