AWESOME ASTRONOMY

By Paul & Dr Jeni

What's AWESOME ASTRONOMY about?

Awesome Astronomy explores the frontiers of science, space and our evolving understanding of the universe.

Join Ralph, Paul & Jeni for informative and fun astronomy programmes dedicated to space and astronomy news and monthly podcast extras covering hot topics and special interviews in the world of science and astronomy.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

AWESOME ASTRONOMY episodes:

04.01.2024
Episode 142 Awesome Astronomy April 2024
This month Dr Jen is off to the US for the Solar Eclipse while Paul is just back from Goonhilly Earth Station. We chat about the imminent demise of the Chandra Space Telescope, more news on the Hubble tension, and...
03.22.2024
Britain's First Astronaut
This podcast extra is our full length interview with Dr Helen Sharman, Britain's First astronaut and the first woman to visit the Russian Mir Space Station in 1991.
03.01.2024
Wet Moons and Tippy landers
This month our intrepid crew of the good ship Awesome investigate sub surface oceans on the moons of the solar system, smoking stars, distant blackholes, oversized structures and of course tippy over lunar landers. There is also the monthly skyguide...
02.17.2024
Blasting Soil - Interview with Dr Phil Metzger
This month Dr Jen talks to Dr Phil! Dr Phil Metzger, 30 years at NASA where he has worked on various missions and programmes including the ISS snd Space Shuttle, while more recently he has been investigating how...
02.02.2024
Awesome Astronomy Episode #140
This month we explore the exciting announcements from the European Space Agency as they outline their new missions for the 2030s. LISA, a space based gravitational wave detector and EnVision, a Venus mission that will map the surface and under-surface...
01.15.2024
#139 Awesome Astronomy January 2024
This episode, it’s Jen and a special guest exploring the inexplicable Big Ring, the first proof connecting supernovae to black holes and neutron stars, cyclones on a far-away world, dazzling images of Io, and the true colour of Neptune. We...
12.26.2023
Awesome Astronomy Panto and Review of the Year 2023!
Festive silliness (bit naughty!), a review of the Space and astronomy year and a look ahead to what 2024 has in store for us. Not forgetting the outakes!
12.01.2023
#138 Awesome Astronomy December 2023 Pt1
This month we explore what might have happened to the Planet Theia after it hit the Earth, what Lucy saw on its first asteroid encounter, the mystery of a new double crater on the Moon and what the first images...
11.19.2023
Astronomy Mythology of Wales
This month Jeni talks to Paul. No not our Paul Paul Cornish, planetarium and science outreach extraordinaire at Bristols We the Curious. They chat about one of our favourite topics on Awesome, constellation Mythology and this time it has a...
11.01.2023
#137 November 2023 Awesome Astronomy
This month we talk about what might have been in the Arthur C Clarke Awards, the latest weird discovery from JWST, the most detailed simulation of the Universe yet, British space plans, giggle at a Space Force painting, and have...
10.19.2023
The AstroCamp Panel!
This month we give you a recording of our live panel show from AstroCamp, held in September. The team answer questions and comments from the public about a range of space and astronomy topics.
10.01.2023
#136 - October 2023 Awesome Astronomy
This month Paul and Dr Jen talk about the recent astrocamp where yet more Aurora was seen. Later there is a guide to seeing Aurora at lower latitudes. JWST is at it again with a possible detection of biological signals...
09.17.2023
JWST looks at the Ring - Interview with Dr Roger Wessen
This months interview looks at that stunning imagery that JWST took of the Ring Nebula - that familiar Messier planterary nebula in Lyra and favourite of star parties. This new study has revealed new and unexpected details and once again...
09.01.2023
#135 - September 2023 Awesome Astronomy
This month we are joined by special guest Neill Sanders from Go Stargazing who is making a special announcement about astronomy cruise Holidays. We have news of a new type of star, mud on Mars and JWST breaking cosmology once...
08.16.2023
#134 August 2023 Pt2 Awesome Astronomy
For this podcast extra, we return to NAM 2023, this year held at Cardiff University. We’re delighted to bring you the conversational style of Dr Stephen Wilkins, public engagement extraordinaire. Dr Stephen is an STFC Public Engagement Fellow (so you...
08.01.2023
#134 - August 2023 Awesome Astronomy
This month we have a packed show, with stories about the European space agency launching a new space telescope to study The Dark Universe. India going to the moon with Chandrayaan-3, astereroid boulders, a key ingredient for life just 1...
