The Supermassive Podcast

Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst are kicking off the new year with the beginning of everything, the Big Bang. They speak with Professor David Wands who explains how our universe began, and dive into the historical debate behind this model with Professor Thomas Hertog. And, as always, astronomer Dr Robert Massey shares his top tips for stargazing this month. Send the team your questions, photos and science book recommendations on social media using #RASSupermassive or email podcast@ras.ac.ukThe Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast explores gamma rays in the universe, discussing their origins and the challenges of studying them. It highlights the expertise of Professor Paula Chadwick in high energy physics in astronomy. The connection between gamma ray astronomy and particle physics is also explored, along with the Swift Observatory's ability to track gamma ray bursts. Additionally, the podcast discusses magnetars and provides tips for observing the upcoming event of Jupiter and Saturn being close together in the night sky.

It’s about time we gave optical telescopes a break! This month, Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst explore radio astronomy with Professor Tim O'Brien from the UK's Jodrell Bank Telescope and Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith, former project scientist for the Australian Square Kilometre Array.Plus, Robert Massey shares his top tips for stargazing at home and choosing the right telescope for you. Send you pictures and questions to podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc.Space Book Club Recommendations: When Galaxies Collide - Lisa Harvey-Smith  Space: 10 Things You Should Know - Becky Smethurst Moon: Art, Science, Culture - Robert Massey & Alex LoskeNo Shadow of a Doubt - Daniel Kennefick How To Be An Astronaut and Other Space Jobs - Sheila KananiThe End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking) - Katie MackThe Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do we need astronauts? And where are we hoping to send them in the future? This month, Dr Becky Smethurst and Izzie Clarke explore the role of humans in space exploration and are joined by European Space Agency Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. Plus, the team celebrate 20 years of human presence on the International Space Station and Robert Massey shares his top tips for stargazing in November. The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst travel through our solar system; where exactly have we sent probes and rovers? Plus, they speak with Professor Jane Greaves, the scientist behind that Venus discovery, and Robert Massey joins to chat about all things stargazing.With special thanks also to Professor Emma Bunce from the University of Leicester.  The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst explore the importance of Earth's core and magnetic field. Plus, the team finds out about the astronomer who sailed the seas in the name of science and Robert Massey joins to chat about all things stargazing.With special thanks to Dr Rebekah Higgitt from National Museums Scotland. You can see the National Maritime Museum's collections of Halley's charts here: https://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/540213.htmlThe Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Becky Smethurst and Izzie Clarke investigate the cosmic coincidences that formed the Earth and explore whether there are earthquakes and volcanoes on other planets. Plus, astronomer Robert Massey joins them to chat all things #cometNEOWISE and what else to look for in the night sky this month. With special thanks to Dr Amy Gilligan from the University of Aberdeen, Professor David Rothery from the Open University, and everyone who shared their images of Neowise. Keep sending your questions and stargazing photos to the team via 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 search for alien life continues. Dr Becky Smethurst and Izzie Clarke explore the world of astrobiology and astronomer Robert Massey joins them to take on your extraterrestrial questions. Plus, they discuss the "broken pipeline" for black and minority ethnic physicists with Dr Sheila Kanani, and what to look for in the night sky this month. With special thanks to Professor Jane Greaves from Cardiff University. 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 worlds outside our solar system; exoplanets. This month, Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst take on listener questions about exoplanets, celebrate 30 years of the Hubble Space Telescope with Robert Massey, and amateur astronomer Steve Brown shares his beginner’s guide to astrophotography.  With special thanks also to Dr Hannah Wakeford from the University of Bristol.Join the Royal Astronomical Society for an online series of talks exploring their collection. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/livestream-overlapping-collections-across-the-atlantic-tickets-105821880092The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brits love talking about the weather, so Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst are taking it up a notch. This month, the Supermassive team explore the solar wind, auroras on other planets and the European Space Agency Satellite that's on its way to the sun, Solar Orbiter. With special thanks to UCL's Professor Andrew Coates and Lee Macdonald from Oxford's History of Science Museum. Share your astrophotography and lockdown creations with the team via podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc. For the next Royal Astronomical Society's "sew-cial" visit: https://ras.ac.uk/news-and-press/news/ras-bicentennial-quiltThe Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham..  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.