Looking Up - podcast cover

Looking Up

Cincinnati Public Radiowww.wvxu.org
Join Dean Regas, astronomer, author, and space expert on a journey through the stars! Guests from all over the globe bring their knowledge and passion about today’s latest scientific discoveries and advancements. From eclipses to supernovas, from rockets to rovers; there’s a whole universe to explore! Dean is the author of “How to Teach Grown-Ups About Pluto” and “100 Things to See in the Night Sky” and was the longtime host of PBS' Stargazers television program. Looking Up is a production of Cincinnati Public Radio.
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Episodes

Eating Like an Astronaut (with Mark Borison)

How do you eat in space? Simple everyday chores like sleeping or going to the bathroom take on all new challenges when you're weightless and floating in mid-air. Dean is joined by Mark Borison, Host of The Jungle Jims Podcast to do a space food taste test.We want to hear from you! Send us your thoughts on this episode at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcast

Feb 13, 202616 min

Early Astrophotography was Controversial (with Anika Burgess)

The question seems completely absurd to us in the 21st century: should we use cameras to help with astronomical research? Well, of course. Why wouldn’t we? But in the early 20th century, this was a heated debate that echoed in the domes of many established observatories around the world. So when did the camera really outshine the eye for documenting things in space? Dean Regas and Flashes of Brilliance author Anika Burgess explore examples of early photography and how it transformed art, science...

Jan 30, 202616 min

Trappist-1 is Not Like Our Sun (with Dr. Néstor Espinoza)

The universe is enormous and time to observe it is limited. This means planet-hunters have to be extra picky in their search for habitable worlds. Dean chats with Dr. Néstor Espinoza, an astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute who has his eye on one specific star system, Trappist-1. We want to hear from you! Send us your thoughts on this episode at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcast

Jan 16, 202619 min

The Martian Craze of the Gilded Age (with David Baron)

Mars and Martians. They go together in the public's mind. The Earthling fascination with "alien invaders" goes back a long time. But why? And what does it say about all of us here on Earth? Dean explores this cultural phenomenon with David Baron, author of "The Martians." Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcast

Jan 02, 202617 min

FROM THE ARCHIVE: Space 2 Inspire (with Dr. Sian Proctor)

Revisiting a favorite episode from 2025: Dean chats with Inspiration4 astronaut and artist, Dr. Sian Proctor about seeing Earth from outer space, and her book, "Earthlight, The Power of Earthlight and the Human Perspective."

Dec 19, 202519 min

FROM THE ARCHIVE: How will the universe end? (with Dr. Katie Mack)

Dean chats with Dr. Katie Mack, astrophysicist, cosmologist, and author of the book, "The End of Everything." They discuss how all of this might end, could it be a crunch, a freeze or a rip? Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcast Find Us Online: Twitter: @lookinguppod @deanregas, Instagram: @917wvxu @deanregas, Tiktok: @cincinnatipublicradio @astronomerdean, Episode transcript: www.wvxu.org/podcast/looking-up, More from Dean: www.astrodea...

Dec 05, 202513 min

The Forgotten Water on Venus (with Dr. Rakesh Mogul)

Venus is close-by and similar in size to Earth, but until recently, we couldn’t tell much about it. Dr. Rakesh Mogul, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, at Cal Poly Pomona took another look at old Venus data to potentially change what we know about our sister planet. Dean chats with Dr. Mogul to unravel the mystery.

Nov 21, 202516 min

On Top of the World (with Peter Hillary and Mark Armstrong)

Peter Hillary's father, Sir Edmund Hillary, was the first person to climb Mt. Everest. Mark Armstrong's father, Neil Armstrong, was the first person to walk on the moon. Now, the two sons of iconic explorers are going on an adventure together to the North Pole. This journey, and a parallel journey their fathers took in 1985, are the subject of a new documentary, 'North Pole ’85'. Music in this episode was composed by Blue Dot Sessions. Tracks include “Plate Synthesis,” “Just Below the Surface,” ...

