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
404-Jess's Find [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
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403-Double Comet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A strange object consisting of two mile diameter asteroids surrounded by a gas cloud is orbiting our Sun.
402-Above Scotland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The CubeSat industry is making relatively low cost exploration of space possible and is creating heretofore undreamed of opportunities for the human exploration of space.
401-Night Vision [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Experience the wonders of the Universe first hand using your night vision.
400-Roving Venus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
To Survive on Venus where the temperature is 864F and the surface air pressure is 90 times that of Earth, NASA and JPL engineers are exploring the concept of avoiding the use of modern temperature sensitive electronics b…
399-Moons of Florence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The largest asteroid to come near the Earth in 100 years has two moons.
398-Mars Rocks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A visitor from Mars lands near Tata, Morocco on July 11, 2011. Pieces of it are worth 10 times their weight in Gold.
397-Spotting Meteors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Meteors, shooting stars, or falling stars are different names for the streaks of light in the night sky which are in reality the dying embers of tiny asteroids. Observing a meteor shower can be a WOW inspiring experience…
396-Jupiter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Jupiter has been observed by humans through out history, shaped our solar system, and made it possible for Earth to form.
395-House Sized Space Rocks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
There are approximately 3.2 million Earth approaching asteroids similar in size to the Chelyabinsk impactor which injured nearly 1,500 people and damaged more than 7,000 buildings in February of 2013.