365 Days of Astronomy - Weekly Edition
446 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsThe weekly podcast from the International Year of Astronomy 2009. This podcast comes out weekly and includes each daily episode of the 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast.
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Episodes
Ep. 477: The State of Exploration: Return to the Moon
February 05, 2018 21:44 - 57 minutes - 52.7 MBIt's been decades since humans set foot on the Moon. Well, it's time to go back, in theory. Of course, we've heard this all before. What are the plans afoot to send humans back to the Moon this time. What hardware will we use, and what other strategies are in the works to make this happen?
Ep. 476: The Overview Effect
January 29, 2018 21:25 - 59 minutes - 54.7 MBAfter they’ve been to space, many astronauts report that seeing the world from above has given them a totally new perspective on humanity and the state of our planet. It’s called the Overview Effect. Today we’ll talk about this, and what this perspective can teach us all.
Ep. 475: Fast Radio Bursts
January 23, 2018 18:06 - 1 hour - 55.5 MBYou know what’s fun? Mysteries. Here’s one: fast radio bursts. Astronomers have been detecting mysterious one-time signals from across the sky. What’s causing them? Nobody knows for sure, but the search is on to get to the bottom of them.
Ep. 474: Predictions for 2018
January 15, 2018 17:17 - 54 minutes - 50.3 MBPhew, 2018, time to press the reset button and enjoy a whole new year of space exploration and space science. What’s coming up this year? What should we expect to launch, and what will we see in the sky?
Ep. 473: Remembering the Best Space Science of 2017
January 08, 2018 19:37 - 59 minutes - 54.6 MB2017 was a crazy year for, well, you know. But, it was a great year for space science, a kilonova, extrasolar planets, reusable rockets and more. Let's look back at the year that was and remember our favorite space science.
Ep. 472: Best Modern Sci Fi for the Science Lover - Part 4: Bioscience
January 01, 2018 20:21 - 59 minutes - 54.7 MBWhat happens when the future meets biology? Bioscience science fiction, of course. And that's our focus today as we continue our journey though science-based science fiction.
Ep. 471: Best Modern Sci Fi for the Science Lover - Part 3: Human Computer Relations
December 27, 2017 02:52 - 55 minutes - 51 MBIt's time to talk computers, and how we're going to be dealing with them in the future. In our next segment on modern sci-fi, we talk about the future of the human-computer interface.
Ep. 470: Best Modern Sci Fi for the Science Lover – Part 2: 3D Printing
December 19, 2017 16:34 - 56 minutes - 51.7 MBOur journey through interesting science fiction, this time we talk about speculative fiction dealing with materials science, nanotechnology and 3D printing. It’s a staple in Star Trek, but what other stories deal with it?
Ep. 469: Best Modern Sci Fi for the Science Lover - Part 1 Space Exploration
December 11, 2017 18:40 - 58 minutes - 53.9 MBWe've always been fans of science fiction, but we really like our science. Today we'll talk about some books we've been reading recently that do a good job of dealing with the science in science fiction.
Ep. 468: Simulations for Science and Fun
December 04, 2017 18:34 - 58 minutes - 53.2 MBAstronomers depend on simulations to study the Universe. From relatively straightforward orbital simulations to vast simulations that try to recreate the large scale structure of the Universe from the Big Bang. Today we're going to talk about some of those simulations, as well as tools you can use simulate the Universe.
Ep. 467: Resonance
November 27, 2017 18:42 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBMany of the moons and planets across the Universe are in resonance with each other and their star. What causes this resonance, and how can it help us understand the history of planetary formation and migration?
Ep. 466: Origins of Zero (0)
November 20, 2017 19:23 - 1 hour - 55.6 MBWe depend on zero for our math to work right, but this number was actually invented in fairly recent times. Why do we need zero? Was it inevitable?
Ep. 465: Exploiting Interfering Light
November 10, 2017 19:36 - 55 minutes - 50.5 MBElectromagnetic radiation, also known as "light" is pretty handy for astronomers. They can use it to directly and indirectly observe stars, nebula, planets and more. But as you probably know, light can act like a wave, creating interference patterns tto teach us even more about the Universe.
Ep. 464: Why the Hype over an Exorock?
November 06, 2017 18:31 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBAstronomers this week announced that they had discovered an asteroid or comet on a trajectory that brought it from outside the Solar System? Is this the first case of an object from deep space? And what can we learn from this discovery?
Ep. 463: Pareidolia and the Moon
October 30, 2017 20:00 - 57 minutes - 52.7 MBThe man in the moon, the pyramids on Mars. Every cloud, ever. Humans have a tendency to pattern match when they're looking around the Universe - it's called pareidolia. What causes this behavior, and how can we use this to debunk some hilarious conspiracy theories?
