Astrophysics for All

Audrey Lee
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  • Astronomy

Astrophysics for All is a student-led podcast that brings astrophysics down to Earth for curious young people everywhere. Each episode features conversations with professional astronomers and researchers, breaking down big ideas about the universe in a way that’s clear and engaging; no jargon required. At a time when astronomy is often missing from classrooms, this podcast invites young people to ask questions and see their place in the cosmos. HAVE A QUESTION? Visit: astrophysicsforall.com Available on: | Spotify | Apple | Amazon |

  1. Why Finding Life Is Harder Than We Thought - Professor Sara Seager

    Jun 3

    Why Finding Life Is Harder Than We Thought - Professor Sara Seager

    Professor Sara Seager is one of the world's leading exoplanet scientists and a professor of planetary science and physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her research has helped shape the modern search for planets beyond our Solar System and the quest to discover life elsewhere in the universe. In this episode of Astrophysics for All, Professor Seager discusses how astronomers use spectroscopy to study exoplanet atmospheres, what scientists mean by a "biosignature", and why proving the existence of extraterrestrial life is far more difficult than many people realise. She also explains the science behind Project Starshade, reflects on the revolutionary impact of the James Webb Space Telescope, and shares why Venus has re-emerged as one of the most intriguing worlds in our Solar System. Along the way, Professor Seager offers valuable advice for students interested in astrophysics and STEM, discussing confidence, curiosity, and the importance of building connections throughout your scientific journey.

    22 min
  2. The Smallest Galaxies Hold the Biggest Clues - Professor Marla Geha

    May 24

    The Smallest Galaxies Hold the Biggest Clues - Professor Marla Geha

    In this episode of Astrophysics for All, I’m joined by Professor Marla Geha, Professor of Astronomy and Physics at Yale University and an award-winning educator whose research focuses on dwarf galaxies and dark matter. We explore how some of the faintest and smallest galaxies in the universe could help answer some of cosmology’s biggest questions. Professor Geha explains how astronomers detect invisible dark matter through the motion of stars, why dwarf galaxies are so important for understanding galaxy formation, and how modern digital sky surveys are transforming astronomy.

    24 min
  3. Awe, Exoplanets, and the Future of Astronomy - Dr. Emma Cain Louden

    May 24

    Awe, Exoplanets, and the Future of Astronomy - Dr. Emma Cain Louden

    Astronomy has long captivated human curiosity, but how can it reshape our lives and communities? Dr. Emma Cain Louden is a passionate astrophysicist with a PhD from Yale University, and serves as the president of Slooh, a platform that democratises access to astronomy by allowing people around the world to use remotely operated telescopes. Her work bridges the gap between complex scientific concepts and relatable experiences, making astronomy relevant to a wider audience.

    23 min
  4. The Biggest Thing We Can’t See: Dark Matter - Professor Céline Bœhm

    May 3

    The Biggest Thing We Can’t See: Dark Matter - Professor Céline Bœhm

    In this episode of Astrophysics for All, I’m joined by Professor Céline Bœhm, an astroparticle physicist and Professor of Particle Physics at the University of Sydney, whose research focuses on dark matter and the fundamental structure of the universe. Although we can’t see dark matter directly, it makes up most of the matter in the universe. So how do we know it exists — and why has it been so difficult to detect? In this conversation, we explore how scientists use galaxies, the cosmic microwave background, and particle physics to piece together clues about dark matter’s nature. We also discuss how theorists and experimentalists work together, what makes dark matter such a challenging problem, and what discovering it could mean for our understanding of the universe. Professor Bœhm also shares her journey into astrophysics and her advice for students interested in exploring physics at the intersection of the very small and the very large.

