Best Astrophysics News Podcasts (2025)

1
AI linked to boom in biomedical papers, infrared contact lenses, and is Earth's core leaking? 20:11

8m ago20:11

20:11

00:33 Was a boom in papers driven by AI? A spike in papers formulaically analysing a public data set has sparked worries that AI is being used to generate low quality and potentially misleading analyses. Nature: AI linked to explosion of low-quality biomedical research papers 08:07 Lenses that give humans infrared vision Researchers in China have c…

1
Hearing a Universe: How a Blind Scientist Uncovers Hidden Patterns in Astronomical Data 1:02:55

1d ago1:02:55

1:02:55

Guest: Wanda Diaz Merced This very special episode of the Space Café Podcast introduces Wanda Diaz Merced, a visionary scientist who, after losing her sight in her twenties, pioneered a groundbreaking new method of exploring space through sound—sonification. Wanda shares her remarkable story and insights, showing us that blindness does not limit on…

1
These malaria drugs treat the mosquitos — not the people 31:40

14h ago31:40

31:40

00:45 Treating mosquitoes for malaria Researchers have developed two compounds that can kill malaria-causing parasites within mosquitoes, an approach they hope could help reduce transmission of the disease. The team showed that these compounds can be embedded into the plastics used to make bed nets, providing an alternative to insecticide-based mal…

1
Mechanism design: Building smarter AI agents from the fundamentals, Part 1 37:06

22m ago37:06

37:06

What if we've been approaching AI agents all wrong? While the tech world obsesses over larger language models (LLMs) and prompt engineering, there'a a foundational approach that could revolutionize how we build trustworthy AI systems: mechanism design. This episode kicks off an exciting series where we're building AI agents "the hard way"—using pri…

1
How to transport antimatter — stick it on the back of a van 30:31

5d ago30:31

30:31

00:46 An antimatter delivery van takes its first road trip Researchers have developed a portable antimatter containment device and tested it by putting it in a truck and driving it around CERN. Their system could represent a big step forward in efforts to take particles made at CERN’s ‘antimatter factory’ and transport them to other labs, something…

1
NSF terminates huge number of grants and stops awarding new ones 11:15

7d ago11:15

11:15

In this Podcast Extra, we examine recent developments US National Science Foundation, which has seen significant numbers of research grants terminated. In addition, there have been freezes on funding for new grants and any additional money to existing ones. We also discuss US President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, which call…

1
Astrophiz214-DrAnyaNugent 46:23

9d ago46:23

46:23

Please meet Dr Anya Nugent … she is amazing … and she has some beautiful stories for us … let’s hear all about unbelievably powerful Gamma Ray bursts and their host galaxies from an amazing Harvard and Smithsonian astrophysicist who uses incredible observatories like CHANDRA, XMM-Newton, ALMA, CHIME, MEERKAT, the VLA and even our old friend Hubble …

1
Principles, agents, and the chain of accountability in AI systems 46:26

11d ago46:26

46:26

Dr. Michael Zargham provides a systems engineering perspective on AI agents, emphasizing accountability structures and the relationship between principals who deploy agents and the agents themselves. In this episode, he brings clarity to the often misunderstood concept of agents in AI by grounding them in established engineering principles rather t…

1
Herring population loses migration 'memory' after heavy fishing 37:34

12d ago37:34

37:34

00:46 How fishing activity altered the migration pattern of Herring Selective fishing of older herring has resulted in a large shift in the migration pattern of these fish, according to new research. For years, herring have visited sites on the south coast of Norway to spawn, but in 2020 a rapid shift was seen, with the fish instead visiting areas …

1
AstroCamp Spring 2025! 1:22:55

14d ago1:22:55

1:22:55

We come at you with all the fun of AstroCamp in Welsh Wales. Chat, debate and birdsong! Produced by Paul, Jen, John, Damien & DustinBy Awesome Astronomy

1
Someone is Seriously Putting a Swedish House on the Moon—Right Now! 1:29:30

13d ago1:29:30

1:29:30

Guest Introduction: In an extraordinary fusion of art, engineering, and cosmic ambition, Swedish artist Mikael Genberg and space engineer Emil Vinterhav have realized what many deemed impossible—a traditional Swedish red house, journeying through space toward the lunar surface. This Moonhouse symbolizes humanity’s unyielding aspiration and our inna…

1
The dismantling of US science: can it survive Trump 2.0? 27:52

27d ago27:52

27:52

In this episode: 00:46 What will be left of US science after Trump 2.0? 100 days into his term, President Donald Trump and his administration have already caused the biggest shakeup in modern scientific history, slashing funding, bringing large swathes of US research to a standstill and halting many clinical trials. But many fear these actions are …

1
Astrophiz 213: Dr Ian Musgrave's MaySkyGuide 30:11

28d ago30:11

30:11

May Moon Phases:May 4 ~1st QuarterMay 11 ~ Moon at ApogeeMay 13 ~ Full Moon May 20 ~ Last Quarter Great for star gazingMay 26 ~ Moon at PerigeeMay 27 ~ New Moon Great for star gazingWhat’s Up in May?Planets:Evening SkiesJupiter is difficult to see this monthMars is visible, and nice to see just an hour after sunsetUranus will return in a couple of …

1
Audio long read: Do smartphones and social media really harm teens’ mental health? 17:33

24d ago17:33

17:33

Research shows that, over the past two decades, rates of mental illness have been increasing in adolescents in many countries. While some scientists point to soaring use of smartphones and social media as a key driver for this trend, others say the evidence does not show a large effect of these technologies on teenagers’ psychological health. At th…

1
Memory Meltdown in Microgravity: Why you may just not remember your pioneering visit to Mars. 1:24:02

26d ago1:24:02

1:24:02

This episode's guest, Dr. Heather Collins, cognitive neuroscientist, brain-hack expert, and sought-after keynote speaker, takes us on a fascinating - and slightly unsettling - journey into how space travel changes the human brain. Buckle up as Heather reveals the extraordinary findings and crucial insights at the forefront of cognitive neuroscience…

1
A brand-new colour created by lasers, a pig-liver transplant trial gets the green light, and a nugget-sized chunk of lab-grown meat 20:27

26d ago20:27

20:27

00:27 Five people see ‘olo’, a brand-new colour Using a laser system to activate specific eye cells, a team has allowed five study participants to perceive a vibrant blue-greenish hue well outside the natural range of colours seen by humans. Although the setup required to accomplish this feat is currently complicated, this finding could provide mor…

1
‘Dark matter’, 'Big Bang' and ‘spin’: how physics terms can confuse researchers 33:11

27d ago33:11

33:11

Categorizing things is central to science. And there are dozens of systems scientists have created to name everything from the trenches on the sea bed to the stars in the sky. But names have consequences. What’s in a name is a series exploring naming in science and how names impact the world. We look at whether the system of naming species remains …

1
What a trove of potato genomes reveals about the humble spud 32:41

1M ago32:41

32:41

In this episode: 00:46 A potato pangenome Researchers have created a ‘pangenome’ containing the genomes of multiple potato types, something they believe can help make it easier to breed and sequence new varieties. The potato's complicated genetics has made it difficult to sequence the plant's genome, but improvements in technology have allowed the …

1
Astronomy Astrophiz 212-CiaraGuy-Space Governance 49:53

1M ago49:53

49:53

In Astrophiz 212, 'Space Governance’ we are speaking with Space Lawyer, Ciara Guy, who has worked in the Justice system and Magistrates Courts. After completing her first law degree, she is now an assistant astronomer at Battlesteads Observatory and is majoring in Space Law for her Master's Law degree at Northumbria University. Her specialties are …

1
Did NASA Miss This? How Artists Are Starting to Unlock Space Travel’s Future 54:55

1M ago54:55

54:55

🎙 Guest: Dr. Claudia Schnugg, Curator of the Universe Pavilion at the Venice Biennale & Art-Science Visionary The Cosmic Scoop: What if art could transform how we design habitats beyond Earth—and inspire new ways to live here at home? Dr. Claudia Schnugg is making this vision a reality. As curator of the groundbreaking Universe Pavilion at the pres…

1
Long-awaited ape genomes give new insights into their evolution — and ours 29:48

1M ago29:48

29:48

00:46 Complete sequencing of ape genomes Researchers have sequenced the complete genomes of six ape species, helping uncover the evolutionary history of our closest relatives and offering insights into what makes humans human. The genomes of chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla, Bornean orangutan, Sumatran orangutan and siamang have been sequenced end-to-en…

