Astronomers have discovered thousands of exoplanets, and still need to confirm thousands more. And over the coming decades, we’ll probably learn of millions of planets, orbiting stars we’ve never heard of. That’s why it’s reassuring to know astronomers are learning a tremendous amount about the closest star system to our own, Proxima Centauri. In fact, we now know of two planets orbiting the red dwarf star, one of which is in the habitable zone. Thumbnail credit: NASA/Harvard-Smithsonian Center ...
Jun 23, 2020•9 min
Another week, another Open Space. In this week's questions show, I talk about planets orbiting red dwarf stars, if planets could steal moons from each other, and whether or not the space shuttle should have ever been built. 02:58 Is Proxima Centauri C a gas giant? 05:22 How doomed are red dwarf planets? 07:37 Could a planet steal a moon? 10:25 Should we sent asteroids back to Earth to mine them? 14:00 Do any sunlike stars have promising planets? 15:35 Why do meteors turn green? 17:51 Will Starli...
Jun 23, 2020•1 hr 1 min
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Jun 22, 2020•1 hr 26 min
Another week, another Open Space. This week I answer questions about what we might see in the next 5 decades. When dark matter will get debunked, and who will carry the Mars torch after Elon Musk passes away. 03:35 What will happen in the next 5 decades? 07:09 Will dark matter be debunked? 10:50 Who will carry the Mars torch after Elon? 13:17 Do I have a PhD? 14:33 Could civilizations be hiding in the infrared? 19:07 What laws should be in place before a mission to Mars? 23:25 If you could name ...
Jun 22, 2020•59 min
In this week's episode of Open Space, I talk with Dr. Jamie Molaro, a planetary scientist who helped discover that the surface of asteroid Bennu has rocks that crack because of the constant day/night cycle. Learn more about her work: https://twitter.com/spacejammie Our Book is out! https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/ Audio Podcast version: ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2 RSS: https://www.uni...
Jun 22, 2020•1 hr 2 min
I’d say half the astronomy-related videos on YouTube are all about black holes. Clearly, they’re a fascinating topic, but they’re also a mystery. How do you observe something that can absorb all the radiation and matter falling onto them, and nothing can ever escape? How do we know they’re really there, and what are the best observations we can make? Today I’m joined by Dr. Paul Sutter, a cosmologist, and astrophysicist to talk about how we know black holes are really there and not just a figmen...
Jun 22, 2020•14 min
In this week's questions show, I answer questions about how the International Space Station stays above the Earth's atmosphere, does dark matter need a better name? And how do astronomers know they're looking at exoplanets and not sunspots? Michael Rodruck with Pennsylvania State University https://sites.psu.edu/mrodruck/ 00:18 How does the ISS stay up? 01:54 Does dark matter need a better name? 04:12 Could planets orbit something that isn't a star? 07:00 GOTO Telescopes 09:22 How do we know it'...
Jun 09, 2020•26 min
On Sunday, May 31st, 2020, a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule carrying astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley docked with the International Space Station. This was a tremendous accomplishment for SpaceX and NASA, giving the United States the capability of launching its own astronauts, and no longer relying on its Russian partners. This was the 5th time that US astronauts went into orbit on a new kind of space vehicle, following in the footsteps of Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and the Space Shuttle. ...
Jun 05, 2020•10 min
Another week, another Open Space. This week, I answered questions about whether space-time could freeze, are standard candles like Type 1a supernovae still useful? And is the Great Attractor just a black hole? 04:33 Could spacetime freeze? 06:48 Any plans for solar observing in the star parties? 07:26 Are standard candles still useful? 14:15 Predicting future locations of planets? 15:26 Is the great attractor a black hole? 19:02 Is there a speed limit for gravity assists? 20:04 Why are there so ...
Jun 03, 2020•1 hr
In this week's live Open Space, people wanted to know if solar sails really work, will we ever get close to the speed of light, what's the best way to get out of Venus' gravity well, and more? 01:46 Do solar sails really work? 02:48 Will we ever get close to the speed of light? 06:22 Best way to get off Venus? 08:45 What about the standard candle? 11:45 Why is it so hard to get to Mercury? 14:15 Could FTL escape a black hole? 15:10 How did the astronauts deal with regolith? 18:12 Could there be ...
