We get the inside scoop on planets from famed 1940s space reporter James G. Maynard, talking with the planets themselves, together with Sabine Stanley of Johns Hopkins University. Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone! This week on The Cosmic Companion, we explore exploration, exploring the human need to… explore. Later in the show, we’ll be talking with Jon Waterman, creator of Atlas of Wild America from National Geographic.From the dawn of time, humans have been driven by a primal urge: the need to explore. This innate curiosity has shaped our history, propelling us from the confines of caves to the vast expanse of our planet, and beyond.Let’s take a detour down memory lane. Somewhere between 75,000 and 50,000 years ago, a group of mobile Homo sapiens decided to take humankind’s first road trip out of Africa. Even without roads. Talk about wanderlust! This migration wasn’t just a change of scenery — it resulted in a monumental shift for our species, shaping human evolution.Jon Waterman appears on The Cosmic Companion 4 November 2023. Creative Commons 4.0 Attribution 2023 The Cosmic Companion.And who could forget the Ancient Greeks and Phoenicians? They were among the original sea-faring explorers, navigating the Mediterranean long before GPS and Google Maps. Wait. [HOLD EARBUD] I’m getting a notification that we have a surprise guest on the show this week. Yes, (is this real? are you sure, Max? Wow. Ok.) Everyone, in a special chronophone interview from 330 BCE, please welcome famed navigator, astronomer, and all-around curious fellow, Pytheas.  — χαίρετε! Name’s Pytheas. I’m just your average merchant from Massilia… what? Oh, it’s somewhere in what you would call the Provence region of southern France. Anyway, I’ve always had this thing for stories. The wilder, the better. [FULL OPEN] More than 23 centuries before your time, I heard tales of mythical lands, strange creatures, and seas that stretch beyond the horizon. Most folks just dismissed them as sailor’s yarns. No, no. That’s a thing. You’d be surprised how many sailors enjoy macrame…But me? Hearing these stories, I thought, “Why not go check out these legends for myself?” So, I packed my bags and set sail.Now, let me tell you, sailing the Mediterranean is a piece of honey cake. But the Atlantic? That’s a whole different kettle of fish. Literally. The fish are different. Heh heh. Fish… Anyway, there I was, circumnavigating the land you call Britain, or as it went by in its youth, Britannia. I always had a knack for astronomy, and I even figured out the North Star isn’t exactly north. Also, I realized that the Moon plays a role in tides. Good to know when you’re spending months or years at sea.But I wasn’t on the boat all the time. I also got to walk around parts of Britannia, including the legendary tin mines of Cornwall. The people there call themselves the Briton Celtics. I didn’t even know they played basketball.But, up north, the real highlight was the midnight sun. Imagine this: it’s the middle of the night, but the sun is still shining brightly. Great for getting more science done, if not for sleeping outdoors.So there you have it. I’m just a regular guy on an extraordinary journey. Not only did I prove legends of northern Europe true, but I also wound up with a good story or two to tell.Any idea where I can hitch a ride on a rocket? —  Maritime voyages of Ancient Greeks and Phoenicians not only expanded their trade routes but also led to advancements in astronomy, geography, and navigation. Talk about making waves!Then there was Marco Polo, the original globetrotter. [ARE WE TALKING BASKETBALL AGAIN?] His travels to Asia were like the ultimate vacation slideshow, except instead of awkward family photos, he brought back tales of exotic lands and cultures that blew everyone’s medieval minds.[MARCO POLO: Dude. I LITERALLY hung out with Kublai Kahn in Xanadu. No way you’re going to top that!]And let’s not forget about those brave souls who dared to explore the icy wilderness of Antarctica and the towering heights of Mt. Everest. These explorers faced harsh conditions and extreme dangers, but their spirit of adventure and discovery pushed them forward. Their journeys expanded our understanding of these remote places, while testing the limits of human endurance.Fortunately for us all, not all exploration is that strenuous, or hazardous. Next up on The Cosmic Companion, we welcome Jon Waterman from National Geographic to the show. We’ll be discussing the human drive to explore, and his new Atlas of Wild America. Fast forward to the 20th century, and our thirst for exploration led us to the final frontier: space. The Apollo missions were like an interplanetary camping trip — with fewer s’mores and more moon dust. When Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon in 1969, it was a giant leap not just for mankind, but for our collective spirit of discovery.As we look to the future in the 21st Century, the spirit of exploration continues to thrive. With advancements in technology, we’re not just exploring physical spaces but also virtual ones. The rise of virtual and augmented reality technologies, together with artificial intelligence, has opened up new frontiers for exploration, allowing us to experience places and ideas in ways previously unimaginable.As we stand on the precipice of a new era in space exploration — with missions to Mars and beyond on the horizon — we are reminded that exploration is not just about reaching new frontiers but also about pushing our limits and striving for a better understanding of our place in the universe.As we explore the depths of our oceans, the vastness of space, and virtual worlds — we carry with us this indomitable spirit of curiosity. Our future may lie in the words of J.R.R. Tolkien, who said, “Not all those who wander are lost.” So go ahead, pack your bags (don’t forget your towel!) [TOWEL], and let’s set off on our next adventure, becoming a better, wiser, species than we were before we took our first steps away from the familiar. Because at its core, that’s what exploration is all about.The Cosmic Companion is starting the first half of our winter break, taking three weeks off. After all the dumb jokes and crazy costumes this year, we need it! We will come back on 2 December, getting The Inside Story on Planets, talking with physicist Sabine Stanley from Johns Hopkins University. We’ll be discussing her new book, What’s Hidden Inside Planets? Make sure to join us then. If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download, follow, share, send large sums of money to us, like, and comment on our show. Have a great Thanksgiving and we will see you all on 2 December. Bring a plus one. Clear skies!JamesThe Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.COLD OPEN:Oh, great. 21st-Century Earth. Smells like… [sniff-sniff] humans. [“Wow, a real-life space chimp!”]Yes, yes, marvel at the space chimp. I’m not here for your amusement, you know![‘I gotta get a selfie with you!’]What is this with you humans and your social media?[CARS WHIZZ BY]This must be what they call a “rat race.” I know rats, and they would never create this sort of society. It’s like humans are in a never-ending hurry to… well, I’m not quite sure why they’re in a hurry.[Are you here to take over?]Take over? Why would I want to take over this mess? This world would be a much better place if everyone just watched The Cosmic Companion, you know![What are your future plans?]If I ever get back to my own time, I’m going to become a sci-fi filmmaker. I’ll create a film called Planet of the Humans…Action!  Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE! (I mean, BOO!)This week on The Cosmic Companion, for our Halloween Special, we’ll be looking at The Top 10 Ways Space is Trying to Kill You! Later in the show, we’ll be talking with astrophysicist and science educator Ethan Siegel, host of Starts with a Bang! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello Everyone!This week on The Cosmic Companion, we are Seeing the Invisible. We’ll be discussing how astronomers study objects in space which are invisible to the human eye. Later on, we will be talking with Anand Varma, creator of a new book, Invisible Wonders: Photographs of the Hidden World, from National Geographic. Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Global warming and climate change is happening all around us. We look at the science of climate change, talking with Elizabeth Rusch, author of The 21.---This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at Global Warming - It's Not Just Hot Air! We will be talking with Elizabeth Rusch, author of The 21. Climate change, the ultimate uninvited guest, has been making itself quite comfortable lately. It's like that distant cousin who shows up unannounced, cranks up the heat, and then leaves the door open.The science behind global warming is as fascinating as it is concerning.Since the Industrial Revolution, we've been burning fossil fuels like a barbecue at a Texas tailgate party, releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere... Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone! This week on The Cosmic Companion, we are pondering why Greece is the Word, discussing the birth of science in the ancient world, and what it means for us today. Later on, we'll be talking with Kenny Curtis and Jillian Hughes, hosts of the Greeking Out podcast, and authors of a new book of the same name, from Nat Geo Kids.Once upon a time, in the sunny lands of Ancient Greece more than 25 centuries ago, a bunch of curious folks decided to ask some big questions. "Why does the sun rise?" "What are stars?" "Why do planets move?". They were tired of attributing everything to the whims of gods. Much like overgrown toddlers, they wanted ANSWERS, and they wanted them NOW! (errr… then)...Jillian Hughes and Kenny Curtis appear on The Cosmic Companion 7 October 2023. Creative Commons 4.0 Attribution 2023 The Cosmic CompanionThe Greeks had a knack for asking questions that were way ahead of their time. More than 2,500 years before our age, a woman named Aspasia was known for holding gatherings of some of the greatest minds of her day, including Plato and Socrates. A gifted conversationalist, tales tell that she founded a school for girls, a groundbreaking advance for the era.  Democritus of Abdera had the crazy idea that all matter was composed of individual bits, which we call atoms. Building on the work of his mentor, one day around 425 BCE, he may have just been walking around, minding his own business when he thought, "What if everything is made up of tiny, invisible particles?" Boom! The concept of atoms was born.Then there was Pythagoras who had a thing for triangles. He may have been sitting around one day, doodling triangles in the sand when he realized that the square of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. Mind blown! And thus, the Pythagorean theorem came into existence.During the 4th Century BCE, Hippocrates took one look at medicine and said, "This needs some work." [Not my words exactly, but… Yeah, sure.]He insisted that diseases were not punishments from angry gods but had natural causes that could be studied and treated. This revolutionary idea paved the way for modern medicine.Not long after, Agnodice of Athens practiced medicine dressed as a man, at a time when women were not allowed to be doctors. Thanks to her, laws in Athens preventing women from becoming doctors were overturned. [AGN: You're welcome!]But it wasn't all work and no play for these ancient scientists. Legend has it that Archimedes discovered his principle while taking a bath. He noticed that the water level rose as he got into his tub and realized this could be used to determine volume. He was so excited that he ran through the streets naked shouting "Eureka!" (which means "I found it!"). Now that's what I call a eureka moment!The birth of science in ancient Greece is a story of curiosity, ingenuity and occasional naked sprinting through the streets. The ancient Greeks might not have had all the answers, but they sure knew how to ask interesting questions!With questions come answers, and for a few of each, we're talking with Jillian Hughes and Kenny Curtis about their new podcast and book, Greeking Out, from Nat Geo Kids. ---Now. Let's talk about our friend Pythagoras. Remember him? The triangle guy? Well, his theorem is still used today in everything from architecture to video games. Yes, you heard it right! Every time you play a game of Fortnite or Minecraft, Pythagoras is there, making sure everything looks just right.Next up is Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine. His idea that diseases have natural causes was a game-changer. Today, doctors across the globe follow his principles. So, the next time medicine helps you out, remember to say a silent thank you to Hippocrates (but maybe skip on the leeches and bloodletting).And who could forget Archimedes? His principle helps us design ships and submarines. And yes, he's also the reason why your bathwater rises when you get in. So, the next time you're enjoying a relaxing bath, spare a thought for Archimedes (and maybe keep your "Eureka!" moment to yourself).Last but not least, Democritus' atomic theory is at the heart of modern physics and chemistry. It's why we can build everything from skyscrapers to smartphones. So every time you send a text or take a selfie, remember that it's thanks, in part, to a Greek guy who lived over 2000 years ago.So there you have it! The Ancient Greeks might be long gone, but their discoveries are still very much alive and kicking. It just goes to show that great science never goes out of style!Next week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at Global Warming: It's Not Just Hot Air!. We'll look at the science of climate change, and how our world could change in the coming decades. We'll be talking with Elizabeth Rusch, author of The Twenty-One, telling the story of a group of young people using the legal system to help reverse climate change.Make sure to join us, starting on 14 October, anywhere you see or hear The Cosmic Companion. While you are there, go ahead and do all that sharing and subscribing stuff. It'd be pretty cool if you did. Yup. Pretty cool indeed… Clear skies!---[COLD OPEN]So this is the future. Interesting.Well, good evening, everyone! I must say, when I was told I'd be time-traveling, I expected to see the future of Greece, not to land in 'Grease.' However, I am not entirely to blame, by Jove!Here are "The Top 10 Reasons I Thought Grease was Greece:"#10 When my agent said he booked me on a tour of Grease, I thought he said Greece. A natural mistake.#9 I thought I saw young people in togas and a group of Spartan warriors. It turns out they were wearing "poodle skirts" and "leather jackets."#8 All the spontaneous singing and dancing made me think I was near a Greek theatre.#7 I saw chariots without horses. I'm a scientist. Studying those was just natural. #6 One of the horseless chariots had lightning bolts on it. I naturally believed it to be a chariot of Zeus.[ZEUS APPEARSNo. Not me. I wouldn't drive anything that ostentatious.FADE]#5 The sight of people eating in a diner reminded me of symposiums, though I have been told that wine has been replaced with milkshakes. Those are pretty good, honestly. Have you ever tried a flavor called "chocolate?" #4 Hearing about a beauty school dropout, and seeing a woman surrounded by other women in pink, I naturally believed them to be Aphrodite and her priestesses. She still owes me 10 drachma. #3 Watching a dance-off at the local gymnasium made me think of athletic competitions in Ancient Greece. Plato would have loved it.#2 Coming across what I thought was an open-air play, it turned out to be something called a "drive-in movie." I think those are going to be pretty popular in a few decades. #1 And, the NUMBER ONE REASON I Thought Grease was Greece is… [DRUM ROLL] Seeing this teenage drama unfold, I mistook it for a Greek tragedy.OK. I'm ready to go back. Send James Maynard in, already…[FADE. OFF SCREEN:-unintelligible-What do you MEAN the chariot flies? That's ridiculous.]Clear skies! JamesThe Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at Designing Dinosaurs. How do we know details about dinosaurs that are not readily apparent from the fossil record? How can we tell what we can tell about the colors, sounds, and behaviors of these magnificent little beasties?Later in the show, we are going to talk with Stephanie Warren Drimmer from National Geographic about her new book, Jurassic Smarts.Fossils, including those of dinosaurs, have been known about since ancient times. These findings led to legends of dragons, cyclopseseseses, and at least one odd guess at giant humans... Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we’re discussing Artificial Intelligence and the Future of the Human Race. Later on, we are talking with one of your species more impressive information processing and dissemination units, Neil deGrasse Tyson.  Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we’re talking about how It’s a Weird World, After All! Later in the show, we’re going to talk with Kathryn Williams about Weird but True! World 2024, new from National Geographic Kids! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we take on a weighty subject — gravity. Later in the show, we are going to talk with Joe Swiggum from the NanoGrav Collaboration.Gravity is one of those things that we all know about, but when you really stop to think about it, it’s pretty mind-boggling. I mean, there’s this invisible force that keeps us all stuck to the ground and makes things fall when we drop them. How wild is that? Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we talk about the mysteries of Dark Matter and Dark Energy. Later in the show, we will be joined by René Laureijs, Euclid Project Scientist, from The European Space Agency.If one were to look at all the matter and energy in the Universe, about 68% is dark energy, 27% is dark matter, and just five percent is everything we see around us. 95% of everything out there — is totally unknown. [That’s chicken feed. What IS most of the Universe?] Good question! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

We are back from summer break with an amazing guest, Richard Dinan, founder of Pulsar Fusion (Yeah. The guy from Made in Chelsea!).Kicking off the second half of our seventh season, we offer you a look at how the human race might take our first steps to becoming an interplanetary species.Later in the show, we will be talking with Richard Dinan, founder and CEO of Pulsar Fusion, about spacecraft powered by nuclear fusion. Neat-O, Wally! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

We explore the greatest mysteries of the Universe, from the Big Bang, to black holes, dark matter, dark energy, and more, talking with famed cosmologist and author Lawrence Krauss... Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Planting the Seeds of STEAM w/ Ariane Szu-Tu, Nat Geo KidsExploring STEAM education and learning, with Ariane Szu-Tu, senior editor, National Geographic Kids Books.This week on The Cosmic Companion, we're going to take a wild ride through the exciting and innovative universe of STEAM education.Later in the show, we talk with Ariane Szu-Tu, senior editor at National Geographic Kids Books, about their new release, Almanac 2024! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone!Welcome back to The Cosmic Companion. I’m James Maynard!This week, we look at the one thing every space traveler will have in common — they will all be Living with a Body in Space. Later in the show, we will be joined by Christina Sauer, Associate Editor for National Geographic Kids, talking about their new release, Why? The Human Body. Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

How do we create computer models of the Universe, and how will artificial intelligence revolutionize astronomy? Talking with Andrew Pontzen, author of The Universe in a Box---This week on The Cosmic Companion, we explore the fascinating world of computer models of the universe! From humble beginnings to mind-boggling simulations, this is the history of how we unravel mysteries of the Cosmos using the power of computers.Astronomers and cosmologists seek to understand what happened billions of years ago, and what may happen billions of years in the future. They explore the mysteries of dark matter, black holes, galaxies, and more.Among their tools are computer models and simulations. Using mathematical equations and data to represent physical phenomena, researchers develop and test their theories about the Cosmos... Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone!This week on The Cosmic Companion, we will explore The Water Worlds of the Solar System, talking with Olivier Witasse from the European Space Agency, Project Scientist for the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, or Juice, now on its way to the Jovian system.Join me, your trusty celestial tour guide, as we don our intellectual swim trunks and dive into the water worlds of our solar system. Water, essential for all life on Earth, was once thought to be rare in the solar system.Large quantities of water ice are now believed to sit inside deep craters at the poles of the Moon, where sunlight never strikes. Ice deposits at the South Pole of the Moon alone could hold more than 150 times as much water as the Mediterranean Sea.These vast deposits of water mean these regions are where the first human settlements on the Moon will soon rise. But native life seems unlikely inside huge blocks of solid ice billions of years old. [Mars was, likely, once home to massive oceans. But now, water on this world is thought to be restricted to thimble-sized deposits buried a couple metres beneath its ruddy surface. Although microbial life might exist in these tiny abodes, you really can’t do much chemistry in a thimble.[>>> What is wrong with this guy, seriously? I’ve raised over 674,000 children in this thimble, and they turned out just fine!]Next up is the King of the Planets. Of the 80–95 known moons of Jupiter, three are now believed to house vast oceans of liquid water.Callisto is the most heavily cratered object in our solar system. Once thought to be a dead body, evidence for subsurface oceans was spotted by the Galileo spacecraft in the 1990s. This same craft also found a thin atmosphere of carbon dioxide, similar to the one in Isaac Asimov’s story “The Callistan Menace.” Unlike that story however, giant caterpillars were nowhere to be seen.[___ Dude! I’m right here! Hello! Giant caterpillar!]] {SCRATCH HEAD}Ganymede is larger than the planet Mercury, and it is the only moon known to have its own magnetic field. This behemoth world could also be home to the largest ocean in our family of planets. Bodies of water on Ganymede may stretch 10 times deeper than Earth, buried under 150 kilometers of ice. That’s five times deeper than the average crust of Earth here on Terra Firma. These massive oceans might also be sandwiched between layers of mineral-rich rock, greatly increasing the amount of chemistry happening at the boundaries between water and rock, where life on Earth first took hold.[[VENDOR: Get your Europa sandwich right heah! We got rocks, we got watah! We got little green stuff squirmin’ around dere. And slime! Extra slime! Also, pickles! CUSTOMER: Ewww… Gross! Disgusting! No thanks! Who eats a sandwich with pickles?]]Europa, with an iron core, rocky mantle, and an ocean of salty water… Sound familiar??? [->] …may be the best place in the solar system to search for extraterrestrial life. Oceans here could hold twice as much water as is found on Earth.The surface of this world is covered in water ice, bent and pulled by tidal forces due to gravity from Jupiter. This action breaks the icy surface, and it cracks apart from stress, like every couple by the end of a Paul Simon song. Heat from this process might also help warm the oceans of Europa, increasing hope of extraterrestrial life forming on this distant world. On 14 April, the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer spacecraft, lovingly known as Juice, lifted off on its way to explore these intriguing moons of Jupiter. Next up, we talk with Olivier Witasse from the European Space Agency, Project Scientist for Juice. — Next up, we head on out to the Ringed Planet. After staring at Saturn’s rings, mouth agape for 22 minutes like James Kirk first seeing the Enterprise in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, we turn our sights to two intriguing worlds — Titan and Enceladus. Titan is best-known for having massive oceans of methane and ethane. However, beneath its crust might also lie oceans of liquid water. With hydrocarbons, organic materials, mineral-rich rocks, and water, Titan could be the home of some intriguing chemistry, and perhaps even bizzare forms of life.Enceladus may be small, but it is the Old Faithful of the solar system, spewing forth geysers of water thousands of kilometers into space. These plumes, recently imaged by the James Webb Space Telescope, are infused with the chemical building blocks of life. Whipping around Saturn once every 33 hours, these eruptions from Enceladus form a giant donut of water encircling the planet. Mmm… Giant Water doughnut… Oh! You like geysers, you say! Well, I happen to know where to find some more. What? No, not Yellowstone. well, kinda. But… You know what? Just follow me. OK — Here we are at the most distant full-fledged planet in the solar system (we think!), Neptune. See its largest moon? Yeah, that troublemaker orbiting in the opposite direction from all the other satellites here. That’s Triton. Now, it’s wet and cold on Triton, -235 Celsius on average, pretty much the exact opposite of Arizona.[At least it’s a wet cold!] MMmm…The surface of Triton is covered in active geysers pushing nitrogen gas into space. This world is home to smooth volcanic plains and pits formed by flows of icy lava — a process known as cryovolcanism. Volcanoes of mineral-rich water on Triton turn the landscape into a cross between Ancient Pompeii and Frozen.Finally, we zoom out to the Kuiper Belt, paying a visit to the dwarf planet with a heart, Pluto!Beneath its rocky crust, Pluto is now thought to house a global ocean, which may be 100 kilometers — or more than 11 Mount Everests — deep. Despite the frigid temperatures this far from the Sun, stress from tidal forces between Pluto and its largest moon, Charon, could keep these oceans warm enough to remain liquid, and perhaps even provide enough energy to spark life.Each of these water worlds provides intriguing landscapes, along with geology, chemistry, and physics which could offer us the greatest finding of all time — the discovery of life on other worlds.Next week on The Cosmic Companion, we take a look at efforts at Coding the Universe. How do we recreate the Universe in computer simulations, and how will artificial intelligence revolutionize our understanding of the Cosmos? We will be joined by cosmologist Andrew Pontzen, author of The Universe in a Box. Make sure to join us, starting on 10 June.Head on over to TheCosmicCompanion.com to sign up for our newsletter, and never miss an episode.If you love your science shows informative, entertaining, and at least occasionally funny, where can I find a show like that? It sounds great! Oh, oh… The Cosmic Companion, right. Share and follow us, and let your friends know about the show. Thanks! Clear skies![[It’s… cold… Awww… Jump on in. The water’s fine once you get used to it.]]JamesThe Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

