Space Books and Gifts for Space Kids of all Ages
Our own Emily Lakdawalla, Planetary Society senior editor and book lover, shares her 2019 list of space books for everyone, from infant to adult. She also presents a list of cool space gifts recommended by scientists and engineers. Bruce Betts provides a tantalizing tease for what could be a brief but massive shower of meteors. And there’s much more to look for in the fall sky. You’ll find links to the complete lists of Emily’s recommended space books and gifts at: https://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2019/1120-2019-lakdawalla-books.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
20 Nov 201949min
A Passionate Conversation with Carolyn Porco
The outspoken planetary scientist who led the Cassini imaging team finally sits down with Mat Kaplan for a revealing, fun conversation. We also talk with astronomer Jay Pasachoff while he watches tiny Mercury crawl across the face of the Sun. Chief scientist Bruce Betts was in the Planetary Society parking lot enjoying the November 11th transit of Mercury. He joins us from there for What’s Up. Learn more about this week’s guest and topics at: https://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2019/1113-2019-carolyn-porco.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
13 Nov 20191h 27min
Our Mysterious Sister: Venus
Astrophysicist Javier Peralta takes us deep into the thick, fast-moving clouds of the world that is still called Earth's sister by some. Venus is slow to reveal its secrets. Jason Davis helps us celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 12. The Planetary Society wants to hear your space goals, accomplishments and dreams! And Bruce Betts reveals the identity of the first gourmet in space. Space headlines from The Downlink, too. Learn more about this week’s guest and topics at: https://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2019/1106-2019-javier-peralta.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6 Nov 201949min
Space Policy Edition: How a Report Can Move Mountains
How can a simple report—just words on a page—lead to creation of a spacecraft? We explore how a 2019 report on the need for a dedicated, space-based telescope to find threatening near-Earth asteroids motivated NASA to pursue that very mission. We speak with Dr. Jay Melosh, planetary scientist and chair of the National Academies committee behind that report, on how it came together and how the process works behind the scenes. We also check on NASA's budget process in Congress and news from the International Astronautical Congress in Washington, D.C. More resources about this month’s topics are at https://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2019/space-policy-edition-43.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Nov 20191h 30min
Finding Wonder and Meaning in a Book by Carl Sagan’s Daughter
Bill Nye says of Sasha Sagan’s new book, “Sagan finds the meaning of life everywhere—with her family, around the world, and especially among the stars of the cosmos. Read her work; you’ll have a deeper appreciation for your every step, every bite, and every breath.” Mat Kaplan talks with Sasha about For Small Creatures Such as We, and later joins Bruce Betts to offer the book in the new What’s Up space trivia contest. Learn more about this week’s guest and topics at: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2019/1030-2019-sasha-sagan.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
30 Okt 201950min
How Long Was Mars Wet?
Planetary scientist Briony Horgan and her team want to know how long liquid water flowed on the surface of the Red Planet before that world froze. Long enough for life to appear and thrive? New work comparing Earth’s extremes may have provided clues. There’s gas in space, and some of it is inside astronauts. Bruce Betts shares the uncomfortable truth in this week’s What’s Up. Also, space headlines from The Downlink. Learn more about this week’s guest and topics at: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2019/1023-2019-briony-horgan.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
23 Okt 201928min
NASA’s Home for the Bleeding Edge: The 2019 NIAC Symposium
The NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts program gathers its “fellows” each year to share what they’ve learned about some of the most fascinating science and engineering imaginable. Mat Kaplan visits with Program Executive Jason Derleth and seven leaders of funded studies. Astronaut Mae Jemison also attended and returns to Planetary Radio. Cosmonaut Alexei Leonov passed away last week at 85. He is remembered and praised by space historian John Logsdon. All this, headlines from The Downlink, and Bruce Betts! Learn more about this week’s guests and topics at: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2019/1016-2019-niac-symposium-leonov.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
16 Okt 20191h 17min
Space Policy Edition: Happy Fiscal New Year!
October 1st kicked off federal fiscal year 2020—a day that should also have kicked off a new budget for NASA. But Congress has not funded the space agency yet, instead passing a temporary stopgap measure to keep the government open until November 21st. Brendan Curry, The Planetary Society's Chief of D.C. Operations, joins the show to discuss the latest political developments in Washington, good news for planetary defense, and how the funding delay could spell trouble for the space agency's 2024 lunar goal. More resources about this month’s topics are at http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2019/space-policy-edition-42.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11 Okt 201956min
