Kielder Observatory Podcast

Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society

The official monthly podcast from Kielder Observatory in Northumberland UK, situated under some of the darkest skies in the world.

If you've ever wondered what happens when you fall into a black hole, if intelligent life is watching us from other galaxies, or how the North East is at the forefront of the British Space programme, then you can find out more in this series!

Each month we also update you on the things to look out for in the night sky wherever you are, and of course update you on what's happening at the observatory too!

Subscribe now, and maybe we'll see you at Kielder soon!

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57 episodes
Updated June 9

Episodes57

Newest first

Feb 23, 2022 · 1 hr 23 min
Ask An Astronomer Special
In this month's episode it was over to you, as we hosted a LIVE Ask An Astronomer session with Director of Astronomy Dan Pye. You can also watch the show back on the Kielder Observatory Facebook page. We cover all manner of topics from Astrophotography to the chances of finding life in other worlds. We also update you on the latest news from Kielder Observatory, and how you can book a place to come and visit us sometime soon too! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 24, 2022 · 35 min
Tracking Satellites & Space Junk
This month we look at how Kielder Observatory has become the first place in the world to take part in a new project tracking space junk and satellites. There are over half a million objects orbiting our planet, some are working satellites but there are many objects including old satellites, space equipment and rockets just floating in an eternal orbit. If those objects were to crash it could start a chain reaction, devastating satellites and in turn causing chaos down here on Earth. NORS based in Durham have developed a tracking system to keep tabs on the space junk above us, and alert owners of working satellites to any potential dangers. To tell us more we speak to Dr Laurence Blacketer from the NORS LOCI project. We also look at recent events in the night sky and particularly talk about the aurora which has been visible across the north east in January. And we take a look ahead to some of the things to look out for as we head into February 2022. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 10, 2021 · 1 hr 13 min
Dr Olivia Jones - James Webb Telescope Expert + Ask An Astronomer
Recorded live in front of an online audience on Facebook this month, Director of astronomy Dan Pye, Ellie Macdonald and Adam Shore join Ian Brannan as we explore some of the things to look out for over the final weeks of 2021 in the night sky. And we are joined by special guest Dr Olivia Jones of the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, who is an expert on the James Webb Telescope which launches soon (hopefully) and when it does it will bring us a whole new view of the universe. STFC Webb Fellow at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre at the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh. Previously worked at Jodrall B ank Plus we took your questions for "Ask An Astronomer", covering everything from meteorites, to comets, to the Milky Way, and even cats.. You can WATCH the episode too if you wish here https://fb.watch/9PaGzMsJQu/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 23, 2021 · 34 min
Radio Astronomy Comes To Kielder
This month we meet the new SPIDER Radio Telescope which has become the latest addition to the Kielder Forest landscape. Director of Astronomy Dan Pye give us a tour, and explains some of the things we will now be able to detect in space with it. This addition means that even on a cloudy night, visitors will be able to take in some radio observations, and for schools and universities they will have a new resource to help with research into aspects of space. We also bring you a full round of of the things to watch out for in the night sky over the final part of 2021. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 7, 2021 · 1 hr 3 min
Dr Natalie Starkey: Volcanoes of the Solar System
Hello and Welcome to The official monthly podcast from Kielder Observatory situated in the Northumberland Dark Sky Park in the UK, under some of the darkest skies in Europe. Our special guest is Dr Natalie Starkey a cosmochemist and author who joins us to talks about some of the amazing findings from her new book called Fire & Ice, and how Volcanoes could be key to supporting life in other worlds.. It’s a fascinating chat and we’ll learn how not all volcanoes erupt with fire, some with ice. Plus we’ll learn why some of the biggest unsolved mysteries of the solar system are right here on earth. First though we’ll begin by updating you on the news from right here in the North East, and from Kielder Observatory… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 11, 2021 · 48 min
Perseids Meteor Shower & September Update
On September’s Kielder Observatory Podcast Ian Brannan is joined by Director of Astronomy at Kielder Dan Pye, and one of our newest astronomers Finn Burridge. This month we explore how a visit to Kielder Observatory is more than peering into the night sky, it’s a full education on our place in the universe, and we hear from some recent guests about the things they’ve learned which have boggled their mind..! We also look ahead to the major astronomical events taking place through the course of September, as we approach the equinox and our days are filled with more dark than light. And how if you’re very lucky, you could see our Solar System’s furthest planet Neptune. Plus Dan Pye give us his “Pye in the Sky” challenge from the month, can you spot the constellation for September?! All this and much more, listen now and don’t forget to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 11, 2021 · 53 min
Science Vs Faith Vs The Universe, with Rev. Prof. David Wilkinson
In this episode we talk to the Reverend Professor David Wilkinson, who began his career as an astrophysicist before becoming a Methodist minister and is currently a professor in the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University. We discuss the connection between science and faith throughout history and bridging the gap between the two (often conflicting) topics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 16, 2021 · 47 min
Dr Sam James, Why The Universe Is Moving..!
