Astrophysicists Discuss Whether JWST Discovered Alien Exoplanets

Has JWST found potential alien worlds? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Matt Kirshen learn about exoplanet discovery on the frontier, how higher oxygen gave us dinosaurs, and what type of life could evolve on alien worlds with astrophysicist and astrobiologist Lisa Kaltenegger.

Lisa tells us about breaking down the chemical signature of newfound rocky planets. When will we have telescopes that will see the surface of these exoplanets? If an alien on a different planet pointed a telescope at us, what signs of life would they see? Is there anything they could mistake us for? We explore how geology creates complicated atmospheres and of course the question: what is life?

Could life have landed here on a meteorite and blended in with other life on Earth? We discuss the universality of biology: do the rules of biology apply everywhere? How hard is life to get rid of once it's started? How fast could life evolve on another world? Plus, learn how Earth's oxygen levels contributed to the Jurassic period. We explore extremophiles and whether life could live on asteroids, icy moons, and large rocky planets: Super-Earths. What conditions trigger complex life?

Did human life come from panspermia? Find out about chirality and why we think that all Earth life started from the same source. Why do people really want to think we came from space? We talk about dimethyl sulfur as a biomarker and why its discovery on a Super-Earth may be both promising and potentially misleading. Can we figure out if we are alone or not?

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction: Lisa Kaltenegger
4:10 - Hunting Alien Earths
12:05 - What Would Aliens See If They Looked at Us?
18:13 - Is Every Animal on Earth From Earth?
23:03 - How Fast Could Evolution Go?
27:03 - Could Life Exist Outside of Planets?
32:36 - Life on a Super-Earth
38:04 - The Panspermia Question
41:44 - Biomarkers & Dymethyl Sulfide
47:40 - A Cosmic Perspective

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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!

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[StarTalk]

What year do you think we'll finally discover extraterrestrial life? 👽 We'll check back here when it happens to see who guessed right!

[BlamBird]

I’m convinced that no subject in school was inherently boring, it was the subject’s teacher and their lack of passion and dedication to it. If this man was everyone’s high school science teacher, we would have a civilization on Mars with hovercrafts on it by now 😂

[charleslaurice]

Hey Neil, I’m 70 years old now and I do remember watching Carl Sagan every single episode on PBS was on the edge of my seat and had never even remotely considered anything as well as everything he was all about Lisa that you had on today has that same love in her voice and intellect as Carl Sagan did.I hope she goes far and I hope you have her on again. What a beautiful example of a pioneering attitude and a love for life to make the world a better place thank you again for sharing your life with us through the sciences.

[morriemukoda]

I can listen to this lady talking about octopus all day, her demeanour is so calm and gentle.

[BeansSW]

I had to double take when Neil said Dr. Lisa’s last name😂

[Muziek]

She talks with such passion, you can see she really enjoys her job and can't never get enough

[GRDwashere]

Dr. Lisa's enthusiasm and smile are both so contagious! I would absolutely love a regular podcast all about her field of expertise!

[seantlewis]

Kaltenegger is one of the most interesting guests I've seen on this show. I hope she comes back, or makes her own channel.

[CodexPermutatio]

Lisa is fantastic. What a passion for science! Please bring her on the podcast more often.

[katambrose]

Now no StarTalk is complete without the Mr. Rogers heart-to-heart at the end. Thanks, Dr. Tyson for bringing the nostalgia.

[myhomeo]

I read Lisa’s book a couple of months ago. It’s understandable to a layman and very entertaining. It’s one of those books that left me wanting to read more about the subject.

[dixiegamoning]

Lisa Kaltenegger is so animated as she speaks that it's fascinating to watch her and listen. Loved this podcast for the information as well as just listening to the enthusiasm and excitement. It's what makes Dr. Tyson so popular--he's animated and his passion shows whenever he speaks on any subject but particularly in explaining mode.

[jurgenporn]

Neill's voice is a great asset when it comes to storytelling, But Ms. Kalteggers matches just the same bar. Both should be hired by audible or made the machines avatar.

[desert_sky_guy]

Startalk is always great, but this episode was another level of fun and informative. Thank you, Neil, for what you do! And thank you for bringing Mrs. Kaltenegger on the show - she is so dynamic, bright, sharp, witty and passionate about everything she does and learns. More of her in the public sphere would be good for everyone. <3

[Rumble]

Lisa's energy is off the scale! Love her enthusiasm and articulate skill.

[Brennbare]

Please don't ever stop making Startalk. No matter who hosts
Science needs more stages to be talked about

[roberttaggart]

My dad passed away and now I consider his energy to be light, relative to me his time has stopped, but for me time ticks on slowly until I pass away and I believe we will just start over. Miss you dad 🫶

[Buckleboy]

She was a PHENOMENAL guest. One of the best episodes on your channel (although I love them all). Thank you!

[potorokusmc]

Wow. They cooked on this episode!! Two highly intelligent and curious people legitimately learning from each other and asking the right questions. Sprinkle in some lighthearted comedic relief and presto!! Great job by them.

[PrayTellGaming]

Lol when they said "Octopusy"