335E-354-Returnee

335E-354-Returnee

Author: Albert D. Grauer May 6, 2025 Duration: 2:01
On May 5, 2014 when I discovered 2014 JO25 with the Catalina Sky Survey's 60 inch telescope on Mt. Lemmon, Arizona it was the brightest, fastest asteroid I had ever seen. In April of 2017, 2014 JO25 returned to come within 1.1 million miles of us at 21 mi/s. This rare, very close approach by an asteroid, of 2014 JO25's size allowed scientists at NASA's Goldstone Solar System Radar in California and the National Science Foundation's Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico to obtain radar images of it. Amazingly these images showed that what we had observed as a solitary moving point of light and had assumed to be a single asteroid is actually two asteroids in contact with each other. This tight pair rotates about a common center of gravity about every 5 hours which in turn orbits the Sun in about three years. 41 days before its encounter with Earth, this tight pair was closer to the Sun than the planet Mercury.

Each episode of Travelers In The Night feels like a quiet, personal conversation under a dark sky. Hosted by astronomer Dr. Albert D. Grauer, this podcast brings the distant cosmos into sharp, intimate focus. Dr. Grauer isn't just an observer; he's an active participant in the hunt, working with the Catalina Sky Survey team that has consistently discovered near-Earth asteroids for years. In these brief and engaging segments, you'll hear firsthand accounts of what it's like to track these ancient celestial travelers-the asteroids and comets that silently pass by our world. The discussions move beyond simple facts to explore the real-world implications of these discoveries, from planetary defense to the sheer wonder of our dynamic solar system. Accompanied by the contemplative music of John Lyell's "Eternity," each installment offers a moment of calm reflection on humanity's place in the universe. It’s a perfect blend of grounded science and cosmic curiosity, making complex astronomical concepts accessible and deeply fascinating. For anyone who has ever looked up and wondered what's out there moving in the dark, this podcast provides a direct line to the front lines of discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 1000

Travelers In The Night
Podcast Episodes
384-Flying By [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A small asteroid tests planetary defenses.
383-Moon Water [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The Moon is water rich and can supply lunar colonists with many of their needs.
382-Martian Debris [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Our solar system is a much less violent place than it used to be.
381-Peaceful Star [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A new appreciation for our Sun is growing as we learn more about other suns and their families of planets. Go outside today and enjoy some gentle sunshine from our well behaved star.
380-Southern Colleagues [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A Small Telescope Makes A Significant Discovery.
379-Flying Mud Balls [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The most common type of asteroids are likely to have started out as giant convecting mud balls which could still exist at the center of large asteroids like Ceres.
378-Moon Express [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The Moon is a destination for human explorers.
377-Insider [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Large asteroids lurking inside the Earth's orbit can be hard to spot.
376-Active Asteroids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The Dark And Mysterious Sometimes Becomes The Bright And Beautiful.
375-Chelyabinsk Sized [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Small Earth approaching asteroids are part of our environment. Early Detection Is The Key