In Episode 24 we presented the concept of the Fermi Paradox. In short: Where are all the aliens? Today we’re going to examine the theoretical solutions to this problem. Maybe they’re out there, but just don’t want to talk to us. Maybe it’s too hard to communicate? Maybe there are no other civilizations. Maybe civilizations wipe themselves out when they reach a certain point. So many solutions, none of them satisfactory.

AstronomyCast 271: Who Does What in Space & Astronomy? by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

The Theory of Evolution provides a rich explanation for why we see the diversity of life here on Earth. There are so many lines of evidence, from genetic drift to the fossil record. But how did life start? How did things go from a collection of raw materials to the building blocks of life, giving evolution and natural selection a way to take over? That first step, from non-life to life is called “abiogenesis”, and it’s one of the most important questions science can answer.

AstronomyCast: Live from DragonCon 2012, by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

In past, if you looked up into the sky, you were an astronomer. But everything has gotten so complicated. Now we have astrophysicists, and cosmologists, planetary geologists, and even exobiologists. Who does what, and how do they all interact with one another. If you want to go into space research as a career, which one should you choose?

AstronomyCast 270: Inertia, by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

We've probed the deepest recesses of the universe, landed spacecraft and humans on other planets and moons but face it all of this exploration is expensive. Just a single spacecraft can cost billions. Who pays for all this stuff?

We'll be back for with a live show at Dragon*Con 2012 at the Labor Day Weekend.