HD and the Void

HD and the Void

I pick a topic I want to know more about and dig into it for a year. 2017 is all about space! I'll look at anything that sends me down a research tangent. I do take requests, I don't keep it formal, I do my research, I don't like describing complex math but I do try. Wander with me into the cat’s-cradle tangle of society, history, science, and anything I thought was cool to mention.

Episodes

August 26, 2019 15 mins

Not enough people in the real world listened to my stories about my recent stargazing adventure, so I distilled my process and plans so that the process of selecting a site and using a stargazing app seems more attainable for those who have never thought of stargazing. Short, sweet, and a story-based glimpse into amateur stargazing for fun!

Mark as Played

There are over 3,500 comets that we know of, so this is just a brief overview of what comets are, and then a list of some Great Comets and a few well-known comets. I also discuss some of the missions that various organizations and nations (i.e., NASA, the Soviet Union, ESA, Japan) have undertaken to examine comets up close and personal.

Mark as Played
April 22, 2019 14 mins

I have mentioned black holes in previous episodes, but now feels like the right time to talk about them in their very own episode! I also discuss the new photos of the supermassive black hole in the galaxy Messier 87 and the telescope that was needed to acquire those photos.

Mark as Played
March 25, 2019 21 mins

There is a branch of study where rocks and space meet (sometimes to explosive effect, when asteroids and meteorites are concerned)... It can be called planetary geology, exogeology, or astrogeology. Listen to hear more about what the life of an astrogeologist entails, from identifying features from a distance to exploring craters. The Shoemakers' contributions to the field are also discussed in-depth to give you a sense of wha...

Mark as Played
January 21, 2019 20 mins

The Coriolis force is a force in physics that has profound impact on us here on Earth. Listen to hear how this apparent force has influence over the weather, tides, and even some creatures. I refuse to talk about the formulas surrounding it but I will discuss Rossby numbers, Kelvin waves, Ekman transport, and the Eötvös effect, so get ready for a lot of scientist names!

Mark as Played
December 17, 2018 23 mins

From Bortle to Torino, from asteroids to aliens, scientists have been working to classify experiences in a useful way. Some of those experiences are very specific, unusual, speculative, or just bizarre. Hear about a selection of scales currently in use that astronomers made to quantify very strange phenomena. 

Mark as Played
August 27, 2018 23 mins
Tidal forces are not only the cause of ocean tides, but affect how satellites orbit objects in space, and they can even tear some objects apart under their extreme stresses. Learn about types of tides on Earth and in our solar system.
Mark as Played
July 30, 2018 27 mins
Edmond Halley was heavily involved in the establishment of modern astronomy, whether through his direct observational work or through the support he offered others in his field. Hear a quick overview of the man who's popped up so much throughout the span of this podcast!
Mark as Played
June 4, 2018 20 mins
It's a history-heavy episode this week! Hear about the transits of Mercury and Venus, and learn what they have in common with the oppositions of planets like Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn—they're like eclipses, but with planets instead of the Moon.
Mark as Played
May 7, 2018 18 mins
I live in the Northern Hemisphere of Earth, which means I see some constellations and stars that people in the Southern Hemisphere don't see. The opposite is true as well, and it's more interesting for me to talk about the constellations I don't get to see, so please enjoy an episode on the important constellations that appear in the Southern Hemisphere: Crux, the Pointers, and the Magellanic Clouds. Bonus: Aurora Au...
Mark as Played
April 16, 2018 23 mins
I have spoken about radio astronomy, so it makes sense to move on to infrared astronomy. The method for gathering infrared data involves telescopes mounted in planes that can fly above Earth's atmosphere, and there is a rich history of airborne astronomy. Two topics in one!
Mark as Played
March 19, 2018 16 mins
Hear an overview of two of the major types of active galaxies: quasars and blazars! I discuss the history of the study of quasars as well as where we're going with future studies of these extragalactic objects.
Mark as Played
February 26, 2018 23 mins
As Black History Month 2018 wraps up, learn about some of the African-American men and women who have contributed to space research and exploration! 7 astronomers and 9 astronauts shine in this episode, which spans from the 1700s to modern-day folks.
Mark as Played
February 12, 2018 26 mins
Be brave in the face of an extremely technical episode where I tackle radio astronomy! Astronomers collect radio waves to map distant objects. To do their work they need a level of quiet that's hard to find without some help from Radio Frequency Interference security folks and some governmental regulations. That's where Radio Quiet Zones come in...
Mark as Played
January 29, 2018 20 mins
January 28th was the anniversary of the Challenger space shuttle disaster, and while I do discuss what happened, I talk more about the American space shuttle program and what the repercussions of this disaster were for NASA as an agency. I have clear instructions on how to skip the description of the disaster if you don't want to hear it.
Mark as Played
How to astronauts shower? How many astronauts are on the International Space Station right now? How do you pack enough food for them? What kind of comfortable housing options are available when orbiting Earth? What can you pack and not pack? All these questions and more are answered in this episode on long-term astronaut survival in outer space.
Mark as Played
December 18, 2017 24 mins
Zombie stars were in the news in November but get in the holiday spirit by hearing about them now! Learn about the life cycle of a star, the power of a supernova, and what undeath looks like in a star.
Mark as Played
December 4, 2017 21 mins
Dark Sky Reserves exist to prevent light pollution in select areas. Learn about the reasons why these reserves are so important, and also hear about the Bortle Scale, which amateur astronomers use to quantify sky conditions when they are out observing deep space.
Mark as Played
November 20, 2017 26 mins
Full disclosure: this is a kissing story. A kissing story about the ultimate mixtape and alien communication plan, sent out in 1977 and now in interstellar space. Hear about the Voyager Golden Record and the people who put it together as a compilation of everything amazing about planet Earth.
Mark as Played
November 6, 2017 22 mins
I've talked about dark matter, now it's time to talk dark energy. Learn why it exists as a theoretical (and maybe actual) object, how we see its effects manifest in the universe, and what it means for all our theories if it is or is not real.
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.