Episode 730: Interview with Fraser on the Debrief Podcast
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Apr 12, 2021•57 min
Universe Today Podcast
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Episodes
Episode 729: Q&A 142: Do Pulsars Slow Down? And More...
In this week's questions show, I look at the rotation rate of pulsars, why NASA is such a fan of the term in-situ and what our plans are for exploring the Universe. 00:00 Start 00:49 Do pulsars ever slow down? 03:20 What's with in-situ? 05:17 Europa or Enceladus? 07:42 How far could Starships go? 09:27 Can planets be in orbital resonance? 10:44 Would fusion work for space travel? 12:46 What are the plans for colonising the universe? 14:26 How soon until we can starhop to another star? 16:17 Why ...
Apr 12, 2021•44 min
Episode 728: Interview: Oumuamua, Aliens and Astrophysics with Dr. Avi Loeb
Professor Avi Loeb is a theoretical physicist from Harvard who has worked on many advances in space and astrophysics. He helped predict exoplanet discoveries using microlensing, worked on the mathematics for the Event Horizon Telescope, and has many fascinating opinions about the search for extraterrestrials. https://lweb.cfa.harvard.edu/~loeb/ 🚀 OUR WEBSITE: ════════════════════════════════════ https://www.universetoday.com/ 🚀 PODCAST LINKS: ════════════════════════════════════ RSS: https://u...
Apr 09, 2021•1 hr 1 min
Episode 727: Interview: Vera Rubin and Time-Domain Astronomy with Dr. James Davenport
My guest is Dr. James Davenport, a research assistant professor at the University of Washington. In addition to his research into magnetically active stars, James focuses on large-scale, time-domain astronomy. He's also a prolific communicator here on YouTube, breaking down complicated scientific topics and documenting astronomy meetings for the general public. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg6zx6fQG_Xo639TIjwJSZA 🚀 OUR WEBSITE: ════════════════════════════════════ https://www.universetoday....
Apr 09, 2021•1 hr
Episode 726: Q&A 141: Is It Ethical To Send Humans to Mars? And More...
In this week's questions show, I tackle some challenging questions, like the ethics of sending humans to Mars, and whether it's better to focus on our efforts on Earth or on space exploration. Should we welcome a Carrington Event? Are there any serious competitors to SpaceX in the market right now? 00:00 Start 00:49 Is it ethical to send people to Mars? 04:01 Welcoming a Carrington Event? 07:07 Is Starship legitimate? 12:09 Should we spend money on space or Earth? 16:36 Is there a limit to gravi...
Apr 05, 2021•39 min
Episode 725: Q&A 140: Are the Stars We Can See Special in Any Way? And More...
In this week's questions show, I talk about the stars we can see with our own eyes. Are they special? How long does it take solar flares to reach Earth? How will crimes on Mars be prosecuted? 00:00 Start 00:39 What types of stars can we see? 02:07 How long does it take for a solar flare to reach us? 04:19 Will I watch Foundation? 05:39 Crimes on Mars? 08:31 How will future spaceships slow down? 11:06 End of the Earth conspiracy theories 14:22 Will today's children live long enough to see interst...
Mar 29, 2021•37 min
Episode 724: Q&A 139: Could We Give the Moon an Atmosphere? And More...
In this week's questions show, I answer questions about supernovae, how we could terraform the Moon, and why is Starlink so expensive? 00:00 Start 00:55 When is the next Star Party? 06:21 When will we have better images of exoplanets? 09:25 Am I afraid of another Carrington Event? 13:03 How do astronomers book telescopes? 16:33 Can giant stars have smaller stars orbiting them? 19:31 Have I seen Space Sweepers? 20:17 Could we give the Moon an atmosphere? 21:48 Why not go to Ganymede? 23:53 How ma...
Mar 22, 2021•47 min
Episode 721: Interview: Jack Burns and the Lunar FARSIDE Telescope
This week I talk to Dr. Jack Burns, the Principle Investigator for the Lunar FARSIDE telescope. This would be a radio telescope installed on the far side of the Moon that would be capable of observing the first stars and black holes during the Dark Ages and Epoch of Reionization. https://www.colorado.edu/project/lunar-farside/dr-jack-burns 🚀 OUR WEBSITE: ════════════════════════════════════ https://www.universetoday.com/ 🚀 PODCAST LINKS: ════════════════════════════════════ RSS: https://univer...
