Let's Science

Let's Science episodes:

• 05.11.2024

  Beam Solar Power from Space

  SCI065: Japan plans to launch a satellite to test space-based solar power in 2025. Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle discuss the technical aspects, scalability, and environmental concerns, balancing enthusiasm for its potential with realism about challenges and costs. Get all new...

  
• 04.27.2024

  Living on Moon Time

  SCI064: A coalition of countries are creating a standardized Lunar time zone, and Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle discuss why this is important to the future of space travel; how mass and gravity affect timekeeping; and the challenges to keeping...

  
• 04.06.2024

  2024 Total Solar Eclipse

  SCI063: With a large part of the US getting a chance to see a total solar eclipse this week, Caroline Knight, Lindsay Sant, and Lino Saubolle discuss eclipse science and viewing tips for those lucky enough to be in the...

  
• 03.30.2024

  Surprising Egyptian Baboons

  SCI062: Baboons in ancient Egypt held special significance, even providing the form of one of their gods. Caroline Knight, Lindsay Sant, and Lino Saubolle discuss how recent DNA finds trace their origins to the land of Punt and reveal insights...

  
• 03.02.2024

  The Shrinking Moon

  SCI061: The Moon is indeed shrinking. Caroline Knight explains to Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle how the Moon is contracting and cooling over time, causing moonquakes, shrinking about 150 feet every few hundred million years, and potentially affecting future Artemis...

  
• 02.17.2024

  Pikman and Plants

  SCI060: Plant-animal hybrids may only exist in the Pikmin game, but Caroline Knight tells Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle that there are also real-life photosynthetic animals that convert sunlight to energy, and discusses how all that works. Get all new episodes...

  
• 02.03.2024

  Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade

  SCI059: The little penguins of Phillip Island, Australia, are a unique avian population. Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle discuss their unique characteristics and life cycle and the role of ecotourism in habitat protection as a testament to effect conservation efforts. Get...

  
• 12.23.2023

  Australian Christmas Trees

  SCI058: Explore the science of Christmas trees with Caroline Knight, Lindsay Sant, and Lino Saubolle, including traditional trees from Europe and North America, but also some native Australian trees that would make great living Christmas trees. Get all new episodes automatically...

  
• 12.09.2023

  Starfish Are Just Heads

  SCI057: Dive into the world of bizarre starfish facts! Caroline Knight tells Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle about their unique biology, complex genetics, distinctive radial symmetry, and that their whole body is a head. Reflect with us on our enduring...

  
• 12.07.2023

  A special message from StarQuest CEO Dom Bettinelli

  StarQuest CEO Dom Bettinelli has a special message for listeners as we approach the Christmas season. We need to hear from you this Advent and Christmas at sqpn.com/give

  
• 11.25.2023

  Tracking Woolly Mammoth

  SCI056: Isotopes in an Alaskan woolly mammoth’s tusk have helped scientists track the probable journey of this extinct creature. Caroline Knight shares the fascinating life of Kick the Mammoth with Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle. Get all new episodes automatically and...

  
• 11.11.2023

  Asteroid Samples

  SCI055: Space probes have begun returning samples of asteroids to Earth so Caroline Knight shares with Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle the exciting news about the asteroids Bennu and Ryugu from US and Japanese space agencies. Get all new episodes automatically...

  
• 10.28.2023

  The Vesuvius Challenge

  SCI054: The Vesuvius Challenge is a scientific competition to unravel the text on burned papyri from the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum. Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle discuss the first milestone in which AI was used to read a word...

  
• 10.14.2023

  A Volcano Killed the Dinosaurs?

  SCI053: A new study challenges the conventional theory that an asteroid killed the dinosaurs. Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle discuss the idea that massive volcanic eruptions were responsible, the scientific evidence for the theory, and more. Get all new episodes automatically...

  
• 09.30.2023

  Origami Robots

  SCI052: Imagine a tiny robot that can fly through the air, powered by light, and able to change its shape. Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle discuss the latest experimental robots that move through the air by snapping into new shapes,...

  
• 09.14.2023

  A message from Dom Bettinelli of Starquest

  I need to ask for your help, but first I want to thank you for listening to StarQuest and supporting our mission of exploring the intersection of faith and pop culture. Over the past five years–since 2018–StarQuest has grown by...

  
• 09.02.2023

  Swooping Magpies

  SCI051: Dive into a wild ride as Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle unravel the mystery of magpie swooping in springtime—attacking, singing, and all. Don’t miss the laughs and insights, and discover how to befriend these feathered friends! Get all new episodes...

