We say it all the time here on Astronomy Cast: the Universe is trying to kill us. This week, Pamela is joined by Dr. Phil Plait to discuss his new book, Death from the Skies. Phil and Pamela talk about asteroid strikes, solar flares and gamma ray bursts.
Normally we try to end the season on a high note. But here’s the unfolding news: NASA’s new budget is here, and it’s 25% smaller.
The time has come. The mighty Vera Rubin Observatory has finally come on line and delivered its “first light” images. Lets talk about it
It’s almost time for our annual summer hiatus, but before we go, we wanted to direct you towards all the fun and space stuff we’ll be enjoying this summer. We’ve got meteor showers, planets, rocket launches, TV shows, movies! Here’s what’s good.
Space used to be a place occupied by government-funded and military missions, but today, we’re seeing the rise… and fall of missions with commercial design and funding. Let’s talk about how this is good, bad, and maybe just too soon.
Today we’ll examine that long journey that matter has gone through, forged and re-forged in the hearts of stars. In fact, the device you’re using to listen to this podcast has some elements formed in a supernova explosion.
As we explore more surfaces and more complex surfaces throughout the solar system, mission teams are designing robot explorers that don’t sit still and also don’t rove. In this episode, we’re going to take a look at the new technologies that are allowing technology to get around.
Computers are getting smaller, faster and more capable, which has enabled an entirely mew class of satellites: CubeSats.
NASA’s newly launched SphereX mission is up & operational and has completed its initial checkout and “first light”. Everything looks good!
There are stellar-mass and supermassive black holes. But very little evidence of anything in between. Where are all the intermediate-mass black holes that should be the building blocks of the biggest ones?