What is Life? That’s not an easy question to answer. We’re going to do our best, talking with Robert Temple, author of A New Science of Heaven. — Hey there, and welcome back to The Cosmic Companion! This week, we’re delving into one of the most profound questions in the Universe: What is Life? Later in the show, we will be talking with Robert Temple, author of A New Science of Heaven. So — What is life? That’s…

Making space exploration sustainable and more environmentally friendly as we migrate into the Cosmos. — This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at Making Space Sustainable, talking with Daniel Bock from Morpheus Space. We’ll be looking at how we can move into the inner solar system while protecting the environments of Earth, the Moon, and Mars, as well as the future of space travel. …

Using Chat-GPT and Midjourney to construct a pictorial journey exploring the story of Hypatia — The last great scientist of the ancient age of the western world. — Hypatia of Alexandria was an accomplished astronomer, mathematician, and philosopher who lived in the final days of the ancient age of science. Born sometime around 360 CE, Hypatia was raised in the cultural and intellectual center of the Mediterranean, Alexandria, by her mathematician father Theon.

The Apollo and Artemis programs are just the first steps on humanity’s journey to the stars. We talk with NASA historian Andy Saunders, author of the new book, Apollo Remastered. — This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at the Apollo and Artemis programs, discussing how these first missions to the Moon set the stage for the next step in human evolution — becoming an interplanetary species. We will be talking with NASA historian Andy Saunders. His new book, Apollo…

Teaching children about space and astronomy — with Dean Regas from Cincinnati Observatory, author of 1,000 Facts About Space from National Geographic — Welcome back to The Cosmic Companion. I’m James Maynard. This week, we look at Teaching Kids About Space, as we welcome astronomer Dean Regas to the show. He is the author of a new book, 1,000 Facts About Space from National Geographic Kids. In years past, students didn’t have a…

Looking at what alien predators might look like on other worlds — with Shark Week regular Paul de Gelder — Welcome back to The Cosmic Companion. I’m James Maynard. This week, we imagine PREDATORS FROM SPACE!!! as we welcome Shark Week regular Paul de Gelder to the show. We will be talking about his new book, Shark: Why We Need to Save the World’s Most Misunderstood Predator. And — did…

Metaverses and 3D environments are giving us glimpses of humanity’s future among the stars, a purview once reserved to science fiction. We talk with Tony Tellado, host of the Sci-Fi Talk podcast. — Welcome back to the Cosmic Companion — I’m James Maynard! {don’t forget!] (Wait? what?) [Don’t forget to tell everyone that this is the premiere of season seven of the Cosmic Companion.”] (No. It can’t be seven seasons already, can it? Time flies when you’re talking astronomy!)

A look forward at 2023 — what’s happening in the sky over the next 12 months, and a sneak preview of our first shows of the year! — This week on The Cosmic Companion, we wrap up season six with a look at… SPACE: 2023. In the year 2023, a massive nuclear explosion will rip the Moon from its orbit, sending more than 300 inhabitants of a lunar colony careening into space. [No. No. That’s not right.] …

Exploring the Winter sky using telescopes — even if you’ve never used a telescope before! With Michael Petrasko from Insight Observatory — Welcome back to The Cosmic Companion. I’m James Maynard. This week, we explore the winter skies using telescopes! But don’t fret — we’ll be talking with Michael Petrasko from Insight Observatory learning how to see the winter sky using telescopes from the warmth and comfort of home.