Site • RSS • Apple PodcastsDescription (podcaster-provided):
Find out more about our night sky, from new planets to far-off galaxies and the vastness of the Universe. A series of short talks and presentations for the general public from leading astronomy researchers at the Oxford University Physics department - http://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Public astronomy talks • exoplanets, atmospheres, planetary science • telescopes and spectroscopy • galaxies, cosmology, inflation, dark matter • black holes, gravitational waves, cosmic rays • citizen science • Mars/comet missions • meteors/asteroids • observing/astrophotographyThis podcast features short, public-facing talks from Oxford University astronomy researchers and invited speakers, offering an accessible tour of modern space science from nearby planets to the largest cosmic structures. Across the episodes, listeners encounter how astronomers observe and interpret the universe using a range of techniques and instruments, including infrared space telescopes, radio arrays, spectroscopy, and supercomputer simulations, as well as newer “messengers” such as gravitational waves and high-energy particles.
A major thread is planetary science and the search for worlds beyond the Solar System. The discussions cover how exoplanets are detected and characterized, what makes a planet potentially Earth-like, and what planetary atmospheres and clouds can reveal about conditions on different worlds. Solar System exploration also appears through robotic missions and updates on landmark projects, including Mars probes and comet landers.
Another recurring focus is high-energy and extreme astrophysics: black holes, exploding stars, cosmic rays, and the sources of the most energetic phenomena in space. At larger scales, the podcast examines galaxies and cosmology, including the growth of structure in the universe, dark matter, cosmic inflation, and what remains unknown about the universe’s origins and composition.
The series also highlights citizen science through Galaxy Zoo and Zooniverse, showing how public participation helps classify galaxies and address research questions. Practical observing and outreach topics appear as well, such as astrophotography and guidance for naked-eye stargazing, alongside occasional historical perspectives on ancient astronomical practices and broader debates about future human exploration.