What's Carbon? And What Does Life Do?

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NASA astrobiology is looking for more universal things that may not depend on carbon. But our search does tend to be focused on quote, life as we know it. We could talk about chemical disequilibrium life changing the chemical balance of its environment in a way that non-life probably doesn't. And if you go that route, it doesn't have to be carbon-based. It just has to be something that's multiplying itself and using energy.

Can there be life on planets without magnetic fields? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice discuss exoplanets, extraterrestrials, and answer extraordinary questions from our fans with astrobiologist, David Grinspoon.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-queries-silicon-aliens-with-david-grinspoon/

Thanks to our Patrons el EC Podcast, neutronforce, Jim Crutcher, S Mokry, and Sly Sparkane for supporting us this week.

Photo Credit: NASA/Goddard/Francis Reddy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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