293 episodes

An irreverent and informative tour of the latest, greatest, and most interesting discoveries in astronomy.

Walkabout the Galaxy Joshua Colwell, Adrienne Dove, and James Cooney

    • Science
    • 4.8 • 106 Ratings

An irreverent and informative tour of the latest, greatest, and most interesting discoveries in astronomy.

    Psyche Revisited and Two Giant Black Holes

    Psyche Revisited and Two Giant Black Holes

    The presumed metallic asteroid Psyche gets a new look before the spacecraft of the same name gets there in 2029, and it reveals different spectral characteristics than were observed in previous studies. We discuss the mystery of metallic asteroids and what we might see at Psyche. Top quark educates us about the largest binary black hole system, with two supermassive black holes orbiting each other from an ancient galactic collision. Join us for all this, space news, and tiny rocket trivia.
     

    • 44 min
    The Tiniest Ocean World and the Brightest Quasar

    The Tiniest Ocean World and the Brightest Quasar

    Saturn's so-called Death Star moon Mimas may harbor a global subsurface ocean based on analysis of Cassini data of the tiny moon's orbit and rotation. And in the distant universe, what was previously thought to be a run-of-the-mill star in our own galaxy turns out to be a quasar thousands of times brighter than our entire galaxy itself. Join us on our 350th episode for breakthroughs in astronomy near and far, space news, sci-fi trivia, and more.

    • 45 min
    Space Oddities in the Solar System

    Space Oddities in the Solar System

    Water molecules have been observed on the surface of an asteroid for the first time, and new studies help explain some of the odd behavior of planetary ring systems, including why they even exist around small objects in the outer solar system. Join us for a clear and fun explanation, the latest from Mars, upcoming missions, space trivia and more.

    • 41 min
    When Will We Walk on Mars?

    When Will We Walk on Mars?

    In this special episode recorded live at MegaCon Orlando 2024, we are joined by NPR space reporter Brendan Byrne to take a close look at where we are in the mission to get people to the red planet. We take a look at the next steps in the Artemis program, and the history and future of robotic exploration of Mars. Find out when we will walk on Mars, where the best places to walk are, and we answer a listener question on the three body problem.

    • 41 min
    Large Cosmological Structures and JWST Spies a Binary TNO

    Large Cosmological Structures and JWST Spies a Binary TNO

    There's another claim for a violation of the cosmological principle - that all parts of the universe are basically the same on large scales - but Top quark Jim Cooney explains all is not lost for the standard model of the universe, and more observations are needed. The JWST is providing amazing observations near and far, and has now separately measured the composition of two orbiting trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs), confirming that they are made of the same stuff. We explain the implications of this together with the latest space news, a time loop stumper, and walkabout trivia.

    • 37 min
    Trojan Mysteries and Titan Snowbergs

    Trojan Mysteries and Titan Snowbergs

    Strange disappearing islands in the hydrocarbon lakes of Saturn's giant moon Titan may be fluffy icebergs of hydrocarbon snow. If you're on Titan, definitely don't eat the snow, yellow or not. As the Lucy mission heads towards the Trojan asteroids, questions remain about how this strange population of objects formed. We catch up with all the space news, a time travel stumper, and lunar exploration trivia.

    • 49 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
106 Ratings

106 Ratings

mr foo ,

Informative and fun at the same time

I can't say I have come across many science podcasts that are both informative and fun -- amazingly this podcast does both.

NikolaiGranakov ,

Should get the Nobel prize for podcasting

I seriously love this show. I look forward to Wednesdays 33.3% more now, in anticipation of listening to a fresh episode when it drops. The hosts are fun - Jim is great especially - and when all four [of the hosts] record together there is an added synergy. It’s smart and nerdy, spontaneous and refreshing. Sometimes hilarious. I have a side interest in all things related to space - and I find that this show is great to nerd out to. It covers a wide spectrum of space related topics, and has trivia, mind bending stumpers, and big-name sponsors, too! Thank you guys.

S-DUBB ,

Is Jim the best or is it just me?

This is the best podcast of its kind. Hands down.

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