Astronomy (Audio)

New state-of-the-art chronologic measurements of rocks brought to Earth by Apollo astronauts reveal that many of the historical age determinations are erroneous. The new measurements presented by cosmochemist Lars Borg demonstrate that the Moon's mantle and crust formed contemporaneously between 4.33 and 4.38 billion years ago. Series: "Lawrence Livermore National Lab Science on Saturday" [Science...

Our planet has been continually bombarded by asteroids since its formation, 4.5 billion years ago. While the frequency of large impacts has decreased, many potential Near-Earth Object threats remain undiscovered, so if or when they will impact Earth remains unknown. Fortunately, if an Earth-threatening asteroid is discovered in time, there are ways to mitigate or even prevent a disaster. Scientist...

The Additive Rocket Corporation utilizes state of the art metal additive manufacturing techniques coupled with advanced design and test processes to create thrust chambers for the space market. The company's revolutionary methods allow for the design and production of specifically tailored and mission specific propulsion solutions. CSO Reiley Weekes and CTO Kyle Adriany share more about their uniq...

Scott Kelly spent a year in the International Space Station while his identical twin Mark Kelly was on earth. UC San Diego and many institutions studied the mental, cardiovascular, immune, genetic, muscular, microbial, bone, and eye changes in both twins to see the effects of long-term space travel. Changes were troubling, so NASA plans several more long-term space flights that will focus on genet...

Cosmologist and author of "Losing the Nobel Prize" Brian Keating tells the inside story of BICEP2’s mesmerizing discovery and the scientific drama that ensued in this interview with science fiction author David Brin. Keating describes a journey of revelation and discovery, bringing to life the highly competitive, take-no-prisoners, publish-or-perish world of modern science. Along the way, he provo...

The first detection of gravitational waves from the cataclysmic merger of two neutron stars, and the observation of visible light in the aftermath of that merger, finally answer a long-standing question in astrophysics: Where do the heaviest elements, ranging from silver and other precious metals to uranium, come from? Series: "UC Berkeley News" [Science] [Show ID: 33299]

What effect does space travel have on our bodies and minds? As NASA looks to explore Mars and beyond, it is critical to understand the impacts of spending extended time in space. Brinda K. Rana, Phd, shares the results of NASA's Twins Study that focused on astronaut Scott Kelly who spent nearly one year living on the International Space Station and his identical twin brother, Mark, who remained on...

Andy Kieatiwong shares his journey from student to CEO. As the founder and CEO of the Additive Rocket Corporation, he leads a team that leverages 3D metal printing to create reliable and affordable propulsion solutions for space exploration. He speaks with a group of high school seniors about the field of aerospace engineering as well as how to leverage your college experience to find your ideal c...

Explore the dust between the stars - and why it is so important, see how researchers explore molecules on the nanoscale to improve materials, discover why natural extremes are critical to Mediterranean ecosystems, the fate of California Oak trees, and sustaining the heritage of agriculture in California, all on this edition of On Beyond. Series: "On Beyond" [Science] [Show ID: 30667]

Karin Sandstrom studies the interstellar medium - the dust and gas in galaxies and between stars, and especially how ultraviolet light interacts with soot-like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. That, she says, is key to everything - how stars (and planets) form, how galaxies evolve, and perhaps how life emerged. Series: "Women in Science" [Science] [Show ID: 30014]

Chris Impey is a distinguished professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona whose work has been supported by $20 million in grants from both NASA and the National Science Foundation. His research interests include observational cosmology, gravitational lensing, and the evolution of galaxies. He's also the author of six critically acclaimed books, the most recent of which is called: "Beyond:...

Berkeley Lab scientist David Schlegel discusses his research on mapping the universe and understanding dark energy. Series: "Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory " [Science] [Show ID: 29636]

Berkeley Lab scientist Haimei Zheng discusses the future of electron microscopy and her breakthrough research into examining liquids using an electron microscope. Series: "Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory " [Science] [Show ID: 29637]

UC San Diego graduate student Morgan Nunn Martinez presents her research on extracting and analyzing water in extraterrestrial samples. She has measured the oxygen isotopic composition of water found in meteorites from asteroids and Mars, and rock and soil samples from the moon. These studies will be used to refine theories of how water formed and was distributed throughout our solar system. Serie...

UC San Diego astrophysicist Brian Keating presents cosmological observations that have revealed a mysterious universe, pointing to the startling possibility that our cosmos might be just the most insignificant speck of what is now called “the Multiverse.” New telescopes such as the BICEP based in Antarctica hint at an infinite universe with the possibility of unimaginable fecundity, yet devoid of...

Producer Lisa Bruce and screenwriter/producer Anthony McCarten join host Matt Ryan for a lively discussion of their film “The Theory of Everything.” Starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones, the movie follows the extraordinary story of one of the world’s greatest living minds, the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who falls deeply in love with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde. Series:...

Eight Berkeley Lab scientists present eight game-changing concepts in eight minutes each. Series: "Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory " [Science] [Show ID: 28806]

Saul Perlmutter, UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, describes the research that led to his 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics Series: "Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory " [Science] [Show ID: 28609]

We live in a time where miraculous medical discoveries are occurring all the time. Regrettably many of the miracle tools, because of their size and complexity, are confined to state of the art medical centers in large cities. Learn about efforts to build new medical tools in the hope of saving lives in remote and hard to reach places in the world. Hear about new efforts to build medical tools to d...

NASA's NuSTAR spacecraft, launched in June of 2012, uses technology developed in part by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to take pictures of the sky in the most energetic X-rays ever to be focused. Bill Craig and Michael Pivovaroff talk about the innovative technology at the heart of NuSTAR and discuss some of the exciting science results from the first few months of NuSTAR's mission. Serie...

Seven Berkeley Lab scientists present BIG ideas. Learn about the game-changing concepts scientists work on every day. Series: "Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory " [Science] [Show ID: 25465]

Charles Kennel, Former Scripps Institution of Oceanography director and chair of the National Academy's Space Science Board, reviews what NASA's space program has accomplished, what it is doing now, and what the future holds for human space exploration. Series: "Jeffrey B. Graham Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture Series" [Science] [Show ID: 25202]

Berkeley Lab's David Schlegel discusses what's next in the quest to understand dark energy. Series: "Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory " [Science] [Show ID: 25470]

NASA Mars Science Laboratory team geologist Dawn Sumner gives a tour of the Curiosity rover and the instruments the probe carried to the red planet. An array of cameras, lasers and drills will conduct experiments to determine the composition of the planet's rocks. Series: "Onward California" [Science] [Show ID: 25182]

Most of the universe is incredibly hostile, it's a vacuum, it's freezing-cold space or burning hot near a star. The first habitable planet found outside our solar system is in a habitable-zone orbit; it's a place of refuge from the unbelievable harshness of the universe. Steve Vogt, a UC Santa Cruz professor of astronomy and astrophysics, takes you into the Lick Observatory, where he has devoted y...