Best Planetary Defense Podcasts (2025)

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Planetary defense and Dark Skies with Nick Moskovitz 43:19

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18d ago43:19

43:19

Nick Moskovitz of Lowell Observatory discusses planetary defense, asteroids and Dark Skies. Was defending the earth from deadly asteroids as shown in the movie Armageddon with Bruce Willis so far fetched? Is space junk such a threat as displayed in Gravity starring Sandra Bullock? Mark Haughwout and Nick Moskovitz discuss the real science behind th…

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Can Data Help Manage Diabetes? (with Dr. Adam Hulman) 51:11

1d ago51:11

51:11

This episode features Dr. Adam Hulman, a mathematician with a PhD in epidemiology who specialises in bridging the gap between computer science and clinical research. Adam discusses the significant challenges involved in developing prediction models that actually work in real-world healthcare contexts, particularly in diabetes management. The conver…

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Investigating dark matter in the universe 5:26

6d ago5:26

5:26

Researchers know dark matter exists in the universe, but the evidence is hard to find. University of Arizona astronomy professor Dennis Zaritsky explains how scientists are exploring the space between galaxies to resolve this decades-old mystery. Dennis Zaritsky spoke to Tim Swindle, professor emeritus of planetary science at the University of Ariz…

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The Sun Affects Us All - Space Weather with Dr. Carl Shneider 47:54

8d ago47:54

47:54

Did you know Luxembourg is home to space weather experts? Space weather – a term that may sound unfamiliar to many – encompasses a broad range of solar phenomena that can significantly impact life on Earth and the technology we rely on daily. This is the specialisation of Dr. Carl Shneider from SnT (University of Luxembourg), whom we spoke with rec…

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Charlie Kirk's murderer should have been reported 9:46

10d ago9:46

9:46

Parents should report bad kids to the authorities if those kids won't respond to discipline. Let's start holding parent's liable for raising violent children.By Mark Haughwout

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Coping with federal funding cutbacks for research grants 5:26

12d ago5:26

5:26

An organization that helps researchers win grants for their work on the University of Arizona campus nearly shut down because of the Trump administration's funding freeze earlier this year. BRISA Center for the Environment director Paloma Beamer discusses how it is continuing its mission despite losing support from the federal government. Paloma Be…

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Who Needs Legs in Space? The Incredible Journey of John McFall 1:03:39

13d ago1:03:39

1:03:39

John McFall — surgeon, Paralympic medalist, father of three, and ESA parastronaut selectee — joins Markus to explore how human spaceflight changes when we design for ability, not assumptions. From winter survival in the Pyrenees to EVA realities and cosmic radiation, John shares what it takes to open space to everyone. Cosmic Timeline [00:00:00] Sq…

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Scanning the skies for a new ninth planet | EXTENDED 8:47

20d ago8:47

8:47

It's been almost 20 years since Pluto lost its status as the ninth planet in our solar system. Now astronomers think they have identified a candidate to take its place. Katherine Volk with the Tucson-based Planetary Science Institute discusses a rare object that is orbiting the sun in step with the eighth planet, Neptune. In this extended episode, …

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An operations update on the new Vera Rubin Observatory 5:26

20d ago5:26

5:26

Astronomers released the first photographs from the Vera Rubin Observatory two months ago. Operations director Robert Blum describes how the University of Arizona-backed instrument is creating anticipation among scientists for new discoveries about the universe.By AZPM

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Eating for Life: Talking Nutrition with Dr. Torsten Bohn 55:29

22d ago55:29

55:29

Let's look at what we eat - from a nutrition research perspective! Dr. Torsten Bohn, a food chemist and nutritionist heading the Nutrition and Health group at the Luxembourg Institute of Health, shares his insights on what constitutes a healthy diet, the challenges of adhering to dietary recommendations in real life, and the impact of modern dietar…

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Hermeticism & Uranus in Gemini: from Plato to the Printing Press (and Beyond) 39:05

24d ago39:05

39:05

In this episode of Archetypes and the Planets, we follow Hermes’ trail through history to rethink what Uranus in Gemini (c. 2025–2033) might signal. Instead of focusing on geopolitics, we track Mercurial patterns: dialogue, translation, dispersal of knowledge, trickster authorship, and sudden cross-pollination between disciplines. Stops on the jour…

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Corvette versus Tesla, plus some news 43:19

