Ep 1. Asteroid Apocalypse: The New Threat

In season 8 episode 1 of How the Universe Works, entitled Asteroid Apocalypse: The New Threat, viewers are taken on a journey to explore the dangers of space rocks hurtling towards Earth. Hosted by Mike Rowe, this episode starts by reminding us that the Chelyabinsk meteor strike in Russia in 2013 is proof that asteroids are a real and present danger, and that we need to start thinking about ways to defend ourselves against them.

The episode then moves on to examine the history of asteroid impacts on Earth, including the famous Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs. Expert scientists and astronomers explain how asteroids are formed, and how they can come to find themselves on a collision course with our planet. They also explore how we are discovering more and more asteroids every day, and the importance of knowing as much as possible about their size, composition, and trajectory.

The show features interviews with experts who are working on ways to protect us from asteroid impacts, including scientists who design and launch satellites to study asteroids, and engineers who are developing new technologies that could allow us to deflect an incoming asteroid away from Earth. Viewers are taken on a tour of NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office, which was set up specifically to oversee efforts to protect Earth from dangerous asteroids.

One fascinating aspect of this episode is the exploration of how we could deflect an asteroid if it were on a collision course with Earth. Viewers are shown simulations of different methods of asteroid deflection, including using a nuclear missile to change its course, or sending a spacecraft to land on the asteroid and use its own gravity to deflect it. We see how scientists are testing these theories through experiments and simulations, and the challenges involved in developing effective asteroid deflection strategies.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to stunning visuals of asteroids in space, and detailed animations that illustrate the science behind the dangers they pose. The show also features reenactments of famous asteroid impacts, such as the one that created the Chicxulub crater in Mexico, which was caused by an asteroid impact 65 million years ago. These reenactments help to bring the science to life, and help viewers to understand the magnitude of the threat we face.

Overall, How the Universe Works season 8 episode 1 is a gripping exploration of the dangers of asteroid impacts on Earth, and the efforts we are making to protect ourselves from them. From dazzling space footage to in-depth interviews with experts, this episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the science of the universe and the threats that it poses to our planet.