Astronomy Cast

Did you hear that Dark Energy doesn't exist any more? Neither does Dark Matter? It turns out that NASA recalculated the Zodiac and now you're an Ophiuchan! Science is hard enough, but communicating that science out to the public when there are publications hungry for traffic is even harder! Here's how to parse the click-bait science titles.

426: Confirmation Bias Astronomy Cast 426: Confirmation Bias by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

I hate to tell you this, but that meat computer in your skull is constantly betraying you. Don’t worry, we’ve all got the same, but fortunately, scientists have learned how this happens, and can help us make sure our science, and lives don’t suffer because of it.

Have you ever noticed spacecraft missions have some pretty cool names? How does anyone decide what to call these things?

425: Naming Spacecraft Astronomy Cast 425: Naming Spacecraft by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

424: Lightning Astronomy Cast 424: Lightning by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

It turns out that nature figured out how to use electricity long before humans did. Lightning storms are common across the Earth, and even the Solar System. What causes this electricity in the sky, and how can science use it?

As Hurricane Matthew reminded us, cyclonic storms are a force to be reckoned with. What causes these storms, and how can they form across the Solar System.

423: Cyclones Astronomy Cast 423: Cyclones by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

So if you’ve been to Yellowstone National Park, you’ve seen one of the most amazing features of the natural world – geysers. In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about geysers on Earth, and where they might be in the solar system.