NASA's Ask An Astrobiologist

Our guest is Dr. Mark Skidmore, professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Montana State University! Dr. Skidmore conducts research on the biogeochemistry and geomicrobiology of glacial systems, examining the cycling of elements such as carbon, sulfur, nitrogen and iron. His research also considers the habitability of icy terrestrial environments, especially subglacial systems, and how this can guide the search for habitable environments elsewhere in the Solar System. Dr. Skidmore has field research experience in numerous glaciated systems in Arctic, alpine, and Antarctic settings from over 25 years of exploration and study. Check out our website for the full transcript of this podcast, plus the full YouTube version of this episode: https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/ask-an-astrobiologist/episodes/54/

Our guest is Dr. Natalie Batalha, astrophysicist and professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz, specializing in detecting and characterizing exoplanets, including potentially habitable alien worlds! Dr. Batalha was the Co-Investigator and Mission Scientist for the Kepler Space Telescope, and today uses the world’s most powerful ground-based telescopes to identify planets suitable for further study with the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope. Check out our website for the full transcript of this podcast, plus the full YouTube version of this episode:

Our guest is Dr. Geoff Wheat, professor of geological oceanography at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks! Dr. Wheat studies processes that influence the cycles of elements in the oceans, following the transport of materials through the oceanic crust in a variety of settings, including hydrothermal systems. Geoff has also participated in 79 ocean expeditions, including 49 submersible/ROV based endeavors. Check out our website for the full transcript of this podcast, plus the full YouTube version of this episode: https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/ask-an-astrobiologist/episodes/52/

Our guest is Prof. Abel Méndez, a planetary astrobiologist and Director of the Planetary Habitability Laboratory at the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo! His research focuses on the habitability of Earth, the Solar System, and extrasolar planets. Prof. Méndez is best known for developing the Earth Similarity Index, the Visible Paleo-Earth Project, and maintaining the Habitable Exoplanets Catalog, a database of potentially habitable worlds. Check out our website for the full transcript of this podcast, plus the full YouTube version of this episode: https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/ask-an-astrobiologist/episodes/51/

Our guest is Dr. Alfonso Davila, an astrobiologist at NASA Ames Research Center! His research focuses on the biological and biosignature potential of terrestrial environments considered to be analogous to extraterrestrial environments, and using that knowledge to develop strategies to search for evidence of life beyond Earth. His current research involves instrument testing in the Atacama desert and Antarctica to inform drilling techniques for the icy regions of Mars. Check out our website for the full transcript of this podcast, plus the full YouTube version of this episode: https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/ask-an-astrobiologist/episodes/50/