381E-417-Red Dwarf Planets

381E-417-Red Dwarf Planets

Author: Albert D. Grauer March 24, 2026 Duration: 2:01
Astronomers continue to be delighted when they discover an Earth sized planet. Scientists were thus very disappointed when the red dwarf star hosting the nearest such planet, Proxima b some 4.2 light years away, turns out to have the nasty habit of emitting bursts of radiation which are likely to sterilize and/or remove the atmospheres of it's family of planets. Recently, hope of finding a nearby Earth was rekindled when scientists at the European Southern observatory in Chile discovered a small planet circling what appears to be a quiet well behaved red dwarf star 11 light years from us. Astronomers are not yet sure that this newly discovered Earth sized planet lies within it's stars habitable zone where liquid water could exist on it's surface. Jumping the gun, ET enthusiasts have beamed a friendly message in the direction of another nearby red dwarf planet system. Their target the super Earth planet, GJ 273b is located some 12.4 light years away near the bright star Sirius in the constellation of Canis Major. At this distance a civilization on GJ 273b could have already received a picture of humanity by deciphering 'I love Lucy' and other TV signals it has been picking up for 50 years or so. The next generation of very large telescopes will allow astronomers to search for the presence of oxygen and other molecules which indicate the presence of life in the atmospheres of nearby worlds. In the mean time we have more reasons to be thankful for what we have here on planet Earth. For Travelers in the Night this is Dr. Al Grauer. Go to travelersinthenight.org program 417 for more information.

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
314-Our Number [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The extremely unlikely scenario of an impactor with our number on it.
313-Martian Motherlode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Using ground the penetrating RADAR on the NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, scientists have discovered an ice deposit on Mars the size of New Mexico.
312-200 Yards Of Trouble [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
An asteroid which can come to within about an Earth circumference of the surface of our home planet needs watching.
311-Bright and Bald [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Humans are developing the ability to study an Earth approaching object to prepare for one that is on an impact trajectory with our home planet.
310-Ethics and Mars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Should martian microbes be sacrificed to human space exploration.
309-Tiny Atira [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Atira, named for the Pawnee goddess of Earth and the Morning and Evening Star orbits the Sun inside of our path.
308-Planning For Impact [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Planning for the unlikely event that an asteroid is on a collision course with planet Earth will minimize injury and the loss of life.
307-Stepping It Up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Competition gives humans the best chance to find dangerous objects and tax payers get more bang for their buck.
306-Egg Rock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The NASA/JPL Mars Curiosity Rover discovers a meteorite on Mars.
305-Murky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A very close approaching asteroid is observed to pass through the Earth's shadow.