1
From Hippocrates to COVID-19: the scientific fight to prove diseases can be airborne 32:27

1M ago32:27

32:27

Science writer and New York Times columnist Carl Zimmer's latest book Air-Borne: The Hidden History of the Life we Breathe dives into the invisible maelstrom of microbial life swirling in the air around us — examining how it helped shape our world, and the implications that breathing it in can have on human health. Carl joined us to discuss histori…

1
Trump team removes senior NIH chiefs in shock move 11:32

2M ago11:32

11:32

In this Podcast Extra, we hear the latest on how decisions by the Trump administration are affecting science in the US. Most recently, a purge of National Institutes of Health (NIH) leadership has seen the chiefs of multiple institutes and centres removed from their posts. Plus, after cancelling nearly all NIH projects studying transgender health, …

1
World’s tiniest pacemaker could revolutionize heart surgery 37:41

2M ago37:41

37:41

00:46 Millimetre-sized pacemaker fits inside syringe Researchers have developed a tiny, temporary pacemaker that dissolves when no longer needed, helping to overcome some of the challenges associated with current devices. Temporary pacemakers are often required after heart surgery but implanting them can require invasive procedures. This new device…

1
Has NASA been Trumped? 1:10:19

2M ago1:10:19

1:10:19

We try to keep it upbeat this month with tales of blackholes, definitions of moons, and solar system science but unfortunately the fate of NASA and American science currently hangs in the balance... Produced by Paul, Jen, John, Damien & DustinBy Awesome Astronomy

1
Astrophiz211-AprilSkyGuide 23:12

2M ago23:12

23:12

Dr Ian Musgrave’s April SkyGuideApril SummaryJupiter & Mars are dominating the NW skiesVenus, Saturn & Mercury dominate the morning skies.TCr Borealis is ‘lurking’ … ready to go NovaThe ‘Lunar X’ is coming upApril Moon Phases:First Quarter: April 5 Lunar X is visible on the 5thDaylight saving ends on Sunday 6 AprilMoon at Apogee April 13Full Moon: …

1
Audio long read: How quickly are you ageing? What molecular ‘clocks’ can tell you about your health 17:56

2M ago17:56

17:56

With money pouring in and an unprecedented level of public attention and excitement, scientists are publishing a steady stream of papers on ways to measure how rapidly a person’s body is declining. However, there are mixed feelings of enthusiasm and apprehension among researchers about efforts to develop tests that measure the impact of ageing on t…

1
Supervised machine learning for science with Christoph Molnar and Timo Freiesleben, Part 2 41:58

2M ago41:58

41:58

Part 2 of this series could have easily been renamed "AI for science: The expert’s guide to practical machine learning.” We continue our discussion with Christoph Molnar and Timo Freiesleben to look at how scientists can apply supervised machine learning techniques from the previous episode into their research. Introduction to supervised ML for sci…

1
New lasso-shaped antibiotic kills drug-resistant bacteria 32:45

2M ago32:45

32:45

In this episode: 00:46 Newly discovered molecule shows potent antibiotic activity Researchers have identified a new molecule with antibiotic activity against a range of disease-causing bacteria, including those resistant to existing drugs. The new molecule — isolated from soil samples taken from a laboratory technician’s garden — is called lariocid…

1
Dark Energy is a Cosmic Marketing Scam! Says a Cosmologist—And She Might Just Be Right. 1:26:28

2M ago1:26:28

1:26:28

🎙 Guest: Guadalupe Cañas Herrera, Theoretical Cosmologist and Euclid Consortium Member The Cosmic Scoop: What’s driving the universe’s wild expansion? Dark energy and dark matter make up 95% of the cosmos—but we barely understand them. Enter Euclid, launched in July 2023 to map a 3D universe and crack these mysteries. Guadalupe Cañas Herrera, a key…

1
Supervised machine learning for science with Christoph Molnar and Timo Freiesleben, Part 1 27:29

2M ago27:29

27:29

Machine learning is transforming scientific research across disciplines, but many scientists remain skeptical about using approaches that focus on prediction over causal understanding. That’s why we are excited to have Christoph Molnar return to the podcast with Timo Freiesleben. They are co-authors of "Supervised Machine Learning for Science: How …

1
Tiny satellite sets new record for secure quantum communication 31:05

2M ago31:05

31:05

00:46 Microsatellite makes messaging secure A tiny satellite has enabled quantum-encrypted information to be sent between China and South Africa, the farthest distance yet achieved for quantum communication. Using a laser-based system, a team in the city of Hefei was able to beam a ‘secret key’ encoded in quantum states of photons, to their colleag…

1
Astronomy Astrophiz 210: ProfElizabethTasker 53:44

3M ago53:44

53:44

You'll be astounded when you listen to A/Prof Elizabeth Tasker as she takes us on an astonishingly brilliant 600million kilometre rollercoaster ride on the JAXA Hayabusa missions to collect the very first Asteroid samples and bring them back to earth for analysis, to reveal the primordial origins of our solar system.Elizabeth also gives us an updat…

1
Would You Eat This? NASA Thinks It’s the Future of Food 55:02

2M ago55:02

55:02

🎙 Guest: Arttu Luukanen, Head of Space & Defense at Solar Foods The Cosmic Scoop: How do we feed ourselves in space? The settlers of the past brought livestock, but in deep space, resupply isn’t an option, and every gram counts. Could microbes be the answer? Enter Solar Foods, a Finnish company producing food from just water, electricity, and bacte…

1
Sapphire anvils squeeze metals atomically-thin 33:12

2M ago33:12

33:12

00:46 2D metals made using sapphire press Taking inspiration from industrial forging, researchers have demonstrated a way to squeeze molten metals into atomically-thin layers, creating relatively large flakes of 2D metals. Using a hydraulic press containing two sapphire anvils, a team was able to create sub-nanometer thick sheets of different metal…

1
Earliest crafted bone tools date back 1.5 million years 29:48

3M ago29:48

29:48

00:46 Ancient humans made bone tools 1.5 million years ago A 1.5-million-year-old cache of animal-bone tools reveals that ancient humans systematically crafted with this material much earlier than previously thought. Researchers uncovered 27 bone artefacts in Tanzania honed into sharp tools almost 40 cm long. This discovery pushes back the dedicate…

1
Paranal Problems: Light Pollution at the VLT 1:06:16

3M ago1:06:16

1:06:16

It looks as though the European Southern Observatory is caught in an American light pollution pincer...starlink above and now the threat of an American industrial complex as a neighbour. Is this the end? We have eclipse news, launch round up and the usual inane chatter from Jeni & Paul.By Awesome Astronomy

1
Audio long read: Why kids need to take more risks — science reveals the benefits of wild, free play 16:10

3M ago16:10

16:10

Over the past two decades, research has emerged showing that opportunities for risky play are crucial for children's healthy physical, mental and emotional development. However, because play is inherently free-form it has been difficult to study. Now, scientists are using innovative approaches, including virtual reality, to probe the benefits of ri…

1
If your heart stops, this smartwatch-AI can call for help 19:58

3M ago19:58

19:58

00:47 A ‘smart’ way to quickly detect cardiac arrest Google researchers have developed an AI for a smartwatch that will call for help if its wearer is having a cardiac arrest. Trained, in part, on data gained when patients had their hearts deliberately stopped during a medical procedure, the team’s machine learning algorithm can automatically detec…

1
Astrophiz209~MarchSkyGuide 25:05

3M ago25:05

25:05

March Moon Phases:Moon at Perigee March 2 First Quarter: March 7 Full Moon: March 14Moon at Apogee March18<> Last Quarter March 22 New Moon: March 29 Moon at Perigee again on March 30Evening Skies: Mercury is very low in the evening twilight in the West. (binocs recommended but only after sunset) and Mercury will return to morning skies in April an…

1
The future of AI: Exploring modeling paradigms 33:42

3M ago33:42

33:42

Unlock the secrets to AI's modeling paradigms. We emphasize the importance of modeling practices, how they interact, and how they should be considered in relation to each other before you act. Using the right tool for the right job is key. We hope you enjoy these examples of where the greatest AI and machine learning techniques exist in your routin…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Astrophysics News Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen