349E-372-Trappist-1 Planets

349E-372-Trappist-1 Planets

Author: Albert D. Grauer August 12, 2025 Duration: 2:01
The Trappist-1 planetary system located about 40 light years away in the constellation of Aquarius consists of a small red dwarf star and 7 Earth sized planets. By carefully studying changes in the planet's transit timings and the shape of the dip in the host star's brightness as each planet transits across it, astronomers have been able to measure the orbital period, radius, and approximate mass for each of the 7 planets. Dr Billy Quarles of the University Oklahoma and his team used thousands of numerical simulations on super computers to investigate the range in each planet's parameters which would cause it to have a stable orbit and would thus produce the Trappist-1 solar system which we see today. Their results, published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters suggests that 6 of Trappist-1's planets have rocky composition like the Earth the remaining one may be composed of 25 % water by mass compared to 0.02% water by mass for Earth. The next step will be to use the James Web Space Telescope equipped with the latest scientific instruments to study the atmospheres of these distant worlds.

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
284-Dark Trails [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
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283-Micro-Astronomy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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A single crystal from space.
282-Biggest Rocket [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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NASA's Space Launch System Core Stage will start a new age of space exploration,
281-Starlight Walking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Experience the age old sense of wonder which happens when a human looks into deep space and thinks about what might be out there.
280-Ice Volcanos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Fire on Earth may be ice on other worlds.
279-Hottest [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Our world is undergoing an alarming warming.
278-Nope [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
This is the story of the big one that got away.
277-Old Girl [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Imagine a telescope old enough for Senior Citizen discounts, which has traveled between mountains, and started life with a metal mirror measuring one thing at time being equipped with a camera with 100 million pixels.
276-Big 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Large potentially dangerous asteroids are still out there.