Inquiring Minds

Space Rocks, Star Stuff, and Tom Selleck's Mustache with Greg Brennecka

Feb 10, 2022

Guest Greg Brennecka, a staff scientist and cosmochemist, discusses his research on how things from space have the potential to create life on Earth. He explores the role of meteorites in shaping the evolution of life, the formation of our solar system, and the presence of biomaterials from outer space. The podcast also touches on the cultural significance of Tom Selleck's mustache and promotional announcements.

37:29

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Episode guests

Greg Brennecka

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Quick takeaways

Meteorites have played a significant role in shaping human culture throughout history, from being used as decorative ornaments by the ancient Egyptians to being worshiped as a primary deity by the Romans.

Meteorites have delivered essential ingredients for life on Earth, such as organic materials and pre-solar grains, playing a crucial role in the development of life and shaping the biosphere as we know it.

Deep dives

Meteorites: More than Planetary Destruction

Meteorites, often associated with planetary destruction, can actually give birth to life. Greg Brenica, a cosmo chemist, reveals that meteorites have played a significant role in shaping human culture. From ancient Egyptians using meteorites as decorative ornaments to the Romans worshiping a meteorite as their primary deity, meteorites have left a profound impact on societies throughout history. In addition to their cultural influence, meteorites bring organic materials from outer space to Earth, which has been essential for the development of life on our planet. These extraterrestrial rocks contain complex organic molecules and pre-solar grains that existed even before our solar system formed. Studying meteorites provides insights into the formation of our solar system and the ingredients that make up life itself.

Introduction

2min

Meteorite Impacts: Rarity and Significance

9min

Formation of Our Solar System and the Role of Asteroids

7min

The Stuff of Stars and Meteorites

2min

The Role of Meteorites in the Origin of Life

4min

Biomaterials from Outer Space

15min

Cultural Significance of a Mustache and Financial Planning Guide

2min

More than a hundred million people watched the Netflix movie Don’t Look Up, which focused on our fear that something could crash into our planet from space and destroy it. But what if things that come from space don’t just have the potential to destroy life but also to create it? That’s Greg Brennecka’s argument, and he joins Indre on today’s episode to talk all about it. Greg is a staff scientist and cosmochemist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, whose research has appeared in Science, Nature, and The Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS). He won the prestigious Sofja Kovalevskaja fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to study the early solar system and is a leader in understanding how things from space affect us down here on Earth. His new book is Impact: How Rocks from Space Led to Life, Culture, and Donkey Kong, and he discusses it and so much more (including Tom Selleck and his famous mustache) with Indre here today.

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Impact: How Rocks from Space Led to Life, Culture, and Donkey Kong

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds