Asteroid Adventures

This 47-minute lecture by Professor Chris Lintott from Gresham College explores the fascinating world of asteroids, once dismissed as "celestial vermin" but now recognized as crucial components of our Solar System's story. Discover how these celestial bodies serve as building blocks for planets and contain valuable information about the last five billion years of cosmic history. Learn about two significant missions: Lucy, which will fly past asteroid Donaldjohanson in April 2025, and OSIRIS-ReX, which recently returned with samples from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu. The comprehensive presentation covers the asteroid belt, potential asteroid threats to Earth, deflection strategies, and how asteroids may relate to the chemistry of life. Recorded at Conway Hall in London, this lecture is part of Gresham College's 400-year tradition of providing free public education from leading experts.