What would happen if the asteroid that ended the Age of Dinosaurs struck today? We are talking with Steve Brusatte, paleontologist with National Geographic and Jurassic World Dominion! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone!This week on The Cosmic Companion, Artificial Intelligence Takes a Flight to Space, talking with Ashlee Vance, author of When the Heavens Went on Sale. The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Which species are the greatest survivors? We talk about surviving extinction through the eyes of "The Masters of Survival" - tardigrades, horseshoe crabs, and sharks.We are joined by Kathryn Williams, editor of Weird but True! Sharks! from Nat Geo Kids! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone! This week, we are looking at How to Cook Up Life on a Planet. Later in the show, we will be talking with Jamie Green, author of the new book, The Possibility of Life.So, how does life form on a new planet? Chemicals and energy. That’s how. You know what else you can do with chemicals and energy? Cook food, that’s what! (Excuse me a minute while I put on this chef’s hat)Listen to the podcast here, or watch this episode as a video!If you are looking to cook up life on an early-career planet, here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:An abundance of amino acidsSome supply of sugarsA quantity of nucleotidesAt least a Little LipidsWater andenergyFirst, let’s talk about amino acids. These guys are the building blocks of proteins, which are essential for life as we know it. Vegetarian sources of amino acids include nuts, berries, beans, almonds, mint, or… [look around]oranges. Kind of like these tangerines right here. Look, we’re letting this sit in for primitive amino acids, let the orange thing slide. OK?The first amino acids may have formed through a process called “abiogenesis,” where simple organic compounds combine and react along with energy, such as lightning strikes or ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The molecules and structures within foods can change radically when they cook. [ (exactly!)Next up, we have sugars. These are vital for providing energy to cells and making up the structure of DNA and RNA. Laboratory experiments reveal that simple sugars can form from basic organic compounds. Here, we are going to have sugars represented by… well, sugar. In this case, cane sugar. The 95% of this which is actually sugar is a disaccharide, made up from glucose and fructose. [sweeeeeeetttt…]Nucleotides are another essential component of life, making up the building blocks of DNA and RNA. You remember — the whole A, T, C, G and sometimes U thing from high school bio... Researchers have found that nucleotides can form from meteorites, suggesting that they may have been delivered to Earth by comets and asteroids.These bits of genetic code can be found in nearly every bit of anything we call food. So, let’s throw in some cherries.Then, we have lipids. These are typically fatty or waxy substances. A little bit of butter will do nicely. Lipids are important for making up the membranes that surround cells and maintain their structure. Lipids can form spontaneously in water, and they may have arisen in the early oceans of the Earth.Some primitive lifeforms called extremophiles thrive on minerals from seafloor vents, which we will represent with a dash of salt. Mix all of these ingredients together with some water, and you have the basic chemical building blocks of life. But, just like most recipes, life needs energy and time to come to fruition. Or, in this case, FRUITition. See what I did there? While our primitive planet has a hot time for a while, we welcome Jamie Green to the show, talking about her new book, The Possibility of Life.So where can your planet get its ingredients? Surprisingly, many of them are delivered, at least in part, right to your planet’s door. Comets and asteroids are loaded with all sorts of organic compounds, including amino acids, sugars, nucleotides, and lipids. Look for a planet with liquid water, preferably in the “Goldilocks zone” where it’s not too hot and not too cold. You want your ingredients to stir and mix. That’s tough with ice or steam.[ Now it’s time to mix everything together. Just stir our organic compounds into the water and add heat. Kind of like putting it into an air fryer for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.  And… let nature do the rest. With a dash of luck, life should start to form in no time.Life thrives in even the most extreme environments on Earth, like the frozen desert of Antarctica (represented here with some ice cream). [Life will.. find a way]We’re dealing with a lot of unknowns here, and there’s no way to be sure of our final result. But that’s part of what makes the recipe for life so exciting, folks! It’s a bit like home cooking — we never quite know what we’re going to get.Mmmm…. Delicious! Next week on The Cosmic Companion, we will be talking about Surviving Extinction. We will be joined by Nat Geo’s Kathryn Williams, talking about National Geographics new work, Weird but True: Sharks! Make sure to join us starting on 20 May.Check out our other episodes at TheCosmicCompanion.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode.  If you enjoyed this episode of the show, please comment, follow, share, and tell your friends about the show. You know, when you invite them over for some delicious ancient life a la mode. Clear skies!JamesThe Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at What a Crazy Cosmos we live in, talking about some of the most bizarre objects in the Universe. Later on, we will be joined by Emily Fego from National Geographic, talking about Nat Geo’s new work, That’s Fact-Tastic! Now, you may think that things around your neighborhood are weird, but your oddball neighbor is just peanuts compared to what’s in outer space... Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone!Here’s our latest episode - Pondering Panspermia w/ Brian Selznick, Author of Big Tree!NARRATOR: There are those who suggest that life on Earth began out there… Among the stars. Well, not the stars. Too bloody hot. Among the planets and asteroids, scattered throughout the Cosmos… With building blocks of life that may have been the forebearers of proteins, biopolymers, and peptides. Some believe there may still be the stuff of life floating around space searching for a planet or moon where they can, once again, ignite the process we call… life…Welcome back to The Cosmic Companion. I’m James Maynard. This week we are Pondering Panspermia. This notion presents the idea that life on Earth — may have been delivered to our world — in whole or in part — by asteroids and comets. This same process could also spark life around the Universe... Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In the second part of our two-part Earth Day episode, Water is More Important!?, we’re exploring the vital role that water plays in sustaining life on Earth and beyond. Our special guest is none other than Sandra Postel, director of the Global Water Policy Project. She will share her insights with us into the importance of this precious resource.[[So. I’m sitting here on my bachelor pad, and you have me wondering. How did it all get here? The water, I mean. It seems Earth has an awful lot of it. I mean, blue planet, and all that rot.]]Sandra Postel appears on The Cosmic Companion for Earth Day, 22 April 2023. Creative Commons 4.0 Attribution 2023 The Cosmic Companion.It turns out that no one is quite sure how or why water formed in such great quantities on Earth. Certainly, being at the right distance from the Sun, and having a thick atmosphere, allowing water to pool on its surface helps. But, how did water first arise on our world?Researchers have been puzzling over this question for years, and there are a few major ideas which have emerged.One theory is that water arrived on Earth through comets and asteroids. These space-borne clumps of rock and ice collided with our planet billions of years ago in large numbers, potentially bringing water with them. This theory is supported by the fact that the ratio of heavy to regular water on Earth is very similar to that found in comets, suggesting comets may have played a major role in forming the oceans of Earth.Another possibility is that water was present on Earth from the very beginning, during the formation of our planet. This theory suggests that water was present in the gas and dust cloud that eventually coalesced to form Earth. As the planet cooled and solidified, the water vapor condensed into liquid, forming oceans.[Cool water]A third theory is that water was created by the reactions that took place within the Earth’s mantle. This idea suggests that high pressures and temperatures within the mantle caused the formation of water molecules from the elements present in the layers of our nascent planet.And, it is also possible that each of these sources played a role in creating the aquatic environment of our water world. Today, water covers more than 70 percent of our planet, supporting millions of species of life. And, water around the planet, together with the life which depends on it, are threatened by global climate change, driven by human activity.Next up, we talk with Sandra Postel, director of the Global Water Policy Project.The Blue Marble on which we live is more than oceans, lakes, ponds and rivers. Water is also found in the atmosphere, aquifers, and life itself, including you and me.Heat from the Sun drives evaporation from oceans and other bodies of water, lifting water into the air. [wooooah!] Once in the atmosphere, this water vapor condenses into clouds, eventually releasing their moisture as precipitation, such as rain or snow, back onto the land and water.Moisture which falls onto land can either seep into the ground and become groundwater, or flow back into rivers, lakes, and oceans, restarting the cycle. The process is also influenced by factors like wind, temperature, and topography, which help determine the amount of precipitation that falls in different areas.This water cycle ensures that water is constantly moving and being redistributed throughout the planet, providing us with this essential resource that we all need to survive.[[Some desert plants only need water once every couple weeks under most conditions. Those ever-resilient tardigrades can last decades between drinks of water. And, some bacteria also use very little water, although their metabolism still depends on this vital liquid. The rest of us really need the stuff!]]There are several ways people can help conserve and protect this precious resource. Homeowners can seek out efficient appliances with the WaterSense label, and repair water leaks as soon as possible after they are discovered. Rainwater harvesting collects water which would have simply rolled off roofs, making it accessible for gardens and outdoor cleaning.Watering gardens during mornings and evenings reduces evaporation and water use. Shorter showers can also play a role in conserving water. Every little bit helps when we look to preserve the health of lifeforms on Earth.[[Water is more important? Not much. I’m Poseidon, so… I’m right.]]Next week on The Cosmic Companion, we will be Pondering Panspermia — the idea that life here on Earth may have started from ingredients from space, delivered by comets and asteroids. We will be talking with Brian Selznick, the author of Big Tree. Make sure to join us starting on 29 April, at TheCosmic Companion.net. Sign up for our newsletter at TheCosmic Companion.com and never miss an episode.If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please tell your friends about the show, comment, share, you know the spiel.Clear skies!JamesThe Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Start writing today. Use the button below to create your Substack and connect your publication with The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

For Earth Day week, we bring you a look at ways young people can help save the planet! We’ll be talking with Cliff Lewis, author of We the Future!This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at ways young people can help make Earth a better place to live. Later in the show, we’re going to be talking with Cliff Lewis, author of We the Future! [This episode is aimed toward young people, but there are plenty of lessons in here for everyone, so keep watching, regardless of your age.] {Thank you!}Since the start of the Industrial Revolution the Earth’s climate has been rapidly changing due to human activity, primarily the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas. In fact, it has been 46 years since our planet last experienced a year with cooler-than-normal temperatures.Now, I know you’ve heard the term “global warming” before, and you might think it just means that the Earth is getting a little warmer, no big deal. But here’s the thing: global warming is already resulting in some pretty serious problems.Listen to the podcast here, or watch the video version of this episode!The production of greenhouse gases is causing the Earth’s temperature to increase, leading to rising sea levels, more frequent and intense natural disasters, and setting off a cascade of plant and animal extinctions.Rising temperatures are causing glaciers and ice caps to melt, which could mean more flooding, more intense storms, and the pollution of water supplies for large cities.[It’s too bloody hot!]Climate change is also resulting in more extreme weather, like heatwaves and droughts, which can harm crops and lead to food shortages. Ocean temperatures are also rising, driving deaths of coral reefs and a loss of biodiversity.But there is hope. We can take action to protect our planet and prevent the worst effects of climate change. We can reduce our carbon footprint by driving less, using renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, and eating a plant-based diet. [Did you know humans share about 98% of our DNA with pigs, compared to just 90% with cats and 82% with dogs? We even play video games! So… May I recommend a yummy fruit smoothie for breakfast?”] {Mmmm… Fruit smoothies!}Young people have the power to make a difference, advocating for policies prioritizing the health of the planet and supporting sustainable practices. You can speak out about the urgency of climate change and encourage others to take action by your own example, striving toward a more Earth-friendly lifestyle.Next up, we talk with Cliff Lewis about his new book, We the Future!So, here’s the good news: we can do something to reduce our carbon footprint.When you need to travel, consider having fun and getting some exercise by walking or biking whenever possible. Or take public transportation instead of driving a car. Young people can also talk to your parents about the benefits of driving an electric or hybrid vehicle.In addition, household solar panels and rainwater harvesting reduces demand on utilities, decreasing our use of fossil fuels significantly. This can save a significant amount of money on your home’s electricity bill!Another important thing nearly all of us can do is to recycle! Some other ideas are to reduce waste by using reusable water bottles, lunch containers, and bags.Some people will downplay the effects of personal choices in protecting the environment. And, although it is true that large industries create vast amounts of the environmental pollution, consumers have the power to make them change.Large unscrupulous corporations [EVIL LAUGH] do the damage they do for one reason — to make money. As consumers, we have the power to support alternatives to environmentally damaging products and practices. We can choose to buy products that are made sustainably and reduce harm to the environment. We can support companies that prioritize reducing their carbon footprint and investing in renewable energy.If enough of us make these choices, we can have a real positive impact on the environment. We can show companies that there is a demand for environmentally-friendly products and practices, pushing them to make changes to their products and policies.Finally, get involved in your communities! Join a local environmental group, attend climate rallies and marches, and make sure you’re educating yourself and others about these issues.As life springs to, well, life, around us this season, let’s celebrate the plants and animals and fungi and other beings around us by doing what we can to help save our planet for future generations.[[We can all plant the seeds for future generations. Don’t leave it for others to do. We all need to be pollen in the same direction. Let us get to the root of the…]]Next week on The Cosmic Companion, we have a special guest for Earth Day! We welcome Sandra Postel, director of the Global Water Policy Project to the show. [[Greetings, mortals. I’m Poseidon, Greek god of the sea. I’m also god of Earthquakes. And, for some strange reason, horses. I’m basically a walking Jim Morrison poem. Ahem. I assure you that water is one of the most precious resources on the planet. On Earth Day, The Cosmic Companion asks the question, “Water is More Important!?” Answer? Not much. Dive on in with us starting on Earth Day, 22 April.]]If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, feel free to comment, share, and tell your friends about the show. It might just help the planet! Clear skies!JamesThe Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Start writing today. Use the button below to create your Substack and connect your publication with The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

For Easter week, as most people share fables of giant anthropomorphic rabbits distributing chocolate eggs, we are Exploring Extraterrestrial Life through Science and Science Fiction. Later in the show, we will welcome Julie Nováková, Giovanni Poggiali, and Eric Choi to the show, talking about their new anthology, Life Beyond Us.The idea of alien life has fascinated us for centuries. While science fiction has often portrayed extraterrestrial beings as having advanced intelligence, strange abilities, and/or a thirst for human flesh, the scientific reality is likely somewhat different. So, let’s buckle up and take a journey through the fictional and scientific world of extraterrestrial life, shall we? Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This April Fool's Day, we are bringing you The Stone-Cold Truth About Moon Rocks. No kidding!Later on, we will be joined by Albion College physics professor Nicolle Zellner to discuss her research on planetary impacts in our Solar System.Throughout history, many cultures had myths and legends about the Moon, although they did not have a real scientific understanding of its composition. Some people believed it was made of a metal like silver, while others held to the belief the Moon was a god or goddess... Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

What is Life? That's not an easy question to answer. We're going to do our best, talking with Robert Temple, author of A New Science of Heaven, in our first-ever mostly-fully-animated episode!This week on The Cosmic Companion, we're delving into one of the most profound questions in the Universe: What is Life? Later in the show, we will be talking with Robert Temple, author of A New Science of Heaven. Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we are Celebrating Diversity in Space Exploration, looking at the history of inclusion in human explorations beyond our world — past, present, and future. Later in the show, we’ll be talking with Meredith Bagby, author of The New Guys, a look at NASA’s groundbreaking astronaut class of 1978.The history of space exploration has been marked by numerous milestones, not only in terms of scientific and technological achievements but also in the inclusion and diversity of those who explore beyond our home world. Over the decades, space exploration has slowly evolved to include women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals, paving the way for greater representation in the future.NASA’s original class of astronauts from 1959, the Mercury Seven, were all Caucasian male jet pilots — not exactly representative of a melting pot of society. However, less well-known were the Mercury 13, a group of 13 women who underwent astronaut training in the early 1960s. Despite performing as well, if not better, than men at many rigorous physiological tests, NASA did not recognize these women as official astronaut trainees. Opposed by many politicians and media alike, no member of the Mercury 13 flew to space for 60 years until Wally Funk in 2021... Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at Making Space Sustainable, talking with Daniel Bock from Morpheus Space. We’ll be looking at how we can move into the inner solar system while protecting the environments of Earth, the Moon, and Mars, as well as the future of space travel.The first and most obvious way to improve the sustainability of spaceflight is through the use of reusable boosters, and the development of greener fuel alternatives. Biofuels, for example, emit fewer harmful particles into the atmosphere and are an important step towards reducing carbon emissions during launch.Lifting off from Earth takes nearly all the fuel in a rocket, and most systems today shed empty fuel tanks and boosters once they pass beyond our planetary atmosphere.Listen to the podcast version of this episode here, or watch it as a video!This process can also shed smaller debris, potentially posing future hazards. There are currently 27,000 pieces of spaceborne flotsam larger than a softball being tracked in orbit around the Earth, and there could be 100 million such pieces larger than a millimeter in diameter whizzing around our world.[Well, that’s a whole lot of space junk now, isn’t it?] {sure is!}Being hit by a screw is one thing. Being hit by a screw flying at 10 kilometers a second is an entirely different issue.  Minimizing waste released into space is a priority, keeping low-Earth orbit as clear as possible for spaceflight.Apple co-founder and pioneer of the personal computer revolution, Steve Wozniak, recently founded Privateer Space, focused on clearing potentially-hazardous debris from low-Earth orbit.[WOOOOZZZZZZZZZZ!!!] {Yeah, He’s cool.}The Orbex Prime rocket is designed to be one of the most environmentally-friendly launch systems ever designed. This two-stage rocket is 19 meters tall… I’ll save you the math. That’s……8.6 Peter Mayhews standing on top of each other. [RrRRrrRR] You’re welcome!Powered by a 3D-printed propane-fueled engine, this green booster is reusable, produces 96% fewer emissions than comparable boosters, and the system leaves no debris in orbit. [The ultimate in clean fuels may be solar sails. These are EXACTLY what they sound like — spacecraft powered through the pressure of light from the sun, gently pushing on a large, reflective sail. Once in space, these sails create a gentle, yet continuous acceleration capable of taking a spacecraft from one planet to another. And the best part? No fuel required! Solar sails could offer us a clean, sustainable and a cost-effective way of exploring the Cosmos. They could also be attached to wayward space junk, moving debris out of the way of active satellites. As our species grows, heading out into the Cosmos, we can explore and populate the Moon and Mars. This exploration will drive science, social progress, and technology. The means to do that in the coming years and decades are being developed right now, by both nations and startups around the globe. Next up, we talk with one of those innovators, Daniel Bock, CEO and co-founder of Morpheus Space.As space tourism grows, costs to travel beyond the Earth will plummet. Within a decade or so, the price of a trip to space should equal that of a luxury cruise on the oceans of Earth. Still out of the reach of most people, but low enough to make space tourism far more common than it is today. As this industry grows, it’s essential to consider the impact it will have on the environment of Earth as well as destinations beyond our home world.The Age of Sail lasted for three centuries — from about 1550, when Copernicus first put forth his wacky idea that the Earth revolves around the Sun until about 1850, just before the invention of the refrigerator. Similar sailing ships could once again soar to distant worlds — this time, racing through the vast expanse of space, powered by the constant push of light from our life-giving star. This technology could also be adapted to passenger ships, riding the breeze of light from our parent star. Guests will marvel at the beauty of space, soaring aboard the environmentally-friendly sailing ships of the 21st century and beyond.The future of space travel is not just about reaching for the stars, but also about preserving the beauty and wonder of worlds for future generations to enjoy. By adopting more sustainable practices, we can continue to explore the Cosmos while reducing our impact on the environment. So, let’s raise the solar sails and set our sights on a greener future for space exploration!Next week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at Diversity in Space Exploration from the dawn of the space age to our future among the stars. We’ll be talking with Meredith Bagby, author of The New Guys, the story of NASA’s legendary Class of 1978. If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please subscribe, follow, share, and tell your friends about the show. Head on over to TheCosmicCompanion.com and sign up to get every episode in your email inbox. Free and VIP subscriptions are available! Educators get 25% off VIP subscriptions with any .edu email address!Clear skies!JamesThe Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Educators get 25% off VIP subscriptions with any .edu email address! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

