Cool Science Radio

John and Lynn sit down with Park City resident Chris Fischer, founder and expedition leader for OCEARCH. Then, former NY Times correspondent for Brazil, Larry Rohter writes about one of the most fascinating Brazilians of all time, Cândido Rondon.

National Geographic science journalist and author David Quammen discusses the truly wild places on our planet in his new book, "The Heartbeat of the Wild: Dispatches from the Landscapes of Wonder, Peril & Hope." (0:55) Then, Utah local Daniel Butcher from IT Innovated talks about cyber security and ways to protect your devices from emerging technological threats. (27:48)

Park rangers and park astronomers, Peter Densmore and Kevin Poe, have the details on the upcoming Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival June 14-17. (0:59) Then, Thomas Clardy, the founder and CEO of Powder Watts, talks about innovations that may reduce heat tape expenses by 92%. (26:36)

Laura Lindenfeld from the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science talks about the importance of science literacy and how the center is training scientists to better explain their work and the impact on our lives. (1:03) Then, KPCW's very own Friday night DJ and surround sound expert Mike Wisland talks about the life of a true local legend, Emmy winner and surround sound pioneer Jim Fosgate. (25:30)

Theoretical physicist Michio Kaku joins to talk about his new book, “Quantum Supremacy: How The Quantum Computer Revolution Will Change Everything.” (1:01) Then, John Webster of the US Biochar Initiative talks biochar which is a carbon-rich material made from simple biomass and its uses go way beyond just enhancing our soil. (27:23)

Astronomer Phil Plait introduces his new book "Under Alien Skies." Plait has worked as part of the Hubble Space Telescope team as well and is a public outreach advocate for NASA missions. He has an upcoming talk at Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake City. (1:10)Then, when you think of NASA, you may think of mighty rockets, rovers and astronauts. What you may not know is that NASA is the home to the largest group of Earth scientists in the world, including NASA climate scientist Dr. Lesley Ott. (27:33)

Dr. Bryn Dentinger, one of the leading mycologists in the world, discusses the universe of fungi. Then, science journalist Jaime Green talks about her book "The Possibility of Life: Science, Imagination, and Our Quest for Kinship in the Cosmos."

The Utah Avalanche Center's Chad Brackelsberg and Trent Meisenheimer talk about the science of a spring snowpack...when it is record-breaking? What happens to the slowly eroding snow? When is it hazardous? How late into the season will we see avalanches? (1:14) Then, Jason Sills of the Clark Planetarium talks about stargazing over the last 20 years and the upcoming 20th-anniversary celebration. (30:44)

Dr. Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, discusses current global temperatures, levels of greenhouse gasses and where 2022 ranks in the climate record. Then, Brenda Mann, program director of the University of Utah science and engineering fair, shares fascinating school science and engineering projects.

Local hydrologist Brian McInerney discusses Utah's record snowpack and flooding ahead (1:07). Then, Tanya Lewis, senior health and medicine editor at Scientific American, explores new research on the origins of COVID-19 (27:27).