Best Spaceexploration Podcasts (2023)

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Spacepod

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215: Naming asteroids with Dr. Williams 25:37

11d ago25:37

25:37

Dr. Gareth Williams tells us about asteroid names. He explains the rules around naming asteroids and tells us how an asteroid name lead to a surprise trip to meet one of his heroes.By Carrie Nugent

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Spacepod

1
214: Astronauts on the moon with Dr. Denevi 43:48

1M ago43:48

43:48

Dr. Brett Denevi talks to us about the planned Artemis missions to the moon's South Pole. There, astronauts will collect rocks and other samples. She describes how geologists are working with the astronauts to ensure that the best, most interesting samples are collected. These samples will create a legacy set that scientists will study for decades.…

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Spacepod

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213: The Six with Loren Grush 36:51

3M ago36:51

36:51

Loren Grush talks about her new book, "The Six: The Untold Story of America's First Women in Space." She explains why Sally Ride was chosen to be the first American woman to go to space, and how the resulting attention was difficult for her. Loren also tells us how she researched and wrote the book during the pandemic.…

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Spacepod

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212: A scientific legacy with Dr. Blaney 31:22

4M ago31:22

31:22

We hear from Dr. Diana Blaney, the principal investigator of the mapping imaging spectrometer on Europa Clipper. Europa Clipper will travel to Jupiter to see if its moon Europa is habitable. She describes how they tested the spectrometer in special rooms to make sure it will work at Europa.By Carrie Nugent

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Spacepod

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211: The Sparkler Galaxy with Prof. Mowla 32:32

4M ago32:32

32:32

Professor Lamiya Mowla tells us about an exciting JWST discovery. She describes gravitational lensing as "nature's magnifying glass." She also explains why she likes calling telescopes time machines. We discuss pretty and shiny things, and why prettiness might indicate something is scientifically interesting.…

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Spacepod

1
Bonus episode: The upcoming American total solar eclipse 4:27

4M ago4:27

4:27

A quick bonus episode about the April 8th, 2024 total solar eclipse in Mexico, the US, and Canada! I talk about the difference between a partial and total solar eclipse, and share some tips in case you want to travel to see it.By Carrie Nugent

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Spacepod

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210: Wonders of the Night Sky with Prof. Prinja 22:52

5M ago22:52

22:52

Professor Raman Prinja talks about his new book, "Wonders of the Night Sky." He tells us how we are lucky to live on a planet with a transparent atmosphere. He also shares stargazing tips for city dwellers as well as long-haul truck drivers. The book is available at Simon and Schuster's website. Note: I received a free copy of the book.…

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Spacepod

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209: Mission to the largest moon in the solar system with Dr. Witasse 24:31

7M ago24:31

24:31

Dr. Olivier Witasse tells us about the Jupiter Icy Moon Explorer, or JUICE mission, which is currently traveling through space. JUICE will conduct 34 flybys of Jupiter's moons before orbiting Ganymede. Ganyemede may have significant liquid water, and perhaps the elements needed for life.By Carrie Nugent

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Spacepod

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208: Cosmic tug of war with Dr. Plazas Malagón 42:28

8M ago42:28

42:28

Dr. Andrés Plazas Malagón tells us about a field of astronomy called cosmology. He explains that either our universe is mostly made of mysterious stuff called dark energy, or the laws of physics are wrong. He also explains the difference between dark matter and dark energy.By Carrie Nugent

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Spacepod

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207: One of the stranger surfaces in the solar system with Dr. Cartwright 30:20

8M ago30:20

30:20

Dr. Richard Cartwright tells us about the moons of Uranus and explains why we should visit Uranus with an orbiting spacecraft. This mission would take decades to design, build, and travel to the planet. He also shares what he thinks about Uranus jokes.By Carrie Nugent

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Spacepod

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206: Every asteroid observation ever taken with Dr. Veres 27:57

10M ago27:57

27:57

Dr. Peter Veres talks about asteroids, comets, and meteors. He describes how the Minor Planet Center keeps track of observations and orbits. This data is publicly available, and non-scientists make valuable contributions. He also tells us about the AMOS meteor network, and how meteors connect to asteroids and comets.…

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Spacepod

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205: The moon's right to exist with Dr. Prem 33:05

11M ago33:05

33:05

Dr. Parvathy Prem tells us about lunar ice. She says, "the moon records the history of our solar system neighborhood in a way that the Earth doesn't." Her simulations show that rocket landings can change lunar ice. We discuss different perspectives on the moon, and how those perspectives might change how we explore.…

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Spacepod

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204: Light Pollution with Kelly Beatty 25:15

11M ago25:15

25:15

Kelly Beatty shares easy things we can do to reduce light pollution. He tells us how artificial night light can harm humans, birds, and insects. He shares the five principles of good lighting, and explains how addressing light pollution can save money.By Carrie Nugent

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Spacepod

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203: 11 hours and 23 minutes with Dr. Chabot 26:48

1y ago26:48

26:48

Dr. Nancy Chabot returns to the show to talk about the DART mission, which changed the orbit of an asteroid moon. This was the first demonstration of asteroid deflection technology. She explains how the mission worked, what scientists are discovering, and why a small nudge is all you need when it comes to moving an asteroid out of Earth's way.…

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Spacepod

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202: Making atmospheres with Prof. Telus 24:38

1y ago24:38

24:38

Professor Myriam Telus shares how she studies atmospheres using meteorites. These experiments can teach us about exoplanet atmospheres and planet formation. She says science feels like a playground, with so much to explore.By Carrie Nugent

