Astronomy Astrophiz Podcast

Brendan O'Brien: Astronomers, Astrophysicists & Space Scientists
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Science
  • Updated Bimonthly

Astrophiz: In-Depth Interviews with Astronomers and Astrophysicists Discover the wonders of the universe with Astrophiz, the podcast for space enthusiasts and researchers. Join host Brendan O’Brien as he sits down with world-leading scientists to explore the frontiers of astrophysics, radio astronomy, and space science. From the evolution of the Milky Way and the mechanics of solar flares to the cutting-edge technology of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), we break down complex academic research into engaging stories of discovery. Whether you’re interested in cosmic dust, galaxy evolution, or the latest in telescope technology, Astrophiz brings the experts directly to your ears. Subscribe for deep dives into: Astrophysics & Galactic Research Radio Astronomy & Space Weather Latest research & Dark Sky Preservation Interviews with NASA, ESA, Australian and International Researchers New episodes feature in-depth conversations that go beyond the headlines to reveal the real science shaping our understanding of the cosmos. Refreshingly Independent and totally ad-free

  1. Astrophiz 235: June 2026 Sky Guide

    May 30

    Astrophiz 235: June 2026 Sky Guide

    In Astrophiz Episode 235, Dr. Ian Musgrave joins host Brendan O'Brien to deliver your comprehensive June 2026 SkyGuide, detailing a spectacular month of naked-eye astronomy and astrophotography targets. [00:00] Introduction & Indigenous Country acknowledgment [01:05] The June Moon Phases: Apogee, Perigee, and High Tides [02:18] How to observe the Lunar X and Lunar V (June 22) [03:45] The Evening Sky: The Great Planet Dance of Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury [06:22] The Morning Sky: Mars tracking towards Uranus, and Saturn's rings opening up [07:44] Early Morning Occultation of Antares (June 28) [09:02] Autumn Stargazing: Tracking the First Nations Dark Constellation, the Cosmic Emu [10:11] The June Tangent: Comet Orbits & Busting Social Media Myths [12:35] June Astrophotography Challenge: Capturing Real-Time Planetary Motion [15:10] Looking ahead to the 10th Anniversary of Astrophiz EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: - The Planet Dance: Watch Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury form dynamic triangles and planetary massings in the western evening twilight. - The Cosmic Emu: How to utilize dark sky sites to see the Coalsack and the dark rifts of the Milky Way shape this iconic celestial silhouette. - The Tangent: Dr. Musgrave counters a viral internet myth regarding comets moving in "lockstep" with the stars, explaining how to observe and calculate actual orbital progression. For the full, human-curated transcript of this episode and links to resources mentioned by Ian, visit our website: https://astrophiz.com Astrophiz is an independent, ad-free, and unsponsored science podcast produced on Yorta Yorta, Pangarang, and Kaurna country. If you enjoy our monthly sky guides and deep-dive interviews with global space scientists, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the universe with a friend. Keep looking up!

    25 min
  2. Astrophiz 234: Hacking Mars Satellites to Watch a Solar Superstorm with Dr Jacob Parrott

    May 14

    Astrophiz 234: Hacking Mars Satellites to Watch a Solar Superstorm with Dr Jacob Parrott

    In May 2024, the "Mother’s Day Superstorm" slammed into Mars with a force Earth didn't experience. But how do we see a storm on a planet without a magnetic field? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jacob Parrott from the European Space Agency (ESA) to discuss his groundbreaking research recently published in Nature Communications. Jacob explains how he and his team "hacked" veteran satellites—the Mars Express and the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter—to perform an unintended dance known as "mutual radio occultation." Discover how redundant hardware from failed landers became a cutting-edge sensor for Martian aeronomy, revealing how solar flares strip the atmosphere from the Red Planet. In this episode: • From biology and media internships to ESA’s grad scheme. • The physics of radio occultation: Using signal "bending" to measure atmospheric density. • Retasking the Melacom and Electra antennas for deep-space science. • Processing the data: From raw waveforms to Python and SPICE simulations. Read the full transcript and see the images at: https://www.Astrophiz.com

