Synopsis
The weekly podcast from the International Year of Astronomy 2009. This podcast comes out weekly and includes each daily episode of the 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast.
Episodes
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Ep. 471: Best Modern Sci Fi for the Science Lover - Part 3: Human Computer Relations
27/12/2017 Duration: 55minIt's time to talk computers, and how we're going to be dealing with them in the future. In our next segment on modern sci-fi, we talk about the future of the human-computer interface.
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Ep. 470: Best Modern Sci Fi for the Science Lover – Part 2: 3D Printing
19/12/2017 Duration: 56minOur journey through interesting science fiction, this time we talk about speculative fiction dealing with materials science, nanotechnology and 3D printing. It’s a staple in Star Trek, but what other stories deal with it?
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Ep. 469: Best Modern Sci Fi for the Science Lover - Part 1 Space Exploration
11/12/2017 Duration: 58minWe've always been fans of science fiction, but we really like our science. Today we'll talk about some books we've been reading recently that do a good job of dealing with the science in science fiction.
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Ep. 468: Simulations for Science and Fun
04/12/2017 Duration: 58minAstronomers depend on simulations to study the Universe. From relatively straightforward orbital simulations to vast simulations that try to recreate the large scale structure of the Universe from the Big Bang. Today we're going to talk about some of those simulations, as well as tools you can use simulate the Universe.
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Ep. 467: Resonance
27/11/2017 Duration: 44minMany of the moons and planets across the Universe are in resonance with each other and their star. What causes this resonance, and how can it help us understand the history of planetary formation and migration?
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Ep. 466: Origins of Zero (0)
20/11/2017 Duration: 01h47sWe depend on zero for our math to work right, but this number was actually invented in fairly recent times. Why do we need zero? Was it inevitable?
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Ep. 465: Exploiting Interfering Light
10/11/2017 Duration: 55minElectromagnetic radiation, also known as "light" is pretty handy for astronomers. They can use it to directly and indirectly observe stars, nebula, planets and more. But as you probably know, light can act like a wave, creating interference patterns tto teach us even more about the Universe.
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Ep. 464: Why the Hype over an Exorock?
06/11/2017 Duration: 57minAstronomers this week announced that they had discovered an asteroid or comet on a trajectory that brought it from outside the Solar System? Is this the first case of an object from deep space? And what can we learn from this discovery?
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Ep. 463: Pareidolia and the Moon
30/10/2017 Duration: 57minThe man in the moon, the pyramids on Mars. Every cloud, ever. Humans have a tendency to pattern match when they're looking around the Universe - it's called pareidolia. What causes this behavior, and how can we use this to debunk some hilarious conspiracy theories?
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Ep. 462: Modeling the Weather
24/10/2017 Duration: 44minHave you noticed that weather forecasting has gotten much better in the last few years? Thanks to weather satellites, weather stations, and better forecasting techniques. How do scientists predict the weather with any kind of accuracy days or even weeks in the future.
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Ep. 461: Measuring the Weather with Satellites
16/10/2017 Duration: 40minWhat's the weather doing? Is it going to rain today? How much? What about temperatures? We depend on modern weather forecasting, thanks, in part to the vast network of weather satellites. What instruments do they have, what orbits do they use.
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Ep. 460: Earth from Afar: Remote Sensing
09/10/2017 Duration: 59minThe space age has given us the ability to look at every corner of the globe in every wavelength. It's revolutionized our ability to predict the weather, keep track of environmental damage, and watch the world change. Today we look at what missions and technologies give us the ability to watch our world from afar.
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Ep. 459: Arecibo Observatory
02/10/2017 Duration: 45minThe iconic Arecibo Radio Observatory has been a mainstay in science and science fiction. This Puerto Rico-based radio telescope was already in an uncertain level of funding. But now with the damage from Hurricane Maria, it might be shut down forever.
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Ep. 458: The Science of Cassini
25/09/2017 Duration: 01h02minAnd now Cassini’s gone. Smashed up in the atmosphere of Saturn. But planetary scientists are going to be picking through all those pictures and data for decades. Let’s look back at some of the science gathered up by Cassini so far, and we can still learn from this epic journey.
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Ep. 457: Why Did Cassini Have To Die? In Memoriam
18/09/2017 Duration: 40minIt's time to say goodbye to an old friend, NASA's Cassini spacecraft, which has been orbiting within the Saturnian system since 2004. But why does a seemingly healthy spacecraft and mission need to come to an end? Today we look back at the mission, some of the amazing discoveries, and why its finale was necessary.
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Ep. 456: Pluto Revisited
11/09/2017 Duration: 01h11sThis week, we return to our starting point, where Astronomy Cast began: Pluto. 11 years on, we have a whole new appreciate for the dwarf planet Pluto. We've visited it, probed it and taken pictures. It's time for an update.
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Ep. 455: Your Practical Guide to Colonizing the Milky Way!
29/08/2017 Duration: 28minThis episode was recorded live in St. Louis, MO at the Astronomy Cast Solar Eclipse Escape 2017. Listen as we discuss how humans might be able to colonize the Milky Way!
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Ep. 454: Things We're Looking Forward To
19/06/2017 Duration: 01h04minAs we wrap up season 10 of Astronomy Cast, we look forward to all the instruments, missions and science results on the distant horizon. Think astronomy is exciting already? Just you wait.
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Ep. 453: Favorite Things We've Done These 10 Years
11/06/2017 Duration: 57min10 years of Astronomy Cast... wow. It's been a long, fun journey. What are some of our favorite episodes and adventures over the decade we've been doing this show.
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