The Cosmic Companion - Astronomy, Space, Technology Advancing Humanity

Which species are the greatest survivors? We talk about surviving extinction through the eyes of "The Masters of Survival" - tardigrades, horseshoe crabs, and sharks.We are joined by Kathryn Williams, editor of Weird but True! Sharks! from Nat Geo Kids! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aicreatorhouse.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone! This week, we are looking at How to Cook Up Life on a Planet. Later in the show, we will be talking with Jaimie Green, author of the new book, The Possibility of Life.So, how does life form on a new planet? Chemicals and energy. That’s how. You know what else you can do with chemicals and energy? Cook food, that’s what! (Excuse me a minute while I put on this chef’s hat)Listen to the podcast here, or watch this episode as a video!If you are looking to cook up life on an early-career planet, here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:An abundance of amino acidsSome supply of sugarsA quantity of nucleotidesAt least a Little LipidsWater andenergyFirst, let’s talk about amino acids. These guys are the building blocks of proteins, which are essential for life as we know it. Vegetarian sources of amino acids include nuts, berries, beans, almonds, mint, or… [look around]oranges. Kind of like these tangerines right here. Look, we’re letting this sit in for primitive amino acids, let the orange thing slide. OK?The first amino acids may have formed through a process called “abiogenesis,” where simple organic compounds combine and react along with energy, such as lightning strikes or ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The molecules and structures within foods can change radically when they cook. [ <<< Those changes are pretty much the whole reason we cook.] (exactly!)Next up, we have sugars. These are vital for providing energy to cells and making up the structure of DNA and RNA. Laboratory experiments reveal that simple sugars can form from basic organic compounds. Here, we are going to have sugars represented by… well, sugar. In this case, cane sugar. The 95% of this which is actually sugar is a disaccharide, made up from glucose and fructose. [sweeeeeeetttt…]Nucleotides are another essential component of life, making up the building blocks of DNA and RNA. You remember — the whole A, T, C, G and sometimes U thing from high school bio... Researchers have found that nucleotides can form from meteorites, suggesting that they may have been delivered to Earth by comets and asteroids.These bits of genetic code can be found in nearly every bit of anything we call food. So, let’s throw in some cherries.Then, we have lipids. These are typically fatty or waxy substances. A little bit of butter will do nicely. Lipids are important for making up the membranes that surround cells and maintain their structure. Lipids can form spontaneously in water, and they may have arisen in the early oceans of the Earth.Some primitive lifeforms called extremophiles thrive on minerals from seafloor vents, which we will represent with a dash of salt. Mix all of these ingredients together with some water, and you have the basic chemical building blocks of life. But, just like most recipes, life needs energy and time to come to fruition. Or, in this case, FRUITition. See what I did there? While our primitive planet has a hot time for a while, we welcome Jaime Green to the show, talking about her new book, The Possibility of Life.So where can your planet get its ingredients? Surprisingly, many of them are delivered, at least in part, right to your planet’s door. Comets and asteroids are loaded with all sorts of organic compounds, including amino acids, sugars, nucleotides, and lipids. Look for a planet with liquid water, preferably in the “Goldilocks zone” where it’s not too hot and not too cold. You want your ingredients to stir and mix. That’s tough with ice or steam.[ <<< Not too hot and not too cold? That sounds like liquid water is JUST RIGHT for life!]]Now it’s time to mix everything together. Just stir our organic compounds into the water and add heat. Kind of like putting it into an air fryer for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.  And… let nature do the rest. With a dash of luck, life should start to form in no time.Life thrives in even the most extreme environments on Earth, like the frozen desert of Antarctica (represented here with some ice cream). [Life will.. find a way]We’re dealing with a lot of unknowns here, and there’s no way to be sure of our final result. But that’s part of what makes the recipe for life so exciting, folks! It’s a bit like home cooking — we never quite know what we’re going to get.Mmmm…. Delicious! Next week on The Cosmic Companion, we will be talking about Surviving Extinction. We will be joined by Nat Geo’s Kathryn Williams, talking about National Geographics new work, Weird but True: Sharks! Make sure to join us starting on 20 May.Check out our other episodes at TheCosmicCompanion.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode.  If you enjoyed this episode of the show, please comment, follow, share, and tell your friends about the show. You know, when you invite them over for some delicious ancient life a la mode. Clear skies!JamesThe Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aicreatorhouse.