    1h 10m
  3. May SkyGuide with Dr. Ian Musgrave – Comet C/2025 R3 & Citizen Science | Astrophiz 233

    Apr 29

    May SkyGuide with Dr. Ian Musgrave – Comet C/2025 R3 & Citizen Science | Astrophiz 233

    Welcome to Astrophiz Episode 233 This month, we are joined by Dr. Ian Musgrave for the May Sky Guide. We explore the planetary alignments, the upcoming Eta Aquariid meteor showers, and how you can track Comet C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS). Plus, we dive into the fascinating world of sun-grazing comets and how you can get involved in citizen science. In this episode: Planetary Watch: Venus and Jupiter dominating the evening; Saturn and Mars rising in the morning. Moon Phases: Full Moon details, the "Blue Moon" on May 31st, and the occultation of Antares. Meteor Showers: What to expect from the Eta Aquariids (and how to watch them away from the Moon). Comet Hunting: Tracking Comet C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS) and finding "sun-grazers" via SOHO and STEREO spacecraft imagery. Citizen Science: Tips on how to hunt for comets using online archives. Upcoming: Join us on May 15th as we speak with Dr. Jacob Parrott from the ESA Space Research and Technology Centre about the Mother's Day solar storm and Mars' atmosphere. Support Independent Science: Astrophiz is free, ad-free, and unsponsored. For full transcripts, show notes, and celestial charts, please visit: https://astrophiz.com #Astrophiz #Astronomy #Stargazing #SciencePodcast #MaySkyGuide #IanMusgrave #CitizenScience #Space #CometHunting #AstronomyPodcast

    23 min
  4. Aurora Secrets & Space Weather: Dr. Maria-Theresia Walach | AstroPhiz 232

    Apr 12

    Aurora Secrets & Space Weather: Dr. Maria-Theresia Walach | AstroPhiz 232

    Discover the hidden science of the Northern Lights! In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Maria-Theresia Walach to uncover the physics behind the aurora and the fascinating complexities of space weather. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The Science of the Aurora: What actually causes the different colors and shapes in the night sky? Space Weather Impacts: How solar activity affects our satellites, power grids, and GPS systems. The Ionosphere: A deep dive into the layer of Earth's atmosphere that acts as a gateway to space. Current Research: Dr. Walach shares insights from her latest work on magnetospheric physics. Timestamps: 00:56 - Introduction to Dr. Maria-Theresia Walach 05:15 - How Auroras are formed: Solar wind meets the Magnetosphere 12:30 - The impact of Space Weather on modern technology 22:45 - Researching the Ionosphere: Challenges and breakthroughs 35:10 - Future missions and what’s next for Space Physics 42:00 - Closing remarks and where to find more research About the Guest: Dr. Maria-Theresia Walach is a leading researcher specializing in Space Physics and the Earth's Ionosphere. Her work is vital for understanding the Sun-Earth connection and protecting our planetary infrastructure. Links & Resources: AstroPhiz Website: https://astrophiz.com/ Follow us on Twitter: @AstroPhiz Keywords: Astronomy, Aurora Borealis, Northern Lights, Space Weather, Physics, NASA, Dr Maria-Theresia Walach, Science Podcast, Ionosphere.

    44 min
  5. SkyGuide April 2026: Two Rare Comets and the Morning Planet Dance

    Mar 31

    SkyGuide April 2026: Two Rare Comets and the Morning Planet Dance

    Will we see a "Headless Comet" this month? ☄️ Join Brendan O’Brien and Dr. Ian Musgrave for the April 2026 SkyGuide as we track the rare C/2026 A1 (MAPS) Comet and a spectacular Morning Planet Parade. In this episode, you’ll discover: The "Planet Dance": How to spot Mercury, Mars, and Saturn clustering in the morning twilight. Double Comet Watch: Updates on C/2026 A1 and C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS)—will they survive perihelion? Deep Sky Targets: Finding the "Sickle of Leo" and the blue-white star Regulus. Lunar Events: When to catch the "Lunar X" and "Lunar A" on the moon’s surface. Viewing Tips: Why the April 5th end of Daylight Saving is your best friend for early stargazing. Links & Resources: Full Transcript & Imagery: astrophiz.com Detailed Star Charts: Visit Ian’s Astroblog Subscribe: Never miss an episode—follow us on SoundCloud, Youtube podcasts, Audible podcasts, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Connect with Astrophiz: https://astrophiz.com/2026/03/31/astrophiz-231-april-2026-skyguide-two-rare-comets-and-the-morning-planet-dance/ Produced on Yorta Yorta, Pangarang, and Kaurna country. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and the first astronomers of Australia. Host: Brendan O’Brien: Astronomers, Astrophysicists & Space Scientists. Guest: Dr. Ian ‘Astroblog’ Musgrave. #Astronomy #SkyGuide #Comet #Space #Stargazing #SciencePodcast #PlanetParade #STEM