We look at the future of living on Mars, talking with James Burk, executive director of The Mars SocietyThis week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at our shared future, living on the surface of the Red Planet. Later in the show, we’ll be talking with James Burk, executive director of The Mars Society.Science-fiction has fueled the human quest to live on Mars for generations, from the technically-adept-if-illness-prone aliens of H.G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds,” onward to Ray Bradbury’s “The Martian Chronicles,” and through Red Mars from Kim Stanley Robinson... Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at the Apollo and Artemis programs, discussing how these first missions to the Moon set the stage for the next step in human evolution — becoming an interplanetary species.We will be talking with NASA historian Andy Saunders. His new book, Apollo Remastered, is filled with never-before-seen and newly remastered photographs exploring the history of humanity’s first forays to our planetary companion. The Apollo Program, one of the greatest accomplishments in human history, lifted off (Ha! See what I did there?) in 1961, when President John F. Kennedy announced that the United States would put an astronaut on the moon before the end of the decade, a goal many people considered impossible... Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at Teaching Kids About Space, as we welcome astronomer Dean Regas to the show. He is the author of a new book, 1,000 Facts About Space from National Geographic Kids.In years past, students didn’t have a lot of resources for learning about the stars and planets. They would have to rely on books, or perhaps a telescope if they were lucky. But all that began to change in the 20th century.In the 1920s and 30s, planetariums began to pop up in schools and museums around the world. These dome-shaped theaters make use of special projectors, simulating the night sky, providing viewers with an up-close and personal look at the stars and planets. This was a game changer for astronomy education, as it allowed kids and adults a means to experience the night sky in a way that wasn’t possible before that time... Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we imagine PREDATORS FROM SPACE!!! as we welcome Shark Week regular Paul de Gelder to the show. We will be talking about his new book, Shark: Why We Need to Save the World’s Most Misunderstood Predator. And — did I mention? PREDATORS FROM SPACE!!!Life on other worlds is likely to be far different than life on Earth. However, most lifeforms throughout the Cosmos are likely to share a few common traits. The laws of chemistry and physics suggest that carbon is an ideal chemical backbone for the formation of life, and water is a perfect medium if you want to create a bunch of complex chemicals and spread them around a planet.  Also many lifeforms on Earth depend on other life for their sustenance and survival. Even herbivores and vegans consume other forms of life. We can’t all be plants, living off photosynthesis, all snooty and stuff, you know… This means that life on other worlds is likely to include… PREDATORS FROM SPACE!! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to our premiere of season seven of The Cosmic Companion!To kick off the new year, we’ll be looking at our collective future in space, as seen through the new tools of interactive 3D environments. Such prescience was once exclusively the hallmark of science-fiction. Today, as Star Trek goes into its sixth decade with hit-or-miss series, movies and episodes, as the Rolling Stones of sci-fi franchises, a revolutionary new media is taking shape. Later in the episode, we will welcome Tony Tellado, host of the Sci-Fi Talk podcast to the show, discussing how the development of metaverses is shaping insights into the future of the human race. Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we wrap up season six with a look at… SPACE: 2023. In the year 2023, a massive nuclear explosion will rip the Moon from its orbit, sending more than 300 inhabitants of a lunar colony careening into space. [No. No. That’s not right.] Oh, yeah, ANYWAY!We are going to give you a look at what’s happening in the night sky over the next 12 months, as well as looking forward to what’s coming up on our show in the coming weeks.In January, we will take a glimpse at how 3D environments give us our best look yet at our future beyond the Earth. We will also imagine predators in space - what can animal hunters here on Earth teach us about possible predators on distant worlds? We’ll be hunting down ideas with Shark week regular Paul de Gelder. On 28 January, we’ll be discussing the history of diversity in space exploration, from its earliest days, up through the modern age and beyond, talking with Meredith Bagby, author of The New Guys. Check that out in episode four of our upcoming season, coming out 7 February. If that weren’t enough, we’ll be kicking February off with a new look at the amazing remastered images of the Apollo Project. We welcome NASA expert and historian Andy Saunders to the show, discussing his new work, Apollo Remastered. Here’s a short clip from that interview.Join us starting on 4 February to watch the full interview with Andy Saunders, looking at Apollo to Artemis: Our Future on the Moon. Naturally, 2023 will feature the usual annular meteor showers, and the Moon is always going to be there. That is… unless a GIANT NUCLEAR EXPLOSION… But apart from that possibility, here’s a look forward to the coming year in the night sky. On 20 April in the coming year, many amateur astronomers in the Southern Hemisphere will be treated to a hybrid solar eclipse. These events appear total in some areas, and partial in others, hence the name hybrid. This eclipse begins in the southern Indian Ocean, stretching toward western Australia and southern parts of Indonesia. People living on the islands of Indonesia and parts of Australia will be treated to a partial eclipse. [the kangaroos will enjoy it as well] (and, naturally, the kangaroos will enjoy it, as well). A penumbral lunar eclipse happening on 5 May will be seen over parts of eastern Europe and Africa, all of Asia, and Australia again.Our planetary companion, the Moon, comes in closer to Earth than average, producing a supermoon on 3 July. Another supermoon - this one also a blue moon - takes place on 31 August. On 14 October, as you’re hanging Halloween decorations, an annular solar eclipse will develop in the Pacific Ocean west of southern Canada and spread toward the southwestern United States before moving into Central America and Brazil. Large swathes of North and South America will be treated to a partial eclipse from this event.Europe, Asia, Africa, and western Australia are going to see a partial lunar eclipse on 28 October - Halloween Weekend! [howl]If you enjoy The Cosmic Companion, also take a listen to our friends at Pale Blue Pod. This new podcast about space and astronomy, hosted by astrophysicist and folklorist Dr. Moiya McTier and comedian and science educator Corinne Caputo brings science to everyone with fun, lighthearted episodes. Astrophysicist and folklorist Moiya McTier earned a degree from Harvard and a PhD from Columbia University. Given her desire to teach science with humor, (and perhaps just as important to our narrative), she also went on to meet writer and comedian Corinne Caputo. Now, Caputo is a former game show host, and she wrote Space Trash for Yale’s Summer Cabaret. Check out this podcast for people who are overwhelmed by the universe, but want to be its friend, at palebluepod.space. Next week, for our season seven premiere, we welcome Tony Tellado, host of the Sci-Fi Talk podcast to the show. We’ll be envisioning our future in space, as seen through the revolutionary technologies of the metaverse and 3D environments. Please join us starting 7 January. Make sure you enjoy all the Universe around us has to offer and visit us each week here on The Cosmic Companion. You’re always welcome in our corner of space!Clear skies and Happy New Year!JamesThe Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Start writing today. Use the button below to create your Substack and connect your publication with The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Happy holidays!This week on The Cosmic Companion, we explore the winter skies using telescopes! But don’t fret — we’ll be talking with Michael Petrasko from Insight Observatory learning how to see the winter sky using telescopes from the warmth and comfort of home.The winter sky is filled with dazzling targets calling out to amateur astronomers. Jupiter is shining brightly in the southwestern sky. Look for the King of the Planets glowing with a bright white light in the southwestern skies during evening hours. Even a small telescope should reveal bands of color across the face of that mighty world, as well as up to four moons. Go out over the course of several nights, and you can actually see those Galilean moons of Jupiter race around their mighty parent world... Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we begin a two-part series, exploring the winter sky. We are going to take a look at what you can see using just your eyes. We'll welcome Andrew Fazekas back to the show. He is National Geographic's Night Sky Guy, and we'll talk about exploring the winter sky using eyes alone. We'll also take a look at how to view the Geminid meteor shower peaking on the 14th and 15th of December!  Winter is often considered the best season for amateur astronomy. Heat rising off the ground in summer can make for wavey air, similar to heat rising above a chimney, distorting views of objects behind it. The cooler conditions of winter reduces this effect, providing better viewing during the winter season.  Viewers in the Northern Hemisphere can head on out a little after 8pm this December, to see Orion - one of the easiest constellations to find - hanging out above the southeastern horizon. Look for the three stars lined up as the belt of this celestial hunter. Just beneath the belt, you should see the Orion nebula - a stellar nursery appearing as a fuzzy patch of light, making up the center of three stars of its sword...Listen to the podcast version of this episode here or watch it as a video!Join us next week on The Cosmic Companion for the second part of this look at the winter sky. In part two, we'll take a look at - you guessed it - the objects you can see in the night sky this winter using a telescope - even if you have never used a telescope before! We will be joined by Michael Petrasko from Insight Observatory. Make sure to join us, starting on 17 December.  If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, I'd love it if you could download, share, like, and maybe tell a friend about the show. It'd be much appreciated!  Sign up for our newsletter while you’re here. You'll never miss an episode.  Happy Holidays and clear skies!JamesThe Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on the Cosmic Companion, we take a look at Exoplanets in Your Backyard! Or, at least how you can get a small idea of what it might be like to visit these worlds, and you know… Survive. Later in the show, we’re going to be talking with Allyson Johnson, senior editor at National Geographic. We’ll be discussing their new release, Complete National Parks of the United States, and explore how some national parks can give us a small taste of life on distant worlds. Astronomers currently know of a little over 5,000 worlds orbiting stars other than the Sun. These range from small, hot rocky planets huddling close to their star, to massive Jupiter-like worlds. This largest class of worlds could themselves be encircled by families of Moons, some as large as Mercury — or perhaps even the Earth.Listen to the podcast episode here or watch this program as a video!Next week, we will begin a tour of the winter sky so grand, it will take two weeks (that’s a fortnight for those of you STILL refusing to use metric!). In part one, we welcome Andrew Fazekas - National Geographics’s “Night Sky Guy” back to the show. We’ll talk about what can be seen in the wintertide sky using just your eyes! (Part 2 will examine The Winter Sky w/ Telescopes! w/ Michael Petrasko from Insight Observatory!).Clear skies!JamesThe Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at the future of cities in space. We will discuss how the urban areas many of us live in today will lead to cities of the future, placed in orbit around Earth, on the surfaces of the Moon and Mars, and beyond. Later on in the show, we will be talking with Joe Yogerst. We’ll discuss his new book from National Geographic, 100 Cities 5000 Ideas, as well as what cities of today can tell us about cities of the future. Currently, roughly four billion people — almost exactly half the world’s population — live in cities spread around the globe. By the year 2050, that number is likely to increase to roughly 68% of the world population (including 89% of people in the U.S.) living in urban areas. For those making their homes in space, that number will — almost certainly — be near 100%. Cities in space will also face the additional challenges of… well… being in space. Listen to the podcast here or watch this episode as a video!Next week:Exoplanets in Your Backyard! w/ Allyson Johnson from National Geographic, Senior Editor of Complete National Parks of the United States!Make sure to join us, starting 3 December!Clear skies! James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to The Cosmic Companion! This week, we kick off a new series, Why Explore Space? As we discuss how space travel and exploration are essential to help monitor and cure the effects of global climate change. Later on in the show, we are going to be talking with Alan Gratz. His new book, Two Degrees, is a young adult novel exploring the effects of catastrophic climate change around the world. Since the earliest days of the human race, people have been attempting to predict the weather. Such prognostications were essential for planting, hunting, and other reasons. The realization that climate is vital to understanding weather took quite a while for scientists to understand. And, the climates of Earth have changed over time, and will continue to change in the future. From the time of the Ancient Greeks, people have discussed the idea that human actions could change environmental conditions on Earth. By the 19th Century, researchers had started to realize, for the first time, that human activities — notably the consumption of fossil fuels — had started to alter the atmosphere of Earth, adding to the CO2 which naturally envelopes our planet. Listen to the podcast version of this episode here or watch it as a video!(technical video problems plague the first half of the episode. Sorry about that!)My birthday is next week, so I am on vacation! Join us again on 26 November for The Future of Cities in Space! w/ Nat Geo’s Joe Yogerst, author of 100 Cities 5000 Ideas from National Geographic.And - here is a look at our schedule for the rest of the year! I hope you listen and watch every week! Clear skies! James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone!My apologies for being a day late - but this one is worth it! (You might say… IT ROCKS!)This week on The Cosmic Companion, we explore one of the most-interesting asteroids known, Ryugu. The Hayabusa2 spacecraft recently collected samples from this mysterious object, bringing fragments of the rocky body to Earth in December 2020. Ryugu could help researchers uncover the mysteries of the early Solar System, as examination shows this asteroid was likely born as our planets were still in their infancies. The makeup of Ryugu is similar to breccia rocks, a type of sedimentary stone formed on Earth as piles of various types of rocks merge together.This ancient asteroid likely formed from the breakup of a larger body long ago, in the early days of our Solar System. Quickly rotating, this intriguing asteroid developed a bulge near its equator, giving Ryugu a faceted shape, similar to a loose diamond.Listen to the podcast version of this episode here or watch the video version of this show.Next week on The Cosmic Companion, we start a new series Why We Explore Space - Curing Climate Change. Join us starting on 9 November, as we welcome Alan Gratz, author of Two Degrees, a new children’s book about climate change. Make sure to join us then!Clear skies! James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Halloween!For our Spppooooky Halloween episode of The Cosmic Companion, we’re going to look at Death in Space! Nearly 600 people have launched into space since Yuri Gagarin’s first journey beyond our planetary birthplace. During that time, 19 people, so far, have perished during training or flights. 14 of these were accounted for by the pair of space shuttle tragedies. But, beyond accidents, death is one of the great certainties of life — or something like that. To paraphrase Will Shakespeare, “…[A]ll that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity, even in space.”One gruesome reality is that human bodies may need to be recycled — perhaps even becoming the basis of food. We will likely not be seeing Soylent Space anytime, but nothing can go to waste in space stations and habitats — astronauts aboard the ISS, for instance, are required to finish all their food for instance, and even human urine is recycled into water…  Listen to our podcast here or watch the video version of this episode!We have the second edition of the newly-revamped VIP newsletter coming out this weekend full of extras, and…Join us 3 November for Ryugu and the Giant Laser! We will talk with Esen Ercan Alp of Argonne National Laboratory and Barbara Levine from the University of Chicago about their work examining samples from the asteroid Ryugu! Happy Halloween and, as always….Clear skies! James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at lil' baby planets, discussing the birth of solar systems.Later in the episode, we will be joined by University of Arizona astrophysicist Feng Long. She has recently developed a new means of finding young exoplanets as they form in clouds of gas and dust.But first, let's learn a little bit about how planets and solar systems form around the Cosmos. Planets coalesce from gas and dust revolving around their developing stars in formations known as protoplanetary disks.Finding young worlds in these dusky abodes is challenging at best. While planets hide within their shadowy sanctuaries, astronomers must rummage for indirect signs of planets in their infancies.Roughly 4.5 billion years ago, a massive cloud of gas and dust began to collapse inward, perhaps triggered by the gravitational influence of a passing star. This event would, eventually, give rise to our Solar System...Listen to the podcast version of this episode here or watch the video version!Thanks for subscribing to The Cosmic Companion!Clear skies!JamesVIP Subscribers! Leave us your comments below!P.S. We are also going to be revamping this newsletter, offering two regular mailings a week - one for everyone, and one just for VIP members. More on that later! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we examine what the oddities of life here on Earth can teach us about life on other worlds. Later in the show, we will welcome Stephanie Drimmer from National Geographic back to the show. Her new book, 5,000 Awesome Facts (About Animals) is filled with amazing facts about animals around the world. We will discuss her new work, as well as play a game exploring what life on our home planet can teach us about life on other worlds. But first, let’s imagine what life may possibly look like on alien planets. Naturally, we could imagine most anything we want, with no regard whatsoever to science. Half the sci-fi movies in the 50s are testament to that. But let’s instead use the tools of science to get a better idea of what life beyond the Earth may look like….Listen to the podcast here or watch the video version of this episode!Join us next week for It’s Just a Little BABY Planet! We will learn all about the formation of planets and solar systems, talking with Feng Long, astrophysicist with the University of Arizona! Make sure to join us then!Clear skies!JamesP.S. My apologies for being a day late here. Technical difficulties galore!VIP subscribers: Leave a comment below! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone!This week on The Cosmic Companion, we journey just 40 light years from our home, examining the TRAPPIST-1 family of planets, one of the most interesting families of worlds yet discovered by astronomers. Solar systems all begin with a star, don’t they? I mean, it’s as good of a place to start as any, in’t? The stellar furnace at the center of this family of worlds is a cool, red star, conveniently named TRAPPIST-1. Less than 12 percent as large as our own Sun and only eight percent as massive, the TRAPPIST-1 star was only discovered in the year 2000. The surface of this star, radiating heat at just 2,260 degrees Celsius, is hot enough to melt almost — but not all — metals. Darn you, tungsten!Listen to the podcast here or watch the video version of this episode!Thanks for being a subscriber - I appreciate every one of you!Clear skies, JamesVIP subscribers: Tell us what you thought of the episode below! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

We talk about how the human body reacts to space travel, with astronaut and physician Dave Williams and science writer Elizabeth Howell, authors of Why am I Taller? Hello everyone!This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at some of the effects space travel has on the human body and examine some of the ways we can help protect human travelers to the Moon and beyond. Later in the show, we will talk with physician and two-time astronaut Dave Williams, as well as science writer Elizabeth Howell. We will be discussing their new upcoming book, Why am I Taller?Since humans first traveled to space in 1961, we have been learning about how harsh environments beyond our home planet affect human beings... (note: There were technical issues with the audio track during the interview, and we were also not able to put in a music track. Sorry about that, Chief!)Dave Williams and Elizabeth Howell appear on The Cosmic Companion 20 Sept. 2022. Released under Creative Commons 4.0 Attribution 2022 The Cosmic Companion. NEXT WEEK on The Cosmic Companion: We are on vacation. Lucky us! However, on 4 October, we will look at ways of Making Space Sustainable. We will be talking with Daniel Bock, CEO of Morpheus Space. Make sure to join us then!Subscribe today, and never miss an episode. Unless you don’t check your email. That’s on you. :)Clear skies! JamesVIP SUBSCRIBERS: We have some interesting ideas on how to bring you more exclusive content! We will be letting you in on what’s happening after vacation! Thanks for supporting science for everyone!VIP SUBSCRIBERS: Tell everyone what you thought of this episode! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

We look at the future of food in the final frontier, talking with Lenore Newman and Evan Fraser, authors of Dinner on Mars!This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at The Future of Food in Space. We will discuss how people have answered - and continue to refine - the challenges of eating in habitations away from our home world. Later in the show, we will talk with Lenore Newman and Evan Fraser, authors of Dinner on Mars: The Technologies That Will Feed the Red Planet and Transform Agriculture on Earth. Not surprisingly, the first food in space was eaten by the first person to venture beyond Earth - Yuri Gagarin, during his maiden flight in 1961. Cuisine on the mission consisted of beef and liver paste packed like toothpaste in a metal tube…Listen to the episode here or watch the video version of the show!Thanks so much for subscribing! Clear skies! JamesVIP SUBSCRIBERS: Leave us a comment below! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

The Moons of Jupiter have upended history and science for hundreds of years. We look in on these planetary troublemakers with Stephen Kane of UC Riverside.This week on The Cosmic Companion, we examine The Mischievous Moons of Jupiter! Journey with me, discovering some of the many ways the moons of Jupiter have upended history, science, and our ideas of our place in the Universe.Later in the show, we welcome Stephen Kane, astrophysicist at The University of California Riverside, back to the show. We’ll be taking a look at one of the great questions of the Jovian System: Why is it that Jupiter — larger than all the other planets combined — doesn’t have a magnificent ring system? Hint: It’s the moons. They’re troublemakers!Listen to the podcast version of this episode here or watch it as a video on YouTube. Next week: We look at The Future of Food in Space as we talk with Lenore Newman and Evan Fraser, authors of Dinner on Mars: The Technologies That Will Feed the Red Planet and Transform Agriculture on Earth!Thanks for subscribing to The Cosmic Companion! Clear skies!James VIP Subscribers: Please leave a comment below and let us know what you thought of this episode! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Is Earth one of the weirdest planets we have ever seen? Heck, yes! And we talk about what makes our planet so weird with Kathryn Williams from Nat Geo Kids!This week on The Cosmic Companion, we’ll look at Earth: What a Weird Planet, exploring some of the odd facts which make our world such an odd place. Later in the show, we’ll be talking with Kathryn Williams, editor of Weird but True! World 2023 from National Geographic.The most striking feature of the Blue Marble of planets is… well… it’s blue. Very blue. So bluuueeee!Water covers roughly three-quarters of the surface of our planet. And, although we now suspect several other worlds of the Solar System house vast oceans of water, none of these is found so readily across the surface.And have you noticed the Moon? Our planetary companion is a whopping one-quarter of the size of Earth. That ratio is only outdone by Pluto and Charon, but Pluto is no longer considered a full-fledged planet, so we win. Go Earth!Listen to the podcast here or watch the video version of the episode on YouTube!Next week on The Cosmic Companion, we look in on Jupiter: King of the Planets! as we welcome astrophysicist Stephen Kane from UC Riverside back to the show! We will talk about his work explaining why the largest planet in our solar system doesn’t have a magnificent set of rings! Make sure to join us beginning 6 September. See you then!Clear skies!JamesVIP SUBSCRIBERS! Tell us what you thought of this episode below! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we’ll be Exploring Ocean Floors from Earth out to distant stars. Later in the show, we’re going to be talking with Catherine Musemeche, author of Lethal Tides, a new biography, telling the story of pioneering oceanographer Mary Sears.Earth is an ocean world, with water covering roughly three-quarters of the surface of our planet. Despite the abundance of oceans around the globe, only a small percentage of the ocean floor has been explored. In many ways, exploring ocean floors on Earth is significantly more challenging than studying other worlds.Next week on The Cosmic Companion: 30 August (s6/e28): Earth – What a Weird Planet! with Kathryn Williams, editor of Weird but True! World 2023 from National Geographic!Make sure to join us then!Thank you for being a subscriber!Clear skies!JamesVIP SUBSCRIBERS:Leave us a comment below! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we discuss how artificial intelligence opens a Universe of understanding the Cosmos. We'll be talking with astrophysicist Dr. Yosuke Kobayashi of the University of Arizona.For centuries, the human mind was the only way we had to interpret images and data from telescopes.The idea of artificial intelligence goes back to at least the days of the science-fiction classic Metropolis, and the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz.Listen to the podcast version of this episode here or watch the video version!Next week on The Cosmic Companion, we talk about Exploring Planetary Oceans as we talk with Catherine Musemeche, author of Lethal Tides. We will talk about her new book, telling the story of pioneering oceanographer Mary Sears. Make sure to join us, starting on 23 August! If you enjoyed this episode, please like, follow, and share The Cosmic Companion with friends, relatives, pets, even complete strangers!Clear skies!James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Amateur astronomy is entering a new golden age — armchair astronomy. Here is a look at how you can see the Cosmos without leaving home. This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at doing Astronomy from Home. We’ll be talking with Alex Curry, one of the co-founders of Telescope Live. We will discuss amateur astronomy in the modern age — from the comforts of home.There was a time, not long ago, when most amateur astronomy took place at night. When I was young, my father and I would pack up our 8" telescope into his car and drive up a mountainside as the Sun was setting. Sitting in the back seat of the car, alongside the telescope, sat a plastic cooler full of dry ice — frozen carbon dioxide — to chill the “cold camera” we used to photograph objects in the sky. Unlike yours truly, film works better for astronomy when it is cold... Listen to the podcast of this episode here or watch the video version.Try out Telescope Live, and receive 50% off your first two months of a silver or gold membership with promo code COSMIC!Next week, we look at how Artificial Intelligence Explores the Universe. We’ll be talking with astrophysicist Dr. Yosuke Kobayashi of the University of Arizona, talking about his work uncovering the secrets of ancient galaxies. This is his first-ever interview in English, offering us a special treat! Make sure to join us, starting on 16 August!  Thanks for being a subscriber! Clear skies, JamesVIP SUBSCRIBERS: Leave a comment below, and let us know what you thought of the episode! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

We dedicate this episode to the memory of Nichelle Nichols. Her portrayal of Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek inspired millions.Welcome back to The Cosmic Companion. This week, we talk about the future of space exploration, as we build the first human habitations beyond the confines of Earth.Later in the show, we will talk with Martynas Fedotovas and Nika Chinchaladze, about their work developing and promoting science education in Eastern Europe and beyond.On 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space, and the first woman, Valentina Tereshkova, followed a little over two years later. Since then, around 600 people have reached beyond the limits of our home planet… Listen to our podcast episode here, or the watch the video version on YouTube.Join us next week, when we welcome Alex Curry, co-founder of Telescope Live to the show, talking about Astronomy at Home. We’re going to teach you how you too can use large telescopes around the world without leaving home!Subscribe to Telescope Live using promo code COSMIC and get 50% off silver of gold memberships!Clear skies! James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to The Cosmic Companion. This week, we look at the future of the human race. We’re going to be talking with Stephanie Drimmer from National Geographic. We will be discussing how our species will change over the coming years, as we get an inside look at her new book from National Geographic, Ultimate Book of the Future.Millions of years ago, a few foolhardy, um brave, ancestors of the human race first dared to come down out of the trees. These daring primates faced unknown dangers, as they scurried across the ancient savannahs. Since our earliest days on the Serengeti Plain, the human race has been confined to the face of one lone planet. Meanwhile, there are likely more than 500 billion planets in the Milky Way Galaxy alone, and hundreds of billions of trillions of planets scattered throughout the Universe…Listen to the podcast here or watch this episode as a video!Next week, we discuss why Space is for Everyone! talking with space developers Martynas Fedotovas and Nika Chinchaladze of Altair Enterprises. Make sure to join us then!Clear skies! JamesVIP Subscribers: Tell us what you thought of the episode below. What do YOU think will happen in the future? Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone!Jupiter is far larger than Saturn, yet it is Saturn which has the remarkable system of rings. Why isn’t the ring system of Jupiter even larger than that of its smaller planetary brethren?Astrophysicist Stephen Kane at UC Riverside has an explanation. click below for the video version of this episode:This is Why Jupiter Can’t Have Nice RingsNEXT WEEK: We look at The Future of Everything, talking with Nat Geo science writer Stephanie Drimmer, author of Ultimate Book of the Future!VIP subscribers: Watch tomorrow’s sneak preview of next week’s episode below! AND - view a new, original full-resolution image revealing what Jupiter might look like with a massive ring system. Clear skies! Jamesnot yet a VIP subscriber? try a month of our extended VIP newsletter for 30 days!VIP EXTRAS:The background for the video version of today’s short shows what Jupiter might look like if it had a significant ring system. Image by The Cosmic Companion / Created in Universe Sandbox. Here is tomorrow’s sneak preview of next week’s episode with Stephanie Drimmer from National Geographic! Enjoy! Thanks again for being a VIP subscriber! You are what makes this show possible! James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone!The Cosmic Companion is back with a full-length episode after three weeks away! We’ve missed you so much!THIS WEEK: We kick off a new series: Extinction from Space: Asteroids!We are delighted to be joined by renowned paleontologist Nizar Ibrahim from National Geographic! We talk about these infamous creatures, extinctions, and why we may still be living in an age of dinosaurs. This is our first full episode using a lot of fancy new video and audio software that I am just starting to learn how to use. Please let me know what you think!Listen to the podcast here or watch the video version of this episode on YouTube!NEXT WEEK: The Future of Everything! with National Geographic’s Stephanie Drimmer, author of Ultimate Book of the Future!See you then!Clear skies, JamesVIP subscribers join in the comments! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello all!There are still 213 days left until Valentine’s Day, but that doesn’t mean we don’t all need some love! Astronomers at the CHIME radio telescope find an unusual radio heartbeat, in a distant galaxy billions of light years away.A Heartbeat from Space with Heartbeat McAllister Full episodes of The Cosmic Companion return this Tuesday! Join us on Tuesday, 19 July when we look at Extinction from Space: Asteroids! We’ll be talking with National Geographic paleontologist Nizar Ibrahim about the most famous asteroid strike of them all! VIP subscribers can watch a BRAND NEW, UNRELEASED SNEAK PREVIEW of next week’s episode below! Not a VIP member yet? Click below for a 30-day free trial! VIP Subscriptions start at just $5 a month!Thanks for watching! Clear skies, JamesVIP Subscriber Extra:Here’s a previously unreleased preview of next week’s episode! Enjoy! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

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Hello everyone! The skies of the Northern Hemisphere will show off the Moon and Saturn, huddled together close on the east-southeast horizon this weekend!Here’s everything you need to know about viewing this event. Listen to the podcast here or watch the video version of the show!Clear skies!JamesVIP subscribers get an original star chart showing this cosmic cuddle!Not a VIP subscriber yet? Click bellow to try a VIP subscription for 30 days free - in celebration of Webb Week at The Cosmic Companion! Plans start at just $5 a month.VIP goodies:A star chart showing the Moon and Saturn cuddled together on Friday 15 July. Enjoy! Thanks for being a VIP subscriber! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone!NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory saw a solar eclipse on 29 June, a sight unseen by observers on Earth. Here’s what’s happening!Listen to the podcast and then watch it on video - the eclipse is MUCH prettier with video! :)We hope you enjoyed the view!The Cosmic Companion will be on vacation for the next week, returning on 12 July with a special look at the first full-color images from the James Webb Space Telescope! See you then! VIP Subscriber Extra: A new, original image of the spiral galaxy NGC 6744!Clear skies!JamesVIP Subscriber Extra:A Cosmic Companion original image of the spiral galaxy NGC 6744, recorded on 29 June using the 0.6 meter CHI-1 Telescope in Chile, from Telescope Live. Recorded over 20 minutes in red. green, blue, and mono wavelengths.Thanks for being a VIP subscriber - you are the ones who make this all possible! James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

The Moon has seen its share of booster rockets and other debris raining down on its surface. A recent crash, however, has an uncertain origin - and now we have the photos!Here is the newest installment of The Cosmic Companion for everyone! Enjoy!Enjoy the podcast here on Substack, or watch the video version of this episode on YouTube!Thanks for subscribing to this newsletter! Clear skies!JamesVIP subscribers: Check out our brand new image of the Omega Nebula below!VIP Extra:A brand-new image of the Omega Nebula, 5,500 light years, in Sagittarius. This cloud of gas and dust is lit up by ultraviolet light from hot stars within the body. Composite image from The Cosmic Companion, from raw images recorded on 22 May, using the 0.6-meter CHI-1 Telescope from Telescope Live.I hope you enjoyed! We have a special treat for you VIP members tomorrow - see you then!James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Mercury introduces new pictures of Mercury from the Bepi-Colombo spacecraft speeding past the speedy world!Hi everyone!The Bepi-Colombo Spacecraft just flew past Mercury for the second time! Here are some images!Listen to the podcast intro here on Substack, and watch the video on YouTube!Image credits: ESA/BepiColombo/MTMEnjoy! Thanks for being a subscriber!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone! Here is a sneak preview of our upcoming episode - Extinction from Space: Asteroid! with world-renowned paleontologist Nizar Ibrahim from National Geographic. Listen to the podcast here or watch the video on YouTube.Join us on the 19 July for the full interview! Clear skies!James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Mercury, Venus, the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn all line up in the pre-dawn sky on 25 June!Here’s a look at this magical alignment with famed wizard Mauvais Sorcier! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Our video editing software went down, but here is a podcast-only version of this week's episode - The Future of Robots w/ Jason McKenna of VEX Robotics! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone:We have a podcast-only episode of this week’s episode, as our video editing software went kaput on us. Completely dead, can’t process a single frame of video right now. But, I wanted to get something out for you - so here is a podcast of this week’s episode. It is largely unedited, and probably still has a few dings and dangs in it. We look at The Future of Robots as humanity stands at the precipice of three of the greatest changes yet seen in the history of our species. We talk with Jason McKenna, Director of Educational Strategy at VEX Robotics, about using robots to teach children science, engineering, and coding. It’s a fabulous interview!We’ll get video up and running again, but not today. :) Enjoy, and I will send out the full, finished video whenever the black boxes decide to start working again. Clear skies!James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Thousands of centuries ago, on the ancient plains of Africa, our most distant hominid ancestors looked upward, embracing the pitch-dark night sky above their heads.Cultures around the globe made up stories of the bright band of light which ran across the inky darkness.Little could any person imagine the Milky Way was composed of hundreds of billions of stars, let alone comprehending the notion of a trillion galaxies throughout the Cosmos.Later on in the show, we’ll talk with Dr. Joe Pesce, astrophysicist at the National Science Foundation, talking about the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

We take a look at the history of science fiction and talk about how these stories enrich the soil from which science grows, advancing our species to our future among the stars. We will be talking with Jenny Curtis and Chris Porter from the new hit podcast, Solar, starring Helen Hunt.Science fiction - stories set in worlds where science has changed society for good or bad, plays a central role in the development of society and culture. This genre has, in one form or another, been a part of the human psyche since antiquity...--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

