Latest Asteroid Podcast Episodes

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218: Anything we try is new with Dr. Cable

Spacepod - March 24, 2024 16:00 - 26 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
Dr. 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.

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217: A beautiful experience with Dr. Villanueva

Spacepod - February 19, 2024 13:26 - 27 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
Dr. 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. 

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Bonus: Carrie's research update

Spacepod - January 21, 2024 17:00 - 9 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
I 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...

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216: Right and wrong theories in planetary science with Prof. McKinnon

Spacepod - December 24, 2023 17:00 - 25 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
Professor 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.

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215: Naming asteroids with Dr. Williams

Spacepod - November 19, 2023 17:00 - 25 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
Dr. 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.

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214: Astronauts on the moon with Dr. Denevi

Spacepod - October 27, 2023 16:00 - 43 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
Dr. 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...

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213: The Six with Loren Grush

Spacepod - September 12, 2023 09:00 - 36 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
Loren 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...

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212: A scientific legacy with Dr. Blaney

Spacepod - August 20, 2023 16:00 - 31 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
We 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.

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211: The Sparkler Galaxy with Prof. Mowla

Spacepod - August 06, 2023 16:00 - 32 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
Professor 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...

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Bonus episode: The upcoming American total solar eclipse

Spacepod - July 24, 2023 18:31 - 4 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
A 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.

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210: Wonders of the Night Sky with Prof. Prinja

Spacepod - June 27, 2023 00:00 - 22 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
Professor 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...

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209: Mission to the largest moon in the solar system with Dr. Witasse

Spacepod - May 21, 2023 16:00 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
Dr. 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. 

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208: Cosmic tug of war with Dr. Plazas Malagón

Spacepod - April 23, 2023 16:00 - 42 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
Dr. 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.

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207: One of the stranger surfaces in the solar system with Dr. Cartwright

Spacepod - March 26, 2023 16:00 - 30 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
Dr. 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. 

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206: Every asteroid observation ever taken with Dr. Veres

Spacepod - February 19, 2023 17:00 - 27 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
Dr. 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...

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205: The moon's right to exist with Dr. Prem

Spacepod - January 22, 2023 17:00 - 33 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
Dr. 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...

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204: Light Pollution with Kelly Beatty

Spacepod - December 25, 2022 17:00 - 25 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
Kelly 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.

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203: 11 hours and 23 minutes with Dr. Chabot

Spacepod - November 28, 2022 18:00 - 26 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
Dr. 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...

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202: Making atmospheres with Prof. Telus

Spacepod - October 23, 2022 16:00 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
Professor 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. 

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21st Century Security

Lockheed Martin Space Makers - September 28, 2022 06:00 - 27 minutes
Show Notes:  “Mastering the Connected Battlespace”   CREDITS Space Makers is a production of Lockheed Martin Space. It's executive produced by Pavan Desai. Senior Producer is Natalia Oleksik. Senior producer, writer, and host is Ben Dinsmore. Contributing Editor Adam Mattivi. Sound desi...

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Episode 16 | 21st Century Security: Ensuring Protection and Prosperity

Lockheed Martin Space Makers - September 28, 2022 06:00 - 27 minutes
As humankind pioneers a future "off Earth" how are we approaching the challenges – and the exciting new possibilities of this new space age – to ensure protection and prosperity for all?    To dig deeper into some of the topics referenced in today's episode, please follow these links:  Master...

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Episode 15 | Connected and Protected: Mastering the New Battlespace

Lockheed Martin Space Makers - September 21, 2022 06:00 - 35 minutes
Keeping space secure for all humankind depends on connection as well as vision and cooperation. How are we prepared to meet this critical challenge?   To dig deeper into some of the topics referenced in today's episode, please follow these links:  Connected, Protected: Regaining the High Grou...

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Connected & Protected

Lockheed Martin Space Makers - September 21, 2022 06:00 - 35 minutes
Show Notes: “Connected, Protected”   Credits:  Space Makers is a production of Lockheed Martin Space. It's executive produced by Pavan Desai. Senior Producer is Natalia Oleksik. Senior producer, writer, and host is Ben Dinsmore. Sound design and audio mastered by Julian Giraldo. Graphic...

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201: International space law with Cordula Panosch

Spacepod - September 18, 2022 16:00 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 374 ratings
International 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.

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Intelligent Life

Lockheed Martin Space Makers - September 14, 2022 06:00 - 46 minutes
Show Notes:  Article: "Intelligent Life: How AI is Advancing the Future of Space"  CREDITS Space Makers is a production of Lockheed Martin Space. It's executive produced by Pavan Desai. Senior Producer is Natalia Oleksik. Senior producer, writer, and host is Ben Dinsmore. Sound design and...

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Episode 14: Intelligent Life: Transforming Space Through Communications and Data Analytics

Lockheed Martin Space Makers - September 14, 2022 06:00 - 46 minutes
From distant outposts on Mars, to colonies on the Moon, to smart cities here on Earth, space-based Artificial Intelligence will transform how humans work and engage with one-another.   To dig deeper into some of the topics referenced in today's episode, please follow these links:  Intelligent...

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Making Smart Cities Smarter

Lockheed Martin Space Makers - September 07, 2022 06:00 - 22 minutes
CREDITS:  Space Makers is a production of Lockheed Martin Space.  It's executive produced by Pavan Desai. Senior Producer is Natalia Oleksik. Senior producer, writer, and host is Ben Dinsmore. Sound design and audio mastered by Julian Giraldo. Graphic Design by Tim Roesch. Marketing and r...

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Episode 13 | Making Smart Cities Smarter: How Innovation Transforms

Lockheed Martin Space Makers - September 07, 2022 06:00 - 22 minutes
Smart cities powered by space technology will make them smarter, allowing for real-time connectivity in a way that we can only imagine, while creating living environments customized to every individual's needs.   To dig deeper into some of the topics referenced in today's episode, please follo...

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1 Day to Launch: Artemis 1 - Part 2

Lockheed Martin Space Makers - August 28, 2022 21:00 - 16 minutes
Today we talk with the Executive Vice President of Space and the Vice President and General Manager of Commercial Civil Space at Lockheed Martin. We also learn how Orion’s unique design as an exploration class spaceship can take humans to the Moon and one day to Mars. Lockheed Martin Space Makers...

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Special Episode | Artemis I Mission: 1 Day to Launch, Part II

Lockheed Martin Space Makers - August 28, 2022 21:00 - 16 minutes
NASA's Artemis I mission is about to launch the Orion spaceship to the Moon. Over the next few weeks, we will be doing special coverage of the launch and Orion's mission. You can also watch these special shows on Lockheed Martin's YouTube channel.  In this episode, we chat with Robert Lightfoot...