Kalam Astro

We profile the array of World Space Week activities at Sharjah's outstanding science museums. NASA updates share that Voyager 2's instruments are being deactivated as its power dwindles after decades past Neptune. In discovery news, scientists assess that some of Uranus' icy moons may have conditions to potentially support life. This week's stargazing notes the Draconids meteor shower and bright c...

We profile World Space Week 2022 which concludes on October 10th and highlights recent space achievements. JWST updates share its discovery deciphering the icy origins of Pluto's moon Charon thanks to infrared readings. Discovery segment looks at the latest breakthrough detecting vibrations from a "ringing" black hole caused by gravitational waves. This week's stargazing notes the Draconids meteor...

Embark on a cosmic odyssey as we explore the latest space updates and astronomical discoveries on "KALAM ASTRO." Join us as we delve into President Sheikh Mohamed's meeting with Emirati astronauts and university students, discuss the exciting prospect of space flights launching from the UAE by 2030, and uncover the fascinating findings of the James Webb Space Telescope and NASA's Perseverance rove...

Embark on a cosmic adventure as we delve into the latest space innovations and celestial phenomena on "KALAM ASTRO." Join us as we unravel the launch of the new company Fada offering protection against cybersecurity threats from space, explore updates on Boeing Starliner mission, ponder the intriguing concept of air in space, and witness the ethereal appearance of the New Moon's Invisible Phase. C...

We are joined by Mr. Amar Issa Mohamad, Director of Sharjah Academy's Astronomical Observatories Department. Mr. Amar introduces himself and his role, then discusses astronomical events to watch this month. In our first interview segment, he elaborates on upcoming celestial sights and tips for choosing the right telescope or binoculars. During the second interview, Mr. Amar shares how they engage...

We explore the possibility of a 'primordial' black hole passing through our solar system every decade based on recent studies. Updates share the 9 historic firsts achieved in 5 days by the crew of Polaris Dawn during their landmark private SpaceX mission. During discussion, your hosts take questions from listeners about black hole detection, solar sailing techniques and more. This week's stargazin...

We profile the first pan-Arab scientific satellite set to launch next summer on a Chinese rocket, uniting 22 Arab countries in space. Juno update shares NASA's probe spotted a massive new volcano on Jupiter's volcanic moon Io during a recent flyby. In discussion, we contemplate what the extraordinary implications would be if, hypothetically, Earth somehow orbited the Sun at the speed of light. Thi...

We discuss the UAE's Orbital Space joining China's ambitious plans to build an international Moon base in the coming decade. SpaceX news shares their successful launch of 4 private citizens on a 3-day orbital mission, in a space tourism first. An update on Boeing's uncrewed Starliner test flight, which landed safely back on Earth concluding challenges along the way. In other news, China moves up t...

We profile the UAE's ambitious 2028 mission to visit multiple asteroids and become the 4th nation to soft-land on an asteroid. In space news, scientists argue for an international agreement governing use of lunar water and other resources discovered. This week's frightening facts feature space hazards that are nightmarishly real versus science fiction. During Q&A, your host address questions f...

We explore how scientists have produced miniature black hole-like jets in the lab, replicating a key phenomena seen in the cosmos. NASA news shares that at last they've detected & characterized Earth's predicted but elusive electrical field using Swarm satellites. This week's information segment investigates how much further interstellar probe Voyager 1 can travel before losing power or contac...

We share some amusing anecdotes from astronauts about funny moments that occurred during spaceflights. Our discussion explores the quest to discover life elsewhere in the cosmos and the top candidate locations scientists are investigating. This week's information segment provides an overview comparing capabilities of the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes. During Q&A, listeners have their...

We contemplate what would happen if our planet Earth somehow became a massive black hole in an imaginative "what if" scenario. This week's facts cover rogue planets drifting through interstellar space, sounds detected in orbit, and stunning auroras seen from astronauts' vantage point. Our information segment illuminates the icy, dusty nature and behaviors of comets in our solar system and beyond....

We discuss why intelligent extraterrestrials may already know of humanity's presence in the cosmos. This week's facts uncover four real exoplanets with bone-chillingly hostile environments, from scorching tidal locks to perpetually pitch-black skies. Our research segment explores NASA's ambitious ongoing plans to establish a sustainable lunar base by 2030. During Q&A, we field listener questio...

