Astronomy Cast

There’s some topics on Astronomy Cast that we wait until we are good and ready, until the science is all in. The Dawn mission has completed it’s mapping operations at asteroid Vesta and it’s now moving on to Ceres. This gives us a great opportunity to take a detailed look at this amazing asteroid, report on the science findings, and give you a preview of what’s coming next.

This week we talk about the possibility that comet ISON will be the brightest ever, new picture of Phobos returned by Curiosity Rover, an anticipated date for record setting skydive, Hubble extreme deep field survey, first test of Grasshopper by SpaceX, plans for a base beyond the Moon, and a paddleboat mission to Titan in initial planning stage. We are joined by Jason Major, Nancy Atkinson, Alan Boyle, Michael Wall, and Ian O'Neill. Hosted by Fraser Cain.

Weekly Space Hangout - Sep. 27 2012

In Episode 24 we presented the concept of the Fermi Paradox. In short: Where are all the aliens? Today we’re going to examine the theoretical solutions to this problem. Maybe they’re out there, but just don’t want to talk to us. Maybe it’s too hard to communicate? Maybe there are no other civilizations. Maybe civilizations wipe themselves out when they reach a certain point. So many solutions, none of them satisfactory.

Ep. 273: Solutions to the Fermi Paradox

This week we talk about Warp Drive research at NASA, Neil Armstrong burial at sea, Curiosity Rover looking at a pyramid shaped rock, Phobos eclipse as seen from Mars, and the oldest-youngest galaxy. We are joined by Jason Major, Nicole Gugliucci, Amy Shira Teitel, Nancy Atkinson, and Ian O'Neill. Hosted by Fraser Cain.

Weekly Space Hangout - Sep. 20 2012

The Theory of Evolution provides a rich explanation for why we see the diversity of life here on Earth. There are so many lines of evidence, from genetic drift to the fossil record. But how did life start? How did things go from a collection of raw materials to the building blocks of life, giving evolution and natural selection a way to take over? That first step, from non-life to life is called “abiogenesis”, and it’s one of the most important questions science can answer.

Ep. 272: Abiogenesis

This week we talk about DAWN leaving Vesta, an impact recorded on Jupiter, Shuttle Endeavor's move to it's retirement home, and give a Curiosity rover update, We are joined by Jason Major, Nicole Gugliucci, and Pamela Gay. Hosted by Fraser Cain.

Weekly Space Hangout - Sep. 13 2012

In past, if you looked up into the sky, you were an astronomer. But everything has gotten so complicated. Now we have astrophysicists, and cosmologists, planetary geologists, and even exobiologists. Who does what, and how do they all interact with one another. If you want to go into space research as a career, which one should you choose?

Ep. 271: Who Does What in Space and Astronomy

We've probed the deepest recesses of the universe, landed spacecraft and humans on other planets and moons but face it all of this exploration is expensive. Just a single spacecraft can cost billions. Who pays for all this stuff?

Astronomy Cast at Dragon*Con 2012: Space Money