In season six of this podcast, researchers use sounds from the Sun to learn more about it, scientists study dark matter and dark energy, and they go behind the scenes of a NASA mission to deliver an asteroid sample to Earth.

Join NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins, a self-proclaimed 'rock nerd,' as she shares insights on plant growth in space, her journey to becoming an astronaut, the importance of teamwork in astronaut training, astronaut roles and responsibilities, and her excitement for the future of human space flight and the prospect of going to Mars.

Spacesuits are more than just garments – in the airless vacuum of space or on the freezing surface of the moon, they keep astronauts alive. Explore how NASA engineers like Amy Ross and Paromita Mitra have contributed to the development of the next generation of spacesuits.

Tropical rainforests, snowy mountain peaks, even the Australian outback – NASA experts travel to a wide range of environments right here on Earth to better understand our universe. Miles Hatfield, NASA heliophysics science writer, recaps a recent reporting trip to cover a sounding rocket launch in Australia’s remote Northern Territories.

Delve into the world of building spacecraft for dangerous missions in space with scientists from the Da Vinci mission to Venus. Explore the challenges of exploring Venus, crafting a spacecraft for extreme conditions, and the anticipation of groundbreaking discoveries through a launch, flyby, and descent.

The night sky isn’t just for experts, it belongs to all of us! And we here at NASA love to encourage people to go out and take a look. Amateur astronomer Kevin Hartnett, Hubble Social Media Lead Elizabeth Tammi, and the Astronomical Society of Greenbelt take us on a tour of the stars and share how you can join from your own backyard.

Wherever you live on Earth, wildfires touch your life. Explore how NASA scientist Doug Morton and Canadian firefighter-turned-researcher Josh Johnston use satellites to track the changing landscape of wildfires from space.

Information about the universe is all around us. But there’s more than meets the eye! Gravitational waves are the invisible ripples in spacetime caused by supermassive interstellar activity. Join astrophysicists Ira Thorpe and Judy Racusin on an exploration of how NASA studies these unseen bends in time and space.

Join NASA scientists Kelly Fast, Tom Statler, and Davide Farnocchia as they discuss asteroid detection, classification, and planetary defense strategies. Explore ongoing missions like OSIRIS-REx and learn about NASA's efforts to protect Earth from potential asteroid impacts through collaboration and observation. Dive into the intricate process of detecting and responding to asteroid threats, including the successful dart mission as a mitigation strategy.

In season five, join us as we fight wildfires, defend the Earth from asteroids, and explore the invisible world of gravitational waves! New episodes every Tuesday.