Astronomy Cast show

Astronomy Cast

Summary: Astronomy Cast offers you a fact based journey through the cosmos. Each week Fraser Cain (Universe Today) and Dr. Pamela Gay (SIUE / Slacker Astronomy) take on topics ranging from the nearby planets to ubiquitous dark matter.

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  • Artist: Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay
  • Copyright: Fraser Cain and Dr. Pamela Gay

Podcasts:

 Episode 5: The Big Bang and Cosmic Microwave Background | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

Episode 5: The Big Bang and Cosmic Microwave Background

 Episode 5: The Big Bang and Cosmic Microwave Background | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

As a tribute to John Mather and George Smoot, the two leaders of the Cosmic Microwave Background Explorer (COBE) satellite science team, and winners of this year's Nobel Prize for Physics, we head back to the beginning of everything- the Big Bang. Follow as we trace the Big Bang's discovery, and one of the most important lines of evidence: the cosmic microwave background radiation which was predicted by theory and then discovered by accident.

 Episode 4: The Search for Dark Matter | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

Episode 4: The Search for Dark Matter

 Episode 4: The Search for Dark Matter | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

Dark matter . . . What is it? Nobody knows for sure, but it's definitely there. Or maybe it's not there, and we just need some redefinition of gravity at vast scales. Join Fraser and Pamela as we discuss the discovery, detection, and possible explanations of dark matter.

 Episode 3: Hot Jupiters and Pulsar Planets | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

Episode 3: Hot Jupiters and Pulsar Planets

 Episode 3: Hot Jupiters and Pulsar Planets | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

You have lived on the Earth all your life, so you'd think you know plenty about planets. As usual though, the Universe is stranger than we assume, and the planets orbiting other stars defy our expectations. Gigantic super-Jupiters whirling around their parent stars every couple of days; fluffy planets with the density of cork; and Earth-sized fragments of exploded stars circling pulsars. Join us as we round up the latest batch of bizarro worlds.

 Episode 2: In Search of Other Worlds | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

Episode 2: In Search of Other Worlds

 Episode 2: In Search of Other Worlds | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

Look down at your feet. There... you're looking at a planet. Now look into the night sky and you should be able to spot a few more. After that, spotting additional planets becomes really hard, especially when you're trying to find them orbiting other stars. This week we discuss the techniques astronomers use to locate distant worlds.

 Episode 1: Pluto's Planetary Identity Crisis | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

Episode 1: Pluto's Planetary Identity Crisis

 Episode 1: Pluto's Planetary Identity Crisis | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

Pluto. It's a planet, then it's not. This week we review Pluto's history, from discovery to demotion by the International Astronomical Union. Learn the 3 characteristics that make up a planet, and why Pluto now fails to make the grade.

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