my interest in ocean worlds of the outer solar system is motivated by our search
solar system is motivated by our search
solar system is motivated by our search for life beyond Earth there’s a little
for life beyond Earth there’s a little
for life beyond Earth there’s a little clicker this is a question that has
clicker this is a question that has
clicker this is a question that has captivated me since I was a young boy a
captivated me since I was a young boy a
captivated me since I was a young boy a very dorky young boy growing up in a
very dorky young boy growing up in a
very dorky young boy growing up in a small town in Vermont and it’s a
small town in Vermont and it’s a
small town in Vermont and it’s a question that National Geographic
question that National Geographic
question that National Geographic actually helped plant the seed in my in
actually helped plant the seed in my in
actually helped plant the seed in my in my young brain with with this fantastic
my young brain with with this fantastic
my young brain with with this fantastic book that my best friend had where it
book that my best friend had where it
book that my best friend had where it had images very speculative images of
had images very speculative images of
had images very speculative images of life in the atmosphere of Jupiter some
life in the atmosphere of Jupiter some
life in the atmosphere of Jupiter some sort of mousy Martian and I don’t know
sort of mousy Martian and I don’t know
sort of mousy Martian and I don’t know maybe this is a plesiosaur on Europa
maybe this is a plesiosaur on Europa
maybe this is a plesiosaur on Europa since the decades when that book was
since the decades when that book was
since the decades when that book was published a lot has changed about our
published a lot has changed about our
published a lot has changed about our understanding of what it takes for a
understanding of what it takes for a
understanding of what it takes for a world to be habitable and what’s been
world to be habitable and what’s been
world to be habitable and what’s been discovered is that there are actually at
discovered is that there are actually at
discovered is that there are actually at least six worlds these are moons of the
least six worlds these are moons of the
least six worlds these are moons of the outer solar system moons of Jupiter and
outer solar system moons of Jupiter and
outer solar system moons of Jupiter and Saturn Neptune and possibly even Uranus
Saturn Neptune and possibly even Uranus
Saturn Neptune and possibly even Uranus and possibly worlds even beyond Pluto
and possibly worlds even beyond Pluto
and possibly worlds even beyond Pluto worlds that are covered in ice and
worlds that are covered in ice and
worlds that are covered in ice and beneath their icy shells we have very
beneath their icy shells we have very
beneath their icy shells we have very good reason to believe that vast liquid
good reason to believe that vast liquid
good reason to believe that vast liquid water oceans exist these are moons like
water oceans exist these are moons like
water oceans exist these are moons like Europa and Callisto and Ganymede moons
Europa and Callisto and Ganymede moons
Europa and Callisto and Ganymede moons of Jupiter Titan and Enceladus moons of
of Jupiter Titan and Enceladus moons of
of Jupiter Titan and Enceladus moons of Saturn and Triton a moon of Neptune this
Saturn and Triton a moon of Neptune this
Saturn and Triton a moon of Neptune this presents a an interesting new paradigm
presents a an interesting new paradigm
presents a an interesting new paradigm traditionally when we thought about
traditionally when we thought about
traditionally when we thought about habitability the traditional habitable
habitability the traditional habitable
habitability the traditional habitable zone is it’s called my field consists of
zone is it’s called my field consists of
zone is it’s called my field consists of thinking about a solar system where you
thinking about a solar system where you
thinking about a solar system where you have a planet at just the right distance
have a planet at just the right distance
have a planet at just the right distance from its parent star such that you have
from its parent star such that you have
from its parent star such that you have liquid water at the surface stable at
liquid water at the surface stable at
liquid water at the surface stable at the surface or at least metastable at
the surface or at least metastable at
the surface or at least metastable at the surface and then if you move too far
the surface and then if you move too far
the surface and then if you move too far in or out you’ll either get too hot and
in or out you’ll either get too hot and
in or out you’ll either get too hot and have a runaway greenhouse effect as the
have a runaway greenhouse effect as the
have a runaway greenhouse effect as the cases for Venus or if you move too far
cases for Venus or if you move too far
cases for Venus or if you move too far in for Venus too far out
in for Venus too far out
in for Venus too far out for Mars you’ll you’ll freeze out and
for Mars you’ll you’ll freeze out and
for Mars you’ll you’ll freeze out and lose your atmosphere and in either case
lose your atmosphere and in either case
