Last week we looked back at some of the ideas that science has changed its mind about. This, we look forward, into the future, at some of the big ideas that astronomers are making progress in. What space science are we looking forward to?
Our Hosts
Fraser Cain
Universe Today
Dr. Pamela Gay
CosmoQuest
Production by
- Richard Drumm, Audio Engineer
- Ally Pelphrey, Video Engineer
18 Seasons
700+ Episodes
2018 Winner Parsec Award
Ep. 700: Things We Got Wrong
Astronomers talk about all the amazing discoveries they’re making but sometimes, it turns out, they were wrong. After decades and centuries of discoveries, how have they changed their minds?
Ep. 699: Holiday Gift Giving Ideas for Astronomy and Space Fans
Just a warning, the holidays are rapidly approaching. It’s time, once again, to think about what to buy all the space nerds on your lists. Here’s what we like.
Ep. 698: Insights into the Universe, featuring JWST Results
How the time flies. It’s been over a year since JWST went operational, with other missions joining the fun. What new insights have we gained about the Universe thanks to these powerful new tools?
Recent Episodes
Ep. 473: Remembering the Best Space Science of 2017
2017 was a crazy year for, well, you know. But, it was a great year for space science, a kilonova, extrasolar planets, reusable rockets and more. Let's look back at the year that was and remember our favorite space science. We usually record Astronomy Cast every...
Ep. 472: Best Modern Sci Fi for the Science Lover – Part 4: Bioscience
What happens when the future meets biology? Bioscience science fiction, of course. And that's our focus today as we continue our journey though science-based science fiction. We usually record Astronomy Cast every Friday at 3:00 pm EST / 12:00 pm PST / 20:00 PM UTC....
Ep. 471: Best Modern Sci Fi for the Science Lover – Part 3: Human Computer Relations
It's time to talk computers, and how we're going to be dealing with them in the future. In our next segment on modern sci-fi, we talk about the future of the human-computer interface. We usually record Astronomy Cast every Friday at 3:00 pm EST / 12:00 pm PST / 20:00...
Ep. 470: Best Modern Sci Fi for the Science Lover – Part 2: 3D Printing
Our journey through interesting science fiction, this time we talk about speculative fiction dealing with materials science, nanotechnology and 3D printing. It's a staple in Star Trek, but what other stories deal with it? We usually record Astronomy Cast every Friday...
Ep. 469: Best Modern Sci Fi for the Science Lover – Part 1 Space Exploration
We've always been fans of science fiction, but we really like our science. Today we'll talk about some books we've been reading recently that do a good job of dealing with the science in science fiction. We usually record Astronomy Cast every Friday at 3:00 pm EST /...
Ep. 468: Simulations for Science and Fun
Astronomers depend on simulations to study the Universe. From relatively straightforward orbital simulations to vast simulations that try to recreate the large scale structure of the Universe from the Big Bang. Today we're going to talk about some of those...
Ep. 467: Resonance
We're recording on Sunday, Nov. 19 this week due to Pamela taking a well-earned vacation next week! Join us at a special time - 2 pm EST/ 11 am PST / 19:00 UTC for this episode! Many of the moons and planets across the Universe are in resonance with each other and...
Ep. 466: Origins of Zero (0)
We depend on zero for our math to work right, but this number was actually invented in fairly recent times. Why do we need zero? Was it inevitable? Note: Due to how Pamela had to record, the audio on the Full Raw Feed is not up to our usual quality this episode. Chad...
Ep. 465: Exploiting Interfering Light
Electromagnetic radiation, also known as "light" is pretty handy for astronomers. They can use it to directly and indirectly observe stars, nebula, planets and more. But as you probably know, light can act like a wave, creating interference patterns to teach us even...
Ep. 464: Why the Hype over an Exorock?
Astronomers this week announced that they had discovered an asteroid or comet on a trajectory that brought it from outside the Solar System? Is this the first case of an object from deep space? And what can we learn from this discovery? We usually record Astronomy...
Ep. 463: Pareidolia and the Moon
Have you seen the "Man in the Moon"? Pareidolia is your mind's way of helping you make sense of the world, but doesn't always match reality. We usually record Astronomy Cast every Friday at 12:00 pm PDT / 3:00 pm EDT/ 19:00 PM UTC . You can watch us live on here on...
Ep. 462: Modeling the Weather
Have you noticed that weather forecasting has gotten much better in the last few years? Thanks to weather satellites, weather stations, and better forecasting techniques. How do scientists predict the weather with any kind of accuracy days or even weeks in the future....
Ep. 461: Measuring the Weather with Satellites
What's the weather doing? Is it going to rain today? How much? What about temperatures? We depend on modern weather forecasting, thanks, in part to the vast network of weather satellites. What instruments do they have, what orbits do they use. We usually record...
Ep. 460: Earth from Afar: Remote Sensing
The space age has given us the ability to look at every corner of the globe in every wavelength. It's revolutionized our ability to predict the weather, keep track of environmental damage, and watch the world change. Today we look at what missions and technologies...
Ep. 459: Arecibo Observatory
The iconic Arecibo Radio Observatory has been a mainstay in science and science fiction. This Puerto Rico-based radio telescope was already in an uncertain level of funding. But now with the damage from Hurricane Maria, it might be shut down forever. We usually record...
Ep. 458: The Science of Cassini
And now Cassini's gone. Smashed up in the atmosphere of Saturn. But planetary scientists are going to be picking through all those pictures and data for decades. Let's look back at some of the science gathered up by Cassini so far, and we can still learn from this...
Ep. 457: Why Did Cassini Have To Die? In Memoriam
It's time to say goodbye to an old friend, NASA's Cassini spacecraft, which has been orbiting within the Saturnian system since 2004. But why does a seemingly healthy spacecraft and mission need to come to an end? Today we look back at the mission, some of the amazing...
Ep. 456: Pluto Revisited
This week, we return to our starting point, where Astronomy Cast began: Pluto. 11 years on, we have a whole new appreciate for the dwarf planet Pluto. We've visited it, probed it and taken pictures. It's time for an update. We usually record Astronomy Cast every...
Ep. 455: Your Practical Guide to Colonizing the Milky Way!
This episode was recorded live in St. Louis, MO at the Astronomy Cast Solar Eclipse Escape 2017. Listen as we discuss how humans might be able to colonize the Milky Way! We usually record Astronomy Cast every Friday at 1:30 pm PDT / 4:30 pm EDT/ 20:30 PM UTC (8:30...
Astronomy Cast Extra! Solar Eclipse 101
This is a special recording of Astronomy Cast to prepare for the Eclipse, recorded live in St. Louis, MO at the Astronomy Cast Solar Eclipse Escape 2017. We're going to give you a set of last minute tips and info to prepare for the Great American Eclipse! We usually...