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
474-Earth-Venus Shuttle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A 100 foot diameter asteroid is spotted on one of it's regular trips between the orbits of Venus and Earth. It's ultimate fate is to collide with one of these planets producing a spectacular light show.
473-Ryugu Bound [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is conducting a six year flight from Earth to a potentially hazardous asteroid, Ryugu, and return a sample of it to Earth for study. Ryugu is likely to have under gone little change…
472-Martian Mysteries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Two exciting new scientific discoveries have ignited our curiosity and are guiding our search for evidence of past and/or present life on Mars.
471-Botswana Bound [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A small space rock with a diameter less than the height of an NBA basketball player had just crossed the orbit of our Moon on a collision course with Earth when it was spotted streaking through the constellation of Scorp…
470-Martian Asteroid Hunters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The life of an asteroid hunter on Mars will be interesting and exciting. The double planet, our Earth and Moon, in the Martian night sky will be an unforgettable sight and well worth the trip.
469-Flying Couch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
My birthday present from outer space was the opportunity to use the Catalina Sky Survey's 60 inch telescope on Mt. Lemmon, Az to discover a tiny sofa couch sized asteroid as it was flying through the constellation of Boo…
468-Peek A Boo Asteroid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A strange asteroid plays hide and seek with frustrated astronomers.
467-Time Travel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Looking out into space takes you back in time. To experience time travel go to a natural night sky location like the Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary or another location on the darksky.org website.
466-Dangerous Impactors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Asteroid hunters have discovered more than 90% of the Earth approaching asteroids whose impact could cause global climate change. It was thus unusual when the Catalina Sky Survey found two, new, such giant space rocks in…
465-Returnee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
After being lost for ten years, the asteroid 2010 WC9 was re-discovered about a week before it came very close to Earth.