Imagine you were talented enough, ambitious enough and lucky enough to be chosen to part of a manned mission to another planet. What you might see out there? What you might learn?
And, what about going to the bathroom, taking a shower, eating, drinking, sleeping, or even sex?
This week on Skepticality, Swoopy talks with psychologist, journalist and bestselling author Mary Roach. Her new book Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void explores how space programs, scientists and astronauts (and even astro-chimps) tackle the unexpected complexity of performing everyday activities when in space.
As with her previous books Spook (the science of the search for the afterlife), Stiff (the science of the dead), and Bonk (the science of sex), Ms. Roach's accessible investigation into the science of space travel sparkles with humor and insight.
Show Notes
Date - August 24, 2010 read by Swoopy
This show is sponsored by Audible.com.
Today's guest is Mary Roach, the author of Stiff, Spook and Bonk.
Her new book is Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void.
The allegation that an alien autopsy took place in Roswell, NM in 1947 became
famous in the U.S. when FoxTV aired Alien Autopsy (Fact or Fiction?) on August 28, 1995.
It has been widely debunked and was finally admitted as a hoax in 2006.
Kevin Trudeau was banned from selling products through informercials by the US Federal Trade Commission on September 3, 2004.
The show Mythbusters took on moon landing conspiracy theories in an episode first aired August 27, 2008.
Robert H. Rines was born August 30, 1922 and died in 2009.
Lonnie Zamora was born September 7, 1933 and died in 2009.
Hulda Clark died one year ago on September 3, 2009.
Norman Jay Levitt was a mathematician who inspired the creation of the Sokal Hoax.
He was born August 27, 1943, and died in 2009.
The full “In Memoriam” presentations from TAM8 are available on my blog.
Modern newspaper astrology columns began August 24, 1930 when the London Sunday Express
asked a famous astrologer to write a horoscope for Princess Margaret.
You can read Skeptic History facts daily on Twitter, Facebook or FriendFeed.
Checking out our Audible sponsorship helps support this program.
Mary Roach was just at SETIcon ; a celebration of 50 years
of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence.
NASA TV is awesome.
Rusty Schweickart is notorious for being nauseous in space.
People are paid to stay in bed for months by NASA
Dr. Jonathan Clark is now a NASA consultant whose wife perished on Columbia.
Not all Chimponauts are necessarily naughty.
Sylvia Saint was a porn star that supposedly had sex in zero gravity.
Bathroom habits in space are not for the meek.
Recycling of resources is necessary in space.
A manned trip to Mars will likely take several years
Ms. Roach experienced weightlessness on the C9 "vomit comet" flight
It has been fifty years since the last record setting free fall was attempted by Joseph Kittinger.
Felix Baumgartner is planning to beat Kittinger's record later this year.
Watching the Phoenix Lander mission on NASA tv was an example of good reality television.
The book Spook dealt with the science of paranormal investigation into spirits and ghosts.
Shows like Paranormal State aren't science.
You can find out about Mary Roach and her work at her website.
Dragon*Con will be happening very soon.
The Skepchicks will be sponsoring a free pertussis vaccination clinic at Dragon*Con.
You can visit or help out with the Vaccine Clinic during Dragon*Con.
You can check up on all the happenings for Skeptrack 2010 here.
Dr. Phil Plait will not be attending Dragon*Con this year.
