Science Magazine Podcast How effective are plastic bag bans? And a whole new way to do astronomy
Jun 19, 2025
In this discussion, environmental economist Anna Papp highlights her research on the efficacy of plastic bag bans, revealing significant reductions in shore litter post-regulation. Meanwhile, Daniel Clery shares insights from his visit to the groundbreaking Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which will take snapshots of the southern sky every three days, enhancing our study of dark energy and astronomical events. Together, they explore the intersection of environmental policy and cutting-edge astronomy, sparking fascinating conversations about our planet and universe.
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Rubin Observatory Revolutionizes Astronomy
- The Vera C. Rubin Observatory takes huge sky snapshots every 3 days, changing astronomy's scale from detailed views to vast surveys.
- This enables the discovery of many new solar system objects and billions of galaxies, revolutionizing how we study the universe.
Clery's Visit to Massive Telescope
- Daniel Clery describes the Rubin Observatory's massive telescope and its smooth, silent 350-ton movements.
- He felt disoriented watching its motion but appreciated the high-precision engineering involved.
Innovative Three-Mirror Design
- Rubin's three-mirror design maintains sharp focus across a large 40-full-moons-wide field of view.
- This method reduces edge distortions common in traditional telescopes, enabling clearer, expansive images.