Kinetics of comet impacts

The kinetics of comet impacts involve understanding how comets travel through space and collide with planets or moons. These impacts depend on the comet’s velocity, trajectory, and the target surface. Comets often move at very high speeds—tens of thousands of kilometers per hour—so when they collide, they release a tremendous amount of energy, creating craters and causing immediate and long-term environmental effects. Studying these impact kinetics helps scientists assess potential hazards, understand the history of our solar system, and evaluate the effects of impacts on planetary surfaces and atmospheres.