Space on Earth

This episode explores how space science has shaped modern pop culture through movies, books, and music. From the sci-fantasy worlds of Star Wars to the physics-driven realism of Interstellar, the conversation examines how filmmakers balance scientific accuracy with imagination. The episode also dives into the survival science of The Martian and the hopeful, problem-solving spirit of Project Hail Mary, discussing concepts like time ...

This episode explores the field of astrogeology, explaining how scientists use the principles of Earth’s geology to study planets, moons, asteroids, and other solid bodies across the solar system. The hosts discuss key questions about planetary formation, impact craters, volcanic activity, water evidence, and rock composition, highlighting how these clues reveal the history of other worlds and our own. They also introduce pio...

In this episode of Space on Earth, student hosts Wyatt Wade and Lacey Collins explore the long-awaited Artemis II mission, from its delayed launch to its successful journey around the Moon and return to Earth. They highlight the mission’s cultural significance, including its diverse crew and connections to mythology, before breaking down the technical milestones such as launch, orbital maneuvers, trans-lunar injection, and th...

This episode explores the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, as both a scientific phenomenon and a source of artistic inspiration. The hosts explain how charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere, producing colorful light displays that vary by gas type and altitude. They discuss where and when auroras are most visible, including rare sightings farther south during strong solar storms....

In this episode, the hosts explore why space is silent and how we can still “hear” the universe. They explain that sound requires a medium like air, which the vacuum of space lacks, and describe how spacecraft such as Voyager 1 and Juno collect electromagnetic waves, plasma vibrations, and magnetic field data. Through sonification, scientists translate these signals into audible frequencies, producing the haunting cosmi...

In 1933, Fritz Zwicky discovered that galaxies were moving as if they contained far more mass than we could see, a mystery later confirmed by Vera Rubin when she showed galaxies should spin apart if only visible stars were holding them together. This invisible mass became known as dark matter. In this episode, Wyatt, Pascal, and HattieRose explore how math and redshift revealed this hidden structure of the universe and how the Nanc...

Hosts Heidi Rose, Shaylee, and new co-host Lacey interview Arwen Hubbard about space science communication and why it matters. Arwen shares what she loves most: staying close to new discoveries and building community through shared curiosity. The conversation explores how communicating science changes with different audiences, why uncertainty is one of the hardest ideas to explain, and how to balance “we do not know yet&rdquo...

In this first episode of 2026, returning student hosts Shaylee, Wyatt, and HattieRose kick off the new year with a look at what’s ahead. They preview upcoming podcast themes, highlight major space and sky events for 2026, including Artemis II, eclipses, and planetary viewing, and share what excites them most about space science. The hosts also introduce changes for the new season, including new co-hosts and a mo...

In this episode of Space on Earth, the team dives into the icy world of comets, the frozen leftovers from the birth of our solar system. They share what comets are made of, how their glowing tails form, and how these ancient travelers may have helped seed life on Earth. You’ll also learn how to spot two real comets visible right now, C/2025 A6 (Lemmon)and C/2025 R2 (SWAN), plus get tips for stargazing and tracking them in the...

This episode dives deep into the wonders and mysteries of Mars, exploring the Red Planet from every angle. Listeners learn about its size, gravity, seasons, and extreme temperatures, as well as its dramatic surface features like Olympus Mons and Valles Marineris. The hosts discuss Mars’ thin atmosphere, shifting dust storms, and long-gone rivers and lakes, raising the question of whether life once thrived there. The conversat...

In this episode of Space on Earth, the team pays tribute to Captain James “Jim” Lovell Jr., legendary Apollo 13 commander and one of NASA’s most accomplished astronauts. Hosts Taylor and Wyatt reflect on his remarkable career, from early days building model rockets to his four spaceflights that shaped the Space Age: Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, and the dramatic Apollo 13 mission. Along the way, they explore Love...

In this episode of Space on Earth, the team takes a deep dive into our star, the Sun: its classification, life cycle, and how it compares to other stars. They explore the Sun’s role as the engine of the solar system, its magnetic storms and auroras, and its influence on Earth’s climate and technology. The hosts highlight groundbreaking missions like the Parker Solar Probe, SOHO, and Solar Orbiter, revealing how scientis...

In this episode of Space on Earth, Taylor, Hattie Rose, Tulsi, and Wyatt dive into comparative planetology—the science of understanding other planets by comparing them to Earth. They explore how we use remote sensing, rovers, and past missions to study the geology of Mars, the Moon, and Venus, revealing insights about Earth’s own history. Wyatt shares how lunar samples from Apollo missions changed our understanding of t...