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
354-Returnee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
What had appeared as a solitary point of light returns to near Earth to reveal that it is two asteroids in a tight dance.
353-Backwards [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A 2 mile diameter object bucks the solar system traffic by traveling in a direction backwards to all of the planets.
352-Worth Tracking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Asteroid Hunters Have Found A Very Large Potentially Close Approaching Space Rock.
351-Another Close One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Small Space Rocks Are Part of Our Environment.
350-Asteroid Defense [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Earth approaching asteroids are part of our environment.
349-Big and Fast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Large dangerous asteroids can still appear out of nowhere.
348-16 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A snap shot of the kinds of objects which constantly streak past our Earth.
347-Your Space Rock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Holding an object older than any other rock on the ground which is billions of years old and has traveled an unimaginable distance to be with you will be your payoff.
346-Arctic Ice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The polar ice caps are the smallest in recorded history. Get Ready for wild weather.
345-364days [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Interesting objects are zipping by us.