1c:I[5025,["2266","static/chunks/870fdd6f-6bc796c30d2d789b.js","6874","static/chunks/6874-1092c3b716d98184.js","3063","static/chunks/3063-d60ec0b08e19cd33.js","7698","static/chunks/7698-29ba5779557874ff.js","5801","static/chunks/app/podcast/%5BpodcastSlug%5D/%5BpodcastShortId%5D/%5BepisodeSlug%5D/%5BepisodeShortId%5D/page-b8b82ab127fe442b.js"],"default"] 1d:I[5163,["2266","static/chunks/870fdd6f-6bc796c30d2d789b.js","6874","static/chunks/6874-1092c3b716d98184.js","3063","static/chunks/3063-d60ec0b08e19cd33.js","7698","static/chunks/7698-29ba5779557874ff.js","5801","static/chunks/app/podcast/%5BpodcastSlug%5D/%5BpodcastShortId%5D/%5BepisodeSlug%5D/%5BepisodeShortId%5D/page-b8b82ab127fe442b.js"],"default"] 1e:T544,The sci-fi film Dune: Part Two is out in theaters now. The movie takes place on the harsh desert planet, Arrakis, where water is scarce and giant, killer sandworms lurk just beneath the surface. But what do planetary scientists and biologists think about the science of these worms, Arrakis and our other favorite sci-fi planets?

Today on the show, Regina G. Barber talks to biologist (and Star Trek consultant!) Mohamed Noor and planetary scientist Michael Wong about Dune, habitable planets and how to make fantasy seem more realistic.

Want more of the science behind your favorite fictional worlds? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

Listen to Short Wave on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‌

Episode description

Could Dune Really Exist? What Scientists Think of Our Favorite Sci-Fi Worlds

Episode description