Coming up in this months episode we’ll take you to a couple of our recent sessions up at the observatory, but both with very different themes. First was our space kids event which is one of our most popular daily events which take place in the daytime, ending with youngsters building and launching their own rockets! And then it was the turn of another of our most sought after evenings, the Aurora Night, where you can learn about the aurora phenomenon, and discover how to see it for yourself. We’re also talking cosmology in this month’s episode too, with Dr Sam James who is the chair of the NE Branch of the Institute of Physics, finding out why we can still see the remnants of the big bang, and why the universe could be moving! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 25, 2021 · 1 hr 7 min
Apollo 11 Moon Landing Expert, Dr Ken MacTaggart
Ken MacTaggart has worked on NASA’s Apollo Lunar Surface Journal with editor Dr Eric Jones and colleagues for 20 years, and is co-editor of the Apollo 11 Flight Journal established by W. David Woods. He has interviewed and written about spaceflight for The Independent, The Herald, The Scotsman, Spaceflight and numerous other magazines and newspaper, plus TV programmes. Ken is a Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society and works as a technology consultant, advising public agencies on science and space policy. As well as his interest and deep knowledge of spaceflight, he has published on a range of other historical subjects, so his angle on Apollo is often quite different from the purely technical. In this episode Ken reveals some of the finer details of that mission to the moon in 1969 which perhaps went unnoticed, but bring a whole new dimension to the incredible story of the moon landings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 10, 2021 · 56 min
Meteorite Man Steve Arnold and Áine O’Brien
In this month’s episode we get ready for the Lyrid Meteor shower with 2 people who know what it takes to be a meteor hunter. Steve Arnold is one the TV’s Meteorite Men, and has travelled the world searching for fragments of space rock, and he offers his tips for would be meteor hunters. We also speak to Aine o Brien, who was part of the search team that recently found the first meteorite to be recovered in the UK for 30 years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 8, 2021 · 41 min
Staying Healthy In Space! Dr Saralyn Mark, Medical Advisor to NASA
Coming up, the month of March sees International Women’s Day, and in this episode we speak to a true pioneer of Women’s Health, Dr Saralyn Mark. Dr Mark joined the astronaut training programme at NASA and became a senior medical advisor at the space agency for over 18 years taking care of the health of the health of men and particularly women heading into space. She has also worked at the White House during the Obama administration as the first Senior Medical Advisor to the office of women’s health, and today is the MD of iGiant, a nonprofit organisation looking to translate some of this things we’ve learned from space research, into technologies to improve the lives of both genders here on earth. She’s also worked on every public health emergency since the 90’s, and she reveals how lockdown is having a similar effect on many of us which is often found in astronauts returning from space. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 12, 2021 · 41 min
Prof John Girkin - Durham's role on the James Webb Telescope
In the February 2021 episode we speak to Prof John Girkin about some of the research and advancements taking place at Durham University's centre of advanced instrumentation, which is one of the worlds leading authorities in helping space programmes around the world improve their images from both telescopes on earth and satellites in space. Plus how that research has also had benefits here on earth including with learning more about the Covid 19 virus. Kielder's Director of Astronomy, Dan Pye updates us on the latest from the observatory and a few things to look out for in the night sky over the coming weeks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 17, 2021 · 48 min
The Realities Of Life On Mars - Hayden Goodfellow
In this months podcast we chat to Astrophysicist and keen enthusiast of Astro-Engineering Hayden Goodfellow BSc (Hons) about ExoMars. Being constructed by Boeing in the UK, ExoMars is heading to the red planet with a delayed schedule of 2022, but what’s it going to learn on its journey? Find out more about the first British mission to Mars since Beagle and your usual “what up this month” in this months stellar edition of the Kielder Observatory Podcast.. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 10, 2020 · 54 min
Dr Fred Stevenson, Cosmology and Black Holes
In this December episode we take a look at cosmology with Dr Fred Stevenson, who takes os on a journey into the origins of the universe and the other question of how everything will end..! We also explore Black Holes, and answer just what would happen if you were to end up inside one, plus the search for the dark matter particle and how the answer could lie in a mine in North Yorkshire..! We are also joined by Natasha Lund, a Kielder Observatory science communicator to tell us about a project called Escape Velocity, and how local children can get out into new surroundings to take in the night sky and take some photos. Plus Dan Pye talks about the latest happenings at Kielder Observatory during lockdown, and some things you can lookout for in the December night sky.. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 6, 2020 · 47 min
Kielder Observatory CEO Catherine Johns
We speak to Kielder Observatory CEO Catherine Johns about the challenges of making the site Covid safe and keeping disappointed visitors happy, plus looking ahead to exciting new developments in the coming months. Plus we explore the things to lookout for in the night sky through November, and ways you can interact with Kielder Observatory during lockdown! Listen and subscribe now! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 6, 2020 · 47 min
Prof Wallace Arthur - The search for life on other planets.
In this episode we speak to Professor Wallace Arthur, one of the world’s leading experts on the question of life elsewhere in the universe. Find out what he makes of the recent suggestions of microbial life on Venus, how close we are to finding extraterrestrial life, and has ET already found us?! If you’ve never visited us before, Ian Dan and Adam also bring you a virtual tour of Kielder Observatory a explain the different tools available to show you around the Milky Way. And we look ahead to some of the events in the night sky visible even from your own garden through the month of October and beyond, as well as a look ahead to upcoming events at Kielder Observatory. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 1, 2020 · 1 min
Kielder Podcast Trailer
Astronomical News and Information from Kielder Observatory. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.