AWESOME ASTRONOMY

#108 - June 2021 Part 2

15 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: A new audio anomaly to get your investigative teeth into Jeni moving from TV interviewee to presenter on the BBC A look back at this ...

#108 - June 2021 Part 1

31 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Buying and selling astronomy kit A possible resolution to the Wiltshire Audio Anomaly   The News: Rounding up the astronomy news in...

#107 - May 2021 Part 2

15 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Farewell to Michael Collins Jeni back on the radio, other podcasts and TV - cc/crhxtz Listeners' emails   The News: Blue Origin pr...

#107 - May 2021 Part 1

01 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Binocular observing Do you want Ralph's 115 triplet refractor & goto mount? The Wiltshire Audio Anomaly Listeners emails on historica...

Podcast Extra: Mars Ingenuity

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we saw the first ever powered flight on another planet. So this is a podcast extra episode to mark this remarkable achievement, explain what...

#106 - April 2021 Part 2

15 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: The 'Wiltshire Audio Anomaly' 20% off the book Vera Rubin – A Life for US listeners using url: hup.harvard.edu/exhibits/HX7578 @Sta...

#106 - April 2021 Part 1

31 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Jen finally becomes Dr Jen – bow down pitiful Earthlings! Binocular astronomy Get the book Vera Rubin - A Life by Jacqueline and Si...

#105 - March 2021 Part 2

15 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Vaccination cometh to Awesome Astronomy The UK's unorthodox meteor sample return mission A listener's email follow up to last month's...

#105 - March 2021 Part 1

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Paul becomes the new Vice President of Wycombe Astronomical Society Jen gets a date for her PhD viva Jen promoting NASA's Perseveran...

Podcast Extra: How to Become an Astronaut

18 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As the European Space Agency gears up to opening its next recruitment campaign from 31 March to 28 May 2021, we take you through: The entry requireme...

#104 - February 2021 Part 2

14 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Correcting the orbits of Jupiter's moons Welcoming Galaxy Rise's Dustin Ruoff onto the Podcast Crew Causing terrorism scares with tel...

#104 - February 2021 Part 1

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Jeni on the Highbrow Drivel podcast More astronomy goodness at Sky Guide The amateur astronomy/dogging connection A review of George ...

#103 - January 2021 Part 2

15 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: If you like your introductions rambling, you're in for a real treat! We discuss the Jeni's PhD thesis submission, The Real Right Stuff...

#103 - January 2021 Part 1

01 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: As we welcome in the New Year, we discuss the holiday season and your suggestions to replace the Guide to the Electromagnetic Spectrum...

#102 - December 2020 Part 2

18 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A jolly romp around viruses and tasers! We look back at the astronomy and space exploration highlights of 2020: Phosphine in Venus atmosphere The sag...

#102 - December 2020 Part 1

01 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: We discuss National Geographic's The Right Stuff series on Disney+, get a little bit ranty about the use of jokey titles in research p...

#101 - November 2020 Part 2

14 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: The ongoing saga of Jeni's PhD thesis and a couple of listener emails. The News: Rounding up the space exploration news we have: More...

#101 - November 2020 Part 1

01 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Beginning the show droning on about us for bit, we cover Jen presenting her latest paper at the dust conference (yes, there is such a ...

Venus Biosignatures Update Podcast Extra

26 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As the exciting news of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus turns into a point of contention in the astronomy world, we caught up with the study's le...

#100 - October 2020 Part 2

14 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: The publication of Jeni's new research paper, a review of Netflix shows Challenger and Away (sublime and ridiculous). The News: Roundi...

#100 - October 2020 Part 1

30 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Helping us celebrate our 100th(ish) episode, we have a live(ish) audience to join in with us. Anna Lanteri from Gröningen University ...

#99 - September 2020 Part 2

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: No time for discussions, we've important news to discuss! The News: Rounding up the space exploration news we have: Rocket Lab loweri...

Fraser Cain Podcast Extra

10 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

At your suggestion we did something we should have done years ago and reached out to @universetoday and @AstronomyCast's Fraser Cain (@fcain) to wax a...

#99 - September 2020 Part 1

31 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: This month Jeni's latest paper has a journal reviewer prior to publishing, we take a look at the critical science of cow-cats and a li...

