Shows / Universe Today Podcast
Universe Today Podcast
Public feed with [Space Bites+], [Q&A+], [Interview+] and other episodes. Free for everyone.
Episodes
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 451: Open Space 13: Live QA with Fraser Cain
Just me again, back from Australia answering live questions about the Universe.Support Universe Today Podcast
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 450: 360 - Missing Baryonic Mass in the Universe... Found!
Astronomers have finally solved one of the outstanding mysteries in cosmology. Forget about all the dark matter and dark energy, where’s all the missing…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 449: QA 64: What If The Milky Way Lost Its Black Hole? And More...
In this week's question's show, I answer what would happen if the Milky Way lost its supermassive black hole, why can't you spiral stuff into the Sun, why do…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 448: 359 - Space Navigation. Finding Your Way in the Cosmos
Until we learned to properly navigate our way across the oceans, early explorers were fearful to lose sight of land in case they’d be lost at sea. They learned…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 447: QA 63: Why Can't We Find Planet 9? And More...
In this week's episode, I explain why you can't just calculate the position of Planet 9, why we don't use parachutes to retrieve boosters, and if we can wait…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 446: First Ever Picture of a Baby Planet!
For the first time ever, astronomers have captured a direct image of a newly forming planet orbiting around a newly forming star. It’s a stunning photograph…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 445: OpenSpace 12 - Live QA with Fraser
Live QA with just Fraser this week.Support Universe Today Podcast
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 444: 357 - Harvesting Resources From The Solar System. In Situ Resource Utilization
Rocket launches are expensive. Even with huge price drops from SpaceX and other New Space companies, there’s no cheap way to get stuff down here in Earth’s…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 443: QA 62: Can We Build A Space Internet and More...
In this week's questions show, I answer if it's a good idea to build a space internet, if microbes reach Mars, will they evolve into something new, where could…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 442: Open Space 11: Live QA with Dr. Pamela Gay
This week I'm joined by my Astronomy Cast co-host Dr. Pamela Gay to talk about all things astronomy, and casting.Support Universe Today Podcast
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 441: QA 61: Could Jupiter Be a Gravity Lens? and More...
In this week's QA, I present real pictures of the whole Earth, not some fake CGI, and wonder if Jupiter could be used as a gravitational lens for a space…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 440: Open Space 10: Live QA with Fraser, Space Force and More...
In this week's live QA, I was solo again, answering live questions from the audience about Trump's ongoing plans to build a Space Force.Support Universe Today…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 439: QA 60: How Do We Know Where Gravitational Waves Come From? And More...
In this week's questions show, I explain how we now where gravitational waves are coming from, will there be planets around a white dwarf, what does it feel…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 438: 356: What Comes After James Webb and WFIRST? Four Amazing Future Space Telescopes
The Hubble Space Telescope has been in space for 28 years, producing some of the most beautiful and scientifically important images of the cosmos that humanity…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 437: Open Space 9: Radio Astronomer Dr. Nicole Gugliucci
This week, it's a live QA with radio astronomer Dr. Nicole Gugliucci to talk about radio telescopes, and how close the movie Contact is to reality.Support…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 436: 355: The Problem of Power in Space. NASA's New Kilopower Reactor
Space is the worst. It’s got hostile radiation, a total lack of atmosphere, near absolute zero temperatures, problematic gravity wells, and worse. In order to…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 435: QA 59: Why Does the Deep Future Make Us Sad? And More...
In this week's questions show, I talk about entry level telescopes, why we can see galaxies billions of light years away but not objects on the Moon, and why…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 434: Open Space 8: Guest Dr. Paul Sutter from Ask a Spaceman
Paul was busy last week, but now he's ready to join me for an hour answering your mind bending questions about space and astronomy. Bring all your complex…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 433: 354: Are We The First Advanced Civilization in The Solar System?