    19 min
  5. Where Should We Look for Life in the Universe? - Dr Ben Montet

    Apr 4

    Where Should We Look for Life in the Universe? - Dr Ben Montet

    Dr Ben Montet is a Scientia Associate Professor at UNSW Sydney. He completed his PhD in astrophysics at Caltech and was a Carl Sagan Fellow at the University of Chicago. Dr Montet is a leading exoplanet researcher who uses data from missions like NASA’s Kepler and TESS to discover and study planets beyond our Solar System, uncovering the diversity of planetary systems across our galaxy. In our conversation, we explore how astronomers detect planets using tiny dips in starlight, and how missions like Kepler and TESS have revolutionised exoplanet discovery. We also discuss his research on a “hot Jupiter” that revealed a hidden companion planet, challenging current models of planetary systems. We then look at how stars influence whether life is possible, from flares to magnetic activity, and how machine learning is helping uncover new discoveries in massive datasets. Finally, Dr Montet shares his journey into astronomy and advice for students, emphasising curiosity, coding, and taking initiative early.

    21 min
  6. Globular Clusters and the Hidden History of Galaxies - Dr Caroline Foster

    Mar 6

    Globular Clusters and the Hidden History of Galaxies - Dr Caroline Foster

    In this episode of Astrophysics for All, I speak with Dr Caroline Foster, an observational astronomer at UNSW Sydney who studies how galaxies form, grow, and evolve over billions of years. We explore how astronomers use light to measure the motions and chemistry of stars, how galaxies grow through mergers and star formation, and why some galaxies gradually stop rotating as they age. Dr Foster also explains how globular clusters—ancient, tightly packed groups of stars—act like cosmic fossils that help astronomers uncover the hidden histories of galaxies. Dr Foster shares how she first became interested in physics and offers advice for students who want to pursue astronomy, highlighting curiosity, mathematics, and the excitement of exploring the biggest questions about the universe.

    23 min
  7. Dark Matter and the Hidden 95% of the Universe - Professor Geraint Lewis

    Mar 6

    Dark Matter and the Hidden 95% of the Universe - Professor Geraint Lewis

    What if everything we can see in the universe—stars, planets, galaxies, and even ourselves—makes up less than 5% of reality? In this episode of Astrophysics for All, I sit down with Professor Geraint Lewis, a cosmologist at the Sydney Institute for Astronomy, to explore the invisible universe. Originally from Wales, Professor Lewis completed his undergraduate degree at the University of London and went on to earn his PhD in astrophysics from the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy. He has worked at research institutions in the United States and Canada before joining the University of Sydney, where he now leads the Gravitational Astrophysics Group. Although everything we can see—from stars to galaxies to ourselves—makes up less than 5% of the cosmos, the rest is dominated by mysterious dark matter and dark energy that scientists are still struggling to understand. Professor Lewis explains how astronomers use gravitational lensing to map invisible matter, how galaxies grow by tearing apart smaller ones in a process known as galactic cannibalism, and why studying these phenomena can reveal the hidden structure of the universe. Along the way, Professor Lewis shares what life as a cosmologist looks like and offers practical advice for students curious about pursuing physics and astrophysics.

    25 min
  8. The Mysteries of Galaxy Evolution - Professor Sarah Brough

    Feb 21

    The Mysteries of Galaxy Evolution - Professor Sarah Brough

    In this episode of Astrophysics for All, I'm joined by Professor Sarah Brough, Head of the School of Physics at University of New South Wales and an observational astronomer studying how galaxies grow and evolve over billions of years. Professor Brough explores some of the faintest and most elusive structures in the Universe: tidal features and intracluster light. She explains how these delicate traces reveal galaxies’ hidden histories of mergers, disruption, and transformation. Professor Sarah Brough discusses her research on galaxy evolution, focusing on tidal features and intracluster light. She explains the challenges of detecting these faint cosmic phenomena and the technological advancements that have made such studies possible.

    22 min
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About

Astrophysics for All is a student-led podcast that brings astrophysics down to Earth for curious young people everywhere. Each episode features conversations with professional astronomers and researchers, breaking down big ideas about the universe in a way that’s clear and engaging; no jargon required. At a time when astronomy is often missing from classrooms, this podcast invites young people to ask questions and see their place in the cosmos. HAVE A QUESTION? Visit: astrophysicsforall.com Available on: | Spotify | Apple | Amazon |

Information

  • Creator
    Audrey Lee
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Audrey Lee
  • Show Website
    Astrophysics for All