Short Wave

In the 18th century the world was focused on Venus. Expeditions were launched in pursuit of exact measurements of Venus as it passed between Earth and the Sun. By viewing its journey and location on the Sun's surface, scientists hoped to make a massive leap in scientific knowledge. With a little help from math, Scientist in Residence Regina G. Barber recounts how humanity came closer to understanding our cosmic address — and relative distances to other planets — in the solar system.

If you haven't heard the other two episodes in our series on cosmic distances yet, check them out here:
- The Stars that Settled The Great Debate
- What The Universe Is Doing Right Now

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Today we're sharing an episode of a new NPR podcast called Trump's Trials, hosted by Scott Detrow with regular analysis from Domenico Montanaro. Each week they'll break down the latest courtroom drama, testimony, and legal maneuverings in the criminal and civil cases facing former President Trump — and talk about what it all means for American democracy.

In their debut episode, Scott and Domenico spoke with NYU's Melissa Murray about Donald and Ivanka Trump's testimony this week in the civil fraud trial taking place in New York.

Follow Trump's Trials on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for episodes available every Saturday.

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Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced he wouldn't seek another term, fueling speculation he's gearing up for a presidential run. Meanwhile, new speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) is facing a major challenge to avoid a government shutdown next week, and statewide elections throughout the country this week led to good results for Democrats.

Plus, a farewell to Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji.

This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales, voting correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

The podcast is edited by Casey Morell. It is produced by Jeongyoon Han. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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AI is popping up everywhere nowadays. From medicine to science to the Hollywood strikes. Today, with computer scientist and AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li, we dig deeper into the history of the field, how machines really learn and how computer scientists take inspiration from the human brain in their work. Li's new memoir The Worlds I See traces the history of her move to the U.S. from China as a high school student and her coming-of-age with AI.

Host Regina G. Barber talks to Li about her memoir, where the field may be going and the importance of centering humans in the development of new technology.

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The former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor is attracting new attention with voters. But, she still has a lot of ground to make up to catch former president Donald Trump. Does she have a path to win the nomination?

This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Sarah McCammon, and editor/correspondent Ron Elving.

The podcast is edited by Casey Morell. It is produced by Jeongyoon Han. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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Five candidates — former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, and South Carolina senator Tim Scott met on a debate stage in Miami, each trying to pitch themselves as the alternative to Donald Trump. The former president, meanwhile, skipped the debate — as he has with each held so far this year — and led a rally with his supporters in nearby Hialeah.

This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

The podcast is edited by Casey Morell. It is produced by Jeongyoon Han. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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If you've ever looked up at the clouds and wondered where they came from, you're not alone. Atmospheric researcher Lubna Dada is fascinated by the mystery of how clouds form and what role they play in our climate. Today, host Aaron Scott talks to Dada about a recent study on the role of trees in cloud formation, and how this data will improve our current climate models.

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The former president took the stand Monday in a New York courtroom and was at times combative and defense when asked to answer questions over his knowledge of fraudulent financial statements filed by the Trump Organization.

This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political reporter Ximena Bustillo, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

The podcast is edited by Casey Morell. It is produced by Jeongyoon Han. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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Voters will decide whether to codify reproductive rights in the state's constitution this Election Day, continuing a trend of state referenda on abortion access after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022. Ohio's current abortion ban, prohibiting the procedure after six weeks, is currently on hold due to a legal injunction.

This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Sarah McCammon, and Ohio Statehouse News Bureau political reporter Jo Ingles.

The podcast is edited by Casey Morell. It is produced by Jeongyoon Han. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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Scientists have mapped less than 25% of the world's seafloor. Experts say that getting that number up to 100% would improve everything from tsunami warnings to the Internet and renewable energy. That's why there's currently a global effort to create a full, detailed map of the seabed by 2030. Today, we talk to Dawn Wright, a marine geographer and chief scientist at the Environmental Systems Research Institute about this effort.

Curious about ocean science? Email us at [email protected].

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