Universe Today Podcast

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Episode 616: Open Space 59: Professor Greg Eghigian and the History of UFOs Jan 21, 2020

Show notes

This week I'm joined by Professor Greg Eghigian, from Penn State University to talk about the history of UFO sightings and claims of alien contact.

You can read a recent essay by Dr. Eghigian on Smithsonian's Air and Space Magazine:

https://www.airspacemag.com/space/year-ufos-180973965/

And learn more about his work here:
https://history.la.psu.edu/directory/gae2

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

What Fraser's Watching Playlist:
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Astronomy Cast:
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Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

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Episode 615: The Far Side Of The Moon Is The Perfect Place For a Radio Telescope Jan 21, 2020

Show notes

We’ve now passed the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing, and all eyes are back on the Moon. NASA is planning to return to the Moon by 2024 with its Artemis mission, the Chinese have put the Moon firmly in their plans for space exploration, and even SpaceX thinks the Moon is the perfect destination to test out the capabilities of its Starship.

But what can you do with the Moon? Refuel spacecraft with resources drawn from the lunar regolith? Mine its helium 3 for your fusion reactors? Build a lunar amusement park?

In fact, the far side of the Moon might make one of the best platforms we have for radio telescopes. One side of the Moon is completely blocked from Earth’s constantly increasing radio traffic, giving it the perfect view to the most sensitive radio signals in the Universe.

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

Weekly email newsletter:
https://www.universetoday.com/newsletter

Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Support us at https://www.patreon.com/universetoday
More stories at https://www.universetoday.com/
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/fcain
Twitter: @universetoday
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/universetoday
Instagram - https://instagram.com/universetoday

Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

References:
https://www.lpi.usra.edu/leag/white-papers-astronomy/FARSIDE_190710_Final.pdf
https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/planck
https://jwst.nasa.gov/content/science/firstLight.html
https://www.haystack.mit.edu/edu/pcr/Data/pdf/Hydrogen%2021-cm%20Emission%20line-final.pdf
https://www.universetoday.com/144206/theres-now-an-operational-radio-telescope-on-the-far-side-of-the-moon/

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Episode 614: Starlink And Its Impact On Astronomy Jan 17, 2020

Show notes

On Monday, January 6th, 2020, another SpaceX Falcon 9 blasted off from Cape Canaveral, carrying another 60 Starlink internet communications satellites, bringing the full size of the constellation to 180. With just three launches, SpaceX becomes the largest satellite operator in the world.

But the company is just getting started. They’re planning to do this again every couple of weeks during 2020, bringing the total number of satellites in the constellation to about 1440, which is enough to provide high-speed internet services to the United States and parts of Canada.

Shortly after launch, as the satellites are raising their altitude, they’re clearly visible to the eye as they streak across the sky in a close train.

Astronomers aren’t happy.

Thumbnail credit: Victoria Girgis/Lowell Observatory

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

Weekly email newsletter:
https://www.universetoday.com/newsletter

Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

References:
https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-starlink-internet-satellites-itc-filing-30000-additional-42000-total-2019-10
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-fccs-approval-of-spacexs-starlink-mega-constellation-may-have-been-unlawful/
https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/14/21043229/spacex-starlink-satellite-mega-constellation-concerns-astronomy-space-traffic
https://spacenews.com/spacex-gets-ok-to-re-space-starlink-orbits/
https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-starlink-satellite-ufo-terminals-how-network-works-2020-1

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Episode 613: Q&A 113: Could We Attach Telescopes To Starlink? And More Featuring Jeff Foust Jan 16, 2020

Show notes

In this week's questions show, I've got another expert guest answerer. Space News reporter and Space Review editor Jeff Foust answers your tricky spaceflight questions. Could we attach telescopes to Starlinks? What impact will these megaconstellations have on astronomy? What can humans do that robots can't? And more...

Check out Jeff's work at:
https://spacenews.com/
https://www.thespacereview.com/

00:30 Could there be airtight caves on Mars containing atmosphere?
01:26 Why would we actually want to go to Mars?
02:30 Could we attach telescopes to Starlinks?
03:17 Could we do gravity experiments with animals on Earth?
04:34 Has anyone tried to do surgery in space?
05:20 What can humans do in space that robots can't?
06:16 How will Starlink impact astronomy?
07:42 How will megaconstellations affect launches?

Want to be part of the questions show? Ask a short question on any video on my channel. I gather a bunch up each week, and answer them here.

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

Weekly email newsletter:
https://www.universetoday.com/newsletter

Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

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Episode 612: Open Space 58: First Pictures From the New Telescope, And More... Jan 14, 2020

Show notes

Thanks to our good friends at Oceanside Photo and Telescope, our livestreaming telescope is back online. I featured a couple of quick pics I took with the telescope during a test stream on Twitch Sunday night.

I also answered questions about our trip to the AAS in Hawaii, if it's possible to make a more powerful telescope out of smaller telescopes, and why the ISS doesn't have an artificial magnetosphere.

02:20 New pictures from the telescope
04:30 American Astronomical Society meeting in Hawaii
07:45 Can we make a big telescope out of smaller telescopes?
11:59 Why don't we make a magnetic field around ISS?
14:10 Why hasn't TESS found many planets?
17:20 Has my opinion on the Fermi Paradox changed?
20:10 How do Type 1a supernovae form?
22:18 Can New Horizons flyby more objects?
23:50 How can we detect life if we're seeing the past?
26:19 Any plans for next generation of Hubble?
29:08 Any cool new images at AAS?
31:05 What about Origins?
31:44 Did I read many posters?
35:59 Are we the first civilization?
37:44 Next decadal survey?
39:00 How can evidence of civilization disappear?
41:35 Does the Solar System have too many planets?
43:55 Should humanity spread life into the Universe?
45:38 Interesting conversations at AAS?
49:07 Why focus on Mars?
51:20 Shouldn't we focus on asteroid defense?
53:04 Does Starlink increase the odds of a Kessler Syndrome?

