Latest Astronomy Earth Sciences Podcast Episodes
218: Anything we try is new with Dr. Cable
Spacepod - March 24, 2024 16:00 - 26 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsDr. Morgan Cable returns to the show after nine years! She tells us how she creates new minerals in her laboratory. She explains how this work helps shape NASA's Dragonfly mission. She encourages listeners to have confidence in their results.
217: A beautiful experience with Dr. Villanueva
Spacepod - February 19, 2024 13:26 - 27 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsDr. Geronimo Villanueva tells us about solar system discoveries with JWST. He talks about several projects, including observing water plumes from Saturn's moon Europa and looking for rings around Mars. He shares what it feels like to use this incredible space telescope.
Bonus: Carrie's research update
Spacepod - January 21, 2024 17:00 - 9 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsI was sick for a few weeks this month and had to delay the scheduled interview. In the meantime, I've got a bonus episode for you. In this episode I talk about FindPOTATOs, which is software written by Nicole Tan and me, Carrie Nugent, to find asteroids and comets. I share some challenges we fac...
216: Right and wrong theories in planetary science with Prof. McKinnon
Spacepod - December 24, 2023 17:00 - 25 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsProfessor Bill McKinnon, 2023 recipient of the Kuiper Prize, reflects on his career as a planetary scientist. He tells us about a theory of his that was proven right, one that was proven wrong, and what he thinks might be proven wrong in the future.
215: Naming asteroids with Dr. Williams
Spacepod - November 19, 2023 17:00 - 25 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsDr. Gareth Williams tells us about asteroid names. He explains the rules around naming asteroids and tells us how an asteroid name lead to a surprise trip to meet one of his heroes.
214: Astronauts on the moon with Dr. Denevi
Spacepod - October 27, 2023 16:00 - 43 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsDr. Brett Denevi talks to us about the planned Artemis missions to the moon's South Pole. There, astronauts will collect rocks and other samples. She describes how geologists are working with the astronauts to ensure that the best, most interesting samples are collected. These samples will creat...
213: The Six with Loren Grush
Spacepod - September 12, 2023 09:00 - 36 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsLoren Grush talks about her new book, "The Six: The Untold Story of America's First Women in Space." She explains why Sally Ride was chosen to be the first American woman to go to space, and how the resulting attention was difficult for her. Loren also tells us how she researched and wrote the b...
212: A scientific legacy with Dr. Blaney
Spacepod - August 20, 2023 16:00 - 31 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsWe hear from Dr. Diana Blaney, the principal investigator of the mapping imaging spectrometer on Europa Clipper. Europa Clipper will travel to Jupiter to see if its moon Europa is habitable. She describes how they tested the spectrometer in special rooms to make sure it will work at Europa.
211: The Sparkler Galaxy with Prof. Mowla
Spacepod - August 06, 2023 16:00 - 32 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsProfessor Lamiya Mowla tells us about an exciting JWST discovery. She describes gravitational lensing as "nature's magnifying glass." She also explains why she likes calling telescopes time machines. We discuss pretty and shiny things, and why prettiness might indicate something is scientificall...
How to Build a Research Institute, in 30 Short Years
For the Love of Science - August 02, 2023 23:14 - 17 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this special episode, hear the story of BAERI’s founding from the founders themselves: husband and wife team Robert Bergstrom and Sharon Sittloh.
Bonus episode: The upcoming American total solar eclipse
Spacepod - July 24, 2023 18:31 - 4 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsA quick bonus episode about the April 8th, 2024 total solar eclipse in Mexico, the US, and Canada! I talk about the difference between a partial and total solar eclipse, and share some tips in case you want to travel to see it.
210: Wonders of the Night Sky with Prof. Prinja
Spacepod - June 27, 2023 00:00 - 22 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsProfessor Raman Prinja talks about his new book, "Wonders of the Night Sky." He tells us how we are lucky to live on a planet with a transparent atmosphere. He also shares stargazing tips for city dwellers as well as long-haul truck drivers. The book is available at Simon and Schuster's webs...
209: Mission to the largest moon in the solar system with Dr. Witasse
Spacepod - May 21, 2023 16:00 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsDr. Olivier Witasse tells us about the Jupiter Icy Moon Explorer, or JUICE mission, which is currently traveling through space. JUICE will conduct 34 flybys of Jupiter's moons before orbiting Ganymede. Ganyemede may have significant liquid water, and perhaps the elements needed for life.
208: Cosmic tug of war with Dr. Plazas Malagón
Spacepod - April 23, 2023 16:00 - 42 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsDr. Andrés Plazas Malagón tells us about a field of astronomy called cosmology. He explains that either our universe is mostly made of mysterious stuff called dark energy, or the laws of physics are wrong. He also explains the difference between dark matter and dark energy.
Planet Twins and Martian Winds
For the Love of Science - April 20, 2023 20:46 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this episode we hear from planetary scientist Victoria Hartwick who works with the Mars Climate Modeling Center at NASA Ames. The conversation includes a discussion about Dr. Hartwick’s paper that explores whether wind turbines on Mars could be a viable source of energy for future humans on t...
