NASA's Curious Universe

NASA scientists Jane Rigby, Taylor Hutchison, and Gerónimo Villanueva discuss their use of the James Webb Space Telescope to peer back to the earliest stages of the universe and examine stunning plumes of water in our own solar system. They explore the telescope's design, its successful commissioning, and the new scientific discoveries it has made possible. They also delve into the mysteries of black holes and galaxies in the early universe and the potential for finding signs of life on celestial bodies like Enceladus.

On this episode, ride along with mission leaders as they prepare for the return of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft carrying 4.5-billion-year-old bits of rock and dust from asteroid Bennu. Learn about the critical operations and tense moments leading up to the successful sample collection. Discover the process of collecting environmental samples and the precautions taken to protect them. Experience the excitement as a helicopter delivers the capsule to scientists, marking the culmination of a 19-year project. Finally, explore the transportation and analysis of the precious asteroid sample at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

This podcast delves into the fascinating world of aerosols and their impact on our atmosphere, weather patterns, and climate. Kirk Noble-Spece and other NASA scientists discuss the sources of aerosol particles, their ability to travel globally, and their effects on our daily lives. The podcast also explores the link between air pollution and human health, as well as how aerosols can alter rainfall amounts and weather patterns. Additionally, it examines the role of aerosols in climate change and highlights the TEMPO mission's collaboration with the PACE satellite to study these tiny particles and their impact on thunderstorms and global warming.

Meet three volunteers whose perspectives have changed by participating in citizen science. Discover the impact of citizen science projects on individuals' lives and the discovery of exoplanets. Explore the journey of citizen scientists studying active regions on the Sun and classifying objects in the Disk Detective project. Learn about personal milestones achieved through citizen science and the potential for scientific exploration. Find out how to get involved in NASA's citizen science projects.

Discover the use of data sonification to listen to the electromagnetic symphony of the Sun. Explore the dynamic nature of the Sun as a ball of plasma, its interaction with the Earth's magnetic field, and the creation of a dynamic magnetosphere. Learn about the translation of sun data into music through sonification and the discovery of a pattern, a hum, correlated with solar activity. Dive into the fascinating world of space weather and upcoming solar eclipses.

Astrophysicists discuss the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy in the universe, exploring theories like black holes and weakly interacting massive particles. They highlight advancements in studying the dark side using space telescopes like Euclid and Roman, and the potential for astrophysics to be revolutionized with upcoming missions.

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.