Mar 18, 2021•59 min
Episode 722: Interview: Prof. Benjamin Zuckerman on Giant Space Interferometers and Slow Interstellar Exploration
Today I'm interviewing Dr. Benjamin Zuckerman, emeritus professor from UCLA. Zuckerman is the author of over 200 papers, and was involved with the first direct imaging of a multi-planetary system. http://astro.ucla.edu/personnel/benjamin-zuckerman 🚀 OUR WEBSITE: ════════════════════════════════════ https://www.universetoday.com/ 🚀 PODCAST LINKS: ════════════════════════════════════ RSS: https://universetoday.com/audio iTunes: https://universetoday.com/itunes Spotify: https://universetoday.com/...
Mar 18, 2021•1 hr 2 min
Episode 723: Q&A 138: When Will Starships Stop Exploding? And More...
In this week's questions show, I talk about how dark matter seems to clump differently from regular matter. When will Starships stop exploding? And what do I think about the Stellina telescope? Image credit: Everyday Astronaut https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6uKrU_WqJ1R2HMTY3LIx5Q 00:00 Start 00:36 Does dark matter clump? 05:35 When will Starships stop exploding? 10:33 What do I think about the Stellina telescope? 14:44 Do I think there's a bias against searching for life? 19:27 What will the ...
Mar 18, 2021•51 min
Episode 720: Interview: Christopher Morrison and the Interstellar Sample Return Mission
This week I talk to Christopher Morrison from USNC about their recently awarded NIAC Grant. Their grant will investigate the feasibility of a radioisotope-electric propelled spacecraft that could intercept and retrieve a sample from a future interstellar asteroid or comet. You can learn more about it here: https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/niac/2021_Phase_I/Extrasolar_Object_Interceptor_and_Sample_Return/ 🚀 OUR WEBSITE: ════════════════════════════════════ https://www.universetoday.co...
Mar 15, 2021•1 hr 1 min
Episode 719: Q&A 137: What Impressed Me The Most About Perseverance's Landing? And More...
In this week's live questions show, we spend a lot of time talking about the Perseverance landing on Mars. What's happening with my content right now, and is anyone watching the Moon for meteorite impacts? 00:00 Start 00:15 What was the best part of the Perseverance landing? 03:28 Why is the data transfer to Mars so good? 05:43 How do you test AI to work remotely on Mars? 07:56 How did they decelerate the rover? 09:20 Is there a microphone on the rover? 11:10 When will ESA's rover going? 14:37 H...
Mar 04, 2021•47 min
Episode 718: Interview with Fraser on SciManDan Podcast
Support Universe Today Podcast
Mar 03, 2021•49 min
Episode 717: Q&A 136: Should Falcon Heavy Launch the Lunar Gateway? And More...
In this week's questions show, I talk about why some missions go into orbit, and other missions make a direct landing on Mars. Is it a good idea for the SpaceX Falcon Heavy to launch components for the Lunar Gateway? And how can we know if the Universe is finite or infinite? 00:00 Start 00:30 Why go into orbit when NASA goes straight for landing? 04:19 What about SpaceX launching the Lunar Gateway? 08:45 Is the Universe finite or infinite? 11:52 Would a big black hole event horizon look flat? 12...
Feb 23, 2021•47 min
Episode 716: Q&A 135: Where Will We Find Life First? In the Solar System or Another Star?
00:00 Start 00:22 Easier to find life in the Solar System or Milky Way? 05:13 Could an exosuit simulate gravity? 06:36 Could you use water as a propulsion system? 08:28 Could you have space-based interferometry? 13:02 Are the moons of Jupiter in severe radiation? 14:19 Is anyone working on spinning habitats? 18:05 What about Amazon's satellite constellations? 22:19 Can you have rogue planets without a star? 25:52 How do you stop a lightsail? 27:22 How far will James Webb see? 31:35 Could gravita...
