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
324-Newborn Planets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Astronomers are able to view the rare occurrence of planets in formation with the ALMA radio telescope in Chile.
323-Big Splash [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
An asteroid impacting into the ocean would create a big splash but not a tsunami.
322-Dust Stories [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Tiny messengers from outer space enter our atmosphere every day. Collect your own beautiful micro-meteorite sample.
321-Dangereous Comet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Humanity should be ready in the unlikely but potentially catastrophic situation in which a comet comes out of nowhere and is heading for planet Earth.
320-WOW What a Ride [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A potentially hazardous asteroid crosses the orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. It must be made of durable rocky material to survive its close approaches to the Sun.
319-Lost and Found [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A 426 foot diameter asteroid is found after being lost for 15 years.
318-Caves of Mars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
It is intriguing to consider that deep inside Mars all of the necessary ingredients for life may be present together.
317-Psyche Water [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The asteroid Psyche may be one of the most expensive pieces of real estate in the solar system.
316-Weird Centaur [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Centaurs are named after the mythical beasts which were half human and half horse perhaps because they have characteristics of both asteroids and comets.
315-See Comets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
2017 will be a good year to view comets with your unaided eye or a pair of binoculars.