Gallery: NASA Brings Out the Big Gun for Asteroid Impact Science

  • Ames Vertical Gun Range
    01

    ames-vertical-gun-range

    *A top-down view of the Ames Vertical Gun Range.*
  • Schultz
    02

    schultz

    *Planetary scientist Peter Schultz, principal investigator at the Ames Vertical Gun Range.*
  • Gun Barrel
    03

    gun-barrel

    *The 14-foot barrel of the gun range.*
  • Cameras
    04

    cameras

    *High-speed cameras shoot up to 1 million frames per second to capture a simualted meteorite explosion in detail.*
  • Spherical Impact
    05

    spherical-impact

    *High-speed animation of a projectile crashing through a transparent sphere, which models the shockwaves from a meteorite impact propagating through the interior of a planet. Animation courtesy Peter Schultz.*
  • Vapor Cone
    06

    vapor-cone

    *High-speed film showing the aftermath of a projectile hitting a simulated planetary surface in the gun's vacuum chamber. Video courtesy Peter Schultz.*
  • Aftermath
    07

    aftermath

    *An aluminum block carries the scar of a simulated meteorite impact.*
  • Control Room
    08

    control-room-2

    *A small control room next to the gun range is filled with computer equipment to monitor and record the impacts.*
  • The Gault Position
    09

    the-gault-position

    *Peter Schultz and his graduate student, Stephanie Quintana, assume the Gault position.*
  • Inside the Chamber
    10

    inside-the-chamber

    *Looking inside the vacuum chamber shortly after the gun range has fired. A fresh crater has been created in dolomite powder.*
  • The Projectile
    11

    the-projectile

    *Peter Schultz holds the projectile pellet that was used to fire into the dolomite powder dish.*
Read More
‘Darth Vader’ Wants You to Know He Definitely Supports Flock Surveillance
Anthony Ralphs was frustrated by the San Diego City Council's support for Flock. He decided it would take something more than reasoned argument to get their attention.
Vittoria Elliott
The Best Early Labor Day Kitchen Deals for Busy Fall Days
With school and sports starting again, these discounts on Instant Pots, cookware, and coffee gear arrive right on time.
Kat Merck
Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold Is Better, but Not the Best
A polished update to Google’s foldable brings real improvements, but the price bump and rampant competition make it a tough sell.
Simon Hill
The US Just Recorded Its First 2 Measles Deaths This Year
The fatalities come amid declining vaccination rates and calls from President Donald Trump to split up the MMR vaccine.
Emily Mullin
The Supreme Court’s Mail-In Ballot Ruling Is a Step Toward Chaos in the Midterms
The Supreme Court has removed one roadblock from the Trump administration’s attempts to impose severe restrictions on voting.
David Gilbert
Apple Refreshes the Mac Mini and Mac Studio, Both With New AI-Ready Chips
Apple’s Mac Mini and Mac Studio have been tough to buy for months, but updated versions have arrived. Both include new chips optimized for AI, with the M6 Mac Mini getting a $200 price bump.
Luke Larsen
I Tested the Best Kitchen Composters and Food Recyclers—and Yes, Some of Them Stink
After years of smells, strange noises, and “tea,” these are the composters and food recyclers I’d actually recommend.
Kat Merck
The Best Car Phone Mounts Are Magnetic. Change My Mind
The best car phone holders keep your phone firmly in place while never getting in your line of sight. I took a dozen on road trips this summer to find the best.
Matthew Korfhage
The County Prosecutors Who Became ICE Informants
Illinois prosecutors shared defendants’ personal data with federal immigration agents without criminal warrants, public disclosure, or legislative oversight.
Aura Bogado
This Projector Is a Hole-in-One as a Golf Simulator, but Subpar for Anything Else
The Optoma GT2400HDR laser projector is great for setting up a driving range in your living room, but mediocre video quality makes it less appealing for home entertainment.
John Brandon
Border Wall Construction Threatens 6,000 Years of History on Private Lands
Archeologists are confronting an “unfathomable” loss as border wall construction is set to cut across ranches that are home to unique historical sites, many of which haven’t been fully studied.
Gabrielle Saulsbery
It Should Be Harder to Apply for a Job. No, Really
Thanks to a dwindling supply of open roles, “one-click” applications, and the rise of artificial intelligence, it’s easier than ever to apply for a job. We’re all paying the price.
Kate Taylor