From black holes to dark matter, this first episode of the Royal Astronomical Society's new podcast explores the odd things in space we can't see. Plus, hosts astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst and science journalist Izzie Clarke are trusted with a book from 1566 and Robert Massey, the Deputy Executive Director of the RAS, shares his top tips for stargazing at home. 



With special thanks to Dr Rebekah Higgitt from the University of Kent, Professor Hiranya Peiris and Professor Andrew Pontzen from University College London. 



And yes, we've had to change the name of our podcast. All shall be revealed in episode two...



You can send your questions to the team via podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc.



The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. 

1: Seeing The Invisible Universe

This is The Supermassive Podcast from the Royal Astronomical Society. Every month, science journalist Izzie Clarke and astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst take you through the universe with the latest research, history from the society’s archives and astronomy you can do from your own home.

Support the team by buying their book, The Year in Space - https://geni.us/jNcrw

You can send your questions to the team via podcast@ras.ac.uk or follow them on Instagram @SupermassivePod.

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

History

Society & Culture

Science

Physics

Astronomy

Can wobbly planets have more than two solstices? Are we earthlings receding from the sun and the other planets? What is dark flow and why is it controversial? When stars die, is their energy lost forever? 



Send your questions to podcast@ras.ac.uk or find us on Instagram @SupermassivePod. 



The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. 

51: BONUS - Wobbly Planets and Baby Names

Izzie and Dr Becky are venturing into interstellar space. What is it? Where is it? And what do we know about it? 



With special thanks to Professor Martin Barstow from University of Leicester and Professor Chris Lintott from the University of Oxford. Chris' new book "Our Accidental Universe" is out now. 



Check out the RAS's video on Pons Brooks here: https://ras.ac.uk/news-and-press/news/12ppons-brooks-how-and-when-see-devil-comet



The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. 








51: Into The Interstellar

What is cosmic dust? Could we reignite a dying Sun with a nuclear weapon? How do we know what galaxies stars are in, and can the JWST see streetlights on alien worlds?



 If you have a question for the Supermassive team, send them to podcast@ras.ac.uk or find us on Instagram, @SupermassivePod.

 

 The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. 






50: BONUS - Dust, stars and alien streetlights

Izzie and Dr Becky are exploring shaky ground, whether that’s on Earth, other planets and even on our neighbour the Moon. This month is all about quakes.  



With special thanks to Mark Panning, the project scientist for NASA's InSight mission, and Dr Jess Johnson from the University of East Anglia. 



Join Izzie and the UK Space Education Office for Mars Day on Tuesday 5th March, sign up to the virtual event here.  



Explore the North Tyneside Solar Trail and discover models representing planets from our solar system, 16 & 17 March 2024



The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. 










50: Quakes in Space

Do we see black hole mergers as a result of galaxy mergers? What did the night sky look like to the dinosaurs? Is a gas giant just a rocky planet with a huge and dense atmosphere? Do all orbits eventually end up in resonance? 



The Supermassive Team is back with the first bonus episode for 2024! Send in your questions to podcast@ras.ac.uk or find us on Instagram, @SupermassivePod.



The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. 










1: Seeing The Invisible Universe

Download our free app to listen on your phone