Forget Hollywood: The Real Asteroid Threat Explained

Asteroids have a terrifying reputation in movies — giant rocks wiping out cities, ending civilization, and destroying Earth in a single impact. But how dangerous are asteroids in real life?

In this episode of Cosmic Neighbors, we break down the real science behind asteroids: how often they hit Earth, why most burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere, what actually happened during events like the 2013 Chelyabinsk explosion, and how scientists track and defend against potentially hazardous objects.

The truth is far less dramatic — and far more interesting — than Hollywood makes it seem. From near‑Earth objects to planetary defense missions, this episode explains what risks asteroids really pose, and why a civilization‑ending impact is extremely rare.

If you enjoy clear, calm explanations of space science without hype, subscribe to Cosmic Neighbors for weekly episodes exploring our universe.