Podcast
Spacepod
Hear stories about the alien moons orbiting our Sun, of cold stars, and the future of space exploration. Every week, scientist Dr. Carrie Nugent chats about an amazing part of our universe with an expert guest. Spacepod is the podcast that gives you an inside look into space exploration. Learn more: http://listentospacepod.com
- Astronomy chart
- #92
- Episodes
- 242
- Releases
- Monthly
- Typical length
- 16 min
- On air since
- 2015
- Latest episode
- 1 month ago
Episodes
242 episodes, newest first
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10 min
What will happen when the sun explodes?
Episode 239
Show notes
A question from Laura, age 12. Professor Catherine Neish answers. For more on Prof. Neish, listen to episode 192. Also check out her podcast with John Moores, Popcorn Science.
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16 min
When will the universe stop expanding?
Episode 238
Show notes
A question from Jacob, age 7. Dr. Andrés Plazas Malagón answers. For more on Dr. Malagón's work, see episode 208 or listen to his podcast, Visión Cósmica.
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14 min
Why does an asteroid hit the Earth? And why so big?
Episode 237
Show notes
A question from Lyla, age 5. Dr. Federica Spoto answers. For more on Dr. Spoto's work, see episode 190.
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16 min
Are there rainbows on other planets? (Part II)
Episode 236
Show notes
We try, a second time, to answer a question from Maeve, who is almost 3 years old. Dr. Matthew Kenworthy answers. For more on rainbows on other planets, see episode 232.
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9 min
Why is the sun hot?
Episode 235
Show notes
A question from Ida, age 4. Miho Janvier answers. Find out more about the Solar Dynamics Observatory, the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), Solar Orbiter, and Proba-3. For more on Dr. Janiver's work, see episode 121.
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10 min
How many stars are there in space?
Episode 234
Show notes
A question from Kellan, age 6. Professor Kim McLeod answers. To learn more about Wellesley College's Whitin Observatory, including public visit nights, go here. For more on what you can do to reduce light pollution, see these resources from Dark Sky International.
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11 min
Are there rainbows on other planets?
Episode 232
Show notes
A question from Maeve, who is almost 3 years old. Dr. Alejandro Soto answers. For more on Dr. Soto's work, see episodes 44 and 136.
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6 min
How many potholes are on an asteroid?
Episode 232
Show notes
A question from Issac, age 5. Dr. Nancy Chabot answers. For more on Dr. Chabot's work, see episodes 7 and 152. For more on the Planetary Defense, see this NASA website. For more on the DART mission, see the mission website.
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10 min
How big is space?
Episode 231
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5 min
What is the fastest planet?
Episode 230
Show notes
A question from Renny, age 4. Dr. Jessie Christensen answers. For more on Dr. Christensen's work, see episodes 42 and 102.
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7 min
229: What do asteroids smell like?
Episode 229
Show notes
A question from Sabine, age 5. Dr. Christopher Snead answers. For more on Dr. Snead's work, see Episode 184 of Spacepod. Do you know a kid with a space question? Upload it at listentospacepod.com and I'll do my best to get an answer!
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7 min
228: Do other planets really have diamond rain?
Episode 228
Show notes
Dr. Sabine Stanley answers. For more about planetary insides, check out her book, "What's Hidden Inside Planets".
Do you know a kid with a space question? Upload it at https://www.listentospacepod.com and I'll do my best to get an answer!
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6 min
227: What is the fastest asteroid?
Episode 227
Show notes
Dr. Michael Busch answers. Do you know a kid with a space question? Upload it at http://www.listentospacepod.com/ and I'll do my best to get an answer!
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22 min
226: The intersection of computer science and astronomy with Dr. Kubica
Episode 226
Show notes
Dr. Jeremy Kubica talks about his work on the LINCC Frameworks project, and how he brings together astronomers and computer scientists to create software tools. He shares advice for students and talks about his books, which explain computing concepts in fun and accessible ways.
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41 min
A newly discovered Martian volcano with Dr. Lee
Episode 255
Show notes
Dr. Pascal Lee tells the story of how he and his collaborators found a new volcano on Mars. He tells us about the "convergence of lines of evidence" that led to this discovery. He also explains why this site may be a good place to look for life.
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54 min
Aurora borealis with Tina Ibsen
Episode 224
Show notes
Astrophysicist Tina Ibsen tells us about the northern lights. She talks about her research and gives tips on how to observe the lights. She tells us how Denmark is a space nation and shares her thoughts about the future of space exploration. We also talk about RumSnak, the space podcast she co-hosts with Anders Høeg Nissen.
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23 min
Preparing for something we haven't seen yet with Dr. Holt
Episode 223
Show notes
Dr. Carrie Holt talks about how she's getting ready for the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. She explains how astronomers are using simulated and real data to prepare in advance of this new data.
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22 min
Measuring the emptiness of space with Dr. Becker
Episode 222
Show notes
Dr Tracy Becker tells us about solar system science using ultraviolet light. She explains how the color of a planet's northern lights depends on the planet's atmosphere. She also describes how scientists repurposed the New Horizons spacecraft to measure how empty space is.
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30 min
The queens of heaven with Prof. Tauris
Episode 221
Show notes
Professor Thomas Tauris explains what gravitational waves can tell us about colliding neutron stars. He corrects Carrie's misconception about how gravitational waves affect people. He also explains how the last 400 years of astronomy have been like watching a silent movie, but now with gravitational waves, we have a soundtrack.
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24 min
Walking on the roof of hell with Prof. Stanley
Episode 220
Show notes
Prof. Sabine Stanley, author of "What's Hidden Inside Planets," tells us how the interior of Earth helps make this planet a nice place to live. She tells us that the Earth's mantle is actually solid rock, not liquid rock. She also explains what the Earth's interior and birthday balloons have in common.
Spacepod listeners can get a 30% discount on "What's Hidden Inside Planets" with the code HPLAN if you order through Hopkins Press at press.jhu.edu. (This code is shared as a courtesy, Spacepod does not receive compensation if you order a book.)
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