Spacepod

Carrie Nugent

Hear stories about the alien moons orbiting our Sun, of cold stars, and the future of space exploration. Every week, scientist Dr. Carrie Nugent chats about an amazing part of our universe with an expert guest. Spacepod is the podcast that gives you an inside look into space exploration. Learn more: http://listentospacepod.com

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20 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes20

Newest first

Yesterday · 13 min
237: Why does an asteroid hit the Earth? And why so big?
A question from Lyla, age 5. Dr. Federica Spoto answers. For more on Dr. Spoto's work, see episode 190.
July 1 · 15 min
236: Are there rainbows on other planets? (Part II)
We try, a second time, to answer a question from Maeve, who is almost 3 years old. Dr. Matthew Kenworthy answers. For more on rainbows on other planets, see episode 232.
June 1 · 9 min
235: Why is the sun hot?
A question from Ida, age 4. Miho Janvier answers. Find out more about the Solar Dynamics Observatory, the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), Solar Orbiter, and Proba-3. For more on Dr. Janiver's work, see episode 121.
May 1 · 9 min
234: How many stars are there in space?
A question from Kellan, age 6. Professor Kim McLeod answers. To learn more about Wellesley College's Whitin Observatory, including public visit nights, go here. For more on what you can do to reduce light pollution, see these resources from Dark Sky International.
April 1 · 10 min
232: Are there rainbows on other planets?
A question from Maeve, who is almost 3 years old. Dr. Alejandro Soto answers. For more on Dr. Soto's work, see episodes 44 and 136.
March 2 · 5 min
232: How many potholes are on an asteroid?
A question from Issac, age 5. Dr. Nancy Chabot answers. For more on Dr. Chabot's work, see episodes 7 and 152. For more on the Planetary Defense, see this NASA website. For more on the DART mission, see the mission website.
February 1 · 9 min
231: How big is space?
A question from Issac, age 4. Dr. Jeff Rich answers. For more on Dr. Rich's work, see episodes 14, 81, 118, or 159, or visit the Carnegie Observatories website. Find the pocket solar system instructions here.
January 1 · 5 min
230: What is the fastest planet?
A question from Renny, age 4. Dr. Jessie Christensen answers. For more on Dr. Christensen's work, see episodes 42 and 102.
Dec 1, 2025 · 6 min
229: What do asteroids smell like?
A question from Sabine, age 5. Dr. Christopher Snead answers. For more on Dr. Snead's work, see Episode 184 of Spacepod. Do you know a kid with a space question? Upload it at listentospacepod.com and I'll do my best to get an answer!
Nov 20, 2025 · 7 min
228: Do other planets really have diamond rain?
Dr. Sabine Stanley answers. For more about planetary insides, check out her book, "What's Hidden Inside Planets". Do you know a kid with a space question? Upload it at listentospacepod.com and I'll do my best to get an answer!
Oct 15, 2025 · 5 min
227: What is the fastest asteroid?
Dr. Michael Busch answers. Do you know a kid with a space question? Upload it at listentospacepod.com and I'll do my best to get an answer!
Mar 2, 2025 · 21 min
226: The intersection of computer science and astronomy with Dr. Kubica
Dr. Jeremy Kubica talks about his work on the LINCC Frameworks project, and how he brings together astronomers and computer scientists to create software tools. He shares advice for students and talks about his books, which explain computing concepts in fun and accessible ways.
Dec 22, 2024 · 41 min
225: A newly discovered Martian volcano with Dr. Lee
Dr. Pascal Lee tells the story of how he and his collaborators found a new volcano on Mars. He tells us about the "convergence of lines of evidence" that led to this discovery. He also explains why this site may be a good place to look for life.
Oct 30, 2024 · 54 min
224: Aurora borealis with Tina Ibsen
Astrophysicist Tina Ibsen tells us about the northern lights. She talks about her research and gives tips on how to observe the lights. She tells us how Denmark is a space nation and shares her thoughts about the future of space exploration. We also talk about RumSnak, the space podcast she co-hosts with Anders Høeg Nissen.
Oct 13, 2024 · 23 min
223: Preparing for something we haven't seen yet with Dr. Holt
Dr. Carrie Holt talks about how she's getting ready for the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. She explains how astronomers are using simulated and real data to prepare in advance of this new data.
Aug 4, 2024 · 21 min
222: Measuring the emptiness of space with Dr. Becker
Dr Tracy Becker tells us about solar system science using ultraviolet light. She explains how the color of a planet's northern lights depends on the planet's atmosphere. She also describes how scientists repurposed the New Horizons spacecraft to measure how empty space is.
Jun 23, 2024 · 30 min
221: The queens of heaven with Prof. Tauris
Professor Thomas Tauris explains what gravitational waves can tell us about colliding neutron stars. He corrects Carrie's misconception about how gravitational waves affect people. He also explains how the last 400 years of astronomy have been like watching a silent movie, but now with gravitational waves, we have a soundtrack.
May 19, 2024 · 23 min
220: Walking on the roof of hell with Prof. Stanley
Prof. Sabine Stanley, author of "What's Hidden Inside Planets," tells us how the interior of Earth helps make this planet a nice place to live. She tells us that the Earth's mantle is actually solid rock, not liquid rock. She also explains what the Earth's interior and birthday balloons have in common. Spacepod listeners can get a 30% discount on "What's Hidden Inside Planets" with the code HPLAN if you order through Hopkins Press at press.jhu.edu. (This code is shared as a courtesy, Spacepod does not receive compensation if you order a book.)
Apr 22, 2024 · 32 min
219: Breaking the models with Dr. Merrison
Dr. Jon Merrison talks about the Mars Simulation Laboratory. Here, scientists study what happens in low temperature, low pressure, windy environments. He says visiting scientists often "come to our lab with some idea based on the conventional model and go away with data which makes no sense to them."
Mar 24, 2024 · 26 min
218: Anything we try is new with Dr. Cable
Dr. Morgan Cable returns to the show after nine years! She tells us how she creates new minerals in her laboratory. She explains how this work helps shape NASA's Dragonfly mission. She encourages listeners to have confidence in their results.

Spacepod

237: Why does an asteroid hit the Earth? And why so big?

236: Are there rainbows on other planets? (Part II)

235: Why is the sun hot?

234: How many stars are there in space?

232: Are there rainbows on other planets?

232: How many potholes are on an asteroid?

231: How big is space?

230: What is the fastest planet?

229: What do asteroids smell like?

228: Do other planets really have diamond rain?

227: What is the fastest asteroid?

226: The intersection of computer science and astronomy with Dr. Kubica

225: A newly discovered Martian volcano with Dr. Lee

224: Aurora borealis with Tina Ibsen

223: Preparing for something we haven't seen yet with Dr. Holt

222: Measuring the emptiness of space with Dr. Becker

221: The queens of heaven with Prof. Tauris

220: Walking on the roof of hell with Prof. Stanley

219: Breaking the models with Dr. Merrison

218: Anything we try is new with Dr. Cable