Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains Why Craters Are Round

Why are craters round? Even when asteroids hit surfaces at different angles and speeds, all craters end up round. Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice are ready to investigate.
To start, Neil tells us why the original scientific thinking behind the shape of craters had to do with volcanoes. You’ll find out why the invention of computers, and the use of simulation, allowed us to advance the science forward.
Discover more about “high-speed collisions” and why kinetic energy has an important role to play when it comes to crater shape. Neil also tells us why the same thing that happens to craters happens to snowballs when you throw them against a wall. All that, plus, does the atmosphere have anything to do with the shape of craters?
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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!
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[@BIGREDDOG09]

the answer is definitely more interesting than the question, glad i clicked this vid

[@MegaSkills9]

Look at my comment above yours. You might also find this interesting.

[@demven04]

Agree, same feeling

[@tmrogers87]

Staying on this vid JUST based on this comment

[@Leftyotism]

lol, right in the feels

[@renierbelarma4770]

Reverse clickbait

[@zacharywages8153]

Neil's laugh warms my soul.

[@kapnkeggie]

Neil in general warms my soul

[@kapnkeggie]

Too bad for him

[@marsomatic639]

9:29 Every physics problem ever in the history of the observable universe

[@Minty_Fresh8]

Like the spherical chicken in a vacuum 😉🤣

[@jessicarolon3870]

What he's saying at the beginning is exactly why I watch these.

[@rastko7261]

I have engeneering mechanics as a subject in my college and I can confirm this.

[@nitehawk86]

@@Minty_Fresh8 Nice, I came here to imagine spherical chickens too. :)

[@darrellcole6311]

I love Dr. Tyson's perspectives on common things....makes me try to think outside the box often

[@Hirannagar]

What a brilliant relatable comment!

[@SirSkippy87]

@@Hirannagar I couldn’t agree more! I’m always able to understand what it is he’s talking about because of the way he explains it...

[@J.Tronix]

Tyson 2024

[@steve-o6413]

Exactly, one word can trigger a whole series of questions that nobody ever asks, like firing a thruster in Space what is the thruster pushing against in empty space, or what are you Warping in Space if you want to go faster than light speed. Space cannot be completely Empty...

[@emiliospowerballer1441]

physics isnt about common sense and logic. those are human interpretations to stuff we dont understand. no wonder physics is hard, because it takes people out of their comfort zones and shows them with evidence what does what and how. human logic is flawed in many ways

[@cassianogunji]

I can't get enough of Chuck Nice. Every comedian is a very smart person, but Chuck really defines the scale! His new jokes are relativistically faster than the old ones (which he slows down without noticing). He makes me laugh before I have a chance to understand what Dr. Tyson just said.

[@georgeevangelinos7392]

Imagine having Neil as your physics teacher.........

[@msmith53]

He wouldn’t do that for “teacher pay”. And he shouldn’t! Everybody wants the most pay for their work, and low pay does not draw Tyson talents!

[@ThousandMask]

That’s literally what KZbin allowed us to have 😎

[@dubsteplovingginger]

He is our physics teacher?? Are you not learning things? Lol

[@djcammykooma]

Imagine Neil being your proctologist

[@Ghosty2k77]

That would be a dream in paradise

[@legendariano4303]

I hope to see another season of Cosmos. Such fantastic series, absolutely love them - both the original and the new ones.

[@counterguardian6145]

Would you laugh or cry if someone framed you for a crime?

[@mattvdy]

R😊jbxcdc 🎉 on khgvgh elsvpeldple TV e😂dcf😂ped❤😂d😂lw😊❤ft

[@abrahamwondafrash7549]

I was just expecting a video just before I sleep....what a great science bedtime story...

[@petermartin7811]

You have a cool name

[@roshanhemrom4906]

Now I can rest in peace 😌

[@aprameyak8578]

This guy could talk about calculus and make it sound interesting.

[@defenderofwisdom]

I could actually use that.

[@fr33nb33n]

He could read the dictionary and make it interesting.

[@Sttuey]

Calculus *is* interesting!

