Pollution will ultimately give away a society.
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
#740: Sneaky Stars
If you’re an astronomer you depend on accurate observations of stars, but there’s a problem. Stars are sneaky! Changing in size, brightness, color, they hide their chemistry, their age and even their companions from all but the cleverest observers. Stars explode...
#739: Drones
From little Ingenuity to the future Firefly and all our Earth Science fliers, let’s look at the buzzy scientists. Soon there’ll be a helicopter flying on Titan, but there are many other flying robots that’ll be helping us with all our science needs.
#738: Looking ahead to 2025
What can we hope (or dread) to see in 2025? Today we’re gonna talk about the upcoming space stories for 2025 that we’re looking forward to.
Recent Episodes
Ep. 664: The First Stars
The Sun is a third-generation star, polluted with the metals from long-dead stars. Astronomers have also discovered second-generation stars, with very low metallicity. But theories suggest there must be a first generation, with stars made from only pure hydrogen and...
Ep. 663: End of Year Observing Events
https://youtu.be/ImwJ1FblRhU We generally save our stargazing suggestions for the summer, when it’s warmer in the northern hemisphere. But you’re tough, you can handle a little cold. And it’s worth it because there are some wonderful things you can see in the night...
Ep. 662: Looking Ahead at New and Recycled Missions
https://youtu.be/shKSE47JmjY Last week we talked about the missions we’re saying goodbye to. This week, we’re going to talk about some upcoming missions to say hello to. Some are brand new ideas, others are, uh, recycled. Show Notes | Transcript Show Notes Moon...
Ep. 661: Looking Back on the Missions That Ended
https://youtu.be/TicUn1-ak3Y It’s always sad to say goodbye, but when we send our robotic emissaries out into the cosmos, it’s just a matter of time before they shut down. Today we’re going to say goodbye to a few missions which have reached the end of their lives....
Ep. 660: Runaway! Runaway! Escaping Stars, Planets & Small Bodies
https://youtu.be/_jE0X9eb-54 Moons orbit planets, planets orbit stars, stars orbit within galaxies. It’s orbits all the way down. But occasionally objects can receive a powerful kick that sends them off on a journey, never to return. PART II PART III Show Notes |...
Ep. 659: Clear Skies, Bright Satellites
https://youtu.be/PbOnrSZbRjA Light pollution is a big problem, and it’s only getting worse -- not just near cities but everywhere thanks to increased satellite constellations. How bad is the problem, and how can we fix it? Show Notes | Transcript Show Notes Universe...
Ep. 658: Space Exploration Horror Stories
https://youtu.be/sdQF-jHLVpk We’re recording this episode on Halloween, so how could we resist but take advantage of this opportunity. Space is already terrifying enough, you know, with the vast endless emptiness, incomprehensible mysteries, and uncaring coldness. But...
Ep. 657: Astronomical Naming Schemes
https://youtu.be/caF8-BCJGPc Space is a big place, with a lot of galaxies, stars, planets and moons, and that means a lot of names. How do astronomers name stuff, like comets, asteroids, exoplanets, craters? Show Notes | Transcript Show Notes Thanksgiving Day in...
Ep. 656: Smashing Asteroids for Science!
https://youtu.be/QNZmj1XfpmA This week we saw the incredible image of DART smashing into asteroid Dimorphos. Beyond avenging the dinosaurs, what can we learn scientifically from this and other asteroid/comet impact missions? Show Notes | Transcript Show Notes Jupiter...
Ep. 655: 65 Years of Space: Sputnik 1 Anniversary
https://youtu.be/f1ysu0nH1eY It’s been about 65 years since the Soviets launched the first orbital satellite into low Earth orbit: Sputnik 1. Now there are thousands of satellites in orbit, with tens of thousands on the way. Let’s look at the impact that Sputnik had...
Ep. 654: Side Effects of Clean Energy
https://youtu.be/zk8JkaOdnUY To battle climate change, we’ll need to rapidly move to carbon-free sources of energy. But this technology isn’t a free lunch. They require metals, generate waste and deplete the environment. What’s the best way to balance this shift? Show...
Ep. 653: Climate Change: Looking at the Variables
https://youtu.be/RmqwHtTzpzM Climate change is on our minds these days, with increasing wildfires, droughts and floods. What are the variables that play into a planet’s changing climate, and what can this teach us about the search for habitable planets across the...
Ep. 652: The Rocket Race Toward Reusability
https://youtu.be/juXi4CVJBC8 Last week we talked about how single-use rocketry has changed over time, and the role it still plays in launching payloads into orbit and beyond. Today, we’ll address the stainless steel elephant in the room and talk about the shift to...
Ep. 651: Artemis and the Decline of Single Use Rockets
https://youtu.be/aXu8Hmqkz2M On the day that we’re recording this, NASA’s Space Launch System is about to blast off. But everyone is expecting it’ll be delayed to October. When it does launch, it’ll be the most powerful rocket on Earth. Well, until Starship blasts...
Ep. 650: First Light for JWST
Well, this is it, we’re finally going to talk about the James Webb Space Telescope. After decades of development, delays and budget creep, the powerful infrared observatory is at its final home at the L2 Lagrange Point. Yesterday we saw the first scientific images...
Ep. 649: Why Does Everything Happen on Holidays?
Have you ever noticed that significant space and astronomy events seem to happen during holidays? It’s not a coincidence, there’s actually a reason why. Today we’ll talk about some of the key events that happened during holidays. https://youtu.be/vJ9JaMGfqsM?t=446...
Ep. 648: Summer Observing
Summer is officially, astronomically here. And for folks in the Northern Hemisphere, that means it’s the perfect time to head outside and see what’s happening in the sky. Today we’ll give you a good list of things to keep an eye out for, with or without a telescope....
Ep. 647: Best Sci-Fi Beach Reading
Summer is here and that means finally tackling your huge list of books piled up on your bedside table and filling up your Kindle. What books do we recommend for some fun reads? NOTE: Video is incomplete due to technical difficulties. https://youtu.be/dF18aVF7mdU Show...
Ep. 646: Long Term Future in Space
We always say that we're living in golden age of space and astronomy, but it feels like things are just accelerating. What does the long-term future hold for our place in the Universe? https://youtu.be/cUZQHC-Xk7k Show Notes | Transcript Show Notes Star Trek: The Next...
Ep. 645: The Future of the ISS
The International Space Station has been continuously inhabited for over 20 years now, serving as a peaceful collaboration between space-faring nations. But it's a machine, and it's getting old. In addition, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has made things complicated....