Feb 17, 2021•48 min
Episode 715: Interview: Chris Prophet, SpaceX From the Ground Up
This week I interview Chris Prophet, the author of "SpaceX from the Ground Up". His book, now in its 6th edition covers the story of SpaceX, from its initial concept to the latest Starship tests. https://www.amazon.com/SpaceX-Ground-Up-Chris-Prophet-ebook/dp/B01CUUUZZ2 🚀 OUR WEBSITE: ════════════════════════════════════ https://www.universetoday.com/ 🚀 PODCAST LINKS: ════════════════════════════════════ RSS: https://universetoday.com/audio iTunes: https://universetoday.com/itunes Spotify: http...
Feb 09, 2021•1 hr 3 min
Episode 714: Q&A 134: Could Tethered Starships Provide Artificial Gravity? And More...
In this week's Q&A show, I answer questions about Starship might be able to provide artificial gravity, whether I'd prefer to have LUVOIR or the Overwhelmingly Large Telescope, and if nuclear-powered rockets will work in space. You can join me live every Monday on my YouTube channel at 5pm Pacific Time to ask your questions live. 00:00 Start 00:18 Could Starships provide artificial gravity? 03:51 LUVOIR or the Overwhelmingly Large Telescope? 05:30 Are nuclear-powered rockets feasible? 09:08 ...
Feb 08, 2021•44 min
Episode 712: Q&A 133: What's Causing the Expansion of the Universe? And More...
In this week's QA, I talk about what's driving the expansion of the Universe, how big the observable Universe is to the actual Universe, and what will happen to dogs in gravity. 00:00 Start 00:26 What's driving the expansion of the Universe? 04:01 How big is the observable Universe compared to the actual Universe? 07:25 Do people watch videos or listen to my podcasts? 10:37 Will dogs enjoy lunar gravity? 12:59 Why aren't we looking deeper in the Kuiper Belt? 15:54 What would be some good ways to...
Feb 01, 2021•45 min
Episode 713: Interview: The Story of the Europa Clipper: "The Mission" with David Brown
In this week's interview, I talk to David Brown about his new book: The Mission. It's all about the campaign to design and build the Europa Clipper mission and everything that happened behind-the-scenes. David is a science journalist and writer with with work in the Atlantic, New York Times, Scientific American and more. https://www.dwb.io/ https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-mission-david-w-brown?variant=32126580064290 🚀 OUR WEBSITE: ════════════════════════════════════ https://www.univ...
Feb 01, 2021•1 hr
Episode 711: The Universe in Formation. Hubble Sees 6 Examples of Merging Galaxies
10 billion years ago, galaxies of the Universe were ablaze with the light of newly forming stars. This epic phase of history is known as “Cosmic Noon” - the height of all star creation. Galaxies like our Milky Way aren’t creating stars at nearly the rates they were in the ancient past. However, there is a time when galaxies in the present can explode with star formation – when they collide with each other. This recently published collage of merging galaxies by the Hubble HiPEEC survey (Hubble im...
Jan 23, 2021•6 min
Episode 710: Interview: Robots Made of Ice with Devin Carroll
In this week's interview, I talk with Devin Carroll, a robotics Ph.D. student at the modular robotics lab at the University of Pennsylvania. Devin is working on robots that can build their own structure out of ice. https://www.modlabupenn.org/people/devin-carroll/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjfDRQWv0x0 🚀 OUR WEBSITE: ════════════════════════════════════ https://www.universetoday.com/ 🚀 PODCAST LINKS: ════════════════════════════════════ RSS: https://universetoday.com/audio iTunes: https:/...
Jan 23, 2021•59 min
Episode 709: Q&A 132: How Much Of The Universe Could We Ever Explore? And More...
In this week's live Q&A, I talk about the new Space Launch System hot-fire test, how Breakthrough Starshot spacecraft might be able to communicate with home, and what messages would we send to aliens that we might never be able to reach physically. 00:00 Start 02:11 How would Starship chipsats communicate with Earth? 05:00 How far can we ever explore into the Universe? 06:31 Why was the SLS test so short? 08:59 This is why we test. 09:52 What message would we send to aliens we could never vi...
Jan 20, 2021•55 min
Episode 708: Q&A 131: Can Breakthrough Starshot Slow Down? And More...
Welcome to the new style Q&As, which we're now recording every Monday live on my YouTube channel at 5pm Pacific Time. This week we got a lot of great questions about the Proxima Centauri signal, the Fermi Paradox, and Breakthrough Starshot. 00:00:00 Start 00:00:14 Is Starlink portable? 00:01:07 Any thoughts on the Wow signal? 00:03:58 What are magnetars? 00:06:20 Any followup planned on Proxima signal? 00:07:34 My answer to the Fermi Paradox 00:11:50 Why don't neutron stars turn into black h...
