About this video

• Video Title: Mars, Scorpions, and Chickens, Oh My: A Talk with Planetary Scientist Nina Lanza
• Channel: Malorie Mackey
• Speakers: Malorie Mackey, Nina Lanza
• Duration: 00:50:57

Overview

This podcast episode features a conversation between host Malorie Mackey and planetary scientist Nina Lanza. They discuss Lanza's career, her work with NASA's Mars rovers Curiosity and Perseverance, her research on manganese on Mars, and her journey into planetary science. The conversation also touches on Lanza's experiences with the Explorers Club, her time in Antarctica, and her personal interests, including science fiction and Icelandic folklore.

Key takeaways

• Explorers Club Journey: Nina Lanza joined the Explorers Club as a student, later becoming a fellow. Her initial introduction to the club was through her cousin, and she presented her early research there, finding it an intimidating yet valuable experience.
• Antarctic Research: Lanza participated in the Antarctic Search for Meteorites (ANSMET) project, collecting meteorites from the ice for six weeks. She also encountered Adélie penguins during her time there.
• Mars Rover Expertise: Lanza is a lead on the ChemCam instrument on the Curiosity rover and works on the SuperCam instrument on the Perseverance rover. Her work involves using lasers to zap rocks on Mars to determine their elemental composition and understand the planet's geological history.
• Manganese Discovery on Mars: Lanza was the first to notice high abundances of manganese in Martian rocks. This discovery suggests the presence of highly oxidizing conditions and significant liquid water on ancient Mars, environments previously not thought possible.
• Path to Planetary Science: Lanza's journey into planetary science wasn't straightforward. She initially majored in astronomy as an undergraduate but realized the need for geological knowledge. Her fascination with Mars, fueled by science fiction, led her to pursue geology and eventually work on the Curiosity rover mission.
• Exploration and Curiosity: Both Lanza and Mackey emphasize the importance of curiosity, embracing uncertainty, and not letting fear dictate exploration. They believe that venturing into the unknown and being open to unexpected observations leads to valuable insights and discoveries.
• Icelandic Folklore and Travel: The conversation touches on Lanza's numerous trips to Iceland from a geological perspective and Mackey's upcoming trip to Iceland for her TV show, where they plan to explore mystical elves, visit the penis museum, and go inside a volcano. They discuss Icelandic folklore, including the Yule Lads and the Grýla cat.
• The "ECAD Chicken": A significant part of the conversation revolves around a small rubber chicken that has become a symbol of joy and an "ECAD adventure chicken," passed around at the Explorers Club Annual Dinner (ECAD). Lanza adopted the chicken and plans to take it on her Iceland trip and to a Comic Con.
• Nuggets and Fellowship: The episode concludes with a discussion about the tradition of getting chicken nuggets after a successful ECAD, highlighting the camaraderie and simple enjoyments shared among members.

The "ECAD chicken" originated from a woman who attends the Explorers Club Annual Dinner (ECAD) and whose mission in life is to bring joy by distributing fun and silly items, like small rubber chickens, to others. She does this to find joy herself, as she was struggling with a chronic health condition. Another club member initially received the chicken, and Nina Lanza felt compelled to take it, seeing it as an "ECAD adventure chicken" that has been on a journey. Its significance lies in being a symbol of joy, silliness, and the shared experiences and camaraderie within the Explorers Club community.