Episode summary introduction: In this episode of Backyard Geology, Chris explores the impacts of meteors. Finding a meteor seems like a once-in-a-lifetime chance, but Chris will talk about scientists who find meteors for their jobs. He will also discuss the origins of meteors, what they are made of, what happens when they land on Earth, and how you might test a rock for meteor properties. So, do you think you could find a meteor in your backyard? Well, Chris even tells the story of a woman who found a meteor when it crashed through her house!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Professor Phil Bland, Curtin University and the race to find a recently fallen 4.5 billion year-old meteorite – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN6go1dgX7w
- Desert Fireball Network, Curtin University
Host Information:
Dr. Chris Spencer is a professor of geology at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, and the founder of TravelingGeologist. His research utilizes igneous petrology, geochemistry, and geochronology to understand orogenic processes and the geologic history of the Earth. He spends as much time as he can outdoors doing fieldwork, spending time with family, and exploring the natural world. As a member of the Geology Podcast Network, he promotes earth science education and enjoys sharing his passion for the Earth with others. Chris can be found on Instagram @travelinggeologist, on Twitter @travelinggeolog, and on Facebook @TravelingGeologist
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.