Startalk Radio – Habitable Worlds, Super-Earths, & Evaporating Planets with Anjali Tripathi

Intro

In this episode of Startalk Radio, host Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews Anjali Tripathi, a research associate at NASA’s JPL and a Caltech employee. Tripathi shares her insights on habitable worlds, super-Earths, and evaporating planets. She also discusses the importance of connecting science with serving society.

Main Takeaways

Exploring Habitable Worlds

• Exoplanets are a popular topic because there are millions of them.
• Tripathi’s background in astrophysics allows her to offer unique perspectives and insights to other fields, including agriculture and environmental protection.
• NASA’s most studied planet is Earth, not Mars.
• Tripathi believes that satellites can provide valuable insights for agriculture and that there is a relationship between NASA and the Department of Agriculture.
• Crop yield estimates in America are still done by physically measuring corn diameter and counting, rather than using satellite technology.
• NASA data on soil moisture and vegetation is publicly available for agriculture departments and individuals to access.

Anjali Tripathi’s Journey and Work

• Anjali Tripathi got her PhD from the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
• Tripathi’s interest in science and serving society began after experiencing an earthquake in the 90s, where she saw the importance of scientists in predicting natural disasters and saving lives.
• She served in two administrations, including President Obama’s, as a White House fellow, where she worked on climate change and food waste.
• Tripathi emphasizes the importance of finding connections between science and serving society.
• Tripathi worked at the Office of Science and Technology Policy, which oversees the budget for science in the US, and added “American” to programs to increase ownership.
• White House fellows have a one-year fixed appointment, and Tripathi was part of the transition between the Obama and Trump administrations.

Habitable Worlds and Exoplanets

• PhD work focused on the formation and evolution of exoplanets.
• Planets with atmospheres can experience atmospheric escape, causing them to evaporate.
• Atmospheric escape is not an immediate threat to Earth’s survival.
• The likelihood of there being intelligent life on a newly discovered habitable world is about one in a big way.
• Most planets will just have life, but it will not be developed.
• The same building blocks that we have here are everywhere, so the chances of life existing on other planets are good.

Super-Earths and Exoplanet Composition

• Looking for planets like Earth is ideal for survivability of humans, as we prefer a solid surface and a comfortable gravity.
• Planets that are too massive or too close to their star can be gaseous or evaporate, making them unsuitable for life.
• Super Earths are planets that are larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune, and can have a range of sizes and densities.
• Density is important for survivability, as a rocky planet is preferred over a gaseous one.
• If a super Earth has a crumbly rock composition, it may still be suitable for exploration and potential colonization.

Exploring Exoplanet Atmospheres

• Spectroscopy is being used to study the atmosphere of planets and detect chemicals that could indicate the presence of life.
• James Webb Space Telescope has detected carbon dioxide, water, and methane on exoplanets.
• Transit is the planet going in front of the star’s light, discovered many exoplanets this way.
• James Webb Space Telescope captures high-quality images of exoplanets.
• The telescope captures pictures of the whole star and planet, providing more information on exoplanets.
• Coronagraph is like sunglasses for telescopes, blocking out bright starlight.

Summary

Exploring Habitable Worlds and Exoplanets

Exoplanets, planets outside of our solar system, have become a popular topic of study due to their abundance. Anjali Tripathi, a research associate at NASA’s JPL, emphasizes the importance of connecting science with serving society. She believes that satellites can provide valuable insights for agriculture and that there is a relationship between NASA and the Department of Agriculture. However, despite the availability of NASA data on soil moisture and vegetation, crop yield estimates in America are still done through manual measurements rather than utilizing satellite technology.

Anjali Tripathi’s Journey and Work

Anjali Tripathi’s journey in science and serving society began after experiencing an earthquake in the 90s. This event highlighted the importance of scientists in predicting natural disasters and saving lives. Tripathi served in two administrations, including President Obama’s, as a White House fellow, where she worked on climate change and food waste. She emphasizes the importance of finding connections between science and serving society, and during her time at the Office of Science and Technology Policy, she added “American” to programs to increase ownership.

Habitable Worlds and Exoplanets

Tripathi’s background in astrophysics allows her to offer unique insights into the formation and evolution of exoplanets. While the likelihood of finding intelligent life on a newly discovered habitable world is low, the chances of finding life itself are good, as the same building blocks that exist on Earth are present throughout the universe. Tripathi also notes that atmospheric escape, which causes planets to evaporate, is not an immediate threat to Earth’s survival.

Super-Earths and Exoplanet Composition

Tripathi discusses the concept of super-Earths, which are planets larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. The composition and density of these planets play a crucial role in their potential habitability. While planets that are too massive or too close to their star may be gaseous or evaporate, rocky super-Earths may still be suitable for exploration and potential colonization.

Exploring Exoplanet Atmospheres

Spectroscopy is a powerful tool used to study the atmospheres of exoplanets. The James Webb Space Telescope has detected various gases, including carbon dioxide, water, and methane, on exoplanets. Transit observations, where a planet passes in front of its star, have been instrumental in discovering many exoplanets. The James Webb Space Telescope captures high-quality images of exoplanets, providing more information about their atmospheres and potential habitability. The use of coronagraphs helps block out bright starlight, allowing for clearer observations.

Conclusion

Anjali Tripathi’s insights into habitable worlds, super-Earths, and exoplanets shed light on our understanding of the universe and the possibilities of life beyond Earth. By bridging the gap between science and serving society, Tripathi advocates for the use of satellite technology in various fields, including agriculture. As we continue to explore and study exoplanets, it is essential to consider their composition, atmosphere, and potential habitability. The search for habitable worlds and signs of life continues, driven by our curiosity and the desire to understand our place in the universe.