Space scientists are acutely aware of what can happen when climates change in other parts of our solar system. Take Venus, where it rains sulfuric acid and is 900°F on the surface, but it wasn’t always that way. Astrophysicist Michelle Thaller talks with a NASA expert on Venus about how the planet became a hellscape. And she talks with the Library of Congress’ inaugural chair of astrobiology about how to grasp this new geologic era where humans cause rapid change.

This episode of Transistor is hosted by astrophysicist Michelle Thaller. It was produced by Lauren Ober. Mix and sound design by Whitney Jones.

Episode extras can be found at transistor.prx.org.

Venus image copyright NASA.