Encrusted, rocky, sometimes dusty, always mysterious–comets and asteroids are among the solar system's very oldest objects, formed within a swirling cloud of gas and dust in the area of space eventually occupied by the Sun and its planets. Locked within each of these extra-terrestrial objects is the solar system’s 4.6-billion-year backstory. By getting close enough to them in space, we can pry open their closely guarded secrets and, perhaps, retrieve the answers to fundamental questions about our planet and its inhabitants.
Exploring comets and asteroids also alerts us to future possibilities of catastrophic impacts from space or information about the existence of valuable raw materials. Beyond earthly uses, such cosmic bounty could provide the necessary fuel and supplies for humans venturing into deep space to explore the far reaches of the solar system.
Join geologist and cosmochemist Natalie Starkey, author of Catching Stardust: Comets, Asteroids, and the Birth of the Solar System, as she reveals how scientists are using these enigmatic celestial objects to help them understand a crucial time in our history: The birth of the solar system and everything contained within it.
Patron Information
- If you register multiple individuals, you will be asked to supply individual names and email addresses so they can receive a Zoom link email. Please note that if there is a change in program schedule or a cancellation, we will notify you via email, and it will be your responsibility to notify other registrants in your group.
- Unless otherwise noted, registration for streaming programs typically closes two hours prior to the start time on the date of the program.
- Once registered, patrons should receive an automatic email confirmation from CustomerService@SmithsonianAssociates.org.
- Separate Zoom link information will be emailed closer to the date of the program. If you do not receive your Zoom link information 24 hours prior to the start of the program, please email Customer Service for assistance.
- View Common FAQs about our Streaming Programs on Zoom.
