NASA's Curious Universe

The James Webb Space Telescope is doing something astronomers dreamed about for decades: peering into our universe’s early past, a period known as cosmic dawn. A new NASA documentary—also called Cosmic Dawn—chronicles the inside story of Webb’s design, construction, and launch. John Mather, who won the 2006 Nobel Prize for Physics, proposed the telescope and led its science team for decades. In this interview, Mather talks about his life, his research, and the pre-dawn phone call telling him he had won the Nobel Prize. Find more at nasa.gov/cosmicdawn

NASA has a record of Earth observations going back more than 50 years. What might be in store for the next 50 years? In this finale of our Earth series, we hear from two scientists helping to chart the course of NASA Earth science. There are still many unanswered questions about our home planet. As the only planet that we know to have life, studying Earth is also crucial as NASA searches for other habitable worlds.

Take a deep breath, and you’re inhaling oxygen from Earth’s atmosphere. Take a walk outside, and the atmosphere is shielding you from harmful radiation. NASA research provides crucial data to understand air quality and the intricate processes happening in the sky above us. In this episode, hear the inside story of NASA’s research into the ozone layer. Left unchecked, our reliance on ozone-depleting chemicals threatened to expose the entire planet to dangerous UV radiation. We’ll also fly along with Laura Judd, a NASA scientist studying air quality in the U.S. and around the world.

Brad Doorn, a NASA Program Manager for Agriculture, shares insights into how satellite technology is transforming farming practices. He reveals how the Landsat program collects vital data that helps farmers monitor crop health and optimize irrigation. The conversation touches on the collaboration between NASA and farmers to promote sustainability and address global food security challenges. Doorn highlights the innovative tools that leverage satellite data, ensuring that agriculture stays ahead in a changing environmental landscape.

Josh Willis, an oceanographer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, dives into the vital connection between oceans and life on Earth, alongside his colleagues. They discuss groundbreaking insights from the PACE and SWOT missions, tracking phytoplankton's role in climate and ocean health. Listeners learn about the challenges of measuring sea level change and the alarming impacts of climate change. With a splash of creativity, Willis embodies 'Climate Elvis,' making the science of our oceans exciting and urgent.

Karen St. Germain, Director of NASA’s Earth Science Division, shares her expertise on how NASA observes our planet. She discusses the profound impact of the iconic 'Earthrise' photograph and the transformative 'overview effect' experienced by astronauts. Innovations like the SWAT and PACE missions are highlighted for their role in oceanography and environmental conservation. St. Germain explores how scientific data is turning into practical solutions for climate challenges, including sustainable farming practices. Lastly, she introduces a virtual farming project that uses NASA data to help farmers simulate their crop management.

Dive into how NASA uniquely studies Earth from space, capturing essential data on ocean colors and sea levels. Discover the pivotal role oceans play in life and the vital measurements needed to tackle environmental shifts. Journey through breathtaking views of our planet while unraveling its mysteries, emphasizing humanity's dependence on this beautiful blue orb. From enhancing agricultural practices to understanding the atmosphere, explore the myriad ways NASA contributes to our knowledge of Earth.

NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, an experienced test pilot, joins comedian and musician Reggie Watts to explore the intersection of art and science. They discuss the creative challenges of space exploration and how personal experiences can inspire artistic expression. Dominick shares insights on managing stress while piloting aircraft with ejection seats. The duo also showcases a fascinating new NASA tool that turns Hubble Space Telescope data into music, highlighting how sound can enrich our understanding of the universe.

Brian Welch, a NASA astronomer renowned for discovering Earendel, the most distant star ever observed, joins the conversation. He highlights the incredible 35-year journey of the Hubble Space Telescope, showcasing its iconic discoveries and groundbreaking legacy in astronomy. The discussion dives into the challenges faced by the operations team during critical moments, like troubleshooting the science computer. Welch also emphasizes Hubble's collaboration with the James Webb Space Telescope, revealing how both instruments push the boundaries of our cosmic understanding.

In this engaging discussion, Jose Aponte, an astrochemist from the OSIRIS-REx team, dives into the quest to uncover life's origins from asteroid samples. He shares insights about the groundbreaking findings from asteroid Bennu, including important organic compounds like amino acids. Aponte explains the meticulous handling of these extraterrestrial samples and the innovative methodologies developed for their analysis. This episode sparks curiosity about how such discoveries reshape our understanding of life in the universe and highlights future exploration possibilities.