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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240 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes240

Newest first

Jul 24, 2022 · 28 min
199: Why can't we find Planet Nine with Prof. Lawler
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.
Jun 19, 2022 · 24 min
198: Dragonfly with Dr. Turtle
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.
May 22, 2022 · 27 min
197: A massive asteroid hit at tremendous speed with Prof. Richardson
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.
Apr 17, 2022 · 25 min
196: Spinning universe with Dr. Cheng
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!
Mar 20, 2022 · 40 min
195: Dark and quiet skies with Dr. Rawls
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 together to help fix this problem.
Feb 20, 2022 · 29 min
194: Exoplanet next door with Prof Whitten
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.
Jan 23, 2022 · 19 min
193: Orbital parking spots with Larissa Markwardt
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.
Dec 21, 2021 · 24 min
192: Craters on Titan with Prof. Neish
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.
Nov 22, 2021 · 30 min
191: Back to Venus with Dr. Getty
Dr. Stephanie Getty tells us about DAVINCI, which will go to Venus. DAVINCI will scan the planet during three flybys, and will deploy a probe. She explains how engineers will protect the probe's instruments from Venus' harsh environment, and how you can't build a spacecraft without meetings and emails.
Oct 24, 2021 · 31 min
190: Millions of observations with Dr. Spoto
Dr. Federica Spoto tells us how she found millions of high-precision observations of comets and asteroids. She explains how these observations let her turn back time and study the history of the main belt of asteroids in our solar system.
Sep 19, 2021 · 27 min
189: Long Range Planning with Prof. Barmby
Professor Barmby tells us how a group of astronomers created the Canadian Astronomy Long Range Plan. This plan outlines the priorities of Canadian astronomers for the next decade. It covers telescopes, computing resources, diversity and inclusion in astronomy, and the need to consider the environmental consequences of astronomy.
Aug 22, 2021 · 22 min
188: Failing is the most important part of science with Tyler Linder
Planetary defense researcher Tyler Linder talks about the benefits of using automated telescopes. He tells us the difference between an automated and a robotic telescope, and explains that inexpensive telescope time lets students learn, experiment, and fail. He describes the work he does with students, and why it is important to him.
Jul 25, 2021 · 27 min
187: You doubt your own existence with Prof. Méndez
Prof. Abel Méndez tells us about his Planetary Habitability Lab. He talks about the chances of discovering extraterrestrial life, explaining that we are "alone by isolation and distance." He also tells us about his team's Visible Paleo-Earth project, as well as the proposed plans to rebuild the Arecibo Radio Telescope.
Jun 20, 2021 · 30 min
186: What's more powerful than a dinosaur with Dr. Noviello
Dr. Jessica Noviello tells us a story about the power of interdisciplinary science: the time geologists, physicists, archeologists, chemists, paleontologists, and petroleum engineers all came together to solve a big mystery. This story focuses on a layer of clay that divides the "dinosaur part of time" from the "non dinosaur part of time."
May 23, 2021 · 23 min
185: Solar system snapshots with Kevin Gill
Kevin Gill explains how he transforms raw spacecraft images into stunning planet photos. He describes how he turns black and white images from the Juno spacecraft into full color mosaics of Jupiter. He also tells us about his experiences with the "King of Cameras" on Cassini.
Apr 18, 2021 · 31 min
184: Samples are forever with Prof. Snead
Prof. Christopher Snead tells us how he is preparing a very clean laboratory. In this lab, scientists will store and study Hayabusa-2 mission asteroid samples. The samples will be photographed and manipulated without ever touching Earth's atmosphere.
Mar 21, 2021 · 26 min
183: The solar wind with Dr. Jian
Dr. Lan Jian talks to us about the solar wind, which is ionized gas from the sun. It transfers energy from the sun to the planets, and can impact astronauts and technology. She shares her research, which includes interpreting data from spacecraft and computer modeling.
Feb 21, 2021 · 22 min
182: Radar polarization with Dr. Hickson
Dr. Dylan Hickson talks about how he studies the surfaces of asteroids using reflected radio waves. By comparing the reflections to mathematical models and data from Earth, he tries to determine if an asteroid's surface is blocky, dusty, or both.
Jan 24, 2021 · 29 min
181: Young Stellar Objects with Dr. Smith
Dr. Rachel Smith tells us about her research into young stellar objects. These new stars are surrounded by a cloud of dust that may eventually become planets. Dr. Smith also explains why she thinks it is important to physically travel to telescopes when she makes her observations.
Dec 20, 2020 · 27 min
180: Space Advocacy with Casey Dreier
Casey Dreier, Chief Advocate of the Planetary Society, stops by to chat about space policy. He explains why human spaceflight is such a challenge, and talks about how scientists decide which planet to explore. He also explains how individual citizens from around the world can influence space policy.

Spacepod

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

198: Dragonfly with Dr. Turtle

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

196: Spinning universe with Dr. Cheng

195: Dark and quiet skies with Dr. Rawls

194: Exoplanet next door with Prof Whitten

193: Orbital parking spots with Larissa Markwardt

192: Craters on Titan with Prof. Neish

191: Back to Venus with Dr. Getty

190: Millions of observations with Dr. Spoto

189: Long Range Planning with Prof. Barmby

188: Failing is the most important part of science with Tyler Linder

187: You doubt your own existence with Prof. Méndez

186: What's more powerful than a dinosaur with Dr. Noviello

185: Solar system snapshots with Kevin Gill

184: Samples are forever with Prof. Snead

183: The solar wind with Dr. Jian

182: Radar polarization with Dr. Hickson

181: Young Stellar Objects with Dr. Smith

180: Space Advocacy with Casey Dreier