We explore insights from the groundbreaking NASA Twins Study that compared effects of spaceflight on astronaut Scott Kelly to his earthbound identical twin. Our update discusses new estimates from astronomers on the total number of galaxies within the vast cosmos. Former NASA astronaut Story Musgrave shares memories of transiting the South Atlantic Anomaly, the so-called "Bermuda Triangle of space...

We marvel at the James Webb Space Telescope's newly released image depicting a shining galaxy 30 million light-years away. News shares NASA's plans to potentially utilize lasers for live lunar transmissions in the future. This week's information segment explores a once proposed 10th planet in our solar system - the mysterious Eris. Stargazing notes the Full Moon on August 19th nicknamed the "Sturg...

We marvel at dashing meteors from the annual Perseid meteor shower that illuminated desert night skies over the weekend. Our update shares news of reservoirs of liquid water detected under Mars’ surface, crucial findings for possibilities of past or present life. This week's research explores a new theory for the origins of asteroids with enigmatic “watermelon” shapes like Dimorphos and Selam. Dur...

We explore the unique and photogenic Hoag's Object, a rare ring galaxy over 750 million light-years away that is nicknamed "the best ring in the galaxy." Our update covers NASA's consideration to bring Boeing's stranded Starliner astronauts home aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule following the orbital flight mishap. This week's stargazing highlights the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower on Augu...

We kick off in segment 1 with answering listener questions on black holes, planets and stars. Segment 2 features part 1 of our exclusive interview with meteorite researcher Alreem Abdallah Alzarouni of Sharjah Academy. Segment 3 shares part 2 where Alreem discusses favorite celestial bodies, research methods and challenging problems solved. Segment 4 concludes our interview with a discussion of an...

We take listener questions on topics like what are black holes made of, how do planets form, and how long do stars live to provide a casual primer on basic space science. News shares footage captured by a space-junk tracking satellite of a discarded rocket floating in orbit, highlighting the growing orbital debris issue. Our update details Hubble's observation of a magnificent face-on spiral galax...

We discuss the Space Research Conference hosted by the UAE Space Agency, including the official visit of a delegation from Chile's space programs. Research shares insights from scientists estimating Saturn's iconic rings have less than 100 million years remaining based on analysis of ring-material dissipation rates. Our update examines the harrowing scenario faced by Boeing's Starliner astronauts...

We Plan to wish NASA's Curiosity Mars rover a happy 10th birthday since landing on the Red Planet back in 2012. News details NASA's discovery that Mercury holds a solid inner core estimated to be 10 miles of pure carbon in the form of diamond. Our update covers JWST achieving a direct imaging of one of its coldest exoplanet targets yet, further demonstrating its unprecedented observational power....

We commemorate Americans landing the first humans on the Moon in 1969, beating the Soviets in the space race. Also marking the anniversary of the 2020 launch of the UAE's Hope Mars orbiter, the Arab world's first interplanetary mission. News reports Turkey's inaugural domestically produced comms satellite now orbiting Earth. A feature shares how JWST detected dusty, wind-swept atmospheres on two b...

We discuss NASA transmitting Run-DMC's 'It's Tricky' to Venus via the Deep Space Network, the farthest a hip-hop song has ever travelled. News shares NASA has cancelled its VIPER lunar rover mission due to budget constraints, postponing plans to map water ice at the Moon's south pole. Our update examines the growing threat of space debris collisions in low Earth orbit, with implications for satell...

We discuss a new study finding that a lava tube cave on the moon could sustain human habitation, sheltering astronauts from radiation and micrometeoroids. Interview with Eng. Mohammed Al Zarouni from Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST): Introducing his role at SAASST and passion for space technology Contributions to enhancing academy's space assets & capabilit...

We discuss a new study revealing how intense particle bursts from the Sun could deplete Earth's protective ozone layer with impacts on life. News shares Hubble's discovery of the closest known massive black hole to our planet, frozen in time just 3,000 light-years away. In facts, we count down the five most insane exoplanets found in the cosmos based on extreme conditions and properties. For our l...