Spectacular Science

Asteroid 2024 YR4 has been in the eyes of scientists lately. This asteroid has a slight chance of hitting Earth in 2032. All of these factors are changing daily and the chance that the asteroid will actually hit is changing rapidly, from 3.1% to less than 1%. Will this actually asteroid hit Earth in 2032 and how big is this asteroid? Why are the numbers changing so much? What can scientists do about this? In this episode, I will explain all of the questions!

Visit NASA’s info page about 2024 YR4 here: https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/asteroids/2024-yr4/

Visit ESA’s info page here: https://blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/2025/02/04/asteroid-2024-yr4-latest-updates/

Here’s an article! It is called “3 Types of Asteroids – Explained” (https://spectacularsci.com/2025/02/3-types-of-asteroids-article/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Asteroid Belt Drawing Activity!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2025/02/asteroid-belt-drawing-activity/)

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Right now, we are in the age of AI or Artificial Intelligence. They are paving the way for new groundbreaking technologies. But, the use of AI actually uses up a lot of water. Why does this happen? What are these environmental impacts of water and AI? In this episode, I will be explaining to you the science behind water, AI, and why it is using up our water resources.

Here’s an article! It is called “How Computers Work” (https://spectacularsci.com/2025/02/how-computers-work/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “AI In the Future!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2025/02/ai-in-the-future-activity/)

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Head over to https://shop.spectacularsci.com now to get your Spectacular Science merch!

Welcome to the 200th episode of Spectacular Science! In this special episode, I will be joined by Dr. Charles Hillman! Dr. Hillman studies exercise and its impacts on the body at Northeastern University. This episode is all about exercise, moving your body, and the science behind the benefits of exercise. Simply keeping yourself active has endless positive impacts! Learn more about it in this special episode!

Head over to https://shop.spectacularsci.com now to get your Spectacular Science merch! Get 20% off your order with code SPECTACULAR200

Thank you so much for everything over the past 200 episodes! I have learned and grown a lot and it is all thanks to you, my audience! I am excited to continue my journey with Spectacular Science in the new year and have many more exciting interviews and topics in store!

I will be back with new episodes in Season 9 on February 18th, 2024!

Infinity mirrors are a fascinating phenomenon that seem to defy the laws of physics! But really, it’s just some amazing science and a very interesting optical illusion. How do infinity mirrors work, and what crazy science goes on behind the scenes? In this episode, I will explain the science of this phenomenon and more!

Here’s an article! It is called “What Are Mirrors?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2022/01/what-are-mirrors/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Discovering Infinity Mirrors” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/12/discovering-infinity-mirrors/)

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Triangles are one of the strongest geometric shapes! You can see them everywhere in buildings and architecture such as bridges and the Eiffel Tower. How are triangles so strong and what is the science that goes behind figuring that out? In this episode, I will take you behind the science and the engineering marvels behind triangles and why they are used almost everywhere.

Here’s an article! It is called “The Science of the Triangle’s Strength” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/12/the-science-of-the-triangles-strength/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Triangle Truss Building Challenge!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/12/triangle-truss-building-activity/)

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

We all eat a lot of fruits and vegetables every day! Some of this fresh produce contains something that has a large impact on humans and ecosystems: pesticides. Produce that contains pesticides may have impacts on the environment, on animals, and even humans who eat it. Why are pesticides used, what are their impacts, and how can we make healthy choices when it comes to buying produce? In this episode, I will be speaking with Dr. Changmou Xu, assistant professor of food processing at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Xu studies pesticides, their impacts, and how to limit exposure to these harsh chemicals.

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Heat moves all around us! In fact, as heat moves, the method of transfer has a lot of science behind it. What are the 3 types of heat transfer, how do they work, and how do they impact the world around us? In this episode, I will explain the 3 types of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation and go into detail on how each mode of transfer works!

Here’s an article! It is called “What Are The 3 Types of Heat Transfer?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2022/03/what-are-the-3-types-of-heat-transfer/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Examples of Heat Transfer Worksheet” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/12/examples-of-heat-transfer-worksheet/)

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Titan, one of Saturn’s many moons, is very mysterious and interesting! It has oceans of liquid methane, an atmosphere, and more. Scientists are still working to find out more about Titan and how this may relate to the quest for life. In this episode, I will be speaking with Dr. Lauren Schurmeier from the University of Hawaii. Dr. Schurmeier studies Titan, its impact craters, and its crust.

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Green is universally seen as the color for “go”, but why? What is the science behind green being such a universal “go” color? Why do traffic lights around the world use green? And why do other colors, such as red and yellow, mean certain things to humans? What’s so special about these colors? In this episode, I will take you into the science of color psychology, the science of the visible light spectrum, and what these colors really mean.

Here’s an article! It is called “The Visible Light Spectrum” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/02/visible-light-spectrum/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Observing Colors Around You!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/11/observing-colors-activity/)

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), launched in 2021, is changing the way astronomers are seeing everything in the universe. James Webb is the largest telescope in space and has discovered many new findings in its almost 3 years in orbit. How does the James Webb Telescope work and how is it changing the way we view space? In this episode, I will take you behind the science of this engineering and scientific marvel, its discoveries, and more.

Here’s an article! It is called “How Telescopes Work!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/07/how-telescopes-work/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Telescopes Worksheet! Activity” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/07/telescopes-worksheet-activity/)

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!