Off the Radar

November 20, 1998 marked the launch of the first module of the International Space Station. Over time, the ISS grew to be the size of a football field, circling the globe every 90 minutes at 17,500 miles per hour. Today we are joined by NASA Astronaut Dr. Stan Love. Stan was part of the team that got the ISS up into orbit and will play a crucial role in bringing it back down to Earth. We'll discuss the important work that's been done over the past 25 years and why it's now time for the mission to end. We'll also look ahead to the next steps in the Artemis program as NASA transitions out of low-Earth orbit and into Deep Space!

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Atop New Hampshire's 6,288-foot Mount Washington, weather observers have studied the "world's worst weather" for decades. The invaluable data from this natural laboratory has shaped modern meteorology and has aided weather prediction, aircraft design, and engineering. Join us as we sit down with former Mount Washington observer (and current WGME Chief Meteorologist) Charlie Lopresti to explore this remarkable peak where future meteorologists find inspiration, weather records are shattered, and nature reveals the raw power of our atmosphere.

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It's election day and across the country, voters are braving the elements to make their voices heard. But could the rain, snow, or even extreme temperatures on this crucial day sway the outcome of the election? In this episode we'll explore the surprising ways that Mother Nature can influence the results on ballots. From historical data showing partisan advantages on rainy election days, to the potential impacts of this year's major weather events, we'll talk to political scientist Dr. Robert Stein about how the weather forecast could forecast the future of our democracy.

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In late October 1991, the Halloween Storm, famously depicted as "The Perfect Storm" in film and literature, struck the Atlantic coast and tragically claimed 13 lives. In this episode, we'll learn about the storm's evolution from the perspective of a high seas forecaster who tracked it in real-time 33 years ago. Joe Sienkiewicz from the National Weather Service provides insights into the unique weather conditions that converged to create this devastating storm, as well as how maritime forecasting has evolved over the past three decades. We'll also hear from WGME Meteorologist Emily Santom, who recently explored this historic event in a retrospective.

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As part of our Off the Radar coverage of Hurricane Helene, I wanted to give a platform to the people who lived through the devastation. I'll be chatting residents of Lake Lure, NC and let them tell their own stories about the hardships they faced during and after the hurricane, and the struggle to find normalcy in its wake. I'll also be interviewing Jason Boyer, the chief meteorologist at WLOS News 13 in Asheville, about the scientific side of what happened during Helene.

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Online rumors and misinformation have run rampant after the devastation from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Among the wildest conspiracy theories is the claim that the US government has been "creating" hurricanes and "weaponizing" them against the public. The head administrator at FEMA recently said that the dangerous Hurricane Helene misinformation has been "absolutely the worst that I have ever seen," culminating in an armed militia making threats against FEMA rescue workers. In this week's episode, we'll be debunking some of the most dangerous conspiracy theories with experts who have studied hurricanes and the theory behind hurricane hacking - which they've learned first-hand does not work. My guests include Dr. Hugh Willoughby (who led NOAA's Hurricane Research Division), Professor Moshe Alamaro (retired MIT atmospheric scientist), and meteorologist Ed Piotrowski. You won't want to miss these eye-opening conversations that set the record straight about weather modification!

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Last month marked the 63rd anniversary of when Hurricane Carla battered the coast of Texas, instantly becoming one of the most intense and damaging hurricanes recorded in the state. But as houses and ships were battened down and residents fled the storm, some individuals with the Weather Bureau did the unthinkable: they strapped themselves into the cockpit of an airplane and flew directly into the eye of the storm! It started as a bar bet between pilots and became the standard procedure for observing and measuring hurricanes to provide life-saving data for researchers on the ground. Join me this week as I interview Daniel Tyson and Jonathan Shannon from NOAA to talk about what it’s like to fly into a hurricane and how technology has evolved since Hurricane Carla!

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In Part 1, we discussed how to explain climate change to your kids. This week, in Part 2, we'll be interviewing educators, authors/journalists, and lifelong climate activists on how to raise engaged and civic-minded kids who want to save the world. Turn off the "doom and gloom" of television and social media, and take your kids outdoors to show them first-hand why this world is worth protecting!

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Climate change is rapidly altering our world, from heat waves to rising seas, making it seem increasingly daunting. As adults, we feel the weight of these changes, and our children can sense our anxiety. This raises a crucial question: How do we talk to our kids about climate change? Children are perceptive and curious, but they also deserve a childhood free from constant fear. Today, we're exploring insights from the Science Moms - a group of climate scientists and educators who aim to raise informed, inspired, and unafraid children. We'll address your questions about discussing our changing world with the next generation. Tune in next week for Part 2, where we’ll talk about how to raise kids who get involved in shaping our planet’s future!

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Off the Radar presents the 2024 fall foliage report! Meteorologist Evan Fisher will be discussing his fall foliage computer model, which gives a high-resolution look at where and when you can see the peak colors of the season. Today he will tell us the weather factors that go into this formula, and how AI is helping to create the most accurate foliage forecast. Whether you’re leaf peeping in Maine, New York, New Hampshire, or beyond, we’ll cover where to see fall foliage in September and October near you. You won’t want to miss this one!

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