Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 264 | Sabine Stanley on What's Inside Planets
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Jan 29, 2024 In this engaging discussion, Sabine Stanley, a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University and an expert in planetary science, explores the intriguing interiors of planets. She unravels how we decipher Earth’s structure using seismic waves and other tools, shedding light on the dynamics of exoplanets. Stanley dives into the evolution of planetary science, the role of magnetic fields, and groundbreaking missions like Dragonfly to Titan. Listeners will discover the complexities of planetary geology and the potential for life in our solar system and beyond.
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Planetary Migration
- Planets can move their orbits over time, leading to unexpected arrangements.
- This planetary migration challenges earlier assumptions about solar system formation.
Studying Planetary Interiors
- Studying planetary interiors is challenging because direct observation is limited.
- Scientists use indirect methods like seismology, gravity, and magnetic field analysis.
Seismology and Earth's Interior
- Seismology helps understand Earth's interior by analyzing earthquake waves.
- Wave speeds reveal material properties, like the liquid outer core and mantle phase transitions.