When we look up at the moonless, cloudless night sky, far away from city lights, we may see as many as 5,000 stars. These distant dots of light may seem eternal, but this illusion is merely an effect of our momentary, fleeting lives in the Cosmos.  Like humans, stars are born, live, and die. Most stars are found within local families called galaxies. Our own Milky Way is thought to contain somewhere around 400 billion stars. And there may be a trillion galaxies spread throughout the Cosmos...--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at Teaching Children Science. We will be talking with National Geographic's Kelly Hargrave about her new book, Can't Get Enough Shark Stuff. Children are natural scientists. The questions which may be tedious to some parents "Why is the sky blue?" "What are the stars?" "Why do we have belly buttons?"- reveal science to be hard-wired into the human mind.  Far too often, natural curiosity is squelched and discouraged by society as a whole. Children often find their questions brushed aside by adults all too often caught up in the daily tribulations of media celebrities and the soap opera of state. At the same time, our race stands at the precipice of massive potential dangers ranging from nuclear war to pandemics to catastrophic climatic change.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

The May 15 Lunar Eclipse gives us a perfect reason for Exploring Our Neighbor: The Moon! Features lunar eclipse viewing guide for Sunday's celestial event!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

The buzz this week is all about the Eta Aquarid meteor shower visible late on Thursday and Friday nights! Nearly one shooting star a minute might bee seen under really dark skies.The Eta Aquarids are caused by Earth impacting tiny pieces of the most famous of all comets — Halley!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on the Cosmic Companion, we explore the Ocean Worlds of the Cosmos. Later in the show, we will talk with oceanographer and National Geographic explorer Sylvia Earle.Oceans are one of the defining features of our world, covering roughly three-quarters of the globe. Water is essential to life on Earth, and at one time, we thought this life-sustaining substance was rare throughout the Solar System.Over the last few decades, researchers have come to understand that water appears to be far more common throughout the Cosmos than ever before believed...--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Exploring exoplanets — worlds orbiting alien stars — talking with Thayne Currie of NAOJ, who recently found a bizarre massive planet.This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at exoplanets — worlds orbiting alien stars. We are joined by Dr. Thayne Currie, astrophysicist at The Subaru Telescope, who recently discovered a planet nine times more massive than Jupiter orbiting a young star a little over 500 light years from Earth.On 21 March 2022, NASA confirmed the 5,000th confirmed exoplanet, marking a milestone in our understanding of the Cosmos.Three decades before, the first exoplanets were found orbiting pulsars — rapidly spinning corpses of stars, during the second week of 1992. This was the week Kristi Yamaguchi won the US female Figure Skating championship, Paul Simon opened a tour of South Africa, and President George H. W. Bush got ill at the home of the Japanese Prime Minister.On 6 October 1995 (the day after O.J. Simpson was found innocent of murder), astronomers announced the discovery of 51 Pegasi, the first exoplanet found around a healthy, active, main-sequence star.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Earth: Our Fragile Planet w/ Katherine Calvin and Sylvia EarleCelebrating Earth Day with NASA Senior Climate Advisor Katherine Calvin and Sylvia Earle - Time Magazine’s first Hero for the Planet!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

What is intelligence? How do we see it in other animals? And how might we recognize it on other worlds? Examining the nature of intelligence and the intelligence of nature with National Geographic’s David LiittschwagerHumans often like to think we are an intelligent species. And, perhaps, that may hold a kernel of truth. We did befriend cats, so…Speaking of which (because, why not?) intelligence is not, in any way, limited to only our own species. In order to understand intelligence, we must recognize the trait among other species. And we must also discuss what it means for a species to be intelligent.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we talk about The Future of the International Space Station, as we explore this outpost of humanity in space.We talk with Homer Hickam - the self-made rocket designer who helped lead negotiations with the Russian government over their role on the ISS. We will talk about his role as the ISS took shape, and how the War in Ukraine might affect the orbiting outpost...--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to The Cosmic Companion. This week we talk about why Black Holes Don’t Suck as we discuss these bizarre features of space. We’ll talk about the different types of black holes, explore the history of our understanding of these objects, and glance at some of the great questions astronomers have today about black holes.Later on in the show, we’ll be talking with astronomer and astrophysicist Dr. Abigail Frost about her work finding that the nearest black hole to Earth isn’t a black hole after all!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

As humanity moves out into the final frontier, music will evolve and change. What can we expect from the future of music in space?  From the earliest rhythmic beats made by our distant human ancestors to independent musicians now pushing the limits of music on YouTube channels, music has always changed and evolved with society. In turn, changes in music can bring about cathartic change within the human psyche.  We are going to look at three of the major causes driving the evolution of musical expression and see how the human migration to space will affect the future of music.  Many of the great changes in music have come from migrations of people, and the collaborations they inspire. Changing economic conditions have also inspired musical change, and the evolution of technology constantly defines the limits of what is possible.   Later on, we’ll be talking with classical music composer Doug Helvering, host of The Daily Doug about the future of music in space.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at satellites, the artificial moons orbiting the Earth and other worlds. We will explore the history of satellites, look at how we all depend on these devices, and glimpse the future of these technological marvels as we explore beyond our home planet.  Later on, we're going to talk with Marc Bell of CEO Orbital, about SmallSat technology, and the future of satellite technology.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on the Cosmic Companion, we discuss the return of humans to the Moon with NASA's Artemis program and compare today's endeavors to the Apollo program of the 1960s and early 70s.Later on, we will be joined by Apollo mathematician Poppy Northcutt. She was the first woman to work at NASA mission control and was instrumental to the success of Apollo 8 and the safe return of Apollo 13.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to the Cosmic Companion. This is the first episode from our new studio, and I sure hope you all enjoy it.This week, we kick of Women's History Month by celebrating women in science. We have an amazing trio of guests, including science journalists Clare Fiesler and Gabby Salazar from National Geographic, and Kim Macharia, chair of Space Prize.We'll also take a look at three amazing women who changed the face of astronomy forever. Let's take off!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

The film Don’t Look Up recently captured the eyes of the general public, bringing the story of a massive comet heading to Earth to screens everywhere.Perhaps less well-known is the recent discovery of a real-life comet racing toward its closest approach to the Sun.We talk with Pedro Bernardinelli, co-discoverer of Comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein, a comet the size of Mount Everest. We discuss the film Don’t Look Up, science in the media, and how making a real-life discovery of a massive comet compares with Hollywood’s vision of science.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

What will living in space be like? We talk with Paul Albert-Lebrun, Product Manager at Kepler Communications, bringing the internet to space.  As our species begins to move beyond our planetary cradle, what will life be like for the first generations of humans living in space?--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at meteorites, and the role they play in shaping our planet and the history of the human race. We will be talking with Greg Brennecka, author of Impact How Rocks from Space Led to Life, Culture, and Donkey Kong.  Earth is constantly impacted by material from space. Most of this debris is small - the size of an apple seed or smaller. As these pebbles from space race through our atmosphere, they burn away as meteors, or shooting stars, which can, sometimes, be seen by curious eyes gazing upward to the heavens.   Occasionally, some of the larger pieces survive their incendiary sojourn through our atmosphere, landing on Earth as meteorites.* We Love Science! * Win a free copy of Impact by Greg Brennecka - enter by Valentine's Day! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Cosmic Companion, we take a look at our home galaxy, the Milky Way. We will be talking with Stefan Gillessen from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics about his work understanding Sagittarius A*— the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy.  Released under Creative Commons 2.0 2022--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we take an up-close look at the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) as the most advanced spaceborne telescope ever built prepares for launch.We talk with Dr. Stefanie Milam from the Goddard Space Flight Center. She is a planetary scientist who will be telling us about how the JWST will change our notions about the Cosmos.   We will also hear from fellow scientists answering the question “What excites you most about the James Webb Space Telescope?”--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

The Perseverance rover made an unexpected finding on Mars - organic material in Jezero Crater.Exploring Jezero Crater on Mars, the Perseverance rover recently came across an unexpected finding - organic molecules within the Martian rocks.  The six-wheeled rover arrived on Mars in February, spending the last 10 months exploring Jezero Crater on the Red Planet. The spacecraft now reports finding organic material within this alien basin.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we welcome Mark McCaughrean, Senior Advisor for Science & Exploration at the European Space Agency, to the show. We'll talk about the European Space Agency's BepiColombo mission to Mercury.We're also going to look at Comet Leonard as it makes its closest approach to Earth this week, and we'll tell you how to find it in the night sky. We're going to hear about an odd finding from a Chinese lunar rover on the far side of the Moon, and we look forward to the launch of the most advanced telescope ever sent into space – the James Webb Space Telescope.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

The three brightest planets in the Solar System - Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, together with the Moon - will all line up tonight just after sunset.Here's a look at what's happening, and how to get the most out of this dazzling display!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

On 10 December, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and the Moon will all line up just after sunset.   Here's a look at what's happening, and how to get the most out of this dazzling display!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion. This week, we are delighted to be joined by one of the world's most renowned oceanographers, Dr. Sylvia Earle. She's here to talk to us about her new book, National Geographic Ocean | A Global Odyssey. We're going to get an in-depth look at the oceans of our home world.We're also going to take a look up in the sky, as a trio of planets line up with the Moon, and the Geminid meteor shower aims to delight skygazers. And, we look in on an odd planet that is really metal. No, seriously. It's metal.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

The Geminid meteor shower arrives on the night of 13 December 2021.   We take a look at how to view this display, where to look in the sky, and we take a glimpse at an alignment of planets happening on the other side of the sky. Cats may be involved for video viewers.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Matthew Bothwell, author of The Invisible Universe, discusses the 93% of "ordinary" matter we cannot see with the human eye - radio, infrared, ultraviolet astronomy, and more...    This week on Astronomy News with the Cosmic Companion, we also look at how machine learning recently discovered hundreds of unknown planets, we explore a massive world hotter than some stars, and Dart lifts off on a mission that could help us save the planet.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we take a close-up look at asteroids – those lumps or rock, metal, and ice racing around our solar system. We're going to examine five major missions happening right now, examining asteroids, and potentially, saving us from the fate of the dinosaurs.Bill Bottke, Director of Space Studies at the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) joins us talking about the Psyche mission, exploring a metal-rich asteroid for the first time.We will also be joined by Esen Ercan Alp, senior physicist at Argonne National Laboratory, one of the few people in the world studying samples from the asteroid Ryugu returned from Haybusa2.In addition, we examine the Dart mission – the first-ever test in space, deflecting an asteroid by impacting it with a spacecraft!Together, we explore the OSIRIS-REx mission to Bennu, and hear from Cathy Olkin of SwRI, telling us of the journey of Lucy to the Trojan asteroids of Jupiter.All this and more in this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion!Next week 30 November (s5/e20): Matthew Bothwell talks about his new book, The Invisible Universe. He’ll tell us about the Universe we can’t see with our eyes. Subscribe or follow today and never miss an episode!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we welcome Dr. Rosanne Di Stefano from the Center for Astrophysics to the show, talking about her work finding the first planet yet seen in another galaxy.We also look in on the ailing Hubble Space Telescope, as that famed instrument unexpectedly shuts down. We're going to examine the first signs of water within a galaxy in the ancient Cosmos, and we will look up in the night sky as Uranus offers amateur astronomers a prime chance to view that world.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, Dr. Tara Murphy from the University of Sydney joins us, looking at an odd radio burst seen near the center of the Milky Way galaxy.We will also look at a possible discovery of a planet in another galaxy, and examine a massive solar flare that nearly missed Earth over the weekend. Finally, we will head out to Jupiter, where NASA's Juno spacecraft made some intriguing new findings, before welcoming our special guest.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

The Science of Halloween featuring Erika Engelhaupt, author of Gory Details: Adventures from the Dark Side of Science.   Plus - Would Aliens Eat Humans? Extinction from an Asteroid, and the Scariest Objects in the Night Sky!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we welcome Dr. Jenifer Millard  to the show. She is a science journalist and co-presenter of the Awesome Astronomy podcast, and we will talk about amateur astronomy and bringing science to the masses. We're also going to hear from Dr. Tara Murphy of the University of Sydney about her recent discovery of strange radio signals coming from near the center of the Milky Way.In addition, we learn of a solar system that looks much like our own family of planets will in the distant future, following the death of our Sun. Plus, we look in on those odd radio signals from near the center of our galaxy, and get a sneak preview of our upcoming conversation with Dr. Murphy.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Next week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion: Dr. Jenifer Millard, host of The Awesome Astronomy Podcast, talks about astronomy, star parties, and the wonder of science. Listen to the sneak preview! plus Esen Ercan Alp of Argonne National Laboratory – one of the few people to have seen samples from the asteroid Ryugu!Full interview drops 19 October.Future episodes:26 October (s5/e16): Halloween Special! The science of Halloween with Erika Engelhaupt, author of Gory Details.2 November (s5/e17): Professor Tara Murphy, University of Sydney, on strange radio signals coming from near the center of our galaxy.9 November (s5/e18): NASA’s Psyche Mission to the Asteroid Belt! Guest TBASubscribe or follow us today, and never miss an episode!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

What is ASKAP J173608.2-321635 - the strange radio burst from near the center of the Milky Way? We talk with Professor Tara Murphy of the University of Sydney, who helped lead this discovery.   Here's a sneak preview - enjoy!Full interview drops 2 November. Follow or subscribe today and never miss an episode.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we welcome NASA legend Homer Hickam to the show. The inspiration for the movie October Sky talks about growing up in a West Virginia coal-mining town, his new book, Don’t Blow Yourself Up, and... teaching David Letterman how to SCUBA dive?  But first, we look in on an extreme exoplanet where iron rains down from the sky, we join NASA as they ready to deflect an asteroid for the first time, and we will join a Russian film crew which recently arrived at the ISS, preparing to shoot the first movie in space.  Listen to this interview with Homer Hickam here, or watch the video version of this episode at: https://youtu.be/Y1QzOHO-HyI--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Amateur astronomers have a lot to look up to in October 2021.   Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, and the Moon all put on dazzling shows, plus a pair of meteor showers!Listen to the podcast here, or watch the video version of this guide to the night sky at: https://youtu.be/-9a9klMgJ2o--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

A look at robotics and artificial intelligence in space as NASA's Trey Smith and Jose Benavides visit Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion!  But first, we look at a triple star system that may be home to an odd exoplanet, we ride along with the BepiColombo craft exploring Mercury, and we talk about what's coming to the night sky in October!  Listen to the podcast here, or watch the video version of this episode at: https://youtu.be/PrqyFLHvbaw--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we talk with Roman Chiporuhka, CEO of Space VIP, about the future of private spaceflight, and what it could mean for the future of humanity.  We'll also take a look at the VIPER spacecraft which will soon scout locations for the return of humans to the Moon. Then, we'll head out to Mars, hearing about a new study showing water on Mars may have been doomed from the start. We're also going to take a look at light from a distant galaxy, seen as an Einstein ring in a new image from the Hubble Space Telescope.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we welcome Dillon Dong, a graduate student at Caltech to the show. We're going to talk about his work discovering a previously-unseen type of supernova eruption.  But first, we learn about a supernova due for a return engagement, we hear how Steve Wozniak could be entering the space salvage business, and we will look in on Inspiration 4, the first all-civilian flight to space.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we welcome Dr. Cathy Olkin from the Southwest Research Institute to the show. We will talk about Lucy – the first mission to explore the Trojan asteroids of Jupiter.  But first, we look in on an unusual radio signal coming from near the center of our galaxy. Next, we journey out to the International Space Station, where a signal from a smoke alarm caused concern prior to a spacewalk. Finally, we explore the Cosmos in the most-detailed virtual universe yet created before welcoming our special guest.  Listen to the podcast version of this episode here, or watch it as a video at: https://youtu.be/0cXJIEymjnc.  Next week: Dillon Dong, graduate student at Caltech, talking about discovering a new type of supernova!  Please subscribe or follow today, and never miss an episode!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we welcome CHIME member Kaitlyn Shin to the show, and she's going to  teach us about fast radio bursts coming from space.But first, we look at a new study showing that stars eating planets may be more common than we thought, a new type of supernova is seen by astronomers as a black hole or neutron star collides with its parent star, and China takes the first steps toward building a space station a kilometer long.Listen to the podcast here, or watch this episode as a video at: https://youtu.be/cvs0vvAgDbA--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we welcome Geoff Notkin to the show. He is the two-time Emmy Awarding-winning host of STEM Journals, and he hosted Meteorite Men on the Science Channel. He’s going to tell us all about meteorites!   But first, we discuss the future of space stations as the ISS nears the end of its operational life. We also find that supermassive black holes wandering through space may be more common than we thought, and we hear about the discovery of an asteroid by someone who is very familiar to fans of Star Trek.Listen to the podcast here, or watch this episode as a video at: https://youtu.be/0axG2zDOd1s--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Good news: We have Geoff Notkin, Emmy Award-winning host of Meteorite Men and STEM Journals on next week, talking about meteorites, and his adventures searching the globe for treasures from space.Better news: We have a sneak preview of the episode for you right now! Enjoy!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

The premiere episode of our newest short-form series, Cosmic Connections! This week, we explore the connections between a nebula in space called the Dragons of Ara, and learn its connections to woolly mammoths, floods, and more! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we have a special double interview as we welcome Dr. Richard Teague from the Center for Astrophysics to the show, talking about finding the first moon ever discovered in another solar system. We will also talk with Dr. Davide Farnocchia, asteroid dynamicist at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, about the asteroid Bennu, which could be headed for a collision with Earth (but, probably not).We also have an exploding star, and we take a look at the development of robotic attendants aboard space stations and colonies of the future.Listen to the podcast version of this episode here, or watch the video version at: https://youtu.be/FPqJRN68VXA--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we welcome Dr. Jonathan Lunine, chair of the astronomy department at Cornell University to the show, telling us all about the volcanoes of Venus!  But first, we journey out to the L 98-59 planetary system, exploring a trio of intriguing exoplanets. Next, we take a trip out to the Trojan asteroids of Jupiter, along with the Lucy spacecraft, as it readies for launch. Finally, we ready for the Perseid meteor shower, due to rain down to Earth on the nights of the 12th and 13th of August.   New examination of the L 98–59 planetary system reveals hidden details of three exoplanets in that planetary system. One of these is found to have a mass just half that of Venus, while another appears to be a water world. This new study by researchers at the European Southern Observatory also shows evidence for a fourth, and possibly even a fifth world in that stellar system, a mere 35 light years from Earth.  Listen to the podcast version of the episode here, or watch this show as a video at: https://youtu.be/e0kxpujd1Ok.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we welcome Dr. Stephanie Ryan to the show. She is the author of Let's Learn About Chemistry, and we will be talking about teaching science to children.  But first, we look at a new study suggesting clay, not water, may be hidden under the icy  South Pole of Mars. We also examine the radio galaxy Centaurus A in a new light, and look up at Saturn during a close(-ish) approach to Earth.  New examinations of radar reflections seen on Mars in 2018 suggests these features may be the result of clay, not underground lakes, near the south pole of the Red Planet. When radar images of the south pole of Mars were recorded by the Mars Express orbiter three years ago, researchers suggested the features might be the result of underground water. This was an intriguing possibility. A trio of new papers, however, finds that clay under the surface, not water, may, in fact, be responsible for the data seen by researchers.Astronomers using the Event Horizon Telescope have carried out the most-detailed observations ever of the radio galaxy Centaurus A. Researchers detailed the source of jets emanating from the supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy. Astronomers suggest that examination of this galaxy at shorter wavelengths might produce an image similar to that seen in 2019 of the supermassive black hole in M87, taken by this same network of radio telescopes.On the night of Monday 2 August, Saturn and Earth made their closest approach to each other for this year. This offered amateur astronomers a chance to view the Ringed Planet at its closest and brightest. The rings are also currently aligned at around 18 degrees from edge-on as seen from Earth, offering stunning views of the rings, and the Moon on Monday stayed hidden until late at night. If you missed this close encounter, Saturn is still shining brightly in the southern sky, anytime after sunset, for most skywatchers in the northern hemisphere.Listen to this episode as a podcast here, or watch it as a video at: https://youtu.be/1rWxEJjLjEY--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we welcome planetary astrophysicist Dr. Stephen Kane to the show. We discuss the role private spaceflight plays in society and developing science.   We will also learn about the first discovery of a moon in another solar system. Next, we head to Mars, where the InSight rover has mapped the inner structure of the planet in detail for the first time. Finally, we take a glimpse at a new-generation telescope that could revolutionize astronomy, before welcoming our special guest.  Listen to the podcast here, or watch the video version of this episode at: https://youtu.be/OJhXYEQmQ80--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we welcome New York Times best-selling author Earl Swift to the show. He recently released a new book, Across the Airless Wilds, the first major history of NASA's lunar buggy.  We're also going to hear about NASA's latest success story, as the Hubble Space Telescope is successfully repaired, readying to continue exploring the Cosmos. We will also journey out to Venus, looking at the ultimate source of phosphine in the atmosphere of our planetary neighbor. Finally, we learn a possible answer to a 40-year-old mystery about the King of the Solar System, Jupiter.  Listen to the video version of this episode here, or watch the video version of this episode at: https://bit.ly/TCC-210720-pod.Please help support The Cosmic Companion with a purchase of Across the Airless Wilds: https://amzn.to/3iwxoNe.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we welcome Dr. Stella Kafka back to the show. She is CEO of The American Association of Variable Star Observers, and she's going to teach us all about Betelgeuse.  We are also going to look at the night sky, as Venus, Mars, and the Moon huddle close together. Then, we venture out Enceladus, one of the mighty moons of Saturn, examining its geysers for signs of life. Finally, we journey back to ancient Earth, learning about massive impacts on its young surface.  Listen to this interview with Stella Kafka here, or watch the video version of this episode at: https://youtu.be/nMuNnhmlEiY.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we learn how gravitational waves show evidence for a pair of ancient stellar murder mysteries, we meet a white dwarf the size of our Moon, and we pay a visit to our ailing friend, the Hubble Space Telescope.  This week's scheduled interview with Earl Swift, author of Across the Airless Wilds, has been postponed until July 20, due to technical problems. Make sure to join us then for an inside look at NASA's lunar buggy!   Listen to the podcast version of this episode here, or watch the video version of this episode at: https://youtu.be/60amV2NtG_cCatch up on every episode of this show at: www.thecosmiccompanion.tv! Subscribe or follow today and never miss an episode!  For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: www.thecosmiccompanion.net.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we visit with Alyssa Mills. She is a graduate student at the University of Alabama, and we will talk about her work studying the largest moon in the Solar System – Ganymede.We also talk with Pedro Bernardinelli, the astronomer who recently found the largest comet ever seen – and it is coming our way.We also look in on the Hubble Space Telescope, which is still out of operation, following a computer failure. And, we learn details about Comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein before talking with the astronomer who first found this massive iceberg in space. Finally, we learn about a new study showing which nearby exoplanets are the most-likely places from which to find life on Earth, before we explore Jupiter's massive moon Ganymede with astronomer Alyssa Mills.Listen to this episode as a podcast here, or watch it as a video at: https://youtu.be/AgmPvdXZJtQView our past episodes at: www.thecosmiccompanion.tvSubscribe to this channel today, and never miss an episode!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we welcome Brittany Zimmerman to the show. She is CEO of Yummet, an organization developing technology for living in space, as well as preserving our environment right here on Earth. We also check in on new findings about Betelgeuse, explained by Dr. Stella Kafka of the American Association of Variable Star Observers!But first, we look in on the Hubble Space Telescope, as that famed instrument powers down, following a computer failure. Next, we look at a new study examining the causes of the recent dimming of the star Betelgeuse. Finally, we journey out to a pair of distant galaxies that appear to be missing one critical ingredient – dark matter.Listen to the podcast here or watch the video version of this episode at: https://youtu.be/gLA-860WDME--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we welcome Dr. Noah Petro, Project Scientist for the NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) to the show. We talk about exploring the lunar surface, the Artemis missions, and the return of humans to the Moon!   But first, we visit the CHIME radio Telescope in Canada, which recorded 535 fast radio bursts coming from around the Cosmos. Then, we will zoom in on Jupiter's system of moons as the Juno spacecraft records the first closeup images in 20 years of the giant moon Ganymede. Next, we will take a look at a new study finding that moons orbiting gas giants could be home to water, even without a parent star.  Listen to the podcast version of this episode here, or watch it as a video at: https://youtu.be/JMMC9mBqj5M--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we welcome Dr. Bruce Betts to the show. He is Chief Scientist and LightSail Program Manager for The Planetary Society. We will be talking about near-Earth objects, and how we might protect our world from potentially-hazardous asteroids and comets.But first, we journey back almost 75,000  years, to a time when the Toba volcano erupted, wiping out much of the human population at that time. Then, we look up at our planetary companion, the Moon, as it  pays visits in the night sky to four planets of our Solar System throughout the month. And, we're gonna tell you how to see it happen.Plus, we get an inside look at an upcoming book about one of NASA's most-inspiring figures, Katherine Johnson. Finally, before welcoming Dr. Betts to the show, we learn about a solar eclipse taking place this week that's really for the snowbirds!Listen to the podcast here, or watch the video version of this episode at: https://youtu.be/NmFw2oHcgj4--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we are joined by Dr. Sabine Stanley of Johns Hopkins University. Listen in as we talk about her work using computer modeling to study the atmosphere of Saturn.But first, we go about as far back in time as we can get, examining conditions in the first millionth of a second after the Big Bang. Next, we learn how oxygen affected ancient forms of life on Earth long ago. Then, we examine a new source of X-rays discovered near the heart of the Milky Way galaxy, and hear how long-period comets can still produce meteor showers in our modern day.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we take a look at a project that could become the first mission far into the void between the stars – the Interstellar Probe. We'll talk with Dr. Elena Provornikova from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory about this futuristic mission.  But first, we journey far back in time, to an era when the Milky Way may have merged with another, smaller galaxy, and learn how that event changed our galaxy. Next, we travel even further back in time and out in space, as evidence suggests one of the most-important constants in cosmology may not be a constant after all. Finally, we look up in the sky, as a lunar eclipse will be visible early Wednesday morning over most of the United States, before welcoming our special guest.Learn more: The Cosmic Companion » Astronomy News - Exploring the wonders of the Cosmos, one mystery at a time--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

