An Astrophysicist Explains the "Strongest Evidence Yet" of Alien Life

An Astrophysicist Explains the "Strongest Evidence Yet" of Alien Life

Last week, a team of astrophysicists from the University of Cambridge announced that they had discovered the “strongest indication” ever of extraterrestrial life. The source did not come from Mars or Venus or any nearby moon. It came from K2-18b, a massive planet some 120 light-years from Earth. If this finding checks out, it is, without question, one of the most important discoveries in the history of science. But many scientists think that ... well, it might not check out at all. Today’s guest is Sara Seager, a celebrated astrophysicist at MIT. Seager is a pioneer in the study of exoplanets and their atmospheres. She has done as much as practically anybody to develop the science of interpreting light from faraway stars to make inferences about planets. In today’s show, Seager and I slowly worked our way up to last week’s announcement by building a foundation of the basic science at play. What are exoplanets? How do we know that they’re there? How do we have any idea about the chemicals present on that planet if we can’t send probes to test their air? What does the K2-18b finding really tell us? And what larger philosophical questions about life and aliens are raised by this new science of exoplanet atmospheres? If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com. Host: Derek Thompson Guest: Sara Seager Producer: Devon Baroldi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episoder(348)

Plain English BEST OF: What’s the Matter With America’s Food?

Plain English BEST OF: What’s the Matter With America’s Food?

Throughout December and January, we’ve been re-airing some of our favorite episodes of the past year and beyond, and today's episode marks the end of our "best of" series for this year! This list incl...

3 Feb 52min

Plain English BEST OF: This Is How the AI Bubble Could Burst

Plain English BEST OF: This Is How the AI Bubble Could Burst

Throughout December and January, we’re going to be re-airing some of our favorite episodes of the past year and beyond. This list includes interviews that really stuck with me and some others that you...

27 Jan 59min

Plain English BEST OF: The Healthiest "Super-Agers" Have One Thing in Common, According to a 25-Year Study

Plain English BEST OF: The Healthiest "Super-Agers" Have One Thing in Common, According to a 25-Year Study

Throughout December and January, we’re going to be re-airing some of our favorite episodes of the past year and beyond. This list includes interviews that really stuck with me and some others that you...

20 Jan 41min

Plain English BEST OF: The Modern World Is Changing America’s Personality for the Worse

Plain English BEST OF: The Modern World Is Changing America’s Personality for the Worse

Throughout December and January, we’re going to be re-airing some of our favorite episodes of the past year and beyond. This list includes interviews that really stuck with me and some others that you...

13 Jan 47min

Plain English BEST OF: If GLP-1 Drugs Are Good for Everything, Should We All Be on Them?

Plain English BEST OF: If GLP-1 Drugs Are Good for Everything, Should We All Be on Them?

Throughout December and January, we’re going to be re-airing some of our favorite episodes of the past year and beyond. This list includes interviews that really stuck with me and some others that you...

6 Jan 54min

Plain English BEST OF: What Experts Really Think About Smartphones and Mental Health

Plain English BEST OF: What Experts Really Think About Smartphones and Mental Health

Throughout December and January, we’re going to be re-airing some of our favorite episodes of the past year and beyond. This list includes interviews that really stuck with me and some others that you...

30 Des 20251h 6min

Plain English BEST OF: How Gen Z Sees the World

Plain English BEST OF: How Gen Z Sees the World

Throughout December and January, we’re going to be re-airing some of our favorite episodes of the past year and beyond. This list includes interviews that really stuck with me and some others that you...

23 Des 202558min

Plain English BEST OF: A Grand, Unified Theory of Why Americans Are So Unhealthy

Plain English BEST OF: A Grand, Unified Theory of Why Americans Are So Unhealthy

Throughout December and January, we’re going to be re-airing some of our favorite episodes of the past year and beyond. This list includes interviews that really stuck with me and some others that you...

16 Des 202538min

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