Unraveling the Secrets of the Cosmic Web - Dr. Oskar Elek - Astronomy News with the Cosmic Companion November 3, 2020

We talk to Dr. Oskar Elek of UC Santa Cruz about studying the largest structures in the Universe through computer modeling and ordinary slime mold

Hello everyone:

This week, we are joined by Dr. Oskar Elek from the University of California, Santa Cruz. We will be discussing his work seeking to understand the Cosmic Web – the largest structures in the Universe – through computer modeling and humble slime mold.

We'll also take a look at the future of farming on Mars, as a new study examines how to turn Martian topsoil into a fertile growing medium for Martian colonists of the future. We will examine the origin of water on planets, and find clues to the chemistry of the early Solar System in a Martian meteorite. And, in the dark recesses of the early solar system, we see an ancient ice planet that may have forever shaped our family of planets before heading out to the void of space.

Watch the video version of this episode:

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Coming Up:

November 10: Laura Fackrell of the University of Georgia, discussing her work learning how to turn the rusty top soil of Mars into a suitable growing medium for Martian colonists of the future.

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- James