May 29, 2020•1 hr
In this week's questions show, I answer whether or not dark matter could become a black hole, how do we know the Universe is flat, and what would happen to the world's market for precious metals once we start mining asteroids? Natalie Hinkel, SWRI http://www.nataliehinkel.com/ Follow Natalie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/natalie_hinkel/ 00:26 Can dark matter turn into a black hole? 05:07 If the Universe is flat, how can it be expanding? 08:00 Will asteroid mining devalue markets on Earth? 10:0...
May 25, 2020•30 min
When you’re out in space, water is the most precious resource you can get your hands on. It can be used for air, water, to grow food, radiation shielding, and most importantly, as the propellant for your spacecraft. Exploration of the Moon has revealed that there’s a tremendous amount of water ice locked into the regolith, but it’s probably very difficult to access. But there are also permanently shadowed craters at the Moon’s poles that could have more than enough water to support a permanently...
May 20, 2020•9 min
On a special time, we've got a special guest, Professor Martin Rees, a British cosmologist and astrophysicist. He's the Astronomer Royal and helped develop many of the modern theories of astronomy and cosmology. His latest book is On the Future: Prospects for Humanity, published in October, 2018. https://royalsociety.org/people/martin-rees-12156/ Our Book is out! https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/ Audio Podcast version: ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/u...
May 20, 2020•58 min
In this week's live QA, I explain why a black hole can have infinite density but not infinite gravity. Does your perception of time change due to your mass, and am I ever intimidated by the people I get to interview? 03:00 How can a singularity have infinite density and not infinite gravity? 06:02 Does your perception of time change due to your mass? 08:10 How do I feel about String Theory? 10:20 Am I intimidated by people I interview? 12:47 Is intelligent design a scientific theory? 15:21 Why d...
May 20, 2020•59 min
The distances to other stars are depressingly enormous. Sure, it’s incredibly far to get to Mars, Jupiter, and even Pluto, but at least you can design a robotic spacecraft to make the journey and see the science results in your own lifetime. But in the case of other stars, interstellar flight times will take thousands and even tens of thousands of years to send just a robotic mission. Fortunately, the Milky Way has got our back. Other star systems have been hurling comets and asteroids towards t...
May 14, 2020•10 min
This week's guest is Moiya McTier. You might know Moiya as one of the regular co-hosts on the Weekly Space Hangout. She's an astrophysicist and science communicator, working with Columbia's Cool Worlds Lab. Find out more: https://www.moiyamctier.com/ Our Book is out! https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/ Audio Podcast version: ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2 RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/...
May 14, 2020•57 min
In this week's live QA, I explain what's happening with Universe Today during the megavirus, what I think about the recently released UFO videos, how aliens could hide their existence, and if Starship will cause a Kessler Syndrome. 05:05 What about those UFO videos? 08:38 How could aliens hide their existence? 13:20 How does the Decadal Survey work? 14:12 Will Starship cause a Kessler Syndrome? 16:06 Starship SN4 update 17:21 Why would aliens bother using old tech to communicate? 19:34 Could reg...
May 11, 2020•59 min
The Moon orbits around the Earth. The Earth orbits around the Sun. And out in the distant Universe, astronomers have found a system that takes this logical progression to its most extreme. There’s a system where a supermassive black hole with millions of times the mass of the Sun orbits another black hole with billions of times the mass of the Sun. How astronomers discovered this incredible interaction took careful observations, imagination, and the hard work of the Spitzer Space Telescope, take...
May 11, 2020•10 min
This week's guest is DasValdez, a popular Twitch stream who covers all things Kerbal Space Space. Das has carried this love of space exploration and astronomy into the real world, with absolutely fascinating coverage of rocket launches and virtual tours of museums. Follow DasValdez on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/dasvaldez Our Book is out! https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/ Audio Podcast version: ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today...
May 07, 2020•1 hr
This week I'll be joined by Dr. Ryan Watkins, a planetary scientist who focuses on exploration of the Moon. She's a member of the Science Advisory Board for the Blue Origin Blue Moon landing program. Learn more about her work here: https://www.psi.edu/about/staffpage/rclegg-watkins Our Book is out! https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/ Audio Podcast version: ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2 RSS...