    22 min
  6. Galaxy Forensics: Decoding Galaxy Evolution with Dr. Elisabete da Cunha (Astrophiz 230)

    Mar 23

    Galaxy Forensics: Decoding Galaxy Evolution with Dr. Elisabete da Cunha (Astrophiz 230)

    How do we "autopsy" a galaxy from billions of light-years away? Join world-renowned astrophysicist Dr. Elisabete da Cunha as she sits down with Astrophiz host Brendan O’Brien to explore the life, evolution, and eventual "death" of the most massive structures in the universe. From her early inspirations under the stars of Portugal to her groundbreaking work in Extragalactic Astronomy, Elisabete shares her personal journey and the high-tech tools used to decode Starlight, Cosmic Dust, and Spectral Energy Distributions (SEDs). In this episode, we dive into: Galaxy Evolution: How star systems grow and transform over billions of years. Radio Astronomy: Using invisible light to peer into the deep universe. Stellar Populations: What the chemistry of stars tells us about the history of space. Cosmology & Dark Matter: The invisible forces shaping our galactic neighborhood. Whether you are a student of astrophysics or a casual stargazer, this conversation offers a unique, charming, and deeply insightful window into the forensic evidence of our universe. Read the full transcript and see the show notes at: https://astrophiz.com/2026/03/18/galaxy-forensics-with-dr-elisabete-da-cunha-astrophiz-230/ Subscribe to Astrophiz for your monthly dose of space science, telescope technology, and expert interviews.

    50 min
  7. Astrophiz 229 | March SkyGuide with Dr Ian Musgrave

    Feb 28

    Astrophiz 229 | March SkyGuide with Dr Ian Musgrave

    Welcome to the Astrophiz March SkyGuide, where Ian tells us about the Total Lunar Eclipse and all the observation and astrophotography tips that go with it. Also you get highl;ights of the morning and evening skies and how to find the Variable star, Mira.

    18 min
  8. Astrophiz 228: Pulsar Secrets with Dr Garvit Grover

    Feb 14

    Astrophiz 228: Pulsar Secrets with Dr Garvit Grover

    A fantastic interview with an amazing pulsar astrophysicist who is unravelling the secrets of misbehaving pulsars using his phenomenal coding skills. Subscribe and/or Listen here... or read the transcript on Astrophiz.com

    38 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Astrophiz: In-Depth Interviews with Astronomers and Astrophysicists Discover the wonders of the universe with Astrophiz, the podcast for space enthusiasts and researchers. Join host Brendan O’Brien as he sits down with world-leading scientists to explore the frontiers of astrophysics, radio astronomy, and space science. From the evolution of the Milky Way and the mechanics of solar flares to the cutting-edge technology of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), we break down complex academic research into engaging stories of discovery. Whether you’re interested in cosmic dust, galaxy evolution, or the latest in telescope technology, Astrophiz brings the experts directly to your ears. Subscribe for deep dives into: Astrophysics & Galactic Research Radio Astronomy & Space Weather Latest research & Dark Sky Preservation Interviews with NASA, ESA, Australian and International Researchers New episodes feature in-depth conversations that go beyond the headlines to reveal the real science shaping our understanding of the cosmos. Refreshingly Independent and totally ad-free

Information

  • Creator
    Brendan O'Brien: Astronomers, Astrophysicists & Space Scientists
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    229
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Astronomy Astrophiz Podcast

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