Nov 07, 202517 min

Over 6000 New Worlds; Do Any of them Contain Life? (with Dr. Malena Rice)

After NASA's recent milestone of over 6000 exoplanets tracked, Dean Regas has one big question. Is anyone living on them? On this episode, Dean chats with Dr. Malena Rice, a planetary astrophysicist and assistant professor in the Yale Department of Astronomy, to find out. Find Us Online: Twitter: @lookinguppod @deanregas, Instagram: @917wvxu @deanregas, Tiktok: @cincinnatipublicradio @astronomerdean, Episode transcript: www.wvxu.org/podcast/looking-up More from Dean: www.astrodean.com

Oct 27, 202520 min

What Happens if You Fall Into a Black Hole? (With Dr. Janna Levin)

What happens if you fall into a black hole? What would it sound like? What would you see? Dean Regas chats with Dr. Janna Levin, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Barnard College of Columbia University, to find out the answers to these questions and more. Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcast Find Us Online: Twitter: @lookinguppod @deanregas, Instagram: @917wvxu @deanregas, Tiktok: @cincinnatipublicradio @astronomerdean, Episode tran...

Oct 10, 202516 min

It's All Fun and Games Until You Discover a Planet (with Dr. Konstantin Batygin)

Dr. Konstantin Batygin, professor of Planetary Science at Caltech, made a joke that turned out to be true. In 2014, another Caltech professor, Mike Brown, brought an intriguing research paper to Batygin's attention. The paper described a peculiar planetary alignment in the outer solar system. While developing theoretical models to explain the paper's assertions, Brown and Batygin had a running gag, "We were like, okay, as a joke, let's put a planet in the outer solar system just to see what woul...

Sep 29, 202519 min

Night at the Observatory (with Thomas Lennon)

Has anyone written more screenplays than Albert Einstein? On this episode of Looking Up, Dean Regas consults with comedian, screenwriter, and Chris Hadfield look-alike, Thomas Lennon, on this very question. Extra music from Free Music Archive in this episode: Imprinter by Chad Crouch, Robert Wadlow’s Blister by Monroeville Music Center and Last rites for Maria Capovilla by Monroeville Music Center. Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcast F...

Sep 12, 202516 min

Buzzkill Astronomers and Star Hustlers (with James Albury)

"Some people hustle pool, some people hustle cars, but have you ever heard of the man who hustles stars?" From 1976 to 1997, these lines began every episode of Jack Horkheimer: Star Hustler, the astronomy show from WPBT, South Florida PBS. Later on Star Hustler was rebranded to Star Gazers, and hosts Dean Regas and James Albury took over after Horkheimer's passing. In this episode of Looking Up, Dean and James reminisce on production of the show, plus, "buzzkill" astronomy is back! Send us your ...

Aug 29, 202516 min

Shh... Astronomers are Sleeping! (with Vannessa Gressieux)

You might have to watch the sunrise by yourself at Kitt Peak Observatory. At night, astronomers and technicians conduct research and lead tours for the public. But as the sun starts to peek over the Quinlan Mountains, everyone is still asleep. Dean Regas chats with Vannessa Gressieux, the docent and guide coordinator at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, to learn more. Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcast Find Us Online: Twitter...

Aug 15, 202518 min

The Human Computer Who Changed Fluid Dynamics (with Anne Saker)

Science journalist Anne Saker describes the Chandrasekhar Limit as a range of possibility where if a planet has enough stability in its magnetic force and its gravitational force, it can sustain life. This Nobel Prize winning discovery changed the field of fluid dynamics. Though it was named after theoretical physicist Dr. Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, he credited his computer, Donna Elbert, "for without her part, there would have been no substance.” Dean Regas chats with Anne Saker to learn more ...

Aug 02, 202517 min

Watching Your Dad Land on the Moon (with Mark Armstrong)

Dean Regas chats with Mark Armstrong, son of Neil Armstrong, about the Apollo 11 moon landing. Listen in to learn about Mark's upbringing under the lunar spotlight, and his current work with the Vantage Earth Foundation. Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcast Find Us Online: Twitter: @lookinguppod @deanregas, Instagram: @917wvxu @deanregas, Tiktok: @cincinnatipublicradio @astronomerdean, Episode transcript: www.wvxu.org/podcast/looking-up...

Jul 11, 202519 min

The Comet that Crashed into Jupiter (with David Levy)

Dean Regas chats with astronomer David Levy, unpacking the discovery of the famous Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9. Listen in and find out how you can start chasing comets yourself. Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcast Find Us Online: Twitter: @lookinguppod @deanregas, Instagram: @917wvxu @deanregas, Tiktok: @cincinnatipublicradio @astronomerdean, Episode transcript: www.wvxu.org/podcast/looking-up, More from Dean: www.astrodean.com

Jun 27, 202515 min

Exploring Oddball Stars (with Dr. Gerard van Belle)

Dean Regas chats with Dr. Gerard van Belle, a tenured astronomer and the director of science at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Listen to find out how the star Altair got its "oddball" shape. Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcast Find Us Online: Twitter: @lookinguppod @deanregas, Instagram: @917wvxu @deanregas, Tiktok: @cincinnatipublicradio @astronomerdean, Episode transcript: www.wvxu.org/podcast/looking-up, More from Dea...

Jun 13, 202514 min

I Heart Pluto (with Alan Stern)

Dean chats with Alan Stern, a planetary scientist for the New Horizons mission exploring Pluto. Listen for the latest on the mission and behind the scenes audio from the I Heart Pluto Festival in Flagstaff, Arizona. Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcast Find Us Online: Twitter: @lookinguppod @deanregas, Instagram: @917wvxu @deanregas, Tiktok: @cincinnatipublicradio @astronomerdean, Episode transcript: www.wvxu.org/podcast/looking-up, Mor...

Jun 02, 202518 min

Do Lights Really Make People Safer? (with Stephen Hummel)

Dean chats with Stephen Hummel, Dark Skies Initiative coordinator at the University of Texas at Austin and at the McDonald Observatory. Listen in to learn how you can support dark sky preservation from home, no matter where you live. Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcast Find Us Online: Twitter: @lookinguppod @deanregas, Instagram: @917wvxu @deanregas, Tiktok: @cincinnatipublicradio @astronomerdean, Episode transcript: www.wvxu.org/podca...

May 16, 202514 min

Can Elon Musk Even Go to Mars? (with Oliver Morton)

Dean gets to the root of this question with guest Oliver Morton, Senior Editor for the Economist and author of the book, "The Moon: A History for the Future." They discuss Musk's likelihood for a Mars landing, and what the future of private space travel could mean for present Earthlings. Should you be on the rescue-ship to Mars? Tell us what you think by writing to us at looking up@wvxu.org and let us know what job skills will get you to Mars someday. Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org ...

May 02, 202516 min

Touch the Stars; Astronomy for People who are Visually Impaired (with Noreen Grice)

Dean chats with Noreen Grice, the founder of You Can Do Astronomy, an accessibility design and consulting company with a focus on making astronomy and space science accessible for everyone! Music from Blue Dot Sessions (CC BY-NC) this episode includes the following titles: Batholith, Spinning Cam, Silent Obelisk and Flame. Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcast Find Us online: Twitter: @lookinguppod @deanregas, Instagram: @917wvxu @deanre...

Apr 18, 202517 min

Is an Asteroid Headed Towards Earth? (with Pranvera Hyseni)

Dean sets the record straight on Asteroid 2024 YR4 and chats with Pranvera Hyseni, a PhD student at the University of California Santa Cruz, and the Founder and Director of Astronomy Outreach of Kosovo. Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcast Find Us online: Twitter: @lookinguppod @deanregas, Instagram: @917wvxu @deanregas, Tiktok: @cincinnatipublicradio @astronomerdean, Episode transcript: www.wvxu.org/podcast/looking-up, More from Dean: ...

