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
Dec 18, 2020 • 43min
12: Gamma Rays & Christmas Stars
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.
Nov 20, 2020 • 40min
11: Radio Skies & Strange Signals
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.
Oct 23, 2020 • 42min
Humans In Space - with Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti
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.
Sep 25, 2020 • 41min
The Power of Space Probes
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.
Aug 28, 2020 • 35min
Journey to the Centre of the Earth
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.
Jul 23, 2020 • 39min
Down To Earth
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.
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.
