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
354-Returnee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
What had appeared as a solitary point of light returns to near Earth to reveal that it is two asteroids in a tight dance.
353-Backwards [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A 2 mile diameter object bucks the solar system traffic by traveling in a direction backwards to all of the planets.
352-Worth Tracking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Asteroid Hunters Have Found A Very Large Potentially Close Approaching Space Rock.
351-Another Close One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Small Space Rocks Are Part of Our Environment.
350-Asteroid Defense [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Earth approaching asteroids are part of our environment.
349-Big and Fast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Large dangerous asteroids can still appear out of nowhere.
348-16 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A snap shot of the kinds of objects which constantly streak past our Earth.
347-Your Space Rock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Holding an object older than any other rock on the ground which is billions of years old and has traveled an unimaginable distance to be with you will be your payoff.
346-Arctic Ice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The polar ice caps are the smallest in recorded history. Get Ready for wild weather.
345-364days [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Interesting objects are zipping by us.