Ep. 462: Modeling the Weather
October 24, 2017 03:37 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MBHave you noticed that weather forecasting has gotten much better in the last few years? Thanks to weather satellites, weather stations, and better forecasting techniques. How do scientists predict the weather with any kind of accuracy days or even weeks in the future.
Ep. 461: Measuring the Weather with Satellites
October 16, 2017 16:47 - 40 minutes - 37 MBWhat's the weather doing? Is it going to rain today? How much? What about temperatures? We depend on modern weather forecasting, thanks, in part to the vast network of weather satellites. What instruments do they have, what orbits do they use.
Ep. 460: Earth from Afar: Remote Sensing
October 09, 2017 18:34 - 59 minutes - 54 MBThe space age has given us the ability to look at every corner of the globe in every wavelength. It's revolutionized our ability to predict the weather, keep track of environmental damage, and watch the world change. Today we look at what missions and technologies give us the ability to watch our world from afar.
Ep. 459: Arecibo Observatory
October 02, 2017 16:44 - 45 minutes - 41.3 MBThe iconic Arecibo Radio Observatory has been a mainstay in science and science fiction. This Puerto Rico-based radio telescope was already in an uncertain level of funding. But now with the damage from Hurricane Maria, it might be shut down forever.
Ep. 458: The Science of Cassini
September 25, 2017 18:08 - 1 hour - 57.3 MBAnd now Cassini’s gone. Smashed up in the atmosphere of Saturn. But planetary scientists are going to be picking through all those pictures and data for decades. Let’s look back at some of the science gathered up by Cassini so far, and we can still learn from this epic journey.
Ep. 457: Why Did Cassini Have To Die? In Memoriam
September 18, 2017 19:21 - 40 minutes - 37.1 MBIt's time to say goodbye to an old friend, NASA's Cassini spacecraft, which has been orbiting within the Saturnian system since 2004. But why does a seemingly healthy spacecraft and mission need to come to an end? Today we look back at the mission, some of the amazing discoveries, and why its finale was necessary.
Ep. 456: Pluto Revisited
September 11, 2017 16:25 - 1 hour - 55.1 MBThis week, we return to our starting point, where Astronomy Cast began: Pluto. 11 years on, we have a whole new appreciate for the dwarf planet Pluto. We've visited it, probed it and taken pictures. It's time for an update.
Ep. 455: Your Practical Guide to Colonizing the Milky Way!
August 29, 2017 03:23 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBThis episode was recorded live in St. Louis, MO at the Astronomy Cast Solar Eclipse Escape 2017. Listen as we discuss how humans might be able to colonize the Milky Way!
Ep. 454: Things We're Looking Forward To
June 19, 2017 17:32 - 1 hour - 58.6 MBAs we wrap up season 10 of Astronomy Cast, we look forward to all the instruments, missions and science results on the distant horizon. Think astronomy is exciting already? Just you wait.
Ep. 453: Favorite Things We've Done These 10 Years
June 11, 2017 19:56 - 57 minutes - 53.1 MB10 years of Astronomy Cast... wow. It's been a long, fun journey. What are some of our favorite episodes and adventures over the decade we've been doing this show.
Ep. 452: Summer Observing Challenges
June 06, 2017 16:30 - 59 minutes - 54.8 MBSummer is almost here, and for the northern hemisphere, that means warm nights for observing. But what to observe? We're here with a list of events and targets for you to enjoy over the summer. Get your calendars handy, and start organizing some events with your friends, and then get out there!
Ep. 451: When Can I Buy My Ticket To Space?
May 30, 2017 00:48 - 59 minutes - 54.7 MBLike most of us, you probably want to know what it would be like to travel to space. Maybe not to live, but just to visit. You want to be a space tourist. Good news, there are a bunch of companies working hard to give you the opportunity to fly to space. How long until you can buy a ticket?
Astronomy Cast Ep. 450: Inflatable Habitats
May 23, 2017 00:19 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBIn order to live in space, we'll need to live in a habitat that simulates the temperature, pressure and atmosphere of Earth. And one of the most interesting ideas for how to do this will be with inflatable habitats. In fact, there are a few habitats in the works right now, including one attached to the International Space Station.
Astronomy Cast Ep. 449: Robots in Space!
May 08, 2017 15:26 - 59 minutes - 54.7 MBWhen you think of a robot, you're probably imagining some kind of human-shaped machine. And until now, the robotic spacecraft we've sent out into space to help us explore the Solar System look nothing like that. But that vision of robots is coming back, thanks to a few new robots in development by NASA and other groups.
