Are We Alone for 11/01/10 - Aware Am I?

Are We Alone - Aware Am I?

Humans are pleasure-seekers – from food to sex to fine art. But do we know why we crave what we do? Discover the surprising motivation behind our desires. Also, why our hedonistic cousins, the bonobos, may hold the secret to world peace.

Plus, self-awareness in monkeys: can they really pass the mirror test? Can bacteria, for that matter? Nope! But since you are, cell for cell, more microbe than human, you’ll want to know just how cognitively aware these critters are.

Guests:

• Paul Bloom – Psychologist at Yale University and author of How Pleasure Works: The New Science of Why We Like What We Like
• Julie Neiworth – Psychologist, Carleton College
• Vanessa Woods – Research scientist at Duke University and author of Bonobo Handshake: A Memoir of Love and Adventure in the Congo. Find out more about helping bonobos.
• Jim Shapiro – Bacterial geneticist, University of Chicago

Permalink: http://radio.seti.org/episodes/Aware_Am_I_

You can listen to this and other episodes at http://radio.seti.org/, and be sure to check out Are We A Blog?, the companion blog to the radio show.

And be sure to check out the Are We Alone iPhone/iPad app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/are-we-alone-make-contact/id374968004?mt=8

Sun Twister Eruption

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 28, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

SUN TWISTER: Earlier today, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) recorded a spectacular eruption on the sun's northeastern limb. An unstable magnetic filament hundreds of thousands of kilometers long pirouetted and launched a fragment of itself into space. Earth was not in the line of fire, but the SDO movie is worth seeing anyway. Visit http://spaceweather.com for cinema.

ASTEROID FLYBY: Asteroid 2003 UV11 will fly past Earth on Oct. 29th and 30th at a distance of only 1.2 million miles. Experienced amateur astronomers should have little trouble photographing the 600-meter wide space rock as it glides through the constellation Pegasus on Friday night, glowing about as brightly as a 12th magnitude star. Observers in North America and Europe are favored. Check http://spaceweather.com for ephemerides and more information.

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms erupt at your latitude? Sign up for Space Weather Phone: http://spaceweatherphone.com

Dead Spacecraft Walking

Source - NASA Science News for Oct. 27, 2010

A pair of NASA spacecraft that were supposed to be dead a year ago are instead flying to the Moon for a breakthrough mission in lunar orbit.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/27oct_artemis/

Scientists Watch for a "Hartley-id" Meteor Shower

Source - NASA Science News for Oct. 27, 2010

A pair of unusual fireballs over Canada and the southeastern USA have experts wondering if Comet Hartley 2 might produce a meteor shower in early November.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/27oct_hartleyids/

Solar Shield--Protecting the North American Power Grid

Source - NASA Science News for Oct. 26, 2010

Modern power grids are increasingly vulnerable to strong solar storms. A new NASA project named "Solar Shield" could help keep the lights on.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/26oct_solarshield/

Are We Alone for 10/25/10 - Off to the Traces

Are We Alone - Off to the Traces

If a tree fell on another planet, would we be able to detect it? Not quite yet – but we might be able to tell if the planet was habitable. A living-planet is the promise of newly-discovered Gliese 581g. But does the planet exist at all?

Discover how we learn a planet’s geology and chemistry from afar. Also, what we learn about a civilization from what it discards, beginning with our own sloppy habits.

Plus, the hunt for derelict alien spaceships… and a man who sketches alien creatures for a living – based on real science.

Guests:

• Lisa Kaltenegger – Astronomer, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
• Brad Bebout – Biologist, NASA Ames Research Center
• Robin Nagle – Anthropologist, New York University
• Robin Hanson – Economist, George Mason University
• Joel Hagen – Computer graphics instructor, Modesto Junior College

Permalink: http://radio.seti.org/episodes/Off_to_the_Traces

You can listen to this and other episodes at http://radio.seti.org/, and be sure to check out Are We A Blog?, the companion blog to the radio show.

And be sure to check out the Are We Alone iPhone/iPad app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/are-we-alone-make-contact/id374968004?mt=8

Lunar Impact Uncovered More Than Just Moon Water

Source - NASA Science News for Oct. 21, 2010

Nearly a year after announcing the discovery of water molecules on the moon, scientists say there's more than just water hiding in cold lunar craters.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/21oct_lcross2/

A Comet Plunges toward the Sun

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 20, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

SUNDIVING COMET: A newly-discovered comet is plunging toward the sun for a close encounter it probably will not survive. The comet is too deep in the sun's glare for human eyes to pick out, but it is showing up nicely in coronagraph images from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. Visit http://spaceweather.com for latest movies.

ORIONID METEOR SHOWER: Earth is passing through a stream of debris from Halley's Comet, and this is causing the annual Orionid meteor shower. Bright moonlight is reducing the number of visible meteors; nevertheless, sky watchers are reporting some bright Orionids. The best time to look is during the hours before local dawn on Thursday, Oct. 21st, and again on Friday, Oct. 22nd. Check http://spaceweather.com for a sky map and more information.