[@aprameyak8578]

@@Sttuey whatever you're into 💯

[@defenderofwisdom]

@@Sttuey But not often taught in an interesting way. Math is sometimes taught in a way which would be evidently interesting to the natural mathematician, but not to people who struggle with it. It took me a while to understand what makes it interesting and I still don't -get- it because, well, it's tricky to learn if math isn't your first inclination.

[@pboston6RR]

Dr. Tyson states that Arizona doesn’t have volcanoes but it does. Sunset Crater near Flagstaff is a prime example, and a drive by shows extensive lava fields. That entire area is pock marked with hundreds of volcanoes and the debris fields of the eruptions are vast. Other than that, it’s his usual great description of physics.

[@srsaito9262]

If had 3 wishes, one it would be that he taught me when I was in high school.

[@knightofchaos4647]

*taught NOT thought

[@gamil867]

If only we have learnt all of this (startalk program) in high school, society could be so much different. At least understand why put a mask. By the way an asteroid colliding with flat earth would be still a circle ?

[@speedgeek5494]

Learning doesn't have to be dry and boring, but somehow most teachers manage to do it.

[@BrazilianBobcat]

My next two would be middle school and college

[@billytaylor6604]

Up until 6th grade my science teacher was bla bla bla ... learned nothing.... 6th Grade I had a GREAT Science teacher she made me LOVE science.

[@agnosticignostic4086]

This video could have been 30 seconds long. But Neil once again shows storytelling is more important than a simple formula. It s the best way to educate anyone, beginner to experts

[@Fabelot1]

My mind must have made an impact with a momentum that exceeds the energy that holds it together, cause it just exploded

[@jiyachhabria4795]

YESSS!

[@chop-daresistance7514]

And that comment did the exact same thing to my mind 🤯

[@ikitclaw7146]

Physics will do that to you.

[@maramartaamarhcp]

Well played Fabian

[@samrice5926]

Nice doesn't get enough credit. He plays off of Tyson so well, and his comedic injections really bring these videos to the next level. Keep throwin it down Chuck!

[@74360CUDA]

He has really been killing it lately!!

[@r0guecaver420]

Neil deGrasse Tysons favorite word "soooo".

[@BrandoDrum]

And phrase: "by the way"

[@erikhendrickson59]

That's just the time it takes his brain to translate his speech from physicist/mathematics-mode to normal-person-mode

[@firstlast9731]

no its precisely

[@apedosmil99]

Followed by, "now watch"

[@chrisgoyette4156]

I'm loving this combo. Very knowledgable and hilarious! My kind of life! Keep up the great work guys!

[@no6ixfigureabrahams457]

Chuck makes startalk even more fun

[@ahmedrafea8542]

This is really awesome. I always find it most intriguing when we invoke two variables and how they work together to explain a phenomenon. Thanks very much, Neil and Chuck.

[@SeinFreak]

10:34 Hawaii does get snow in the mountains, they even have snow skiing! Did I just teach Neil deGrasse Tyson something? Probably not, but if so it was an honor! 😂

[@damyr]

Not sure about NDT, but you certainly taught me something I didn't know. Thx for that. ;)

[@strategicthinker8899]

Australia as well. It has more managed ski terrain that Switzerland. It's 100% true.

[@Morpheux1]

Maybe there's not many walls to throw snowballs at up in the mountains 🤷

[@TerryGrancho]

Mauna Kea (13,803') and Mauna Loa (13,678') only in those two places, not enough for skiing! lol

[@daudidaudi]

Le'ts give Neil flowers while he's here. What a legend. I've introduced my son to you and he's hooked.

[@davidm.4670]

did you ever read 'Flowers for Algernon" Sci Fi ...

