The Bad Astronomer graces our podwaves this week. We talk to Dr. Phil Plait about his book, Death from the Skies – which is about the many and varied ways the universe is trying to kill us lonely humans. Universe: 3. Humans: 0. Film at 11.

Let’s say humans don’t bite the big one for at least a few ten thousand years. Then the grandest plans of sci-fi might be realised - including Asimov's Seldon Plan. In the Foundation series, Isaac Asmiov tells us about one Hari Seldon. According to Hari, the galaxy is destined for thousands of years of backwardness (with endless repeats of Big Brother), unless he can harness the ultimate power in the universe: Mathematics!

Quiz and stuff.