Audio
Science Friday Initiative

Science Friday: A Journey to the Oort Cloud, Where Comets Are Born

9th - 10th
The comet ISON, discovered by two amateur astronomers last year, will zoom past the Earth next fall. But where did it come from?
Instructional Video
NASA

Nasa Space Place: Solar System Formation

3rd - 8th
Animated video tells the story of how the solar system came to be. [3:02]
Audio
Science Friday Initiative

Science Friday: Science Diction: Comet

9th - 10th
In this month's Science Diction, we look at the origins of the word 'comet.
Audio
Science Friday Initiative

Science Friday: A Trip to a Comet

9th - 10th
Last week, a NASA mission paid a visit to comet Hartley 2, flying by at a distance of just a few hundred miles. We'll talk about what they learned in this audio lecture. [12:12]
Audio
Science Friday Initiative

Science Friday: Tracking Near Earth Objects

9th - 10th
The US spends $4 million each year to search for comets or asteroids that could threaten the planet. That's not enough to get the job done, according to a new report from the National Research Council.
Audio
Science Friday Initiative

Science Friday: Studying Comet Contents

9th - 10th
We'll check in with researchers on the Stardust probe, which captured dust from comet Wild-2 in 2004.
Audio
Science Friday Initiative

Science Friday: New Meteor Shower May Offer Skygazers a Treat, or Not

9th - 10th
Late Friday night, Earth will sail through debris left by the comet 209P/LINEAR. Scientists are calling the shower the Camelopardalids.
Audio
Science Friday Initiative

Science Friday: Ison: The Comet of the Century . . . Or Is It?

9th - 10th
As Comet ISON skirts the sun, it could be destroyed or emerge, even more spectacular than before.