Apr 22, 2020•1 hr
Dr. Pekka Janhunen is a researcher with the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the inventor of the Electric Solar Wind Sail concept, using the solar wind as a propulsion system for spacecraft. These could allow spacecraft to explore many regions of the Solar System without any onboard propellant at all. More information about Dr. Janhunen: https://space.fmi.fi/~pjanhune/ Learn more about the concept in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pIl_cv3OkA Our Book is out! https://www.amazon....
Apr 22, 2020•1 hr 1 min
This week I'm joined by Dr. Kevin Peter Hand, the Pre-Project Scientist for the Europa Lander mission concept and Director of JPL's Ocean Worlds Lab to talk about the alien oceans located across the Solar System. Learn more about Dr. Hand here: https://science.jpl.nasa.gov/people/Hand/ His new book is out now: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691179513/alien-oceans Our Book is out! https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/ Audio Podcast version: ...
Apr 22, 2020•59 min
I'll be joined by Scott Manley, programmer, DJ and spaceflight explainer on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxzC4EngIsMrPmbm6Nxvb-A Our Book is out! https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/ Audio Podcast version: ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2 RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio What Fraser's Watching Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbJ42wpShvmkjd428BcHcCEVWOjv7cJ...
Apr 08, 2020•1 hr 3 min
Professor Brian Keating returns to Open Space to talk about the big concepts in cosmology, from inflation to the largest scale structures. Dr. Keating was the Principal Investigator of the BICEP2 experiment, and now he's the Director of the Simons Observatory in Chile. https://briankeating.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmXH_moPhfkqCk6S3b9RWuw/ Our Book is out! https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/ Audio Podcast version: ITunes: https://itunes.apple....
Apr 08, 2020•1 hr 1 min
Today I'm joined by Dr. Phil Metzger, a planetary physicist with the Planetary Science faculty at the University of Central Florida. Phil specializes in economic planetary science, helping humanity learn to prosper in space. https://www.philipmetzger.com/bio/ Our Book is out! https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/ Audio Podcast version: ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2 RSS: https://www.universet...
Mar 31, 2020•1 hr 1 min
Today I'm joined by Dr. Matt O'Dowd from the successful PBS Space Time YouTube Channel. Matt is an astrophysicist and associate professor in the Physics and Astronomy Department at the Lehman College of the City University of New York. Check out PBS Space Time here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7_gcs09iThXybpVgjHZ_7g Our Book is out! https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/ Audio Podcast version: ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-...
Mar 31, 2020•1 hr 3 min
Today I'll be joined by Susanna Kohler, an astrophysics Ph.D. and science writer for the American Astronomical Society. Follow Dr. Kohler on Twitter: https://twitter.com/susannakohler Our Book is out! https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/ Audio Podcast version: ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2 RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio What Fraser's Watching Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/play...
Mar 31, 2020•59 min
Today I'll be joined by Jim Al-Khalili, a professor of physics at the University of Surrey. He's a well-known science presenter in the UK and has written many books on science and physics. His newest book is "The World According to Physics". Learn more about Jim: https://www.jimal-khalili.com/ Our Book is out! https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/ Audio Podcast version: ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058...
Mar 12, 2020•28 min
One of the longstanding questions astronomers have had is, are we normal? Is our Solar System a template for what we might expect to see as we look out into the Milky Way at other star systems? As the data continues to come in, the answer to that question really seems to be no, we’re not normal. Star systems seem to have a huge variety of planets orbiting them. Familiar planets like our own terrestrial, gas and ice worlds. But then there are also super earths, mini-neptunes, hot jupiters. And it...
Mar 12, 2020•10 min
My guest today is Rob Hoyt, the CEO and Chief Scientist of Tethers Unlimited. Founded in 1994, Tethers Unlimited is working on space-based assembly and manufacturing technologies. Learn more about the company here: https://www.tethers.com/ Our Book is out! https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/ Audio Podcast version: ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2 RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio What ...
Mar 12, 2020•59 min
