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Hear stories about the alien moons orbiting our Sun, of cold stars, and the future of space exploration. Every week, scientist Dr. Carrie Nugent chats about an amazing part of our universe with an expert guest. Spacepod is the podcast that gives you an inside look into space exploration. Learn more…

Carrie Nugent


    • Mar 2, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 21m AVG DURATION
    • 231 EPISODES

    4.9 from 372 ratings Listeners of Spacepod that love the show mention: nugent, space science, astronomers, planetary science, interested in space, real scientists, thank you carrie, science content, science background, best space podcast, astronomy podcast, string theory, carrie's, space exploration, space related, non scientists, podcast for anyone interested, full of interesting, cosmos, beverage.


    Ivy Insights

    The Spacepod podcast is an incredible resource for anyone interested in astronomy and planetary science. Hosted by Dr. Carrie Nugent, a planetary scientist herself, the podcast features interviews with a wide range of experts in the field. With its easy listening style and informative content, it has become a favorite among space enthusiasts.

    One of the best aspects of The Spacepod podcast is its accessibility. Dr. Nugent does a fantastic job of breaking down complex scientific concepts and making them understandable for listeners who may not have a professional connection to space science. Her engaging interviewing style ensures that each episode is informative, interesting, and enjoyable.

    Another great aspect of this podcast is the variety of guests that are featured. Dr. Nugent brings in scientists from various disciplines within astronomy and planetary science, providing listeners with a well-rounded view of the field. This diversity of perspectives adds depth to the discussions and keeps the content fresh and engaging.

    However, one potential drawback of The Spacepod podcast is its relatively low episode count. While each episode is packed with information and insight, there are often long breaks between episodes. For avid listeners eager for more content, this can be frustrating.

    In conclusion, The Spacepod podcast is an excellent resource for those interested in astronomy and planetary science. With its accessible format and diverse range of guests, it provides valuable insights into current research and discoveries in the field. Despite occasional gaps between episodes, it remains a top choice for space enthusiasts looking to expand their knowledge.



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    Latest episodes from Spacepod

    226: The intersection of computer science and astronomy with Dr. Kubica

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2025 21:57


    Dr. Jeremy Kubica talks about his work on the LINCC Frameworks project, and how he brings together astronomers and computer scientists to create software tools. He shares advice for students and talks about his books, which explain computing concepts in fun and accessible ways.

    225: A newly discovered Martian volcano with Dr. Lee

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2024 41:02


    Dr. Pascal Lee tells the story of how he and his collaborators found a new volcano on Mars. He tells us about the "convergence of lines of evidence" that led to this discovery. He also explains why this site may be a good place to look for life.

    224: Aurora borealis with Tina Ibsen

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 56:19


    Astrophysicist Tina Ibsen tells us about the northern lights. She talks about her research and gives tips on how to observe the lights. She tells us how Denmark is a space nation and shares her thoughts about the future of space exploration. We also talk about RumSnak, the space podcast she co-hosts with Anders Høeg Nissen.

    223: Preparing for something we haven't seen yet with Dr. Holt

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2024 23:27


    Dr. Carrie Holt talks about how she's getting ready for the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) by the Vera C. Ruben Observatory. She explains how astronomers are using simulated and real data to prepare in advance of this new data.

    Bonus: RumSnak

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 54:10


    Carrie chats with Anders and Tina on the beautifully produced Danish space podcast, RumSnak. The show starts with space news in Danish before the mostly English interview, which starts 24 minutes in. Find RumSnak on your favorite podcatcher, or online at www.rumsnak.dk. 

    222: Measuring the emptiness of space with Dr. Becker

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2024 21:59


    Dr Tracy Becker tells us about solar system science using ultraviolet light. She explains how the color of a planet's northern lights depends on the planet's atmosphere. She also describes how scientists repurposed the New Horizons spacecraft to measure how empty space is.

    221: The queens of heaven with Prof. Tauris

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2024 30:17


    Professor Thomas Tauris explains what gravitational waves can tell us about colliding neutron stars. He corrects Carrie's misconception about how gravitational waves affect people. He also explains how the last 400 years of astronomy have been like watching a silent movie, but now with gravitational waves, we have a soundtrack. 

    220: Walking on the roof of hell with Prof. Stanley

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2024 23:39


    Prof. Sabine Stanley, author of "What's Hidden Inside Planets," tells us how the interior of Earth helps make this planet a nice place to live. She tells us that the Earth's mantle is actually solid rock, not liquid rock. She also explains what the Earth's interior and birthday balloons have in common. Spacepod listeners can get a 30% discount on "What's Hidden Inside Planets" with the code HPLAN if you order through Hopkins Press at press.jhu.edu. (This code is shared as a courtesy, Spacepod does not receive compensation if you order a book.)

    219: Breaking the models with Dr. Merrison

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2024 32:14


    Dr. Jon Merrison talks about the Mars Simulation Laboratory. Here, scientists study what happens in low temperature, low pressure, windy environments.  He says visiting scientists often "come to our lab with some idea based on the conventional model and go away with data which makes no sense to them."

    218: Anything we try is new with Dr. Cable

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2024 26:32


    Dr. Morgan Cable returns to the show after nine years!  She tells us how she creates new minerals in her laboratory. She explains how this work helps shape NASA's Dragonfly mission. She encourages listeners to have confidence in their results.

    217: A beautiful experience with Dr. Villanueva

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2024 27:29


    Dr. Geronimo Villanueva tells us about solar system discoveries with JWST. He talks about several projects, including observing water plumes from Saturn's moon Europa and looking for rings around Mars. He shares what it feels like to use this incredible space telescope. 

    Bonus: Carrie's research update

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2024 9:37


    I was sick for a few weeks this month and had to delay the scheduled interview. In the meantime, I've got a bonus episode for you. In this episode I talk about FindPOTATOs, which is software written by Nicole Tan and me, Carrie Nugent, to find asteroids and comets. I share some challenges we faced and how we overcame them. We hope that findPOTATOs can help astronomers find more asteroids, comets, and trans-Neptunian objects in their images of the sky!

    research neptunian carrie nugent
    216: Right and wrong theories in planetary science with Prof. McKinnon

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2023 25:22


    Professor Bill McKinnon, 2023 recipient of the Kuiper Prize, reflects on his career as a planetary scientist. He tells us about a theory of his that was proven right, one that was proven wrong, and what he thinks might be proven wrong in the future.

    215: Naming asteroids with Dr. Williams

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2023 25:37


    Dr. Gareth Williams tells us about asteroid names. He explains the rules around naming asteroids and tells us how an asteroid name lead to a surprise trip to meet one of his heroes.

    214: Astronauts on the moon with Dr. Denevi

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2023 43:48


    Dr. Brett Denevi talks to us about the planned Artemis missions to the moon's South Pole. There, astronauts will collect rocks and other samples. She describes how geologists are working with the astronauts to ensure that the best, most interesting samples are collected. These samples will create a legacy set that scientists will study for decades.

    213: The Six with Loren Grush

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2023 36:51


    Loren Grush talks about her new book, "The Six: The Untold Story of America's First Women in Space." She explains why Sally Ride was chosen to be the first American woman to go to space, and how the resulting attention was difficult for her. Loren also tells us how she researched and wrote the book during the pandemic.

    212: A scientific legacy with Dr. Blaney

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2023 31:22


    We hear from Dr. Diana Blaney, the principal investigator of the mapping imaging spectrometer on Europa Clipper. Europa Clipper will travel to Jupiter to see if its moon Europa is habitable. She describes how they tested the spectrometer in special rooms to make sure it will work at Europa.

    211: The Sparkler Galaxy with Prof. Mowla

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2023 32:32


    Professor Lamiya Mowla tells us about an exciting JWST discovery. She describes gravitational lensing as "nature's magnifying glass." She also explains why she likes calling telescopes time machines. We discuss pretty and shiny things, and why prettiness might indicate something is scientifically interesting.

    Bonus episode: The upcoming American total solar eclipse

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2023 4:27


    A quick bonus episode about the April 8th, 2024 total solar eclipse in Mexico, the US, and Canada! I talk about the difference between a partial and total solar eclipse, and share some tips in case you want to travel to see it.

    210: Wonders of the Night Sky with Prof. Prinja

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2023 22:52


    Professor Raman Prinja talks about his new book, "Wonders of the Night Sky."  He tells us how we are lucky to live on a planet with a transparent atmosphere. He also shares stargazing tips for city dwellers as well as long-haul truck drivers. The book is available at Simon and Schuster's website. Note: I received a free copy of the book. 

