Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

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Starstruck with Sarafina El-Badry Nance Jun 07, 2023

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Sarafina El-Badry Nance joins Planetary Radio to discuss her new book, Starstruck: A Memoir of Astrophysics and Finding Light in the Dark. We share a beautiful poem about exploration that will soon be on its way to Europa and let you know how you can put your name on the upcoming Europa Clipper mission. Then we check in with Bruce Betts for What's Up and an update on this week's night sky.

Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2023-starstruck

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Space Policy Edition: The policy implications of active SETI Jun 02, 2023

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Would meeting an extraterrestrial civilization be good or bad for humanity? Astronomer Dr. Jacob Haqq Misra argues that knowing the outcome in advance is fundamentally impossible, which results in a range of policy implications. Should we camouflage Earth's technosignatures or pour money into perhaps the most transformative event in human history? Should we fear the dark or embrace the unknown?

Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2023-spe-policy-implications-of-active-seti

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The Science You’ve Enabled May 31, 2023

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The Planetary Society has just announced the latest awards in its Science and Technology Enabled by the Public (STEP) Grant program. With regular host Sarah Al-Ahmed on vacation, Mat Kaplan returns to introduce the principal investigator for a project that will prepare us to grow food on the Moon and Mars. Another PI and his team plan to analyze extreme life in super salty lakes. Planetary Society Chief Scientist Bruce Betts heads the STEP Grant program. He’ll give us an overview, and a quick look at the satisfying success of the previous projects. Stick around as Mat joins Bruce for this week’s What’s Up. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2023-step-grant-principal-investigators

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Exoplanet enigma: Unpacking the discovery of a "forbidden" planet May 24, 2023

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This week on Planetary Radio, Shubham Kanodia, the lead on a paper about a so-called“forbidden planet,” TOI 5202 b, joins us to talk about this strange world and why it's upending our understanding of planetary formation. Then Bruce Betts and Sarah Al-Ahmed will team up for What's Up, a look back at this week in space history, and a preview of the upcoming night sky. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2023-forbidden-planet

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inspiring the next generation through space education May 17, 2023

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In this week's episode of Planetary Radio, we're honoring the educators who inspire young, curious minds to explore the marvels of the Cosmos. We’ll speak with guests from The Planetary Academy, the Griffith Observatory School Program, and Mt. Wilson's STEM Education program, all of whom are paving the way for the next generation of space enthusiasts and explorers. Then we'll check in Bruce Betts for What's Up so you know what to watch for in the upcoming night sky.

Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2023-inspiring-the-next-generation

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The case for saving VERITAS May 10, 2023

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NASA's VERITAS mission to Venus is currently on an indefinite hold. Darby Dyar, Deputy Principal Investigator for the mission, joins Planetary Radio to share the human story behind the spacecraft. She provides an insightful overview of the mission's background, its intended scientific contributions, and how listeners can help advocate for the mission. Then Bruce Betts guides us through upcoming night sky events and looks forward to asteroid Apophis' close flyby of Earth in 2029.

Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2023-the-case-for-saving-veritas

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Space Policy Edition: SpaceX's Starship vs. the environment, with Eric Roesch May 05, 2023

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Prior to Starship's inaugural launch, environmental policy expert Eric Roesch was outspoken about the possibility of catastrophe. As the rocket launched, it kicked up massive clouds of dust and decimated its launchpad, scattering large chunks of concrete into delicate marine and coastal sanctuaries nearby. Eric blames both SpaceX and its regulatory body, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), for allowing the company to skirt responsibility in its environmental reporting and mitigating its impact on its surrounding wilderness. He joins the show to discuss the proper role of environmental regulations, why he believes the FAA was irresponsible in approving SpaceX's launch licenses, and how you can simultaneously protect the environment and local wildlife while still pursuing an ambitious path to space.

Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-spacexs-starship-vs-the-environment-with-eric-roesch

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Adventures at the 2023 Planetary Defense Conference May 03, 2023

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Planetary Radio creator Mat Kaplan shares a look behind the scenes at the 2023 Planetary Defense Conference in Vienna, Austria. You’ll hear exclusive interviews with planetary defense specialists from around the planet as they gather to push the boundaries of asteroid and comet deflection technologies. Stick around for What’s Up with Bruce Betts, an update on the night sky, and a look forward to the upcoming Eta Aquarid meteor shower.
Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2023-planetary-defense-conference

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Juice mission liftoff: A new era of icy moon exploration begins Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

Join us as we celebrate the successful launch of the European Space Agency's Juice mission! Our special guest, project scientist Olivier Witasse, shares the thrilling details about the launch and the next steps for this groundbreaking mission to explore Jupiter’s icy moons. We'll also recap the inspiring events of last week's Planetary Society Digital Day of Action, where space enthusiasts and advocates united to make an impact on the future of space exploration. Don't miss our resident astronomer, Bruce Betts, as he guides us through the upcoming night sky in What's Up.
Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2023-juice-mission-liftoff

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Under Alien Skies with Phil Plait Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

Phil Plait, the Bad Astronomer, joins Planetary Radio to discuss his new book, “Under Alien Skies: A Sightseer’s Guide to the Galaxy.” The book takes the reader on an imaginary journey to 10 spectacular locations in space and shares the strange and beautiful experience visitors would have if they could witness it for themselves. Stick around after the break for What’s Up with Bruce Betts and a chance to win a copy of “Under Alien Skies” in our space trivia contest.

Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2023-under-alien-skies

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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