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10-12-2009
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Today's colloquium: The Astrobiological Implications of Near-Earth Asteroids (A. Harris, Berlin)

Submitter: Jean-Mathias Griessmeier
Description: Collisions between planetesimals, the precursors of present-day asteroids and comets, and growing planets forged the Solar System around 4.5 billion years ago. Planetesimals from diverse regions of the planetary disk probably enriched the early Earth and other planets in minerals, water, and organic materials. The origins of Earth's water and organic materials are still subjects of lively debate but objects from the asteroid belt may have played a crucial role. In later epochs impacts on the Earth may have abruptly altered the course of evolution and paved the way for mankind. However, mankind should now be aware that this natural process has not ceased. In particular the current population of so-called near-Earth asteroids contains many objects that are considered potentially hazardous. I will discuss the origin of asteroids and comets and their relevance to life on Earth and the steps being taken to improve our understanding of the impact hazard, including observations that provide information on the physical properties of near-Earth asteroids.
Copyright: A. Harris
 
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