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
304-Close One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Tracking a small asteroid as it makes a very close approach to planet Earth.
303-CRASH [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Traveling to Mars is a risky business.
302-Sensing A Comet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Combining Art and Science gives us a new way to appreciate the wonders of the Universe.
301-Visitors From Afar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A pair of comets visiting our neighborhood are discovered in a matter of 4 days.
300-Biggest Ear [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
China's new big ear will be the most sensitive receiver to search for signals from alien civilizations.
299-Sporadic Geysers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The Hubble Space Telescope has spotted geysers erupting from Jupiter's Moon Europa.
298-Rosetta [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A comet nucleus is a dynamic world of its own.
297-White Sky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Inappropriate night time outside lighting causes accidents and does not deter crime. However, it blinds you from the beauty of the Universe which surrounds you.
296-Tilted History [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Where you are from and where you live has been influenced by changes in the tilt of the Earth's axis of rotation relative to its orbit around the Sun.
295-Close Passes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Small close approaching space rocks are part of our environment.