07.18.2023
How to grow a supermassive black hole with Dr Becky Smethurst
Once a year, astronomers descend upon an unsuspecting UK city in the greatest gathering of astronomically curious minds: the National Astronomy Meeting, otherwise known as NAM (no, not that ‘Nam, though it is quite the battle of the minds). Jen...
07.01.2023
#133 Awesome Astronomy July 2023
It's a summer vacation special with Jeni in the mountains of South America astronomising at altitude and visiting the Vera C Rubin telescope as well as obstech. We have an interview with a Vera Rubin Observatory astronomer as well...
06.15.2023
Interview with Dr Kathy Thornton
We chat to Dr Kathy Thornton, nuclear physicist turned NASA astronaut who went on to fly on four Space Shuttle missions. Dr Thornton flew for over 40 days and completed over 21 hours of EVA, including the famous operation to...
06.01.2023
#132 - June 2023 Awesome Astronomy
This month Jeni and Paul talk about the recent supernova in galaxy M101; volcanic exoplanets; the growing observational evidence putting the current Big Bang theory under strain and the history of water on both Earth and Mars. There is discussions...
05.14.2023
Skylab 50 - Interview with Astronaut Jack Lousma
To celebrate the Skylab 50th anniversary here is one our favourite astronaut chats from 2012 where we caught up with Skylab 3 and STS-3 astronaut, Jack Lousma. Jack was also capcom during Apollo 13 and he tells us about taking...
05.01.2023
#131 - May 2023 Awesome Astronomy
This month Paul and Jeni in astronomy news talk about new data on the M87 blackhole, the architecture of planetary systems, the hottest stars, an impact crater in France and how Mars might not have been oxygen rich. In exploration...
04.15.2023
Interview with Joshua Western CEO of Space Forge
Jeni visits Space Forge for an update on their mission to build reusable satellites to manufacture materials that that are impossible on the ground. She talks to CEO Joshua Western about that fateful launch from Cornwall on Virgin's Cosmic Girl,...
04.01.2023
#130 - April 2023 Awesome Astronomy
In this episode Jeni and Paul talk about exoplanet atmospheres, the latest thinking on solar system visitor Oumuamua, Vigin Orbit's woes, Relativity's 3D success, and the oldest orbiting satellite. There is the sky guide for April, a discussion about what...
03.15.2023
Interview with Solar Astronomer Professor Robert Walsh
Paul takes time out from outreach at the Festival of Tomorrow at the Swindon STEAM museum to chat with Professor Robert Walsh of the University of Central Lancashire, who with artist Alex Rinsler has created a giant representation of the...
03.01.2023
#129 - March 2023 Awesome Astronomy
In this episode Jeni tells us about her TEDx talk, dressing up for Mama Mia and eating insane burgers, while Paul appears to have started a modelling career. In astronomy news the team explore the latest JWST findings that may...
02.15.2023
Interview with Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell
Interview with astronomer Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell Jeni talks to the legendary discoverer of pulsars, champion of women in science and Oxford University astronomer about her astronomy career, inspirations, motivations and key discoveries.
02.01.2023
#128 - February 2023
The Discussion: Our dark sky practical astronomy event, AstroCamp Farewell Apollo 7’s Walt Cunningham Comet C2022 E3 ZTF reaches naked eye brightness The News: Rounding up the astronomy news in February, we have: Incredible finding:...
01.15.2023
Interview with Chris Lee
Bringing back the much-missed Awesome Astronomy interviews with a bang, we’re joined by friend of the show Chris Lee. Chris began his career in the 80s in the UK space industry at British Aerospace, Matra Marconi and SCISYS where...
01.01.2023
#127 - January 2023
The Discussion: A refreshed format coming to Awesome Astronomy in 2023 A look back at the festive season The News: Rounding up the astronomy news in November, we have: Something in the solar system is...
12.24.2022
End of Year Show
*** Beware, stiff profanity (phnar phnar) in the outtakes at the end *** Our Christmas Pantomime sees the Awesome Astronomy crew exploring strange new worlds on the Astronomy Star Ship (ASS) Penetrator. Between the puerile skits you’ve come...
12.01.2022
#126 - December 2022
The Discussion: Meteor shower disappointment Lecturing course started Dr Jen’s 30th birthday party karaoke – with audio! more resources for astronomy and astrophotography over at nightskypix.com The News: Rounding up the astronomy news in November, we have:...
11.01.2022
#125 - November 2022 Part 1
The Discussion: Enjoying the recent eclipse (weather permitting) Jeni is officially recognised as being great Visiting the Herschel Museum And listeners’ emails on: Having astronomy on the brain Cartoon characters in space A reflection of Venus off...
10.15.2022
Rendlesham Forest Incident
Christmas 1980. Suffolk, England. Two US airmen witness what they believe is an aircraft coming down in the forest next to their base. So begins the story of the UKs most notorious UFO sighting, the Rendlesham Forest incident. Paul dives...
10.01.2022
#124 - October 2022 Part 1
Jeni and Paul talk to Professor Mike Edmunds, President of the Royal Astronomical Society and Emeritus Professor of astrophysics at Cardiff University, who is also Dr Jeni's academic grandfather.... Paul gives a quick look at the sky highlights for...
09.13.2022
#123 - September 2022 Part 2
The Discussion: Farewell Frank Drake It’s uncrewed, not unmanned! Filming with the BBC again Listeners’ emails on city astronomy and the missing AweAst show this month The News: JWST unearths a huge cosmic riddle Artemis...
09.01.2022
#123 - September 2022 Part 1
Hear ye! Hear ye! Al Worden (went to the moon on Apollo 15): https://tinyurl.com/56w9rkr4 Al Bean (walked on the moon on Apollo 12): https://tinyurl.com/2ewb5vj3 Charlie Duke (walked on the moon on Apollo 16): https://tinyurl.com/5fhacvmk
08.15.2022
#122 - August 2022 Part 2
The Discussion: The Perseids meteor shower Another heatwave in the UK The Orville on Disney+ The News: NASA is going back to the moon – this month! SpaceX join the companies dropping space debris on...
08.01.2022
#122 - August 2022 Part 1
The Discussion: The release of JWST’s first images, the press conferences and media coverage. Emails on astrophotography, Dr Jen’s TV appearances and a more politically correct alternative name for JWST. The News: Rounding up the astronomy news in August,...
07.15.2022
#121 - July 2022 Part 2
The Discussion: Another heatwave in the UK Dr Jen on TV covering the latest JWST news The Orville on Disney+ Night Sky on Amazon Prime The News: Preparations for the launch of Starship and an...
07.01.2022
#121 - July 2022 Part 1
The Discussion: More filming for the BBC Longer days and shorter nights L Showcasing amateur photography on noctilucent clouds Listeners’ emails on Less well known cultural names for Ursa Major The current planetary alignment in the sky...
06.14.2022
#120 - June 2022 Part 2
The Discussion: Discrimination in science and academia Returning to the Welsh valleys to attempt astronomy Free NASA merch from Official NASA Gear Listener’s comments on Boeing and the state of spaceflight innovation. The News: Assembly...
05.31.2022
#120 - June 2022 Part 1
The Discussion: You can now watch Jen presenting on BBC TV’s Weatherman Walking (from 06:40) Walking, astronomy and animal abuse in the New Forest NASA find the Awesome Astronomy bunker on Mars! Listeners’ emails on ...
05.15.2022
#119 - May 2022 Part 2
The Discussion: Getting back in the studio Watch us recording in our behind the scenes 10th Anniversary show Inspiring children to think about careers in science Listener’s emails about swearing in the podcast and catching objects from space. ...
05.01.2022
#119 - May 2022 Part 1
The Discussion: Jeni’s magazine article on ‘everything JWST’ UK government's social mobility commissioner gets us wound up Listeners’ emails on: Professional vs amateur astronomy Artificial Intelligence in consumer telescopes JWST’s Early Release Observations ...
04.14.2022
#118 - April 2022 Part 2
Also check out our YouTube channel here for much more astronomy and spacey goodness: https://www.youtube.com/awesomeastronomy?sub_confirmation=1 The Discussion: Watching a SpaceX Starlink launch Tales from this month’s AstroCamp star party Jeni on the radio and TV again A listener’s email...
04.01.2022
#118 - April 2022 Part 1
The Discussion: Observing trip with Cardiff Uni students Really bright ISS passes Jen’s first TV presenting gig about to be released Watching a SpaceX launch Listeners' email about previous episodes The News: Rounding up the astronomy news...
03.15.2022
#117 - March 2022 Part 2
The Discussion: A little bit of singing to brighten your day and abuse your ears It's Messier Marathon season A Messier challenge A great listeners' email on naming space missions The News: Rounding up the space exploration...
03.01.2022
#117 - March 2022 Part 1
The Discussion: Stargazing & post-covid travel A lovely email from our good friend @SsonnyY The joys of being an astronomy beginner Pioneer 10’s 50th anniversary The News: Rounding up the astronomy news in March, we have: ...
02.15.2022
#116 - February 2022 Part 2
The Discussion: Techniquest in Cardiff Bay Our Good friend Dylan O’Donnell at Star Stuff A listener’s email on the naming of spacecraft, prompting a debate on history, cultures and tearing down statues. The News: Britain’s ambitious...