26d ago43:19

43:19

Mark Haughwout discusses 9-11, corvette versus Tesla along with News from IsraelBy Mark Haughwout

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Scanning the skies for a new ninth planet 5:26

27d ago5:26

5:26

It's been almost 20 years since Pluto lost its status as the ninth planet in our solar system. Now astronomers think they have identified a candidate to take its place. Katherine Volk with the Tucson-based Planetary Science Institute discusses a rare object that is orbiting the sun in step with the eighth planet, Neptune. Katherine Volk spoke with …

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58. Ross Centers: The Strategic Moon, Safety Zones, Property Rights and Golden Dome 1:16:23

27d ago1:16:23

1:16:23

In this episode, Peter Garretson sits down with Ross Centers, CEO of Ethos Space explore his ambitious vision for creating large-scale space infrastructure. The conversation covers the Space Resources program at the Colorado School of Mines, the concept of a planetary sunshade, and Center’s work with the Planetary Sunshade Foundation—including how …

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Earth's Lost Rings: A 466-Million-Year-Old Warning 58:37

27d ago58:37

58:37

Guest: Dr. Andy Tomkins – Geologist, Professor at Monash University, and lead author of the groundbreaking study proposing that Earth once had a Saturn-like ring system. The Cosmic Scoop: What if Earth once had rings like Saturn? Dr. Andy Tomkins joins Markus to unravel the evidence that, 466 million years ago, a colossal asteroid breakup may have …

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Texas and California redistricting unfair 43:20

1M ago43:20

43:20

Both Texas and California's redistricting efforts are unfair. Mark Haughwout compares the presidential popular vote percentage and the percentage of seats held by each party in the house of representatives. Republicans in Texas are already overrepresented in Congress and Democrats in California are way over represented in Congress. #noredistricting…

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Using dryland farming techniques to grow crops in the Southwest 5:26

1M ago5:26

5:26

Dryland farming has been a staple for indigenous desert communities for centuries. University of Arizona professor Michael Kotutwa Johnson discusses how modern solutions to growing crops during the drought can be developed through traditional farming methods practiced on tribal lands. Michael Kotutwa Johnson spoke with Tim Swindle, professor emerit…

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57. Dr. Sanjay Vijendran: The Space Solar Power Revolution 1:27:58

1M ago1:27:58

1:27:58

In this episode, Peter Garretson talks with Dr. Sanjay Vijendran, Director of Space Energy Insights, and former lead for the European Space Agency's (ESA) groundbreaking SOLARIS Space-based Solar Power R&D Initiative. After a brief aside to discuss Sanjay's Mars work, they explore the basics of Space Solar Power: why it is interesting, and why Elon…

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Automatic License Plate Readers 43:18

1M ago43:18

43:18

Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR), racial abuse and Ai gone bad. Aurora Colorado and San Francisco both hold black people at gun point because of relying on bad information from Automatic License Plate Readers. #automatic #license #plate #readersBy Mark Haughwout

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Tracking the first human footprints in the Southwest 5:26

1M ago5:26

5:26

Some of the earliest known evidence of humans living in and around southern Arizona and New Mexico has been traced to around 23,000 years ago. University of Arizona archeologist Vance Holliday discusses his finds near White Sands Missile Range and how they add to the book of human history in the region. Vance Holliday spoke with Leslie Tolbert, Ph.…

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Solar Lets You Visit. Nuclear Lets You Stay. A delicate conversation. 1:04:34

1M ago1:04:34

1:04:34

Guest: Dr. Bhavya Lal – Former NASA Chief Technologist, MIT-trained nuclear engineer, and architect of U.S. space nuclear policy. The Cosmic Scoop: Nuclear power’s bad Earthly reputation hides its potential as a lifeline beyond our planet. Space is already radioactive—and if we want to stay and build on the Moon, Mars, or Europa, nuclear offers “po…

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Wildfires in the West, New Census, Israel Update 43:19

2M ago43:19

43:19

The West has numerous wildfires during an unusually hot and dry summer. Trump calls for a new census and Israel presses on to recover their hostages.By Mark Haughwout

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Updating strategies for planetary defense 5:26

2M ago5:26

5:26

Asteroid trackers are scanning the Earth's neighborhood to find any objects that pose a threat to our planet. University of Arizona planetary scientist Vishnu Reddy discusses a network designed to coordinate efforts worldwide to respond to potential life-threatening asteroid impacts. Vishnu Reddy spoke with Tim Swindle, professor emeritus in Planet…

