Impact event

Impact events are caused by the collision of large meteoroids, asteroids or comets (generically: bolides) with Earth and may sometimes be followed by mass extinctions of life. For discussion of impacts in general, not just on Earth, see impact crater.

Impact Events in Fiction

The impact event has been a plot and background element in science fiction since knowledge of real impacts became established in the scientific mainstream. Interestingly, it seems, by survey, to be one of the less popular themes in apocalyptic science fiction compared to other possible catastrophes.

Related Topics:
Science fiction - Apocalyptic science fiction

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Numerous science fiction stories and novels center around an impact event; possibly the best selling was the novel Lucifer's Hammer. Several disaster movies have also been made, including When Worlds Collide (1951), and Meteor (1979). More recently, in 1998 two high-budget action films were based on preventing extinction-level impact events, caused by different bolides: Deep Impact (comet) and Armageddon (a Texas-sized asteroid).

Related Topics:
Lucifer's Hammer - Disaster movies - When Worlds Collide - 1951 - Meteor - 1979 - 1998 - Extinction-level impact events - Deep Impact - Comet - Armageddon - Texas - Asteroid

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Television shows also used impact events as a plot device, including episode 65 of the enduringly popular show Star Trek, "For the World is Hollow and I have Touched the Sky." Animated series have used it as well, including Thundarr the Barbarian and Mobile Suit Gundam.

Related Topics:
Star Trek - Thundarr the Barbarian - Mobile Suit Gundam

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