Asteroid Strikes Yucatan Peninsula

Dr. Forrester discusses his published article on asteroid impacts, focusing on the Chicxulub impact that caused mass extinction 65 million years ago. He explains the effects on Earth's climate and life, the role of Jupiter in shielding Earth, and the study of comets and meteoroids. The video includes a simulation of an asteroid impact.

What was the approximate size of the asteroid that struck Earth 65 million years ago?

• 3 miles wide

• 12 miles wide

• 6 miles wide

• 10 miles wide

What major event is believed to have been caused by the asteroid impact 65 million years ago?

• The rise of mammals

• The Ice Age

• The extinction of dinosaurs

• The formation of the Grand Canyon

What role does Jupiter play in the solar system regarding asteroid impacts?

• It increases the frequency of impacts on Earth

• It attracts asteroids towards Earth

• It shields Earth from impacts

• It has no effect on asteroid impacts

What was the purpose of NASA's Deep Impact mission?

• To deflect an asteroid from Earth

• To observe a meteor shower

• To study the composition of a comet

• To land on an asteroid

What is the difference between a meteor and a meteorite?

• A meteor burns up in the atmosphere, a meteorite reaches Earth's surface

• A meteor is larger than a meteorite

• A meteor is a rock on Earth, a meteorite is a rock in space

• A meteor is a rock in space, a meteorite is a rock on Earth

What happens to most meteors when they enter Earth's atmosphere?

• They change direction

• They explode

• They burn up

• They reach the surface

What is a common term used to describe meteors as they streak across the sky?

• Falling stars

• Comet tails

• Asteroid trails

• Space dust