Astronomy Cast

433: Volcanoes on Mars Astronomy Cast 433: Volcanoes on Mars by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

Mars is a world of extremes. This unassuming red world is home to the largest and tallest volcanoes in the entire Solar System. In fact, it’s not even a close contest, with Olympus Mons rising 22 km above the surrounding plains, more than twice as tall as Mount Everest. How did Mars get such big volcanoes, and how active is the planet today?

432: Geologic Ages of Mars – From Wet and Wild to Desolate Desert Astronomy Cast 432: Geologic Ages of Mars – From Wet and Wild to Desolate Desert by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

Today, Mars is a desolate wasteland, with dusty red rocks and sand stretching out to the horizon. But billions of years ago, it was a vastly different world. It was blue, with oceans, rivers, lakes, and maybe life? Let’s tell the story of geology on Mars, and we got from that world to the one we see today.

Enceladus and Europa are all the rage these days, but classic Mars is still a great place to search for life. In fact, ESA’s ExoMars is scanning the planet’s atmosphere for methane, evidence that there might be life there right now. Let’s talk about the search for life on the Red Planet.

431: The Search for Life on Mars Astronomy Cast 431: The Search for Life on Mars by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

430: Coming Home from Mars Astronomy Cast 430: Coming Home from Mars by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

Landing on the surface of Mars is very difficult. In fact, it’s probably the toughest planet to land on in the whole Solar System. Today we’ll talk about what it’s going to take to get to and return from Mars!

When Elon Musk announced plans to send humans to Mars, he conveniently left out one important aspect. How are we supposed to survive on a place this hostile to life? Seriously, Mars sucks, and it's going to take some impressive techniques and technologies to make it on the Red Planet.

429: Living on Mars Astronomy Cast 429: Living on Mars by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay