Physics of Life, Ep 6: Multiple worlds, containing multitudes
In the final episode of this season, we hear from a NASA researcher whose expertise spans from studying samples in deep, untouched regions of our planet all the way to organic chemistry happening in space. We consider the possibility of other, past origins of life on Earth and look at the rich potential to learn from sample return missions, including the recent OSIRIS-REx mission that retrieved samples of the asteroid Bennu. Abha also sits down with Chris to hear his perspective on the podcast as a researcher who's collaborated with this season's guests on diverse research.
COMPLEXITY · Chris Kempes, Heather Graham, Abha Eli Phoboo
Show Notes
Guests:
- Heather Graham, Research Associate at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Hosts: Abha Eli Phoboo & Chris Kempes
Producer: Katherine Moncure
Podcast theme music by: Mitch Mignano
Additional sound credits: Digifish music; “Determination of Azimuth,” written by Heather Graham, staged at the Baltimore Rock Opera Society
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More info:
Apply for the 2024 Complexity Global School at Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia
SFI programs: Education
- Complexity Explorer: Origins of Life: Introduction| Chris Kempes (Link to full playlist)
- Enroll for the course: Origins of Life
Videos:
- Asteroids, Agnostic Biosignatures, & Experimental Rock Opera with Dr. Heather Graham
- Heather Graham on Katherine Johnson
Papers & Articles:
- “Investigating the impact of x‐ray computed tomography imaging on soluble organic matter in the Murchison meteorite: Implications for Bennu sample analyses” in Meteoritics & Planetary Science (December 2023), doi.org/10.1111/maps.14111
- “The Vacant Niche Revisited: Using Negative Results to Refine the Limits of Habitability,” in bioRxiv (Nov 8, 2023), doi.org/10.1101/2023.11.06.565904
- “Observations of Elemental Composition of Enceladus Consistent with Generalized Models of Theoretical Ecosystems,” in bioRxiv (Oct 29, 2023), doi.org/10.1101/2023.10.29.564608
- “Planetary Subsurface Science and Exploration: An Integrated Consortium to Understand Subsurface Sources of Energy and the Unique Energetics of Subsurface Life,” in Mars Extant Life: What’s Next? (Nov 2019), hou.usra.edu/meetings/lifeonmars2019/pdf/5047.pdf
- “Detecting life on Earth and the limits of analogy,” in Planetary Astrobiology (June 16, 2020)
- “Identifying molecules as biosignatures with assembly theory and mass spectrometry,” in chemRxiv (Nov 16, 202), chemrxiv.org/engage/api-gateway/chemrxiv/assets/orp/resource/item/60c751e59abda27c1af8dce4/original/identifying-molecules-as-biosignatures-with-assembly-theory-and-mass-spectrometry.pdf
- “The Grayness of the Origin of Life,” in Life (May 29, 2021) doi.org/10.3390/life11060498
- “Generalized stoichiometry and biogeochemistry for astrobiological applications,” in Bulletin of Mathematical Biology (July 2021), link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11538-021-00877-5