Super-Earths & Evaporating Planets with Anjali Tripathi & Neil deGrasse Tyson

Is Earth going to evaporate? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice learn about exoplanet discovery, planetary evaporation, biosignatures and technosignatures with astrophysicist Anjali Tripathi. What is our most studied planet? Learn about Anjali’s time as a White House Fellow and her work with the US Department of Agriculture and climate change. How does NASA give insights on Earth? What can satellites do for you? Plus, we answer audience questions: are exoplanets evaporating? What is the likelihood of other intelligent life? We discuss intelligent life on Earth and the likelihood of finding life elsewhere in general. Discover spectroscopy, how we learn about the composition of distant exoplanets, and what JWST is discovering about exoplanets. Would we be able to eat and digest life from other planets? Would you want to eat an alien? Is there a minimum and maximum size for rocky planets to be habitable? We explore planet density, gravity on Mars, and what defines a “Super-Earth.” We break down the different types of biosignature gasses, technosignature gasses, and how pollution could help us find aliens. Are there some gasses that only life can make? Thanks to our Patrons Christopher Stowe, Bo Cribbs, Jennifer Pierce, Sam Gilbert, Steven Glasser, Antonio Garibay, and David Frigoletto for supporting us this week. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Get the NEW StarTalk book, 'To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery' on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PL0NFn Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #neildegrassetyson Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:20 - Anjali Tripathi: the Intersection of Science & Government 5:20 - Astrophysics in Government & White House Fellowship 11:54 - Satellites & Sea Level Rise 12:57 - Exoplanets Cosmic Queries 13:17 - Planets Are Evaporating?! 15:58 - The Chances of Intelligent Life 19:23 - Spectroscopy & Exoplanet Detection 21:50 - JWST Looking For Exoplanets 23:28 - Can We Eat Aliens? 25:15 - Super Earths & Ideal Size For Habitable Worlds 30:18 - Biosignatures & Technosignatures 33:34 - Common Atmosphere Composition 34:45 - Closing