Found in Space: A Science Podcast for Kids and Teens

Do Planets Have to Go Around Stars?

Listen Later

Have your folks send your questions to [email protected] 🚀 Please consider leaving a rating and review. It helps the podcast reach the ears of more science-loving kids and their families!

  • Introduction to Rogue Planets:

    • The episode begins with the intriguing question of whether planets must orbit stars. A discussion unfolds, revealing that there i a unique type of planet called "rogue planets" or "orphaned planets" that don't orbit stars; they roam freely in the galaxy.

    • Defining Planets and Stellar Formation:

      • An exploration of what defines a planet, focusing on the importance of mass and gravity in shaping celestial bodies into spherical forms and generating internal movement, such as convection.

      • Planetary Formation Theories:

        • Discussion of two main theories on how planets form: the gravitational collapse of material in large clouds and the accretion of smaller objects into larger ones. This provides context for understanding how rogue planets might come into existence.

        • Detecting Rogue Planets:

          • Insight into the challenges of detecting rogue planets, as they don't orbit stars and can't be observed through the usual methods used for exoplanets. Techniques such as gravitational lensing and infrared observations are explained.

          • The Prevalence of Rogue Planets:

            • Highlighting the ongoing discoveries of rogue planets and the uncertainty surrounding their abundance in the galaxy. Some estimates suggest there might be hundreds of rogue planets for every star in the Milky Way.
              • ...more
              View all episodesView all episodes
              Download on the App Store
              Found in Space: A Science Podcast for Kids and TeensBy Arwen Hubbard
              • 4.7
              • 4.7
              • 4.7
              • 4.7
              • 4.7

              4.7

              54 ratings

              More shows like Found in Space: A Science Podcast for Kids and Teens

              View all
              Brains On! Science podcast for kids by Brains On Universe

              Brains On! Science podcast for kids

              13,525 Listeners

              Tumble Science Podcast for Kids by Tumble Media

              Tumble Science Podcast for Kids

              2,614 Listeners

              Story Pirates by Story Pirates

              Story Pirates

              16,646 Listeners

              But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids by Vermont Public

              But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

              5,026 Listeners

              Wow in the World by Tinkercast | Wondery

              Wow in the World

              29,796 Listeners

              Fun Kids Science Weekly by Fun Kids

              Fun Kids Science Weekly

              420 Listeners

              Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family by Brains On Universe

              Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family

              13,893 Listeners

              Greeking Out from National Geographic Kids by National Geographic Kids

              Greeking Out from National Geographic Kids

              17,869 Listeners

              Weird But True by matilda

              Weird But True

              1,225 Listeners

              Sleep Tight Science - A Bedtime Science Show For Kids by Sleep Tight Media / Starglow Media

              Sleep Tight Science - A Bedtime Science Show For Kids

              552 Listeners

              Million Bazillion by Marketplace

              Million Bazillion

              2,812 Listeners

              Who Smarted? - Educational Podcast for Kids by Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media

              Who Smarted? - Educational Podcast for Kids

              4,288 Listeners

              Mysteries of Science by Fun Kids

              Mysteries of Science

              115 Listeners

              Who, When, Wow! by Tinkercast

              Who, When, Wow!

              3,185 Listeners

              Sound Detectives by Stitcher Studios / LeVar Burton Entertainment

              Sound Detectives

              885 Listeners