Was a Natural Fuel Cell Key to the Origin of Life on Earth?

There’s so much we don’t know about the origin of life here or anywhere else in the universe. But there must have been an energy source. Researcher Laurie Barge led work that simulated the natural formation of a fuel cell that may have taken place in Earth’s primordial oceans. With Emily Lakdawalla on vacation, Jason Davis debuts as the LightSail Project’s embedded journalist. Bill Nye is following NASA’s Commercial Crew progress. Bruce Betts takes Mat Kaplan and listeners on another tour of the night sky.

Related Links:

• How Did Life Arise? Fuel Cells May Have Answers
• LightSail Project
• LightSail Live July 9 Event and Webcast Information
• Commercial Crew Partners Get Extension
• Max Goes to the Space Station

This week's prize is a Planetary Radio t-shirt.

This week's question:

How many moons has Cassini discovered at Saturn?

To submit your answer:

Complete the contest entry form at http://planetary.org/radiocontest or write to us at [email protected] no later than Tuesday, July 8, at 8am Pacific Time. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.

Last week's question:

What are the Montes or mountains named for on Mercury?

Answer:

The answer will be revealed next week.

Question from the week before:

When did Venus Express enter orbit around Venus?

Answer:

Venus Express orbital insertion took place on April 11, 2006.