882-David’s Goliath PHA

882-David’s Goliath PHA

Author: Albert D. Grauer January 16, 2026 Duration: 2:01
My Catalina Sky Survey teammate David Rankin was asteroid hunting in the evening twilight with our 60 inch telescope on Mt. Lemmon Arizona when he spotted an unknown object in the constellation of Lyra. The largest telescopes on Earth will likely track David's discovery until it becomes too faint to observe in 2027 and catch it again when it again becomes bright enough to track in 2050. Fortunately it is extremely unlikely that it will strike Earth when it again comes close to our home planet in 2052.

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
384-Flying By [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A small asteroid tests planetary defenses.
383-Moon Water [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The Moon is water rich and can supply lunar colonists with many of their needs.
382-Martian Debris [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Our solar system is a much less violent place than it used to be.
381-Peaceful Star [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A new appreciation for our Sun is growing as we learn more about other suns and their families of planets. Go outside today and enjoy some gentle sunshine from our well behaved star.
380-Southern Colleagues [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A Small Telescope Makes A Significant Discovery.
379-Flying Mud Balls [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The most common type of asteroids are likely to have started out as giant convecting mud balls which could still exist at the center of large asteroids like Ceres.
378-Moon Express [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The Moon is a destination for human explorers.
377-Insider [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Large asteroids lurking inside the Earth's orbit can be hard to spot.
376-Active Asteroids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The Dark And Mysterious Sometimes Becomes The Bright And Beautiful.
375-Chelyabinsk Sized [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Small Earth approaching asteroids are part of our environment. Early Detection Is The Key