Astronomy Astrophiz Podcast

Brendan O'Brien: Astronomers, Astrophysicists & Space Scientists

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. Solar Fireworks: Inside the Sun with Dr. Laura Hayes (ESA)

    JAN 14

    Solar Fireworks: Inside the Sun with Dr. Laura Hayes (ESA)

    Dr. Laura Hayes (ESA) joins us to reveal the explosive physics of "Solar Fireworks." Discover how the Solar Orbiter is capturing the closest-ever images of our Sun. The Solar Cycle: Why we are heading toward a Solar Maximum. ESA Solar Orbiter: Insights from the front lines of heliophysics. Space Weather: How CMEs impact Earth’s technology. Dr Laura Hayes’ research focuses on solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and space weather—phenomena that can disrupt satellites, communications, power grids, and create auroras. Using data from ESA’s Solar Orbiter mission, she studies how magnetic energy is stored and explosively released in the Sun’s atmosphere, why some flares produce CMEs, and how tiny, fast-evolving structures may drive flare energy release and coronal heating. Key Takeaways from Episode 226 Decoding the Solar Cycle: Dr. Laura Hayes explains why the Sun is currently reaching its "Solar Maximum" and what these frequent "Solar Fireworks" mean for Earth. Inside the ESA Solar Orbiter Mission: A behind-the-scenes look at how this cutting-edge spacecraft captures the closest-ever images of the Sun and its mysterious polar regions. The Science of Solar Flares & CMEs: Understand the physics behind Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and how scientists track these massive bursts of solar plasma across the solar system. Space Weather Impacts: Discover how solar activity affects our satellites, GPS, and power grids, and why predicting "space weather" has become a global priority. Laura highlights the collaborative nature of solar physics, the importance of mentors and community, and the challenges facing early-career researchers. Hayes is also passionate about public outreach, emphasising the value of sharing publicly funded science and inspiring future scientists during what she calls a “golden age” of solar research. Dr Laura Hayes, an eminent Irish solar physicist and research fellow at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, discusses her career path, scientific motivations, and cutting-edge research on our closest star. Growing up in coastal Ireland, Laura developed an early love of maths and physics driven by curiosity and problem-solving rather than a clear plan to become an astrophysicist. University research opportunities led her into solar physics, followed by a PhD at Trinity College Dublin and international postdoctoral work in the US and Europe. FULL TRANSCRIPT: Dr Laura Hayes interview at Astrophiz.com Key Takeaways from Episode 226 Decoding the Solar Cycle: Dr. Laura Hayes explains why the Sun is currently reaching its "Solar Maximum" and what these frequent "Solar Fireworks" mean for Earth. Inside the ESA Solar Orbiter Mission: A behind-the-scenes look at how this cutting-edge spacecraft captures the closest-ever images of the Sun and its mysterious polar regions. The Science of Solar Flares & CMEs: Understand the physics behind Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and how scientists track these massive bursts of solar plasma across the solar system. Space Weather Impacts: Discover how solar activity affects our satellites, GPS, and power grids, and why predicting "space weather" has become a global priority.

    59 min
  2. NovemberSkyGuide224

    10/31/2025

    NovemberSkyGuide224

    Our MP3 files can be freely streamed or downloaded free to your favorite device from our SoundCloud channel, from Pocketcasts, Spotify, our free Amazon Audible stream, YouTube podcasts and Apple Podcasts. Listen: Viewing Highlights Both morning & Evening skies are good for planets Evening Skies: Mars is very low in NW skies setting about an hour after sunset. Mercury is above Mars also down in the Sun’s glare. Mercury and Mars are 1° apart on 13 November Saturn is high in the NE, the rings are almost edge on, but becoming more obvious over the next few years until they reach maximum tilt again in 2032. Uranus, high near Pleiades, binocular viewing. Morning Skies: Jupiter (and its 4 Galilean moons) is always beautiful to look at, and can be seen for about 4 hours from about 2am till sunrise Comets: C/2023 R2 Swann – currently in Aquarius, fading, about Mag 5.6, high in evening skies, binoculars C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) – Magnitude 4, near horizon, so difficult. Leonid Meteor shower will be quite poor this year, despite the absence of the moon ☹ Astrophotography Challenge 1. Take photos of the moon at apogee and at perigee using the same camera settings to measure the difference in the moon’s apparent size when it is at its closest and furthest from earth 2. Capture the Lunar X Ian’s Tangent Comet Atlas is being misrepresented by ‘conspiracy theorists’ on social media who claim, without a shred of evidence, that Comet Atlas is an “Interstellar Spacecraft reversing its thrust” There is a long history of comets inducing panic and fear in humans. Sad. Next Episode: Our next episode, coming as soon as I finish the edit … features Dylan Grigg, a fabulous PhD from Perth in Western Australia. Dylan has been doing amazing work that impacts on the effectiveness of every radio telescope on the planet. He has revealed the presence of unintended radio frequencies leaking from the tens of thousands of low earth orbit satellites above us , and these leaking frequencies are threatening to drown out the very faintest of frequencies that tell us what was happening at the very dawn of time. This is important work, and it was great to speak with Dylan. You’ll enjoy his stories! See ya soon

    28 min

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

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