Marketplace All-in-One K2-18b and the search for alien life
May 13, 2025
Michaela Musilova, an astrobiologist and analog astronaut with experience at NASA, delves into the allure of K2-18b, an exoplanet 120 light-years away, where signs of potential life have been spotted. She emphasizes the need for better telescopes to confirm these claims and highlights the risks posed by funding cuts to NASA. Musilova also shares insights into the unique experiences of analog astronauts preparing for space missions. The conversation touches on the significance of balancing adventurous reading with personal exploration.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Life of an Analog Astronaut
- An analog astronaut simulates living under moon or Mars mission conditions to prepare for real space travel.
- They live in remote stations with limited resources, suit requirements for outside, and mission control oversight.
K2-18b's Potential Habitability
- K2-18b is an exoplanet in the habitable zone where liquid water might exist.
- Detection of molecules suggests possible biosignatures, hinting at potential life like marine algae under an ocean.
Skepticism Over Ocean Existence
- Some scientists argue K2-18b is too close to its star for oceans to survive because of overheating.
- This calls into question the planet's ability to host marine algae and thus life.