Want to see the experiments, join me at:
https://www.twitch.tv/fcain

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

What Fraser's Watching Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbJ42wpShvmkjd428BcHcCEVWOjv7cJ1G

Weekly email newsletter:
https://www.universetoday.com/newsletter

Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

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Episode 611: Are Aliens Watching Us And How Could We Hide? With Dr. David Kipping Jan 14, 2020

Show notes

Once again, at the AAS Meeting in Hawaii, I got a chance to sit down with another astronomer to talk about their research. This time it was Dr. David Kipping from Columbia University's Cool World's Lab. We talked about how easy it'll be for aliens to know our planet is inhabited, and some ways we might be able to hide the evidence of our existence.

Check out Cool Worlds:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGHZpIpAWJQ-Jy_CeCdXhMA

Follow David on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/david_kipping

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

Weekly email newsletter:
https://www.universetoday.com/newsletter

Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

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Episode 610: Open Space 57: Could We Terraform Earth To Make It Better? And More... Jan 12, 2020

Show notes

In this week's Open Space QA, I respond to complaints about my Betelgeuse video, wonder about alien civilizations stuck in heavy gravity, and consider whether we could terraform Earth to make it better.

03:30 Betelgeuse video comments
08:30 Can gravitational waves travel at the speed of light
11:45 Can we terraform Earth to a better place?
13:38 Could there be civilizations stuck in heavy G?
15:39 Artemis or capture a NEO?
18:12 Could other planets have oil?
19:17 Is math universal?
21:38 What am I reading?
23:47 What kinds of pictures will James Webb take?
24:55 When humans walk on Mars?
27:04 Why don't I get older?
27:42 How many satellite constellations will there be?
28:44 Collecting questions
31:00 How can satellite internet compete?
31:35 Will James Webb be extra fragile?
32:20 Stream Rimworld?
33:11 How do you find sanity considering the infinite Universe
35:25 Should we care about the Universe that we can't see?
37:07 Disappearing stars?
37:30 Can we agree on the Hubble constant yet?
37:55 Speed of magnetism
38:23 First destination with a FTL spaceship
39:52 Do black holes run out of energy?
40:45 Do black holes eat spacetime?
41:50 How important are plate tectonics for life?
43:00 Is there a limit to satellite constellations?
45:10 Why don't you answer my questions?
45:52 Biggest threat from space?
48:13 Will Starlink be a problem for astronomers
50:00 String Theory, science or philosophy?
51:45 Simulation hypothesis, science or philosophy?
51:16 Which telescope to buy?
55:45 When will there be independent settlements in space?
56:45 How to protect astronauts inside Orion?
57:52 How long is a supernova dangerous?
58:21 What did I think of Consider Phlebas?

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

What Fraser's Watching Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbJ42wpShvmkjd428BcHcCEVWOjv7cJ1G

Weekly email newsletter:
https://www.universetoday.com/newsletter

Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

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Episode 609: Why Haven't Aliens Settled Every Star In The Milky Way? With Adam Frank Jan 12, 2020

Show notes

At the American Astronomical Society's meeting Honolulu I got a chance to talk with Adam Frank about new research he's worked with Caleb Scharf, Jonathan Carroll-Nellenback and Jason Wright about the Fermi Paradox. They calculated how difficult it would be for aliens traveling at 10% the speed of light to settle the entire Milky Way, and it turns out, it's not as simple as you might think.

Visit Adam Frank's website:
https://www.adamfrankscience.com/

Read the article at Scientific American here:
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/life-unbounded/galactic-extremism/

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

Weekly email newsletter:
https://www.universetoday.com/newsletter

Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

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Episode 608: Q&A 112: Are Stars Moving The Same Speed And More. Featuring Ethan Siegel Jan 12, 2020

Show notes

This week's questions show was recorded at the 235th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Honolulu, Hawaii. I was lucky enough to have 3,500 astronomers, space scientists and others to talk with. Ethan Siegel from "Starts with a Bang" is back, and this time he's answering your questions about space and astronomy.

Visit his blog here:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/#5bfca02e2c5e

Follow Ethan on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/StartsWithABang

Want to be part of the questions show? Ask a short question on any video on my channel. I gather a bunch up each week, and answer them here.

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

Weekly email newsletter:
https://www.universetoday.com/newsletter

Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

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Episode 607: Q&A 111: Will We Ever Study All The Planets? And More... Dec 31, 2019

Show notes

In this week's questions show I explain how we'll ever study 100 million planets, what's the business case for space exploration, and how I pull the questions together for these shows.

00:42 Can we ever study all the planets?
03:33 Return on investment from space exploration?
03:35 Will we become a post-scarcity economy?
05:59 Why not a better Mars simulation?
08:16 How do I manage the QAs?
10:10 What will low gravity do to humans?
12:04 Private industry will explore space?
14:17 Where will power on Mars come from?
16:18 Expanse, Season 4!
17:54 How would the skies look on Mars?
18:47 Who gets the resources of a planet?
21:05 Are smaller content creators getting squeezed?
23:16 Is 100 million exoplanets just a guess?

Want to be part of the questions show? Ask a short question on any video on my channel. I gather a bunch up each week, and answer them here.

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

Weekly email newsletter:
https://www.universetoday.com/newsletter

Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

Support Universe Today Podcast

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