Dr. Dan Durda is a planetary scientist, author and artist working out of the Southwest Research Institute Boulder, CO. He focuses primarily on the study of small objects such as asteroids and comets, using occultations observed from the air to measure sizes of objects too small to be measured directly. A particular concern is near-earth asteroids (NEAs.) His talk is entitled "NEAs: The Peril and the Promise." As former Chairman of Rusty Schweickart's B612 Foundation, he developed an inexpensive method to deflect NEAs using a simple "gravity tug." Dr. Durda will point to the resources available from NEAs and how we can use them to our advantage, while eliminating them as a threat.

Dan has authored many scientific papers and written several articles on various astronomical subjects for the popular media.

In his spare time, an enjoys underwater cave diving and serves as a local rescue and recovery diver. He is also a private pilot.

Dan is also a top-tier space artist. See his work in the art show.

TIME: Noon Friday Talks 2