Episode
#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
2:04:29
Published: Mon Jun 28 2021
Description
Clara Sousa-Silva is a quantum astrochemist at Harvard. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Onnit: https://lexfridman.com/onnit to get up to 10% off - Grammarly: https://grammarly.com/lex to get 20% off premium - Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex and use code LEX to get 25% off premium - Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit EPISODE LINKS: Clara's Twitter: https://twitter.com/drphosphine Clara's Website: https://clarasousasilva.com PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (07:57) - Discovery of phosphine on Venus (20:34) - Phosphine gas (30:47) - Searching for molecular fingerprints (41:44) - What does a quantum astrochemist do? (56:48) - Spectroscopic networks (1:01:13) - Biosignature gases (1:04:06) - UFOs and aliens (1:17:24) - Alien civilizations (1:34:59) - Programming (1:42:15) - Why science is beautiful (1:46:07) - How to be productive (1:56:27) - Books (1:57:59) - Meaning of life
Chapters
Finding Extraterrestrial Life and Insights into the Origins of Life, Intelligence, and Consciousness
Clara Sousa Silva, a quantum astro chemist at Harvard, discusses the discovery of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus, which signals the possible existence of extraterrestrial life, and how studying it can provide insights into the origins of life, intelligence, and consciousness.
00:00 - 04:44 (04:44)
Summary
Clara Sousa Silva, a quantum astro chemist at Harvard, discusses the discovery of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus, which signals the possible existence of extraterrestrial life, and how studying it can provide insights into the origins of life, intelligence, and consciousness.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The search for phosphine on Venus and its potential implications of extraterrestrial life relies on hypothesis testing, which can sometimes create false signals in noisy data.
04:44 - 12:17 (07:32)
Summary
The search for phosphine on Venus and its potential implications of extraterrestrial life relies on hypothesis testing, which can sometimes create false signals in noisy data. Despite this, exciting discoveries continue to emerge in the scientific community.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Jane Greaves, the lead author of a recent study, discovered phosphine gas on Venus, which could indicate the presence of life on the planet.
12:17 - 16:19 (04:01)
Summary
Jane Greaves, the lead author of a recent study, discovered phosphine gas on Venus, which could indicate the presence of life on the planet. The gas was detected through a unique spectroscopic fingerprint and further research is required to confirm its source.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
A discussion on the possibility of finding extraterrestrial life and the potential issues with identifying it.
16:19 - 20:44 (04:25)
Summary
A discussion on the possibility of finding extraterrestrial life and the potential issues with identifying it.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Phosphine, a molecule that usually requires a lot of energy to make, is an interesting chemical that is not fully understood by scientists.
20:44 - 25:10 (04:25)
Summary
Phosphine, a molecule that usually requires a lot of energy to make, is an interesting chemical that is not fully understood by scientists. However, the presence of phosphine in an exoplanet's atmosphere is a strong indication that there is life on that planet.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The detection of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus may indicate the presence of microbial life, as the gas is thought to be mainly produced by living organisms.
25:10 - 31:13 (06:02)
Summary
The detection of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus may indicate the presence of microbial life, as the gas is thought to be mainly produced by living organisms.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
By analyzing the colors of light that pass through a planet's atmosphere, scientists can identify which molecules are present in the planet's atmosphere.
31:13 - 34:55 (03:41)
Summary
By analyzing the colors of light that pass through a planet's atmosphere, scientists can identify which molecules are present in the planet's atmosphere. Each molecule absorbs specific colors of light, allowing astronomers to determine their composition by analyzing the spectrum of light coming from the planet.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In the search for potential life on other planets, researchers are focusing on detecting biosignatures such as phosphine, but we are still in the early stages of identifying promising planets and determining their atmospheres.
34:55 - 40:07 (05:12)
Summary
In the search for potential life on other planets, researchers are focusing on detecting biosignatures such as phosphine, but we are still in the early stages of identifying promising planets and determining their atmospheres. While there is hope for future telescopes that can determine the contents of these atmospheres, most planets remain unknown regarding their atmospheric composition.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The Quantum and the Chemist, Dr. Clara Sousa-Silva discusses how she uses quantum chemistry to detect molecules in space and the challenges she faces in diagonalizing enormous matrices to clean them up.
40:07 - 46:30 (06:22)
Summary
The Quantum and the Chemist, Dr. Clara Sousa-Silva discusses how she uses quantum chemistry to detect molecules in space and the challenges she faces in diagonalizing enormous matrices to clean them up.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In the search for understanding mysterious molecules, organic chemists analyze spectra to identify common features and try to add new compounds for study.
46:30 - 51:09 (04:39)
Summary
In the search for understanding mysterious molecules, organic chemists analyze spectra to identify common features and try to add new compounds for study. However, with so many unknown molecules, it can be difficult to determine their characteristics without prior knowledge.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses the use of computational analysis in improving quantum astrochemistry, including collecting gas data, creating fingerprints, and testing outcomes with experimental data.