[@xxdaerdevolxx]

This channel allows me to ask all the questions I once thought up and/or did not think of ever. Or that may have cruised my mind ever so briefly. To my favorite astrophysicist as if I could be personally speaking directly to him. An intimate moment to every last braincell. Please Neil and Chuck, keep these coming, there is invaluable knowledge to be gained with every episode. I would like to personally extend my gratitude beyond a simple button for the both of you, taking your time to share such knowledge in a distilled to simplicity manner where just about any person could benefit. I hope my comment makes it to you Neil, I've seen your Master Class and seen you on Cosmos, I've kept up with you on many occasions and am ever grateful for your selflessness. My everlasting gratitude to you, you've made an immeasurable difference in the person I am and aspire to be. I wish you the very best convenient arrangement of coincidences that favor your time on earth with us! May you change many others lives as you've unknowingly done with my own. Huge fan of your work. Sincerely: One in a million human.

[@chrisnurnberg9599]

You'll never run out of stuff to teach people! love these discussions and yes I'm learning all the time from you guys! Thank you

[@Djzaamir]

I really enjoy these quick explainer videos. Thank you for doing this.

[@corykrug8675]

These short clips are my favorite, i never miss you of these especially when it's you and Chuck

[@aidanmurray8283]

So interesting! I love these explainer videos - best on the channel I think. Is the binding force of the object the sum of all the intermolecular forces, or is it the average magnitude of the bonds between individual molecules?

[@michelerossi7121]

This show is simply amazing, and I just discovered it!!! It has everything, a perfect duo, a brilliant comedian and an even more talented astrophysicist. It has sooo many interesting topics and conversations. Keep it up 👍🏻

[@jamesadams893]

Chuck is a putz, if I could mute just him I would

[@danebeck7900]

A few weeks ago I saw a meteor streak through the atmosphere and explode in the air. The heat energy absorbed by the meteor as it fell through the atmosphere must have been greater than the binding energy, so it exploded in every direction.

[@rob5232]

Another fantastic explanation video. You guys rock!

[@v.k.2320]

Not even 1 minute in and I'm laughing hard. Thanks for science and comedy. 😂😃

[@srijeethj3616]

Who is here after watching veritasium latest video about asteroid impact on earth, where derek mentioned about the same crater in Arizona 🤓

[@damyr]

I'm not. Derek's new video is still kept in my special queue intended for hours of binge watching. :)

[@DANGJOS]

Me! This was a nice explanation of why the crater disintegrated on impact

[@larful]

I’m enjoying your startalk so much !

[@abrahamwondafrash7549]

vertasium plus startalk....I am loving it!

[@unifiedcodetheory8406]

So I'm still a bit confused, what about the direction of the force? If object A collides with object B at high speed, doesn't the force transfered from object A still maintain the same direction? Meaning the impact crator should be a cone shape instead? If someone could help me out on this I'd really appreciate that

[@popra007]

Well actually they just explain it, it is about hyper sonic speeds...as is Mach 8 - 10 -12 maybe on were the impact disintegrates the "bullet" and a big portion of the target in all directions from the center of the impact...like in a nuclear blast! :O

[@JoshV74656]

I love these explainer videos, entertaining and educational.

[@adlerfg]

Your videos with Chuck are the most enjoyable. Thank you guys!

[@stjut]

I never thought about why craters are round, I'm glad I watched yr vlog because the answer is so simple it's amazing.

[@christopherjohnson8044]

Thank you Chuck for adding on always.

[@truss2005]

To his opening the albedo talk with the earthshine blew my mind. One of those subtle mind trips when you realize it

[@rubabhuss2791]

The talk was very interesting. Thanks for making this video.

[@UhhhhhnooOOo00oO]

I've met Chuck many times. He always has great interior decor style. Just an observation.

[@andybreckenridge4461]

I'm amazed how entertaining these NDTs videos are without any visual aids! One small correction, there are volcanoes in Arizona. A scant 1000 years ago the Sunset crater cinder cone formed near Flagstaff (a national monument). I also believe asymmetric craters form at really low angles of incidence.

[@peonui]

@StarTalk What video recording application do you guys use to record this? Looks crystal clear and great :). Much appreciated if you can answer this.

[@ondemandpowerwashing3434]

another great EXPLAINER VIDEO

[@clkgenius]

8:13 SQUARED! Loved that extra hand movement there Neil. 😁

[@gideonvisser2989]

So much fun! Thanks for doing this!

