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The Supermassive Podcast — Astronomy
The Supermassive Podcast

The UK’s #1 space podcast.

Science journalist Izzie Clarke and astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst whizz through the universe to explore the latest research with leading experts, dive to history from the society’s archives and take on your weird and wonderful questions about all things space. Can we gravitationally hitch-hike out of the solar system? Do we live in a multiverse? What is time? Plus Dr Robert Massey is on hand with his top star-gazing tips.

Want to support the show? Join The Supermassive Club for exclusive content, star-gazing forums and ad-free listening… supermassive.supportingcast.fm

And keep adding to The Supermassive Mailbox with your pictures and questions for the team. Send them to podcast@ras.ac.uk or follow them on Instagram, @SupermassivePod.

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Copyright: © The Royal Astronomical Society

Latest Episodes:

A Star Is Born Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

This month, Izzie and Dr Becky are shining a light on the first stars in the Universe. When did they form? And could any still exist today? Plus, they explore the life of Cecelia Payne Gaposchkin, the astrophysicist who discovered the structure of stars, and Dr Robert Massey joins them to discuss the latest NASA rover on Mars.

With special thanks to Dr Emma Chapman from Imperial College London, author of First Light, and Donovan Moore, author of What Stars Are Made Of: The Life of Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin.
The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Year, New Universe Jan 22, 2021

Show notes

Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst are kicking off the new year with the beginning of everything, the Big Bang. They speak with Professor David Wands who explains how our universe began, and dive into the historical debate behind this model with Professor Thomas Hertog. And, as always, astronomer Dr Robert Massey shares his top tips for stargazing this month.

Send the team your questions, photos and science book recommendations on social media using #RASSupermassive or email podcast@ras.ac.uk
The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gamma Rays & Christmas Stars Dec 18, 2020

Show notes

This month, Izzie & Becky are taking astronomy to the extremes with gamma ray expert, Professor Paula Chadwick, and Professor Julian Osborne from the SWIFT Observatory.

Plus, Robert Massey shares his top tips for stargazing at home and how best to see the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21st. Send your pictures and questions to podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc using #RASSupermassive.
The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Radio Skies & Strange Signals Nov 20, 2020

Show notes

It’s about time we gave optical telescopes a break! This month, Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst explore radio astronomy with Professor Tim O'Brien from the UK's Jodrell Bank Telescope and Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith, former project scientist for the Australian Square Kilometre Array.
Plus, Robert Massey shares his top tips for stargazing at home and choosing the right telescope for you. Send you pictures and questions to podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc.
Space Book Club Recommendations:

When Galaxies Collide - Lisa Harvey-Smith
Space: 10 Things You Should Know - Becky Smethurst
Moon: Art, Science, Culture - Robert Massey & Alex Loske
No Shadow of a Doubt - Daniel Kennefick
How To Be An Astronaut and Other Space Jobs - Sheila Kanani
The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking) - Katie Mack

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Humans In Space - with Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti Oct 23, 2020

Show notes

Why do we need astronauts? And where are we hoping to send them in the future? This month, Dr Becky Smethurst and Izzie Clarke explore the role of humans in space exploration and are joined by European Space Agency Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti.
Plus, the team celebrate 20 years of human presence on the International Space Station and Robert Massey shares his top tips for stargazing in November.
The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Power of Space Probes Sep 25, 2020

Show notes

Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst travel through our solar system; where exactly have we sent probes and rovers? Plus, they speak with Professor Jane Greaves, the scientist behind that Venus discovery, and Robert Massey joins to chat about all things stargazing.

With special thanks also to Professor Emma Bunce from the University of Leicester.
The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Journey to the Centre of the Earth Aug 28, 2020

Show notes

Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst explore the importance of Earth's core and magnetic field. Plus, the team finds out about the astronomer who sailed the seas in the name of science and Robert Massey joins to chat about all things stargazing.

With special thanks to Dr Rebekah Higgitt from National Museums Scotland. You can see the National Maritime Museum's collections of Halley's charts here: https://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/540213.html
The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Down To Earth Jul 23, 2020

Show notes

Dr Becky Smethurst and Izzie Clarke investigate the cosmic coincidences that formed the Earth and explore whether there are earthquakes and volcanoes on other planets. Plus, astronomer Robert Massey joins them to chat all things #cometNEOWISE and what else to look for in the night sky this month.
With special thanks to Dr Amy Gilligan from the University of Aberdeen, Professor David Rothery from the Open University, and everyone who shared their images of Neowise.

Keep sending your questions and stargazing photos to the team via podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc.
The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Looking for Alien Life Jun 25, 2020

Show notes

The search for alien life continues. Dr Becky Smethurst and Izzie Clarke explore the world of astrobiology and astronomer Robert Massey joins them to take on your extraterrestrial questions. Plus, they discuss the "broken pipeline" for black and minority ethnic physicists with Dr Sheila Kanani, and what to look for in the night sky this month.

With special thanks to Professor Jane Greaves from Cardiff University.
The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exploring Exoplanets May 21, 2020

Show notes

The worlds outside our solar system; exoplanets. This month, Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst take on listener questions about exoplanets, celebrate 30 years of the Hubble Space Telescope with Robert Massey, and amateur astronomer Steve Brown shares his beginner’s guide to astrophotography.

With special thanks also to Dr Hannah Wakeford from the University of Bristol.
Join the Royal Astronomical Society for an online series of talks exploring their collection.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/livestream-overlapping-collections-across-the-atlantic-tickets-105821880092
The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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