Looking for Alien Life

Looking for Alien Life

Author: The Royal Astronomical Society June 25, 2020 Duration: 38:57
The search for alien life continues. Dr Becky Smethurst and Izzie Clarke explore the world of astrobiology and astronomer Robert Massey joins them to take on your extraterrestrial questions. Plus, they discuss the "broken pipeline" for black and minority ethnic physicists with Dr Sheila Kanani, and what to look for in the night sky this month. 

With special thanks to Professor Jane Greaves from Cardiff University. 

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham


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Hosted by science journalist Izzie Clarke and astrophysicist Dr. Becky Smethurst, The Supermassive Podcast is a journey through the cosmos produced by The Royal Astronomical Society. Each episode blends cutting-edge science with historical context, creating a rich narrative that connects past discoveries to present-day mysteries. You’ll hear conversations with leading researchers breaking down complex ideas, from gravitational slingshots to the nature of time itself, alongside deep dives into archival material that reveals how our understanding of the universe has evolved. The tone is both curious and conversational, making even the most profound concepts in physics and astronomy feel accessible and exciting. Regular contributions from Dr. Robert Massey offer practical guidance for observing the night sky, grounding the theoretical in the tangible. This isn't just a series of interviews; it's an exploration driven by listener questions, which range from the wonderfully weird to the fundamentally profound, ensuring every topic has a direct link to shared human curiosity. Tuning into this podcast feels like having a front-row seat to the latest scientific discussions while being reminded of the long, fascinating history that got us here. It’s where the biggest questions about black holes, multiverses, and our place in the cosmos are met with genuine enthusiasm and expert insight, all delivered with a distinctly engaging energy.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 111

The Supermassive Podcast
Podcast Episodes
21: Icy Worlds [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:37
Wrap up warm, because this month Izzie and Dr Becky are exploring the icy worlds in the solar system. To help, they're joined by Caroline Harper, Head of Space Science at the UK Space Agency, to discuss the new mission h…
20: Firey Worlds [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:20
Izzie and Dr Becky are turning up the heat and exploring the fiery worlds in our solar system. From planets close to the Sun to a distant world of volcanoes and lava. Joining them are planetary scientist Professor David…
19: Radiation Belts and Billionaires [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:44
This month it’s all about the trapped charged particles around our planet - the Van Allen radiation belts. Izzie and Dr Becky find out all about them with the help of Dr Maria Theresia Walach from Lancaster University, a…
18: A Hunk of Space Junk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:35
Grab your dustpan and brush… This month, Izzie and Dr Becky get to grips with the leftovers from space activity, it's all about space junk. Joining them are engineer Dr Hugh Lewis from the University of Southampton, who…
17: Hunting for Planet 9 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:54
Is it a planet? Is it a black hole? Is it even real? This month, Izzie and Dr Becky try and get to the bottom of the mysterious planet nine - an enigmatic - and so far invisible - ninth planet in our solar system. Helpin…
16: Mysteries of the Kuiper Belt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:12
“It’s like the evidence left over after a crime.” This month Izzie and Dr Becky venture into the outer Solar System to explore a sea of weird rocks, a squashed snowman and ice volcanoes on a demoted planet. They are join…
15: Neutron Stars - with Jocelyn Bell Burnell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:25
"I was tracking down every signal that it picked up, and there was one signal that I couldn't make sense of." Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell gives Izzie and Dr Becky a neutron star 101 and tells them how she discove…
14: A Star Is Born [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:11
This month, Izzie and Dr Becky are shining a light on the first stars in the Universe. When did they form? And could any still exist today? Plus, they explore the life of Cecelia Payne Gaposchkin, the astrophysicist who…
13: New Year, New Universe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:33
Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst are kicking off the new year with the beginning of everything, the Big Bang. They speak with Professor David Wands who explains how our universe began, and dive into the historical deb…
12: Gamma Rays & Christmas Stars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:34
This month, Izzie & Becky are taking astronomy to the extremes with gamma ray expert, Professor Paula Chadwick, and Professor Julian Osborne from the SWIFT Observatory. Plus, Robert Massey shares his top tips for stargaz…