Ep. 112: Death From the Skies, Interview with Phil Plait

We say it all the time here on Astronomy Cast: the Universe is trying to kill us. This week, Pamela is joined by Dr. Phil Plait to discuss his new book, Death from the Skies. Phil and Pamela talk about asteroid strikes, solar flares and gamma ray bursts.

Ep. 112: Death from the Skies, Interview with Phil Plait

Phil's Bad Astronomy website

All about Phil

Order a copy of "Death From the Skies!"

Death by Asteroid

• Will blowing up an asteroid work? – MSNBC
• Bad Idea:  Blowing Up Asteroids with Nuclear Missiles – Universe Today
• Movies w/bad science that Phil debunks on his Bad Astronomy site
• B612 Foundation
• The B612 Foundation's solution to potential asteroid strike
• Gravity Tug
• Pan-STARRS
• Large Synoptic Survey Telescope
• Dan Durda
• Apophis – Universe Today
• Mining Asteroids — How Stuff Works

Death from the Sun

• The Sun's magnetic field – Goddard Space Flight Center
• How to project the sun onto a piece of paper — Standford University
• Solar Maximum of 2003 -- Space. com
• Alpha Particles — Wiki
• Solar Flares, or Coronal Mass Ejections — Marshall Space Flight Center
• The Quebec Blackout of March, 1989 – Windows to the Universe
• History of the Sun – Universe Today
• 2012: No Killer Solar Flare -- Universe Today

Misc.

• Moving the Earth — New Scientist
• Gamma Ray Bursts — Goddard Space Flight Center
• Eta Carinae – APOD
• WR 104 — Universe Today

Don't forget to vote for Astronomy Cast in the People's Choice Podcast Awards! The Technology/Science section is near the bottom of the page.

1. Bruce Says:
   October 29th, 2008 at 1:22 pm

   I LOVE the little Prince! That's cool they've got a foundation named after his asteroid home!

2. Scott Says:
   October 30th, 2008 at 4:36 pm

   Did you say 'Death from the Skies' was available from audible? I can't seem to find it.

3. Andrew Says:
   November 9th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

   I'm gonna buy this book the next time at a book store! Great interview.

   Lovin the podcast. Keep up the wonderful work.

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