207: One of the stranger surfaces in the solar system with Dr. Cartwright
Spacepod - March 26, 2023 16:00 - 30 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsDr. Richard Cartwright tells us about the moons of Uranus and explains why we should visit Uranus with an orbiting spacecraft. This mission would take decades to design, build, and travel to the planet. He also shares what he thinks about Uranus jokes.
206: Every asteroid observation ever taken with Dr. Veres
Spacepod - February 19, 2023 17:00 - 27 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsDr. Peter Veres talks about asteroids, comets, and meteors. He describes how the Minor Planet Center keeps track of observations and orbits. This data is publicly available, and non-scientists make valuable contributions. He also tells us about the AMOS meteor network, and how meteors connect to...
205: The moon's right to exist with Dr. Prem
Spacepod - January 22, 2023 17:00 - 33 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsDr. Parvathy Prem tells us about lunar ice. She says, "the moon records the history of our solar system neighborhood in a way that the Earth doesn't." Her simulations show that rocket landings can change lunar ice. We discuss different perspectives on the moon, and how those perspectives might c...
204: Light Pollution with Kelly Beatty
Spacepod - December 25, 2022 17:00 - 25 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsKelly Beatty shares easy things we can do to reduce light pollution. He tells us how artificial night light can harm humans, birds, and insects. He shares the five principles of good lighting, and explains how addressing light pollution can save money.
203: 11 hours and 23 minutes with Dr. Chabot
Spacepod - November 28, 2022 18:00 - 26 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsDr. Nancy Chabot returns to the show to talk about the DART mission, which changed the orbit of an asteroid moon. This was the first demonstration of asteroid deflection technology. She explains how the mission worked, what scientists are discovering, and why a small nudge is all you need when i...
202: Making atmospheres with Prof. Telus
Spacepod - October 23, 2022 16:00 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsProfessor Myriam Telus shares how she studies atmospheres using meteorites. These experiments can teach us about exoplanet atmospheres and planet formation. She says science feels like a playground, with so much to explore.
Kristina Pistone on what it's like to work as a climate scientist
For the Love of Science - October 03, 2022 18:47 - 27 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsWhat’s it like to work as a climate scientist today? In this episode I speak with climate scientist Kristina Pistone about her research, her role on the sustainability commission for the city of Sunnyvale in California, and how our current system of science funding impacts her ability to do her ...
201: International space law with Cordula Panosch
Spacepod - September 18, 2022 16:00 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsInternational space law expert Cordula Panosch explains what is and is not legal when it comes to deflecting an Earth-bound asteroid. Although much depends on the individual circumstances, she explains how existing laws govern what countries can and cannot do when it comes to outer space.
200: Pluto is a planet, and so is its moon with Dr. Runyon
Spacepod - August 21, 2022 16:00 - 29 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsDr. Kirby Runyon shares his definition of "planet"-- a round celestial body that was never a star. Using this definition, there are over 150 planets orbiting our sun. He explains why the word planet matters, and why little planets might be the most common planets in our universe.
199: Why can't we find Planet Nine with Prof. Lawler
Spacepod - July 24, 2022 16:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsProfessor Lawler discusses why planet nine might not exist. She explains why reporting not finding something is as important as reporting a discovery. She tells us how satellite internet is getting in the way of astronomical observations.
The researchers ready for the James Webb Space Telescope - Part II: Jesse Bregman
For the Love of Science - July 05, 2022 17:39 - 27 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this two-part series we meet two researchers who will soon be working with data from the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope. In Part II, I speak with Jesse Bregman, an astrophysicist who has spent his 50 year career at NASA Ames, and been part of some pretty amazing leaps in infrare...
The researchers ready for the James Webb Space Telescope - Part I: Taylor Bell
For the Love of Science - July 05, 2022 17:31 - 18 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this two-part series we meet two researchers who will soon be working with data from the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope. In this episode, Part I, I speak with early career astronomer Taylor Bell about his work categorizing exoplanets and the path that led him to where he is toda...
198: Dragonfly with Dr. Turtle
Spacepod - June 19, 2022 16:00 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsDr. Zibi Turtle is the Principal Investigator of NASA's Dragonfly mission. She tells us what it is like to design and build an octocopter that will roam the surface of Saturn's moon Titan. She also tells us about Titan's exciting chemistry.
197: A massive asteroid hit at tremendous speed with Prof. Richardson
Spacepod - May 22, 2022 16:00 - 27 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsProfessor Derek Richardson gives us an update on the DART mission, which is headed towards tiny asteroid moon Dimorphos. If all goes well this fall, DART will crash into Dimorphos at four miles per second! This experiment will be a test of asteroid deflection technology.
196: Spinning universe with Dr. Cheng
Spacepod - April 17, 2022 16:00 - 25 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsDr. Jon Cheng tells us about his fluid flow experiments. These experiments investigate fundamental physics. They can be applied to the movement of the Earth's core as well as things like liquid batteries. Is electro-vortex flow the coolest phrase said on the show yet? Listen and decide!
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