StarTalk Radio Asteroids Headed Towards Earth with Rick Binzel
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Mar 25, 2025 
In this engaging conversation, Rick Binzel, a planetary science professor from MIT and creator of the Torino Scale, joins Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice. They delve into the likelihood of asteroid impacts on Earth, explaining how the Torino Scale assesses these hazards. Rick shares insights from recent asteroid sample returns and discusses the ongoing search for Planet 9. The trio also explores the NASA mission OSIRIS-APEX and the urgent implications of asteroids like Apophis, blending humor with vital scientific discoveries.
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Pluto's Mass Measurement
- Rick Binzel made the first measurement of Pluto's moon, Charon, transiting Pluto.
- This allowed for the calculation of Pluto's true mass, which was smaller than expected.
Albedo and Size Estimation
- Initial assumptions about a cosmic object's albedo are based on prior measurements.
- Refined measurements can significantly alter size estimations.
Torino Scale Explained
- The Torino Scale combines the risk of an asteroid hitting Earth with the potential damage.
- It's a 10-point scale (0-10), with 0 being no hazard and 10 being catastrophic.