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: With the arrival of northern autumn, aurora season is underway. Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms erupt at your latitude? Sign up for Space Weather Phone: http://spaceweatherphone.com

Are We Alone for 10/18/10 - Aloha Astronomy

Are We Alone - Aloha Astronomy

ENCORE From Mauna Kea in Hawaii, the view of the cosmos is spectacular. Giant black holes, distant galaxies, and extrasolar planets have all been uncovered by the massive telescopes that perch on this volcanic cone.

Join the astronomers who use the Keck Telescopes to peer at objects so far away, their light started out before Earth was born.

Also discover how the new Thirty Meter Telescope will dwarf even the massive glass eyes now in place, and why some of the world’s most important astronomical discoveries are being made in the Aloha State.

Plus, why the building of telescopes on the volcano is controversial to some native Hawaiians.

Guests:

• Charles Blue – Science writer, Thirty Meter Telescope Project
• Richard Ellis – Astronomer, California Institute of Technology
  
• Koa Rice – Hawaiian culture consultant
• Julian Christou – Adaptive optics scientist, Gemini North Telescope
• Ashley Yeager – Outreach manager, Keck Telescope
• Taft Armandroff – Director of the W. M. Keck Telescope

Permalink: http://radio.seti.org/episodes/Aloha_Astronomy

You can listen to this and other episodes at http://radio.seti.org/, and be sure to check out Are We A Blog?, the companion blog to the radio show.

And be sure to check out the Are We Alone iPhone/iPad app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/are-we-alone-make-contact/id374968004?mt=8

(This is one of my favorite podcasts from Are We Alone! Working at the Keck is one of my dream jobs. I hope you enjoy the podcast as much as I do! Cheers ~ Jim Cox)

Solar Flare + Best Time to See Comet Hartley 2

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 16, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

SOLAR FLARE: The strongest solar flare in nearly three months erupted from sunspot 1112 on October 16th. Remarkably, the M1-class event did not disrupt a huge magnetic filament passing right by the blast site. Future eruptions might, however, if this active sunspot continues to grow as quickly as it has in the past few days. Visit http://spaceweather.com to view movies of the event from the Solar Dynamics Observatory.

COMET 103P/HARTLEY AT ITS BEST: For backyard stargazers, the next few nights are the best time to see green Comet 103P/Hartley 2 as it approaches Earth for an 11-million-mile close encounter on Oct. 20th. Set your alarm for the dark hours before dawn, go outside, and look straight up. You will find Hartley 2 not far from the bright star Capella. Although the comet is barely visible to the unaided eye, it is easy to locate using binoculars and looks great through a backyard telescope. Sky maps and more information may be found at http://spaceweather.com .

THE COMET HUNTER: Need a telescope for Comet Hartley 2? We recommend the David H. Levy Comet Hunter--on sale during Hartley 2's close encounter with Earth. Click here: http://www.shopspaceweather.com/152mmf48comethunterotawithdeluxecaseandaccessories.aspx

NASA Spacecraft Hurtles Toward Active Comet Hartley 2

Source - NASA Science News for Oct. 15, 2010

NASA's Deep Impact/EPOXI spacecraft is hurtling toward Comet Hartley 2 for a breathtaking flyby on Nov. 4th. Mission scientists say all systems are go for a close encounter with one of the most active comets they've seen.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/15oct_epoxi/

Hubble Sees Aftermath of a Possible Asteroid Collision

Source - NASA Science News for Oct. 13, 2010

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has captured rare images of a suspected asteroid collision. The snapshots show a bizarre X-shaped object at the head of a comet-like trail of material.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/13oct_asteroidcollision2/

Are We Alone for 10/11/10 - Earth: A Millennium Hence

Are We Alone - Earth: A Millennium Hence

ENCORE Humans have not gone unnoticed on this planet. We’ve left our mark with technology, agriculture, architecture, and a growing carbon footprint. But where is this trajectory headed?

In the second of a two-part series: what we’ll lose and what will last in 1000 years or more.

Discover what the planet might look like to geologists of the far-off-future… the stubborn longevity of plastic and radioactive waste… human civilization in space… and postcards from the galactic edge; crafting interstellar messages to E.T.

Guests:

• Charles Moore – Sea Captain and founder of Algalita Marine Research Foundation
• Jan Zalasiewicz – Geologist, University of Leicester and author of The Earth After Us: What Legacy Will Humans Leave in the Rocks?
• Matthew Wald – Reporter for the New York Times and author of the article “Is There a Place for Nuclear Waste?” in the August 2009 issue of Scientific American
• Doug Vakoch – Director of Interstellar Message Composition at the SETI Institute
• David Korsmeyer – Chief of the Intelligent Systems Division at NASA Ames Research Center

Permalink: http://radio.seti.org/episodes/Earth_A_Millennium_Hence

You can listen to this and other episodes at http://radio.seti.org/, and be sure to check out Are We A Blog?, the companion blog to the radio show.

