AirSpace Revisited: Journey to the Past

As we wait for season TEN (!!!) we're looking back on this season six favorite.

Every day, satellites orbit Earth taking pictures. These images are used for everything from intelligence to weather prediction and even today’s topic – archaeology. When you hear the term “space archaeology” you might envision a khaki-clad astronaut excavating the Moon. But these space archaeologists are actually Earth-bound researchers who use satellite and other aerial imagery to assist in archaeological applications right here on our home planet. This imagery is used to find new archaeological sites, track changes on already discovered ones, and even helps fight looting. On today’s episode, we hear from a researcher using this technology in Central America to see below the trees and assess where ancient structures may have been. And we talk to a Smithsonian scholar who uses satellite data for cultural heritage preservation.

Thanks to our guests in this episode:

• Dr. Kelsey Herndon, University of Alabama in Huntsville. Researcher-NASA SERVIR Program
• Dr. Katharyn Hanson, Cultural Heritage Preservation Scholar- Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute

Find the transcript here.

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