Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

Carver Bierson from Arizona State University discusses how Jupiter's radiant beginnings might have turned Io from a water-rich moon into a world with lakes of lava. Voyager project manager Suzanne Dodd and Voyager project scientist Linda Spilker share their endeavor to reestablish contact with Voyager 2. Other topics include retaining atmosphere and water on moons, the mystery of Europa's ocean, upcoming missions to Jovian moons, and the journey of helium.

Lujendra Ojha, assistant professor at Rutgers University, discusses subsurface liquid water on exoplanets orbiting red dwarf stars and its potential for habitable worlds. They explore the Trappist system, Proxima Centauri B, and the prevalence of M-dwarf stars. They also discuss factors impacting basal bounty on exoplanets, challenges of melting ice, and the potential for life beneath ice sheets.

A next-generation asteroid discovery algorithm, HelioLinc3D, has successfully identified its first potentially hazardous asteroid. Mario Jurić and Ari Heinze from the University of Washington join Planetary Radio to discuss the upcoming Vera Rubin Observatory and how their team's new asteroid detection algorithm can help defend our world. The Planetary Society editorial director, Rae Paoletta, marks the successful landing of the Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO's) Chandrayaan-3 mission on the Moon. Then Bruce Betts, the chief scientist of The Planetary Society, pops in for What's Up and a conversation about space dreams.    Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2023-algorithm-potentially-hazardous-asteroid See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Trinh, a researcher at Arizona State University, discusses his research on Europa's formation history and its potential habitability. Topics include the upcoming total solar eclipse, Europa's geophysics and geochemistry, solid materials and internal heat in the solar system, tidal heating and volcanism on Europa, and the potential for life on the moon.

Researchers discuss the JWST's detection of water vapor in a planet-forming disk, providing insights into planet formation. They explore hypotheses on water delivery to rocky planets and the complexity of molecules in planet-forming disks. The importance of considering both gas and dust components in planet formation is discussed, along with the excitement for future discoveries and research.

Many missions are working to understand Mars' past habitability, but could there still be microbial life on the red planet today? This week on Planetary Radio, we discuss the proposed Mars Life Explorer mission with Amy Williams, assistant professor of geology at the University of Florida. Then Bruce Betts, the chief scientist of The Planetary Society, pops in for What's Up and a celebratory conversation about reestablishing contact with the beloved Voyager 2 spacecraft. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2023-mars-life-explorer See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Pace, the prior executive secretary of the National Space Council, discusses why Artemis is of strategic value to U.S. national interests — and why the Moon is unique as a destination to drive global space exploration. Casey also discusses the latest congressional budgets news and what it means for NASA’s Mars Sample Return program. Note: the Space Policy Edition will go on hiatus for two months and return in November 2023. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/lunar-exploration-enduring-national-interestSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They uncover the mystery of lunar volcanism, discussing the peculiarities of lunar volcanic rock formation and the importance of understanding the moon's geothermal gradient. They explore the unique hotspot on the far side of the moon called Compton-Belkovich and its higher concentration of thorium. They also discuss the correlation between microwave brightness temperatures and geothermal heat flux in the lunar hotspot. Moreover, they delve into the presence of a lunar hot spot on the Moon, its temperature, geothermal heat detection, and the possibility of utilizing lunar resources for energy production. Finally, they discuss living in a dense atmospheric condition, encourage listener engagement, and give updates on upcoming space events.

Phosphorus, a key ingredient for life on Earth, has been detected in the ocean of Saturn's moon Enceladus. This discovery marks the first time phosphorus has been found in an ocean off of Earth. Chris Glein, a lead scientist at the Southwest Research Institute, joins Planetary Radio to talk about the discovery and its implications for the search for life. Then Bruce Betts shares what's up in the night sky this week. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2023-phosphorus-in-enceladus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caltech's Jay Dickson joins the podcast to discuss the formation of gullies on Mars, focusing on the planet's changing axial tilt and the consequences of Martian climate change. Bruce Betts shares updates on space news and highlights the oldest person to ever travel to space. The podcast also explores the presence of ice on Mars and discusses William Shatner's suborbital flight on Blue Origin.