Dr. Ravi Kopparapu’s research was featured in a recent article in Astrobiology Magazine. Working with Prof. Jim Kasting at Penn State University, Dr. Kopparapu uses computer climate models to examine the potential habitability of newly discovered exoplanets. [Read the article at astrobio.net]
Read moreA new paper led by Dr. Jacob Haqq-Misra proposes lottery bonds as a mechanism for funding science research by appealing to investors, rather than donors. The paper is titled “Funding the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence with a Lottery Bond” and has been submitted for publication to Journal of the British Interplanetary Society. In a new episode of our podcast series “Pubs with BMSIS”, join Brendan Mullen in a conversation with Dr. Haqq-Misra about this new proposed method of funding SETI. […]
Read moreSearch for the Origin of Life is a new documentary movie made in collaboration with the NASA Astrobiology Institute and Montana State University and distributed by PBS International. Featuring 8 astrobiologists, including BMSIS scientist Dr. Betül Kacar, the show takes a personal look at individual researchers who, through their experiments and field work, seek to understand the very beginnings of life on Earth. [Watch the full video at Montana PBS]
Read moreThis month, our “Beer with BMSIS” podcast features a conversation with Penn State Professor Jim Kasting about the question, Is the Earth Rare?. One of the pioneers of the field of planetary habitability, and author of the book How to Find a Habitable Planet, Dr. Kasting leads a discussion on some of the factors that have been suggested to be necessary for the development of life, complexity, and intelligence. Drawing from his own research, Kasting describes how many of the […]
Read moreDr. Dimitra Atri’s research was featured in a recent article in Astrobiology Magazine. Energetic cosmic rays pose several problems to creating habitable conditions and allowing the development of life on a planet, and this illustrated article nicely describes the background and scope of Dr. Atri’s work. [Read the article at astrobio.net]
Read moreOur own Dr. Rika Anderson was selected for the prestigious NASA Astrobiology Postdoctoral Program for her proposal titled, “Unraveling the impact of ecological selection pressures on the archaeal pangenome”. In her research, Dr. Anderson seeks to understand the evolution of microorganisms and how they adapt to fill new ecological niches. She will compare the genomics of organisms adapted to extreme environments by studying several species collected from Yellowstone National Park. The goal of this research is to understand the factors […]
Read moreDr. Armando Azua-Bustos Beverage: Oolong Tea (Wuyi Mountains – China) Handout: [click here] Listen: [mp3 download] [ca_audio url=”http://beerwith.bmsis.org/BwBMSIS_25_NOV2013.mp3″ width=”500″ height=”27″ css_class=”codeart-google-mp3-player”]
Read moreBMSIS now has a presence on most of the major social networks, so feel free to follow along for news items, project updates, and opportunities to get involved! Twitter profile: @BlueMarbleSpace Facebook group: facebook.com/BMSInstituteofScience LinkedIn company: linkedin.com/company/2671691 Google+ page: plus.google.com/106603522036139665595
Read moreA new paper led by Dr. Dimitra Atri explores the effect of galactic cosmic rays on planetary habitability. The paper is titled “Galactic cosmic ray induced radiation dose on terrestrial exoplanets” and is currently in press in the journal Astrobiology. In a new episode of our podcast series “Pubs with BMSIS”, join Brendan Mullen in a conversation with Dimitra about the importance of cosmic rays in both astrobiology and daily life. [listen to the conversation]
Read moreDr. Jim Kasting Beverage: Dogfish Head Punkin Ale (United States – Delaware) Handout: [click here] Listen: [mp3 download] [ca_audio url=”http://beerwith.bmsis.org/BwBMSIS_24_OCT2013.mp3″ width=”500″ height=”27″ css_class=”codeart-google-mp3-player”]
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