#98 - August 2020 Part 2

14 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Jen on the radio discussing the Perseids Starlink satellites flaring over our heads TV shows From the Earth to the Moon and For All M...

#98 - August 2020 Part 1

01 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: This month astrologers are getting upset about their tattoos; why the Babylonians are at fault for ruining the majesty of astrology; J...

#97 - July 2020 Part 2

14 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: What Einstein would have made of an iPhone The goods and ills of social media Free teaching for teachers to teach space and astronomy...

#97 - July 2020 Part 1

01 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: This month Jeni's getting frustrated with the politics of peer review, Paul's seen an uptick in noctilucent cloud hunting and public...

#96 - June 2020 Part 2

15 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Struggling to get the media excited about astronomy How history will record the clusterf**k that is 2020 Skyrora looking to join the ...

#96 - June 2020 Part 1

01 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: The wonderful generosity of amateur astronomers trying to get the name Pair Instability Supernova changed to your suggestions Jen's...

#95 - May 2020 Part 2

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Ralph channels his inner Churchill, while Jen goes on about Tiger King and her upcoming Cafe Scientifique talk. And we hear from liste...

#95 - May 2020 Part 1

30 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: The live recording of our monthly astronomy show to provide a bit of extra entertainment and interactivity while people are cooped ...

Live Lockdown Q&A Show

18 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

You can watch the video of this recording (and our live Episode 95 recording on 27th April) at https://www.youtube.com/user/AwesomeAstroPod/videos (mi...

#94 - April 2020 Part 2

14 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Don't forget to join us for our live shows on 16th and 27th April at https://www.youtube.com/user/AwesomeAstroPod/videos (midday PST, 3pm EST, 8p...

#94 - April 2020 Part 1

01 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're hosting a live Q&A on Thurs 16th April. Go to awesomeastronomy.com to see how to watch & get involved! The Discussion: Jeni's sent the f...

#93 - March 2020 Part 2

14 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

(Warning: please skip this episode if you're offended by occasional Tesla-based puerile humour) The Discussion: Balancing the argument between...

#93 - March 2020 Part 1

01 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Paul's favourite bit of the coronavirus, the Cradle of Aviation Museum's upcoming Apollo 13 anniversary event, a @CunningCosmos ...

#92 - February 2020 Part 2

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: The reason we have leap years; a look at Ad Astra, Lucy in the Sky and Picard; and the history of the Stonewall Riots (don't thi...

#92 - February 2020 Part 1

01 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Ralph visits and records from The Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island, New York, we enjoyed some great skies with good weat...

From the Cradle to the Stars

22 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This is the history of flight told from the perspective of the amateurs and hobbyists who allowed humankind to slip the surly bonds of Earth and...

#91 - January 2020 Part 2

14 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: New Year resolutions, veganism, a little spoiler-free chat about the latest/last Skywalker movie and the new series of Dr Who, b...

#91 - January 2020 Part 1

04 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: As we begin the new decade we struggle to find a consensus on whether it actually is a new decade. We discuss the busy Xmas peri...

The 2019 Xmas Special

24 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

  A pantomime look back at the biggest and most exciting news and events from 2019; a look forward to the best astronomy and space exploration e...

#90 - December 2019 Part 2

14 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The News: Sharing our news picks from the space exploration and astronomy world this month we have: A late risk of Exomars being cancelled Bo...

#90 - December 2019 Part 1

01 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: A look at the BBC's new Martian invasion documentary, The War of the Worlds; the recent transit of Mercury; Celestron's new phon...

#89 - November 2019 Part 2

14 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Ralph's been in Washington – which, of course, means a visit to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, we say goodbye to Russian ...

#89 - November 2019 Part 1

01 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Before we start the show proper, we discuss Jeni's encounter with Nobel Laureate Kip Thorne, her new research paper undergoing a...

#88 - October 2019 Part 2

15 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: As a reward for good behavior, we've dispensed with wittering on about us and gone straight into the news. The News: Rounding ...

#88 - October 2019 Part 1

30 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: A look back at our 50th anniversary of the moon landings-themed dark sky star party, AstroCamp, and some wonderful suggestions a...

#87 - September 2019 Part 2

15 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Nuking hurricanes and the lessons of Chernobyl. The News: Rounding up the space exploration news this month we have: A new ...

#87 - September 2019 Part 1

01 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: A good old British whinge about the weather and looking forward to our biannual dark sky star party, AstoCamp. The News: Round...

#86 - August 2019 Part 2

14 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Following on from last month's 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, we take a look at the recent movies and documenta...

#86 - August 2019 Part 1

01 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Space education at science fairs, sweating in space suits, the public attitude towards space exploration while there are so many...

The Hubble Tuning Fork and Citizen Science

19 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast extra episode we talk to Karen Masters, Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Haverford College, Pennsylvania about The...

#85 - July 2019 Part 2

09 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: An Apollo-fact filled episode to commemorate the 50th anniversary of humanity venturing onto the surface of another body. Paul w...

#85 - July 2019 Part 1

01 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Paul pulls a drowning child out of a river and we discuss the BBC's current astronomy-themed TV programme, The Planets. A drunke...

#84 - June 2019 Part 2

14 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Download Episode! The Discussion: The privations of a PhD student, listeners' comments sparking a couple of corrections from the last episode, anot...

#84 - June 2019 Part 1

30 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Pint of Science in Cardiff targets canines, Ralph makes a schoolboy error while in Florida and we all eagerly await the publication o...

#83 - May 2019 Part 2

15 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Your last chance to get tickets to join Jen's at Pint of Science on 20-22nd May in Cardiff, a couple of corrections for the last epis...

#83 - May 2019 Part 1

01 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

U: Recording from the Mars/Earth-analogue biome cottage at the AstroCamp starparty in the Welsh Brecon Beacons, we start off by discussing stargazing...

#82 - April 2019 Part 2

15 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Hear Jen's talk at Pint of Science on 20-22nd May in Cardiff, less than salubrious travel arrangements for science talks, a listener'...

#82 - April 2019 Part 1

31 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: A bumper episode beginning with the April stargazing extravaganza run by the Awesome Astronomy team on 27th - 30th April, a reminder ...

#81 - March 2019 Part 2

14 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Professor Michelle Dougherty talking Enceladus at the annual Schrodinger lecture, the proficiency (or otherwise) of making science ac...

#81 - March 2019 Part 1

01 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: A worthless victory for the Welsh, Earthling slave John on the BBC's Sky at Night, Jen's preparations for A Pint of Science, imaging ...

#80 - February 2019 Part 2

14 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: The film Moon, boring lectures & seminars, the age before mobile telephony, AweAst live shows & drinks with listeners, and listeners'...

#80 - February 2019 Part 1

31 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Jeni's off to La Palma to gather data on dust & gas in the Crab Nebula, did a meteor or two strike the moon during the January eclips...

#79 - January 2019 Part 2

14 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: As 2019 marches forth we discuss a wasted year of practical astronomy due to bad weather, a comet in our skies to enjoy and Jeni begi...

#79 - January 2019 Part 1

01 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Festive cheer, academic hiatuses, magnificent cheeses, a surfeit of meat, space themed presents and listeners' emails. The News: Ro...

#78 - December 2018 Part 1

01 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Arthur Eddington, the Caldwell catalogue and a round-up of emails to the show. The News: Rounding up the space and astronomy news t...

#77 - November 2018 Part 2

15 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Jeni talking exoplanets and aliens at Cardiff Museum and we take a no spoiler look at the Neil Armstrong biopic, First Man. The New...

Extra: Libby Jackson - A Galaxy of Her Own

07 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast extra episode we're talking to Libby Jackson, physicist and engineer, who's the Manager of Human Spaceflight and Microgravity at th...

#77 - November 2018 Part 1

01 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Jeni's tells us about her gig at the Cardiff Book Talk and an upcoming talk at Usk Astronomical Society, Paul had a hairy moment givi...

#76 - October 2018 Part 2

15 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: It's almost Halloween and Jeni's getting the knives out. Paul's been recording astronomy voiceovers for the Discovery Channel, Jeni's...

#76 - October 2018 Part 1

30 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Download Episode! The Discussion: Paul has snubbed the show to do astronomy on TV so we're keeping our spirits up with tales of AstroCamp and the ins...

#75 - September 2018 Part 2

15 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Download Episode! The Discussion: Lt Col Dave from Florida gives us his more informed take on Space Force. The News: In the new revamped show forma...

