Hey, space nerds. I'm your host, Patty Boyd. And I'm your host, Jacob Pinter. This is NASA's

Curious Universe. Today on the show, the second episode of our Earth series. Now, last week, we introduced

you to NASA's long history of studying our home planet

from above. This week, we're diving in to its oceans. Now, Patty, I am a real landlubber. I grew up

a long way from the coast, but Earth is an ocean planet, so it's time to get our feet wet.

We're going to hear about two different NASA missions working together to understand how our oceans function, both physically and biologically.

This is going to be one of the biggest understatements of all time.

But Earth's oceans are crazy complicated.

I mean, they cover two-thirds of our planet's surface. And currents carrying

heat underwater affect local climates on land worldwide. That determines where we can live and grow

food. And our oceans are also full of floating plant-like organisms known as phytoplankton.

They generate some of the oxygen we breathe.

The oceans also absorb some of the carbon dioxide that factories, fires, and cars emit into the

atmosphere. And as ice sheets melt and the seas rise, our life-giving oceans also threaten to flood

some coastal cities.

Now, as huge and complex as our oceans are, and as many people as they affect, folks

across the world study them in all kinds of ways.

But NASA has a unique view.

There's a lot to understand and explain that you better believe NASA is on the job.

So, Patty, I'm going to head below decks.

You take it away and I'll be back later, but you're the captain now.

All right. Have a great trip.

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