Episodes - Spacepod

219: Breaking the models with Dr. Merrison

Spacepod

View of the Mars Simulation Laboratory at Aarhus University. Image: Carrie Nugent

Dr. Jon Merrison talks about the Mars Simulation Laboratory. Here, scientists study what happens in low temperature, low pressure, windy environments. He says visiting scientists often "come to our lab with some idea based on the conventional model and go away with data which makes no sense to them."

218: Anything we try is new with Dr. Cable

Spacepod

Image credit: Lori Shiraishi.

Dr. Morgan Cable returns to the show after nine years! She tells us how she creates new minerals in her laboratory. She explains how this work helps shape NASA's Dragonfly mission. She encourages listeners to have confidence in their results.

217: A beautiful experience with JWST with Dr. Villanueva

Spacepod

Dr. Geronimo Villanueva tells us about solar system discoveries with JWST. He talks about several projects, including observing water plumes from Saturn's moon Europa and looking for rings around Mars. He shares what it feels like to use this incredible space telescope.

216: Right and wrong theories in planetary science with Prof. McKinnon

Spacepod

Professor Bill McKinnon, 2023 recipient of the Kuiper Prize, reflects on his career as a planetary scientist. He tells us about a theory of his that was proven right, one that was proven wrong, and what he thinks might be proven wrong in the future.

215: Naming asteroids with Dr. Williams

Spacepod

Dr. Gareth Williams tells us about asteroid names. He explains the rules around naming asteroids and tells us how an asteroid name lead to a surprise trip to meet one of his heroes.

Image: Asteroid Bennu, NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona

214: Astronauts on the moon with Dr. Denevi

Spacepod

Image of the moon, taken by the Apollo astronauts.

Dr. Brett Denevi talks to us about the planned Artemis missions to the moon's South Pole. There, astronauts will collect rocks and other samples. She describes how geologists are working with the astronauts to ensure that the best, most interesting samples are collected. These samples will create a legacy set that scientists will study for decades.

Author Loren Grush. Photograph by Christopher White.

Loren Grush talks about her new book, "The Six: The Untold Story of America's First Women in Space." She explains why Sally Ride was chosen to be the first American woman to go to space, and how the resulting attention was difficult for her. Loren also tells us how she researched and wrote the book during the pandemic.

Europa Clipper instrument MISE being tested in a clean room (NASA/JPL-Caltech, source).

We hear from Dr. Diana Blaney, the principal investigator of the mapping imaging spectrometer on Europa Clipper. Europa Clipper will travel to Jupiter to see if its moon Europa is habitable. She describes how they tested the spectrometer in special rooms to make sure it will work at Europa.

Watch Europa Clipper being assembled, live!

Professor Lamiya Mowla tells us about an exciting JWST discovery. She describes gravitational lensing as "nature's magnifying glass." She also explains why she likes calling telescopes time machines. We discuss pretty and shiny things, and why prettiness might indicate something is scientifically interesting.

Image: One of the multiple apperances of the Sparkler Galaxy (center) in this iconic JWST image.

Professor Raman Prinja talks about his new book, "Wonders of the Night Sky." He tells us how we are lucky to live on a planet with a transparent atmosphere. He also shares stargazing tips for city dwellers as well as long-haul truck drivers.

The book is available here. (Long link: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Wonders-of-the-Night-Sky/Raman-Prinja/9781582708775) I received a free copy in advance of the interview.