Air Date: November 23, 2009

Lia Corrales & David Tam

The Extraterrestrials in Your Back Yard

Every day 2 tons of cosmic dust rains down upon the surface of the Earth. In this session we will explain how you can go hunting for space rocks in your own back yard. We will explore the phenomenon of micrometeorites and their journey from space to your flower bed.

Lia Corrales was inspired into a life of astrophysical research through space documentaries and Stephen Hawking. She is now a second year Astronomy grad student at Columbia University. She also enjoys dancing, rock climbing, and reminiscing about Astrocamp.

David Tam is the Sr. Technician with the Columbia University Department of Physics. He received a B.A. in physics from Columbia in 2006, where he conducted research in experimental cosmology. His interests include machining and welding, the science of recording and radio broadcasting, and playing bluegrass cello.