Guest speaker to discuss Earth-approaching asteroids in public talk at UND

On October 10, Michael Gaffey will be giving a public talk in Witmer Hall room 116 about earth-approaching asteroids.

His talk, titled “Earth-Approaching Asteroids: Scientific and Ethical Issues,” will be taking place at 8:00 p.m. There will be an opportunity for the people attending to look through telescopes following the event, weather permitting.

“As long as the weather allows, any time is the ‘right’ time to look through a telescope. The sky is open and free for all to observe,” Wayne Barkhouse, a professor in the department of physics and astrophysics, said.

As long as there aren’t a lot of clouds in the way, it should be possible.

This topic of asteroids is also extremely relevant and important.

“Asteroids do not maintain a stable orbit,” Barkhouse said. “Thus, they pose a risk to life on our planet.”

Earth-approaching asteroids have the greatest potential of impacting the Earth. This can be very dangerous. That being said, Barkhouse believes that people going to this event can benefit immensely from it.

“The knowledge gained by the audience from an expert in the field will improve our understanding of the universe around us,” Barkhouse said. “Including potential for hazards that could be life threatening on a global scale.”

These asteroids circling Earth are a target for spacecraft to visit. Barkhouse touched on the fact that they might be with both unmanned and quite possibly ones with humans on board as well in the near future.

Rachel Cox is a staff writer for the Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected]