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
364-Laser Surfing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
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363-Scoping Planets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Humans can measure signs of life in nearby worlds.
362-Asteroid Day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
2017 Asteroid day events are being held at more than 500 hundred locations in 72 countries world wide. Participants at Asteroid Day events are encouraged to sign the 100X Declaration which seeks to increase the rate of d…
361-Nearby Planets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Discovering and researching conditions on relatively nearby planets is within our reach.
360-Rolling In [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A small space rock streaks past our home planet.
359-Ice World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
An Earth sized icy world has been discovered orbiting a small dim star.
358-Bigee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Large potentially dangerous asteroids are still out there.
357-Double Trouble [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
About 16% of the Earth approaching asteroids larger than 600 feet in diameter have orbiting companions.How do we defend against such a complex object if one is found to be on a collision course with planet Earth.
356-Seeds [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
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355-2 Suns [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
It is possible for a habitable planet to exist in a solar system with two suns.