Star Stuff

Star Stuff

Star Stuff is a top astronomy podcast by Lowell Observatory. Learn about the wildest parts of our universe, from black holes to mad scientists, through the eyes of our hosts!

Episodes

Planetary Defense with Rusty Schweickart

August 18, 2026 • 35 mins

In this episode of Star Stuff, retired NASA astronaut and B612 Foundation co-founder Rusty Schweickart joins Lowell Mission Scientist Dr. Melodie Kao and Lowell Historian Kevin Schindler to explore a question with no borders: how do you unite a divided world against a threat that could strike anyone, anywhere?

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Bridging Stars and Storytelling with Nanibah Chacon

April 1, 2026 • 36 mins
In this episode of Star Stuff, Lowell Observatory historian Kevin Schindler sits down with renowned Diné (Navajo) and Chicana artist Nanibah Chacon. Following the unveiling of her breathtaking new mural at the observatory, Nanibah discusses the profound intersection of Indigenous culture, science, and public art.
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It is Something Worth Doing: Art and Astronomy with Gerald Dawavendewa

February 24, 2026 • 41 mins
In this episode of Star Stuff, host Kevin Schindler sits down with renowned Hopi/Cherokee artist Gerald Dawavendewa to celebrate the unveiling of the monumental 30-foot Indigenous Cosmology mural at Lowell Observatory’s Astronomy Discovery Center.
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Are We Safe From Asteroids? | We Talk To Astronaut Rusty Schweickart

July 24, 2025 • 39 mins
Are We Safe From Asteroids? | We Talk To Astronaut Rusty Schweickart When Rusty Schweickart looked back at Earth from orbit on Apollo 9, he saw something fragile and worth defending. In this episode of Star Stuff, we sit down with the astronaut and co-founder of the B612 Foundation to talk about one of biggest threats to life on Earth: asteroid impacts.
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The Most Human: Adam Nimoy on Legacy, Love, and Spock

July 9, 2025 • 27 mins
The Most Human: Adam Nimoy on Legacy, Love, and Spock Star Stuff Podcast In this intimate conversation, Cody Half-Moon sits down with filmmaker and author Adam Nimoy to explore the profound personal and cultural legacy of his father, Leonard Nimoy. From behind-the-scenes Star Trek stories and reflections on growing up in the shadow of Spock, to candid discussions of addiction, recovery, and reconciliation, Adam opens up about writi...
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Does Venus Have A Moon? | We Talk To Zoozve Discoverer Brian Skiff

August 19, 2024 • 30 mins
In this episode of Star Stuff, Cody Half-Moon sits down with Lowell astronomer Brian Skiff as he recounts his discovery of Venusian moon Zoozve, and how a determined dad's twitter thread helped him do it.
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LIVE from Grand Canyon: Turning the Park Dark

July 26, 2024 • 55 mins
In this special episode of Star Stuff recorded live from Grand Canyon National Park, we're joined by former Astronomer in Residence and Lowell Observatory Public Information Officer Kevin Schindler, Grand Canyon Conservancy Residency Manager Clover Morell, and Dark Sky Ranger Rader Lane. Blast off into exciting topics, including the Astronomer in Residence and alumni programs, the magic of dark skies at Grand Canyon, and Grand C...
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Transcript

Makers, Menders, and Writers | We Talk to Diana Gabaldon

April 24, 2024 • 43 mins
Makers, Menders, and Writers | We Talk to Diana Gabaldon 2Ep25 Lowell Historian Kevin Schindler sits down with the one and only Diana Gabaldon, author of the wildly popular Outlander book series. They discuss Diana's familial connection to the observatory, her creative process, and how Lowell Telescope Dome Engineer Stanley Sykes dealt with wild turkeys.
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How Common is Life on Other Planets?

December 19, 2023
Wow, over 70,000 listens to Star Stuff! This podcast is still in the top 20 of astronomy podcasts and climbing. Thank you all for your support as we wrap up Season 2. If you would like to see more episodes next year for Season 3, we will be doing special segments only. Let us know what you want to learn about! In this Season 2 finale episode of Star Stuff, Cody Half-Moon sits down with Lowell astronomer Dr. Joe Llama, who specia...
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CSI: Mechanical Forensics

December 6, 2023 • 33 mins
In this Cosmic Scope Interview (CSI), Lowell's Technical Facilities Manager Jeff Gehring takes host Cody Half-Moon through the challenges of restoring the historic 24" Clark Telescope to its former glory while staying true to the designs of the era it was built in.
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Reconciling Religion and Astronomy

November 21, 2023 • 36 mins
An atheist, a catholic, and an agnostic walk into a podcast recording room... and have an incredible conversation about how science and astronomy inform religious perspectives! Inspired by Dr. Kyler Kuehn, a Lowell astronomer and scientific consultant for the Clergy Letter Project, and featuring Lowell Astronomer Dr. Michael West, this episode explores the compatibility between religion and science. Discover how curiosity and open-...
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A Moving Portrait

November 7, 2023 • 31 mins
In this episode of Star Stuff, Lowell Historian Kevin Schindler and astronomer Gerard van Belle sit down for a chat with German artist Ulrike Arnold, the subject of the feature-length documentary Dialogue Earth. They discuss Ulrike's artistic process, the intersection of science and art, the importance of protecting our Earth, and more.
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How the Earth Formed

October 18, 2023 • 34 mins
In this episode of Star Stuff, join Cody Half-Moon and geologist John Compton as they discuss the mind-blowing process of our planet's formation over 4.6 billion years ago.
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Bringing Astronomy to the People

October 4, 2023 • 33 mins
In this episode of Star Stuff, Kevin Schindler is joined by special guest Eric Edelman, the director of the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium in Prescott, AZ. Kevin and Eric discuss Lowell's new partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautics Academy, what it takes to bring the dream of a planetarium to life, and the importance of making astronomy education accessible to everyone.
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Life Beyond Our Solar System

September 26, 2023 • 52 mins
In this episode of Star Stuff, we talk about aliens. Again. Join Cody Half-Moon and returning guest Dean Regas as they discuss upcoming solar eclipses, the possibility of life beyond our solar system, and Dean's new book “1000 Facts About Space."
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The Life and Times of Percival Lowell

September 5, 2023 • 32 mins
The man, the myth, the founder. In this episode of Star Stuff, we talk about how Percival Lowell made history by founding Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona and how he was one of the first popularized alien hunters in astronomy.
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Choosing Between Sciences and Humanities: We Talk to Journalist Melissa Sevigny

August 15, 2023 • 36 mins
In this episode of Star Stuff, we sit down with journalist Melissa Sevigny to talk about her career, choosing between different paths, and her newest book, “Brave the Wild River.” Learn more about Melissa at melissasevigny.com.
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Making an Impact

August 1, 2023 • 31 mins
Learn about a 50,000-year-old Meteor Crater from the man who runs the crater business here in Flagstaff, Arizona. In this episode of Star Stuff, we sit down with Matthew Kent, President and CEO of Meteor Crater Enterprises, to talk about all of the exciting things going on surrounding Meteor Crater and Planet Science, as well as the importance of keeping people connected to science.
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Making Science Accessible

July 18, 2023 • 33 mins
In this episode of Star Stuff, we talk to University of Denver professor and astronomer, Dr. Jennifer Hoffman, about making science more accessible. To learn more about DU SciTech Summer Camp, visit science.du.edu/du-sci-tech.
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Theories of the Universe Part 2

July 4, 2023 • 42 mins
Multiverse? Simulation? In this episode of Star Stuff, we discuss even more of the most mind-blowing theories of how our universe works.
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