Best SETI Institute Podcasts (2025)

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Blue Dot: SETI Institute: it's role in the Disney/Pixar animated film Elio and The Fermi Paradox 51:37

Play Pause

13d ago51:37

51:37

Host Dave Schlom is joined by two guests from the SETI Institute in Mountain View, California, for a fun and thought-provoking program. Simon Steel, Deputy Director of the Carl Sagan Center for Research, joins us for an inside look at the Institute's role as a science advisor for the Disney/Pixar film Elio.…

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Blue Dot: Understanding the earthquake and tsunami hazards of California's North Coast with Lori Dengler 51:35

9m ago51:35

51:35

Geology Professor Emeritus Lori Dengler joins host Dave Schlom from Cal Poly Humboldt for an in-depth look at the tectonic forces that have shaped California's North Coast.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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Blue Dot: The anatomy of a disaster: inside the Titan submersible implosion 51:35

6d ago51:35

51:35

Gordon Telepun joins host Dave Schlom to discuss the Titan submersible implosion that killed five people, including Ocean Gate CEO and pilot Stockton Rush, in 2023.

1
Best of Blue Dot: Restoring an ancient and important salmon habitat: Big Chico Creek in Northern California 51:37

19d ago51:37

51:37

Host Dave Schlom and Producer Matt Fidler go out in the field and in the studio to learn about the story of a major restoration on Big Chico Creek in Chico, California's historic and precious Bidwell Park.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

1
Blue Dot: Bill Nelson: Congressman, astronaut and NASA Director 51:37

28d ago51:37

51:37

Bill Nelson joins host Dave Schlom for a special conversation about his life in public service at NASA. Nelson served representing the people of his home state of Florida for 30 years, first in the House of Representatives and then the Senate.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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Blue Dot: Permaculture; A Permanent Culture for People and all the inhabitants of the Planet 51:37

1M ago51:37

51:37

Host Dave Schlom is joined by Producer Matt Fidler for a special look at the world of permaculture. If you are like Dave and have never heard of permaculture before, this show is for youBy Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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Blue Dot: The art and science of fly fishing with Hall of Famer Mike Mercer 54:59

1M ago54:59

54:59

Host Dave Schlom gets to delve into his favorite pastime, fly fishing, with two of his heroes -- Mike Mercer and Bryan Quick from The Fly Shop in Redding, California.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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Blue Dot: The Roosevelt brothers quest to find the Giant Panda: a conversation with author Nathalia Holt 51:38

2M ago51:38

51:38

Host Dave Schlom visits with one of his favorite authors, Nathalia Holt, to talk about her new book The Beast in the Clouds: The Roosevelt Brothers Deadly Quest to Find the Mythical Giant Panda.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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Best of Blue Dot: Protecting invertebrate pollinators and endangered species with the Xerces Society 51:37

2M ago51:37

51:37

Executive Director Scott Black joins host Dave Schlom for a brief history and overview of the Xerces Society.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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Blue Dot: Going nuclear? A conversation about atomic power with British scientist and author Tim Gregory 51:36

2M ago51:36

51:36

Host Dave Schlom visits with Tim Gregory, a senior nuclear chemist at the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory at Sellafield, Cumbria. Gregory is the author of Going Nuclear: How Atomic Energy Will Save the World, published in the US by Pegasus Books.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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Blue Dot: On the frontiers of philosophy and physics: a conversation with Caltech's Chip Sebens 51:37

2M ago51:37

51:37

Host Dave Schlom is joined by California Institute of Technology Philosophy Professor Chip Sebens for an engaging look at how philosophical thought and methodology can help unravel the mysteries of modern Physics.By Dave Schlom

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Best of Blue Dot: Ocean science at UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography 51:37

3M ago51:37

51:37

Host Dave Schlom is joined by guests from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of San Diego to profile the ocean science being done at one of the world's most important and historic places to study our blue planet.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

1
Best of Blue Dot: The challenge of California's growing wolf population 51:31

3M ago51:31

51:31

Host Dave Schlom is joined by two University of California at Davis researchers and the state's gray wolf coordinator to learn more about how California's steadily growing wolf population is affecting cattle ranchers and communities in rural Northern California.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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Blue Dot: Climate change through Earth history: UC Davis paleoclimatologist Isabel Montañez 51:37

3M ago51:37

51:37

Host Dave Schlom visits with Isabel Montañez, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UC Davis.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

1
Best of Blue Dot: New Sáttítla Highlands National Monument overview with Sam Davidson and Brandy McDaniels 51:37

3M ago51:37

51:37

Host Dave Schlom is joined by Sam Davidson from Trout Unlimited and Brandy McDaniels from the Pit River Nation for an in-depth look at the newly designated Sáttítla Highlands National Monument.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

1
Blue Dot: Exploring California's Native Trees with Matt Ritter and Michael Kauffmann 51:38

3M ago51:38

51:38

Host Dave Schlom is joined by Backcountry Press Publisher Michael Kauffmann along with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo botany professor Matt Ritter. Both combined to author the superb new book, California Trees: A Field Guide to the Native Species.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

1
Best of Blue Dot: Microplastics in the marine environment 51:36

4M ago51:36

51:36

Host Dave Schlom is joined by Zeke Spooner, a Ph.D student at the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory, to discuss microplastics.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

1
Blue Dot: Celebrating Jaws at 50 with the "Lost Shark Guy" David Ebert 51:36

4M ago51:36

51:36

Host Dave Schlom is joined by David Ebert, Director of San Jose State University's Pacific Shark Research Center to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the movie Jaws.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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Blue Dot: The golden state's volcanic legacy: The USGS California Volcano Observatory 51:37

4M ago51:37

51:37

Host Dave Schlom discusses one of his favorite topics, California's volcanoes, with two United States Geological Survey staff members from the USGS California Volcano Observatory based at Moffett Field in the San Francisco Bay Area.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

1
Blue Dot: Celebrating three years of astronomy with the James Webb Space Telescope 51:38

4M ago51:38

51:38

Blue Dot marks three years of operation of the magnificent James Webb Space Telescope. NASA Webb Project Manager Mike Davis joins host Dave Schlom for an overview of the telescope's operation and unique capabilities that have surpassed the expectations of the astronomical community.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

1
Blue Dot: Restoring an ancient and important salmon habitat: Big Chico Creek in Northern California 51:37

5M ago51:37

51:37

Host Dave Schlom and Producer Matt Fidler go out in the field and in the studio to learn about the story of a major restoration on Big Chico Creek in Chico, California's historic and precious Bidwell Park.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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Complete Telescope Systems vs Assembling From Components - Which is Better? 59:09

2+ y ago59:09

59:09

Is it better to buy a complete amateur astronomy telescope system that includes optical tube, mount, drive, etc or can you get better quality by assembling your own from individual components. Dustin talks advantages and disadvantages to both. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support…

1
Backyard Observatories: Tony is Finally Building His, Should You? 1:01:54

2+ y ago1:01:54

1:01:54

Tony is finally getting to a place where he can start construction on his backyard observatory for his 20 inch reflector. In this episode, we discuss the value of having a permanent place for your telescope and it doesn't have to be fancy! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support…

1
The Search for Intelligence in the Universe w/ Beth Johnson from SETI Institute 1:01:36

2+ y ago1:01:36

1:01:36

We have a guest today! Beth Johnson from the SETI Institute kindly agreed to join us to talk about her role at the SETI Institute and what they are doing to help us find signs of intelligence in the universe. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support

1
How Autoguiders Can Help You Find the Meaning of Life 1:01:23

2+ y ago1:01:23

1:01:23

Tony's been thinking a lot out his life and the meaning it holds. Getting philosophical, Dustin helps Tony realize that autoguiders are the key to understanding. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support

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Askar Astrographs // Degree for an Astronomy Job? // Becoming an Expert 1:01:13

2+ y ago1:01:13

1:01:13

Dustin has been using the new line of astrographs from Askar/Sharpstar and tells us a little about them. Astrographs are more ubiquitous now that imaging has become so mainstream. Tony also talks a bit about whether you need a college degree these days to get a good job in astronomy. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show…

1
New iOptron Mounts // The Growing Problem of LED Streetlighting 47:12

3y ago47:12

47:12

Dustin's been using some of the new iOptron mounts that have recently come out and he talks about his experiences with them. Tony wonders about the effects of the growing use of LED lighting in cities and towns across the world. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support…

1
NASA's Artemis Mission: What is Tony's Problem? 1:07:19

3y ago1:07:19

1:07:19

We're Podchatting, did you know that? Tony ventures into the realm of saying what's on his mind. Dustin and Tony discuss the Artemis mission and Tony has thoughts. They also talk gear, astrophotography and lots more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support

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Space Junk Podcast is Back 51:49

3y ago51:49

51:49

OK so we decided to pick this back up again. Tony and Dustin are back talking astronomy and telescopes and we hope you'll join us! Please send us any input you have and you're always welcome to join our discussion if you're interested. You can also join the Deep Astronomy discord server here: https://discord.gg/K9BuW2U --- Support this podcast: htt…

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The Search for the Perfect Telescope; Camera Resolution Wars - It's like magnification all over again 49:28

3+ y ago49:28

49:28

This episode was prompted by an email from Matt who wanted to sort out WHY different telescopes are better than others. In this episode, I'll break down all the different telescope types and try to answer the question of why you should want one. Also, Dustin and I discuss camera resolution: why it matters, is more better and more. --- Support this …

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Pro-Am Astronomy Collaboration; Celestron RASA and Other Wide Field Telescopes 1:03:06

3+ y ago1:03:06

1:03:06

More than any other aspect of amateur astronomy, using your equipment to get involved in professional astronomy is growing the fastest. In this episode, we explore ways you can use your stuff to do science! Also, Dustin and Tony talk about the advances in short-focal length telescope design and why they are amazing. --- Support this podcast: https:…

SETI Institute Podcasts

1
Blue Dot

Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

1
Space Junk

OPT Telescopes

1
Explorers Institute - Let's Explore!

Jonathan Knowles

1
Blue Dot: SETI Institute: it's role in the Disney/Pixar animated film Elio and The Fermi Paradox 51:37

1
Blue Dot: Understanding the earthquake and tsunami hazards of California's North Coast with Lori Dengler 51:35

1
Blue Dot: The anatomy of a disaster: inside the Titan submersible implosion 51:35

1
Best of Blue Dot: Restoring an ancient and important salmon habitat: Big Chico Creek in Northern California 51:37

1
Blue Dot: Bill Nelson: Congressman, astronaut and NASA Director 51:37

1
Blue Dot: Permaculture; A Permanent Culture for People and all the inhabitants of the Planet 51:37

1
Blue Dot: The art and science of fly fishing with Hall of Famer Mike Mercer 54:59

1
Blue Dot: The Roosevelt brothers quest to find the Giant Panda: a conversation with author Nathalia Holt 51:38

1
Best of Blue Dot: Protecting invertebrate pollinators and endangered species with the Xerces Society 51:37

1
Blue Dot: Going nuclear? A conversation about atomic power with British scientist and author Tim Gregory 51:36

1
Blue Dot: On the frontiers of philosophy and physics: a conversation with Caltech's Chip Sebens 51:37

1
Best of Blue Dot: Ocean science at UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography 51:37

1
Best of Blue Dot: The challenge of California's growing wolf population 51:31

1
Blue Dot: Climate change through Earth history: UC Davis paleoclimatologist Isabel Montañez 51:37

1
Best of Blue Dot: New Sáttítla Highlands National Monument overview with Sam Davidson and Brandy McDaniels 51:37

1
Blue Dot: Exploring California's Native Trees with Matt Ritter and Michael Kauffmann 51:38

1
Best of Blue Dot: Microplastics in the marine environment 51:36

1
Blue Dot: Celebrating Jaws at 50 with the "Lost Shark Guy" David Ebert 51:36

1
Blue Dot: The golden state's volcanic legacy: The USGS California Volcano Observatory 51:37

1
Blue Dot: Celebrating three years of astronomy with the James Webb Space Telescope 51:38

1
Blue Dot: Restoring an ancient and important salmon habitat: Big Chico Creek in Northern California 51:37

1
Complete Telescope Systems vs Assembling From Components - Which is Better? 59:09

1
Backyard Observatories: Tony is Finally Building His, Should You? 1:01:54

1
The Search for Intelligence in the Universe w/ Beth Johnson from SETI Institute 1:01:36

1
How Autoguiders Can Help You Find the Meaning of Life 1:01:23

1
Askar Astrographs // Degree for an Astronomy Job? // Becoming an Expert 1:01:13

1
New iOptron Mounts // The Growing Problem of LED Streetlighting 47:12

1
NASA's Artemis Mission: What is Tony's Problem? 1:07:19

1
Space Junk Podcast is Back 51:49

1
The Search for the Perfect Telescope; Camera Resolution Wars - It's like magnification all over again 49:28

1
Pro-Am Astronomy Collaboration; Celestron RASA and Other Wide Field Telescopes 1:03:06