Out of the Silent Planet

In this episode we explore the ethics of asteroid mining, using a white paper led by Andy Rivkin of JHU/APL. It's unlikely that asteroid mining will have zero consequences, and without a well-defined legal infrastructure, asteroid mining could be the next wild west where the rich get richer. Join us in a discussion about what we should be considering before extracting precious metals from some of the most ancient and irreplacable rocks in the solar system. 

In this episode we discuss Anne Hofmeister's idea that the motion of Earth's tectonic plates is caused by the rotation of the Earth. This idea is contrary to that held by most geologist that mantle convection is ultimately responsible for plate motion. 

In this episode we explore the possibility that a ninth planet lurks along the outskirts of our solar system. Could it be a Small Neptune? A Super Earth? Or just Fake News. We discuss some of the history of successful and failed hypothesized planets, the structure of the outer solar system, likely properties of a putative planet nine, how it could be detected, and how it might have formed.

Timestamps:

1. 00:32 - Welcome

In this episode we discuss planetary magma oceans in the solar system with a focus on the Moon - the first body for which a magma ocean was proposed.

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On our first mission-focused episode, we tackle the joint NASA/ESA Cassini-Huygens mission that studied the Saturn system from 2004 to 2017. Over those 13 years (about one half of a Saturn year), the Cassini orbiter collected a vast dataset for studying Saturn’s iconic rings, enigmatic icy moons, and the gas giant itself, while the Huygens lander made a brief visit to the surface of the hazy moon Titan. We discuss the basics of the Saturn system, the Cassini-Huygens mission, and its major findings, but first — a brief chat on China’s successful landing of a rover on Mars.

Cassini links: 

On the surface of Mars we see geologic evidence of past liquid water activity. However, climate models of its past mostly point to a cold and icy Mars, in part because our sun used to be dimmer. So was ancient Mars warm and wet or cold and dry? On today's episode, we discuss why it was probably a bit of both, after a quick laugh about a recent effort to simulate an international response (or lack thereof) to an incoming asteroid.

In this episode we discuss the issue of Planetary Protection, that is, how to keep terrestrial microorganisms from hitching a ride and potentially contaminating other worlds in our solar system. Specifically, we discuss the basics of international planetary protection policy, why we might be a little too overprotective of Mars, and how the Europa Clipper team is calculating the risk of contamination for their mission. Plus, the lil’ helicopter Ingenuity takes flight on Mars and SpaceX has another smooth delivery of NASA astronauts to the ISS! 

Timestamps:

In this Episode of OoTSP, Michael and Tony discuss all things NASA-funded space science missions. How do the science questions that guide missions get formulated? How much money do missions cost? Who decides which missions fly and which were a waste of a decade for those unfortunate unselected Principal Investigators?

Timestamps:

Links:

Visions and Voyages - Decadal Survey for 2013 - 2022

The Decadal Survey for 2023 - 2032

NASA Solar System Exploration Programs

NASA Organization Structure

NASA Planetary Science Division

NASA Science Mission Directorate

NASA Science Missions

On today's episode, we discuss interesting presentations from the 2021 Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. New missions, new discoveries, and upcoming events are all on the menu. With this year's conference being virtual, we also discuss some of the pros and (mostly) cons of attending conferences online.

00:00:32 - Welcome - an Icelandic eruption!

00:04:10 - What is the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference?

00:07:43 - Recent updates from NASA and upcoming mission plans

00:45:30 - The legacy of Arecibo (Campbell)

00:59:15 - Titan talks (Schurmeier; Lapôtre)

01:14:20 - ‘Oumuamua (Jackson)

01:29:15 - Variations on Mars water (Citron; Scheller; Lauro; Lalich)

01:46:20 - Stylish presentations (Viviano; Byrne; Stähler) 

01:54:04 - Closing thoughts on virtual conferences

Every so often the humungo dipole magnet that produces Earth’s magnetic field reverses polarity - that means magnetic north becomes magnetic south and vice versa. In this episode we explore the potential effects reversals like these have on us biological beings dwelling on the surface and on the Earth’s climate, and whether Earth is “due” for another reversal in the near future. We also talk about whether magnetic fields protect a planet against atmospheric escape with implications for terraforming Mars, and the potential for continuity in the Artemis Program with the changing presidential administration.

Links:

https://astrobites.org/2020/11/17/radiogenic-heat-hurts-dynamos/