Podcaster: Ralph & Paul
Title : Awesome Astronomy – June Edition (episode 12)
Organization: Awesome Astronomy
Link : www.awesomeastronomy.com
Description: Awesome Astronomy is the show for anyone and everyone who has even the slightest interest in astronomy and science.
Bio: Awesome Astronomy is the show for anyone and everyone who has even the slightest interest in astronomy and science.
Join Ralph & Paul at the beginning of each month, for an informative and fun astronomy programme telling you what to look out (and up) for every month. You can be guaranteed a passion for astronomy, simple explanations of complex and fundamental topics, space and science news, absorbing interviews with people that make the astronomy news and listeners’ astronomy questions answered.
As both presenters have been accused of being a little skeptical in the past, you can also expect everything to be frivolous but fact-based.
Transcript:
The Discussion: the beauty of star parties for people of all abilities to enjoy truly dark skies and learn in a relaxed & friendly environment. Ralph interviews people that attended the last AstroCamp in the Welsh mountains to find out what they enjoy about these unique events.
The Sky Guide: Paul describes the wonders of the June skies and tells you how to get the best from the northern hemisphere objects on offer to the naked eye, with binoculars and through a telescope. This month’s sky guide covers safe solar observing, the visible features of the moon, artificial satellite spotting, the planets on offer, as well as the magnificent deep sky treats inh our summer skies.
The News: In the news section, Ralph brings us glum news from the ailing Kepler planet hunting satellite; detecting alcohol in space to reveal ancient physical constants, observations of energetic gamma ray bursts; and a salute to Canadian astronaut and social media hero Chris Hadfield.
The 5 Minute Concept: Enrico Fermi’s question ‘Where is everybody?’ forms the basis of Paul’s 5 Minute Concept as he explores the issues of looking for alien signals, astrobiology and UFO ‘sightings’. Not happy listening for the ‘true believer’!
The Interview: this month, Ralph talks to astronomy communicator, writer and broadcaster Mark Thompson about promoting astronomy and engaging the public.
Q&A: Listeners’ questions via email, Facebook & Twitter take us on a journey into the astronomy issues that have always plagued our understanding or stretched our credulity. This month Ralph & Paul answer:
• Dear sirs, following the recent impact on the moon, will we be able to see a new crater? If not, how big would the impact object need to be to create a crater a few km wide?
John Wildridge, London UK, via Twitter.
• After reading various books on the possible outcome of the end of the universe, it made me think: if we have star forming regions that are creating new stars from clouds of gases, are the gases created from supernovas? If so, wouldn’t the universe continue on forever in this death and rebirth cycle?
Martin Shaw, via Facebook.
• What would you say are the top 5 objects in the night sky to view with a telescope?
Scott Fordwhalley, via Twitter.
End of podcast:
365 Days of Astronomy
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The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the New Media Working Group of the International Year of Astronomy 2009. Audio post-production by Preston Gibson. Bandwidth donated by libsyn.com and wizzard media. Web design by Clockwork Active Media Systems. You may reproduce and distribute this audio for non-commercial purposes. Please consider supporting the podcast with a few dollars (or Euros!). Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org. In the new year the 365 Days of Astronomy project will be something different than before….Until then…goodbye