Star Stuff

Astronaut Dr. Ed Lu has flown the space shuttle, lived on the International Space Station and helped build Google Maps. Now he and his team at B612’s Asteroid Institute are working to create a mapping of the solar system.

In this episode of Star Stuff, Ed joins Lowell astronomer Dr. Nick Moskovitz and historian Kevin Schindler to discuss how a small engineering team is developing tools to turn vast amounts of data from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory into precise asteroid orbits. They also explore B612’s journey from its early beginnings in 2000 to its current work supporting advances in asteroid discovery and solar system exploration.

Astronaut Nicole Stott has spent 104 days in space, orbited Earth over 1,600 times, and even painted with watercolors aboard the International Space Station. In this episode of Star Stuff, Stott reflects on why she believes we’re all crew members of Spaceship Earth, how art became part of her work in orbit, and what she’s watching for as NASA’s Artemis missions push us back toward the Moon.

In this episode of Star Stuff, retired NASA astronaut and B612 Foundation co-founder Rusty Schweickart joins Lowell Mission Scientist Dr. Melodie Kao and Lowell Historian Kevin Schindler to explore a question with no borders: how do you unite a divided world against a threat that could strike anyone, anywhere?

In this episode of Star Stuff, Lowell Observatory historian Kevin Schindler sits down with renowned Diné (Navajo) and Chicana artist Nanibah Chacon. Following the unveiling of her breathtaking new mural at the observatory, Nanibah discusses the profound intersection of Indigenous culture, science, and public art.

In this episode of Star Stuff, host Kevin Schindler sits down with renowned Hopi/Cherokee artist Gerald Dawavendewa to celebrate the unveiling of the monumental 30-foot Indigenous Cosmology mural at Lowell Observatory’s Astronomy Discovery Center.

Are We Safe From Asteroids? | We Talk To Astronaut Rusty Schweickart
When Rusty Schweickart looked back at Earth from orbit on Apollo 9, he saw something fragile and worth defending. In this episode of Star Stuff, we sit down with the astronaut and co-founder of the B612 Foundation to talk about one of biggest threats to life on Earth: asteroid impacts.

The Most Human: Adam Nimoy on Legacy, Love, and Spock
Star Stuff Podcast
In this intimate conversation, Cody Half-Moon sits down with filmmaker and author Adam Nimoy to explore the profound personal and cultural legacy of his father, Leonard Nimoy. From behind-the-scenes Star Trek stories and reflections on growing up in the shadow of Spock, to candid discussions of addiction, recovery, and reconciliation, Adam opens up about writing his memoir The Most Human, navigating fame, and finding healing through storytelling. The episode also dives into the enduring impact of Spock on identity and fandom, the emotional weight of legacy, and the wisdom Adam offers to anyone trying to repair a fractured relationship.

In this episode of Star Stuff, Cody Half-Moon sits down with Lowell astronomer Brian Skiff as he recounts his discovery of Venusian moon Zoozve, and how a determined dad's twitter thread helped him do it.

In this special episode of Star Stuff recorded live from Grand Canyon National Park, we're joined by former Astronomer in Residence and Lowell Observatory Public Information Officer Kevin Schindler, Grand Canyon Conservancy Residency Manager Clover Morell, and Dark Sky Ranger Rader Lane.

Blast off into exciting topics, including the Astronomer in Residence and alumni programs, the magic of dark skies at Grand Canyon, and Grand Canyon National Park’s achievement of reaching 90% dark sky compliance with new dark sky-friendly lighting fixtures throughout the park. We also recap Star Party 2024 and so much more!

Makers, Menders, and Writers | We Talk to Diana Gabaldon
2Ep25
Lowell Historian Kevin Schindler sits down with the one and only Diana Gabaldon, author of the wildly popular Outlander book series. They discuss Diana's familial connection to the observatory, her creative process, and how Lowell Telescope Dome Engineer Stanley Sykes dealt with wild turkeys.

Wow, over 70,000 listens to Star Stuff! This podcast is still in the top 20 of astronomy podcasts and climbing. Thank you all for your support as we wrap up Season 2. If you would like to see more episodes next year for Season 3, we will be doing special segments only. Let us know what you want to learn about!

In this Season 2 finale episode of Star Stuff, Cody Half-Moon sits down with Lowell astronomer Dr. Joe Llama, who specializes in the study of exoplanets. They discuss the distant worlds that lie in the Habitable Zone, the possibility that we are not alone in the universe, and more.

In this Cosmic Scope Interview (CSI), Lowell's Technical Facilities Manager Jeff Gehring takes host Cody Half-Moon through the challenges of restoring the historic 24" Clark Telescope to its former glory while staying true to the designs of the era it was built in.

An atheist, a catholic, and an agnostic walk into a podcast recording room... and have an incredible conversation about how science and astronomy inform religious perspectives! Inspired by Dr. Kyler Kuehn, a Lowell astronomer and scientific consultant for the Clergy Letter Project, and featuring Lowell Astronomer Dr. Michael West, this episode explores the compatibility between religion and science. Discover how curiosity and open-mindedness enhance discussions and perspectives in this friendly debate amongst friends.

In this episode of Star Stuff, Lowell Historian Kevin Schindler and astronomer Gerard van Belle sit down for a chat with German artist Ulrike Arnold, the subject of the feature-length documentary Dialogue Earth. They discuss Ulrike's artistic process, the intersection of science and art, the importance of protecting our Earth, and more.

In this episode of Star Stuff, join Cody Half-Moon and geologist John Compton as they discuss the mind-blowing process of our planet's formation over 4.6 billion years ago.

In this episode of Star Stuff, Kevin Schindler is joined by special guest Eric Edelman, the director of the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium in Prescott, AZ. Kevin and Eric discuss Lowell's new partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautics Academy, what it takes to bring the dream of a planetarium to life, and the importance of making astronomy education accessible to everyone.

In this episode of Star Stuff, we talk about aliens. Again. Join Cody Half-Moon and returning guest Dean Regas as they discuss upcoming solar eclipses, the possibility of life beyond our solar system, and Dean's new book “1000 Facts About Space."

The man, the myth, the founder. In this episode of Star Stuff, we talk about how Percival Lowell made history by founding Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona and how he was one of the first popularized alien hunters in astronomy.

In this episode of Star Stuff, we sit down with journalist Melissa Sevigny to talk about her career, choosing between different paths, and her newest book, “Brave the Wild River.” Learn more about Melissa at melissasevigny.com.

Learn about a 50,000-year-old Meteor Crater from the man who runs the crater business here in Flagstaff, Arizona. In this episode of Star Stuff, we sit down with Matthew Kent, President and CEO of Meteor Crater Enterprises, to talk about all of the exciting things going on surrounding Meteor Crater and Planet Science, as well as the importance of keeping people connected to science.