Some exoplanets—like a gas giant with rain made of glass and 5,000-mile-per-hour winds—sound like worlds dreamed up by a science fiction writer. But they’re real. From light-years away, scientists can uncover details about planets orbiting distant stars and even ask whether some exoplanets could support life. Néstor Espinoza, an astronomer at the Space Teles ... Show More
Sep 30
How Webb Illuminates Stars’ Cloudy Origins
In the space between stars, dark clouds of gas, dust, and ice mingle in a chemical laboratory unlike any on Earth. Ewine van Dishoeck, an astronomer who studies molecules in space and who helped develop an instrument aboard NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, explains how Webb is ... Show More
22m 43s
Aug 4
Why Webb's Earliest Galaxies Are Blowing Scientists' Minds
With the James Webb Space Telescope, we are seeing the early universe like never before. Webb produces beautiful images and detailed scientific data that leave astronomers in awe. In this episode, Mic Bagley, a NASA scientist on the Webb team, guides us through new discoveries ma ... Show More
27m 54s
Apr 2024
Our Accidental Universe
Professor and presenter, Chris Lintott, talks about his new book Our Accidental Universe; a tour of chance encounters and human error in pursuit of asteroids, pulsars, radio waves, new stars and alien life. Even with incredible technological developments, the major astronomical e ... Show More
36m 14s
Sep 2023
Subsurface oceans: The hidden potential of Earth-like exoplanets
Lujendra Ojha, assistant professor at Rutgers University, joins Planetary Radio to discuss how subsurface liquid water on exoplanets orbiting red dwarf stars could increase the likelihood of finding habitable worlds beyond our Solar System. Then we check in with Bruce Betts, chie ... Show More
50m 28s
Jul 2024
#431: Ancient Universe Revealed by Webb & Space Junk Hits Home
Space Nuts Episode 431: James Webb Discoveries, Space Junk, and Ocean WorldsJoin Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in this exciting episode of Space Nuts, where they explore the latest in space science and astronomy.
Episode Highlights:- James Webb Space Telescope Discover ... Show More
32m 34s
Jul 25
Celestial Discoveries: The Oldest Comet, Pulsar Insights, and Axiom Space's Successful Splashdown
In this episode of SpaceTime, we explore the latest cosmic revelations, including the astonishing discovery of an ancient interstellar comet, the intricate workings of a rare pulsar, and the safe return of the Axiom 4 crew from their mission.Ancient Interstellar Comet 3I/AtlasAst ... Show More
23m 1s
Jul 2024
#437: Mars' Sulphur Surprise & Extreme Exoplanet Orbits
Mars, Exoplanets, and Spacewalk Solutions
Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in this captivating episode of Space Nuts, where they explore the latest discoveries and innovations in space exploration.
Episode Highlights:
- Curiosity's Sulphur Surprise: Discover the unex ... Show More
32m 28s
May 2025
Kosmos 482: The Soviet-era Venus probe that fell to Earth
This week on Planetary Radio, we explore the decades-long journey of Kosmos 482, a Soviet-era Venus probe that spent 53 years orbiting Earth before its dramatic return on May 10, 2025. Ben Fernando, a postdoctoral researcher in seismology and planetary science at Johns Hopkins Un ... Show More
52m 29s