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Spacepod

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201: International space law with Cordula Panosch 24:10

1y ago24:10

24:10

International space law expert Cordula Panosch explains what is and is not legal when it comes to deflecting an Earth-bound asteroid. Although much depends on the individual circumstances, she explains how existing laws govern what countries can and cannot do when it comes to outer space.By Carrie Nugent

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Spacepod

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200: Pluto is a planet, and so is its moon with Dr. Runyon 29:19

1+ y ago29:19

29:19

Dr. Kirby Runyon shares his definition of "planet"-- a round celestial body that was never a star. Using this definition, there are over 150 planets orbiting our sun. He explains why the word planet matters, and why little planets might be the most common planets in our universe.By Carrie Nugent

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Spacepod

1
199: Why can't we find Planet Nine with Prof. Lawler 28:06

1+ y ago28:06

28:06

Professor Lawler discusses why planet nine might not exist. She explains why reporting not finding something is as important as reporting a discovery. She tells us how satellite internet is getting in the way of astronomical observations.By Carrie Nugent

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Spacepod

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198: Dragonfly with Dr. Turtle 24:46

1+ y ago24:46

24:46

Dr. Zibi Turtle is the Principal Investigator of NASA's Dragonfly mission. She tells us what it is like to design and build an octocopter that will roam the surface of Saturn's moon Titan. She also tells us about Titan's exciting chemistry.By Carrie Nugent

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Spacepod

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197: A massive asteroid hit at tremendous speed with Prof. Richardson 27:56

1+ y ago27:56

27:56

Professor Derek Richardson gives us an update on the DART mission, which is headed towards tiny asteroid moon Dimorphos. If all goes well this fall, DART will crash into Dimorphos at four miles per second! This experiment will be a test of asteroid deflection technology.By Carrie Nugent

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Spacepod

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196: Spinning universe with Dr. Cheng 25:29

1+ y ago25:29

25:29

Dr. Jon Cheng tells us about his fluid flow experiments. These experiments investigate fundamental physics. They can be applied to the movement of the Earth's core as well as things like liquid batteries. Is electro-vortex flow the coolest phrase said on the show yet? Listen and decide!By Carrie Nugent

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Spacepod

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195: Dark and quiet skies with Dr. Rawls 40:01

1+ y ago40:01

40:01

Dr. Meredith Rawls talks about the unintended consequences of artificial satellite constellations. Satellites change the night sky, impacting the people and animals that rely on it. Hundreds of thousands of these satellites may be launched, which could create more orbital debris and endanger future space missions. She explains how people are coming…

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Spacepod

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194: Exoplanet next door with Prof Whitten 29:01

2y ago29:01

29:01

Prof Jenny Whitten tells us about VERITAS, a NASA mission that will orbit Venus. She explains how scientists will use radar to learn about the surface, and how they picked exactly which radar band to use. She also talks about how VERITAS will shed light on Venus' evolution, the history of water on the planet, and its geologic processes.…

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Spacepod

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193: Orbital parking spots with Larissa Markwardt 19:31

2y ago19:31

19:31

Larissa Markwardt talks about Trojan asteroids-- asteroids that orbit the sun a little before or after planets. She describes the special technique she uses to find these asteroids, and why not finding any is an interesting result.By Carrie Nugent

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Spacepod

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192: Craters on Titan with Prof. Neish 24:47

2y ago24:47

24:47

Professor Catherine Neish explains why there's so few craters on Saturn's moon Titan. She explains why Titan's craters may contain the organic molecules needed for life, and how the Dragonfly mission will test that hypothesis.By Carrie Nugent

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Spaceexploration Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Spacepod

Carrie Nugent

1
Future Grind

Ryan O'Shea

1
MIND & MACHINE: Science & Tech of Maximizing Human Capability

August Bradley

1
215: Naming asteroids with Dr. Williams 25:37

1
214: Astronauts on the moon with Dr. Denevi 43:48

1
213: The Six with Loren Grush 36:51

1
212: A scientific legacy with Dr. Blaney 31:22

1
211: The Sparkler Galaxy with Prof. Mowla 32:32

1
Bonus episode: The upcoming American total solar eclipse 4:27

1
210: Wonders of the Night Sky with Prof. Prinja 22:52

1
209: Mission to the largest moon in the solar system with Dr. Witasse 24:31

1
208: Cosmic tug of war with Dr. Plazas Malagón 42:28

1
207: One of the stranger surfaces in the solar system with Dr. Cartwright 30:20

1
206: Every asteroid observation ever taken with Dr. Veres 27:57

1
205: The moon's right to exist with Dr. Prem 33:05

1
204: Light Pollution with Kelly Beatty 25:15

1
203: 11 hours and 23 minutes with Dr. Chabot 26:48

1
202: Making atmospheres with Prof. Telus 24:38

1
201: International space law with Cordula Panosch 24:10

1
200: Pluto is a planet, and so is its moon with Dr. Runyon 29:19

1
199: Why can't we find Planet Nine with Prof. Lawler 28:06

1
198: Dragonfly with Dr. Turtle 24:46

1
197: A massive asteroid hit at tremendous speed with Prof. Richardson 27:56

1
196: Spinning universe with Dr. Cheng 25:29

1
195: Dark and quiet skies with Dr. Rawls 40:01

1
194: Exoplanet next door with Prof Whitten 29:01

1
193: Orbital parking spots with Larissa Markwardt 19:31

1
192: Craters on Titan with Prof. Neish 24:47

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