Stay up to date with all of the Blue Marble Space news and happenings here.
A new science series titled “Through the Wormhole” features BMSIS research scientist Dr. Sara Walker as a guest expert on an upcoming show. The episode is titled “Are We Here for a Reason?” and is scheduled to air on Wednesday, May 13th on Discovery’s Science Channel at 10:00 PM ET/PT. Hosted by Morgan Freeman, the series explores some of the deep mysteries of astronomy, cosmology, and existence. [Visit the site for “Through the Wormhole”]
Read moreOur “BlueSciCon” podcast for March features a conversation with Dr. Seth Baum of the Global Catastrophic Risk Institute and Kathryn McLaughlin of Biosecu.re about the concept of “Winter-Safe Deterrence“. The stockpiles of nuclear weapons held by nations today hold the power to destroy civilization several times over, and the risk of nuclear winter–a catastrophic reduction in global temperatures due to soot from nuclear war–gives us reason to question whether we should maintain such massive stockpiles at all. Yet deterrence provides […]
Read moreOur “Beer with BMSIS” podcast for November features a conversation with Dr. Dave Denkenberger titled “Feeding Everyone No Matter What“. In the wake of a global catastrophe that blocks the light from the sun, food production would plummet and humanity would face the daunting task of feeding itself in an environment of darkness. Dr. Dave Denkenberger of the Global Catastrophic Risk Institute discusses his research on how human civilization could prepare for such catastrophes and the various strategies we could […]
Read moreOur “Beer with BMSIS” podcast for October features a conversation with Dr. Lucas Mix titled “The Zombie Broccoli: What Aliens and Souls Can Tell Us About Ourselves“. Astrobiology highlights the common origin of life, but this can raise difficult philosophical and spiritual questions when contrasted with some of our unspoken assumptions about value and meaning. Lucas Mix draws on his insights from biology and theology to explore concepts that skirt at the boundaries between ourselves, animals, vegetables, and the rest […]
Read moreOur “Beer with BMSIS” podcast for September features a conversation with Graham Short about “Sciworthy: A New Science News Platform for Scientists“. Communicating science to the public can be challenging, and scientists often struggle with finding effective methods of directly disseminating their research in accessible ways. Graham Short discusses the history, concept, and future of the Sciworthy initiative, which is a news platform designed for scientists and institutes to directly share research results with the public. [listen to the conversation]
Read moreOur “Beer with BMSIS” podcast for August features a conversation with Dr. Duncan Forgan of the University of St. Andrews titled “Habitability of Tattoine Planets: Even More Complicated Than You Think“. Planets in orbit around multiple star systems were once thought confined to realm of science fiction, but ongoing planet-finding missions have confirmed that planets can readily form in such environments. Dr. Duncan Forgan considers how habitable conditions could arise on such planets, and he presents some of his climate […]
Read moreRetired NASA astronaut Ron Garan appears in an interview on HuffPost Live where he discusses his perspectives on space exploration and his ideas for shaping the future. Our own Dr. Sara Walker is featured in the conversation (at 11:20 from the start), asking Garan his thoughts about our prospects of becoming an interstellar civilization. [Watch the conversation at HuffPost Live]
Read moreWe are pleased to offer free Milkweed seeds through our partnership with the Live Monarch Foundation. A self-addressed stamped envelope gets you 15 free seeds, enough to start a small Milkweed patch this spring. And for just a few dollars you can get a hundred seeds or more–at discounted prices, and with a portion of proceeds benefiting BMSIS. Monarch Butterflies are in danger of losing their seasonal migration that takes them from the northern plains to Mexico. Climate change, deforestation, […]
Read moreAn interview with BMSIS research scientist Dr. Armando Azua-Bustos recently appeared in the newspaper El Mercurio in Chile. The article features discussion of Dr. Azua-Bustos’ research in the context of understanding extremely dry planetary environments and possible analogs with sites explored by the Mars Curiosity Rover. [Read the full text in El Mercurio]
Read moreHow does an experiment bound for the International Space Station go from laboratory to launch? Join Dr. Sanjoy Som as he writes about his experiences preparing for the maiden voyage of NASA’s Fruit Fly Lab, which is scheduled to launch this month! [read the blog on NASA.gov]
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