Extra: AstroCamp Autumn 2018

03 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast extra episode, we go a step further than just talking about astronomy and look forward to a long weekend of practical astronomy. Th...

#75 - September 2018 Part 1

01 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Download Episode! The Discussion: Jeni returns after getting the flu, Paul's science shows were a wash out at Camp Bestival and Ralph gets a great em...

Extra: Chewin' the fat with a Nobel Laureate

16 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast extra episode, Jeni teams up with our good friend Dr Chris North from the Pythagoras Trousers podcast to speak to Caltech's Linde Pro...

#74 - August 2018

31 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Jeni cares so little for our listeners that she didn't even bother to show up this month (except for the interview section) and with ...

Sky Guide August 2018

27 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What to look out, and up, for in August. With no Jeni this month, Ralph & Paul pick their highlights for this month's skies; starting with the sola...

Extra: Space Force

19 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast extra episode, there was only one thing playing on all our minds - Space Force. What is it? Why is it? What will it look like? Just l...

#73 - July 2018

01 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Jeni tells us about her more recent astronomy conferences in Eastbourne and Copenhagen. Paul gives us a round up of his astronomy out...

Sky Guide July 2018

27 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What to look out, and up, for in July. With no Jen this month (she's off sciencing), it's just Paul & Ralph's highlights for this month's skies; st...

Extra: Galaxies, Work Placement Opportunities & Diversity in Science.

10 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast extra episode, released during Pride month, we return to this April's European Week of Astronomy and Space Science where we spoke to ...

#72 - June 2018

31 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Jeni's talking science conferences while Paul's doing impressions from his Who's Who of Yorkshire legends. Ralph runs through this mo...

Sky Guide June 2018

28 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What to look out, and up, for in June. Ralph, Paul & Jen pick their highlights for this month's skies; starting with the solar system objects on of...

Extra: Farewell Alan Bean

27 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast extra is a re-release of our full length interview with the 4th man to walk on the moon aboard the Apollo 12 mission in 1969. Alan Bea...

Extra: The Life & Legacy of Stephen Hawking

12 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast extra episode, we take a look back at the extraordinary life and work of Stephen Hawking who died on 14th March 2018, leaving a legac...

#71 - May 2018

01 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Jeni, Paul & Ralph survived the wilds of the Brecon Beacon's AstroCamp festival of astronomy, Jeni gathers a whole heap of astronomy ...

Sky Guide May 2018

27 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What to look out, and up, for in May. Ralph, Paul & Jen pick their highlights for this month's skies; starting with the solar system objects on off...

Extra: AstroCamp Spring 2018

07 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to AstroCamp! In this podcast extra episode, we welcome you to the practical astronomy arm of the Awesome Astronomy empire, as we take a ru...

#70 - April 2018

01 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: The Beast from the East makes practical astronomy difficult and we take a look at listeners' emails that accuse us of imperialism, su...

Sky Guide April 2018

27 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What to look out, and up, for in December. Ralph, Paul & Jen pick their highlights for this month's skies; starting with the solar system objects o...

Extra: Why do we believe in conspiracy theories?

10 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

An extended Hat of Woo if you like, but for this podcast extra episode we dip our hands back into the festering corners of Paul's hat to take a look ...

#69 - March 2018

01 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Jeni and her Welsh brethren suffered an Earthquake and Ralph takes a look through listeners emails which prompts a discussion about t...

Sky Guide March 2018

25 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What to look out, and up, for in March. Ralph, Paul & Jen pick their highlights for this month's skies; starting with the solar system objects on o...

Extra: SpaceX and the Future of Spaceflight

14 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This Awesome Astronomy episode is inspired by last week's incredible SpaceX launch and listeners' requests to talk a bit more about SpaceX and the ad...

#68 - February 2018

01 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Discussion: Friend of the show and lecturer at Jeni's Cardiff University, Dr Ed Gomez is launching a Kickstarter project to create and distribute...

Sky Guide February 2018

27 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What to look out, and up, for in February. Ralph, Paul & Jen pick their highlights for this month's skies; starting with the solar system objects o...

Extra: The Last Jedi & Blade Runner 2049

09 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast extra episode, we're joined again by The Essex Space Agency's Phil St Pier as we take another sideways diversion into science fiction...