The Supermassive Podcast

Find out what happened when Izzie Clarke and Dr Robert Massey used a 12 tonne telescope at an observatory in Herstmonceux, Sussex. Plus, Dr Becky Smethurst explains the benefit of using space telescopes and takes on your questions. With special to Dr Sandra Voss at The Observatory Science Centre in Hertsmonceux: https://www.the-observatory.org/Get The Year In Space for a month-by-month guide to the night sky: https://geni.us/jNcrwIf you have a question for the team, email podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc. The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Astronaut Alarm is in overdrive... Izzie, Dr Becky, and his excellency Richard Hollingham have not one but TWO astronauts on this month's episode. From the archive, Richard speaks to NASA astronaut Gene Cernan about Apollo 17 and being the last man on the Moon. ESA Astronaut Matthias Maurer talks about the upcoming Artemis missions which will see humans (hopefully, Matthias himself) return to our rocky neighbour. Plus, Robert Massey is on hand to answer your questions and share his stargazing tips for the month. Read the full interview with the Last Man on the Moon, Gene Cernan, and find out more about Artemis in our book, The Year In Space. Order here (it's an excellent Christmas present): https://geni.us/jNcrwWhat cheese is the Moon made of? Email podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc with your thoughts on the debate. The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Terrified that an asteroid could wipe out the planet? Don’t panic…the Supermassive team are here to help. Izzie and Dr Becky talk to Professor Alan Fitzsimmons about the results of the DART asteroid deflection mission and Samuel L Jackson (who knew he’s studying for a Phd at the Open University?) tells us how scientists plan to track and tackle threatening space rocks. Plus why the Deep Impact movie terrifies both Izzie and Dr Becky, but for very different reasons, and Dr Robert Massey takes us through the November night sky.The Year in Space from the Supermassive Podcast is out now: https://geni.us/jNcrwSend in your questions to podcast@ras.ac.ukThe Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham for the Royal Astronomical Society.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been an exciting time for space exploration, so Izzie and Dr Becky celebrate the year in space.... co-incidentally the title of The Supermassive Podcast's book which is out in October. How do plants grow in the ISS? Has JWST changed ideas about cosmology? And when will we get a home gravitational wave detector? The honourable Izzie Clarke, Dr Becky Smethurst, Dr Robert Massey, and (his excellency) space and science journalist Richard Hollingham take on your questions.Pre-order our upcoming book The Year In Space for a run down of the most exciting space news and a look to the year ahead: https://geni.us/jNcrwListen to Space Boffins: https://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/astronomy-podcasts/space-boffins/apollo-remasteredListen to Gardeners of the Galaxy: https://gardenersofthegalaxy.podbean.com/Bookclub: The Year in Space - The Supermassive Podcast (that's us!) Apollo Remastered - Andy Saunders Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning - Richard Hinckley AllenA Responsibility to Awe - Rebecca Elson A Brief History of Black Holes - Dr Becky Smethurst Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Izzie and Dr Becky freak out over the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope. From seeing the deep (not so deep) field with Steve Wilkins from the University of Sussex, to exploring exoplanet atmospheres with Dr Hannah Wakeford from the University of Bristol. Plus, Dr Robert Massey takes the team through the September night sky. Pre-order The Year in Space, out October 27th 2022https://geni.us/jNcrwSend in your questions for next month's Year in Space Q&A to podcast@ras.ac.ukThe Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham for the Royal Astronomical Society.