podcast episode 2 Ancient Mesopotamia to Space Telescopes

The gods of Ancient Mesopotamia and their associated planets are introduced. We discuss the difference between 'pure science' and 'vernacular science'. We meet Ed Dwight, the first black NASA astronaut and discover his struggles with Chuck Yaeger, then experience a bit of the controversy about Jim Webb, NASA administrator, for whom the Space Telescope was renamed, despite his alleged homophobia and the fact that JWST had the most bloated budget of any project of its type.

Articles referenced include: https://www.dw.com/en/james-webb-how-a-space-telescope-tore-american-scientists-apart/a-60216754

NPR Radio Diaries https://www.npr.org/2022/07/05/1109678316/edward-dwight-space-race-nasa-astronaut-moon

as usual, thanks to all the contributors at Wikipedia.

NASA https://mobile.arc.nasa.gov/public/iexplore/missions/pages/95.htm

ESA

https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/SpaceTransportation/Launchvehicles/Ariane5_ECA

https://www.sciencealert.com/this-ancient-babylonian-map-of-jupiter-just-changed-history-as-we-know-it

https://www.livescience.com/james-webb-space-telescope

https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/groups-organizations-african-american-history/kool-and-gang-1964/