  
• 08.19.2023

  Exotic Exoplanets

  SCI050: Explore the wonders of exoplanets with Caroline Knight, Lindsay Sant, and Lino Saubolle as they discuss fascinating exoplanets like the egg-shaped WASP-12b, the blue-hued HD 189733B, and the temperature-swings of HD 80606B. Uncover the mysteries beyond our solar system. Get...

  
• 08.05.2023

  The Science of Heatwaves

  SCI049: The world is experiencing scorching heat waves, with Europe facing record-breaking temperatures. Caroline Knight tells Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle that rising global temperatures and El Nino are contributing to the intensity of these heat waves; Wildfires causing damage...

  
• 07.22.2023

  Shooting Stars on the Sun

  SCI048: The Sun’s surface is a fascinating place and Caroline tells Lindsay and Lino about new discoveries of ‘shooting stars’ in the Sun’s corona in spectacular plasma displays known as coronal rain. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by...

  
• 07.08.2023

  100 Years of Science Quiz

  SCI047: Do you know your scientific history? Caroline quizzes Lindsay and Lino to see if they know the order in which the top discoveries and theories of the past 100 years occurred. Can you do better than they did? Try...

  
• 06.24.2023

  Electric Mushrooms

  SCI046: Mushrooms are amazing. Lindsay and Lino discuss research that suggests mushrooms communicate using underground electrical signals after rainfall in a mycorrhizal network. Of course, the show wouldn’t be complete with some puns in “spore” taste. Get all new episodes automatically...

  
• 06.10.2023

  Drop Bears and Other Ancient Australian Creatures

  SCI045: The Drop Bear is a mythical creature often used to tease tourists to Australia, but as Caroline and Lindsay discuss there really was an ancient creature that very much fit its description, as well as other even stranger prehistoric...

  
• 05.27.2023

  The Core of the Moon

  SCI044: The Moon isn’t made of cheese as young Lindsay once thought, and Caroline explains that scientists have finally confirmed it is a solid ball of iron by measuring acoustic waves from moonquakes Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow...

  
• 05.06.2023

  Lightning Crystals

  SCI043: Fulgurites are naturally occurring crystals formed by lightning striking and melting sand or soil. Caroline Knight tells Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle about these fascinating formations and new discoveries of never-before-seen minerals found in them. Plus, the latest on...

  
• 04.22.2023

  Water Beads on the Moon

  SCI042: New discoveries may have revealed lots of water on the Moon. Caroline tells Lindsay and Lino about the Chinese discovery of glass beads on the lunar surface that contain water. Plus, a bonus discussion about screaming plants! Get all new...

  
• 04.08.2023

  Electric Air

  SCI041: What if we could power our electronic devices from the air around us? It’s not just science fiction. Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle discuss new research that shows the possibilities of harvesting hydrogen in the air using a unique...

  
• 03.25.2023

  Australia’s Women of Science

  SCI040: Celebrating International Women’s Day, Caroline Knight and Lindsay Sant discuss some of Australia’s greatest scientists who happen to be women, Cathy Foley, Anne Kelso, Elizabeth Blackburn, Michele Simmons, and Fiona Ward. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by...

  
• 03.11.2023

  Interview with ChatGPT

  SCI039: What is ChatGPT? Caroline Knight, Lindsay Sant, and Lino Saubolle interview the chat AI to ask it about itself, get its take on human fears of IA, and ask for its advice on how to have a good and...

  
• 02.25.2023

  Missing Radioactive Capsules!

  SCI038: This week, Caroline Knight tells Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle about an extremely dangerous radioactive capsule “fell of the back of a truck” in Western Australia and the steps that were taken to recover the tiny pellet. Get all new...

  
• 02.11.2023

  Melting Robots

  SCI037: It’s not yet the T1000 from Terminator, but Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle discuss a new proof-of-concept for a robot that can transform from solid to liquid and back and even escape from a barred container. Get all new...

  
• 01.28.2023

  The Secret of Roman Concrete

  SCI036: Why is it Roman buildings made from concrete still stand today? Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle discuss recent research that shows Roman concrete had a secret: It was self-healing! Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email |...

  
• 12.17.2022

  The Science of Santa

  SCI035: How does Santa reach every child in the world on Christmas night? What would it take to make those reindeer fly at those speeds? Why doesn’t Santa age? Caroline Knight discusses these Santa-themed science questions and more with Lindsay...

  
• 12.03.2022

  Cute Cockroaches?