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Supermassive team dust off their wellies and peg down their tents for Standon Calling. And to celebrate 10 years of NASA's Curiosity rover landing on Mars, Izzie and Dr Becky are asking the question everyone at the festival wants answered... Is there life on Mars? With special thanks to Dr Robert Massey, David Rothery, Professor of Planetary Geosciences at the Open University, and Alice Armstrong from Agile Rabbit. Pre-order our book, The Year In Space, out October 2022: https://geni.us/jNcrwThe Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production, by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Izzie and Dr Becky are flying closer to home to look at the Rocky Planets; Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. How are they different? How are they similar? And can understanding their past tell us anything about Earth’s future? Plus, Dr Robert Massey has his stargazing tips for summer. With special thanks to Dr Suzie Imber from the University of Leicester, and Sian Prosser from the Royal Astronomical Society. Thank you to Brilliant for sponsoring this episode.  Head to brilliant.org/supermassive to start free courses in maths, science, and computer science. The first 200 subscribers will get 20% off. Our book, The Year In Space 2023, will be out in Oct 2022. Pre-order here: https://geni.us/jNcrwWe'll be LIVE at Standon Calling, Friday 22nd July 2022 at 2pm. Find out more: https://standon-calling.com/The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From hexagonal shaped storms to spinning sideways, Izzie and Dr Becky are exploring our weird and wonderful Gas Giants. Joining them are Dr Tom Stallard from the University of Leicester and Dr Robert Massey, Deputy Director of the Royal Astronomical Society. Plus editor, Richard Hollingham, takes a trip to the Royal Astronomical Society’s library to see Galileo’s first observations of Saturn’s rings and William Herschel’s notebook from when he discovered Uranus. See Jupiter's fast rotation (thanks to Dr James O'Donoghue) https://twitter.com/physicsJ/status/1519023430053818368 Thank you to Brilliant for sponsoring this episode.  Head to brilliant.org/supermassive to start free courses in maths, science, and computer science. The first 200 subscribers will get 20% off. The Year In Space 2023 by The Supermassive Team will be out on Oct 2022. Pre-order here: https://geni.us/jNcrw The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. Edited by Sarah Moore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does a galaxy evolve and die? Izzie and Dr Becky find out with help from Tim Davis at Cardiff University. Plus, Dr Robert Massey from the Royal Astronomical Society answers your questions and explains how to spot galaxies in the night sky. Thank you to Brilliant for sponsoring this episode.  Head to brilliant.org/supermassive to start free courses in maths, science, and computer science. The first 200 subscribers will get 20% off.The link below has more information on the RAS Public Talk with Astronomer Royal Martin Rees, Space exploration and the search for extraterrestrial life - with humans and with robots. https://ras.ac.uk/events-and-meetings/ras-public-lectures-and-events/space-exploration-and-search-extraterrestrialA Year In Space by The Supermassive Team will be out on Oct 13th 2022. Pre-order here:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Year-Space-Supermassive-Podcast-Astronomical/dp/1472299507/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1O3PS3QUCPP2A&keywords=the+year+in+space&qid=1650904438&s=books&sprefix=the+year+in+space%2Cstripbooks%2C94&sr=1-3The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Izzie and Dr Becky are attempting to tackle the massive subject of building a galaxy.  Professor Mike Merrifield from The University of Nottingham explains how galaxies form and our very own galaxy expert, Dr Becky, tells us why they come in different shapes and sizes. Plus, Dr Robert Massey has his top tips for stargazing in spring.  Thank you to Brilliant for sponsoring this episode.  Head to brilliant.org/supermassive to start free courses in maths, science, and computer science. The first 200 subscribers will get 20% off.Explore the Galaxy Zoo here: https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/zookeeper/galaxy-zoo/Space Book Club recommendations... Back to Earth - Nicole Stott The End of Astronauts - Donald Goldsmith & Martin ReesThe Disordered Cosmos - Chanda Prescod-Weinstein"A Year In Space" by The Supermassive Team will be out on Oct 13th 2022. Pre-order here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Year-Space-Supermassive-Podcast-Astronomical/dp/1472299507/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1O3PS3QUCPP2A&keywords=the+year+in+space&qid=1650904438&s=books&sprefix=the+year+in+space%2Cstripbooks%2C94&sr=1-3 The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. Editing this month is by Sarah Moore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.