51:09 - 56:51 (05:42)
Summary
The speaker discusses the use of computational analysis in improving quantum astrochemistry, including collecting gas data, creating fingerprints, and testing outcomes with experimental data.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The availability of 16,000 exoplanet observations is exciting as it allows for the possibility of using graph theory analysis to draw insights and patterns, and as telescope data improves, this data can be used to study Venus and potentially spot "invisibility cloaks" through spoofing of gases.
56:51 - 1:04:53 (08:02)
Summary
The availability of 16,000 exoplanet observations is exciting as it allows for the possibility of using graph theory analysis to draw insights and patterns, and as telescope data improves, this data can be used to study Venus and potentially spot "invisibility cloaks" through spoofing of gases.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
After COVID in 2020, people are losing faith in society's ability to handle new things effectively.
1:04:53 - 1:17:31 (12:37)
Summary
After COVID in 2020, people are losing faith in society's ability to handle new things effectively. If aliens showed up, most people would ignore them while the government might try to hide it, turning it into a military secret.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Astrophysicist, Adam Frank, discusses the potential of discovering life beyond Earth and how it could impact our understanding of the universe.
1:17:31 - 1:24:07 (06:36)
Summary
Astrophysicist, Adam Frank, discusses the potential of discovering life beyond Earth and how it could impact our understanding of the universe. He explains that the existence of basic life outside of Earth could mean that intelligent life is also more common than previously believed.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The presence of elevated consciousness might be what sets humans apart from other living beings, despite the presence of consciousness in general.
1:24:07 - 1:27:42 (03:34)
Summary
The presence of elevated consciousness might be what sets humans apart from other living beings, despite the presence of consciousness in general. This is supported by our ability to create new things and understand symmetry and beauty.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
There is a notion that when stars become white dwarfs, potentially habitable planets are destroyed, but there is also the possibility that intelligent life is nowhere long enough to communicate and expand beyond the solar system.
1:27:42 - 1:33:58 (06:16)
Summary
There is a notion that when stars become white dwarfs, potentially habitable planets are destroyed, but there is also the possibility that intelligent life is nowhere long enough to communicate and expand beyond the solar system.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast episode discusses the importance of programming in science, including advice for those interested in learning to program and its applications in scientific research.
1:33:58 - 1:37:36 (03:37)
Summary
This podcast episode discusses the importance of programming in science, including advice for those interested in learning to program and its applications in scientific research. The guest speaker shares their own experience with using programming as a tool for understanding complex topics.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
A scientist struggles with the readability of coding and offers advice to young people interested in the field, suggesting that it's easier to teach science concepts to a programmer than programming to a scientist.
1:37:36 - 1:42:27 (04:50)
Summary
A scientist struggles with the readability of coding and offers advice to young people interested in the field, suggesting that it's easier to teach science concepts to a programmer than programming to a scientist.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The desire to understand the movements of the planets and stars can be a powerful source of inspiration for those interested in science, igniting a passion for the wonders of the universe.
1:42:27 - 1:46:03 (03:35)
Summary
The desire to understand the movements of the planets and stars can be a powerful source of inspiration for those interested in science, igniting a passion for the wonders of the universe.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The pressure to be productive as a scientist can lead to possessiveness over one's research, preventing collaboration with others who may not produce as much.
1:46:03 - 1:51:31 (05:27)
Summary
The pressure to be productive as a scientist can lead to possessiveness over one's research, preventing collaboration with others who may not produce as much. However, finding good people in the community to collaborate with can lead to better science overall.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In science, the notion of the lone wolf who sees things where others don't is destructive.
1:51:31 - 1:56:40 (05:08)
Summary
In science, the notion of the lone wolf who sees things where others don't is destructive. Collaborative science that involves dancing with thoughts, ideas, and pushing and pulling is crucial for progress and discovery.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast host and guest discuss the human desire to search for meaning in life, both on Earth and beyond, even though the universe may not care about it.
1:56:40 - 2:00:04 (03:24)
Summary
The podcast host and guest discuss the human desire to search for meaning in life, both on Earth and beyond, even though the universe may not care about it.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast discusses whether the concept of meaning in life can be applied beyond human life and the Earth.
2:00:04 - 2:03:36 (03:31)
Summary
The podcast discusses whether the concept of meaning in life can be applied beyond human life and the Earth. The speaker argues that meaning is a human construct and applies only within our own existence and interactions with other life forms.
Episode#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Clara Sousa Silva discusses her search for life beyond Earth and how she came to be a molecular astrophysicist.
2:03:36 - 2:04:16 (00:40)
Summary
Clara Sousa Silva discusses her search for life beyond Earth and how she came to be a molecular astrophysicist.