EVSN - On Background - Comets, the Basics

EVSN - On Background - Comets, the Basics

Author: 365DaysOfAstronomy.org April 3, 2026 Duration: 15:55

From Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

In this special episode, funded by the National Science Foundation, we're taking a break from the headlines to share the background story of comets. Today, we'll focus on the origin of comets and their basic anatomy, and in future episodes, we'll dive deep into how comets are discovered, what we can learn from them, and how they can literally and figuratively impact our world.

 

We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs. 

Just visit: https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy and donate as much as you can!

Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too! 

Every bit helps! Thank you!

------------------------------------

Do go visit http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness!

http://cosmoquest.org/Donate This show is made possible through your donations. 

Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just click!)

------------------------------------

The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. http://www.psi.edu

Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org.


Imagine a daily conversation about the cosmos, where each sunrise brings a fresh perspective from a different corner of the globe. That’s the essence of The 365 Days of Astronomy. Born from the spirit of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy, this enduring project has evolved into a genuine community effort, releasing a new episode every single day. You won’t hear the same host each time; instead, the microphone passes to astronomers, educators, enthusiasts, and scientists, each sharing their unique passion and expertise. This structure means the tone and topic can shift wonderfully from one day to the next-you might delve into the mechanics of a black hole on Tuesday and then explore ancient celestial myths on Wednesday. The consistent thread is a shared wonder for the universe, presented in accessible, bite-sized pieces. Managed by Avivah Yamani and edited by Richard Drumm, this daily podcast is a production of the Planetary Science Institute, sustained by listener support. It’s a calendar of the cosmos, offering a daily moment of reflection and discovery that proves you don’t need a telescope to have your perspective shifted. Tuning in regularly builds a habit of cosmic curiosity, connecting the vastness of space to the rhythm of our own days.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 269

The 365 Days of Astronomy
Podcast Episodes
H'ad Astra Historia - Ep. 301 – Take the Gloves Off, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:10
Today we're talking with Dr. Richard Tresch Fienberg (https://aas.org/press/richard-tresch-fienberg), astronomer and science communicator, who shares his experiences as Expert Astronomer on Sky & Telescope magazine's Sep…
Cheap Astronomy - Dear CA Ep. 130: What's Next? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:28
Hosted by Steve Nerlich. Cheap Astronomy investigates things that haven't happened yet. - Dear Cheap Astronomy: When will the Sun destroy the Earth and can we stop it? - Dear Cheap Astronomy: Will we ever meet aliens? We…
Awesome Astronomy - Ozone Hole II Mega-Constellation Boogaloo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:23
Paul Hill and Dr. Jenifer "Dr. Dust" Millard host. Damien Phillips, John Wildridge and Dustin Ruoff produce. February Episode Part 2. This episode we chat about the potential ozone hole issue caused by mega constellation…
Astronomy Cast Ep. 783: Cataclysmic Variable Stars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:19
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzFgfN2B_k4 Hosted by: Fraser Cain (@frasercain) and Dr. Pamela L. Gay (@CosmoQuest) Streamed live on Feb 16, 2026. There are many types of variable stars. Today we're gonna talk about cat…
ASTROMAN - Solar Eclipse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:12
Episode 14. Our Sun is more than a glowing ball in the sky. It's a dynamic, ever-changing star at the peak of its solar cycle. In this episode of ASTROMAN: The Dark Sky Guardian, we learn how to safely observe sunspots a…
EVSN - The Sky is Falling! Space Junk 411 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:50
In this episode, we take a closer look at how the increasing number of rockets and satellites going up mean there is also an unfortunate increase in the space junk coming down. We also cover dramatic weather, stars dying…