Arsenic and Odd Life

PlanRad talks with NASA Astrobiology Program Director Mary Voytek about last week's announcement about the first lifeform that substitutes arsenic for phosphorous to support many basic life functions. The discovery has much to say about the search for extraterrestrial life. Bill Nye sets up our special coverage. Emily Lakdawalla's Advent calendar is opening windows on the solar system. Bruce Betts offers a Random Space Fax during this week's What's Up with Mat Kaplan, and there's another space trivia contest.

Related Links:

• NASA article and video about lifeform built with arsenic
• Bill Nye the Science Guy on Arsenic and Deep Space
• Emily's guide to Arsenic and Odd Life coverage
• Door #4 in Emily's 2010 Advent Calendar
• December What's Up in the Solar System
• Bill Nye's Your Place in Space (MP3)