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
294-Dangerous Duo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Large unknown potentially dangerous asteroids are still out there.
293-From Luna [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A rock blasted from the Moon by the impact of an asteroid or comet may be on its way to Earth.
292-Disintegrating Comet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A comet is producing a 3,000 mile long trail of debris as it slowly comes apart.
291-Rose Rules [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Anyone who thinks women can't do computers and science needs to meet my Catalina Sky Survey teammate Rose Matheny.
290-Screaming Aten [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
An interesting object is spotted streaking across the night sky at the rate of 17 full moon diameters per day.
289-Strange Comet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A new comet is likely to have the characteristics of a really weird traveler in the night.
287-Heavenly Palace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
China is challenging America's historical preeminence in space exploration.
286-Neighboring World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Astronomers have discovered an Earth sized planet orbiting the closest star to our Sun.
285-Mars Impactors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A given piece of ground on Mars is more likely to be hit by a space rock than is an equal sized area on planet Earth. Someday Martian tourists may be treated to super meteor storms.