A lunar eclipse May 15–16 offers us a perfect opportunity to learn about our planetary companion! — The Moon — our neighbor in space — appears serene and tranquil from the surface of the Earth. However, our passive planetary partner has a dramatic history full of violent impacts, which began with its birth in the chaos of the young solar system. Roughly 4.5 billion years ago, our…

The Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower falls Thursday and Friday night — here’s the buzz! Welcome back to the Cosmic Companion. The buzz this week is all about the Eta Aquarid meteor shower visible late on Thursday and Friday nights! Nearly one shooting star a minute might bee seen under really…

Looking at the ocean worlds throughout our solar system and beyond with famed oceanographer Sylvia Earle — This week on the Cosmic Companion, we explore the Ocean Worlds of the Cosmos. Later in the show, we will talk with oceanographer and National Geographic explorer Sylvia Earle. Oceans are one of the defining features of our world, covering roughly three-quarters of the globe. Water is essential to life…

Exploring exoplanets — worlds orbiting alien stars — talking with Thayne Currie of NAOJ, who recently found a bizarre massive planet. This week on The Cosmic Companion, we look at exoplanets — worlds orbiting alien stars. We are joined by Dr. Thayne Currie, astrophysicist at The Subaru Telescope, who recently…

Celebrating Earth Day with Katherine Calvin, Senior Climate Advisor to NASA, as we look at our home world! — Earth — the planet nearest and dearest to our hearts (not to mention our feet) is our planetary cradle, and for now, our only home. As our species reaches out to other planets and beyond, our world will continue to be our birthplace in the Cosmos. Throughout the last 4.5…

Examining the nature of intelligence and the intelligence of nature with National Geographic’s David Liittschwager — What is intelligence? How do we see it in other animals? And how might we recognize it on other worlds? Humans often like to think we are an intelligent species. And, perhaps, that may hold a kernel of truth. We did befriend cats, so… Speaking of which (because, why not?)…

How could the War in Ukraine affect life aboard the International Space Station? We talk with Homer Hickam about the future of the ISS! — This week on The Cosmic Companion, we talk about the future of the International Space Station, as we explore this outpost of humanity in space. We will talk with Homer Hickam — the self-made rocket designer who helped lead negotiations with the Russian government over their role on the ISS…

We look at the densest objects known to astronomers — black holes — with Dr. Abigail Frost, astrophysicist at KU Leuven — Welcome back to The Cosmic Companion. This week we talk about why Black Holes Don’t Suck as we discuss these bizarre features of space. We’ll talk about the different types of black holes, explore the history of our understanding of these objects, and glance at some of the great questions…

What is the future of music in space, as humanity moves out to the planets and beyond? We talk with Doug Helvering, host of The Daily Doug — From the earliest rhythmic beats made by our distant human ancestors to independent musicians now pushing the limits of music on YouTube channels, music has always changed and evolved with society. In turn, changes in music can bring about cathartic change within the human psyche.