Astronomy Cast Ep. 448: Prepping for the Eclipse
May 01, 2017 17:13 - 59 minutes - 54.7 MBOn Monday, August 21, 2017, there's going to be a total eclipse of the Sun, visible to path that goes right through the middle of the United States. You should be making plans to see this, and we're here to help you know where to go and what to do.
Ep. 447: Animals in Space Pt. 3: Dogs, Monkeys and More
April 24, 2017 19:51 - 57 minutes - 52.7 MBFor the final episode in our 3-part episode about animals in space, we look at the largest animals to go to orbit. And I'll just warn you now, this is going to be a really sad episode.
Ep. 446: Animals in Space Pt. 2: Mice and Other Small Animals
April 17, 2017 17:12 - 1 hour - 58 MBLast week we talked about how the smallest creatures behave in space, but now we move up in size a little to small animals, like mice. What missions have they flown on, and how does microgravity affect their biology?
Ep. 445: Animals in Space Pt. 1: Insects and Arachnids
April 10, 2017 17:09 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBWe've talked about animals traveling to space in the past, but it's time to take another look, with many other creatures making the trip to the void. Today we're going to talk about the spineless insects and arthropods, and those tough as nails waterbears – tardigrades.
Ep. 444: Fractals
April 03, 2017 17:26 - 1 hour - 69.1 MBFor this historic 444th episode of Astronomy Cast, we talk about fractals. Those amazing mathematical visualizations of recursive algorithms. What are they, how do you get them? Why are they important?
Ep. 441: Destroy and Rebuild, Pt. 5: Continental Drift
March 24, 2017 19:50 - 1 hour - 55.1 MBWant to travel the world but you don't have a lot of money? No problem, your continent is drifting across the surface of the Earth right now. In a few million years, you'll reach your destination.
Ep. 440: Destroy and Rebuild, Pt. 4: Supervolcanoes!
March 24, 2017 19:47 - 39 minutes - 36.5 MBThere are regular volcanoes, and then there are the supervolcanoes. Massive calderas of hot magma of incomprehensible size. Bad news, these things explode randomly and catastrophically. Worse news, there are a bunch around the Earth.
Ep. 439: Destroy and Rebuild, Pt. 3: How Do We Terraform Earth?
March 24, 2017 19:45 - 52 minutes - 48.4 MBWe always want to talk about how we can make Mars more Earth like, but the reality is that we're making Earth more Venus-Like. We're Venusforming Earth. What are the various factors we're impacting on a global scale, and how can we fix them?
Ep. 438: Destroy and Rebuild, Pt. 2: Geoengineering
March 24, 2017 19:42 - 1 hour - 56 MBWe know humans are having an impact on planet Earth, but what if we really put our backs into it, and intentionally tried to change the entire planet? Either to make it better, or to fix some terrible mistake we've made. The technique is called geoengineering. Could it work?
Ep. 437: Destroy and Rebuild, Pt. 1: The Torino Scale
March 24, 2017 19:39 - 51 minutes - 47 MBWe love to destroy the universe, and also rebuild it. Today we begin a new series where we destroy and rebuild. Let's talk about some existential threats we face, and ways we could recover, starting with the sword of Damocles hanging over our head: killer asteroids!
Ep. 443: Destroy and Rebuild Pt. 7: Tsunamis
March 24, 2017 16:29 - 58 minutes - 53.3 MBSurf's up! Today we're going to be talking about one of the most devastating natural disasters out there: tsunamis. We're talking huge waves that wreck the seashore. But it turns out, there many ways you can get a tsunami, and one of those has to do with space.
Ep. 442: Destroy and Rebuild Pt. 6: Magnetic Pole Reversal
March 07, 2017 20:31 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBIf we look back into the geologic record of the Earth, it appears that our planet’s magnetic field flips polarity every few hundred thousand years or so. Why does this happen? When’s it supposed to happen next? Is it dangerous?
Astronomical Night Before Christmas, pt. 3, by Pamela Gay
December 28, 2011 14:57Astronomical Night Before Christmas, pt. 3, by Pamela Gay
Week 154 (Dec 08 - Dec 14)
December 14, 2011 09:47This week the shows include: Dec 08: A New Look at the Drake Equation by David Black; Dec 09: Mercury’s Volcanoes by Bob Hirshon, AAAS; Dec 10: Aryabhatta by Brains Matter; Dec 11: Europa's Oceans and Possible Life by AstronomyCast; Dec 12: 'Twas the Observer's Day Before Christmas by Pamela Gay; Dec 13: Encore: Exploring Space with Your Computer by Bruce Irving; Dec 14: Aliens in Fact and Fiction by Walden School.