Humans are believed to be the most technologically advanced civilization that’s ever set foot on Earth, or really anywhere in the Solar System. But are we the…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 432: QA 58: Can We Live If The Sun Dies? and More, Featuring Astronaut Mike Massimino
In this week's questions show, astronaut Mike Massimino answers a question about astronaut training, I wonder how we could survive if the Sun dies, and explain…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 431: Open Space 7: Guest Eric Berger from Ars Technica
In my opinion, Eric Berger (aka @sciguyspace) is one of the top journalists working on stories about spaceflight, especially SpaceX, Blue Origins and NASA…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 430: 353: Cosmological Horizons. The Past, Present and Future Limits of Astronomy with Dr. Paul Sutter
The observable Universe is finite, which means there are limits to what we can see, now and deep into the future. Dr. Paul Sutter joins Fraser to talk about…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 429: Open Space 6: Live QA with Fraser Cain
It was just me this week, answering questions from the YouTube audience.Support Universe Today Podcast
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 428: QA 57: Is The Fermi Paradox Really a Paradox? And More...
In this week's questions show, the viewers try to suggest names for balloon rockets. Could live from Venus escaped to Earth? Is the Fermi Paradox really a…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 427: 352: How Do Ion Engines Work? The Most Efficient Propulsion System Out There
People always ask me why we’re stuck with chemical rockets. Seriously, exploding a bunch of hydrogen or kerosene is the best we can do? Support Universe Today…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 426: Open Space 5: Chasing New Horizons with Alan Stern and David Grinspoon
In this week's live QA, Fraser is joined by Dr. Alan Stern, the Principal Investigator of New Horizons and Dr. David Grinspoon to talk about their new…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 425: QA 56: Is Everything We See Long Dead? And More...
When we look out into space, are we really just seeing stars, planets and galaxies which are long dead, ghosts from eons ago? Can black holes consume dark…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 424: 351: The Militarization of Space. Do We Really Need a Space Force?
President Trump recently called for the creation of a space force to deal with the future warfighting in space. It turns out, this already exists, space is…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 423: Open Space 4: John Michael Godier
In this week's live QA, Fraser is joined by sci-fi author and futurist John Michael Godier.Support Universe Today Podcast
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 422: QA 55: Launching Rockets From Balloons? Featuring Emily Lakdawalla From The Planetary Society
In this week's questions show, Fraser wonders if lava tubes are stable, the best places to extract resources from the Solar System, and why the US has to pay…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 421: 350: Thanks To Gaia We Now Know Exactly Where 1.7 Billion Stars Are In The Milky Way
The European Space Agency just dropped an enormous amount of data onto the scientific community. The location and position of 1.7 billion stars in the Milky…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 420: Open Space 3: Live QA Featuring CodyDon Reeder from Cody's Lab
In this week's live QA, Fraser talks to CodyDon Reeder, the host and self-taught chemist and mad scientist from the popular YouTube channel Cody's Lab.Support…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 419: QA 54: Why Doesn't NASA Mass Produce Spacecraft? and More...
In this week's episode, Fraser talks about how you can support the creators you love, why NASA doesn't make duplicates of its spacecraft, and what binoculars…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 418: Open Space 2: Live QA Featuring Isaac Arthur
In this week's live QA, Fraser welcomes futurist Isaac Arthur to talk about a range of topics, from SpaceX to Breakthrough Starshot, and what we think about…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 417: QA 53: How Many Planets Can We Detect? And More... Featuring Professor David Kipping
In this week's questions show, Fraser gets excited about the NIAC awards, considers how NASA will deal with a fully operational BFR, and a special guest answer…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 416: Open Space 1: Live QA on YouTube
Once a week I'll be opening up the livestream on my YouTube channel and taking questions from the audience, as well as inviting special guests to join me. I…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 415: 349: Farewell Kepler. Welcome TESS And The Quest To Find Earth 2.0
We’re now entering the final days for NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope. It’s running out of fuel and already crippled by the loss of its reaction wheels. In just…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 414: QA 52: Could Satellites With Lasers To Clear Debris Be Weapons Too? And More...
In this week's questions show, Fraser explains how space debris hunting satellites could also be used as weapons, why his green screen is always set to Endor…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 413: 348: Living Underground on Other Worlds. Exploring Lava Tubes
The Moon and Mars will probably be the first places in the Solar System that humanity will try to live after leaving the safety and security of Earth. But…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 412: QA 51: Could We See Ourselves in the Past? And more..