Jan 14, 2021•54 min
Episode 707: Interview: The Story of the Milky Way with Chris Carr
In this week's interview, I talk with Chris Carr, one of the co-hosts in the Weekly Space Hangout. Chris is a grad student at Columbia University, specializing in the cosmos inside and outside the Milky Way. http://www.astro.columbia.edu/profile?uid=chris 🚀 OUR WEBSITE: ════════════════════════════════════ https://www.universetoday.com/ 🚀 PODCAST LINKS: ════════════════════════════════════ RSS: https://universetoday.com/audio iTunes: https://universetoday.com/itunes Spotify: https://universeto...
Jan 12, 2021•1 hr
Episode 706: Open Space 100: Did We Really Detect a Signal from Proxima Centauri? And More...
In this week's last QA of 2020, I go long answering questions about space and astronomy. I talk about the news of a radio signal received from Proxima Centauri, an update on my attempts to learn Mandarin Chinese, and a long diatribe about megaconstellations and their impact on astronomy. 00:00:00 Start 00:02:51 How do we know the rotation rate of gas planets? 00:05:21 Green blobs 00:05:42 Radio signal from Proxima Centauri 00:11:25 Learning Chinese 00:17:05 Why don't we live in a black hole? 00:...
Dec 24, 2020•1 hr 30 min
Episode 705: Open Space 99: Would Alien AI Be Friendly to Us? And More...
00:00:00 Start 00:04:45 Can we know how much of the Moon is Earth and what is Theia? 00:06:41 Where did the Earth's water come from? 00:09:24 Would alien AI be friendly? 00:12:01 How far could we detect alien civilizations? 00:15:58 Why isn't metallic hydrogen made with nuclear weapons? 00:19:37 Is there water on Titan? 00:22:35 Is the outer Solar System rich in water? 00:24:03 Do stars leak hydrogen? 00:26:32 Can we own mining facilities on the Moon? 00:31:08 Is the Universe orbiting a huge bla...
Dec 15, 2020•1 hr 2 min
Episode 704: Interview: Elizabeth Howell PhD, Canada's Role in Space Exploration
My guest this week is the science journalist Elizabeth Howell. Dr. Howell is one of the most prolific space journalists working in the field, contributing thousands of articles across almost every space news site (including Universe Today). She has also written and collaborated on several books. Her latest book is called "Canadarm and Collaboration", and it's all about Canada's role in spaceflight. https://elizabethhowell.ca/ Our Book is out! https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewin...
Dec 14, 2020•1 hr 1 min
Episode 703: Open Space 98: Can White Dwarf Stars Have Habitable Planets? And More...
In this week's live questions show, I explain why planets can remain habitable long after their stars have died, what we're going to do now that Arecibo has collapsed, how we'll explore the oceans underneath Europa. I also answer the question of whether or not I'm ready to learn about the secret Galactic Federation. Our live shows are provided ad-free thanks to the support of our amazing patrons. Join our community at https://patreon.com/universetoday . 00:00:00 Start 00:06:07 Can white dwarf st...
Dec 08, 2020•1 hr 2 min
Episode 702: Interview: Alex Ignatiev and Manufacturing on the Moon
My guest this week is Alex Ignatiev, from Lunar Resources. Alex and his team are working on a rover that could build solar panels, wiring and even radio antennae out of lunar regolith. This could support future bases or even radio telescopes. You can learn more about Lunar Resources here: http://lunarresources.space/ 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...
Dec 08, 2020•55 min
Episode 701: Open Space 97: What if SagA* Turned into a Quasar? And More...
In this week's live questions show, I explain how amateurs can contribute to space and astronomy research, will I sign up for Starlink, and what would happen if the supermassive black hole at the heart of the Milky Way turned into a quasar? 00:00:00 Start 00:03:13 How can amateurs can contribute to science? 00:05:50 What if Sgr* turned into a quasar? 00:07:00 Will the Universe end in a Big Rip? 00:10:32 How can solar sails be pushed by massless photons? 00:12:45 Do we know what rocky planets are...
Dec 02, 2020•1 hr 1 min
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