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/

Was humanity hit with a comet 12,900 years ago? Will we be hit again in a few decades? In today’s episode, we discuss the highly debated argument that a comet struck the Earth in our recent past, causing the global cooling observed during the period known as the Younger Dryas (12,900 to 11,700 years ago). We also discuss the near-Earth asteroid Apophis and its upcoming close encounters with our world that, although unlikely to impact, could enable some opportunistic science. And of course, we give a shoutout to the Perseverance Rover, which just executed an impressive landing on Mars!
 

Links:

In this episode we discuss the possibility that the Moon drags the Earth’s lithosphere westward, ultimately causing plate tectonics, as well as Alfred Wegener’s first proposition of continental drift way back in 1912, and the possibility of taking a $GME rocket to Pluto…

More links:

In this episode we discuss recently published papers about possible fluvial erosion on Venus and possible recent volcanic activity on Mars, as well as a recent Nature paper that caused a buzz on Twitter for its conclusions that female mentors are bad for the careers of their female protégées.

Originally recorded November 25, 2020.

In this episode we talk about a 2016 Nature paper that explores potential biosignatures on Mars, and a 2018 paper about "Cosmic Panspermia".

0:30 - intro, RIP Alex Trebek

5:37 - Silica deposits on Mars with features resembling hot spring biosignatures at El Tatio in Chile

47:11 - Cause of Cambrian Explosion: Terrestrial or Cosmic?

1:59:58 - continued discussion on cosmic panspermia

In this episode we talk about some of the issues astronomers have with planned satellite mega-constellations like Starlink and the increasingly dangerous problem of Earth’s orbital garbage heap, and pontificate on the US presidential election.

Links:

In this episode we talk about how to avoid confirmation bias through use of multiple working hypotheses, the recent winners of the Nobel Prizes in Physics & Chemistry, and also some of the fantastic Ig Nobel Prize winners.

Note: Tony’s audio is a little sketchy at first, but improves after about 15 min, so keep listening! We’re still getting the hang of this...

Links

The 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics press release

The 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry press release

The 2020 Ig Nobel Prize Winners

The Method of Multiple Working hypotheses

In this episode we talk about the role of analogical reasoning in creating scientific hypotheses, Meteor Crater in Arizona, and a recent paper in Nature Astronomy that claims subglacial lakes exist beneath the martian south pole(!).

Disclaimer: This episode is a little rough around the edges as we work out some kinks in our first ever recording. Hence, let's call it the Pilot. Give it a listen, but hey, I warned you!

In this episode we talk about the recent detection of phosphine in the venusian atmosphere and discuss a review paper on the limits of life in our solar system and beyond.

00:30 – Welcome and Intro. 

01:50 – Phosphine on Venus = life on Venus? 

30:09 – Limits of Life in Planetary Systems