What's AWESOME ASTRONOMY about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

AWESOME ASTRONOMY episodes:

Episode 142 Awesome Astronomy April 2024

Britain's First Astronaut

Wet Moons and Tippy landers

Blasting Soil - Interview with Dr Phil Metzger

Awesome Astronomy Episode #140

#139 Awesome Astronomy January 2024

Awesome Astronomy Panto and Review of the Year 2023!

#138 Awesome Astronomy December 2023 Pt1

Astronomy Mythology of Wales

#137 November 2023 Awesome Astronomy

The AstroCamp Panel!

#136 - October 2023 Awesome Astronomy

JWST looks at the Ring - Interview with Dr Roger Wessen

#135 - September 2023 Awesome Astronomy

#134 August 2023 Pt2 Awesome Astronomy

#134 - August 2023 Awesome Astronomy

How to grow a supermassive black hole with Dr Becky Smethurst

#133 Awesome Astronomy July 2023

Interview with Dr Kathy Thornton

#132 - June 2023 Awesome Astronomy

Skylab 50 - Interview with Astronaut Jack Lousma

#131 - May 2023 Awesome Astronomy

Interview with Joshua Western CEO of Space Forge

#130 - April 2023 Awesome Astronomy

Interview with Solar Astronomer Professor Robert Walsh

#129 - March 2023 Awesome Astronomy

Interview with Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell

#128 - February 2023

Interview with Chris Lee

#127 - January 2023

End of Year Show

#126 - December 2022

#125 - November 2022 Part 1

Rendlesham Forest Incident

#124 - October 2022 Part 1

#123 - September 2022 Part 2

#123 - September 2022 Part 1

#122 - August 2022 Part 2

#122 - August 2022 Part 1

#121 - July 2022 Part 2

#121 - July 2022 Part 1

#120 - June 2022 Part 2

#120 - June 2022 Part 1

#119 - May 2022 Part 2

#119 - May 2022 Part 1

#118 - April 2022 Part 2

#118 - April 2022 Part 1

#117 - March 2022 Part 2

#117 - March 2022 Part 1

#116 - February 2022 Part 2