The Lunar eclipse of May 26th should be a delight for skygazers across the United States - especially those west of the Mississippi!   Here's what's happening, where you can see it, and more!   This is the first episode of a new idea - The Astronomy Minute! One story, told in 60 seconds or less - what do you think? What do you think - should we make more?   For more information, visit: The Cosmic Companion » Astronomy News - Exploring the wonders of the Cosmos, one mystery at a time--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we take an up-close look at what will be the most-advanced telescope ever to launch into space, the James Webb Space Telescope. We welcome Scott Lambros, Instrument Systems Manager for this remarkable instrument, back to the show!But first, we look at new evidence for volcanic eruptions on Mars in the surprisingly-recent past. We also head out to the distant void of space as Voyager 1 detects a faint hum which could help us better understand interstellar space. Finally, we turn our sights to the James Webb Space Telescope as it unfurls its massive mirror for the final time on Earth, before talking with our special guest, who just returned from conducting the tests.This episode is dedicated to the memory of Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins. Thanks for exploring the Cosmos, and liking a couple of my posts - that was awesome.Listen to the podcast here, or watch the video version of this episode at: https://youtu.be/_yP_eddfaJQ--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we talk with Dr. Jack Hughes, astrophysicist at Rutgers University, telling us of new findings about supernovae, the powerful eruptions that can mark the end of life for massive stars.  But first, we will use computer simulations to peer inside the atmosphere of Saturn. We will look in on an unusual yellow supernova, and find what made this eruption so strange. And, we will look to the future, as researchers plan a massive radio telescope on the far side of the Moon.  The magnetic field of Saturn is surprisingly symmetrical near the poles, a mystery of the ringed planet that might now be explained. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University took data collected during the suicide plunge of the Cassini spacecraft into Saturn, feeding it into computer simulations similar to those used to model weather and climate here on Earth. They found that helium rain falling through the atmosphere of Saturn could explain the oddly-regular nature of this massive magnetic field. Join us on June 1st, when we will talk with Professor Sabine Stanley of Johns Hopkins University about this unique study.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we talk with Dr. Stella Kafka, CEO and Executive Director of the American Association of Variable Star Observers. We discuss the human quest for knowledge, amateur astronomy, and, of course, variable stars.  But, first, we're going to take a look at the future of space exploration, as China successfully launches Tianhe, the first module in their upcoming space station. We will also look forward to the Interstellar Probe, a new idea being designed to view our solar system from the outside, far further than any spacecraft has yet reached.  Listen to the podcast here or watch the video at:  https://youtu.be/zEKDTDaSEaQ!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we look at the future of data storage in space, as we talk with Ohad Harlev, CEO of Lyteloop.  But, first, we examine the case of the missing supernova, an exploding star that should have been seen on Earth three centuries ago - and wasn't. Next, we take a look at the Chinese Space Station Telescope, a new set of eyes readying to explore the Universe. Then, we look in on the first test flights of Ingenuity – the first helicopter ever to fly on another world. Finally, we examine the first-ever production of oxygen on the Martian surface, bringing us one step closer to living on Mars.  Watch the video here or listen to the podcast version of this episode: https://bit.ly/TCC-210427-pod--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello, and welcome back to Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion. This week, we have a pair of amazing guests. First, we talk to Joshua Ravich, NASA’s lead mechanical engineer for the Ingenuity helicopter on Mars. We will discuss the design, testing, operation of this remarkable little robotic explorer. Next, we will be joined by Andrew Fazekas, National Geographic's Night Sky Guy, discussing amateur astronomy, science, and exploring the Cosmos.  But, first, we'll examine a new study showing ways that oxygen might be produced on planets in the absence of life, and what that could mean in the search for extraterrestrial life. Next, we look in on a newly-discovered rocky world not far from our own home. Then, we journey out to the edge of out planetary family, where the New Horizons spacecraft reaches a historic milestone.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

The Moon and Mars conjunction of April 16-17 will give skygazers a chance to see these two objects huddled together in the sky.   Andrew Fazekas, National Geographic's Night Sky Guy, gives us a look at what's happening, and how to see this beautiful display in the night sky.   Watch the full interview with him on April 20th, when we will talk about amateur astronomy, the human quest for knowledge, and exploring the Cosmos.   Watch past episodes at: https://thecosmiccompanion.net/astronomy-news-with-the-cosmic-companion For more information about Astronomers Without Borders, please visit: https://my.astronomerswithoutborders.org/home--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we welcome Affelia Wibisono from University College London to the show, discussing the first discovery of X-rays seen radiating from the ice giant planet Uranus.  But, next up, we take a look at the oldest, closest pairs of quasars yet seen in the early Universe. We will also look at the pulsar at the core of the Crab Nebula, revealing secrets of these enigmatic bodies. Then, we travel to Mars, examining the first helicopter ever designed to fly on another world, as Ingenuity prepares for its first flight on the Red Planet.  Listen to the podcast version of this episode here, or watch the video version of this episode at: https://youtu.be/okCLultDsHA--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we look forward to Yuri's Night. Monday, April 12th marks the 60th anniversary of the first human space flight, as well as the 40th anniversary of the first flight of the Space Shuttle. We will visit with three-time Shuttle astronaut Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space. She also just became the first woman to ever visit the deepest spot in the Earth's ocean!  But first, we discuss Yuri's Night, and look forward to the return of humans to the Moon. We learn about the International Lunar Research Station, a new plan by Russia and China to place dozens of people on the lunar surface on a permanent basis in the coming years. We will also take a look at the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope, one of NASA's next-generation space telescopes, which will soon search our galaxy for unknown worlds. Finally, we will journey out to Uranus, where astronomers see X-rays emanating from the ice giant planet for the first time. Listen to the podcast version of this episode here, or watch the video: https://youtu.be/XfTYqpJi5zY--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we have a double interview, talking with astronomer Alan Jackson and astrophysicist Steven Desch. We will talk about their new study of 'Oumuamua, an interstellar body which visited our solar system in 2017.  But first, we look at some odd geology on the Red Planet, as researchers learn how spiders on Mars form. We also see new images of the supermassive black hole at the core of the galaxy M87. Finally, we dive into the mammoth oceans of Saturn's moon, Enceladus, learning how currents flow under its icy shell.Listen to the podcast of this episode here, or watch the video version of this episode at: https://youtu.be/T4Vu3n4Z3OENext week: Yuri's Night - celebrating the 60th anniversary of human spaceflight and the 40th anniversary of the Space Shuttle with three-time Shuttle astronaut Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan!  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we welcome renowned physicist Dr. Lawrence Krauss, the author of The Physics of Star Trek, to the show, talking about his new book, The Physics of Climate Change.But first, we're going to take a look at a new study that may have found the final resting place of the ancient water of Mars. In other watery news, we look at how life may be hiding on ocean worlds within our own solar system. Finally, we'll take another glimpse at Oumuamua, the odd body which visited our family of planets in 2017.Listen to the podcast here, or watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/rN1GDBHyhsw--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we are delighted to welcome Neil deGrasse Tyson to the show. We talk about his new book, Cosmic Queries, as well as the nature of intelligence, Carl Sagan, and a whole lot more.But first, we learn about one of the biggest problems in astrophysics, as a new study lends further evidence to questions about the expansion rate of the Universe. We also examine the oldest quasar jet ever seen radiating in X-rays. Then, we look at a nearby exoplanet that lost one inhospitable atmosphere, just to grow one even more noxious.Listen to the podcast of this episode here, or watch the video version at: https://youtu.be/Va_by-AuGuY--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we learn about the first space hurricane ever spotted. We will also visit two different exoplanets that may strangely look familiar to Star Wars fans. One of these is thought to be a lava world, while the other may be largely covered in volcanoes.  Plus, a sneak preview of next week's episode, when we will be joined by Neil deGrasse Tyson, talking about his new book, Cosmic Queries, as well as alien intelligence, the drive for science, Carl Sagan and more!  Subscribe today and never miss an episode!Listen here or watch the video version of this episode at: https://youtu.be/V2X-7xoseFo--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we are joined by Dr. Elisabeth Newton, astronomer at Dartmouth College, who recently discovered three new worlds around the dwarf star TOI 451.  But first, we're going to take a look at a new study showing that water worlds like Earth may be common around the galaxy. Next, we take a look at a new image of Venus, taken by the Parker Solar Probe, that could have implications for planetary science. Finally, we learn about a new study showing microbes under the seafloor of Earth could live off products formed by natural radiation, a finding that could assist in our understanding of the development of life on other worlds.Listen to the podcast version of this episode here, or watch the video version at: https://youtu.be/qZSbOq3xuJE--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome back to Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion. This  week, continuing our fortnight of Mars, we have a pair of special  guests, offering us a look at both the present, as well as the future, of Martian exploration. First, we welcome Martian geologist Dr. Kirsten Siebach back to the show. She will give us a first-person look at how the Perseverance rover will explore the landscape of Mars. We will also talk with Dr. Fatima Ebrahimi from the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. We will discuss her work designing a new plasma engine capable of bringing spacecraft and people to Mars and beyond.But first, we take a look at the arrival of NASA's Perseverance rover at  Mars. This is the third mission to arrive at the Red Planet in the last two weeks. We also look at a new study showing microbes are able to  survive – and thrive – within Martian soil. Finally, we will journey out  to the TOI 451 star system, where three newly-discovered planets await our watchful gaze.Listen to the podcast version of this episode here, or watch the video version of this episode at: https://youtu.be/aLeeSmhW0UYAstronomy News with The Cosmic Companion has just been named the Best Astronomy Podcast in the World by the editors of Starlust.org! Thanks to all our listeners.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we welcome science writer David W. Brown to the show. He is a contributor for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Scientific American. We will discuss his new book, The Mission, telling the story of NASA's upcoming project, the Europa Clipper.But first, we kick off the fortnight of Mars, as the first two of three new spacecraft arrive at our planetary neighbor, readying to explore the Red Planet. We will also head out to the outer reaches of our planetary family, where we meet Farfarout – the most-distant object known in our solar system.Watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/qIFG5MwJZYc--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we welcome Professor Eric Agol from the University of Washington to the show. He is an astrophysicist focused on the study of  exoplanets, and we will be talking about his work uncovering conditions on the seven worlds of the TRAPPIST-1 system.  But first, we look at a study proposing a new way to find dark matter – one of the greatest mysteries in astrophysics. Next, we examine a possible new method for seeing long-elusive gravitational waves. Finally, we hear the story of a student astronomer who may have found a  missing piece of the Cosmos.  Listen to the podcast version of this episode here, or watch the video at: https://youtu.be/c5YZK4916d8 Coming March 16: Neil deGrasse Tyson!   Subscribe today and never miss an episode!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we talk to Dr. Lauren Weiss, astronomer at the University of Hawaii. We will be talking about her work discovering the TOI-561 planetary system, and discussing extreme exoplanets!But first, we head out to the TRAPPIST-1 solar system, where we find each of the seven worlds in that system are surprisingly alike. Next, we look at a new study finding that earlier reports of phosphine on Venus may have been in error. Then, we look at a new conceptual idea for a next-generation plasma engine that could bring spacecraft and people to Mars and beyond.Listen to the podcast episode here, or watch it in video: https://youtu.be/r_QFsXew_Vs --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we talk to Dr. Kirsten Siebach, a Martian geologist from Rice University, talking about her work uncovering secrets of the climate of ancient Mars.But first, we study a newly-discovered system of exoplanets featuring an extreme planet of molten lava. Next, we learn about a so-called cotton-candy planet with a density so low it wasn't thought to be possible. Finally, closer to home, we take a look at a new study revealing that Gale Crater on Mars may have once resembled Iceland, before talking to one of the lead researchers on that study.Next week, we talk to Dr. Lauren Weiss, astronomer at the University of Hawaii, on her work studying the TOI-561 solar system and extreme exoplanets!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we head out to Jupiter, where the Juno spacecraft readies to  spend five more years exploring the Jovian system. Next, we will travel far out in space, and back in time, exploring the oldest quasar ever seen by astronomers. Finally, we will examine the remains of a star that was seen exploding 1,700 years ago, piecing together details of a supernova long lost to history.   Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/dn7pgwbltEYLearn more: https://thecosmiccompanion.netSubscribe today and never miss an episode!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

For our first interview of our fourth season, we talk to Dr. Jake Turner  of Cornell University, discussing his work finding the first hints of a  magnetic field surrounding a planet in an alien solar system.   But first, we examine an unusual radio signal coming from our closest  stellar neighbor that looks like it may have been created by an  intelligent species – but who? Next, we take a look at something you  might not expect – 2020 was, in fact, the shortest year in decades. We  will also head out to the Red Planet, where we see the largest canyon in  the Solar System in unprecedented detail.  New episodes (nearly) every Tuesday!  Subscribe today and never miss an episode.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

For the first episode of our fourth season,, we have a special episode  of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, as we look forward to the  Top 10 astronomy and space stories we can expect to see unfold in 2021. Learn about the two lunar eclipses happening in 2021, the return of  Russia to the Moon, the launch of Artemis 1, and much more!  Listen to the podcast here, or watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. Happy New Year!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

For this final episode of our third season, we welcome Dr. Paul Kalas from UC Berkeley to the show. He is an astronomer studying the exoplanet HD 106906, which might resemble an unseen ninth planet in our own solar system.But first, we journey far out in space and back in time, as astronomers lay their sights on the most distant – and oldest – galaxy ever seen. Closer to home, we examine the discovery of hexamine – a chemical critical to the development of life – inside an asteroid. Finally, we listen in on radio waves from the exoplanet Tau Boötis b, and learn how it shows the first-ever evidence for a magnetic field surrounding a planet in an alien solar system.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome back to Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion. This week, we welcome Professor Seiji Sugita of the University of Tokyo to the show. He is a researcher on the Hayabusa2 mission which recently brought the first large sample of an asteroid to Earth.But first, we take a look at a new study teaching us how spiders react to living in space. Next, we will journey to the exoplanet HD 106906 b, and learn what it could teach us about a possible unseen planet at the edge of our solar system. Finally, we will take a look at the first large samples of an asteroid ever to arrive on Earth, before we talk to one of the researchers on this historic mission.   Learn more: https://thecosmiccompanion.net--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we welcome Dr. Michael Wurm from the Borexino Collaboration  to the show. He recently led a new study examining neutrino emissions  from the Sun, revealing details of the nuclear furnace burning at the  heart of our parent star.  But first, we head out to the outskirts of the Solar System, where the long-lived Voyager spacecraft have seen quick-moving particles driven off the surface of the Sun. We will also journey back in time, to the formation of the Moon, as researchers using supercomputer simulations recreate a titanic collision between the Earth and a Mars-sized body four billion years ago. Then, we will take a look up in the sky, readying ourselves for the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn taking place on the Winter Solstice.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

On December 21, 2020, the two largest planets in our solar system will appear just one-tenth of a degree apart, or one-fifth of the diameter of a full Moon. This is the closest visible conjunction of the planets seen since the year 1226.We take a look at what to expect, and how to best prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime celestial event.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we welcome Dr. Ezat Heydari to the show. He is a professor of  geoscience at Jackson State University. We will discuss his work  showing evidence of a possible megaflood on Mars in the ancient solar  system.  But, first, we examine fusion processes at the core of our Sun, using a  detector buried deep underground. We also take a look at a sunspot that  became visible from Earth on Thanksgiving, and learn how astronomers saw  it when it was still on the other side of the Sun. Finally, we will  take our first - but by no means last - look at a great conjunction of  planets coming soon to a sky near you.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we welcome Wen-fai Fong of Northwestern University to the  show, talking about her work studying kilonova explosions and collisions  of neutron stars.  But first, we will look at new findings showing the Universe is getting  hotter, and we will examine the mysterious Blue Ring Nebula. Next, we  will journey back in time to the ancient solar system, when a massive  megaflood ravished the surface of Mars. Finally, we will bid a sad  farewell to one of the greatest telescopes in the world, as the Arecibo radio Telescope is slated for demolition.  Watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/sqYE1AX-E9APlease subscribe to this podcast for weekly episodes. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit https://thecosmiccompanion.net or http://thecosmiccompanion.com.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we welcome Laura Fackrell, geochemist at the University of  Georgia, to the show. We will be discussing her work developing soil for  farms on Mars, capable of growing crops to feed interplanetary  colonists.We will also journey out beyond our solar system, where Voyager 2 hears from NASA for the first time in months. We examine a tiny asteroid  traveling through space along with Mars that is a near-perfect geological match for our Moon. Finally, we will explore the Solar System from our own back yards, as all seven planets visible in the sky can be seen this week from most places on Earth.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Amateur astronomers have a rare treat this week, as all seven planets  visible in the sky can be observed over the course of a single night.  Here's how to find every planet in the sky visible to amateur  astronomers any night this week.   Subscribe to this channel and never miss a story!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we are joined by Dr. Oskar Elek from the University of  California, Santa Cruz. We will be discussing his work seeking to  understand the Cosmic Web – the largest structures in the Universe –  through computer modeling and humble slime mold.   We'll also take a look at the future of farming on Mars, as a new study  examines how to turn Martian topsoil into a fertile growing medium for  Martian colonists of the future. We will examine the origin of water on  planets, and find clues to the chemistry of the early Solar System in a  Martian meteorite. And, in the dark recesses of the early solar system,  we see an ancient ice planet that may have forever shaped our family of  planets before heading out to the void of space.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Water on the Moon has been seen before in dark craters. Now, a new study finds water in a crater exposed to sunlight. We explore the finding, and SOFIA - the airborne telescope that made the discovery. Learn more at https://thecosmiccompanion.net/water-on-the-moon-isnt-just-hiding-in-the-shadows--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Meridith Joyce of Australian National University joins us on the  show, talking about her new finding showing that the red giant star Betelgeuse is both smaller and closer than we believed.   We'll also take a look at the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which touched down  last week on the surface of the asteroid Bennu. We examine a  new study identifying 1,000 worlds where extraterrestrial astronomers  could – theoretically –  easily see signs of life on Earth. Also, one  exoplanet the size of Neptune is found orbiting far too close to its  parent star. And we take a look at findings from the ALMA network of  radio telescopes, revealing the role volcanoes play in forming the  atmosphere of Io, one of the largest moons of Jupiter.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we are joined by Dr. Roberto Gilli from the National  Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, speaking with us from Italy.  We will talk about his recent discovery of six galaxies huddled around a  supermassive black hole in the early Universe.   But first, we take a look at the massive red giant star Betelgeuse,  finding it's not as big –or as close to exploding – as we thought.  Speaking of exploding stars (because, why not?) we take a look at a pair  of massive stars doomed to end their lives in a dramatic fashion. And,  we will take a look up at our night sky, and learn how to see a meteor  shower happening this week.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we are joined by Dr. Maciek Wielgus, astronomer at Harvard  University, speaking to us from Gdansk, Poland. We will discuss his work  revealing glittering around the supermassive black hole at the center  of the M 87 galaxy.But first, we look at a new study identifying 24 exoplanets that appear  to be even friendlier to life than Earth. We also see how superflares –  powerful eruptions from stars – behave, and learn how they might affect  life on other worlds. Then, we take a look at OSIRIS-REx, NASA's first  attempt to collect material from an asteroid, as the revolutionary  spacecraft readies to touch the surface of the asteroid Bennu.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This is a very special global episode on Astronomy News with The Cosmic  Companion, as we talk with Dr. Amanda Karakas of Monash University,  speaking from Melbourne, Australia, as well as Dr. Chiaki Kobayashi,  from the University of Hertfordshire, joining us from London. These  researchers were at the heart of the new study showing how much of the  gold in the Universe was produced by a particular type of supernova  explosion.  But first, we examine a stunning glitter seen around a supermassive  black hole. We also journey to Mars, where the Mars Express Orbiter  finds three more salty lakes beneath the surface of that world. The Red  Planet is also an easy find in the sky this week, and we will take a  look at how to find it. We will also journey back in time, where (and  when!) we will see six galaxies huddling around an ancient quasar, and  learn how the largest structures in the Universe were formed.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Astronomers recently found six galaxies orbiting a distant quasar from  the early age of the Universe. What can this tell us about the formation  of supermassive black holes?Dr. Roberto Gilli from the National Institute for Astrophysics in Italy will join us October 20 to talk about this discovery.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we are joined by Dr. Natalie Hinkel, planetary astrophysicist  at the Southwest Research Institute. We will talk about her work showing how we might look for phosphorus around other stars in the  search for extraterrestrial life.  We will also talk about the discovery of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus, and what that means in the search for life on other worlds. We will learn about a new study showing how much of the gold in the  Universe was formed, and we take an in-depth look at how phosphorus in  the space around stars could help astronomers find life on planets in  nearby solar systems.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we welcome Dr. Christopher Berry to the show. He is an astrophysicist who recently helped discover the first intermediate-mass black hole ever seen by astronomers.We will also look at an ancient galaxy that looks normal, and talk about why that's so  unusual. We learn of an active environment around the asteroid Bennu, and we see how our ideas of dark matter may change, due to an unexpected bending of light.Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/vMGk_k93IKA--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we welcome Dr. Dimitra Atri to the show. He is an astrophysicist from New York University Abu Dhabi, and we will be discussing his work showing how life might survive just beneath the surface of Mars, aided by galactic cosmic rays.We will also look at how astronomers found a type of black hole they always expected to find as well as one thought impossible. We examine the most detailed images ever recorded of the Sun, taken by astronomers at Europe's largest solar telescope. Lastly, we will journey to the Moon, where investigators recently found hematite – a mineral which forms from water and free oxygen – both of which are rare on the lunar surface.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we are joined by Dr. Brian Fields of the University of Illinois. He recently headed a study showing how the Devonian extinction which took place on Earth 359 million years ago, may have been triggered by the supernova explosion of a nearby star.We also look at a new experiment showing how life might survive a trip aboard an asteroid traveling from Mars to Earth, and we discuss new ideas showing how Earth may have been a water world since soon after its formation. Finally, we gaze out to the nearby galaxy, Andromeda, as the Hubble Space Telescope reveals a massive halo of ionized gas surrounding the massive collection of stars.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we are joined by Dr. Andrea Dupree, senior astrophysicist with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. She recently carried out a study showing why the red supergiant star Betelgeuse recently dimmed, a sight seen by millions of amateur astronomers worldwide.We also look at how the development of life on Earth may have been shaped by a nearby supernova explosion, and we take a look at a new study suggesting the Sun may have once had a stellar companion, with whom it was born billions of years ago. Meanwhile, NASA charges batteries on the first helicopter ever headed to another planet.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

A twin of the Sun, born with our parent star, may still be floating somewhere in space.A twin of the Sun may have formed along with our solar system, a new study from the Center for Astrophysics finds.View our special report:If confirmed, the presence of a second star would explain mysteries of the Solar System. This would mean the Oort Cloud at the edge of our system likely formed much as it is today. It would also mean that any “planet nine” beyond Neptune (should it exist) is likely a captured object from outside the Solar System.Roughly five billion years ago, the Sun formed within a birth cluster — a collection of infant stars swimming in a cloud of molecular gas.Read more: https://thecosmiccompanion.net/did-a-twin-of-the-sun-help-shape-the-solar-systemThis is the first time I have done a podcast for a special report - do you like the idea? Comment below and let me know! Thanks!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

