863-Space Elevator

863-Space Elevator

Author: Albert D. Grauer August 22, 2025 Duration: 2:01
In a recent study Dr. Lynnane George and her co-authors investigate Space Elevator technology to remove materials from Ceres and deliver them to orbital depots around the solar system.  The tiny gravity of Ceres, nano-fiber technology, and different water propulsion systems are utilized by Dr. George and her team to construct theoretically possible systems which would extract raw materials from Ceres and deliver them to low Earth orbit and other locations within the solar system.  These researchers estimate such a transport system could reduce fuel costs by up to 60% compared to transport from the Earth’s surface. 

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
52E-64-Asteroid Brings Life's Ingredients to Earth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A unique opportunity occurred in January of 2000, when a large meteoroid exploded and rained down pieces onto the frozen surface of Tagish Lake in British Columbia.Dr. Christopher Herd of the University of Alberta said t…
563-Pre-Autumnal Harvest [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
On a clear but windy night, near the fall equinox, my Catalina Sky Survey teammate Greg Leonard was able to discover and verify 23 new Earth approaching objects as they passed through our celestial neighborhood.
51E-63-Rocks From Space Bearing Vitamin B3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Research indicates that Vitamin B3 can form on ice crystals in deep space. From there asteroids and comets can bring it to Earth. How rocks from space play into life as we know it remains a mystery for us to ponder.
562-Monster Space Rock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
An object the size of this huge space rock enters the Earth's atmosphere every 180,000 years with an energy of 5,800 megatons of TNT. The only place to survive would be in an underground bunker.
50E-62-From Big Dark Asteroid to Beautiful Bright Comet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
About 26 weeks after its discovery, astronomers in Australia were the first to notice that an asteroid was beginning to have a fuzzy appearance. Six weeks later, Damian Peach, in England, took a stunning image showing th…
561-Hannes Is Back [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
During the monsoon rainy season, my Catalina Sky Survey teammate, Hannes Groeller took a vacation in his native Austria. Returning to begin the fall season of observing with our Schmidt Telescope on Mt. Bigelow, Arizona,…
49E-61-There Are Still Big Ones Out There [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Asteroid Hunters have discovered almost 900 Earth Approaching Asteroids whose impact could trigger global climate change. Fortunately none of them are on a collision course with planet Earth. Statistically we expect that…
560-Wet Nights [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
One of the most frustrating situations for an asteroid hunter is a night when the stars are shining bright above the mountain but the humidity is so high that it is impossible to open the telescope's dome without damagin…
48E-60-A Close Visit With A Message [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Eric Christensen was observing with the NASA funded Catalina Sky Survey Telescope on Mt. Lemmon, Arizona when he discovered a bright fast moving object in the night sky. During the next 25 hours it was observed by telesc…
559-Farming Mars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
On Earth plants provide us with medicines, food to eat, and oxygen to breathe. In the future, in addition to providing treats like strawberries it turns out that tending to the needs vegetables and watching them grow can…