    209: Mission to the largest moon in the solar system with Dr. Witasse

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2023 24:31


    Dr. Olivier Witasse tells us about the Jupiter Icy Moon Explorer, or JUICE mission, which is currently traveling through space. JUICE will conduct 34 flybys of Jupiter's moons before orbiting Ganymede. Ganyemede may have significant liquid water, and perhaps the elements needed for life. 

    208: Cosmic tug of war with Dr. Plazas Malagón

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2023 42:28


    Dr. Andrés Plazas Malagón tells us about a field of astronomy called cosmology. He explains that either our universe is mostly made of mysterious stuff called dark energy, or the laws of physics are wrong. He also explains the difference between dark matter and dark energy.

    207: One of the stranger surfaces in the solar system with Dr. Cartwright

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2023 30:20


    Dr. Richard Cartwright tells us about the moons of Uranus and explains why we should visit Uranus with an orbiting spacecraft. This mission would take decades to design, build, and travel to the planet. He also shares what he thinks about Uranus jokes. 

    206: Every asteroid observation ever taken with Dr. Veres

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2023 27:57


    Dr. Peter Veres talks about asteroids, comets, and meteors. He describes how the Minor Planet Center keeps track of observations and orbits. This data is publicly available, and non-scientists make valuable contributions. He also tells us about the AMOS meteor network, and how meteors connect to asteroids and comets. 

    205: The moon's right to exist with Dr. Prem

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2023 33:05


    Dr. Parvathy Prem tells us about lunar ice. She says, "the moon records the history of our solar system neighborhood in a way that the Earth doesn't." Her simulations show that rocket landings can change lunar ice. We discuss different perspectives on the moon, and how those perspectives might change how we explore.

    204: Light Pollution with Kelly Beatty

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2022 25:15


    Kelly Beatty shares easy things we can do to reduce light pollution. He tells us how artificial night light can harm humans, birds, and insects. He shares the five principles of good lighting, and explains how addressing light pollution can save money.

    203: 11 hours and 23 minutes with Dr. Chabot

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2022 26:48


    Dr. Nancy Chabot returns to the show to talk about the DART mission, which changed the orbit of an asteroid moon. This was the first demonstration of asteroid deflection technology. She explains how the mission worked, what scientists are discovering, and why a small nudge is all you need when it comes to moving an asteroid out of Earth's way. 

    earth dart chabot nancy chabot
    202: Making atmospheres with Prof. Telus

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2022 24:38


    Professor Myriam Telus shares how she studies atmospheres using meteorites. These experiments can teach us about exoplanet atmospheres and planet formation. She says science feels like a playground, with so much to explore. 

    201: International space law with Cordula Panosch

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2022 24:10


    International space law expert Cordula Panosch explains what is and is not legal when it comes to deflecting an Earth-bound asteroid. Although much depends on the individual circumstances, she explains how existing laws govern what countries can and cannot do when it comes to outer space.

    200: Pluto is a planet, and so is its moon with Dr. Runyon

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2022 29:19


    Dr. Kirby Runyon shares his definition of "planet"-- a round celestial body that was never a star. Using this definition, there are over 150 planets orbiting our sun. He explains why the word planet matters, and why little planets might be the most common planets in our universe.

    199: Why can't we find Planet Nine with Prof. Lawler

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2022 28:06


    Professor Lawler discusses why planet nine might not exist.  She explains why reporting not finding something is as important as reporting a discovery. She tells us how satellite internet is getting in the way of astronomical observations. 

    198: Dragonfly with Dr. Turtle

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2022 24:46


    Dr. Zibi Turtle is the Principal Investigator of NASA's Dragonfly mission. She tells us what it is like to design and build an octocopter that will roam the surface of Saturn's moon Titan. She also tells us about Titan's exciting chemistry.

    197: A massive asteroid hit at tremendous speed with Prof. Richardson

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2022 27:56


    Professor Derek Richadson gives us an update on the DART mission, which is headed towards tiny asteroid moon Dimorphos. If all goes well this fall, DART will crash into Dimorphos at four miles per second! This experiment will be a test of asteroid deflection technology.

    196: Spinning universe with Dr. Cheng

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2022 25:29


    Dr. Jon Cheng tells us about his fluid flow experiments. These experiments investigate fundamental physics. They can be applied to the movement of the Earth's core as well as things like liquid batteries. Is electro-vortex flow the coolest phrase said on the show yet? Listen and decide! 