A twin star of the Sun, formed billions of years ago as the Solar System took shape, might help explain movements of bodies at the outer reaches of our family of planets, researchers suggest. Astronomers from The Center for Astrophysics believe that if a ninth planet is discovered beyond the orbit of Pluto, its movements could help us better understand how the Sun and our planetary neighborhood formed billions of years in the past.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we are joined by Dr. Allison Youngblood of the University of Colorado Boulder. She recently used the Hubble Space Telescope to look at the atmosphere of Earth during a lunar eclipse, testing methods to find life on other worlds. In addition, we talk with Professor Jane Charlton of Penn State University about last week's virtual Astrofest.Also on this episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we take a look at the lone dwarf planet in the inner solar system, Ceres, as new evidence comes to light revealing a vast ocean beneath its frozen surface. We will learn about a possible answer to the great mystery of why the star Betelgeuse recently dimmed for several months, and talk about the Perseid meteor shower and spotting shooting stars in the late summer skies.Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/CjmO0vV_9_k--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we are joined by Dr. Allison Youngblood of the University of Colorado Boulder. She recently used the Hubble Space Telescope to look at the atmosphere of Earth during a lunar eclipse, testing methods to find life on other worlds. In addition, we talk with Professor Jane Charlton of Penn State University about last week's virtual Astrofest.Also on this episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we take a look at the lone dwarf planet in the inner solar system, Ceres, as new evidence comes to light revealing a vast ocean beneath its frozen surface. We will learn about a possible answer to the great mystery of why the star Betelgeuse recently dimmed for several months, and talk about the Perseid meteor shower and spotting shooting stars in the late summer skies.Listen to the podcast above, or watch the video version of this episode:This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.An artist’s concept of the mechanism that recently caused Betelgeuse to dim as seen from Earth. Image credit: NASA/ESA/E. Wheatley/STScIComing August 18: Dr. Andrea Dupree from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics - Unraveling the mystery of the dimming of Betelgeuse utilizing the Hubble Space Telescope.If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube, Facebook Video, or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone: This week, we are joined by Dr. Steven D'Hondt of the University of Rhode Island. He recently co-led a study reviving microorganisms that laid dormant under the ocean floor for over 100 million years. His work could re-write much of what we know about life.Also in this episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we take a look at the discovery of a world much like Saturn orbiting a nearby star, and we see how storms on Jupiter alter the atmosphere of the largest planet in our solar system. Finally, we talk about a unique study that used the Hubble Space Telescope to examine the atmosphere of Earth during a lunar eclipse, testing methods to find life on other worlds.Listen to the podcast above, or watch the video version of this episode:This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming August 18: Dr. Allison Youngblood, astronomer with the University of Colorado Boulder. We will talk about her recent study using the Hubble Space Telescope to study the atmosphere on Earth, testing methods to find life on other worlds.If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube, Facebook Video, or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone: This week, we are joined by Dr. Steven D'Hondt of the University of Rhode Island. He recently co-led a study reviving microorganisms that laid dormant under the ocean floor for over 100 million years. His work could re-write much of what we know about life.Also in this episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we take a look at the discovery of a world much like Saturn orbiting a nearby star, and we see how storms on Jupiter alter the atmosphere of the largest planet in our solar system. Finally, we talk about a unique study that used the Hubble Space Telescope to examine the atmosphere of Earth during a lunar eclipse, testing methods to find life on other worlds.Listen to the podcast above, or watch the video version of this episode:This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming August 18: Dr. Allison Youngblood, astronomer with the University of Colorado Boulder. We will talk about her recent study using the Hubble Space Telescope to study the atmosphere on Earth, testing methods to find life on other worlds.If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube, Facebook Video, or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone!This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we are joined by Dr. Laurent Montési of the Department of Geology at the University of Maryland. He recently developed new models of Venus revealing recent volcanic activity on that world.We also take an up-close look at our other planetary neighbor, Mars, as new findings uncover additional secrets of The Red Planet. We watch the launch of Mars 2020, NASA's latest mission to Mars, and we also look at the potential for life under the surface of the Red Planet.My apologies that this podcast is late - technical difficulties kept us from uploading this episode until today. Work-around figured out. :) Watch the video version of this episode:This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming August 11: Dimitra Atri of New York University Abu Dhabi, talking about his study showing microbes may live beneath the surface of Mars, aided by galactic cosmic rays. If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube, Facebook Video, or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone!This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we are joined by Dr. Laurent Montesi of the Department of Geology at the University of Maryland. He recently developed new models of Venus revealing recent volcanic activity on that world.We also take an up-close look at our other planetary neighbor, Mars, as new findings uncover additional secrets of The Red Planet. We watch the launch of Mars 2020, NASA's latest mission to Mars, and we also look at the potential for life under the surface of the Red Planet.My apologies that this podcast is late - technical difficulties kept us from uploading this episode until today. Work-around figured out. :)Watch the video version of this episode:This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming August 11: Dimitra Atri of New York University Abu Dhabi, talking about his study showing microbes may live beneath the surface of Mars, aided by galactic cosmic rays.If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube, Facebook Video, or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- JamesGet full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone! This week, we are happy to be joined by Dr. Lina Necib of Caltech, talking about her discovery of a group of stars here in the Milky Way, that came from beyond our galaxy.But first, we learn about active volcanoes on Venus, we take a look at the first picture ever taken of a multi-planet system orbiting a Sun-like star, and we study a pair of type Ia supernovae seen erupting in flashes of ultraviolet light.Watch the video version of this episode:This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming August 4: Dr. Laurent G.J. Montesi, talking about his recent discovery of active volcanoes on Venus!If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube, Facebook Video, or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone! This week, we are happy to be joined by Dr. Lina Necib of Caltech, talking about her discovery of a group of stars here in the Milky Way, that came from beyond our galaxy.But first, we learn about active volcanoes on Venus, we take a look at the first picture ever taken of a multi-planet system orbiting a Sun-like star, and we study a pair of type Ia supernovae seen erupting in flashes of ultraviolet light.Watch the video version of this episode:This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming August 4: Dr. Laurent G.J. Montesi, talking about his recent discovery of active volcanoes on Venus!If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube, Facebook Video, or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone! Hello and welcome back to The Cosmic Companion. This week, we are happy to be joined by Dr. Kathryn Zurek, Theoretical Physicist at Caltech, talking about how dark matter may be detected here on Earth by looking for subatomic particles called magnons.But first, we look up at Comet NEOWISE visiting the Earth this month, and we say hello to stars from another galaxy which moved into the Milky Way billions of years ago. We hear the story of astronomers scrambling to view a short radio burst from the ancient Universe before it disappeared, we examine the origins of water here on Earth, and look at the closest pictures ever taken of our Sun.Watch the video version of this episode:Dr. Kathryn Zurek of Caltech talks about dark matter on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion.This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming July 28: Dr. Lina Necib, Post-doctoral Researcher at Caltech, who recently discovered Nyx stars – visitors from outside the Milky Way.Coming August 4: Dr. Laurent G.J. Montesi, talking about his recent discovery of active volcanoes on Venus!If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube, Facebook Video, or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone! Hello and welcome back to The Cosmic Companion. This week, we are happy to be joined by Dr. Kathryn Zurek, Theoretical Physicist at Caltech, talking about how dark matter may be detected here on Earth by looking for subatomic particles called magnons.But first, we look up at Comet NEOWISE visiting the Earth this month, and we say hello to stars from another galaxy which moved into the Milky Way billions of years ago. We hear the story of astronomers scrambling to view a short radio burst from the ancient Universe before it disappeared, we examine the origins of water here on Earth, and look at the closest pictures ever taken of our Sun.Watch the video version of this episode:Dr. Kathryn Zurek of Caltech talks about dark matter on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion.This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming July 28: Dr. Lina Necib, Post-doctoral Researcher at Caltech, who recently discovered Nyx stars – visitors from outside the Milky Way.Coming August 4: Dr. Laurent G.J. Montesi, talking about his recent discovery of active volcanoes on Venus!If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube, Facebook Video, or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone!This is a special episode, as it marks both the first show to begin our third season, and this installment is the first partly recorded in our new studio. Most special of all, we take an inside look at the James Webb Space Telescope. Scott Lambros, NASA's Instrument Systems Manager for this revolutionary telescope, joins us this week, giving us his first-hand story of this next-generation space telescope.We also look up at the sky at Comet NEOWISE, visiting evening skies in the northern hemisphere this week. Plus, a new finding showing high concentrations of metal on the Moon could suggest our best theories of the origin of our planetary companion may need revision. We will also look at an exposed planetary core, and we find the gravitational center of the solar system.Watch the video version of this episode:Scott Lambros of NASA, Instrument Systems Manager on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) talks to The Cosmic Companion. This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming July 21: Dr. Kathryn Zurek, Theoretical Physicist at Caltech, talking about how dark matter may be detected here on Earth by looking for subatomic particles called magnons.  July 28: Dr. Lina Necib, Post-doctoral Researcher at Caltech, who recently discovered Nyx stars – visitors from outside the Milky Way! If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube, Facebook Video, or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone!This is a special episode, as it marks both the first show to begin our third season, and this installment is the first partly recorded in our new studio. Most special of all, we take an inside look at the James Webb Space Telescope. Scott Lambros, NASA's Instrument Systems Manager for this revolutionary telescope, joins us this week, giving us his first-hand story of this next-generation space telescope.We also look up at the sky at Comet NEOWISE, visiting evening skies in the northern hemisphere this week. Plus, a new finding showing high concentrations of metal on the Moon could suggest our best theories of the origin of our planetary companion may need revision. We will also look at an exposed planetary core, and we find the gravitational center of the solar system.Watch the video version of this episode:Scott Lambros of NASA, Instrument Systems Manager on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) talks to The Cosmic Companion. This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming July 21: Dr. Kathryn Zurek, Theoretical Physicist at Caltech, talking about how dark matter may be detected here on Earth by looking for subatomic particles called magnons.  July 28: Dr. Lina Necib, Post-doctoral Researcher at Caltech, who recently discovered Nyx stars – visitors from outside the Milky Way! If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube, Facebook Video, or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we are pleased to be joined by Tyler Gorda from the Department of Physics at the University of Virginia, talking about his work discovering the newest state of matter – quark matter, which could make up much of the material in neutron stars. But first, we look at a new NASA study showing that oceans may be common on planets orbiting other stars, we examine a new study measuring the expansion rate of the Universe, and a mysterious repeating radio signal from space continues for more than 18 months. We will also examine how dark matter – the unseen “something” which makes up more than 80 percent of all matter in the Universe, might be detected here on Earth.Incidentally, this episode had a technical difficulty that appears me from appearing for most of the show. But, stay tuned to the end, when you’ll see the first original animation ever made for the program (animation is going to be a thing next season). Watch the video version of this episode:Dr. Tyler Gorda, physicist at the University of Virginia, talking about his work developing a theory of dark matter, and leading viewers on a dive through a neutron star. This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.June 30 and July 7: NO EPISODES, as we move into a larger, permanent studio and upgrade equipment. SEASON THREE BEGINS JULY 14 with an inside look at the James Webb Space Telescope, with Scott Lambros, NASA’a Instrument Systems Manager for this revolutionary instrument, called the successor to Hubble. If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube, Facebook Video, or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we are pleased to be joined by Tyler Gorda from the Department of Physics at the University of Virginia, talking about his work discovering the newest state of matter – quark matter, which could make up much of the material in neutron stars. But first, we look at a new NASA study showing that oceans may be common on planets orbiting other stars, we examine a new study measuring the expansion rate of the Universe, and a mysterious repeating radio signal from space continues for more than 18 months. We will also examine how dark matter – the unseen “something” which makes up more than 80 percent of all matter in the Universe, might be detected here on Earth.Incidentally, this episode had a technical difficulty that appears me from appearing for most of the show. But, stay tuned to the end, when you’ll see the first original animation ever made for the program (animation is going to be a thing next season). Watch the video version of this episode:Dr. Tyler Gorda, physicist at the University of Virginia, talking about his work developing a theory of dark matter, and leading viewers on a dive through a neutron star. This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.June 30 and July 7: NO EPISODES, as we move into a larger, permanent studio and upgrade equipment. SEASON THREE BEGINS JULY 14 with an inside look at the James Webb Space Telescope, with Scott Lambros, NASA’a Instrument Systems Manager for this revolutionary instrument, called the successor to Hubble. If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube, Facebook Video, or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we look at a new study suggesting the Universe is expanding faster than it should be, we travel to a solar system with four very different worlds, and we explore how dust on alien worlds can affect the development, as well as the discovery, of extraterrestrial life.Finally, we interview Dr. Matija Ćuk, a research scientist at the SETI Institute, discussing his recent discovery that Mars may have been accompanied, from time to time, by systems of rings.Watch the video version of this episode:Matija Ćuk, research scientist at the SETI Institute, discussing his recent discovery that Mars may have been accompanied by systems of rings in the distant past.This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming June 23: Tyler Gorda from the Department of Physics at the University of Virginia, talking about his work discovering the newest state of matter – quark matter, which could make up much of the material in neutron stars. June 30 and July 7: No shows, as we move into a larger, permanent studio and upgrade equipment. (We had technical difficulties with this week’s episode including damage to the camera a day after placing an order for a new camera). If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube, Facebook Video, or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we look at a new study suggesting the Universe is expanding faster than it should be, we travel to a solar system with four very different worlds, and we explore how dust on alien worlds can affect the development, as well as the discovery, of extraterrestrial life.Finally, we interview Dr. Matija Ćuk, a research scientist at the SETI Institute, discussing his recent discovery that Mars may have been accompanied, from time to time, by systems of rings.Watch the video version of this episode:Matija Ćuk, research scientist at the SETI Institute, discussing his recent discovery that Mars may have been accompanied by systems of rings in the distant past.This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming June 23: Tyler Gorda from the Department of Physics at the University of Virginia, talking about his work discovering the newest state of matter – quark matter, which could make up much of the material in neutron stars. June 30 and July 7: No shows, as we move into a larger, permanent studio and upgrade equipment. (We had technical difficulties with this week’s episode including damage to the camera a day after placing an order for a new camera). If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube, Facebook Video, or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone:In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we look at quark matter, a bizarre state of matter which could make up a large percentage of some neutron stars. We will travel out to the Kepler-160 planetary system, where we will examine a planet and star much like the Earth and Sun. Next, we find evidence that may help answer one of the mysteries of planets around other stars – if they are as common as they now seem, why do some stars travel through space alone? Then, we learn how Mars, typically known as the Red Planet, may have also once also been the ringed planet, as well.Finally, we welcome astrophysicist Anna Ho to the program, to talk about her work on discovering a previously-unknown form of supernova explosion.Watch the video version of this episode:Anna Ho of Caltech, talking about her new study of FBOT’s - a newly-discovered type of supernova explosion. This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming June 16: Dr. Matija Ćuk of the SETI Institute, on the possibility that Mars may have been orbited by rings in the distant past.  If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone:In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we look at quark matter, a bizarre state of matter which could make up a large percentage of some neutron stars. We will travel out to the Kepler-160 planetary system, where we will examine a planet and star much like the Earth and Sun. Next, we find evidence that may help answer one of the mysteries of planets around other stars – if they are as common as they now seem, why do some stars travel through space alone? Then, we learn how Mars, typically known as the Red Planet, may have also once also been the ringed planet, as well.Finally, we welcome astrophysicist Anna Ho to the program, to talk about her work on discovering a previously-unknown form of supernova explosion.Watch the video version of this episode:Anna Ho of Caltech, talking about her new study of FBOT’s - a newly-discovered type of supernova explosion. This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming June 16: Dr. Matija Ćuk of the SETI Institute, on the possibility that Mars may have been orbited by rings in the distant past.  If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone:In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we watch the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket, lifting a pair of astronauts to the International Space Station. We also learn about a newly-discovered type of supernova, we travel to a solar system much like our own family of stars, and we find how a world roughly the size of Earth has been confirmed around the nearest star to our solar system. Then, we travel back 66 million years, to the end of the age of dinosaurs, learning how an asteroid larger than Mount Everest changed life on Earth forever.And, in a special interview from Japan, we talk to Professor Seiji Sugita from the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of Tokyo, researcher on the Hayabusa2 mission currently exploring the asteroid Ryugu.Watch the video version of this episode:This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming June 9: Anna Ho of Caltech, who studies Fast Blue Optical Transients (FBOTs), a newly-discovered type of massive explosion seen in distant galaxies. If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone:In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we watch the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket, lifting a pair of astronauts to the International Space Station. We also learn about a newly-discovered type of supernova, we travel to a solar system much like our own family of stars, and we find how a world roughly the size of Earth has been confirmed around the nearest star to our solar system. Then, we travel back 66 million years, to the end of the age of dinosaurs, learning how an asteroid larger than Mount Everest changed life on Earth forever.And, in a special interview from Japan, we talk to Professor Seiji Sugita from the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of Tokyo, researcher on the Hayabusa2 mission currently exploring the asteroid Ryugu.Watch the video version of this episode:This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming June 9: Anna Ho of Caltech, who studies Fast Blue Optical Transients (FBOTs), a newly-discovered type of massive explosion seen in distant galaxies. If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone:In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we look at volcanoes of mud on Mars. We also see how life on Earth may have been shaped, at the genetic level, by cosmic rays from space. We explore collisions between black holes and ultra-dense neutron stars, and we take a look at the Wolfe Disc, an ancient galaxy that grew much faster than expected. Finally, we look at a pair of findings about galaxies, each from the same network of radio telescopes. Plus, in a fun, informative interview, we talk to Dr. Alejandro Soto of the Southwest Research Institute, who recently released a study showing how microscopic lifeforms may be affected by salty deposits of water on Mars.Watch the video version of this episode:This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming June 2: Professor Seiji Sugita from the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of Tokyo, researcher on the Hayabusa2 mission currently exploring the asteroid Ryugu.  If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone:In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we look at volcanoes of mud on Mars. We also see how life on Earth may have been shaped, at the genetic level, by cosmic rays from space. We explore collisions between black holes and ultra-dense neutron stars, and we take a look at the Wolfe Disc, an ancient galaxy that grew much faster than expected. Finally, we look at a pair of findings about galaxies, each from the same network of radio telescopes. Plus, in a fun, informative interview, we talk to Dr. Alejandro Soto of the Southwest Research Institute, who recently released a study showing how microscopic lifeforms may be affected by salty deposits of water on Mars.Watch the video version of this episode:This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers.Coming June 2: Professor Seiji Sugita from the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of Tokyo, researcher on the Hayabusa2 mission currently exploring the asteroid Ryugu.  If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider.For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone:In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we talk about Comet SWAN, which could soon grace our skies as the brightest comet in years. We will delve deep into small pockets of water, trapped in the crust of Mars, where salty water may be too harsh for life. And, finally, we will learn about the rhythms of stars, and what it can teach us about the nature of these thermonuclear furnaces.And, in her first interview since earning her doctorate in astrophysics and astrobiology last week, we talk with Dr. Thea Kozakis, who recently led a study exploring planets around dead stars, looking for life.Watch the video version of this episode:This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers. Coming May 26: Alejandro Soto of the Southwest Research Institute, talking about water on Mars, and how salty conditions there could affect exploration of the Red Planet.  If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone:In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we talk about Comet SWAN, which could soon grace our skies as the brightest comet in years. We will delve deep into small pockets of water, trapped in the crust of Mars, where salty water may be too harsh for life. And, finally, we will learn about the rhythms of stars, and what it can teach us about the nature of these thermonuclear furnaces.And, in her first interview since earning her doctorate in astrophysics and astrobiology last week, we talk with Dr. Thea Kozakis, who recently led a study exploring planets around dead stars, looking for life.Watch the video version of this episode:This podcast is also available from all major podcast providers. Coming May 26: Alejandro Soto of the Southwest Research Institute, talking about water on Mars, and how salty conditions there could affect exploration of the Red Planet.  If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone: In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we take a look at a new idea about dark matter, we learn about new images of the asteroid Ryugu taken by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft, and we delve deep under the atmosphere of Jupiter, studying one of that world's most familiar features, the Great Red Spot.Watch the video version of this episode:On May 19, we will talk with Thea Kozakis, a graduate student at the Carl Sagan Institute at Cornell University. Ms. Kozakis is a pioneering researcher on how to study the atmospheres of worlds around other stars, looking for signs of life.If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone: In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we take a look at a new idea about dark matter, we learn about new images of the asteroid Ryugu taken by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft, and we delve deep under the atmosphere of Jupiter, studying one of that world's most familiar features, the Great Red Spot.Watch the video version of this episode:On May 19, we will talk with Thea Kozakis, a graduate student at the Carl Sagan Institute at Cornell University. Ms. Kozakis is a pioneering researcher on how to study the atmospheres of worlds around other stars, looking for signs of life.If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone:This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we welcome a very special video guest as Dr. Ann Virkki, head of planetary radar studies for Arecibo Observatory, joins us on the show. She is an astronomer who recently made the news with her discovery of an unusual “face mask” on the asteroid 1998 OR2. Join us as we talk about asteroids, and the dangers our planet faces from near-Earth Objects.In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we also learn about the unfortunate fate of Comet Atlas, which recently shattered as it approached the Sun, quashing dreams of what could have been a magnificent celestial spectacle. Next, we will learn how temperatures seen on worlds orbiting alien stars are, often, lower than theories predict, and we will discuss a new model that could, potentially, explain these strange findings. We also take a look at how a new range of instruments, both on Earth and in space, could help us search for life around white dwarfs – the corpses of dead stars that were once the size of the Sun.Watch the video version of this episode:On May 19, we will talk with Thea Kozakis, a graduate student at the Carl Sagan Institute at Cornell University. Ms. Kozakis is a pioneering researcher on how to study the atmospheres of worlds around other stars, looking for signs of life. If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone:This week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we welcome a very special video guest as Dr. Ann Virkki, head of planetary radar studies for Arecibo Observatory, joins us on the show. She is an astronomer who recently made the news with her discovery of an unusual “face mask” on the asteroid 1998 OR2. Join us as we talk about asteroids, and the dangers our planet faces from near-Earth Objects.In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we also learn about the unfortunate fate of Comet Atlas, which recently shattered as it approached the Sun, quashing dreams of what could have been a magnificent celestial spectacle. Next, we will learn how temperatures seen on worlds orbiting alien stars are, often, lower than theories predict, and we will discuss a new model that could, potentially, explain these strange findings. We also take a look at how a new range of instruments, both on Earth and in space, could help us search for life around white dwarfs – the corpses of dead stars that were once the size of the Sun.Watch the video version of this episode:On May 19, we will talk with Thea Kozakis, a graduate student at the Carl Sagan Institute at Cornell University. Ms. Kozakis is a pioneering researcher on how to study the atmospheres of worlds around other stars, looking for signs of life. If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone:This is a very special week for Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, as we welcome out first-ever video guest to the show. To kick things off, we have a special guest, as I interview Dr. Steven D’Hondt, of the University of Rhode Island. He led the first two drilling expeditions ever designed specifically to search for life under the ocean floor. A new study suggests his work could show us what to look for in the search for life on Mars. In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we also learn that Earth will soon be visited by an asteroid the size on Manhattan – but don't worry – it's wearing a face mask! Next, we solve the mystery of a missing planet, and we learn how studying oceans on alien worlds would make for a high-pressure environment.Watch the video version of this episode:Next week (May 5), we are fortunate enough to talk to Dr. Anne Virkki, head of Planetary Radar at the Arecibo Observatory. This accomplished astronomer discovered the “face mask” on asteroid 1998 OR2, which will safely pass Earth on April 29.If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone:This is a very special week for Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, as we welcome out first-ever video guest to the show. To kick things off, we have a special guest, as I interview Dr. Steven D’Hondt, of the University of Rhode Island. He led the first two drilling expeditions ever designed specifically to search for life under the ocean floor. A new study suggests his work could show us what to look for in the search for life on Mars. In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we also learn that Earth will soon be visited by an asteroid the size on Manhattan – but don't worry – it's wearing a face mask! Next, we solve the mystery of a missing planet, and we learn how studying oceans on alien worlds would make for a high-pressure environment.Watch the video version of this episode:Next week (May 5), we are fortunate enough to talk to Dr. Anne Virkki, head of Planetary Radar at the Arecibo Observatory. This accomplished astronomer discovered the “face mask” on asteroid 1998 OR2, which will safely pass Earth on April 29.If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone:In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we discuss the birth of a giant space cigar, and look at a planet that may look like home but which is found in dangerous territory. We will examine a pair of satellite galaxies orbiting the Milky Way, and learn what they can teach us about dark matter. Finally, we will see how astronomers can learn about the history of exoplanets through resonances in planetary orbits..I also interview Dr. Nahum Arav, astronomer at Virginia Tech, who discovered the most powerful quasar tsunamis ever seen anywhere in the Cosmos. Watch the video version of this episode (interview in podcast only):Next week (April 21), The Cosmic Companion talks to Dr. Steven D’Hondt, geomicrobiologist from the University of Rhode Island, who led a 2010 expedition collecting core samples from beneath the seafloor of the South Pacific, research that could help researchers today, looking for signs of life on Mars.If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com. Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone:In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we discuss the birth of a giant space cigar, and look at a planet that may look like home but which is found in dangerous territory. We will examine a pair of satellite galaxies orbiting the Milky Way, and learn what they can teach us about dark matter. Finally, we will see how astronomers can learn about the history of exoplanets through resonances in planetary orbits..I also interview Dr. Nahum Arav, astronomer at Virginia Tech, who discovered the most powerful quasar tsunamis ever seen anywhere in the Cosmos. Watch the video version of this episode (interview in podcast only):Next week (April 21), The Cosmic Companion talks to Dr. Steven D’Hondt, geomicrobiologist from the University of Rhode Island, who led a 2010 expedition collecting core samples from beneath the seafloor of the South Pacific, research that could help researchers today, looking for signs of life on Mars.If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com. Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone:In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we dive deep beneath the Pacific Ocean, and see how bacteria living inside rocks could change our studies of life on Mars. We will undertake an immense journey through the Universe, looking at jets emanating from distant quasars, and we will feel the wind of failed stars. Finally, we will look back 50 years ago, when the world watched transfixed as the crew of Apollo 13 struggled for survival.I also interview Alan Adler, inventor of the Aerobie flying ring and disk, as well as the Aeropress coffee maker. We talk about the science of flight as well as the science of brewing coffee. Watch the video version of this episode (interview in podcast only):Next week (April 21), The Cosmic Companion talks to Dr. Nahum Arav of Virginia Tech, talking about his new discovery of quasar tsunamis – the most energetic outpouring of material of this type in the Cosmos. If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit thecosmiccompanion.net.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone:In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we dive deep beneath the Pacific Ocean, and see how bacteria living inside rocks could change our studies of life on Mars. We will undertake an immense journey through the Universe, looking at jets emanating from distant quasars, and we will feel the wind of failed stars. Finally, we will look back 50 years ago, when the world watched transfixed as the crew of Apollo 13 struggled for survival.I also interview Alan Adler, inventor of the Aerobie flying ring and disk, as well as the Aeropress coffee maker. We talk about the science of flight as well as the science of brewing coffee. Watch the video version of this episode (interview in podcast only):Next week (April 21), The Cosmic Companion talks to Dr. Nahum Arav of Virginia Tech, talking about his new discovery of quasar tsunamis – the most energetic outpouring of material of this type in the Cosmos. If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit thecosmiccompanion.net.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone!This week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion features a new method of imaging black holes, and we discuss how lunar and Martian colonies could be constructed from human urine. Finally, we will journey back 14 centuries to ancient Japan, when a giant, glowing, red pheasant was seen hovering in the skies above that island nation.I also interview Dr. Pedro Bernardinelli of The University of Pennsylvania, lead researcher on a study which found 316 minor planets beyond Neptune.  Recently, 316 minor planets were discovered beyond Neptune. The Cosmic Companion talks to the astronomer that headed this historic study. Image credit: Martynan/Adobe Stock. Watch the video version of this episode (full interview in podcast only):Next week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we talk to Alan Adler, Inventor of Aerobie flying discs, and the Aeropress coffee maker. (Watch his interview on Good Morning America). If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit thecosmiccompanion.net.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing! - James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone!This week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion features a new method of imaging black holes, and we discuss how lunar and Martian colonies could be constructed from human urine. Finally, we will journey back 14 centuries to ancient Japan, when a giant, glowing, red pheasant was seen hovering in the skies above that island nation.I also interview Dr. Pedro Bernardinelli of The University of Pennsylvania, lead researcher on a study which found 316 minor planets beyond Neptune.  Recently, 316 minor planets were discovered beyond Neptune. The Cosmic Companion talks to the astronomer that headed this historic study. Image credit: Martynan/Adobe Stock. Watch the video version of this episode (full interview in podcast only):Next week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we talk to Alan Adler, Inventor of Aerobie flying discs, and the Aeropress coffee maker. (Watch his interview on Good Morning America). If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit thecosmiccompanion.net.Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing! - James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week's podcast episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion is a special look at Comet Atlas, which is shaping up to (potentially) become the greatest comet seen from the northern hemisphere in over two decades. We will discuss everything we know (so far) about Comet Atlas, and learn when and where to look for this new visitor from the outer solar system. We also interview Dr. Joe Burchett of the University of California Santa Crux about his work modeling ribbons between galaxies, using yellow slime mold. Learn how —and why— his team developed and carried out this unique study. Comet Atlas could, possibly, become as bright as Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997. Image credit: Giuseppe Donatiello. Watch the video version of this episode (full interview in podcast only):On next week's podcast episode of Astronomy News with the Cosmic Companion (April 7), I interview Dr. Pedro Bernardinelli of The University of Pennsylvania, lead researcher on a study which found 316 minor planets beyond Neptune.  .If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit thecosmiccompanion.net. Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week's podcast episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion is a special look at Comet Atlas, which is shaping up to (potentially) become the greatest comet seen from the northern hemisphere in over two decades. We will discuss everything we know (so far) about Comet Atlas, and learn when and where to look for this new visitor from the outer solar system. We also interview Dr. Joe Burchett of the University of California Santa Crux about his work modeling ribbons between galaxies, using yellow slime mold. Learn how —and why— his team developed and carried out this unique study. Comet Atlas could, possibly, become as bright as Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997. Image credit: Giuseppe Donatiello. Watch the video version of this episode (full interview in podcast only):On next week's podcast episode of Astronomy News with the Cosmic Companion (April 7), I interview Dr. Pedro Bernardinelli of The University of Pennsylvania, lead researcher on a study which found 316 minor planets beyond Neptune.  .If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit thecosmiccompanion.net. Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's podcast episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we look at new findings concerning the physics of stars, and we look in on a newly-discovered exoplanet where it rains iron. Next, we will examine a new method of learning about massive ribbons of galaxies by examining humble slime molds. Finally, a group of researchers believe they may have found a method by which the intense heat of Mercury could help form ice on the innermost planet in the Solar System.We also interview Dr. Emily Levesque of the University of Washington. She is one of the lead researchers on the study examining the possibility that a massive cloud of dust surrounding Betelgeuse may be responsible for dimming seen around that star at the end of 2019. Phenomenon seen on the surface of stars may be explained by new findings about the behavior of plasma beneath their luminous shells. Image credit: NASA/GSFCThe behavior of plasma in stars, including the Sun, is still largely a mystery, despite hundreds of years of study. One question perplexing astronomers is how much the movement of plasma in stars is affected by currents rising up from beneath, compared to the effects of rotation of the star. A new study of a diverse group of more than 200 stars shows convection, like the bubbles of boiling water, plays a far greater role than rotation in shaping stellar activity.Astronomers recently discovered a distant exoplanet called WASP-76B, continually scorched by its local star on one hemisphere, while the other half of the world is pelted with iron rain. Metals are vaporized on the hot side of the planet, and these vapors are transported to the other side of the planet, where it condenses before falling as a metallic rain. This world, 390 light-years from Earth, was discovered with the ESPRESSO instrument connected to the European Space Observatory’s Very Large Telescope.Researchers at the University of California Santa Cruz have recently modeled massive ribbons between galaxies using a common slime mold. Networks created between the unicellular members of Physarum polycephalum are similar to massive ribbons of gas which tie strings of galaxies together over hundreds of millions of light years. In an earlier experiment, researchers placed food in positions reminiscent of cities around Tokyo, and the slime mold grew into a pattern similar to the Japanese railway system.|Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, and temperatures on that world can run hotter than an oven. But, a new study from Georgia Tech suggests this intense heat could help form ice. As protons stream out of the Sun, some are drawn to the surface of Mercury by the weak magnetic field of that world. These particles may hit hydroxyls, molecules of one atom each of hydrogen and oxygen, forming water. Intense heating from the Sun can then drive these molecules off the surface, and some of these land in craters that never see light, creating deposits of water ice which persevere despite scorching temperatures.Watch the video version of this episode (full interview in podcast only):On next week's podcast episode of Astronomy News with the Cosmic Companion, I interview Alan Adler, Inventor of Aerobie flying discs, and the Aeropress coffee maker. (Watch his interview on Good Morning America).We are happy to say that Listen Notes has selected Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion as one of their top 50 astronomy podcasts, and the show has been named one of the top 15 astronomy podcasts to listen to in 2020 by the editors of Feedspot. If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit thecosmiccompanion.net. Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's podcast episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we look at new findings concerning the physics of stars, and we look in on a newly-discovered exoplanet where it rains iron. Next, we will examine a new method of learning about massive ribbons of galaxies by examining humble slime molds. Finally, a group of researchers believe they may have found a method by which the intense heat of Mercury could help form ice on the innermost planet in the Solar System.We also interview Dr. Emily Levesque of the University of Washington. She is one of the lead researchers on the study examining the possibility that a massive cloud of dust surrounding Betelgeuse may be responsible for dimming seen around that star at the end of 2019. Phenomenon seen on the surface of stars may be explained by new findings about the behavior of plasma beneath their luminous shells. Image credit: NASA/GSFCThe behavior of plasma in stars, including the Sun, is still largely a mystery, despite hundreds of years of study. One question perplexing astronomers is how much the movement of plasma in stars is affected by currents rising up from beneath, compared to the effects of rotation of the star. A new study of a diverse group of more than 200 stars shows convection, like the bubbles of boiling water, plays a far greater role than rotation in shaping stellar activity.Astronomers recently discovered a distant exoplanet called WASP-76B, continually scorched by its local star on one hemisphere, while the other half of the world is pelted with iron rain. Metals are vaporized on the hot side of the planet, and these vapors are transported to the other side of the planet, where it condenses before falling as a metallic rain. This world, 390 light-years from Earth, was discovered with the ESPRESSO instrument connected to the European Space Observatory’s Very Large Telescope.Researchers at the University of California Santa Cruz have recently modeled massive ribbons between galaxies using a common slime mold. Networks created between the unicellular members of Physarum polycephalum are similar to massive ribbons of gas which tie strings of galaxies together over hundreds of millions of light years. In an earlier experiment, researchers placed food in positions reminiscent of cities around Tokyo, and the slime mold grew into a pattern similar to the Japanese railway system.|Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, and temperatures on that world can run hotter than an oven. But, a new study from Georgia Tech suggests this intense heat could help form ice. As protons stream out of the Sun, some are drawn to the surface of Mercury by the weak magnetic field of that world. These particles may hit hydroxyls, molecules of one atom each of hydrogen and oxygen, forming water. Intense heating from the Sun can then drive these molecules off the surface, and some of these land in craters that never see light, creating deposits of water ice which persevere despite scorching temperatures.Watch the video version of this episode (full interview in podcast only--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we look at a massive white dwarf that may be the product of an ancient collision between stars. We also examine a new idea of dark matter – the mysterious mass holding galaxies together – before heading to Mars for a new discovery – as well as a stunning image of the Martian landscape – from the Curiosity rover. Finally, we wrap up the show with a look at Betelgeuse, and new studies looking at whether or not this red giant star is on the verge of exploding as a supernova.The Curiosity rover recently returned its most-detailed panorama ever of the Martian landscape (click here for full photo). Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS A team of astronomers from the University of Warwick have discovered an ultramassive white dwarf surrounded by a carbon-rich atmosphere. The star was first found in data from the Gaia space telescope, and the atmosphere was examined using the William Herschel Telescope in the Canary Islands.This behemoth of a white dwarf, they determined, is the product of the collision of a pair of smaller white dwarf stars. This finding could lead to a new understanding of white dwarfs and how they form and evolve over time.Dark matter cannot be seen, but it makes up a far larger portion of the Universe than all stars, planets, gas clouds, and black holes combined. It is because of dark matter that galaxies do not fly apart as they spin. Still, astronomers know little about the ultimate nature of this mysterious mass. A new study from the University of York suggests strange subatomic particles called d-star hexaquarks may have formed in the early Universe as it cooled, and is now affecting objects in a manner that we interpret as dark matter. Protons and neutrons which make up the nucleus of atoms are each composed to three quarks. This newly-postulated particle would consist of six quarks, providing its unusual properties.The Curiosity rover on Mars has found organic materials on the Martian surface which may have been produced by ancient lifeforms. The material, called thiophenes, are usually produced by life on Earth. This is not proof of ancient life on Mars, as further studies must still be carried out to determine if these thiophenes are the product of biological or chemical processes.NASA also recently released a new image of Mars, as seen by Curiosity. This stunning Martian landscape is composed of 1,000 separate images of Mars taken by the eight-year-old Martian laboratory.Betelgeuse, one of the best-known stars in the sky, dimmed significantly over several months at the end of 2019, leading to speculation as to whether or not the star is about to explode as a supernova. Several astronomers and astrophysicists are studying the star, attempting to determine if Betelgeuse is on the verge of a massive eruption. One of these new studies shows the star is warmer than would be expected prior to a supernova, suggesting a cloud of dust coming off the star may be the cause of this dimming. Betelgeuse is still expected to erupt as a supernova sometime in the next 100,000 years, but the coming supernova is not likely to occur in the near future.Dr. Emily Levesque, next week on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion Podcast. Image credit: University of Washington.On next week's podcast episode of Astronomy News with the Cosmic Companion, I will interview Dr. Emily Levesque of the University of Washington. She is one of the lead researchers on the study examining the possibility of a massive cloud of gas surrounding Betelgeuse. Be sure to tune in for this interview about exploding stars – it should be a blast!If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please download and share the episode on YouTube or any major podcast provider. For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit thecosmiccompanion.net. Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we look at a massive white dwarf that may be the product of an ancient collision between stars. We also examine a new idea of dark matter – the mysterious mass holding galaxies together – before heading to Mars for a new discovery – as well as a stunning image of the Martian landscape – from the Curiosity rover. Finally, we wrap up the show with a look at Betelgeuse, and new studies looking at whether or not this red giant star is on the verge of exploding as a supernova.The Curiosity rover recently returned its most-detailed panorama ever of the Martian landscape (click here for full photo). Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS A team of astronomers from the University of Warwick have discovered an ultramassive white dwarf surrounded by a carbon-rich atmosphere. The star was first found in data from the Gaia space telescope, and the atmosphere was examined using the William Herschel Telescope in the Canary Islands.This behemoth of a white dwarf, they determined, is the product of the collision of a pair of smaller white dwarf stars. This finding could lead to a new understanding of white dwarfs and how they form and evolve over time.Dark matter cannot be seen, but it makes up a far larger portion of the Universe than all stars, planets, gas clouds, and black holes combined. It is because of dark matter that galaxies do not fly apart as they spin. Still, astronomers know little about the ultimate nature of this mysterious mass. A new study from the University of York suggests strange subatomic particles called d-star hexaquarks may have formed in the early Universe as it cooled, and is now affecting objects in a manner that we interpret as dark matter. Protons and neutrons which make up the nucleus of atoms are each composed to three quarks. This newly-postulated particle would consist of six quarks, providing its unusual properties.The Curiosity rover on Mars has found organic materials on the Martian surface which may have been produced by ancient lifeforms. The material, called thiophenes, are usually produced by life on Earth. This is not proof of ancient life on Mars, as further studies must still be carried out to determine if these thiophenes are the product of biological or chemical processes.NASA also recently released a new image of Mars, as seen by Curiosity. This stunning Martian landscape is composed of 1,000 separate images of Mars taken by the eight-year-old Martian laboratory.Betelgeuse, one of the best-known stars in the sky, dimmed significantly over several months at the end of 2019, leading to speculation as to whether or not the star is about to explode as a supernova. Several astronomers and astrophysicists are studying the star, attempting to determine if Betelgeuse is on the verge of a massive eruption. One of these new studies shows the star is warmer than would be expected prior to a supernova, suggesting a cloud of dust coming off the star may be the --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we examine findings from the InSight lander, which has returned its first data from Mars. We will also learn about 2020 CD3, an asteroid that recently entered orbit around the Earth as a second moon, and we talk about the composition of exoplanet K2 18b and what that means for the possibility of life on that world. This week’s stories end with a bang as evidence for the largest explosion since the Big Bang is seen by astronomers.PLUS - This week’s podcast features a full interview with Sofia Sheikh of Penn State University, a graduate student leading a new study searching for extraterrestrial civilizations who may have already found life on Earth. Video version of this podcast (full interview in podcast only):After almost 10 months since landing, the InSight lander on Mars sent its first findings to Earth. The spacecraft revealed that tremors are common on Mars, although they are not severe. The Martian laboratory has also found a greater degree of magnetization of the crust than was expected, and sent a report on wind conditions to researchers on Earth. The robotic laboratory was designed to study the interior of Mars, attempting to understand the history of that planet and other worlds in our solar system, including our home world.An asteroid as large as a car has just been discovered orbiting the Earth. This object, dubbed 2020 CD3, was captured by the gravitational field of the Earth, and entered orbit around our world roughly three years ago. This second Moon is far to dim to see with the naked eye, however, and is located in an unstable orbit that will likely fling CD3 back into interplanetary space in April of this year.In the fall of 2019, astronomers announced the discovery of water vapor in the atmosphere of the exoplanet K2 18b. This world is located in the habitable zone around its cool, dim star, where water could accumulate into ponds, lakes, and oceans. This new study shows K2 18b is likely either a water world covered in ice, or a gaseous planet like Neptune, where temperatures would be too hot for life as we know it to exist.Astronomers have found evidence of the largest-known explosion since the Big Bang. Triggered by a supermassive black hole in the Ophiuchus galaxy cluster, this eruption produced a crater 15 times wider than the Milky Way Galaxy in a plasma cloud surrounding the cluster. This event took place at a safe distance of 390 million light years from Earth, and hundreds of millions of years in the past.Did you like this episode? Subscribe to The Cosmic Companion Newsletter! Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion is also available as a weekly video series. Or, add this show to your flash briefings on Amazon Alexa.See you around the Cosmos!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we examine findings from the InSight lander, which has returned its first data from Mars. We will also learn about 2020 CD3, an asteroid that recently entered orbit around the Earth as a second moon, and we talk about the composition of exoplanet K2 18b and what that means for the possibility of life on that world. This week’s stories end with a bang as evidence for the largest explosion since the Big Bang is seen by astronomers.PLUS - This week’s podcast features a full interview with Sofia Sheikh of Penn State University, a graduate student leading a new study searching for extraterrestrial civilizations who may have already found life on Earth. Video version of this podcast (full interview in podcast only):After almost 10 months since landing, the InSight lander on Mars sent its first findings to Earth. The spacecraft revealed that tremors are common on Mars, although they are not severe. The Martian laboratory has also found a greater degree of magnetization of the crust than was expected, and sent a report on wind conditions to researchers on Earth. The robotic laboratory was designed to study the interior of Mars, attempting to understand the history of that planet and other worlds in our solar system, including our home world.An asteroid as large as a car has just been discovered orbiting the Earth. This object, dubbed 2020 CD3, was captured by the gravitational field of the Earth, and entered orbit around our world roughly three years ago. This second Moon is far to dim to see with the naked eye, however, and is located in an unstable orbit that will likely fling CD3 back into interplanetary space in April of this year.In the fall of 2019, astronomers announced the discovery of water vapor in the atmosphere of the exoplanet K2 18b. This world is located in the habitable zone around its cool, dim star, where water could accumulate into ponds, lakes, and oceans. This new study shows K2 18b is likely either a water world covered in ice, or a gaseous planet like Neptune, where temperatures would be too hot for life as we know it to exist.Astronomers have found evidence of the largest-known explosion since the Big Bang. Triggered by a supermassive black hole in the Ophiuchus galaxy cluster, this eruption produced a crater 15 times wider than the Milky Way Galaxy in a plasma cloud surrounding the cluster. This event took place at a safe distance of 390 million light years from Earth, and hundreds of millions of years in the past.Did you like this episode? Subscribe to The Cosmic Companion Newsletter! Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion is also available as a weekly video series. Or, add this show to your flash briefings on Amazon Alexa.See you around the Cosmos!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we take a look at aurora seen around a star for the first time, a new super-Earth is discovered just 100 light years from Earth, and Penn State researchers search for alien civilizations that may have already found life on our own world. Video version of this podcast:Aurora on Earth are best known on as northern and southern lights, but they can also occur between a pair of planetary bodies, such as Jupiter and its innermost large moon, Io. Now, for the first time, astronomers have detected aurora taking place between a star and planet. The star, known as GJ 1151, is closely orbited by an earth-sized world. Interactions between that planet and the star create changes in the magnetic field of GJ 1151, producing an aurora. The system sits just 27 light years from Earth.The discovery of an exoplanet in a star system less than 100 light years from our home planet has now been confirmed by astronomers using the Habitable-zone Planet Finder in Texas. This super-Earth, dubbed G 9-40b, is roughly twice as large as our home planet, and significantly more massive. The world orbits close to its cool red parent star, orbiting that body once every six days. First found by the Kepler spacecraft as the planet passed in front of its star as seen from Earth, this is the second-closest planet yet found using this technique.A new search for alien civilizations is looking at planets which may be able to find life on our own world. As planets orbit their sun, some of these exoplanets can be seen passing in front of their parent star as seen from Earth. Astronomers are able to deduce significant information about such exoplanets, including evidence of life. A new study from the Breakthrough Initiative is searching worlds that would see the Earth pass in front of the Sun as seen from the perspective of an extraterrestrial. After examining 20 such worlds, no radio signals were detected, but the search is only beginning in the hunt for extraterrestrial civilizations.On Tuesday, March 3rd, I will interview Sofia Sheikh of Penn State University, lead researcher on this study. A preview of the interview will be available on the video version of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion that week, and the full interview will be available on the podcast version of this show, available wherever you get your podcasts.Did you like this episode? Subscribe to The Cosmic Companion Newsletter! Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion is also available as a podcast from all major podcast providers. Or, add this show to your flash briefings on Amazon Alexa.See you around the Cosmos!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we take a look at aurora seen around a star for the first time, a new super-Earth is discovered just 100 light years from Earth, and Penn State researchers search for alien civilizations that may have already found life on our own world. Video version of this podcast:Aurora on Earth are best known on as northern and southern lights, but they can also occur between a pair of planetary bodies, such as Jupiter and its innermost large moon, Io. Now, for the first time, astronomers have detected aurora taking place between a star and planet. The star, known as GJ 1151, is closely orbited by an earth-sized world. Interactions between that planet and the star create changes in the magnetic field of GJ 1151, producing an aurora. The system sits just 27 light years from Earth.The discovery of an exoplanet in a star system less than 100 light years from our home planet has now been confirmed by astronomers using the Habitable-zone Planet Finder in Texas. This super-Earth, dubbed G 9-40b, is roughly twice as large as our home planet, and significantly more massive. The world orbits close to its cool red parent star, orbiting that body once every six days. First found by the Kepler spacecraft as the planet passed in front of its star as seen from Earth, this is the second-closest planet yet found using this technique.A new search for alien civilizations is looking at planets which may be able to find life on our own world. As planets orbit their sun, some of these exoplanets can be seen passing in front of their parent star as seen from Earth. Astronomers are able to deduce significant information about such exoplanets, including evidence of life. A new study from the Breakthrough Initiative is searching worlds that would see the Earth pass in front of the Sun as seen from the perspective of an extraterrestrial. After examining 20 such worlds, no radio signals were detected, but the search is only beginning in the hunt for extraterrestrial civilizations.On Tuesday, March 3rd, I will interview Sofia Sheikh of Penn State University, lead researcher on this study. A preview of the interview will be available on the video version of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion that week, and the full interview will be available on the podcast version of this show, available wherever you get your podcasts.Did you like this episode? Subscribe to The Cosmic Companion Newsletter! Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion is also available as a podcast from all major podcast providers. Or, add this show to your flash briefings on Amazon Alexa.See you around the Cosmos!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we meet the first European space telescope designed to study the Sun, and a massive young world is found in our galactic neighborhood. We also take a look up at Betelgeuse as one of the most familiar stars in the night sky may be preparing to explode, and we examine an odd radio signal from space which repeats every 16 days, leaving astronomers baffled.I also interview Dr. Gillian Wilson of the University of California, Riverside about her discovery of XMM-2599, a galaxy that lived fast and died young in the early Universe. Full interview in podcast only. Video version of this podcast:On February 10, the Solar Orbiter from the European Space Agency lifted off from Cape Canaveral on a mission to explore the Sun. This vehicle carries 10 instruments, each designed to study a different characteristic of our parent star. This is Europe's first mission to the Sun, and the spacecraft will work with NASA's Parker Solar Probe, attempting to understand solar activity which produces space weather that can affect Earth.A massive young planet has been discovered by astronomers just 330 light years from Earth. This world, known as 2MASS 1155–7919 b, is roughly 10 times larger than Jupiter, and orbits its parent star at a distance 600 times greater than the distance between the Earth and Sun. Just a handful of planets this size are known to astronomers, and this world is the closest yet found to our home world.On February 25th, I will interview Annie Dickson Vandevelde of the Rochester Institute of Technology about her discovery of this unusual planet. Listen to this full interview next week on the Astronomy News with the Cosmic Companion podcast.For several months, the normally bright star, Betelgeuse, seen in the constellation of Orion, has been noticeably dimming. This has led many astronomers, both professional and amateur, to speculate that this massive red giant star may be about to explode as a supernova. New observations by astronomers at the European Southern Observatory show this star is also changing shape, becoming more elongated. It is uncertain what is causing this, or if the star will be seen erupting in the immediate future, although chances of such an eruption seem slim at this time.Radio astronomers in Canada have recently discovered a source of radio waves from space which turns on and off on a 16-day cycle. Roughly once an hour for four days, the source emits a radio signal, which is then followed by twelve days of silence. Astronomers are uncertain what could be causing this unusual phenomenon, but the CHIME radio telescope in Canada which found the source uses technology which could help uncover its nature. This signal appears to be a unique type of fast radio burst, which were first discovered in 2007. Remember to rune in next week when I interview Dorothy Dickson-Vandervelde of the Rochester Institute of Technology about her discovery of 2MASS 1155–7919 b, the massive young exoplanet in our galactic neighborhood. Did you like this episode? Subscribe to The Cosmic Companion Newsletter! Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion is also available as a podcast from all major podcast providers. Or, add this show to your flash briefings on Amazon Alexa.See you around the Cosmos!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we meet the first European space telescope designed to study the Sun, and a massive young world is found in our galactic neighborhood. We also take a look up at Betelgeuse as one of the most familiar stars in the night sky may be preparing to explode, and we examine an odd radio signal from space which repeats every 16 days, leaving astronomers baffled.I also interview Dr. Gillian Wilson of the University of California, Riverside about her discovery of XMM-2599, a galaxy that lived fast and died young in the early Universe. Full interview in podcast only. Video version of this podcast:On February 10, the Solar Orbiter from the European Space Agency lifted off from Cape Canaveral on a mission to explore the Sun. This vehicle carries 10 instruments, each designed to study a different characteristic of our parent star. This is Europe's first mission to the Sun, and the spacecraft will work with NASA's Parker Solar Probe, attempting to understand solar activity which produces space weather that can affect Earth.A massive young planet has been discovered by astronomers just 330 light years from Earth. This world, known as 2MASS 1155–7919 b, is roughly 10 times larger than Jupiter, and orbits its parent star at a distance 600 times greater than the distance between the Earth and Sun. Just a handful of planets this size are known to astronomers, and this world is the closest yet found to our home world.On February 25th, I will interview Annie Dickson Vandevelde of the Rochester Institute of Technology about her discovery of this unusual planet. Listen to this full interview next week on the Astronomy News with the Cosmic Companion podcast.For several months, the normally bright star, Betelgeuse, seen in the constellation of Orion, has been noticeably dimming. This has led many astronomers, both professional and amateur, to speculate that this massive red giant star may be about to explode as a supernova. New observations by astronomers at the European Southern Observatory show this star is also changing shape, becoming more elongated. It is uncertain what is causing this, or if the star will be seen erupting in the immediate future, although chances of such an eruption seem slim at this time.Radio astronomers in Canada have recently discovered a source of radio waves from space which turns on and off on a 16-day cycle. Roughly once an hour for four days, the source emits a radio signal, which is then followed by twelve days of silence. Astronomers are uncertain what could be causing this unusual phenomenon, but the CHIME radio telescope in Canada which found the source uses technology which could help uncover its nature. This signal appears to be a unique type of fast radio burst, which were first discovered in 2007. Remember to rune in next week when I interview Dorothy Dickson-Vandervelde of the Rochester Institute of Technology about her discovery of 2MASS 1155–7919 b, the massive young exoplanet in our galactic neighborhood. Did you like this episode? Subscribe to The Cosmic Companion Newsletter! Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion is also available as a podcast from all major podcast providers. Or, add this show to your flash briefings on Amazon Alexa.See you around the Cosmos!- James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of The Cosmic Companion, we look at how the smallest subatomic particles could be responsible for all the matter in the Universe, the icy heart of Pluto could control the climate on that world, an ancient galaxy is discovered that lived fast and died young, The CHEOPS Space Telescope takes its first image, and the Cocoon Galaxy is found to have a rare double core.Video version of this podcast:When matter first formed in the early Universe, theories suggest antimatter should have been created in the same, identical proportions. These two families of particles should have completely annihilated each other long ago, according to current theories. However, the Universe consists almost entirely of matter.This may be explained if neutrinos, which only rarely interact with matter, changed just one in a billion particles of antimatter into matter, a new study suggests. This process may have produced gravitational waves which could be visible to a new generation of observatories. Finding such waves could prove this new theory, researchers suggest.---An artist's impression of CHEOPS in space. Image credit: ESA/ATG Media LabThe first space telescope from the European Space Agency dedicated to studying planets around other stars has returned its first image. The CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite, or CHEOPS, was launched on December 18th, on a mission to study exoplanets discovered by other telescopes. This first image was created to test systems on the spacecraft and on the ground, and further testing on the orbiting observatory will the carried out over the course of the next two months.---A giant heart-shaped feature on Pluto, named Tombaugh Regio, may play a significant role in driving climate on that world, a new study reveals. As the Heart of Pluto warms during the day, nitrogen is driven into the atmosphere. At night, this gas cools, falling back to Pluto as frozen nitrogen, in a regular cycle similar to a heartbeat, altering the climate of the dwarf planet.---Astronomers believe the cocoon galaxy and its smaller companion galaxy, called NGC 4485, are the products of an ancient collision between a pair of small spiral galaxies. Now, Iowa State astronomers have recognized a second galactic core within the larger galaxy. One of the cores is seen in visible light and has long been known to astronomers, while the newly-recognized second core is obscured by clouds, and is only visible in radio wavelengths.---An ancient galaxy recently discovered by astronomers apparently lived fast and died young. This family of stars thrived just one billion years after the Big Bang, experiencing a period of active star formation. Just 800 million years later, star production had ceased, leaving behind a dead galaxy. Researchers are uncertain why this galaxy, known as XMM-2599, died so quickly or what became of this stellar grouping after star production ceased. ---On February 18th, I will interview Dr. Gillian Wilson of the University of California Riverside, about her work on the recent discovery of this fast-living galaxy. Make sure to listen in to Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion right here, or on any major podcast provider.---Did you like this episode? Subscribe to The Cosmic Companion Newsletter! Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion is also available as a podcast from all major podcast providers. Or, add this show to your flash briefings on Amazon Alexa. Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of The Cosmic Companion, we look at how the smallest subatomic particles could be responsible for all the matter in the Universe, the icy heart of Pluto could control the climate on that world, an ancient galaxy is discovered that lived fast and died young, The CHEOPS Space Telescope takes its first image, and the Cocoon Galaxy is found to have a rare double core.Video version of this podcast:When matter first formed in the early Universe, theories suggest antimatter should have been created in the same, identical proportions. These two families of particles should have completely annihilated each other long ago, according to current theories. However, the Universe consists almost entirely of matter.This may be explained if neutrinos, which only rarely interact with matter, changed just one in a billion particles of antimatter into matter, a new study suggests. This process may have produced gravitational waves which could be visible to a new generation of observatories. Finding such waves could prove this new theory, researchers suggest.---An artist's impression of CHEOPS in space. Image credit: ESA/ATG Media LabThe first space telescope from the European Space Agency dedicated to studying planets around other stars has returned its first image. The CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite, or CHEOPS, was launched on December 18th, on a mission to study exoplanets discovered by other telescopes. This first image was created to test systems on the spacecraft and on the ground, and further testing on the orbiting observatory will the carried out over the course of the next two months.---A giant heart-shaped feature on Pluto, named Tombaugh Regio, may play a significant role in driving climate on that world, a new study reveals. As the Heart of Pluto warms during the day, nitrogen is driven into the atmosphere. At night, this gas cools, falling back to Pluto as frozen nitrogen, in a regular cycle similar to a heartbeat, altering the climate of the dwarf planet.---Astronomers believe the cocoon galaxy and its smaller companion galaxy, called NGC 4485, are the products of an ancient collision between a pair of small spiral galaxies. Now, Iowa State astronomers have recognized a second galactic core within the larger galaxy. One of the cores is seen in visible light and has long been known to astronomers, while the newly-recognized second core is obscured by clouds, and is only visible in radio wavelengths.---An ancient galaxy recently discovered by astronomers apparently lived fast and died young. This family of stars thrived just one billion years after the Big Bang, experiencing a period of active star formation. Just 800 million years later, star production had ceased, leaving behind a dead galaxy. Researchers are uncertain why this galaxy, known as XMM-2599, died so quickly or what became of this stellar grouping after star production ceased. ---On February 18th, I will interview Dr. Gillian Wilson of the University of California Riverside, about her work on the recent discovery of this fast-living galaxy. Ma--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this installment of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we examine the opening of two new observatories — one on the ground, and the other in space. We will also learn about a new study showing how artificial intelligence can be fooled in the search for extraterrestrial life, and we will remember the crew of the space shuttle Columbia, lost 17 years ago when their vehicle disintegrated on re-entry while returning home to Earth.An artist’s impression of the CHEOPS observatory in space. Image credit: ESA/ATG Media LabThe first public video of the Sun taken by the new Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii reveals the solar surface in unprecedented detail. The groundbreaking telescope features a primary mirror measuring four meters in diameter, as well as design capabilities capable of observing our parent star with stunning clarity.Solar activities drive space weather, which can adversely affect electronic devices on Earth, hindering communications. By better understanding activities on the Sun, researchers hope to better refine predictions of weather in space.Astronomers searching for signs of extraterrestrial life need to comb through vast amounts of data in order to find patterns in seemingly chaotic data. Over the last few years, many researchers are starting to use artificial intelligence to examine data, looking for patterns that could reveal the presence of life.However, a new study shows that artificial intelligence will sometimes recognize patterns where none exist. Images of a bright spot of ice and salt on the dwarf planet Ceres show a bright white marking, shaped like a square, but computerized analysis also reported a dark triangle surrounding that feature, where no such structure exists. This study suggests that both human and computerized analysis of data will be needed in the search for a life on other worlds.The CHEOPS space telescope from the European Space Agency is now in orbit, and ready to study planets around other stars. The orbiting observatory was launched December 18th and a cover protecting the optics has now been retracted.The infrared telescope will search other star systems known to have at least one planet, gathering detailed information on the target. Mission planners expect to release the first images from CHEOPS in the next two weeks.February 1st marked 17 years since the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated on reentry into the atmosphere of the Earth.The first-ever reusable crewed spacecraft broke up over the southwestern United States, killing all seven crew members. The work the astronauts carried out on this mission helped to develop the skills of long-term habitation of space, but the accident was one of the major events responsible for ending the space shuttle program.Video version of this podcast available at: http://bit.ly/Astronomy-News-Cosmic-Companion-Feb-4-2020Did you like this episode? Subscribe to The Cosmic Companion Newsletter! Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion is also available as a podcast from all major podcast providers. Or, add this show to your flash briefings on Amazon Alexa. Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this installment of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we examine the opening of two new observatories — one on the ground, and the other in space. We will also learn about a new study showing how artificial intelligence can be fooled in the search for extraterrestrial life, and we will remember the crew of the space shuttle Columbia, lost 17 years ago when their vehicle disintegrated on re-entry while returning home to Earth.An artist’s impression of the CHEOPS observatory in space. Image credit: ESA/ATG Media LabThe first public video of the Sun taken by the new Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii reveals the solar surface in unprecedented detail. The groundbreaking telescope features a primary mirror measuring four meters in diameter, as well as design capabilities capable of observing our parent star with stunning clarity.Solar activities drive space weather, which can adversely affect electronic devices on Earth, hindering communications. By better understanding activities on the Sun, researchers hope to better refine predictions of weather in space.Astronomers searching for signs of extraterrestrial life need to comb through vast amounts of data in order to find patterns in seemingly chaotic data. Over the last few years, many researchers are starting to use artificial intelligence to examine data, looking for patterns that could reveal the presence of life.However, a new study shows that artificial intelligence will sometimes recognize patterns where none exist. Images of a bright spot of ice and salt on the dwarf planet Ceres show a bright white marking, shaped like a square, but computerized analysis also reported a dark triangle surrounding that feature, where no such structure exists. This study suggests that both human and computerized analysis of data will be needed in the search for a life on other worlds.The CHEOPS space telescope from the European Space Agency is now in orbit, and ready to study planets around other stars. The orbiting observatory was launched December 18th and a cover protecting the optics has now been retracted.The infrared telescope will search other star systems known to have at least one planet, gathering detailed information on the target. Mission planners expect to release the first images from CHEOPS in the next two weeks.February 1st marked 17 years since the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated on reentry into the atmosphere of the Earth.The first-ever reusable crewed spacecraft broke up over the southwestern United States, killing all seven crew members. The work the astronauts carried out on this mission helped to develop the skills of long-term habitation of space, but the accident was one of the major events responsible for ending the space shuttle program.Video version of this podcast available at: http://bit.ly/Astronomy-News-Cosmic-Companion-Feb-4-2020Did you like this episode? Subscribe to The Cosmic Companion Newsletter! Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion is also available as a podcast from all --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone! This week, we look at the origins of the building blocks of life on Earth, as well as how an ancient impact may have set the stage for the proliferation of life on our world. The origin of complex chemistry on one of the moons of Saturn is uncovered, and Mars may have one been home to salty oceans like those found on Earth, new data reveals.Follow Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion on any major podcast provider! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone! This week, we look at the origins of the building blocks of life on Earth, as well as how an ancient impact may have set the stage for the proliferation of life on our world. The origin of complex chemistry on one of the moons of Saturn is uncovered, and Mars may have one been home to salty oceans like those found on Earth, new data reveals.Follow Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion on any major podcast provider! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone! This week, we look at a new theory which could explain a mysterious glow of gamma radiation from deep space, and we will see how the Solar System may have once been divided by a barrier, altering the formation of planets. We will also examine new findings about dark matter, while the discovery of strange objects near the core of the Milky Way perplexes astronomers. New simulations provide evidence that a massive asteroid was the major factor leading to the extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago, and dead galaxies from the early age of our Universe provides clues about the evolution of families of stars like The Milky Way.Follow Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion on any major podcast provider! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone! This week, we look at a new theory which could explain a mysterious glow of gamma radiation from deep space, and we will see how the Solar System may have once been divided by a barrier, altering the formation of planets. We will also examine new findings about dark matter, while the discovery of strange objects near the core of the Milky Way perplexes astronomers. New simulations provide evidence that a massive asteroid was the major factor leading to the extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago, and dead galaxies from the early age of our Universe provides clues about the evolution of families of stars like The Milky Way.Follow Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion on any major podcast provider! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Happy New Year! For the first podcast of 2020, we will discuss how astronomers may find life on distant exoplanets, and we examine the deaths of stars and the formation of black holes. One black hole may not be as large as was originally measured, while another may not be there at all. The TESS spacecraft finds a planet orbiting a pair of stars, and a massive exoplanet is seen spiraling toward its sun. Water is seen leaving Mars at a far greater rate than expected, and new calculations shed new light on the deaths of stars. Follow the Cosmic Companion on any major podcast provider!James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Happy New Year! For the first podcast of 2020, we will discuss how astronomers may find life on distant exoplanets, and we examine the deaths of stars and the formation of black holes. One black hole may not be as large as was originally measured, while another may not be there at all. The TESS spacecraft finds a planet orbiting a pair of stars, and a massive exoplanet is seen spiraling toward its sun. Water is seen leaving Mars at a far greater rate than expected, and new calculations shed new light on the deaths of stars. Follow the Cosmic Companion on any major podcast provider!James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to the latest episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion!This week, we look at a new method for determining whether or not planets orbiting other stars have atmospheres, we see how starquakes could help us determine the age of the Milky Way, and a new guide to atmospheres of exoplanets could assist in the search for life on other worlds.My apologies for the crackling noise - I was trying new equipment and couldn’t get it to work just perfectly, exactly right. :) An artist’s concept of what the surface of Proxima b may look like, although details are uncertain. Image credit: ESO/M. KornmesserKeep checking back at: thecosmiccompanion.com for more space and astronomy news, and add Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion to your flash briefing on Amazon Alexa!View the video version of each week’s episode on my YouTube channel, or get advance copies of the video episodes with any paid subscription.Give a gift subscription starting at just $5 a month or $50 a year!Or, if you enjoyed this episode, you can buy me a cup of coffee - I LOVE coffee!Thanks!James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to the latest episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion!This week, we look at a new method for determining whether or not planets orbiting other stars have atmospheres, we see how starquakes could help us determine the age of the Milky Way, and a new guide to atmospheres of exoplanets could assist in the search for life on other worlds.My apologies for the crackling noise - I was trying new equipment and couldn’t get it to work just perfectly, exactly right. :) An artist’s concept of what the surface of Proxima b may look like, although details are uncertain. Image credit: ESO/M. KornmesserKeep checking back at: thecosmiccompanion.com for more space and astronomy news, and add Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion to your flash briefing on Amazon Alexa!View the video version of each week’s episode on my YouTube channel, or get advance copies of the video episodes with any paid subscription.Give a gift subscription starting at just $5 a month or $50 a year!Or, if you enjoyed this episode, you can buy me a cup of coffee - I LOVE coffee!Thanks!James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This is black hole week on The Cosmic Companion, featuring discussion of the first serious ideas of planets orbiting black holes, we hear how astronomers may have uncovered the secrets of powerful regions of radiation around these objects, and the largest stellar-mass black hole ever seen is spotted in our home galaxy. An artist’s conception of a black hole, surrounded by gas. Image credit: Gerd Altmann | PixabayKeep checking back at: thecosmiccompanion.com for more space and astronomy news, and add Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion to your flash briefing on Amazon Alexa!View the video version of each week’s episode on my YouTube channel, or get advance copies of the video episodes with any paid subscription. Give a gift subscription starting at just $5 a month or $50 a year! Or, if you enjoyed this episode, you can buy me a cup of coffee - I LOVE coffee!Thanks!James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This is black hole week on The Cosmic Companion, featuring discussion of the first serious ideas of planets orbiting black holes, we hear how astronomers may have uncovered the secrets of powerful regions of radiation around these objects, and the largest stellar-mass black hole ever seen is spotted in our home galaxy. An artist’s conception of a black hole, surrounded by gas. Image credit: Gerd Altmann | PixabayKeep checking back at: thecosmiccompanion.com for more space and astronomy news, and add Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion to your flash briefing on Amazon Alexa!View the video version of each week’s episode on my YouTube channel, or get advance copies of the video episodes with any paid subscription. Give a gift subscription starting at just $5 a month or $50 a year! Or, if you enjoyed this episode, you can buy me a cup of coffee - I LOVE coffee!Thanks!James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we take a look at how astronomers and astrophysicists are perplexed by different values obtained when measuring the expansion rate of the Universe, one of the most important numbers needed to determine the past and present behavior of the Cosmos. We also examine how the angle at which planets spin could affect their chances of developing life, and the discovery of a complex sugar inside an asteroid may help explain how life developed on Earth. Dr. Lucy Ziurys, professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona, and Dr. Tom Zega of the Lunar and Planetary LaboratoryIn addition, on this podcast of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, I also interview Dr. Lucy Ziurys, professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona, and Dr. Tom Zega of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory about their recent discovery showing how C60, or buckyballs, can form in space. Hear them tell the story about how they used a microscope to simulate conditions around a dying star, and what it could mean for the search for life around other stars.Keep checking back at: thecosmiccompanion.com for more space and astronomy news, including my new video series of this podcast!Watch each episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion on YouTube, or get advance copies of the video episodes with any paid subscription. Just $5 a month or $50 a year.Or, if you enjoyed this episode, you can buy me a cup of coffee - I LOVE coffee!Thanks!James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we take a look at how astronomers and astrophysicists are perplexed by different values obtained when measuring the expansion rate of the Universe, one of the most important numbers needed to determine the past and present behavior of the Cosmos. We also examine how the angle at which planets spin could affect their chances of developing life, and the discovery of a complex sugar inside an asteroid may help explain how life developed on Earth. Dr. Lucy Ziurys, professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona, and Dr. Tom Zega of the Lunar and Planetary LaboratoryIn addition, on this podcast of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, I also interview Dr. Lucy Ziurys, professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona, and Dr. Tom Zega of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory about their recent discovery showing how C60, or buckyballs, can form in space. Hear them tell the story about how they used a microscope to simulate conditions around a dying star, and what it could mean for the search for life around other stars.Keep checking back at: thecosmiccompanion.com for more space and astronomy news, including my new video series of this podcast!Watch each episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion on YouTube, or get advance copies of the video episodes with any paid subscription. Just $5 a month or $50 a year.Or, if you enjoyed this episode, you can buy me a cup of coffee - I LOVE coffee!Thanks!James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we take a look at NASA’s planned Artemis program, designed to bring humans to the Moon, and see how the new technology compares to Apollo. We will also look at new research showing how complex structures called C60, or buckyballs, can form in space around dying stars. Next week, The Cosmic Companion interviews Dr. Lucy Ziurys, professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona, and Dr. Tom Zega of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory about their recent discovery showing how these odd spheres of carbon can form in space.Hear them tell the story about how they used a microscope to simulate conditions around a dying star, and what it could mean for the search for life around other stars. Keep checking back at: thecosmiccompanion.com for more space and astronomy news, including my new weekly podcast!View the video version of each week’s episode on my YouTube channel, or get advance copies of the video episodes with any paid subscription. Just $5 a month or $50 a year.Or, if you enjoyed this episode, you can buy me a cup of coffee - I LOVE coffee!Thanks!James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we take a look at NASA’s planned Artemis program, designed to bring humans to the Moon, and see how the new technology compares to Apollo. We will also look at new research showing how complex structures called C60, or buckyballs, can form in space around dying stars. Next week, The Cosmic Companion interviews Dr. Lucy Ziurys, professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona, and Dr. Tom Zega of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory about their recent discovery showing how these odd spheres of carbon can form in space.Hear them tell the story about how they used a microscope to simulate conditions around a dying star, and what it could mean for the search for life around other stars. Keep checking back at: thecosmiccompanion.com for more space and astronomy news, including my new weekly podcast!View the video version of each week’s episode on my YouTube channel, or get advance copies of the video episodes with any paid subscription. Just $5 a month or $50 a year.Or, if you enjoyed this episode, you can buy me a cup of coffee - I LOVE coffee!Thanks!James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we examine what hydrothermal vents on Earth can teach us about alien life, questions are raised about a spherical Universe, and NASA opens Apollo rock samples preparing to return humans, once more, to the lunar surface.Keep checking back at: thecosmiccompanion.com for more space and astronomy news, including my new weekly podcast!View the video version of each week’s episode on my YouTube channel, or get advance copies of the video episodes with any paid subscription. Just $5 a month or $50 a year.Or, if you enjoyed this episode, you can buy me a cup of coffee - I LOVE coffee!Thanks!James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we examine what hydrothermal vents on Earth can teach us about alien life, questions are raised about a spherical Universe, and NASA opens Apollo rock samples preparing to return humans, once more, to the lunar surface.Keep checking back at: thecosmiccompanion.com for more space and astronomy news, including my new weekly podcast!View the video version of each week’s episode on my YouTube channel, or get advance copies of the video episodes with any paid subscription. Just $5 a month or $50 a year.Or, if you enjoyed this episode, you can buy me a cup of coffee - I LOVE coffee!Thanks!James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we examine new ideas about the magnetic field of the Sun, look at how massive worlds orbiting near their sun interact and collide with each other, and the discovery of a new exoplanet was due to an amateur astronomer and Albert Einstein.Keep checking back at: thecosmiccompanion.com for more space and astronomy news, including my new weekly podcast!View the video version of each week’s episode on my YouTube channel, or get advance copies of the video episodes with any paid subscription. Just $5 a month or $50 a year. Or, if you enjoyed this episode, you can buy me a cup of coffee - I LOVE coffee! Thanks! James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion, we examine new ideas about the magnetic field of the Sun, look at how massive worlds orbiting near their sun interact and collide with each other, and the discovery of a new exoplanet was due to an amateur astronomer and Albert Einstein.Keep checking back at: thecosmiccompanion.com for more space and astronomy news, including my new weekly podcast!View the video version of each week’s episode on my YouTube channel, or get advance copies of the video episodes with any paid subscription. Just $5 a month or $50 a year. Or, if you enjoyed this episode, you can buy me a cup of coffee - I LOVE coffee! Thanks! James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone! Here’s the second (and newest) episode of the new podcast, Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion. This week, we explore evidence that Mars was once home to large salty lakes, take a new look at the expansion rate of the Universe, and consider the idea that an asteroid broke up before hitting Earth 12,800 years ago, triggering the Younger Dryas extinction.Sneak previews of the video version of this show are available to all paid subscribers! Let’s take off! - James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone! Here’s the second (and newest) episode of the new podcast, Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion. This week, we explore evidence that Mars was once home to large salty lakes, take a new look at the expansion rate of the Universe, and consider the idea that an asteroid broke up before hitting Earth 12,800 years ago, triggering the Younger Dryas extinction.Sneak previews of the video version of this show are available to all paid subscribers! Let’s take off! - James Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

October 20, 2019In this first-ever Cosmic Companion podcast, we look at yhe first all-female spacewalk, a new look at the search for life on Mars by the Viking landers, growing crops in space, and searching for rocky planets in alien solar systems by looking at the corpses of dead stars!Keep checking back at: thecosmiccompanion.com for more space and astronomy news, including my new weekly podcast! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

October 20, 2019In this first-ever Cosmic Companion podcast, we look at yhe first all-female spacewalk, a new look at the search for life on Mars by the Viking landers, growing crops in space, and searching for rocky planets in alien solar systems by looking at the corpses of dead stars!Keep checking back at: thecosmiccompanion.com for more space and astronomy news, including my new weekly podcast! Get full access to The Cosmic Companion at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe