Astronomy Cast
Astronomy Cast offers you a fact based journey through the cosmos. Each week Fraser Cain (Universe Today) and Dr. Pamela Gay (SIUE / Slacker Astronomy) take on topics ranging from the nearby planets to ubiquitous dark matter.
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Ep. 103: Electromagnetism
Our series on the basic forces of the cosmos continues! ...
Our series on the basic forces of the cosmos continues! Last week we discussed gravity, and this we'll handle electromagnetism. Electricity and magnetism are just two aspects of the same force, and you can't talk about astronomy without understanding thes
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Ep. 102: Gravity
You seem to like a nice series, so here's a ...
You seem to like a nice series, so here's a new one we've been thinking about. Over the course of the next 4 weeks, we're going to cover each of the basic forces in the Universe. And this week, we're going to start with gravity; the force you're most fami
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Ep. 101: Advanced Propulsion Systems
Last week we talked about rockets. How they work and ...
Last week we talked about rockets. How they work and their limitations. This week we're going to look at the future of propulsion systems. From the ion engines that are already working to explore the Solar System to the prototype solar sails to futuristic
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Ep. 100: Rockets
To move around in space, you need some kind of ...
To move around in space, you need some kind of propulsion system. And for now, that means rockets. Let's learn the underlying science of rockets, and how they work. And learn why a rocket will never let us reach the speed of light.
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Ep. 99: The Milky Way
The Milky Way is our home. An island of stars ...
The Milky Way is our home. An island of stars in a universe of other galaxies. But you might be surprised to learn that astronomers have only known the Milky Way's true nature for just a century. Let's learn the history of discoveries about the Milky Way,
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Ep. 98: Quasars
Last week we talked about galaxies in general, and hinted ...
Last week we talked about galaxies in general, and hinted at the most violent and energetic ones out there: active galaxies. Quasars have been a mystery for half a century; what kind of object could throw out more radiation than an entire galaxy? A black
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Ep. 97: Galaxies
This week we're going to look at some of the ...
This week we're going to look at some of the biggest objects in the Universe: galaxies. It was the discovery of galaxies in the early 20th century that helped astronomers realize just how big the Universe is, and how far away everything is. Let's learn ho
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Ep. 96: Humans to Mars, Part 3 - Terraforming Mars
And now we reach the third part of our trilogy ...
And now we reach the third part of our trilogy on the human exploration and colonization of Mars. Humans will inevitably tire of living underground, and will want to stretch their legs, and fill their lungs with fresh air. One day, we'll contemplate the p
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Ep. 95: Humans to Mars, Part 2 - Colonists
After astronauts make the first tentative steps onto the surface ...
After astronauts make the first tentative steps onto the surface of Mars, a big goal will be colonization of the Red Planet. The first trailblazers who try to live on Mars will have their work cut out for them, being in an environment totally hostile to l
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Ep. 94: Humans to Mars, Part 1 - The Scientists
We're learned about the failed missions to Mars in the ...
We're learned about the failed missions to Mars in the past, and the current spacecraft, rovers and landers currently exploring the Red Planet. But the real prize will come when the first human sets foot on Mars. Robots are cheaper, but nothing beats havi
