The Supermassive Podcast
The Royal Astronomical Society
The UK's #1 space podcast.Science journalist Izzie Clarke and astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst whizz through the universe to explore the latest research with leading experts, dive to history from the society’s archives and take on your weird and wonderful questions about all things space. Can we gravitationally hitch-hike out of the solar system? Do we live in a multiverse? What is time? Plus Dr Robert Massey is on hand with his top star-gazing tips.Want to support the show? Join The Supermassive Club for exclusive content, star-gazing forums and ad-free listening... supermassive.supportingcast.fmAnd keep adding to The Supermassive Mailbox with your pictures and questions for the team. Send them to podcast@ras.ac.uk or follow them on Instagram, @SupermassivePod.The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 25, 2020 • 39min
Looking for Alien Life
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.
May 21, 2020 • 38min
Exploring Exoplanets
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.
Apr 23, 2020 • 36min
Under the Space Weather
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.
Mar 19, 2020 • 38min
Our Neighbourhood Star
This month, Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst explore the star in our neighbourhood, the annoying habits you would banish there and the extreme stars further afield. Plus the Royal Astronomical Society trusts them with a very special book from their archives: Caroline Herschel's star atlas.What annoying habits would you banish to the sun? Or have you tried some Astrophotography at home? Share with the team via podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc.With special thanks to Professor Lucie Green from University College London and Royal Astronomical Society librarian, Sian Prosser.The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 20, 2020 • 38min
It's All Relativity...
This month, Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst explore relativity, gravitational waves and the photographs that made Albert Einstein a household name. Astronomer Robert Massey joins us to talk through SpaceX's Starlink and what we can see in the night sky. Plus we have a special gift from poet laureate Simon Armitage.With special thanks to Professor Toby Wiseman from Imperial College London and Royal Astronomical Society librarian, Sian Prosser. You can send your questions to the team via podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc.The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 17, 2020 • 41min
Seeing The Invisible Universe
From black holes to dark matter, this first episode of the Royal Astronomical Society's new podcast explores the odd things in space we can't see. Plus, hosts astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst and science journalist Izzie Clarke are trusted with a book from 1566 and Robert Massey, the Deputy Executive Director of the RAS, shares his top tips for stargazing at home. With special thanks to Dr Rebekah Higgitt from the University of Kent, Professor Hiranya Peiris and Professor Andrew Pontzen from University College London. And yes, we've had to change the name of our podcast. All shall be revealed in episode two...You can send your questions to the team via podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc.The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