And be sure to check out the Are We Alone iPhone/iPad app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/are-we-alone-make-contact/id374968004?mt=8

Asteroid Flyby + Geomagnetic Storm

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 11, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

AURORA WATCH: The solar wind is stirring up geomagnetic storms around the Arctic Circle. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras after local nightfall on Oct. 11-12th. Tip: the hours around midnight usually produce the brightest displays.

ASTEROID FLYBY: Newly-discovered asteroid 2010 TD54 will fly by Earth on Tuesday, Oct. 12th, about 46,000 km above the planet's surface. At closest approach, the 7-meter space rock will shine like a 14th magnitude star as it races through the constellations Pisces and Aquarius. There is no danger of a collision. Visit http://spaceweather.com for ephemerides and more information.

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: With the arrival of northern autumn, aurora season is underway. Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms erupt at your latitude? Sign up for Space Weather Phone: http://spaceweatherphone.com

Draconid Meteor Shower

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 8, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

DRACONID METEORS: Every year around Oct. 8th, Earth passes through a minefield of dusty debris from Comet Giacobini-Zinner, source of the annual Draconid meteor shower. This year, forecasters expect Earth to narrowly miss several of the debris streams, resulting in no appreciable display for 2010. Next year, however, could be different. On Oct. 8, 2011, Earth will have a nearly head-on collision with a tendril of dust, setting off a strong outburst of as many as 750 meteors per hour. One year from now, sky watchers could see the strongest meteor shower since the Leonid storms a decade ago. Mark your calendar and, meanwhile, follow the links at http://spaceweather.com for more information.

COMET HARTLEY 2 UPDATE: Comet 103P/Hartley 2 continues to approach Earth for an 11-million-mile close encounter on Oct. 20th. It is not yet visible to the unaided eye, but amateur astronomers are finding it easily using backyard telescopes. The comet's vivid green atmosphere now subtends an angle equal to some of the biggest craters and seas on the Moon. Visit http://spaceweather.com for sky maps and latest images.

THE COMET HUNTER: Looking for the right optics to observe Comet Hartley 2? We recommend the David H. Levy Comet Hunter: http://explorescientific.com/davidlevycomethunter/index.html

The Year of the Solar System

Source - NASA Science News for Oct. 7, 2010

Planetary exploration is shifting into high gear with an unprecedented tripling of flybys, orbital insertions and launches to destinations around the solar system. To commemorate the increase, NASA has declared the year ahead "The Year of the Solar System."

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/07oct_yss/

Are We Alone for 10/04/10 - Earth: A Century Hence

Are We Alone - Earth: A Century Hence

ENCORE Humans have not gone unnoticed on this planet. We’ve left our mark with technology, agriculture, architecture, and a growing carbon footprint. But where is this trajectory headed?

In the first of a two-part series: what will be lost and what will still be around 100 years from now? James Lovelock says a hotter planet will prompt mass migrations. And Cary Fowler urges us to save our seeds – the health of future farms may depend on it.

Plus, from antibiotics to sewage systems: why human ingenuity ultimately saves the day.

And, sure, humans will be around in a century, but – with bionic limbs and silicon neurons – would we recognize them?

Guests:

• James Lovelock – Independent scientist and author of The Vanishing Face of Gaia
• Cary Fowler – Executive Director of the Global Crop Diversity Trust
• Russell Blackford – Philosopher, writer, and editor-in-chief of the “Journal of Evolution and Technology.”

Permalink: http://radio.seti.org/episodes/Earth_A_Century_Hence

You can listen to this and other episodes at http://radio.seti.org/, and be sure to check out Are We A Blog?, the companion blog to the radio show.

And be sure to check out the Are We Alone iPhone/iPad app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/are-we-alone-make-contact/id374968004?mt=8

Green Comet Approaches Earth

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 1, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

APPROACHING COMET: Green comet 103P/Hartley 2 is approaching Earth for a close encounter on Oct. 20th. At that time, the comet will be only 11 million miles (0.12 AU) from our planet and should be dimly visible to the naked eye from dark sky sites. It already looks great through backyard telescopes, as shown by images featured on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com. NASA's Deep Impact/EPOXI spacecraft is en route to this comet for close-up studies and a daring flyby on Nov. 4th.

UPSIDE-DOWN LIGHTNING OVER THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER: An amateur photographer has photographed rare lightning-like discharges called "gigantic jets" shooting up from storm clouds near NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Visit http://spaceweather.com for a movie and more information about the phenomenon.

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: With the coming of northern autumn, aurora season is underway. Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms erupt at your latitude? Sign up for Space Weather Phone: http://spaceweatherphone.com