The Moon is a stark reminder that we actually live in a Universe filled with stars and planets and moons. The changing phases of the Moon show us the relative positions of the Earth, the Sun and the Moon as they interact with one another. Let's learn about the different phases, the geometry of the whole system, and some of the interesting science wrapped up with our fascination of our only natural satellite.

AstronomyCast 233: Radar, by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

Radar is one of the those technologies that changed everything: it allows boats and aircraft to “see” at night and through thick fog. But it also changed astronomy and ground imaging, tracking asteroids with great accuracy, allowing spacecraft to peer through Venus’ thick clouds and revealing secrets beneath the Earth’s shifting sands.

AstronomyCast 232: Galileo Spacecraft, by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

AstronomyCast: Live at Dragon*Con, by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

In last season’s thrilling cliff hanger, we talked about astronomer superhero Galileo Galilei. Will a mission be named after him? The answer is yes! NASA’s Galileo spacecraft visited Jupiter in 1995, and spent almost 8 years orbiting, changing our understanding of the giant planet and its moons.

AstronomyCast 231: Galileo Galilei, by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

AstronomyCast 230: Christiaan Huygens, by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

AstronomyCast 229: The Cassini Mission, by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

AstronomyCast 228: Giovanni Cassini, Pt. 1, by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay