Art opens the show with his signature greeting, emphasizing the vast coverage of “Midnight in the Desert.” He outlines the program’s rules, including no bad language and only one call per show, then thanks those who have supported him. Art shares personal anecdotes about his struggles with technology and a frustrating weekend spent repairing a computer. He transitions into discussing recent news, particularly the controversy surrounding Hillary Clinton’s emails and NASA’s experiment simulating a Mars mission in Hawaii. Art humorously reflects on the challenges of such isolation and then reads a message from a listener who managed to download the show’s podcast while on a USO tour, which he finds heartwarming.
The conversation shifts to Art’s guest, Dr. David Darling, a British astronomer and science writer. They discuss the potential dangers of asteroids and comets, particularly the hypothetical scenario of a large asteroid on a collision course with Earth. Dr. Darling explains that while smaller asteroids could potentially slip by unnoticed, a planet-sized object would be detected well in advance. However, he notes that deflecting or destroying such an object would be incredibly difficult. The conversation then explores the ethical dilemma of whether to inform the public about an impending catastrophic event, with Dr. Darling leaning toward transparency despite the potential for widespread panic.
Art and Dr. Darling also delve into the recent discoveries of unusual features on celestial bodies like Pluto and Ceres. Dr. Darling is cautious about sensationalizing these findings but acknowledges the surprises that come with exploring new worlds. The discussion touches on the challenges of human space exploration, particularly the difficulties of sending humans to Mars. Dr. Darling expresses skepticism about the feasibility of such missions, especially the idea of untrained civilians volunteering for one-way trips.
Art and Dr. David Darling continue their discussion, diving deeper into the hypothetical scenario of an asteroid on a collision course with Earth. Dr. Darling explains the complexities involved in tracking such an object and the challenges of accurately predicting its impact location. He emphasizes that even with advanced technology, it would be difficult to determine the precise trajectory until the asteroid is much closer to Earth, by which time it would likely be too late to take any effective action.
They explore the potential consequences of trying to deflect or destroy the asteroid, with Dr. Darling noting that breaking it into smaller pieces could cause even more widespread damage. The conversation touches on the inherent risks of space exploration and the unpredictability of celestial objects. Dr. Darling points out that while the chances of a catastrophic collision are statistically low, the possibility cannot be entirely ruled out.
Art and Dr. Darling then shift the discussion to the recent surprising discoveries on Pluto, particularly the unexpected geological activity and the presence of 11,000-foot mountains. Dr. Darling expresses astonishment at these findings, which challenge previous assumptions about the dwarf planet. He speculates that Pluto may still have some internal heat driving these features, despite its small size and distance from the Sun.
As they wrap up, Art reflects on humanity’s fascination with space exploration and the challenges of sending humans to other planets, particularly Mars. Dr. Darling reiterates his concerns about the feasibility of such missions, especially given the harsh conditions on Mars and the immense technical challenges involved. They discuss the romantic allure of being a space pioneer but caution against underestimating the dangers and difficulties of interplanetary travel.