Abstract

In person

Comets have a long history of being observed and admired throughout human history. They have been seen as harbingers of doom, indicators of divinity, and maybe even the key to life. Through an astronomical lens, their occasional forays into near-Earth space provide a window into the far reaches of the Solar System, and a glimpse of the (relatively) pristine material that built the planets.

Understanding the extraordinary circumstances that allow humans to observe comets, and for comets to impact the Earth, requires us to consider their entire story, from birth to destruction. In this coffee talk, we will play an interactive game of chance to decide our own cometary story and assess our chances of seeding life on Earth.

With broad brushstrokes, we will paint the life story of a comet, from its formation and the dynamic production of comet reservoirs, to the processes that drive comets towards the planets. Next, we will consider how the violent impact processes affect both the comet and the prospects for delivering prebiotic feedstocks to the Earth. Finally, we will explore the long-lasting effects of such an impact on our planet.

Will any of our cometary stories end with the possible beginning of humanity’s?