Podcast

Spacepod

Astronomy, Earth Sciences, Science

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

  1. 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.

    10 min
  2. 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.

    16 min
  3. 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.

    14 min
  4. 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.

    16 min
  5. 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.

    9 min
  6. 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.

    10 min
  7. 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.

    11 min
  8. 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.

    6 min
  9. How big is space?

    Episode 231

    Show notes

    A question from Issac, age 4. Dr. Jeff Rich answers. For more on Dr. Rich's work, see episodes 14, 81, 118, or 159, or visit the Carnegie Observatories website. Find the pocket solar system instructions here.

    10 min
  10. 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.

    5 min
  11. 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!

    7 min
  12. 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!

    7 min
  13. 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!

    6 min
  14. 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.

    22 min
  15. 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.

    41 min
  16. 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.

    54 min
  17. 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.

    23 min
  18. 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.

    22 min
  19. 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.

    30 min
  20. 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.)

    24 min