Neil DeGrasse Tyson explains why we need planetary defense

In humanity’s first test of asteroid deflection technology, NASA’s DART spacecraft deliberately crashed into the Dimorphos asteroid on Monday at 7:14 p.m. ET. Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson joins CNN’s John Berman and explains the importance of a planetary defense system. #CNN #News

[kated]

Watched the live feed. Definitely a goosebumps moment.
6.8 million miles away, DART traveling at 14, 000 mph! Amazing!
Congratulations to all involved!

[rakeemmcdaniel]

Finally humanity doing something right this time and smart I love it keep it up can't wait to hear the news

[rileyhogan]

I'm curious as to why there wasn't a camera ejected from the spacecraft before impact that could be left behind to orbit Didymos, capturing the impact from another angle and continuing to provide footage as it orbits the larger asteroid to observe the fruits of NASA and Darts labor.

[alma]

Never thought in this angle: the earlier detected, the better and cheaper the deflection will be.

[mvaldman]

It’s not often you have mission control cheering for a Loss Of Signal (LOS) event

[mrb.]

The way things are going, Planet Earth being wiped out by an asteroid wold be sweet relief.

[dllsdrgon]

As small as this was in the media, this was a VERY BIG STEP for HUMANS.

[MichaelS-prqn]

Dart's last thought, "I wonder if it will be friends with me"?

[Neloish]

I like how it goes Terminator Red vision when it blows up. Fitting for the worlds first space weapon.

[merovingian]

The Death Star is now operational Lord Vader Tyson. Impressive!!!!

[jaklinhyde]

I like how Neil says Merica all the time when describing American things 😂😂

[drea]

He said “in ‘merica “ lmao gotta love him

[davidroosa]

wouldn't it be ironic if we deflected it towards earth

[Falcorsky]

The Sarmat's ability to carry 10 or more warheads and decoys, and Russia's option of firing it over either of the Earth's poles, posed a challenge to ground and satellite-based radar and tracking systems.

[aussieatheist]

I imagined a little Martian looking up at the camera waving as we blew up his little planet!! Lol 👽

[jackson]

Couldn't agree more about his thoughts on Don't Look Up.

[journeymansmitty]

Well it is about time that we design something to protect this planet🤔

[phillrockman]

Does he need to explain it? Didn't we all see Armageddon? For a second, forget the fact that this is in service of trying to save the planet. We just witnessed the largest physical experiment in astrophysics to date. We're going from merely just trying to blow stuff up to trying to figure out how to manipulate the heavens. This is our first step in trying to change the universe according to our will. That's a big step and I wish more people would see it that way.

[iCatez]

Imagine how embarrassing it will be when the mass extinction event that eventually does hit us isn’t an asteroid💀

[D_Rogers]

I like the tenth of a frame of video that DART sent just before impact... :)