In this week's QA, I wonder if we could use the speed of light to see ourselves in the past, how the Mars rovers clean their solar panels, and if aliens would…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 411: 347: Searching for Life on Europa? Going Under the Ice
We’re now learning that icy worlds seem to be the best places in Solar System where life could be hiding. Worlds like Europa and Enceladus, which have vast…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 410: QA 50: Can James Webb Find Megastructures? And More... Featuring Abby Harrison
In this week's questions show, I wonder if the James Webb Space Telescope will be able to find satellites around other stars, what my favorite sci-fi FTL…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 409: 346: Which Are The Real Pictures of Space? What’s a Photo and What’s An Illustration?
With modern computer graphics, it’s sometimes hard to know which is an actual photograph of space, and what’s an illustration or a 3D rendering. Some really…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 408: QA 49: How Would We Drill Into Europa? And More...
In this week's questions show, I explain why I never get to the point, if we'll ever reach interstellar space, and how we'd get down below the ice sheet on…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 407: 345: What Will It Take To Make Artificial Gravity? Surviving in Space Forever
If we want to live and work in space for long periods of time, we’ll need to conquer the lack of gravity and its effects on the human body. We’ll want to come…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 406: QA 48: Is Falcon Heavy More Powerful Than Space Shuttle? And More...
In this week's QA, I compared apples to apples and look at the launch capability of the Falcon Heavy versus the Space Shuttle. The answer may surprise you. We…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 405: 344: What Are the Limits of Science? A Conversation with Dr. Paul Sutter
During our Iceland adventure, I had a chance to sit down with Dr. Paul Sutter and talk about the limits of science. Why a better version of the Planck Mission…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 404: QA 47: Starter Telescope Advice and More. Featuring Dr. Alan Stern from New Horizons
In this week's question show, I explain why I'm happy to answer questions, what first telescope people should get, and if we've ever seen a black hole ever…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 403: 343: NASA Wants To Bring A Chunk Of Comet Back To Earth.
NASA is going to decide between a comet sample return mission or a helicopter on Titan. Which mission should it be?Support Universe Today Podcast
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 402: QA 46 - Why Doesn't NASA Cancel SLS? And more... Featuring Emma Osborne
In this week's QA, I answer the several related questions about why NASA doesn't just cancel the Space Launch System and give all their money to SpaceX. With…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 401: 342: What Has The Curiosity Rover Discovered?
NASA’s Curiosity Rover has been exploring the surface of Mars for over 5 years now. What has it turned up?Support Universe Today Podcast
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 400: QA 45: Solving Mysteries At The Speed Of Light? And more... Featuring Dr. Paul Sutter
In this QA from Iceland, astrophysicist Dr. Paul Sutter steps in to tackle some of the more complicated cosmology and physics based questions from the…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 399: 341: The Rocket Engines Carrying Us to Space. The SLS RS-25 (aka The Space Shuttle Main Engine)
There are few rockets more iconic than the RS-25, also known as the Space Shuttle main engine. Even though it’s been around in some form since the 1970s, it’s…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 398: QA 44: Am I Ruining Sci-Fi? and more
In this week's questions show, I talk about being wrong, why I'm such a buzz kill to sci-fi, and what I'd launch on a Falcon Heavy.Support Universe Today…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 397: 340: What Is The Flyby Anomaly? Why Spacecraft Aren't Where They're Supposed to Be
You might have heard of the recently solved Pioneer anomaly. But what about the flyby anomaly? The unexpected velocity change that happens during gravitational…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 396: QA 43: Will New Telescopes Challenge The Big Bang and More...
In this week's questions show, Fraser is excited to see the southern hemisphere night sky, considers how the next generation of telescopes will change our…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 395: 339 - What'll It Take to Find Life? Searching the Universe for Biosignatures
When astronomers scan the atmospheres of other worlds, they’ll be looking for gases to confirm that yes, indeed, there’s life there. It turns out, this is…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 394: QA 42: Where Can You Escape Time Dilation? And More...
In this week's questions show, Fraser wonders where you'd have to go in the Universe to minimize your time dilation, how to see Iridium Flares, how…
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 393: 338 - Which Are The Real Photos of Spacecraft?
When we see images of space, it’s hard to know which are real images and which are artist illustrations.Support Universe Today Podcast
Universe Today PodcastEpisode 392: QA 41: Will We Ever Clear That Space Junk? and more...
In this week's questions show, Fraser wonders how we're ever going to clear all that space junk orbiting Earth, whether it's better to colonize Mars or…