Strange New Worlds: A Science & Star Trek Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 64: The Worst Best Hug Mar 22, 2019

Show notes

Guest: Elise Cutts In Star Trek: Discovery, Ensign Tilly finds out that she has a "eukaryotic organism" growing inside of her—what's that? And why would Stamets' argon/xenon mixture make a good lightning rod? Newly minted Fulbright Fellow Elise Cutts is back on the show to discuss storylines and scientific themes from the first five episodes of Discovery's second season. Mike's "The Science of Star Trek" Astro On Tap Seattle talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2g17F-OomE Astronomy On Tap: https://astronomyontap.org/ Follow us on Twitter! Mike: @Miquai

Episode 63: The MU69 Flyby & Terralysium's Rings Mar 09, 2019

Show notes

Guest: Dr. James T. Keane On January 1, 2019, the New Horizons spacecraft flew past the Kuiper belt object MU69. Mike sat down with Dr. James T. Keane, a member of the New Horizons team, to ask him about being at this unique planetary encounter, what we've learned about the mysterious MU69 so far, and the Trekkiest thing about the flyby. Then, Mike and James discuss the physics behind the criss-crossing rings of planet Terralysium in the Star Trek: Discovery episode "New Eden." Follow us on Twitter! Mike: @Miquai James: @jtuttlekeane

Episode 62: The Sport Psychology of Star Trek Feb 23, 2019

Show notes

Guest: Dr. Jason von Stietz Whether you're running a half-marathon in Starfleet's Command Training Program, forming a baseball team on Deep Space Nine, or fencing a clever El-Aurian, Dr. Jason von Stietz is here to tell you how to overcome your opposition—with your mind! Jason, a PhD in clinical psychology, works as a sport psychologist at Whittier College and Cognitive Behavior Therapy of Southern California. Mike talks to Dr. von Stietz about the mental side of sports and how it relates to various situations in Star Trek and real life. Follow us on Twitter! Mike: @Miquai Jason: @NextGen_Perform

Episode 61: Driving Stories with Science Feb 12, 2019

Show notes

Guest: Joshua Zeller Mike sits down with playwright, actor, and director Joshua Zeller to discuss the writing of science-driven stories. Joshua is the author of "The God Particle Complex," a play about the search for the Higgs boson. Then, they discuss a range of Star Trek topics, including the latest DSC episode, "An Obol for Charon," Follow us on Twitter: Mike: @Miquai Joshua: @madcapofscience

Episode 60: The Search for Circumbinaries Jan 31, 2019

Show notes

Guest: Diana Windemuth What do Gallifrey from Doctor Who, Tatooine from Star Wars, and Talos IV from Star Trek have in common? They all orbit binary stars! On Episode 60 of Strange New Worlds, Diana Windemuth tells Mike about her hunt for circumbinary planets and why it's a much harder quest than looking for planets around single stars. Then, they discuss aspects of Star Trek Discovery's second season, including the latest episode, "New Eden," the Marvel-ization of Star Trek, and why Diana doesn't want to find Spock. Follow Mike on Twitter @Miquai!

Episode 59: Disco Bingo Jan 24, 2019

Show notes

Guests: Dr. James T. Keane & Dr. Peter Gao Mike, James, and Peter recap Star Trek: Discovery's Season 2 premiere in a totally unique way—through their bingo sheets! That's right, they're playing Disco Bingo! Find out who's in the lead after the first episode, what made Mike cry, and who stole "the tardigrade returns" just to lord it over Mike if it ever does. Follow us on Twitter! Mike: @Miquai James: @jtuttlekeane Peter: @PlanetaryGao

Episode 58: #AGU18: What Science Stands For Jan 19, 2019

Show notes

Guests: Erika K. Carlson, Voon Hui Lai, Dr. Jamie S. Rankin, Cecilia B. Sanders, Hima J. Hassenruck Gudipati, and Dr. James T. Keane The theme of the American Geophysical Union meeting in December 2018 was "What Science Stands For," so Mike went around asking scientists and science communicators, "What DOES science stand for?" Follow us on Twitter! Mike: @Miquai Erika: @erikakcarlson James: @jtuttlekeane

Episode 57: Short Treks Review Jan 15, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to 2019! In this first episode of what's bound to be a Star Trek–packed year, Mike gears up for Season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery by reviewing the first four Short Treks episodes. Also inside: how science is benefitting restoration and preservation projects in the Angkor region of Cambodia! Brandon-Shea Mutala's recent interviews with Star Trek composer's on TrekFM's Melodic Treks podcast: Dennis McCarthy: http://www.trek.fm/melodic-treks/89 Nicholas Meyer: http://www.trek.fm/melodic-treks/93 Cliff Eidelman: http://www.trek.fm/melodic-treks/94 Follow me on Twitter! Mike: @Miquai

Episode 56: The Beginning of an Odyssey? Dec 21, 2018

Show notes

Guest: Elise Cutts In the final episode of 2018, Michael interviews former co-host Elise Cutts about the Short Treks episode "Calypso." Also, there's plenty of space news—from InSight to OSIRIS-REx to Voyager 2. Astro Vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl__Ae2qk1Y&t=2s Michael's Planetary Report story on the emergence of life: http://www.planetary.org/explore/the-planetary-report/the-making-of-life.html Follow us on Twitter! Michael: @Miquai Elise: @emcuttsy

Episode 55: #DPS18 Day 5: Who Let J.J. Abrams Direct Reality? Dec 16, 2018

Show notes

Guests: Dr. Peter Gao, Dr. Laura Mayorga, Danica Adams Michael is joined by Dr. Peter Gao, Dr. Laura Mayorga, and Danica Adams to recap the 2018 Division for Planetary Science meeting. Each summarizes the science that they presented at #DPS18 and shares their favorite aspect of the conference. Also, Peter talks about how he hid subtle Star Trek references in his conference talk and faculty applications. Follow us on Twitter! Michael: @Miquai Peter: @PlanetaryGao Laura: @mayorgalc

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