Scientists say that the asteroid that exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia four years ago was a rare event, unlikely to happen more than every 100 -200 years. But a research in the scientific journal Nature said the earth should expect and plan to get hit by Chelyabinsk-sized asteroids more often - maybe every decade or two!
And we thought the election was rough.
This hour, we talk to a novelist who paints a uniquely-detailed scenario of a pending apocalyptic event, examining how people live their lives in the anticipation of imminent destruction. What would you do with your life if you knew an asteroid would kill you, and everyone else, in six months? Would you quit your job, commit suicide, or just live your life to the fullest?
Oh, and before you lose hope that you can escape a major asteroid hit in your lifetime, scientists are already looking for ways to detect, plan for, and deflect the course of asteroids.
GUESTS:
- Ben Winters - Author of several novels including The Last Policeman Trilogy and most recently, Underground Airlines.
- Robert Pearlman - American space historian and founder and editor of collectSPACE, a website with news and information about space exploration history.
- Dr. H. Jay Melosh - Geophysicist and Professor of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences at Purdue University
You can join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.