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56. Dr. Philip Lubin: Planetary Defense and Large-Scale Directed Energy 1:47:00

2M ago1:47:00

1:47:00

In this episode, Peter Garretson talks with Dr. Philip Lubin. Dr. Philip Lubin from the UCSB Experimental Cosmology Group. Dr. Lubin discusses his groundbreaking work in laser technology and planetary defense, emphasizing the critical importance of protecting Earth from asteroid and comet impacts through innovative methods like directed energy syst…

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Sunshine Rescue Mission. France, UK, Israel 43:19

2M ago43:19

43:19

Sunshine Rescue Mission takes a new approach to homelessness. Meanwhile France and the UK reward Gaza and Hamas.By Mark Haughwout

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The impact of childhood trauma on adult behavior 5:26

2M ago5:26

5:26

Researchers have found stress and trauma experienced during childhood leads to emotional and cognitive disorders later in life. University of Arizona behavioral neuroscientist Lindsay Halliday discusses how brain development is affected by our early environment. Lindsay Halliday spoke with Leslie Tolbert Ph. D. Regent's professor emerita in Neurosc…

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55. Fred Kennedy: Bringing the Nuclear Renaissance to Space 1:10:01

2M ago1:10:01

1:10:01

In this episode, Peter Garretson hosts Dr. Fred Kennedy, CEO of Dark Fission. Fred discusses his career and vision for space exploration, emphasizing the importance of developing nuclear thermal propulsion technology to enable more ambitious missions beyond low Earth orbit. He explores the historical challenges and delays in nuclear thermal propuls…

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Planet Earth, Digitized: Can ESA’s Virtual Twin Save Us? 47:17

2M ago47:17

47:17

This week, Simonetta Cheli, Director of Earth Observation Programs at the European Space Agency (ESA), joins Markus to dive into one of the most ambitious and groundbreaking projects of our time: building a digital twin of our planet. Through Destination Earth (DestinE), ESA is creating a dynamic, real-time model of Earth—a tool designed to simulat…

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News roundup July 25 43:19

2M ago43:19

43:19

ICE deportations, 12 year old girl tackles criminal, renaming the Redskins and Indians, Hulk Hogan dies.By Mark Haughwout

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How southern Arizona could hold clues to Mars' past 5:26

2M ago5:26

5:26

The Sonoran Desert region called Pinacate is often compared to other worlds in our Solar System. David Crown with the Tucson-based Planetary Science Institute explains how researchers are comparing Pinacate's ancient lava flows to photographs taken of Mars by robotic explorers. David Crown spoke with Tim Swindle, professor emeritus of Planetary Sci…

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From Primes to Privacy: Number Theory and Cryptography with Prof. Jennifer Balakrishnan and Tim Seuré 47:03

2M ago47:03

47:03

What exactly is number theory, and what drives researchers to dedicate their careers to this field? How does this seemingly abstract branch of mathematics connect to the cryptography that secures our digital world? A couple of weeks ago, Luxembourg hosted the 33rd Journées Arithmétiques, providing us with the perfect opportunity to explore these qu…

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54. Benjamin Johnis: Space Rescue 1:10:25

2M ago1:10:25

1:10:25

In this episode Peter Garretson speaks with Senior Master Sergeant Benjamin Johnis, a Personnel Recovery Program Manager and former Air Force veteran, about rescue and personnel recovery in space. The discussion focused on space rescue capabilities and requirements. Benjamin presents his research on space rescue operations and discusses the challen…

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Epstein, Meteor showers, Football 43:20

2M ago43:20

43:20

This week's news round up with Mark Haughwout. Mark discusses Epstein, Meteor showers, rattlesnakes, blackberries, and the real football (soccer).By Mark Haughwout

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How magic tricks can help us understand how our brains work 5:26

2M ago5:26

5:26

Magicians have fascinated audiences for centuries. University of Arizona psychologist Eve Isham describes how magicians and illusionists use science to develop their effects and the connection with the inner workings of the mind. Eve Isham spoke with Leslie Tolbert Ph.D Regent's professor emerita in Neuroscience at the University of Arizona.…

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Affordable Housing, Measles outbreak, Steele Dossier 43:20

3M ago43:20

43:20

How to make housing affordable. Measles prevention. Steele Dossier was fake and paid for by Hillary Clinton's campaign.By Mark Haughwout