Category Archives: Dr. Britney Schmidt

Incredible Tidal Forces Power Europa


Dr. Britney Schmidt talks about the incredible tidal forces exerted by Jupiter and its Galilean moons that bring chaos to Europa, but also give it the energy and heat that may make it possible for Europa to sustain life.

Dr. Schmidt is a research scientist at The University of Texas Institute for Geophysics. Her talk, “Life on Europa? Exploring Jupiter’s Icy Moon”, is part of the awesome Hot Science – Cool Talks series, presented by the Environmental Science Institute.

This is part four of Commander Ben’s interview series with Dr. Schmidt.

Watch the entire video series about possible life on Europa with Dr. Schmidt.

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Filed under Astrobiology, Astronomy, Dr. Britney Schmidt, Environmental Science Institute, Europa, Extraterrestrial life, Galilean moons, Hot Science - Cool Talks, University of Texas, University of Texas Institute for Geophysics, UT Institute for Geophysics

Does Icy Europa Hide Life?


What can learning about ice on Earth tell us about possible single or multicellular life on Europa? Dr. Britney Schmidt talks about the trapped lakes under the surface of one of Jupiter’s moons that might harbor life.

Dr. Schmidt is a research scientist at The University of Texas Institute for Geophysics. Her talk, “Life on Europa? Exploring Jupiter’s Icy Moon”, is part of the awesome Hot Science – Cool Talks series, presented by the Environmental Science Institute.

This is part two of Commander Ben’s interview series with Dr. Schmidt.

Watch the entire video series about possible life on Europa with Dr. Schmidt.

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Filed under Astronomy, Dr. Britney Schmidt, Environmental Science Institute, Europa, Extraterrestrial life, Galilean moons, Hot Science - Cool Talks, Jupiter, Jupiter's Icy Moon, University of Texas, University of Texas Institute for Geophysics, UT Institute for Geophysics

Life on Europa: Exploring Jupiter’s Icy Moon – Hot Science – Cool Talks Preview

Dr. Britney Schmidt describes her upcoming presentation, “Life on Europa? Exploring Jupiter’s Icy Moon”, and talks about astrobiology, the study of the rise of life in habitable planetary systems.

Dr. Schmidt is a research scientist at The University of Texas Institute for Geophysics, and her presentation is part of the awesome Hot Science – Cool Talks series, hosted by the Environmental Science Institute.

This is part one of Commander Ben’s interview series with Dr. Schmidt.

Watch the entire video series about possible life on Europa with Dr. Schmidt.

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Filed under Astrobiology, Astronomy, Dr. Britney Schmidt, Environmental Science Institute, Europa, Extraterrestrial life, Galilean moons, Hot Science - Cool Talks, Jupiter, University of Texas, University of Texas Institute for Geophysics

Does UT Austin believe in Aliens? Life on Europa Hot Science

I loved seeing Dr. Jay Banner, director of the Environmental Science Institute, on the University of Texas at Austin campus (and I think he strayed onto “The Drag” too) interviewing all kinds of people, asking them if there’s life on other planets.

They had hugely varied responses from yes to no to ahhh…maybe.

This is a great video promoting the next Hot Science – Cool Talks about possible life on Europa, one of Jupiter’s icy moons. Dr. Britney Schmidt, research scientist with the UT Institute for Geophysics, will be presenting her latest research on Europa during the talk.

Watch the video to see what other questions Dr. Banner asked, and be sure to come to the next Hot Science – Cool Talk presentation on Friday, April 13, 2012, to learn more about Europa with Dr. Schmidt.

Commander Ben…signing off

P.S. You won’t believe what I did the other day! I had breakfast with Dr. Schmidt, and I had a great video interview with her about Europa, astrobiology, how she became a scientist, and more. I’m working on the videos for upload, and I look forward to sharing them with you soon. I learned so much from her, and I know that you will too!

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Filed under Astrobiology, Dr. Britney Schmidt, Environmental Science Institute, Europa, Jay Banner, Jupiter, University of Texas, UT Institute for Geophysics

Young Commander Ben and Dr. John Grotzinger Rocket to Mars at Hot Science – Cool Talks

When I was looking through some of our old family photos, I found some of these wonderful pictures of me enjoying Hot Science – Cool Talks, when I was younger (and before I became an invasive hunter!).

The talk was The 2004 Mars Exploration Rover Mission: Evidence for Water and Prospects for Life by Dr. John Grotzinger on October 13, 2005.

As part of his talk, I think he showed a NASA animated video of the rover landing, but I’m sure that I enjoyed making and launching a baking soda rocket with one of the Hot Science volunteers:

Here I am with Dr. John Grotzinger (blinded by his awesome science):

Update: How exciting to learn that Dr. Grotzinger is a project scientist for the Mars Science Laboratory that is part of the Curiosity Mars rover that landed on the red planet on August 6, 2012.

Upcoming Spring 2012 Hot Science – Cool Talk presentations

I’m sorry that I’m going to miss this month’s Hot Science – Cool Talk because I’ll be preparing for my presentation at Kid’s Day for National Invasive Species Awareness Week in Washington DC, but I hope that you’ll be able to make it.

Here’s what’s coming up this month:

From Fracking to the 40 Acres

Dr. Michael Webber, Co-Director of the Clean Energy Incubator at the Austin Technology Incubator, and Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin
Friday, February 24, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. CST

And then in April, I look forward to joining you and learning more about our universe:

Life on Europa? Exploring Jupiter’s Icy Moon

Dr. Britney Schmidt
Friday, April 13, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. CST

Be sure to get there early to enjoy all the fun activities before the talks.  Last month included making a moon lander before Dr. Howell’s presentation!

Commander Ben signing off…

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Filed under Dr. Britney Schmidt, Dr. John Grotzinger, Europa, Hot Science - Cool Talks, Jupiter's Icy Moon, Mars Rover, NASA