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at What a Crazy Cosmos we live in, talking about some of the most bizarre objects in the Universe. Later on, we will be joined by Emily Fego from National Geographic, talking about Nat Geo’s new work, That’s Fact-Tastic! Now, you may think that things around your neighborhood are weird, but your oddball neighbor is just peanuts compared to what’s in outer space... This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aicreatorhouse.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone!Here’s our latest episode - Pondering Panspermia w/ Brian Selznick, Author of Big Tree!NARRATOR: There are those who suggest that life on Earth began out there… Among the stars. Well, not the stars. Too bloody hot. Among the planets and asteroids, scattered throughout the Cosmos… With building blocks of life that may have been the forebearers of proteins, biopolymers, and peptides. Some believe there may still be the stuff of life floating around space searching for a planet or moon where they can, once again, ignite the process we call… life…Welcome back to The Cosmic Companion. I’m James Maynard. This week we are Pondering Panspermia. This notion presents the idea that life on Earth — may have been delivered to our world — in whole or in part — by asteroids and comets. This same process could also spark life around the Universe... This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aicreatorhouse.substack.com/subscribe

In the second part of our two-part Earth Day episode, Water is More Important!?, we’re exploring the vital role that water plays in sustaining life on Earth and beyond. Our special guest is none other than Sandra Postel, director of the Global Water Policy Project. She will share her insights with us into the importance of this precious resource.[[So. I’m sitting here on my bachelor pad, and you have me wondering. How did it all get here? The water, I mean. It seems Earth has an awful lot of it. I mean, blue planet, and all that rot.]]Sandra Postel appears on The Cosmic Companion for Earth Day, 22 April 2023. Creative Commons 4.0 Attribution 2023 The Cosmic Companion.It turns out that no one is quite sure how or why water formed in such great quantities on Earth. Certainly, being at the right distance from the Sun, and having a thick atmosphere, allowing water to pool on its surface helps. But, how did water first arise on our world?Researchers have been puzzling over this question for years, and there are a few major ideas which have emerged.One theory is that water arrived on Earth through comets and asteroids. These space-borne clumps of rock and ice collided with our planet billions of years ago in large numbers, potentially bringing water with them. This theory is supported by the fact that the ratio of heavy to regular water on Earth is very similar to that found in comets, suggesting comets may have played a major role in forming the oceans of Earth.Another possibility is that water was present on Earth from the very beginning, during the formation of our planet. This theory suggests that water was present in the gas and dust cloud that eventually coalesced to form Earth. As the planet cooled and solidified, the water vapor condensed into liquid, forming oceans.[Cool water]A third theory is that water was created by the reactions that took place within the Earth’s mantle. This idea suggests that high pressures and temperatures within the mantle caused the formation of water molecules from the elements present in the layers of our nascent planet.And, it is also possible that each of these sources played a role in creating the aquatic environment of our water world. Today, water covers more than 70 percent of our planet, supporting millions of species of life. And, water around the planet, together with the life which depends on it, are threatened by global climate change, driven by human activity.Next up, we talk with Sandra Postel, director of the Global Water Policy Project.The Blue Marble on which we live is more than oceans, lakes, ponds and rivers. Water is also found in the atmosphere, aquifers, and life itself, including you and me.Heat from the Sun drives evaporation from oceans and other bodies of water, lifting water into the air. [wooooah!] Once in the atmosphere, this water vapor condenses into clouds, eventually releasing their moisture as precipitation, such as rain or snow, back onto the land and water.Moisture which falls onto land can either seep into the ground and become groundwater, or flow back into rivers, lakes, and oceans, restarting the cycle. The process is also influenced by factors like wind, temperature, and topography, which help determine the amount of precipitation that falls in different areas.This water cycle ensures that water is constantly moving and being redistributed throughout the planet, providing us with this essential resource that we all need to survive.[[Some desert plants only need water once every couple weeks under most conditions. Those ever-resilient tardigrades can last decades between drinks of water. And, some bacteria also use very little water, although their metabolism still depends on this vital liquid. The rest of us really need the stuff!]]There are several ways people can help conserve and protect this precious resource. Homeowners can seek out efficient appliances with the WaterSense label, and repair water leaks as soon as possible after they are discovered. Rainwater harvesting collects water which would have simply rolled off roofs, making it accessible for gardens and outdoor cleaning.Watering gardens during mornings and evenings reduces evaporation and water use. Shorter showers can also play a role in conserving water. Every little bit helps when we look to preserve the health of lifeforms on Earth.[[Water is more important? Not much. I’m Poseidon, so… I’m right.]]Next week on The Cosmic Companion, we will be Pondering Panspermia — the idea that life here on Earth may have started from ingredients from space, delivered by comets and asteroids. We will be talking with Brian Selznick, the author of Big Tree. Make sure to join us starting on 29 April, at TheCosmic Companion.net. Sign up for our newsletter at TheCosmic Companion.com and never miss an episode.If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please tell your friends about the show, comment, share, you know the spiel.Clear skies!JamesThe Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Start writing today. Use the button below to create your Substack and connect your publication with The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aicreatorhouse.substack.com/subscribe

For Earth Day week, we bring you a look at ways young people can help save the planet! We’ll be talking with Cliff Lewis, author of We the Future!This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at ways young people can help make Earth a better place to live. Later in the show, we’re going to be talking with Cliff Lewis, author of We the Future! [This episode is aimed toward young people, but there are plenty of lessons in here for everyone, so keep watching, regardless of your age.] {Thank you!}Since the start of the Industrial Revolution the Earth’s climate has been rapidly changing due to human activity, primarily the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas. In fact, it has been 46 years since our planet last experienced a year with cooler-than-normal temperatures.Now, I know you’ve heard the term “global warming” before, and you might think it just means that the Earth is getting a little warmer, no big deal. But here’s the thing: global warming is already resulting in some pretty serious problems.Listen to the podcast here, or watch the video version of this episode!The production of greenhouse gases is causing the Earth’s temperature to increase, leading to rising sea levels, more frequent and intense natural disasters, and setting off a cascade of plant and animal extinctions.Rising temperatures are causing glaciers and ice caps to melt, which could mean more flooding, more intense storms, and the pollution of water supplies for large cities.[It’s too bloody hot!]Climate change is also resulting in more extreme weather, like heatwaves and droughts, which can harm crops and lead to food shortages. Ocean temperatures are also rising, driving deaths of coral reefs and a loss of biodiversity.But there is hope. We can take action to protect our planet and prevent the worst effects of climate change. We can reduce our carbon footprint by driving less, using renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, and eating a plant-based diet. [Did you know humans share about 98% of our DNA with pigs, compared to just 90% with cats and 82% with dogs? We even play video games! So… May I recommend a yummy fruit smoothie for breakfast?”] {Mmmm… Fruit smoothies!}Young people have the power to make a difference, advocating for policies prioritizing the health of the planet and supporting sustainable practices. You can speak out about the urgency of climate change and encourage others to take action by your own example, striving toward a more Earth-friendly lifestyle.Next up, we talk with Cliff Lewis about his new book, We the Future!So, here’s the good news: we can do something to reduce our carbon footprint.When you need to travel, consider having fun and getting some exercise by walking or biking whenever possible. Or take public transportation instead of driving a car. Young people can also talk to your parents about the benefits of driving an electric or hybrid vehicle.In addition, household solar panels and rainwater harvesting reduces demand on utilities, decreasing our use of fossil fuels significantly. This can save a significant amount of money on your home’s electricity bill!Another important thing nearly all of us can do is to recycle! Some other ideas are to reduce waste by using reusable water bottles, lunch containers, and bags.Some people will downplay the effects of personal choices in protecting the environment. And, although it is true that large industries create vast amounts of the environmental pollution, consumers have the power to make them change.Large unscrupulous corporations [EVIL LAUGH] do the damage they do for one reason — to make money. As consumers, we have the power to support alternatives to environmentally damaging products