Astronomy (Audio)

Scott Kelly spent a year in the International Space Station while his identical twin Mark Kelly was on earth. UC San Diego and many institutions studied the mental, cardiovascular, immune, genetic, muscular, microbial, bone, and eye changes in both twins to see the effects of long-term space travel. Changes were troubling, so NASA plans several more long-term space flights that will focus on genetic changes, bone loss, loss of vision, brain swelling, and Nutrition. Michael G. Ziegler, MD, is Professor of Medicine Emeritus at UCSD. He has studied astronaut health since 1978. He chaired NASA’s yearly cardiovascular reviews, helped devise current astronaut protocols, and studied physiologic and genomic changes during the Year in Space study.   Series: "Osher UC San Diego Distinguished Lecture Series" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 35085]

Cosmologist and author of "Losing the Nobel Prize" Brian Keating tells the inside story of BICEP2’s mesmerizing discovery and the scientific drama that ensued in this interview with science fiction author David Brin. Keating describes a journey of revelation and discovery, bringing to life the highly competitive, take-no-prisoners, publish-or-perish world of modern science. Along the way, he provocatively argues that the Nobel Prize, instead of advancing scientific progress, may actually hamper it, encouraging speed and greed while punishing collaboration and bold innovation. In a thoughtful reappraisal of the wishes of Alfred Nobel, Keating offers practical solutions for reforming the prize, providing a vision of a scientific future in which cosmologists may, finally, be able to see all the way back to the very beginning. Series: "Writers" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 33369]

The first detection of gravitational waves from the cataclysmic merger of two neutron stars, and the observation of visible light in the aftermath of that merger, finally answer a long-standing question in astrophysics: Where do the heaviest elements, ranging from silver and other precious metals to uranium, come from? Series: "UC Berkeley News" [Science] [Show ID: 33299]

What effect does space travel have on our bodies and minds? As NASA looks to explore Mars and beyond, it is critical to understand the impacts of spending extended time in space. Brinda K. Rana, Phd, shares the results of NASA's Twins Study that focused on astronaut Scott Kelly who spent nearly one year living on the International Space Station and his identical twin brother, Mark, who remained on Earth. Series: "Stein Institute for Research on Aging" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Education] [Professional Medical Education] [Show ID: 31842]

In this candid and heartwarming interview, Tam O'Shaughnessy, the life partner of the late astronaut Sally Ride, describes her long relationship with the first American woman in space. From their days on the teen tennis circuit in California through Sally’s historic flights on the Space Shuttle Challenger to their parallel academic careers and later, founding their own company, Tam tells how their deep friendship blossomed over time into a romance that ended with Sally’s death from cancer in 2012. As the Executive Director of Sally Ride Science@UC San Diego, Tam continues to inspire girls to embrace STEM, and shares her profound pride as the sponsor of the newly commissioned R/V Sally Ride, the first Naval academic research vessel ever named for a woman, now operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Series: "Women in Science" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Science] [Education] [Show ID: 31454]

Andy Kieatiwong shares his journey from student to CEO. As the founder and CEO of the Additive Rocket Corporation, he leads a team that leverages 3D metal printing to create reliable and affordable propulsion solutions for space exploration. He speaks with a group of high school seniors about the field of aerospace engineering as well as how to leverage your college experience to find your ideal career. Series: "Career Channel" [Science] [Business] [Show ID: 32397]

Explore the dust between the stars - and why it is so important, see how researchers explore molecules on the nanoscale to improve materials, discover why natural extremes are critical to Mediterranean ecosystems, the fate of California Oak trees, and sustaining the heritage of agriculture in California, all on this edition of On Beyond. Series: "On Beyond" [Science] [Show ID: 30667]

Karin Sandstrom studies the interstellar medium - the dust and gas in galaxies and between stars, and especially how ultraviolet light interacts with soot-like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. That, she says, is key to everything - how stars (and planets) form, how galaxies evolve, and perhaps how life emerged. Series: "Women in Science" [Science] [Show ID: 30014]

Chris Impey is a distinguished professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona whose work has been supported by $20 million in grants from both NASA and the National Science Foundation. His research interests include observational cosmology, gravitational lensing, and the evolution of galaxies. He's also the author of six critically acclaimed books, the most recent of which is called: "Beyond: Our Future in Space." In this edition of Up Next, Professor Impey discusses the prospects for space tourism, colonies on Mars, and new rocket technologies that could take us to the moon in less than four hours. Series: "Up Next: Perspectives on the Future of Everything" [Science] [Show ID: 30316]

Berkeley Lab scientist David Schlegel discusses his research on mapping the universe and understanding dark energy. Series: "Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory " [Science] [Show ID: 29636]