Fact or Fiction? What Hollywood Gets Right (and Wrong) About Asteroids
Are the movies being dramatic? Science Reveals What’s Real
Most people know about asteroid threats from films like Armageddon, Deep Impact, or more recently, Don’t Look Up. They’re thrilling, emotional, and occasionally terrifying. But how much of it is grounded in science?
Spoiler: More than you'd think, but not always in the ways you'd expect.
I’ve spent years thinking through what a real planetary defense strategy looks like, I’ve even been credited in NASA's Asteroid Hunters IMAX documentary. And when you’ve worked with FEMA, NASA, and other agencies on planetary defense and emergency scenarios, you start to see the gaps between what makes good cinema and what’s real science.
Yes, There Are Plans for the Seemingly Impossible
Asteroids aren’t just Hollywood’s latest plot device. They’re part of the real list of "bad things" that government agencies are preparing for. That includes tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and yes, an asteroid impact.
Plans exist for what to do if Los Angeles were subject to a major earthquake. There are exercises for a catastrophic Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. And now, there are tabletop simulations and response frameworks for asteroid threats. Because while a strike is low probability, the consequences could be global.
We don’t want to start from scratch in a crisis. And we shouldn’t. The reality is, there are incredibly smart and dedicated people across government sectors, non-governmental organizations and academia working on worst-case scenarios. And asteroid impact is now on that list.
How Much Warning Would We Need?
It all depends. Two weeks? You’re in response mode. Six months? You can begin coordination. Five years? Now you’re in the realm of global planning.
The timeline drives the options. And it’s exactly why there are joint exercises being conducted as you read this, to understand the intricacies of a ticking clock. When every day counts, knowing what comes next shouldn’t be a mystery. It’s not about if, it’s about when and whether we’ll be prepared. Planetary Defense is an international team sport.
Hollywood vs. Reality: Let’s Break It Down
The views expressed in this article are my own and do not represent any past or current government agency or organization. While some topics, like asteroid threats or the film “Don't Look Up”, can spark strong opinions, this piece is meant to offer perspective through the lens of planetary defense and emergency planning, not political commentary.
Armageddon (1998): Explosive. Entertaining. Not remotely scientifically accurate. You can't drill into an asteroid and nuke it from the inside (sorry, Bruce Willis). But it did get people talking.
Deep Impact (1998): A bit closer to reality. It showed political considerations, the scale of devastation, and even the idea of shelter-building. Not perfect, but more grounded.
Don’t Look Up (2021): Arguably the most accurate depiction of what might happen socially. The early science checks out, but the real punch is in how society reacts, or doesn’t. That part might be more documentary than fiction.
Asteroid Hunters (IMAX, 2020): This is where science shines. I was fortunate to be credited in this project, contributing to the scenarios and government response modeling. It captures the seriousness of the issue, and the brilliance of those quietly working on it.
Real-Science Documentaries on Planetary Defense
If you're interested in learning how planetary defense really works, from asteroid detection to government simulations, these documentaries are an excellent starting point:
Planetary Defenders (NASA Science Directorate) – A NASA documentary focused on the people and partnerships behind planetary defense. Watch it here.
Asteroid Hunters (IMAX) – A large-format documentary exploring the global effort to detect and deflect dangerous asteroids. Learn More Here.
Varied Shorts (PBS Nova) – A detailed look at a variety of topics related to planetary defense as it relates to the threat of asteroid impact.
The Day the Dinosaurs Died (BBC) – Explores the asteroid that led to the extinction event and what we’ve learned from it. Watch it here.
The Goal is Foresight
Planetary defense is about responsibility, whether it’s a fire, flood, or a space rock on a collision course, agencies like FEMA exist to take coordinated action. And the more we prepare, the less we gamble on “hopefully somebody’s got a plan”.
So next time someone jokes, "You got a plan for this, right?" …the answer is yes.
And we continue to work on it.