

Moon poop
Jul 21, 2021
Brian Resnick, a science reporter with a knack for engaging storytelling, joins the discussion about the quirky yet profound topic of lunar waste. They reveal how human fecal matter left on the moon might unlock secrets about life's origins and resilience in the cosmos. The conversation takes a humorous turn as they connect these remnants to cultural creation myths, showcasing how societies from the Fon to the Aztecs revered excrement in their narratives. This blend of biology and mythology challenges conventional views and keeps listeners entertained.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Moon Poop
- Astronauts left 96 bags of human waste on the moon during the Apollo missions.
- This was done to save weight for the return trip, allowing them to bring back more moon rocks and soil samples.
Harsh Moon
- The moon is a harsh environment with intense cosmic radiation and extreme temperature swings.
- This makes it unlikely that any bacteria in the waste could have survived.
Panspermia
- Panspermia is the idea that life didn't originate on Earth but came from elsewhere in the universe.
- Finding surviving bacteria in the moon waste could support this theory by showing life's resilience in space.