lose your atmosphere and in either case you want to be too hot too cold or if
you want to be too hot too cold or if
you want to be too hot too cold or if you’re in that habitable zone you’ll be
you’re in that habitable zone you’ll be
you’re in that habitable zone you’ll be just right it’s this sort of Goldilocks
just right it’s this sort of Goldilocks
just right it’s this sort of Goldilocks scenario but we now know that this this
scenario but we now know that this this
scenario but we now know that this this is an outdated scenario this is the old
is an outdated scenario this is the old
is an outdated scenario this is the old Goldilocks these icy moons of the outer
Goldilocks these icy moons of the outer
Goldilocks these icy moons of the outer solar system give us a new Goldilocks
solar system give us a new Goldilocks
solar system give us a new Goldilocks it’s a Goldilocks scenario that’s
it’s a Goldilocks scenario that’s
it’s a Goldilocks scenario that’s regulated by tidal energy dissipation
regulated by tidal energy dissipation
regulated by tidal energy dissipation instead of being at the right distance
instead of being at the right distance
instead of being at the right distance from your parent star
from your parent star
from your parent star it’s about being at the right distance
it’s about being at the right distance
it’s about being at the right distance or having the right interaction with a
or having the right interaction with a
or having the right interaction with a giant planet and this is best
giant planet and this is best
giant planet and this is best exemplified by the large moons of
exemplified by the large moons of
exemplified by the large moons of Jupiter the innermost moon io is the
Jupiter the innermost moon io is the
Jupiter the innermost moon io is the most volcanic Li active body in the
most volcanic Li active body in the
most volcanic Li active body in the solar system more volcanically active
solar system more volcanically active
solar system more volcanically active than the earth the reason you see all
than the earth the reason you see all
than the earth the reason you see all these beautiful yellows and reds and
these beautiful yellows and reds and
these beautiful yellows and reds and whites is that IO is dehydrated it lost
whites is that IO is dehydrated it lost
whites is that IO is dehydrated it lost all of its water and a lot of volatiles
all of its water and a lot of volatiles
all of its water and a lot of volatiles and instead what covers its surface is
and instead what covers its surface is
and instead what covers its surface is sulfur various forms of sulfur so IO is
sulfur various forms of sulfur so IO is
sulfur various forms of sulfur so IO is too active to have an ocean that lost
too active to have an ocean that lost
too active to have an ocean that lost all its water on the outer and the
all its water on the outer and the
all its water on the outer and the farthest out large moon of Jupiter is
farthest out large moon of Jupiter is
farthest out large moon of Jupiter is Callisto Callisto is not very tightly
Callisto Callisto is not very tightly
Callisto Callisto is not very tightly active it does have an ocean but we
active it does have an ocean but we
active it does have an ocean but we don’t think that that ocean is dynamic
don’t think that that ocean is dynamic
don’t think that that ocean is dynamic enough to potentially sustain life in
enough to potentially sustain life in
enough to potentially sustain life in the middle however we’ve got Europa and
the middle however we’ve got Europa and
the middle however we’ve got Europa and Ganymede and Europa might have just the
Ganymede and Europa might have just the
Ganymede and Europa might have just the right combination of tidal energy to
right combination of tidal energy to
right combination of tidal energy to sustain a liquid water environment and
sustain a liquid water environment and
sustain a liquid water environment and to help that water mix with a rocky sea
to help that water mix with a rocky sea
to help that water mix with a rocky sea floor and perhaps have that ice shell
floor and perhaps have that ice shell
floor and perhaps have that ice shell mix into the ocean to keep a dynamic
mix into the ocean to keep a dynamic
mix into the ocean to keep a dynamic ocean that’s capable of supporting life
ocean that’s capable of supporting life
ocean that’s capable of supporting life and this is fascinating because of
and this is fascinating because of
and this is fascinating because of course what we’ve learned from life on
course what we’ve learned from life on
course what we’ve learned from life on Earth is that where you find the liquid
Earth is that where you find the liquid
Earth is that where you find the liquid water you generally find life and on a
water you generally find life and on a
water you generally find life and on a world like Europa we’re talking about a
world like Europa we’re talking about a
world like Europa we’re talking about a global liquid water ocean of some 100
global liquid water ocean of some 100
global liquid water ocean of some 100 kilometers in depth beneath an ice shell
kilometers in depth beneath an ice shell
kilometers in depth beneath an ice shell of say 4 to 15 kilometers in thickness
of say 4 to 15 kilometers in thickness
