Discovery of The Decade for Dwarf Planets? Eris and Makemake Geothermal Activity

Huge Kuiper Belt discovery! With James Webb, astronomers were able to see that Eris and Makemake showed signs of geothermal activity. How exactly did that happen? Figuring out with Dr Christopher Glein, Lead Scientist at Southwest Research Institute.

👉 Dr Christopher Glein

📜 Measurement of D/H and 13C/12C Ratios in Methane Ice on Eris and Makemake: Evidence for Internal Activity

📜 Moderate D/H Ratios in Methane Ice on Eris and Makemake as Evidence of Hydrothermal or Metamorphic Processes in Their Interiors: Geochemical Analysis

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00:00 Intro
01:10 JWST's images of Eris and Makemake
05:46 Unique flavours of methane
12:21 Findings
21:16 Implications for other worlds
24:45 What's next
26:21 Current obsessions
32:51 Final thoughts and more interviews

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[picksalot]

It's great to hear directly from the Scientists, unfiltered. Fraser, you're doing a wonderful job making the interviews available. Thanks

[drewd]

You know you've made it when prominent scientists are coming to you for interviews. Great interview!

[m.childinflorence]

Incredible!! So cool that James Webb can get this data from Kuiper Belt objects…and that Fraser can get the study author same day!

[_xDx]

It's always a good listen when the person being interviewed is so obviously excited about what they are doing . Excellent interview.

[bluesteel]

I am so glad I found this channel. This is some of the best content on the Internet.

[KSRKiller]

Dr Chris Glein is very easy to listen to. Thanks for the interview!

[XostrichX]

Great interview here. Loved your guest’s enthusiasm and ability to speak lively and clearly. Learned a lot

[Korenshei]

Absolutely awe-inducing that in 2024, ten pixels is the best view we've got of two dwarf planets in our own solar system the size of whole countries on Earth, the existence of which we weren't even aware of for 99.99% of human history

[apentagon]

I wonder why so many of the dwarf icy planets like Pluto and Eris seem so active or "hot" inside while it isn't as apparent for planets like Mars or even Venus, despite having recent evidence of geothermal activity?

Now of course just because it seems like they have signs of activity doesn't guarantee that the icy dwarf planets are, but I find it intriguing especially since these worlds are smaller than Mercury yet possessing terrestrial activity.

Maybe this could reshape how we think of planetary formation?

[alfonsopayra]

Fraser these interviews are THE BEST of the internet related to space news!

[IllumTheMessage]

16:43, this is amazing. Makes every chunk of icy rock floating around out there a potential seed for life. Our Universe is full of hot water!

[stanthemann]

Spectacular guest and interview! Scintillating new science and Fraser's excellent interviewing style are great combo.

[marshall]

That was a great interview. Love to see him again.

[bobbymoniz]

Dr. Glein's enthusiasm is contagious. I thoroughly enjoyed this interview. What a fascinating investigation, and what an awesome guy! He made all the chemistry very understandable for people like me who are not so well versed in the discipline. Thank you for bringing this interview to us!

[alizaidanthamyeez]

I want JWST or ELT or TMT (once they are built) to do some sort of observation of Sedna

[AliHSyed]

Great interview. And what a cool discovery, I love hearing about this research directly from the researchers

[nathanielbyrne]

Omg these kuiper belt objects are so underrated, like why do people know about pluto and not these? Surely they're all dwarf planets right?

[jonathanbyrdmusic]

What an honor to have these scientists reach out to you. It speaks to the quality of your work.

[Death-Sickle]

I really hope we get some new missions to more dwarf planets soon

[FrancisFjordCupola]

Heroes! Awesome news. Superb interview!