Apr 04, 202517 min

Viewing Earth from Outer Space (with Mark Brown)

Dean chats with Mark Brown a former Air Force pilot astronaut and now an aerospace consultant to companies going above and beyond. Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcast Find Us online: Twitter: @lookinguppod @deanregas, Instagram: @917wvxu @deanregas, Tiktok: @cincinnatipublicradio @astronomerdean, Episode transcript: www.wvxu.org/podcast/looking-up, More from Dean: www.astrodean.com

Mar 21, 202516 min

Space 2 Inspire (with Dr. Sian Proctor)

Dean chats with Inspiration4 astronaut and artist, Dr. Sian Proctor about seeing Earth from outer space, and her book, "Earthlight, The Power of Earthlight and the Human Perspective." Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcast Find Us online: Twitter: @lookinguppod @deanregas, Instagram: @917wvxu @deanregas, Tiktok: @cincinnatipublicradio @astronomerdean, Episode transcript: www.wvxu.org/podcast/looking-up, More from Dean: www.astrodean.com...

Mar 07, 202518 min

Why Can't Lunar Eclipses be at 8 PM?

Lunar eclipses always happen at ridiculous hours but you don’t have to pull an all-nighter to enjoy one! Dean shares tips for making the most out of the 2025 Lunar Eclipse happening late on the night of March 13th into the early hours of March 14th. Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcast Find Us online: Twitter: @lookinguppod @deanregas, Instagram: @917wvxu @deanregas, Tiktok: @cincinnatipublicradio @astronomerdean, Episode transcript: ww...

Feb 21, 202511 min

Trekking to Mountain-Top Observatories (with Norbert Vance)

Dean describes some of the world's more remote observatories, and chats with professor of physics and astronomy at Eastern Michigan University and the director of the Sherzer Observatory, Norbert Vance, about his experience traveling to one of them.This episode features the following songs (and licenses): "TK Shell," Blue Dot Sessions, Free Music Archive,CC BY-NC, "3.07," Anemoia, Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC-SA, "5.39", Anemoia, Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC-SA, and "Rose Lemonade," Brylie Chris...

Feb 07, 202515 min

Looking Through Antique Telescopes (with John Briggs)

Dean chats with one of the all-time experts in antique telescopes and curator of the most unique telescope museum, the Astronomical Lyceum in New Mexico, John Briggs.This episode uses the song "Almond Biter", Blue Dot Sessions, Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC.Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcastFind Us Online: Twitter: @lookinguppod @deanregas, Instagram: @917wvxu @deanregas, Tiktok: @cincinnatipublicradio @astronomerdean, Episode transcri...

Jan 24, 202515 min

The Pluto Killer (with Mike Brown)

Dean chats with Mike Brown, the so-called "killer of Pluto," about why Pluto was demoted from planet status and how people have reacted to the change. And about a new planet that might take it's place!Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcastFind Us Online: Twitter: @lookinguppod @deanregas, Instagram: @917wvxu @deanregas, Tiktok: @cincinnatipublicradio @astronomerdean, Episode transcript: www.wvxu.org/podcast/looking-up, More from Dean: www...

Jan 10, 202515 min

ARCHIVE SELECT: Maria Mitchell's Comet (with Maria Popova)

This holiday season we are re-releasing an episode of Looking Up that was a 2024 Excellence in Journalism Recipient from the Society of Professional Journalists Awards! Dean chats with author Maria Popova about the first recognized female astronomer in the United States, Maria Mitchell. Listen to learn about her exciting comet discovery, and the best way to catch a comet sighting yourself! Send us your thoughts at lookingup@wvxu.org or post them on social media using #lookinguppodcastFind Us Onl...

Dec 27, 202418 min
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