351E-376-Active Asteroids

351E-376-Active Asteroids

Author: Albert D. Grauer August 26, 2025 Duration: 2:01
When it was first spotted by astronomers at Space Watch on Kitt Peak, 2008 GO98 appeared to be one of many outer main belt asteroids moving through the night sky. 9 years later when my Catalina Sky Survey teammate Greg Leonard observed it with our 60 inch telescope on Mt. Lemmon it had a coma and a tail like a comet. Active asteroids like 2008 GO98 have asteroid orbits but sometimes show cometary activity which could be caused by a collision with another object and/or by thermal fracturing and ice sublimation caused by the slight warming they obtain from sunlight.

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
32E-44-A Unique Metal World; Asteroid Psyche [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The asteroid Psyche is named for a Greek mythological figure. It was discovered in 1852 as a moving point of light in the night sky. This small world is about 155 miles in diameter and orbits the Sun between Mars and Jup…
543 Asteroid Zoo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
In 2018 Asteroid Hunters discovered 1839 previously unknown space rocks as they passed through our celestial neighborhood. The largest and most dangerous can come to a mere 1,000 miles from humanity. Fortunately, it is n…
31E-43-First Earth-Size Planet In 'Habitable Zone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The Kepler Space Craft has found tiny regular dips in light from a star which is about 500 light years away in the constellation of Cygnus. The dips in brightness come about when planets pass between their star and the E…
542 Toughest Asteroid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
An asteroid has been discovered that comes very near to the Sun where it receives 12.6 times the radiation that heats the planet Mercury's surface to 800 F. This hardy space rock has made this trip many times and is like…
30E-42-Astronauts Reveal Sobering Data on Asteroid Impacts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
On Earth Day Astronauts Dr. Ed Lu, Tom Jones, and Bill Anders announced that between 2000 and 2013, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization Network detected 26 explosions on Earth ranging in energy from 1-600 kilotons o…
541 Most Dangerous in 2018 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Fortunately, on its current path, the most dangerous asteroid discovered in 2018 cannot come closer than 12.5 times the Moon's distance to humanity. Not to worry. Asteroid Hunters have not found a single space rock on a…
29E-41-Navigating The Night Sky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
To the human eye the night sky is a source of mystery and wonder. Our ancestors knew it well. There is a connection to the cosmos that is hard to describe which you will achieve by knowing the names of some of the bright…
540 Loneliest Asteroid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Being a near Earth asteroid is already a lonely existence since the paths of these small space rocks seldom bring them near any other material objects as they travel about the Sun. The loneliest asteroids of all could be…
28E-40-Itokawa A Strange Space Peanut [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The asteroid Itokawa [e toe kawa] is as odd as a barbell with a 29 lb weight on one end and and 18 lb weight on the other. It was discovered in 1998 as a moving point of light in the night sky by the LINEAR project in Ne…
539-Close Approaches [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
During a recent 30 day period, 11 small space rocks passed closer to us than the Moon. If one of them were to enter our atmosphere and you were directly under such an impact you would hear a loud noise as this tiny objec…