Sixty years ago, geologists tried to drill down through the Earth’s crust to pull up a piece of the Earth’s mantle. Their mission didn’t go exactly as planned. But it sowed the seeds for a new field of science that’s helped us rewrite not only the history of the planet, but, potentially, our definitions of life itself.
The documentaries featured in this epi ... Show More
Apr 15
The Hitchhiking Microbe’s Guide to the Galaxy
Can microbes travel through space on meteorites? It’s an idea called “lithopanspermia,” and to work out if it’s even feasible, some researchers decided to shoot microbes — with a gun. Guests: K.T. Ramesh, professor of science and engineering at Johns Hopkins University; Lily Zhao ... Show More
26m 18s
Apr 13
Why did we go back to the moon?
For the first time in over 50 years, humans have gone to the moon and back. And this time, NASA says we're going to stay. NASA's planning for more missions, a permanent moon base, and even a mission to Mars. But there's a pretty big question hanging over all these dreams: Can hum ... Show More
31m 33s
Apr 1
Is male birth control finally here?
Typically, the burden of birth control falls on whoever has a uterus, but it seems like that might change — and soon! Guest: Annalisa Merelli, contributing writer at STAT. For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable It’s a great place to sign up for our newsletter, view show ... Show More
27m 59s
Apr 2023
The News Roundup Goes Intergalactic
It's our latest roundup of science news! This time, with Ailsa Chang of NPR's All Things Considered, who joins us to discuss three stories that take us on a journey through space — from the sounds of Earth's magnetosphere, to the moons of Jupiter, to a distant phenomenon NASA cal ... Show More
12 m
Nov 2023
Dead Planets Society: #11 Cube Earth Part Two
Turning the Earth into a cube, the gift that just keeps giving. Last episode we had fish bowl spaceships, this time we have sea monsters!
If you thought cubifying the Earth couldn’t get more wacky, you’re in for a treat. In the Dead Planets Society season finale, Leah Crane and C ... Show More
17m 11s
Jul 2023
Venus' Volcanism, Earth's Tectonic Dawn, and Juno's Jovian Encounter: Navigating the Cosmic Terrain | SpaceTime S26E91
Welcome to SpaceTime Series 26, Episode 91 with Stuart Gary. Today, we're exploring the intriguing geology of our celestial neighbors and our home planet. Discover how ancient asteroid impacts may have sparked ongoing volcanism on Venus, keeping its surface youthful despite the a ... Show More
32m 56s