The Solar System is more volcanically active than we thought. Today, we’ll explore volcanism on other worlds.
Mar 25th: Solar System Volcanoes
Astronomy Cast Archive
Mar 18th: How Peer Review Fails
You’ve probably heard that the best kind of science is peer-reviewed research published in a prestigious journal. But peer review has problems of its own. We’ll talk about that today.
Mar 11th: NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC)
NASA works on many missions using tried and true technology, but they also invest in creative ideas that could drive the future of space exploration. It’s called NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts or NIAC.
Mar 4th: NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) Program
As more commercial companies are targeting the Moon, NASA is working with partners to deliver its payloads to the lunar surface. Today let’s talk about NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Program.
Feb 26th: Space Weapons
Last week we learned that Russia might be planning nuclear weapons to take out satellites in space. What is the current and future possibility of weapons in space and what are the treaties designed to prevent them?
Feb 19th: What Goes Into Sample Return Missions From Asteroids & Comets?
Scientists have retrieved samples from other objects in the Solar System, including comets and asteroids. What does it take to return a piece of rock from space, and what have we learned so far?
Feb 12th: What Goes Into A Sample Return Mission? Moon & Mars
We’ve sent robots to other worlds but the amount of science we can deploy can’t compare with the vast science labs we have on Earth. That’s why more and more missions are for a sample return.
Feb 5th: China’s Space Program
We’re so familiar with NASA’s exploration efforts in space, but you might be surprised to learn that China launches almost as many rockets as the US. Let’s give a brief overview of China’s space exploration plans.
Jan 29th: Electromagnetism
Our series on the basic forces of the cosmos continues! Lets talk about electromagnetism. Electricity and magnetism are just two aspects of the same force, and you can’t talk about astronomy without understanding these two keys aspects of physics.
Jan 22nd: Water Worlds – Looking For Life Beyond EarthImages
Wherever we find liquid water on Earth, we find life, so it makes sense to search for water across the Universe. But what about worlds which are completely covered in water, oceans hundreds of kilometers deep. Can there be too much water?