How Well Can We Protect Earth From Asteroids

<p>In December 2020, the iconic Arecibo Observatory collapsed, and with it, humanity lost one of its sharpest eyes on the cosmos. But the mission to protect our planet didn&#39;t stop there.</p><p>In this episode, we dive into the high-stakes world of planetary defense. Explore how a global network of &quot;watchers&quot;—from NASA’s automated systems to the James Webb Space Telescope—scans the darkness for near-Earth objects that could threaten our existence. We’ll break down the real-life drama of tracking asteroid 2024 YR4, the complex science of orbital mechanics, and the chilling question that keeps astronomers awake at night: What happens when we find a &quot;planet killer&quot; headed our way, and are we ready to nudge it off course? Join us as we look at the thin line between a close call and a cosmic catastrophe.</p>