of say 4 to 15 kilometers in thickness if you do the math it turns out that you
if you do the math it turns out that you
if you do the math it turns out that you rope as ocean harbors 2 to 3 times the
rope as ocean harbors 2 to 3 times the
rope as ocean harbors 2 to 3 times the volume of all the liquid water found
volume of all the liquid water found
volume of all the liquid water found here on earth that’s an incredible
here on earth that’s an incredible
here on earth that’s an incredible amount of liquid water it’s there today
amount of liquid water it’s there today
amount of liquid water it’s there today and it’s been there throughout the
and it’s been there throughout the
and it’s been there throughout the history of the solar system it’s a
history of the solar system it’s a
history of the solar system it’s a beautiful place to go and explore this
beautiful place to go and explore this
beautiful place to go and explore this question of whether or not there is in
question of whether or not there is in
question of whether or not there is in fact life beyond Earth and this question
fact life beyond Earth and this question
fact life beyond Earth and this question of this this also relates to another
of this this also relates to another
of this this also relates to another aspect of what fascinates me about our
aspect of what fascinates me about our
aspect of what fascinates me about our search for life beyond Earth because for
search for life beyond Earth because for
search for life beyond Earth because for all of the morphological the physical
all of the morphological the physical
all of the morphological the physical diversity that beautiful diversity that
diversity that beautiful diversity that
diversity that beautiful diversity that we all know and love here on earth life
we all know and love here on earth life
we all know and love here on earth life on Earth is essentially all the same at
on Earth is essentially all the same at
on Earth is essentially all the same at the biochemical level even when you go
the biochemical level even when you go
the biochemical level even when you go to extreme environments like hot springs
to extreme environments like hot springs
to extreme environments like hot springs in the Rift Valley or the Dry Valleys of
in the Rift Valley or the Dry Valleys of
in the Rift Valley or the Dry Valleys of Antarctica or down to the deep sea
Antarctica or down to the deep sea
Antarctica or down to the deep sea hydrothermal vents all life on Earth is
hydrothermal vents all life on Earth is
hydrothermal vents all life on Earth is based on the same paradigm that DNA RNA
based on the same paradigm that DNA RNA
based on the same paradigm that DNA RNA and protein paradigm even the ATP
and protein paradigm even the ATP
and protein paradigm even the ATP Paragon and and what fascinates me about
Paragon and and what fascinates me about
Paragon and and what fascinates me about the search for life elsewhere is the
the search for life elsewhere is the
the search for life elsewhere is the prospect that we might discover some
prospect that we might discover some
prospect that we might discover some other biochemical pathways some other
other biochemical pathways some other
other biochemical pathways some other way that life gets the business of
way that life gets the business of
way that life gets the business of living
living
living done and so worlds like Europa present a
done and so worlds like Europa present a
done and so worlds like Europa present a great place to go and test these kinds
great place to go and test these kinds
great place to go and test these kinds of questions perhaps life populates a
of questions perhaps life populates a
of questions perhaps life populates a sort of periodic table where different
sort of periodic table where different
sort of periodic table where different biochemistry function in different
biochemistry function in different
biochemistry function in different temperature pressure and chemical
temperature pressure and chemical
temperature pressure and chemical regimes we just don’t know this is uh
regimes we just don’t know this is uh
regimes we just don’t know this is uh this is Enceladus a beautiful picture of
this is Enceladus a beautiful picture of
this is Enceladus a beautiful picture of Enceladus floating above the rings of
Enceladus floating above the rings of
Enceladus floating above the rings of Saturn with Saturn as the backdrop just
Saturn with Saturn as the backdrop just
Saturn with Saturn as the backdrop just a absolutely stunning image Enceladus is
a absolutely stunning image Enceladus is
a absolutely stunning image Enceladus is about five hundred kilometers in
about five hundred kilometers in
about five hundred kilometers in diameter and if you zoom in on Enceladus
diameter and if you zoom in on Enceladus
diameter and if you zoom in on Enceladus this is what you see the South Pole of
this is what you see the South Pole of
this is what you see the South Pole of Enceladus is fractured and water is just
Enceladus is fractured and water is just
Enceladus is fractured and water is just jutting out from an ocean beneath its
jutting out from an ocean beneath its
jutting out from an ocean beneath its South Pole we still don’t understand
South Pole we still don’t understand