[@WheelgunsOnWheels]

I use these once a week for a quick cool change up in my high school astronomy lessons. There’s always something Dr Tyson discusses that fits in perfectly in every single unit. Thanks sir, you are my hero.

[@gabrielpaes1922]

Hey Neil! I´m very close to the end of Letters from an Astrophysicist. Loving every second of it. Makes me feel like i am (was) somehow involved in those conversations. Makes me feel alive! Cheers from Brazil and thanks for that letter to us (brazilians) at the begining. Keep looking to the stars!

[@freelife575]

Neil you explain things in a way that anyone anyone can understand....awesome !!!! Thanks

[@TheBrister]

This topic ended up being way more fascinating than I expected!

[@aurilightsong6330]

When he gets to the end explanation, especially when I don't Know the answer ahead of time, he always makes it seem like a Big cool thing to learn. Like a brief moment of enlightenment as a golden light descends with the answer on a diamond platter.

[@riblets1968]

Chuck was on fire in this one! He's a great counterpoint to Tyson's educator persona.

[@rfdrob769]

Geology PhD student here. I would like to clarify that there IS volcanic activity in Arizona. In fact, the volcanism there is extensive! The Uinkaret volcanic field is one example, with lava flows from this field flowing down the Grand Canyon and damming the Colorado River on occasion. Another example is the San Fransisco volcanic field. Here lie the remains of an extinct stratovolcano that at one point was over 16,000 feet above sea level, along with miles of basalt flows and beautiful cinder cones. This volcanic field is potentially still active, with the USGS forecasting that another eruption may occur here in the future. Regardless, Neil is spot on with the rest of his explanation of the physics and geology in this quick talk! I would love to see more geoscientists on star talk in the future. I love the episode with Janine Krippner, and would like to see more similar episodes.

[@drottningu]

Thanks for the cool video! Neil almost spilled the beans at 2:05!

[@sylvesteraddo1545]

I just love this explainer videos

[@danielandresnavarretearand3449]

big fan of your work! siempre aprendo algo nuevo cada dia! :)

[@davew5383]

This is very interesting, I have always wondered why craters are empty, this video definitely answers my question. Thank You🙂

[@keeplookingup911]

This is how Teaching should be done. Now this information will stay with me because not only i learned from the discussion but i also enjoyed it.

[@GuteIdee]

Great explanation. Always asked myself that. Now i Know! Thanks

[@EvenTheDogAgrees]

Chuck, thanks for toning the act down for this one.

[@soberlivingwithbrianfrankl8254]

How could u give this a thumbs down? Another great one!

[@josecastillosolis]

Please never stop making videos. Thank you!

[@PJ818]

Before computer simulations one of the strongest arguments for impacts being the origins of craters was made by Eugene Shoemaker. As a geology student working on his PhD he was granted permission to study 2 of the Nevada nuclear bomb test sites, as well as allowed to go to into Meteor Crater in Arizona. At the test sites and Meteor Crater he found a mineral called coesite, a silicon mineral that only forms when molten silicon is subjected to extreme pressure, like that of a nuclear bomb, or an exploding impactor. The pressures involved in volcanic eruptions aren't great enough, and you don't find coesite associated with volcanoes. Later in life, Eugene, his wife Carolyn, and his friend David Levy searched for near Earth objects using a 48 inch telescope at Palomar Observatory. The ninth comet they discovered later turned out was on a collision course for Jupiter, was ripped apart by Jupiter's gravity, and then struck Jupiter with a series of strafing impacts in July 1994.

[@bob_s_drawkcab]

01:04 ... The big ones, the small ones, the meteor ones.....

[@nicko7238]

this is the definition of "things you didn't know, you didn't know, but are glad you learned"

[@kylecastleberry605]

Every time I watch one of these, I start it thinking I know the answer. This is how you explain and teach to young people.

[@toddmrambo]

Loved this, learned something new. I do take issue with his statement that there is no volcanic activity in Arizona. Northern Arizona, especially around Flagstaff is full of geologically recent volcanic activity. The SanFrancisco peaks are the remains of a volcano, and are only about 40miles from Meteor Crater.

