Looking Up

For more than three decades, Dave Eicher has been writing about space for Astronomy magazine. The Oxford, Ohio native is now the editor and he joins Dean Regas and Anna Hehman to talk about how he got into astronomy, some things happening in 2019, and his book Mission Moon 3-D: A New Perspective on the Space Race written with astrophysicist and Queen guitarist, Dr. Brian May .

Dr. Jillian Scudder is an astrophysicist who teaches at Oberlin College in Ohio. She started a science blog in 2013 called Astroquizzical with an "ask the scientist" structure. She's been answering questions ever since and recently released a book based on the blog, Astroquizzical: A Curious Journey Through Our Cosmic Family Tree .

Charles Bolden, Jr. is a retired Marine Major General and astronaut who most recently was the administrator of NASA. He joins Dean Regas and guest host Lauren Worley (who worked for Major General Bolden at NASA) to discuss his career and the state of space exploration today.

The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles is one of the most iconic structures in the US, featured in a myriad of films and TV shows. To find out about the mission of the Griffith and its place in pop culture, Dean Regas and Anna Hehman welcome its director, Dr. Edwin Krupp .

Books make great holiday gifts, and books about space make even BETTER gifts! Children's book author Mary Kay Carson ( Beyond the Solar System , Mission to Pluto ) joins Dean Regas and Anna Hehman to talk about writing eductional, but fun, books for kids.

The Hubble Telescope has been an unmitigated success in providing new information about the cosmos. As its days wind down, a new, more powerful telescope called the Webb is preparing to launch. Dr. Amber Straughn from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center joins Dean Regas and Anna Hehman with information about the bigger, more powerful James Webb Space Telescope .

What are the differences between astronomy and astrology, and what do practitioners of each think of the other?

John Quincy Adams, 6th President of the United States, was a proponent of science and astronomy and was at the dedication of the Cincinnati Observatory in 1843. As the Observatory celebrates its 175th anniversary, Dean Regas and Anna Hehman talk with the former president (in the guise of reenactor Jim Cooke ) about his presidency, his support of the creation of the Smithsonian, and hear part of his dedication speech.

Looking Up boldly goes where it's never gone before! It's a very special episode with actor, author, and recording artist William Shatner which resulted in a meeting between host Dean Regas and the pop culture icon. Tune in as he recounts that momentous night to Anna Hehman.

In this episode of Looking Up , hosts Dean Regas and Anna Hehman welcome veteran NPR science correspondent Joe Palca to talk about his recent coverage of the Mars opposition, the Parker Solar Probe, and his series of reports called Joe's Big Idea .