Week 153 (Dec 01 - Dec 07)
December 13, 2011 10:54This week the shows include: Dec 01: Familiarity Breeds Apathy by Manoharan Karthigasu; Dec 02: Naming Stars by Walden School; Dec 03: The Yerkes Telescope and Observatory by Alan Agrawal; Dec 04: Encore: The Tradition of Looking Up by Chad Moore and Angie Richman; Dec 05: Light Speed by Steve Nerlich; Dec 06: Top Ten Best Things to Look at in the Sky by Carolyn Collins Petersen; Dec 07: Astronomy for Everybody by John Johnson.
Week 152 (Nov 24 - Nov 30)
November 30, 2011 20:58This week the shows include: Nov 24: Mars Science Laboratory by Tony Rice; Nov 25: Encore: Seeing the Universe in a Whole New Light by Nicole Gugliucci; Nov 26: Black Holes: Everyone's favorite physics experiment by Steve Nerlich; Nov 27: Black Holes: The Supermassive Ones by Steve Nerlich; Nov 28: Tycho Brahe's Uraniborg by Adam Fuller; Nov 29: Four Small Constellations in the Northern Hemisphere by L. Cate Kendal; Nov 30: Observing With Webb in December 2011 by Rob Webb.
Week 151 (Nov 17 - Nov 23)
November 29, 2011 21:51This week the shows include: Nov 17: Solar Cycles by NOAO; Nov 18: Indigenous Australian Astronomy by Steve Nerlich; Nov 19: Under a Story Sky by David Ault; Nov 20: How Cold is the Moon? by The NASA Lunar Science Institute; Nov 21: Observing With Webb: Telescopes For Christmas For Beginners by Rob Webb; Nov 22: Encore: Globular Star Clusters: How Old Am I? Where Are You? by Richard Kinne; Nov 23: Flying to Mars by Rob Knop.
Week 150 (Nov 10 - Nov 16)
November 24, 2011 09:48This week the shows include: Nov 10: Galaxy Hunting by Carolyn Collins Petersen; Nov 11: MESSENGER Overturns Origin of Mercury by Bob Hirshon, AAAS; Nov 12: Questions from Class 2R by Steve Nerlich; Nov 13: An Astronomical Trifecta in 2012 by Michael Zeiler; Nov 14: Countdown for Upcoming Solar Eclipses by Jay Pasachoff; Nov 15: CMU Physics Concepts Program: Decades-long Outreach to Middle Schools by Diane Turnshek; Nov 16: October 25th 2011 Solar Show by RapidEye.
Week 149 (Nov 03 - Nov 09)
November 16, 2011 21:04This week the shows include: Nov 03: ALMA: The building blocks of something great by Adam Avison; Nov 04: The Role of Spruce Pine Quartz in Astronomy by David Biddix; Nov 05: An Inside Look at the NASA Lunar Science Institute by The NASA Lunar Science Institute; Nov 06: Observing With Webb in November 2011 by Rob Webb; Nov 07: Dirty Snowballs & Giant Planets: X-Ray Secrets of Our Solar System Revealed by The Chandra X-Ray Observatory; Nov 08: Open Notebook Astronomy by Sandy Antunes; Nov 09:...
Week 148 (Oct 27 - Nov 02)
November 08, 2011 00:55This week the shows include: Oct 27: Space Dust by Jackie Villadsen; Oct 28: Introduction to Astrophotography by Adam Pender; Oct 29: Bang! A Comic About How All Things Came To Be by Paul Caggegi; Oct 30: Encore: An African Boy's Heavenly Dream by Abraham Samma; Oct 31: Sprite: A Spacecraft for All by Maurizo Moribito; Nov 01: Why the LHC Won't Kill You by Steve Nerlich; Nov 02: Black Hole Formation in the Early Universe: Q & A with Marta Volonteri by Chris Lindsay.
Week 147 (Oct 20 - Oct 26)
November 03, 2011 09:45This week the shows include: Oct 20: Plan for a Sustainable Lunar Base by The NASA Lunar Science Institute; Oct 21: Stargazing 101: Help Topics for Beginners by Julio Vannini; Oct 22: Encore: How Lunar Cycles Affect Wildlife by Wild Ideas; Oct 23: Encore: Warp Drive by Renata and Damian Handzy; Oct 24: Don Quixote by Steve Nerlich; Oct 25: Visualizing the Expanding Universe by Rob Knop; Oct 26: Saturn's Moon Phoebe by Thomas Hofstätter and Leon Dumbroski.