[@TaterFarmer]

Yes Neil. Love all your content. Glad you’re here

[@TaterFarmer]

Seriously. The world needs more education

[@aspirine24]

@@TaterFarmer ...yes

[@cloudrouju526]

Dr. Tyson and Chuck, what a team!

[@stochastic_dreams]

Keep doing this guys! You are great!

[@listenhere1623]

What he's saying at the beginning is exactly why I watch these.

[@root1259]

ich liebe diese Videos.

[@TheWeatherbuff]

Neil, we need some clones of you, to teach, like, everything. We'd have a lot more students paying attention. :)

[@ikitclaw7146]

Teachers should use these random explainers in their classes, its grabs your attention for the subject matter and takes around 15-20 mins. and this applies to many channels for many subjects if not all subjects, Start a class with a short fun video then get into the teaching part. Its pretty much free, most schools have the ability to stream video to a classroom and for youtubers thats a badge of prestige, "My worked taught children around the world new concepts" (and free advertisment to the masses for subs lol)

[@TerryGrancho]

You, become one! We need more scientists, now!

[@WHEATSFPV]

gosh I love startalk.

[@iamonlyme5098]

Keep going guys! You can never run out of things to explain!

[@nelsonaguiar4361]

Thank you always learning everyday❤

[@kwanryan5914]

I would like to sit down with this clever man under the night sky and just listen to him explaining stuff

[@DavidBigandt]

Very interesting one

[@stupidbeetle]

My 4 year old son asked for a telescope for Xmas because he "wants to know what is out there". Couldn't be more proud.

[@DANGJOS]

Wow that makes so much sense, thanks!

[@followtherules4808]

This is best explainer podcast.

[@mattdodd561]

Shallow and deep💛

[@rodneyyenrejefferson2431]

Still reminisce on the details. ( great presentation.)

[@robertszerlong7077]

As a point of interest, I have been to Meteor Crater in Arizona and was told by the guide,as I recall, that the mining company did fine the remains of the Meteor buried at the southern edge of the Crater, and the Crater is, in fact, round. This makes Dr. Tyson's explanation even more convincing.

[@greendragonreprised6885]

I have often wondered about this because oval craters seems intuitive. Thanks for explaining why we don't find them. One question, if a rock hit the Moon and was traveling sufficiently slowly to survive, would we be able to tell it wasn't a real Moon rock from its geology, and have we done so? Maybe that's two questions.

[@kakarroto007]

Fascinating.

[@FWtravels]

If I had a teacher like this in high school, it would’ve changed my life

[@SonGoku22221]

Hi Neil! I love your videos! I actually am one of your Hawaii fans, but i have seen snow before lol

[@KuyaB69]

Neil summed up my thoughts perfectly in the beginning of this video. I think, "Okay I know why craters are round. Let's see what this is all about." Then I watch the video and end up learning some cool new stuff. Awesome.

[@MrZimeir]

You make the best videos

[@hobbitfrdo]

I never thought about that ,but now I know I'm impressed.

[@jefferyneu3915]

Learning from N dG T is always fun!😍

[@sameernarkar4006]

This is awesome stuff 😍

[@Joncoxjohnxdxnl]

It's always interesting And fun to see Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-host Chuck Nice love you guys!

[@jessicabrown2758]

I always wondered what happened to the meteors that left the craters behind. Cool stuff.

[@payathecat1433]

Love you guys, but one minor correction : indeed, there is a volcanic field only about 50 miles from Meteor Crater called the San Francisco Volcanic Field just north of Flagstaff, of which Sunset Crater is a national park.

[@Charles_Chime]

I can proudly say I studied at " Star Talk University " 🤣. I love you guys ❤ Thanks for doing what you do Niel and Chuck ❤❤🌹🌹

[@presumedlivingston9384]

If you haven't seen it, Tyson is in a Tide commercial. I just got lucky enough to have his commercial play at the beginning of this video. Booyah!!!

[@Cooker3233]

Amazing! Love it

[@RustyChapman]

You guys are hilarious, and most informative, as well.

[@shadisobh16]

its impossible to run out of things to explain Dr. ... coz we still look up!!