The Supermassive Podcast artwork

The Supermassive Podcast

75 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago -

This is The Supermassive Podcast from the Royal Astronomical Society. Every month, science journalist Izzie Clarke and astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst take you through the universe with the latest research, history from the society’s archives and astronomy you can do from your own home.

Support the team by buying their book, The Year in Space - https://geni.us/jNcrw

You can send your questions to the team via [email protected] or follow them on Instagram @SupermassivePod.

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

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Episodes

54: Q&A - Black Hole Special

July 03, 2024 10:37 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MB

Have black holes existed since the beginning of the Universe? Could we produce a black hole in the lab? Could we use gravitational waves to probe beyond the event horizon?  It's a black hole Q&A as Izzie put your questions to Becky and Robert. Plus, author and broadcaster, Marcus Chown, runs through a potted history of discovering black holes. His latest book on the same topic, A Crack In Everything, is out now: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/crack-in-everything-9781804544303/ The Supermass...

54: Lumpy space potatoes

June 21, 2024 23:01 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MB

In this month's bonus episode Izzie, Dr Becky Smethurst and Dr Robert Massey tackle questions on pulsars, woo woo sounds from black holes, imperfect spheres and alien aurorae. Send your questions to: [email protected], and we’re also on instagram @SupermassivePod.  The Supermassive podcast is produced by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham and is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society.

53: BONUS - Lumpy Space Potatoes

June 21, 2024 23:01 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MB

In this month's bonus episode Izzie, Dr Becky Smethurst and Dr Robert Massey tackle questions on pulsars, woo woo sounds from black holes, imperfect spheres and alien aurorae. Send your questions to: [email protected], and we’re also on instagram @SupermassivePod.  The Supermassive podcast is produced by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham and is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society.

53: The Major Lunar Standstill

June 04, 2024 01:00 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MB

Every 18.6 years, our moon reaches its farthest northern and southern point, known as a major lunar standstill. This month, Izzie and Dr Becky are exploring why this might be significant to Stonehenge in the UK and another historical site in the US called Chimney Rock. With special thanks to Dr Heather Sebire, Dr Amanda Chadburn and Dr Erica Ellingson. The southernmost Moonrise at Stonehenge will be livestreamed, allowing viewers to witness this celestial spectacle firsthand. Plus, there'll...

52: BONUS - Why does the Aurora Borealis look better on my phone?

May 23, 2024 07:31 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MB

The UK witnessed the most amazing Northern Lights in years.... And Izzie missed it. In this bonus episode, Dr Becky Smethurst, Dr Robert Massey and Izzie Clarke talk about those Northern Lights and answer your questions. What is Jupiter's giant blue dot? If the sun is losing mass (by giving out energy) will that affect the gravity and orbit of the solar system? And how do you date a rock? 

52: Voyager: Where no-one has gone before...

April 29, 2024 23:01 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MB

Two of the most remarkable spacecraft ever launched are the stars of this month’s episode: Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. Izzie and Dr Becky talk to Dr Jamie Rankin, the mission’s current Deputy project scientist, and editor Richard gets to chat to Ann Druyan, the original Creative Director of the Golden Record project, who worked alongside her husband Carl Sagan. The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard H...

51: BONUS - Wobbly Planets and Baby Names

April 10, 2024 01:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MB

Can wobbly planets have more than two solstices? Are we earthlings receding from the sun and the other planets? What is dark flow and why is it controversial? When stars die, is their energy lost forever?  Send your questions to [email protected] or find us on Instagram @SupermassivePod.  The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. 

51: Into The Interstellar

March 26, 2024 02:00 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MB

Izzie and Dr Becky are venturing into interstellar space. What is it? Where is it? And what do we know about it?  With special thanks to Professor Martin Barstow from University of Leicester and Professor Chris Lintott from the University of Oxford. Chris' new book "Our Accidental Universe" is out now.  Check out the RAS's video on Pons Brooks here: https://ras.ac.uk/news-and-press/news/12ppons-brooks-how-and-when-see-devil-comet The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for t...

50: BONUS - Dust, stars and alien streetlights

March 13, 2024 00:01 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MB

What is cosmic dust? Could we reignite a dying Sun with a nuclear weapon? How do we know what galaxies stars are in, and can the JWST see streetlights on alien worlds? If you have a question for the Supermassive team, send them to [email protected] or find us on Instagram, @SupermassivePod. The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. 