South Pole we still don’t understand much about what’s going on there we
much about what’s going on there we
much about what’s going on there we frankly don’t really understand that
frankly don’t really understand that
frankly don’t really understand that geophysics of how that ocean could
geophysics of how that ocean could
geophysics of how that ocean could persist there today because Enceladus is
persist there today because Enceladus is
persist there today because Enceladus is so small and that tidal energy may or
so small and that tidal energy may or
so small and that tidal energy may or may not be able to account for all the
may not be able to account for all the
may not be able to account for all the energy that’s needed to explain what we
energy that’s needed to explain what we
energy that’s needed to explain what we see and so sometimes these oceans
see and so sometimes these oceans
see and so sometimes these oceans literally jump out at you is this the
literally jump out at you is this the
literally jump out at you is this the case with with Enceladus where you’ve
case with with Enceladus where you’ve
case with with Enceladus where you’ve got these water which jets with salt and
got these water which jets with salt and
got these water which jets with salt and even organics coming out above the
even organics coming out above the
even organics coming out above the surface for many of the other ocean
surface for many of the other ocean
surface for many of the other ocean worlds though the evidence is
worlds though the evidence is
worlds though the evidence is is not as obvious but it’s very mature
is not as obvious but it’s very mature
is not as obvious but it’s very mature and and equally robust shown here is
and and equally robust shown here is
and and equally robust shown here is Europa and relative scale to our own
Europa and relative scale to our own
Europa and relative scale to our own moon it’s about the size of our own moon
moon it’s about the size of our own moon
moon it’s about the size of our own moon and your upper orbit its orbits Jupiter
and your upper orbit its orbits Jupiter
and your upper orbit its orbits Jupiter some 318 times as massive as the earth
some 318 times as massive as the earth
some 318 times as massive as the earth and the reason we know of ocean of
and the reason we know of ocean of
and the reason we know of ocean of Europa’s subsurface ocean has to do with
Europa’s subsurface ocean has to do with
Europa’s subsurface ocean has to do with a lot of physics that I don’t have time
a lot of physics that I don’t have time
a lot of physics that I don’t have time to go into but even if you just look at
to go into but even if you just look at
to go into but even if you just look at its surface you see these amazing cracks
its surface you see these amazing cracks
its surface you see these amazing cracks and ice cliffs that are caused is that
and ice cliffs that are caused is that
and ice cliffs that are caused is that ice shell is is tugged and pulled as a
ice shell is is tugged and pulled as a
ice shell is is tugged and pulled as a result of the tidal interaction with
result of the tidal interaction with
result of the tidal interaction with Jupiter and much of what my work focuses
Jupiter and much of what my work focuses
Jupiter and much of what my work focuses on is the electromagnetic interaction of
on is the electromagnetic interaction of
on is the electromagnetic interaction of Europa with Jupiter and what that tells
Europa with Jupiter and what that tells
Europa with Jupiter and what that tells us about the physics and chemistry of
us about the physics and chemistry of
us about the physics and chemistry of Europa but part of what I also work on
Europa but part of what I also work on
Europa but part of what I also work on is the development of missions and
is the development of missions and
is the development of missions and instruments to go out and explore worlds
instruments to go out and explore worlds
instruments to go out and explore worlds like this to see whether or not there
like this to see whether or not there
like this to see whether or not there any signs of life on the surface and so
any signs of life on the surface and so
any signs of life on the surface and so when I look at an image like this we
when I look at an image like this we
when I look at an image like this we know that this white area this is all so
know that this white area this is all so
know that this white area this is all so so this is the highest resolution image
so this is the highest resolution image
so this is the highest resolution image that we have of the surface of Europa
that we have of the surface of Europa
that we have of the surface of Europa and this is returned by the Galileo
and this is returned by the Galileo
and this is returned by the Galileo spacecraft in the foreground so this is
spacecraft in the foreground so this is
spacecraft in the foreground so this is sort of a perspective view across Rochas
sort of a perspective view across Rochas
sort of a perspective view across Rochas landscape in the foreground this is
landscape in the foreground this is
landscape in the foreground this is about 6 meters per pixel
about 6 meters per pixel
about 6 meters per pixel we know that the white material here is
we know that the white material here is
we know that the white material here is water ice the dark material we know that
water ice the dark material we know that
water ice the dark material we know that there’s some sulfur and sulfate mixed in
there’s some sulfur and sulfate mixed in
there’s some sulfur and sulfate mixed in there but beyond that we really don’t
there but beyond that we really don’t
there but beyond that we really don’t know much about its chemistry and part
know much about its chemistry and part
know much about its chemistry and part of what’s interesting in the instrument
of what’s interesting in the instrument
of what’s interesting in the instrument development context is that we want to
development context is that we want to
development context is that we want to be able to go back to Europa and
be able to go back to Europa and
be able to go back to Europa and characterize this non ice material and
characterize this non ice material and
characterize this non ice material and see whether or not it has any complex
see whether or not it has any complex
see whether or not it has any complex organic chemistry possibly even any
organic chemistry possibly even any
organic chemistry possibly even any structures or indications of life
structures or indications of life
structures or indications of life erupted from the ocean below and now and
erupted from the ocean below and now and
erupted from the ocean below and now and placed on the surface and the tools and
placed on the surface and the tools and
placed on the surface and the tools and techniques to do that are not entirely
techniques to do that are not entirely
techniques to do that are not entirely obvious if you think about detecting
obvious if you think about detecting
obvious if you think about detecting life on Earth from space you say well
life on Earth from space you say well
life on Earth from space you say well what tools do we apply for this problem
what tools do we apply for this problem
what tools do we apply for this problem how we’ve got all these satellites
how we’ve got all these satellites
how we’ve got all these satellites obviously we we monitor the terrestrial
obviously we we monitor the terrestrial
obviously we we monitor the terrestrial biosphere so how do we actually do that
biosphere so how do we actually do that
biosphere so how do we actually do that well the tools and techniques are pretty
well the tools and techniques are pretty
well the tools and techniques are pretty limited much of what we do
limited much of what we do
limited much of what we do from space is monitor photosynthesis
from space is monitor photosynthesis
from space is monitor photosynthesis photosynthesis of course has these
photosynthesis of course has these
photosynthesis of course has these amazing pigments like chlorophyll and
amazing pigments like chlorophyll and
amazing pigments like chlorophyll and those pigments are sort of evolutions
those pigments are sort of evolutions
those pigments are sort of evolutions gift to spectroscopy so we can we can
gift to spectroscopy so we can we can
gift to spectroscopy so we can we can pick out these sharp spectral features
pick out these sharp spectral features
pick out these sharp spectral features and then make maps of chlorophyll
and then make maps of chlorophyll
and then make maps of chlorophyll absorptions and that serves as a proxy
absorptions and that serves as a proxy
absorptions and that serves as a proxy for much of the rest of the biomass
for much of the rest of the biomass
for much of the rest of the biomass found here on earth but for an
found here on earth but for an
found here on earth but for an ice-covered ocean world photosynthesis
ice-covered ocean world photosynthesis
ice-covered ocean world photosynthesis is not going to be a very viable niche
is not going to be a very viable niche
is not going to be a very viable niche so this spectroscopic tool is not is not
so this spectroscopic tool is not is not
so this spectroscopic tool is not is not sufficient we need to develop new tools
sufficient we need to develop new tools
sufficient we need to develop new tools and techniques to to enhance our
and techniques to to enhance our
and techniques to to enhance our capability both to monitor life here on
capability both to monitor life here on
capability both to monitor life here on earth and to improve our capability to
earth and to improve our capability to
earth and to improve our capability to search for life on other worlds and this
search for life on other worlds and this
search for life on other worlds and this is where I have a lot of fun both in the
is where I have a lot of fun both in the
is where I have a lot of fun both in the lab and in the field when you see an
lab and in the field when you see an
lab and in the field when you see an image like this this is an image
image like this this is an image
image like this this is an image returned from the Mars Exploration Rover
returned from the Mars Exploration Rover
returned from the Mars Exploration Rover taken from a camera on board the the
taken from a camera on board the the
taken from a camera on board the the platform here’s the robotic arm and at
platform here’s the robotic arm and at
platform here’s the robotic arm and at the end of the robotic arm are a bunch
