Astronomy Cast

Astronomy Cast Ep. 655: 65 Years of Space: Sputnik 1 Anniversary by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay Streamed live on Sep 26, 2022. It's been about 65 years since the Soviets launched the first orbital satellite into low Earth orbit: Sputnik 1. Now there are thousands of satellites in orbit, with tens of thousands on the way. Let's look at the impact that Sputnik had on the history of spaceflight.

Astronomy Cast Ep. 654: The Side Effects Of Clean Energy by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay To battle climate change, we'll need to rapidly move to carbon-free sources of energy. But this technology isn't a free lunch. They require metals, generate waste and deplete the environment. What's the best way to balance this shift?

Astronomy Cast Ep. 653: Climate Change: Looking at the Variables by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay Climate change is on our mind these days with increasing wildfires, droughts and floods. What are the variables that play into a planet's changing climate and what can this teach us about the search for habitable planets in the solar system and across the Milky Way?

Astronomy Cast Ep. 652: The Rocket Race Towards Reusability by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay Last week we talked about how single-use rocketry has changed over time, and the role it still plays in launching payloads into orbit and beyond. Today we'll address the stainless steel elephant in the room and talk about the shift to reusability.

Astronomy Cast Ep. 651: Artemis & The Decline of Single Use Rockets by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay Season 16 opener. On the day that we're recording this, NASA's Space Launch System is about to blast off. But everyone is expecting it'll be delayed to October. When it does launch, it'll be the most powerful rocket on Earth. Well, until Starship blasts off. So are we about to see the end of single-use rockets and enter the era of reusable rocketry?

Astronomy Cast Ep. 650: Did JWST Work? by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay Sign up through wren.co/astro to make a difference in the climate crisis, and Wren will plant 10 extra trees in your name! Well, this is it. We're FINALLY going to talk about the James Webb Space Telescope. After decades of development, delays, budget creep, the powerful infrared observatory is at its final home at the L2 Lagrange point. Yesterday (at the time we're recording this) we saw the first scientific images from the telescope and according to Pamela's rules, we're finally allowed to talk about it.

Astronomy Cast Ep. 650: Did JWST Work? by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay Well, this is it. We’re FINALLY going to talk about the James Webb Space Telescope. After decades of development, delays, budget creep, the powerful infrared observatory is at its final home at the L2 Lagrange point. Yesterday (at the time we’re recording this) we saw the first scientific images from the telescope and according to Pamela’s rules, we’re finally allowed to talk about it.

Astronomy Cast Ep. 649: Highlights From NASA's Holiday Ruining History by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay Have you ever noticed that significant space and astronomy events seem to happen during the holidays? It's not a coincidence. There's actually a reason why. Today we'll talk about some of the key events that happened during holidays and the underlying rationale.

Astronomy Cast Ep. 648: Summer Observing by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay Summer is officially, astronomically here, and for the folks in the northern hemisphere that means it's a perfect time to head outside and see what's happening in the sky. Today we'll give you a good list of things to keep an eye out for with or without a telescope.

Astronomy Cast Ep. 647: Best Sci Fi Beach Reading by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay Summer's here! And that means finally tackling that huge list of books piled up on your bedside table and filling up your Kindle. What books do we recommend for some fun reads this summer? - The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scsalzi - Space Opera by Katherine Valente - The Culture series by Iain M. Banks (The Player of Games) - Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty - Marco and the Red Granny by Mur Lafferty - Reamde and The Fall by Neil Stephenson - Bobiverse series by Dennis E. Taylor - Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir - Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clark - Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor - Packing for Mars by Mary Roach - The Mission: A True Story by David Brown - Galaxy: The Prettiest Star by Jadzia Axelrod