Universe Today Podcast

What if a giant asteroid knocked the Moon out of its orbit? A telescope's power required to spot the elusive Oort cloud is discussed, alongside the tantalizing possibility of a rogue planet lurking in our Solar System. The podcast dives into dark matter theories and whether we could artificially rotate a tidally locked planet. With insights into time dilation and the challenges of astronomical observation, listeners are treated to a cosmic Q&A that sparks curiosity about the universe beyond our own.

Fraser Cain, space journalist and founder of Universe Today, discusses his lifelong passion for astronomy and the evolution of space exploration. He debunks common space misconceptions and shares insights into the complexities of black holes. Fraser reflects on the mysterious absence of extraterrestrial life and the incredible advancements like the James Webb Space Telescope. He also dives into sci-fi favorites, emphasizing their role in sparking creativity, before contemplating life's purpose and the intriguing multiverse theory.

Amy Simon, a senior scientist for planetary atmospheres at NASA Goddard, passionately discusses the need for a new mission to Uranus since Voyager 2's 1986 flyby. She shares intriguing insights about our evolving understanding of Uranus and its moons, highlighting potential geological activity. Simon details the planning required for such a mission, emphasizing priorities and necessary technology. The conversation also touches on discoveries from recent missions like OSIRIS-REx and Lucy, revealing how they inform future exploratory endeavors.

Salman Hameed, a professor of Integrated Science & Humanities and CEO of Kainaat Studios, dives into the interplay of AI, journalism, and astronomy. He discusses innovative ways to make scientific content accessible and emphasizes the importance of audience engagement over mere numbers. The conversation touches on the ethical dilemmas posed by AI in journalism and the potential benefits of personalized learning tools. Hameed advocates for accuracy and authenticity in science communication, urging creators to pursue their genuine interests to foster connection.

Discover the exciting implications of recent findings on the source of ultra-high energy cosmic rays linked to the Sun's south pole. Tune in for a first look at the polar region of the Sun, and the challenges Blue Origin faces with its New Glenn rocket's launch delays. The conversation shifts to the environmental impact of rocket launches on the ozone layer and explores innovative ideas like a planetary sunshade to combat climate change. Plus, dive into the mysteries of star formation in the Milky Way and the wonders of colliding galaxies.

Is it time to give up on finding dark matter? The discussion explores the intriguing idea of launching a swarm of inexpensive space probes instead of a single costly mission. Plus, the mystery of the universe's potential rotation and its axis captures attention. With questions ranging from gravitational lenses to unique propulsion concepts like air-breathing ion engines, the conversation is packed with cosmic curiosity. And a fun tip on how to inspire a friend to fall in love with astronomy adds a personal touch!

Dr. Cara Battersby, an associate professor at the University of Connecticut and head of the Milky Way Laboratory, reveals fascinating insights about the previously obscured center of our galaxy. She discusses how modern telescopes have unveiled the complex dynamics of star formation near the supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*. Cara also highlights the challenges of creating a 3D map of the central molecular zone, the role of the ALMA telescope, and ongoing research that could reshape our understanding of cosmic phenomena.

The White House pulls Jared Isaacman’s nomination, the 2026 NASA budget is released, the Hubble Tension might not be a problem after all, the Milky Way and Andromeda might not merge after all. And on SpaceBites+, which ozone isn’t a good biosignature. 🚀 [Space Bites+] No ADS. BONUS Story. For FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday 👉 Vote for the best story here: https://www.youtube.com/@frasercain/community 00:00 Intro 00:22 No Jared for NASA https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/05/trump-pulls-isaacman-nomination-for-space-source-nasa-is-fed/ 01:57 NASA budget request https://www.universetoday.com/articles/nasas-fy-2026-budget-request-has-been-released 04:36 ispace failed another Moon landing 05:34 Hubble tesion possible solved? https://www.universetoday.com/articles/is-the-hubble-tension-starting-to-go-away 08:27 Milkdromeda might not happen https://www.universetoday.com/articles/the-hubble-just-cancelled-the-milky-way-andromeda-collision 10:09 Pluto https://www.universetoday.com/articles/webb-watches-haze-rise-and-fall-in-plutos-atmosphere 11:58 Vote results 12:38 Europa https://www.universetoday.com/articles/webb-reveals-that-europas-surface-is-constantly-changing 14:54 Monitoring solar storms https://www.universetoday.com/articles/advanced-orbital-constellations-for-solar-storm-defense 16:27 Starship missions to Mars https://www.universetoday.com/articles/missions-to-mars-starship-three-months 19:02 Newsletter 19:43 Bonus story 19:58 Realism in SciFi 📺 VIDEO VERSION https://youtu.be/RvTwWZt1SRw 📰 GUIDE TO SPACE Newsletter No ads. Subscribe for FREE: https://universetoday.com/newsletter 🎧 PODCASTS Universe Today: https://universetoday.fireside.fm/ Astronomy Cast: http://www.astronomycast.com/ 📩 CONTACT FRASER frasercain@gmail.com ⚖️ LICENSE Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)Support Universe Today Podcast

How big does a planet has to be to make it impossible to fly a rocket from it? Why are aliens always portrayed expansionistic? Can a supernova make us all go extinct? And in our extended Q&A+ edition, is terraforming Mars necessary for finding life there? Answering all these questions and more in this Q&A show. 🎁 [Q&A+] Same video. No YT ads. BONUS question, totally free : https://www.patreon.com/universetoday 🚀 [Overtime] Even more Q&As https://www.patreon.com/universetoday 00:00 Start 00:30 [knallpistol] How can stars in globular clusters be so close yet so far? 03:28 [Mister Ikkus] Why everyone imagines aliens to be expansionistic? 05:28 [Matthew Reuter] What's the limit on a planet's mass to get stuck on one? 07:51 [James Valley] Can a supernovae take us out? 08:50 [Paige Potter] When we colonize other places, will Earth become a concept rather than a place? 10:50 [Vicente Hdez] What have been the keys to staying constantly active in astronomy communication? 14:56 [Pete Harris] What to see in the Southern Hemisphere's night sky? 📺 VIDEO VERSION https://youtu.be/19phg5eP4Rs 📰 GUIDE TO SPACE Newsletter No ads. Subscribe for FREE: https://universetoday.com/newsletter 🎧 PODCASTS Universe Today: https://universetoday.fireside.fm/ Astronomy Cast: http://www.astronomycast.com/ 📩 CONTACT FRASER frasercain@gmail.com ⚖️ LICENSE Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)Support Universe Today Podcast

What's the difference between a nova and a supernova? What's the mechanism behind their explosions? What instruments are used to observe them at the moment? Finding out in this interview. 😍 [Interview+] Same video. No YT ads. https://www.patreon.com/universetoday 🟣 Guest: Cameron Pfeffer https://www.cameronpfeffer.space/ 🟣 Dr. Chris Ashall’s supernova research group https://chrisashall.com/my-group/ https://csp.obs.carnegiescience.edu/ 00:00 Intro 01:30 What is a Type-1a supernova 07:55 Observations with JWST 15:03 Current state of supernova research 24:37 Survey telescopes 36:04 Current obsessions 40:12 Final thoughts 📺 VIDEO VERSION https://youtu.be/CKZyAug7hIg 📰 GUIDE TO SPACE Newsletter No ads. Subscribe for FREE: https://universetoday.com/newsletter 🎧 PODCASTS Universe Today: https://universetoday.fireside.fm/ Astronomy Cast: http://www.astronomycast.com/ 📩 CONTACT FRASER frasercain@gmail.com ⚖️ LICENSE Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)Support Universe Today Podcast