Aired
November 20, 2013
NOVA
NOVA
Asteroid: Doomsday or Payday? #S41E09
The asteroid that exploded over Siberia—injuring more than 1,000 and damaging buildings in six cities—was a shocking reminder that Earth is a target in a cosmic shooting range. From the width of a football field to the size of a small city, these space rocks have the potential to be killers. In a collision with Earth, they could set off deadly blast waves, raging fires and colossal tidal waves. But some audacious entrepreneurs look up at asteroids and see payday, not doomsday. Some asteroids are loaded with billions of dollars’ worth of elements like iron, nickel, and platinum. NASA is planning an ambitious mission to return samples from a potentially hazardous asteroid, and would-be asteroid miners are dreaming up their own program to scout for potentially profitable asteroids. Will asteroids turn out to be our economic salvation—or instruments of extinction?
Episode 9 of Season 41 from NOVA — available to stream in HD on any device.
Comments & Discussions
Join the conversation
Sign in to leave a comment
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!
Recommended
Because you liked NOVA
All the Sharks
All the Sharks
Evil Lives Here: The Killer Speaks
Evil Lives Here: The Killer Speaks
Evil Lives Here: Shadows Of Death
Evil Lives Here: Shadows Of Death
Evil Lives Here
Evil Lives Here
Myths: Great Mysteries of Humanity
Myths: Great Mysteries of Humanity
Investigation Shark Attack
Investigation Shark Attack
Monkeys: An Amazing Animal Family
Monkeys: An Amazing Animal Family
Shark Quest: Hunt For The Apex Predator
Shark Quest: Hunt For The Apex Predator
The Diamond Heist
The Diamond Heist
Turning Point: The Vietnam War
Turning Point: The Vietnam War
Explore Content
Search for movies, TV shows, collections, manga, or people
Trending Now