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
344-Gnats [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Small asteroids swarm about the Earth in its orbit around the Sun like gnats around an outdoor light in the summer time.
343-Mars Window [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Humans are sending a fleet of their emissaries to Mars in 2020.
342-That's Close [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A small asteroid, which could pass under a basketball hoop, missed the Earth by about 9,000 miles.
341-Ballooning to Space [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A ride under a balloon can give you several hours to enjoy the wonders of the Earth and its curvature against the back drop of space.
340-Carson's Comet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
In the distant future, Carson's first comet discovery is likely to impact a planet or be ejected from the solar system.
339-No Need To Smile [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The company called Planet has 149 satellites orbiting the Earth which are imaging the Earth's entire land area every day.
338-Psyche Bound [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A spacecraft will be launched to visit a small metal world whose composition is likely to be worth 10,000 quadrillion dollars on today's market.
337-Lucy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The Lucy Spacecraft, named after the human fossil Lucy, will revolutionize our knowledge of the origins of our solar system.
336-Meteorite Mystery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Travel to the South Pole to Solve A Mystery.
335-DART [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
When Failure Is Not A Good Option.