Can we grow food on Mars? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Paul Mecurio learn about a new NASA project Plant Trek and the challenges of surviving on other planets with astrobiologist Kennda Lynch.
Thanks to our partners at Ford for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about the all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E® SUV at https://www.ford.com/suvs/mach-e/
Learn how scientists are trying to work with Martian regolith to discover solutions for farming on the red planet. What are the major differences between Earth soil and Martian or Lunar regolith? We discuss perchlorate, The Martian, and the main challenges of Martian regolith.
Could Matt Damon in The Martian have really survived on home-grown Martian potatoes? We break down what he got right, what step he was missing, and the health effects of eating Martian produce. What would Kennda do as an astrobiologist if aliens came to Earth?
What is in the Martian regolith? Learn what compounds we are working with, what similarities it has with what we have on Earth, and what we plan to do about radiation. We discuss the potential of terraforming Mars and what is the coolest part of being an astrobiologist. What can plants grown on Mars teach us about Earth?
Thanks to our Patrons Konrad Kalinko, Shawn Allison, Kevin Mitchell, Skylar Gravatt, Terry Sullivan, Carol Anklam, and Chantal for supporting us this week.
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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!
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00:00 – Introduction: Astrobiology
1:30 – Plant Trek: In-Situ Farming
4:31 – Soil v. Martian Regolith
10:30 – Is This a Step Toward Terraforming?
13:52 – A Word From Our Sponsor
15:25 – Thoughts on “The Martian”
17:34 – Would Poop Potatoes Be Possible?
24:19 – If Kennda Met Aliens
30:00 – What is in the Martian Regolith?
34:12 – Could We Create an Atmosphere?
49:24 – Being an Astrobiologist
41:18 – Astrobiology Helping Us on Earth
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Could YOU survive on a Martian potato diet?
So i wonder if our interest to use microbes in a simulated enviroment that is beneficial to us, describes our relationship with a 'god'. Neil has explained that if there is a god, that he is not all powerful or he is not good. So Why or how would a not all powerful God who isnt good create us ? To similarly use us how we would use microbes to terraform or grow plants on another planet. I think that answers the motivation question pretty well, it explains a survival instinct for a god i think to create us.
Neil's a real inspiration. I'm so happy when he's on. What a guy! Can't stop talking abkut Cosmos lol
Is Tyson very tired, or maybe he just hat some wine before? 🙂 Like always good show!
Great discussion and entertaining! Thanks again 😊.
Meanwhile two planetary bodies in our solar system just created atmospheres and now we have a strange organic matrix pattern all over Saturns moons.
I am crossing my fingers for a halo time line but like I’d go for anything that turns me into a flesh beast lol
The Earth is literally ALIVE. To make Mars the same, human intervention is a MUST. It blows my mind that Neil can acknowledge that some type of intelligent intervention is needed for life to form and thrive but refuses to acknowledge God exists. I can understand not subscribing to religious beliefs but to completely deny God exists is just foolish with what we know about science and the universe around us.
Where is chuck
@startalk ahe doesnt look like she knows much about a diet.
33:53 that joke could've went left
The subtitles sometimes translate astronomy as astrology (iac)
look at all the deserts on Earth. first make them fertile. then …
LOVED this discussion !!!
I'm so glad that Ms. Lynch immediately brought up the fact that Mars no longer has a magnetic field to deflect the solar wind. SO many people overlook that when bringing up the subject of terraforming Mars.
(( I Was SCARED To Say This To NASA… (But I said it anyway) – Smarter Every Day 293 ))
@StarTalk:
…Questions to ponder for Neil…
¿Why not just enhance mars magnetosphere with array of super magnets in orbit? those magnets would be shielded, by being shaded from the sun as to protect the magnet from heating up to protect its atomic arrangement; since the magnets are shaded they will experience colder temperatures which will concentrate the super magnets magnetic field which would super charge the magnets magnetic field and maybe the planet would be less susceptible to solar winds which maybe would make it more plausible to contain an atmosphere on Mars…. ¿maybe try it around the moon first to see if it would work? since the moon is closer and smaller …
It's not the same with out Chuck 😢
So Ford is finally spending money on advertising the mock E.. nobody’s buying them. They’re paying a ton of money at the dealerships to hold onto these cars you’re getting desperate people
It’s amazing that we talk about living on Mars like it’s a fait accompli. This scam goes on.
From lab experiment to terraforming is long way to go. The amount of money and resources needed for anything even close to that are INSANE. Its never going to happen!
How do we overcome the fact that Mars is solid and doesn't have a magnetic field?
No magnetosphere, no long term 'Surface' colonization.
I like her. She sounds like a really fun and knowledgeable person.
For the lack of a magnetic field on Mars, could we not make a nuclear meltdown that sinks to the core and keep it liquid a few thousand years?
Alot of persons dont realize that earth is really an anomolly like never seen before in the universe, the level of complexity and coincidences needed for earth to be stable is wild. The position of the earth in solar system, around the sun, positionnof the galaxy, the structure of the earth, atmosphere and so on….earth is a superstar ball of luck….and this is why terraforming another planet cannot bring it to terms with earth as there is so much luck needed for a planet to be stable…only time is the true defining of a planets ability to support life
I like her!