the end of the robotic arm are a bunch
the end of the robotic arm are a bunch of science instruments doing geology on
of science instruments doing geology on
of science instruments doing geology on Mars when you see an image like this and
Mars when you see an image like this and
Mars when you see an image like this and see these instruments this is kind of if
see these instruments this is kind of if
see these instruments this is kind of if this were a human evolution chart this
this were a human evolution chart this
this were a human evolution chart this was sort of this would be like Homo
was sort of this would be like Homo
was sort of this would be like Homo sapiens what I work on is sort of the
sapiens what I work on is sort of the
sapiens what I work on is sort of the australopiths cats version of this this
australopiths cats version of this this
australopiths cats version of this this is where it all starts and I made this
is where it all starts and I made this
is where it all starts and I made this cardboard mock-up several years ago of
cardboard mock-up several years ago of
cardboard mock-up several years ago of our instrument which for the techies out
our instrument which for the techies out
our instrument which for the techies out there our instrument is a mid infrared
there our instrument is a mid infrared
there our instrument is a mid infrared fourier transform spectrometer that can
fourier transform spectrometer that can
fourier transform spectrometer that can be used in microscope version or a
be used in microscope version or a
be used in microscope version or a telescope version etc now basically I
telescope version etc now basically I
telescope version etc now basically I study fancy Rainbows spectroscopy looks
study fancy Rainbows spectroscopy looks
study fancy Rainbows spectroscopy looks at various wavelengths but what I love
at various wavelengths but what I love
at various wavelengths but what I love about this is that um you know this is
about this is that um you know this is
about this is that um you know this is where ideas come to life just we’ve got
where ideas come to life just we’ve got
where ideas come to life just we’ve got an idea for a new tool new technique and
an idea for a new tool new technique and
an idea for a new tool new technique and and this is this is it this is the first
and this is this is it this is the first
and this is this is it this is the first sort of link on that evolutionary chain
sort of link on that evolutionary chain
sort of link on that evolutionary chain the next step is to build it in a lab
the next step is to build it in a lab
the next step is to build it in a lab and then take it out into the field
and then take it out into the field
and then take it out into the field uh-huh
uh-huh
uh-huh this is our early instrument and this is
this is our early instrument and this is
this is our early instrument and this is this is the courtyard right in front of
this is the courtyard right in front of
this is the courtyard right in front of my my office building and I felt
my my office building and I felt
my my office building and I felt compelled to put this in just so I had
compelled to put this in just so I had
compelled to put this in just so I had at least one picture of Wildlife given
at least one picture of Wildlife given
at least one picture of Wildlife given the crowd here
the crowd here
the crowd here the deer actually do they’re just out
the deer actually do they’re just out
the deer actually do they’re just out there on the courtyard it’s great and
there on the courtyard it’s great and
there on the courtyard it’s great and then we take it out and see we extreme
then we take it out and see we extreme
then we take it out and see we extreme environments here on earth like
environments here on earth like
environments here on earth like battleship promontory and Antarctica and
battleship promontory and Antarctica and
battleship promontory and Antarctica and as you may appreciate the interior of
as you may appreciate the interior of
as you may appreciate the interior of Antarctica has no large creatures but
Antarctica has no large creatures but
Antarctica has no large creatures but this landscape is teeming with life like
this landscape is teeming with life like
this landscape is teeming with life like microbes that manage to to make a living
microbes that manage to to make a living
microbes that manage to to make a living in the harsh night and cold temperatures
in the harsh night and cold temperatures
in the harsh night and cold temperatures of Antarctica and we’re able to bring
of Antarctica and we’re able to bring
of Antarctica and we’re able to bring our tools down there to study these
our tools down there to study these
our tools down there to study these crypto analytic microbial communities to
crypto analytic microbial communities to
crypto analytic microbial communities to monitor them in situ to get at their
monitor them in situ to get at their
monitor them in situ to get at their metabolism and their biogeochemistry
metabolism and their biogeochemistry
metabolism and their biogeochemistry we’ve also used our tools and techniques
we’ve also used our tools and techniques
we’ve also used our tools and techniques up in Alaska where we’re using our
up in Alaska where we’re using our
up in Alaska where we’re using our techniques to monitor hydrocarbons
techniques to monitor hydrocarbons
techniques to monitor hydrocarbons coming out of the permafrost and this
coming out of the permafrost and this
coming out of the permafrost and this relates to our ability to detect
relates to our ability to detect
relates to our ability to detect hydrocarbons on other worlds but also to
hydrocarbons on other worlds but also to
hydrocarbons on other worlds but also to quantify greenhouse gas emissions as our
quantify greenhouse gas emissions as our
quantify greenhouse gas emissions as our as our planet warms and we’re starting
as our planet warms and we’re starting
as our planet warms and we’re starting to take this instrument to places like
to take this instrument to places like
to take this instrument to places like Kilimanjaro where the glaciers contain
Kilimanjaro where the glaciers contain
Kilimanjaro where the glaciers contain an incredible record of our terrestrial
an incredible record of our terrestrial
an incredible record of our terrestrial climate history and traditionally what
climate history and traditionally what
climate history and traditionally what you have to do is go up and grab an ice
you have to do is go up and grab an ice
you have to do is go up and grab an ice core and bring it back to the lab well
core and bring it back to the lab well
core and bring it back to the lab well with our new tools and techniques we can
with our new tools and techniques we can
with our new tools and techniques we can do the science there we can leave the
do the science there we can leave the
do the science there we can leave the site intact and do and get the science
site intact and do and get the science
site intact and do and get the science done in the field but ultimately what I
done in the field but ultimately what I
done in the field but ultimately what I want to do is bolt this instrument on
want to do is bolt this instrument on
want to do is bolt this instrument on the side of a spacecraft like this
the side of a spacecraft like this
the side of a spacecraft like this optimistically we’re hoping for a launch
optimistically we’re hoping for a launch
optimistically we’re hoping for a launch of either an orbiter or possibly a
of either an orbiter or possibly a
of either an orbiter or possibly a lander in the 2020 timeframe would go
lander in the 2020 timeframe would go
lander in the 2020 timeframe would go into orbit around 2028 because it takes
into orbit around 2028 because it takes
into orbit around 2028 because it takes such a long time to get there
such a long time to get there
such a long time to get there this search for life beyond Earth it’s
this search for life beyond Earth it’s
this search for life beyond Earth it’s ultimately a pretty optimistic endeavor
ultimately a pretty optimistic endeavor
ultimately a pretty optimistic endeavor and it’s one that that really sees
and it’s one that that really sees
and it’s one that that really sees altruism and symbiosis as fundamental to
altruism and symbiosis as fundamental to
altruism and symbiosis as fundamental to evolution and Frank Drake captured this
evolution and Frank Drake captured this
evolution and Frank Drake captured this this sentiment in his now sort of famous
this sentiment in his now sort of famous
this sentiment in his now sort of famous Drake Equation where he put together all
Drake Equation where he put together all
Drake Equation where he put together all the factors needed to estimate how many
the factors needed to estimate how many
the factors needed to estimate how many intelligent communicating civilizations
intelligent communicating civilizations
intelligent communicating civilizations might be out there in our galaxy and
might be out there in our galaxy and
might be out there in our galaxy and this last factor this el factor is the
this last factor this el factor is the
this last factor this el factor is the lifetime of an intelligent communicating
lifetime of an intelligent communicating
lifetime of an intelligent communicating civilization and if the lifetime is
civilization and if the lifetime is
civilization and if the lifetime is short
short
short then intelligent life and our gallant
then intelligent life and our gallant
then intelligent life and our gallant he will be rare and it will be hard for
he will be rare and it will be hard for
he will be rare and it will be hard for us to ever find each other and what I
us to ever find each other and what I
us to ever find each other and what I love about being here today is that this
love about being here today is that this
love about being here today is that this this factor is where so many of you
this factor is where so many of you
this factor is where so many of you contribute so many so much of what
contribute so many so much of what
contribute so many so much of what National Geographic does is focus on how
National Geographic does is focus on how
National Geographic does is focus on how to make la very big number to make this
to make la very big number to make this
to make la very big number to make this a safe clean and beautiful planet and
a safe clean and beautiful planet and
a safe clean and beautiful planet and home for all creatures and cultures I
home for all creatures and cultures I
home for all creatures and cultures I want to close by by bringing us back out
want to close by by bringing us back out
want to close by by bringing us back out into the realm of space and share one of
into the realm of space and share one of
into the realm of space and share one of my favorite images from the history of
my favorite images from the history of
my favorite images from the history of space exploration it’s an image carved
space exploration it’s an image carved
space exploration it’s an image carved by the hand of Galileo in his notebook
by the hand of Galileo in his notebook
by the hand of Galileo in his notebook some four hundred years ago this image
some four hundred years ago this image
some four hundred years ago this image showed for the first time that Jupiter
showed for the first time that Jupiter
showed for the first time that Jupiter had moons and then the moons go around
had moons and then the moons go around
had moons and then the moons go around Jupiter proving that the bright object
Jupiter proving that the bright object
Jupiter proving that the bright object in the sky known as Jupiter was not some
in the sky known as Jupiter was not some
in the sky known as Jupiter was not some mysterious or but instead it was a world
mysterious or but instead it was a world
mysterious or but instead it was a world in its own right images like this helped
in its own right images like this helped
in its own right images like this helped revolutionize our understanding of the
revolutionize our understanding of the
revolutionize our understanding of the universe in which we live
universe in which we live
universe in which we live Galileo painstakingly charted Jupiter
Galileo painstakingly charted Jupiter
Galileo painstakingly charted Jupiter and the motions of its four large moons
and the motions of its four large moons
and the motions of its four large moons and in so doing put the final nails in
and in so doing put the final nails in
and in so doing put the final nails in the coffin of Aristotelian cosmology the
the coffin of Aristotelian cosmology the
the coffin of Aristotelian cosmology the earth was no longer the center of the
earth was no longer the center of the
earth was no longer the center of the universe
universe
universe instead the planets go around the Sun
instead the planets go around the Sun
instead the planets go around the Sun this heliocentric worldview and in the
this heliocentric worldview and in the
this heliocentric worldview and in the decades that followed Galileo and the
decades that followed Galileo and the
decades that followed Galileo and the decades that followed Galileo scientists
decades that followed Galileo scientists
decades that followed Galileo scientists like Kepler and Newton would show that
like Kepler and Newton would show that
like Kepler and Newton would show that the laws of physics work not just here
the laws of physics work not just here
the laws of physics work not just here on earth but they could also be extended
on earth but they could also be extended
on earth but they could also be extended to world and wonders beyond earth and we
to world and wonders beyond earth and we
to world and wonders beyond earth and we know now that the laws of physics
know now that the laws of physics
know now that the laws of physics permeate the universe and over the
permeate the universe and over the
permeate the universe and over the course of the last three centuries other
course of the last three centuries other
course of the last three centuries other Sciences like chemistry and geology have
Sciences like chemistry and geology have
Sciences like chemistry and geology have also been extended to worlds and wonders
also been extended to worlds and wonders
also been extended to worlds and wonders beyond Earth but when it comes to the
beyond Earth but when it comes to the
beyond Earth but when it comes to the science of biology when it comes to this
science of biology when it comes to this
science of biology when it comes to this beautiful phenomenon that we all know
beautiful phenomenon that we all know
beautiful phenomenon that we all know and love called life we have a yet to
and love called life we have a yet to
and love called life we have a yet to extend that beyond our own world and
extend that beyond our own world and
extend that beyond our own world and what fascinates me about the time in
what fascinates me about the time in
what fascinates me about the time in which we live is that in the next few
which we live is that in the next few
which we live is that in the next few decades we will have the missions we
decades we will have the missions we
decades we will have the missions we will do the exploration that
will do the exploration that
will do the exploration that revolutionizes our understanding of
revolutionizes our understanding of
revolutionizes our understanding of whether or not
whether or not
whether or not here on earth is a biological
here on earth is a biological
here on earth is a biological singularity or if we in fact live in a
singularity or if we in fact live in a
singularity or if we in fact live in a biological universe thank you
”
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