Aired August 26, 2025

How will the next generation of space telescopes help us characterize exoplanets? How can artificial intelligence help us discover new worlds beyond our solar system? Join us for a conversation with Dr. Megan Ansdell, Program Scientist across NASA’s Planetary Science and Astrophysics Divisions at NASA Headquarters, and member of the SMD Data Science & Innovation Board. Dr. Ansdell also works on the Habitable Worlds Observatory, pushing the boundaries of how we search for life beyond Earth. Hosted by: Dr. Graham Lau (Blue Marble Space Institute of Science) About Ask An Astrobiologist Once a month, the NASA Astrobiology Program invites a leading astrobiologist to go live and answer your questions about the journey in searching for life in the universe. Production Assistants: Gabrielle Erwin (Blue Marble Space Institute of Science) Anurup Mohanty (Blue Marble Space Institute of Science) Mariam Naseem (Blue Marble Space Institute of Science) Directed by Mike Toillion (NASA Astrobiology Program) Illustrations by Melissa Flower Music & Animation by Mike Toillion (NASA Astrobiology Program)