  SCI034: Can a cockroach ever be cute? Caroline Knight tries to convince Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle that the recently rediscovered cockroaches of Lord Howe Island fit the description. Plus more on other fun, unusual insects and the latest update...

  
• 12.01.2022

  Blessed Advent, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year from StarQuest

  Hi everyone, This is Dom Bettinelli, CEO of StarQuest, with a special message as we approach the Christmas season. This past year, the StarQuest Network has continued to expand our mission of exploring the intersection of faith and pop culture...

  
• 10.22.2022

  Harvesting Moon Air

  SCI033: There’s enough oxygen in the Moon’s soil to keep 8 billion breathing for 100,000 years. Lindsay Sant and Gerard Trapnell discuss how scientists know this and plans they have for harvesting Moon air for future human habitation. Get all new...

  
• 09.24.2022

  Bring on the Space Robots

  SCI032: Let’s talk about some robots in space. Lindsay and Lino discuss the coolest and cutest little floating robot assistants on the International Space Station called astrobees and then talk about MOXIE, an oxygen-generating robot on Mars. Get all new episodes...

  
• 09.10.2022

  Something to Chew On

  SCI031: With lots of food puns, Lindsay and Lino discuss a recent study that reveals how much our daily chewing burns calories all on its own, but also how the way we chew and how much we do it may...

  
• 08.27.2022

  The Artemis Era Begins

  SCI030: NASA is launching the Artemis I mission that begins our return to the Moon. Lindsay and Lino discuss the Artemis I mission, what will happen, all the science involved, plus what comes next. Get all new episodes automatically and for...

  
• 08.13.2022

  Dinosaur Pines

  SCI029: Dinosaur trees! Caroline and Lindsay talk about the Wollemi Pine tree and its links to prehistoric Australia and dinosaurs, and why Caroline recently purchased one for her home. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen...

  
• 07.30.2022

  Mind-Blowing Images!

  SCI028: The James Webb Space Telescope’s first image are amazing and Caroline, Lindsay, and Lino share their awe as they pore over the details of what the images actually show and what we can expect in the future. Get all new...

  
• 07.16.2022

  Australian Rockets to Space!

  SCI027: NASA has launched a rocket from Australia and our Aussie panel is very excited. Caroline Knight, Lindsay Sant, and Lino Saubolle discuss what the new launch means for future space travel from Oz, as well as the science being...

  
• 06.18.2022

  Red Planet Road Trip

  SCI026: Space bucket list! Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle discuss 8 tourist destinations that any future tourist on Mars will want to visit, from the obvious (Olympus Mons) to the weird and mysterious (Medusae Fossae). Get all new episodes automatically and...

  
• 06.04.2022

  The Milky Way Supermassive Black Hole

  SCI025: Telescopes have now given us our first image of the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy. Caroline Knight tells us how we discovered there was a black hole there and the amazing story of how this...

  
• 05.07.2022

  Big Bang Alternatives

  SCI024: Before the Big Bang Theory was widely accepted, there were many theories to explain how the universe began. Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle discuss five alternative theories that were advanced prior to the currently accepted theory and why they...

  
• 04.23.2022

  Webb Telescope and Redshift

  SCI023: We revisit the historic new James Webb Space Telescope and its first amazing discoveries and then Caroline explains to Lindsay and Lino some astronomical terms like redshift. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen and...

  
• 04.09.2022

  Bring Back the Tassie Tiger

  SCI022: The Thylacine, aka the Tasmanian Tiger or Tassie Tiger, is extinct, but as Caroline tells Lindsay and Lino, scientists now think it may be possible to bring them back. How is that possible? Will they still be the same...

  
• 03.26.2022

  Dinosaur Sniffles

  SCI021: Even dinosaurs got sniffles! Caroline tells Lindsay and Lino about a new discovery that shows that some sauropods show evidence of having had respiratory infections. Then Lindsay discusses an exploration of how close we could be to building a...

  
• 03.12.2022

  COVID Antibodies Improve Over Time

  SCI020: Getting better all the time! Caroline explains to Lindsay and Lino how the quality of antibodies from COVID-19 vaccines improve over time, what antibodies are, and what they do in us. Plus an update on a recent story about...

  
• 02.26.2022

  The ISS Retirement Date is Set

  SCI019: The International Space Station has been humanity’s outpost on the edge of space for more than 20 years, but now its end date has been set. Caroline Knight and Lindsay Sant discuss the history of the ISS, its accomplishments,...