and practices. We can choose to buy products that are made sustainably and reduce harm to the environment. We can support companies that prioritize reducing their carbon footprint and investing in renewable energy.If enough of us make these choices, we can have a real positive impact on the environment. We can show companies that there is a demand for environmentally-friendly products and practices, pushing them to make changes to their products and policies.Finally, get involved in your communities! Join a local environmental group, attend climate rallies and marches, and make sure you’re educating yourself and others about these issues.As life springs to, well, life, around us this season, let’s celebrate the plants and animals and fungi and other beings around us by doing what we can to help save our planet for future generations.[[We can all plant the seeds for future generations. Don’t leave it for others to do. We all need to be pollen in the same direction. Let us get to the root of the…]]Next week on The Cosmic Companion, we have a special guest for Earth Day! We welcome Sandra Postel, director of the Global Water Policy Project to the show. [[Greetings, mortals. I’m Poseidon, Greek god of the sea. I’m also god of Earthquakes. And, for some strange reason, horses. I’m basically a walking Jim Morrison poem. Ahem. I assure you that water is one of the most precious resources on the planet. On Earth Day, The Cosmic Companion asks the question, “Water is More Important!?” Answer? Not much. Dive on in with us starting on Earth Day, 22 April.]]If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, feel free to comment, share, and tell your friends about the show. It might just help the planet! Clear skies!JamesThe Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Start writing today. Use the button below to create your Substack and connect your publication with The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aicreatorhouse.substack.com/subscribe

For Easter week, as most people share fables of giant anthropomorphic rabbits distributing chocolate eggs, we are Exploring Extraterrestrial Life through Science and Science Fiction. Later in the show, we will welcome Julie Nováková, Giovanni Poggiali, and Eric Choi to the show, talking about their new anthology, Life Beyond Us.The idea of alien life has fascinated us for centuries. While science fiction has often portrayed extraterrestrial beings as having advanced intelligence, strange abilities, and/or a thirst for human flesh, the scientific reality is likely somewhat different. So, let’s buckle up and take a journey through the fictional and scientific world of extraterrestrial life, shall we? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aicreatorhouse.substack.com/subscribe

This April Fool's Day, we are bringing you The Stone-Cold Truth About Moon Rocks. No kidding!Later on, we will be joined by Albion College physics professor Nicolle Zellner to discuss her research on planetary impacts in our Solar System.Throughout history, many cultures had myths and legends about the Moon, although they did not have a real scientific understanding of its composition. Some people believed it was made of a metal like silver, while others held to the belief the Moon was a god or goddess... This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aicreatorhouse.substack.com/subscribe

What is Life? That's not an easy question to answer. We're going to do our best, talking with Robert Temple, author of A New Science of Heaven, in our first-ever mostly-fully-animated episode!This week on The Cosmic Companion, we're delving into one of the most profound questions in the Universe: What is Life? Later in the show, we will be talking with Robert Temple, author of A New Science of Heaven. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aicreatorhouse.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we are Celebrating Diversity in Space Exploration, looking at the history of inclusion in human explorations beyond our world — past, present, and future. Later in the show, we’ll be talking with Meredith Bagby, author of The New Guys, a look at NASA’s groundbreaking astronaut class of 1978.The history of space exploration has been marked by numerous milestones, not only in terms of scientific and technological achievements but also in the inclusion and diversity of those who explore beyond our home world. Over the decades, space exploration has slowly evolved to include women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals, paving the way for greater representation in the future.NASA’s original class of astronauts from 1959, the Mercury Seven, were all Caucasian male jet pilots — not exactly representative of a melting pot of society. However, less well-known were the Mercury 13, a group of 13 women who underwent astronaut training in the early 1960s. Despite performing as well, if not better, than men at many rigorous physiological tests, NASA did not recognize these women as official astronaut trainees. Opposed by many politicians and media alike, no member of the Mercury 13 flew to space for 60 years until Wally Funk in 2021... This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aicreatorhouse.substack.com/subscribe