Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe Listener Questions #22
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Nov 20, 2025 Dive into the cosmos as the hosts unravel the mysteries of the newly discovered Atlas comet and debate its origins—is it alien or just a natural wonder? They explore the latest telescope findings and the intriguing question of whether interstellar comets could carry life to Earth. Shifting gears, discover the fascinating lifecycle of the jewel wasp, its unique hunting methods, and how it masterfully manipulates cockroaches. Plus, gain insight into the nature of scientific theories and why evolution stands strong as a predictive force in science.
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Space Telescopes Decipher Comet Makeup
- Space telescopes (Hubble, SPHEREx, JWST) can resolve nucleus versus coma and measure composition remotely.
- Atlas's coma is rich in CO2 now, with water likely to sublimate as it nears the Sun.
Low Risk From Alien Comet Debris
- Even if interstellar objects carried microbes, Earth rarely intersects dense comet tails and most particles are tiny cosmic dust.
- Shielding within a comet's core could allow organisms to survive interstellar travel, but dispersal exposes them to harsh conditions.
Jewel Wasp Lifecycle And Host Use
- Kelly recounts the jewel wasp's lifecycle: sting, lead the cockroach to a nest, lay an egg, and let the larva consume the host.
- The egg hatches, the larva eats the cockroach internally, pupates, and emerges about eight days later.
