The Cosmic Savannah - When Telescopes Think - AI and The Future of Astronomy

The Cosmic Savannah - When Telescopes Think - AI and The Future of Astronomy

Author: 365DaysOfAstronomy.org May 23, 2026 Duration: 35:14

Hosted by Dr. Jacinta Delhaize, Dr. Tshiamiso Makwela, Dr. Daniel Cunnama & François Campher.

 

In this episode of The Cosmic Savannah, Dan and Francois sit down with Dr. Nick Erasmus to explore the ATLAS Digital Assistant and the growing role of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in astronomy. They discuss how these technologies are reshaping the modern astronomical landscape and what this means for the role of astronomers in the years ahead.

 

Dr. Nick Erasmus, a returning guest now in his third appearance on the show, works closely with the ATLAS telescopes and leads key components of the Intelligent Observatory initiative at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO). His work focuses on automating follow-up observations across telescopes, helping to streamline and modernise the observing process.

 

Using the new ATLAS Digital Assistant as a starting point, the conversation quickly broadens into a vibrant discussion about AI in science more generally. Dan, Francois, and Nick share their perspectives on the opportunities, challenges, and future directions of AI in astronomy.

 

Join us for a timely and engaging discussion at the intersection of astronomy and cutting-edge technology!

 

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: 100

The 365 Days of Astronomy
Podcast Episodes
Astronomy Cast Ep. 796: Oceans & Organics on Mars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:16
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwCk5uldz4g Hosted by: Fraser Cain (@frasercain) and Dr. Pamela L. Gay (@CosmoQuest) Streamed live on Jun 1, 2026. Mars is cold & dry today, but the evidence is growing that it used to be…
Equatorial Sky Guide - June Episode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:30
Hosted by our Director, Avivah Yamani. Mercury reaches its best evening appearance of the year, Venus and Jupiter meet in twilight, the Moon visits the planets, and the Milky Way shines brightly over equatorial skies. Jo…
EVSN - After Hours: Crowdsourcing Innovation with Trisha Epp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:28
From May 27, 2026. Trisha Epp joins us to talking about NASA's collaboration with Freelancer, and how Innovation is now getting crowdsourced. Join in to learn how to launch your own Moonshot! Guest Trisha Epp is a Physic…
Guide To Space - Lunar Rovers, From Apollo to Artemis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:35
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=larzCw9Vn-w From Jul 21, 2020. When the Apollo astronauts first landed on the Moon, they couldn't go far on foot. That's why the three final missions were equipped with Lunar Roving Vehicl…
Ask A Spaceman Ep. 273: What if the Universe Had No Beginning? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:11
Hosted by Dr. Paul M. Sutter. What does is mean for the Universe to have a wave function? How does Hawking's "no boundary" proposal mean that the Universe comes from itself? And is it really the final answer? I discuss t…
Astronomy Cast Ep. 795: Expanse Science [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:09
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n14RYk2qFtc Hosted by: Fraser Cain (@frasercain) and Dr. Pamela L. Gay (@CosmoQuest) Streamed live on May 10, 2026. This is the final episode of our series on sci-fi universes. And this we…