51: BONUS - Dust, stars and alien streetlights

March 13, 2024 00:01 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MB

What is cosmic dust? Could we reignite a dying Sun with a nuclear weapon? How do we know what galaxies stars are in, and can the JWST see streetlights on alien worlds? If you have a question for the Supermassive team, send them to [email protected] or find us on Instagram, @SupermassivePod. The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. 

50: Quakes in Space

February 28, 2024 02:00 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MB

Izzie and Dr Becky are exploring shaky ground, whether that’s on Earth, other planets and even on our neighbour the Moon. This month is all about quakes.  With special thanks to Mark Panning, the project scientist for NASA's InSight mission, and Dr Jess Johnson from the University of East Anglia. Join Izzie and the UK Space Education Office for Mars Day on Tuesday 5th March, sign up to the virtual event here.  Explore the North Tyneside Solar Trail and discover models representing plan...

49: BONUS - Double Yolker Galaxies

February 12, 2024 02:00 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MB

Do we see black hole mergers as a result of galaxy mergers? What did the night sky look like to the dinosaurs? Is a gas giant just a rocky planet with a huge and dense atmosphere? Do all orbits eventually end up in resonance?  The Supermassive Team is back with the first bonus episode for 2024! Send in your questions to [email protected] or find us on Instagram, @SupermassivePod. The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. The producers are Izz...

49: Double Yolker Galaxies

February 12, 2024 02:00 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MB

Do we see black hole mergers as a result of galaxy mergers? What did the night sky look like to the dinosaurs? Is a gas giant just a rocky planet with a huge and dense atmosphere? Do all orbits eventually end up in resonance?  The Supermassive Team is back with the first bonus episode for 2024! Send in your questions to [email protected] or find us on Instagram, @SupermassivePod. The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. The producers are Izz...

49: The End of the World

January 30, 2024 02:00 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MB

The Supermassive Podcast is back for 2024 and putting the "happy" in Happy New Year! What could be a cheerier start to the year than an episode about the End of the World… Astronomically speaking!? From supernova explosions, to super volcanoes, Izzie Clarke, Dr Becky Smethurst and Dr Robert Massey are running through the checklist of big bad things that put our planet at risk. Special thanks goes to Professor Chris Impey from the University of Arizona and author of How It Ends, and Dr Mike ...

48: Do We Live In A Multiverse?

December 22, 2023 02:00 - 48 minutes - 44 MB

Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst are rounding off 2023 with a biggie. Arguably the biggest of them all. This episode is ALL about the Multiverse. What is it? What does it mean? Does it even exist?   A big thank you to Andrew Pontzen from UCL and author of "Universe in a Box" for explaining the basics, Katie Mack from The Perimeter Institute for going from physicist to film reviewer, and to listener Wendy Entwistle who suggested the Supermassive team cover this topic. The Supermassive Po...

47: BONUS - Could Space Junk Block JWST's View?

December 21, 2023 11:44 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MB

From barbie dolls, to birds baths, what will happen to all the stuff we have made between now and the end of time? Could a large black hole spaghettify a small black hole? Could more satellites block JWST's view? And what came first, the Big Bang or Inflation? It's time for another deep dive into The Supermassive Mailbox with Izzie Clarke, Dr Becky Smethurst and Dr Robert Massey.  The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production for the Royal Astronomical Society. The producers are Iz...

47: Neptune... At Last!

November 28, 2023 02:00 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MB

They've done it. It has taken them all year but Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst have reached the final planet in our solar system; Neptune. Dr Leigh Fletcher from the University of Leicester is back to cover the basics of the planet and Carolyn Kennett, Chair of the Society for the History of Astronomy, tells Izzie about its controversial discovery. Plus, Dr Robert Massey is on hand for some winter stargazing. The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production by Izzie Clarke and R...

46: BONUS - Space News Bulletin

November 14, 2023 02:00 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MB

Bizarre free-floating planets in space, the retrieval mission from a 4.6 billion year old asteroid, and the first images from our dark universe. Join Izzie Clarke, Dr Becky Smethurst, and Dr Robert Massey as they take you through the latest space news.  The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. Follow or subscribe for free so you never miss an episode. 

46: Q&A - Spice Girls, Black Holes, and Ice-Cream in Space

October 27, 2023 01:00 - 40 minutes - 36.8 MB

It's been a while, so Izzie, Dr Becky and Robert dive into The Supermassive Mailbox for a Q&A Special. How is the mass of a star determined? Does JWST have fuel to come back? And is it possible for Voyager 1 or 2 to switch their cameras back on? Here's the link for space-related jobs that Becky mentioned: https://jobregister.aas.org/ Got a question for the team? Email it to [email protected] or find us on Instagram, @SupermassivePod. The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production f...

45: BONUS - Have you heard of "Ploonets"?

October 13, 2023 01:00 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MB

What is the furthest distance away we’ve ever observed? Why hasn't Venus lost its atmosphere from solar winds? Is Mercury a Ploonet? And how stable is the moon's orbit? It's another bonus episode with Izzie Clarke, Dr Becky Smethurst and Dr Robert Massey. See Micheal Brill's brilliant photos from Antarctica here. Read listener Andrew Street's article of Cassini's final moments:  Tracing Cassini's fiery death was like seeing a heart monitor flatline Send in your questions to The Supermas...

45: Uranus the Oddball

September 29, 2023 01:00 - 52 minutes - 48.3 MB

Izzie and Dr Becky have done episodes on Mars, gas giants, Saturn and Jupiter individually, so it’s about time that Uranus gets its own episode. And just so we're clear, it's UranUs, not UrAnus.  Professor Leigh Fletcher from the University of Leicester takes the team through the basics. Plus, Izzie pays a visit to the Royal Astronomical Society’s archive to see the Herschels' notebooks from when the planet was discovered.  Recommends  Late Prom 15: Moon and Stars https://www.bbc.co.uk/ev...

44: BONUS - Team Enceladus or Team Europa?

September 18, 2023 01:00 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MB

What does Saturn look like? Why is Venus hotter than Mercury? Can the solar wind generate electricity on the Moon? Izzie, Dr Becky and Robert dive into The Supermassive Mailbox and answer your questions.  The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

44: Here Comes the Sun...with NASA's Head of Science

August 28, 2023 23:01 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MB

This month, Izzie and Dr Becky are off to the Sun…Partly because the UK summer has been rubbish but mostly because there are a lot of things we still don’t know about our local star.  Joining them on their voyage is the Head of Science at NASA, Dr Nicola Fox, to explain the latest efforts to study the sun, the Project Scientist for Solar Orbiter, Dr Daniel Mueller, and Dr Robert Massey is on hand to answer your questions.  Watch ESA's Solar Orbiter video, featuring the Supermassive's edit...

43: BONUS - Aimless telescopes & beyond the Milky Way

August 11, 2023 01:00 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MB

Could we detect exoplanets outside of the Milky Way? Could the Euclid Telescope disprove what we know about dark energy and matter? Are we just pointing telescopes aimlessly at patches of space? And is it possible for two black holes to merge and separate into two branches? Izzie Clarke, Dr Becky Smethurst and Dr Robert Massey tackle your burning questions.  Still, have an unanswered question? Send it to [email protected], tweet @RoyalAstroSoc, or find us on Instagram @SupermassivePod. The...

43: Most of the Universe is missing...

July 28, 2023 01:00 - 46 minutes - 42.3 MB

The Supermassive Team have spent the last three years attempting to talk about ALL the stuff in space. But that only makes up 5% of our universe. Where the heck is the rest?  This month, Izzie and Dr Becky dive into the topic of Dark Matter and Dark Energy... The stuff that makes up that missing 95% of the universe. With special thanks to Dr Alex Hall from the University of Edinburgh for covering the basics, and to Dr Stephen Wilkins from the University of Sussex for explaining how ESA's ne...

42: BONUS – White holes, astrology and why is Venus so hot?

July 06, 2023 23:01 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MB

What’s a white hole and could one appear above the Earth tomorrow? Do different cultures sort stars into similar patterns? Why is Venus so hot and how do the Supermassive team cope when someone calls them an astrologer? Dr Becky Smethurst and Dr Robert Massey take on your questions from the Supermassive mailbox.  Send your questions to [email protected], tweet @RoyalAstroSoc, or find us on Instagram @SupermassivePod. The Supermassive Podcast from the Royal Astronomical Society is a Boffin...

42: A (brief) History of Astronomy

June 22, 2023 23:01 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MB

Dr Becky and Izzie dust-down the Supermassive Tardis to explore the history of astronomy. From fossilised baboon bones and baby lamas to Einstein and black holes, the Supermassive team discovers how we came to understand the Universe the way we do today. Editor Richard talks to astronomer and science writer, Dr Stuart Clark, who reveals where the phrase ‘the dog days of summer’ comes from. And Izzie chats to President of the Royal Astronomical Society, Professor Mike Edmunds, about the amazi...

41: BONUS - Why do Gas Giants exist?

June 13, 2023 01:00 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MB

Can JWST see galaxies at different life stages? What is a "former" constellation?  And why do we see Jupiter in monochrome? This month, Izzie Clarke, Dr Becky Smethurst and Dr Robert Massey take on your questions from The Supermassive Mailbox. Want to support The Supermassive Podcast? Why not buy our book The Year In Space - https://geni.us/jNcrw The Supermassive Podcast from the Royal Astronomical Society is a Boffin Media Production. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

41: BIG Observatories

May 27, 2023 01:00 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MB

We love stargazing on The Supermassive Podcast, so we thought it was about time we had an episode on the future of ground-based telescopes. From the brilliant named Extremely Large Telescope to the Square Kilometre Array Observatory, Dr Aprajita Verma from Oxford University and science journalist, Sarah Wild, tell Izzie and Dr Becky about the observatories that will transform our understanding of the universe. Searching African Skies by Sarah Wild - https://www.waterstones.com/book/searchi...

40: BONUS - Are Lunar Poles Arbitrary?

May 13, 2023 01:00 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MB

What's the most efficient way of space travel? How does longitude change your night sky view? Why does M87* look different? This month, Izzie Clarke, Dr Becky Smethurst and Dr Robert Massey take on your questions in The Supermassive Mailbox. Want to support The Supermassive Podcast? Why not buy our book The Year In Space - https://geni.us/jNcrw The Supermassive Podcast from the Royal Astronomical Society is a Boffin Media Production. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. 

40: Becky Loves Saturn

April 29, 2023 01:00 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MB

It's FINALLY happening. Izzie is letting Dr Becky have an entire episode about her favourite planet, Saturn.  Professor Geraint Jones from UCL's Mullard Space Science Laboratory tells the Supermassive Team about the Saturnian system. Plus, Professor John Zarnecki shares his experiences of being involved with the Cassini-Huygens mission. And, as always, Dr Robert Massey is on hand to take on listener questions and share his stargazing tips for the month.  The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffi...

39: BONUS - Do black holes stop time?

April 07, 2023 01:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MB

Are gravitational waves destructive?  Will the universe ever expand faster than the speed of light? Should we only send robots to space? This month, Izzie Clarke, Dr Becky Smethurst and Dr Robert Massey take on the BIG questions in The Supermassive Mailbox. Want to support The Supermassive Podcast? Why not buy our book The Year In Space - https://geni.us/jNcrw The Supermassive Podcast from the Royal Astronomical Society is a Boffin Media Production. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Rich...

39: Jupiter The Monster

March 24, 2023 02:00 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MB

Izzie and Dr Becky explore the largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter. What do we know about this big ol’ planet? And what are the missions that will find out even more? The team is joined by Scott Boulton, Principal Investigator of NASA's Juno mission, and Professor Emma Bunce from the University of Leicester, also involved with ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (aka JUICE). Plus Robert Massey shares his top stargazing tips for spring.  Everyday STEM Science - Space! by Izzie Clarke h...

38: BONUS - More Comets, Less Asteroids

March 10, 2023 02:00 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MB

Is there a Cosmological Horizon? Can we change a comet's orbit to see more of them? What's the most distant human-made object in space? Izzie, Dr Becky and Robert dive into The Supermassive Mailbox to answer your questions.  Want to support The Supermassive Podcast? Why not buy our book The Year In Space - https://geni.us/jNcrw The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. 

38: Gettin' Gravitational Wave-y

February 24, 2023 02:00 - 44 minutes - 40.4 MB

The Supermassive team take on their toughest challenge (and most tenuous title) yet…Gravitational Waves. Izzie and Dr Becky explore what they are and ask how the heck to detect something so small? With special thanks to Prof. Mark Hannam from Cardiff University and Prof Sheila Rowan, Director of the Institute for Gravitational Research at the University of Glasgow. Plus Dr Robert Massey takes on your questions and shares his stargazing tips for spring.  Get your copy of our book, The Year i...

37: BONUS - The Supermassive Mailbox

February 11, 2023 02:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MB

You spoke. We listened. We're releasing more episodes! Izzie, Dr Becky and Robert answer your questions in this first bonus episode of The Supermassive Podcast.  How hard is life for an astronomer that's a morning person? How do we know if a star is really red or just red-shifted? And more.  To add your questions, photos, messages to The Supermassive Mailbox then email [email protected], tweet @RoyalAstroSoc or find us on Instagram @SupermassivePod. 

37: Q&A - Black Hole Burps and Space Station Pacman

January 31, 2023 02:00 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MB

Can a black hole eat a black hole, whole? Is there a Universal now? Which household appliances wouldn't work on the International Space Station? Izzie Clarke puts your questions to Dr Becky Smethurst, Dr Robert Massey and Richard Hollingham.  Here are the websites to help find Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) https://theskylive.com/ https://in-the-sky.org/  If you have a burning question for the team email it to [email protected], tweet @RoyalAstrocSoc or finds us on Instagram @SupermassivePod Thi...

36: Stargazing with Team Supermassive

December 21, 2022 02:00 - 47 minutes - 43.1 MB

Find out what happened when Izzie Clarke and Dr Robert Massey used a 12 tonne telescope at an observatory in Herstmonceux, Sussex. Plus, Dr Becky Smethurst explains the benefit of using space telescopes and takes on your questions.  With special to Dr Sandra Voss at The Observatory Science Centre in Hertsmonceux: https://www.the-observatory.org/ Get The Year In Space for a month-by-month guide to the night sky: https://geni.us/jNcrw If you have a question for the team, email [email protected]...

35: Astronaut Special: Returning to the Moon

November 25, 2022 02:36 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MB

The Astronaut Alarm is in overdrive... Izzie, Dr Becky, and his excellency Richard Hollingham have not one but TWO astronauts on this month's episode. From the archive, Richard speaks to NASA astronaut Gene Cernan about Apollo 17 and being the last man on the Moon. ESA Astronaut Matthias Maurer talks about the upcoming Artemis missions which will see humans (hopefully, Matthias himself) return to our rocky neighbour. Plus, Robert Massey is on hand to answer your questions and share his sta...

34: How to Deflect an Asteroid

October 27, 2022 23:01 - 46 minutes - 42.3 MB

Terrified that an asteroid could wipe out the planet? Don’t panic…the Supermassive team are here to help. Izzie and Dr Becky talk to Professor Alan Fitzsimmons about the results of the DART asteroid deflection mission and Samuel L Jackson (who knew he’s studying for a Phd at the Open University?) tells us how scientists plan to track and tackle threatening space rocks. Plus why the Deep Impact movie terrifies both Izzie and Dr Becky, but for very different reasons, and Dr Robert Massey takes...

33: Q&A - The Year in Space

September 30, 2022 01:00 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

It's been an exciting time for space exploration, so Izzie and Dr Becky celebrate the year in space.... co-incidentally the title of The Supermassive Podcast's book which is out in October. How do plants grow in the ISS? Has JWST changed ideas about cosmology? And when will we get a home gravitational wave detector? The honourable Izzie Clarke, Dr Becky Smethurst, Dr Robert Massey, and (his excellency) space and science journalist Richard Hollingham take on your questions. Pre-order our upc...

32: JWST First Images... FINALLY!

August 27, 2022 01:00 - 55 minutes - 50.4 MB

Izzie and Dr Becky freak out over the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope. From seeing the deep (not so deep) field with Steve Wilkins from the University of Sussex, to exploring exoplanet atmospheres with Dr Hannah Wakeford from the University of Bristol. Plus, Dr Robert Massey takes the team through the September night sky.  Pre-order The Year in Space, out October 27th 2022 https://geni.us/jNcrw Send in your questions for next month's Year in Space Q&A to [email protected]...

31: Life on Mars - LIVE from Standon Calling

July 29, 2022 01:00 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MB

The Supermassive team dust off their wellies and peg down their tents for Standon Calling. And to celebrate 10 years of NASA's Curiosity rover landing on Mars, Izzie and Dr Becky are asking the question everyone at the festival wants answered... Is there life on Mars? With special thanks to Dr Robert Massey, David Rothery, Professor of Planetary Geosciences at the Open University, and Alice Armstrong from Agile Rabbit. Pre-order our book, The Year In Space, out October 2022: https://ge...

30: Rocky Planets Rock

July 01, 2022 01:00 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MB

Izzie and Dr Becky are flying closer to home to look at the Rocky Planets; Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. How are they different? How are they similar? And can understanding their past tell us anything about Earth’s future? Plus, Dr Robert Massey has his stargazing tips for summer. With special thanks to Dr Suzie Imber from the University of Leicester, and Sian Prosser from the Royal Astronomical Society. Thank you to Brilliant for sponsoring this episode.  Head to brilliant.org/superma...

29: Gas Giants are Weird

May 31, 2022 01:00 - 49 minutes - 45 MB

From hexagonal shaped storms to spinning sideways, Izzie and Dr Becky are exploring our weird and wonderful Gas Giants. Joining them are Dr Tom Stallard from the University of Leicester and Dr Robert Massey, Deputy Director of the Royal Astronomical Society. Plus editor, Richard Hollingham, takes a trip to the Royal Astronomical Society’s library to see Galileo’s first observations of Saturn’s rings and William Herschel’s notebook from when he discovered Uranus.   See Jupiter's fast rotati...

28: How to Kill a Galaxy

April 30, 2022 01:00 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MB

How does a galaxy evolve and die? Izzie and Dr Becky find out with help from Tim Davis at Cardiff University. Plus, Dr Robert Massey from the Royal Astronomical Society answers your questions and explains how to spot galaxies in the night sky. Thank you to Brilliant for sponsoring this episode.  Head to brilliant.org/supermassive to start free courses in maths, science, and computer science. The first 200 subscribers will get 20% off. The link below has more information on the RAS Public ...

27: How to build a Galaxy

March 25, 2022 03:00 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MB

Izzie and Dr Becky are attempting to tackle the massive subject of building a galaxy.  Professor Mike Merrifield from The University of Nottingham explains how galaxies form and our very own galaxy expert, Dr Becky, tells us why they come in different shapes and sizes. Plus, Dr Robert Massey has his top tips for stargazing in spring.  Thank you to Brilliant for sponsoring this episode.  Head to brilliant.org/supermassive to start free courses in maths, science, and computer science. The ...

27: How to Build a Galaxy

March 25, 2022 03:00 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MB

Izzie and Dr Becky are attempting to tackle the massive subject of building a galaxy.  Professor Mike Merrifield from The University of Nottingham explains how galaxies form and our very own galaxy expert, Dr Becky, tells us why they come in different shapes and sizes. Plus, Dr Robert Massey has his top tips for stargazing in spring.  Thank you to Brilliant for sponsoring this episode.  Head to brilliant.org/supermassive to start free courses in maths, science, and computer science. The ...

26: The Marvellous Moon

February 25, 2022 02:00 - 52 minutes - 47.8 MB

Who doesn’t love looking up at the moon?! Joining Izzie and Dr Becky, Professor Katherine Joy from the University of Manchester explains what past and future lunar missions can tell us, and Dr Megan Barford from Royal Museums Greenwich gives us a tour of two stunning moon maps from the 17th century. Plus, Dr Robert Massey takes on your questions and shares his top tips for moon-gazing. See the moon maps here... By Riccioli & Grimaldi, 1651: https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/1179815/view ...

25: A Supermassive Q&A!

January 28, 2022 02:00 - 44 minutes - 40.4 MB

The Supermassive team is finally doing something about all the questions that have been sent in. It’s Q&A time! From "fluffy" planets, to cake on the moon, join Izzie Clarke as she puts your questions to Dr Becky Smethurst, Dr Robert Massey and science and space journalist Richard Hollingham. 

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