    195: Dark and quiet skies with Dr. Rawls

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2022 40:01


    Dr. Meredith Rawls talks about the unintended consequences of artificial satellite constellations. Satellites change the night sky, impacting the people and animals that rely on it. Hundreds of thousands of these satellites may be launched, which could create more orbital debris and endanger future space missions. She explains how people are coming together to help fix this problem. 

    194: Exoplanet next door with Prof Whitten

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2022 29:01


    Prof Jenny Whitten tells us about VERITAS, a NASA mission that will orbit Venus. She explains how scientists will use radar to learn about the surface, and how they picked exactly which radar band to use. She also talks about how VERITAS will shed light on Venus' evolution, the history of water on the planet, and its geologic processes.

    193: Orbital parking spots with Larissa Markwardt

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2022 19:31


    Larissa Markwardt talks about Trojan asteroids-- asteroids that orbit the sun a little before or after planets. She describes the special technique she uses to find these asteroids, and why not finding any is an interesting result.

    192: Craters on Titan with Prof. Neish

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2021 24:47


    Professor Catherine Neish explains why there's so few craters on Saturn's moon Titan. She explains why Titan's craters may contain the organic molecules needed for life, and how the Dragonfly mission will test that hypothesis.

    191: Back to Venus with Dr. Getty

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2021 30:36


    Dr. Stephanie Getty tells us about DAVINCI, which will go to Venus. DAVINCI will scan the planet during three flybys, and will deploy a probe. She explains how engineers will protect the probe's instruments from Venus' harsh environment, and how you can't build a spacecraft without meetings and emails.

    190: Millions of observations with Dr. Spoto

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2021 31:40


    Dr. Federica Spoto tells us how she found millions of high-precision observations of comets and asteroids. She explains how these observations let her turn back time and study the history of the main belt of asteroids in our solar system.

    189: Long Range Planning with Prof. Barmby

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2021 27:09


    Professor Barmby tells us how a group of astronomers created the Canadian Astronomy Long Range Plan. This plan outlines the priorities of Canadian astronomers for the next decade. It covers telescopes, computing resources, diversity and inclusion in astronomy, and the need to consider the environmental consequences of astronomy.

    188: Failing is the most important part of science with Tyler Linder

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2021 22:42


    Planetary defense researcher Tyler Linder talks about the benefits of using automated telescopes. He tells us the difference between an automated and a robotic telescope, and explains that inexpensive telescope time lets students learn, experiment, and fail. He describes the work he does with students, and why it is important to him.

    187: You doubt your own existence with Prof. Méndez

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2021 27:31


    Prof. Abel Méndez tells us about his Planetary Habitability Lab. He talks about the chances of discovering extraterrestrial life, explaining that we are "alone by isolation and distance." He also tells us about his team's Visible Paleo-Earth project, as well as the proposed plans to rebuild the Arecibo Radio Telescope.

    186: What's more powerful than a dinosaur with Dr. Noviello

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2021 30:17


    Dr. Jessica Noviello tells us a story about the power of interdisciplinary science: the time geologists, physicists, archeologists, chemists, paleontologists, and petroleum engineers all came together to solve a big mystery. This story focuses on a layer of clay that divides the "dinosaur part of time" from the "non dinosaur part of time."

    185: Solar system snapshots with Kevin Gill

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2021 23:16


    Kevin Gill explains how he transforms raw spacecraft images into stunning planet photos. He describes how he turns black and white images from the Juno spacecraft into full color mosaics of Jupiter. He also tells us about his experiences with the "King of Cameras" on Cassini.

    184: Samples are forever with Prof. Snead

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2021 31:06


    Prof. Christopher Snead tells us how he is preparing a very clean laboratory. In this lab, scientists will store and study Hayabusa-2 mission asteroid samples. The samples will be photographed and manipulated without ever touching Earth's atmosphere.

    183: The solar wind with Dr. Jian

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2021 26:06


    Dr. Lan Jian talks to us about the solar wind, which is ionized gas from the sun. It transfers energy from the sun to the planets, and can impact astronauts and technology. She shares her research, which includes interpreting data from spacecraft and computer modeling.

    182: Radar polarization with Dr. Hickson

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2021 22:02


    Dr. Dylan Hickson talks about how he studies the surfaces of asteroids using reflected radio waves. By comparing the reflections to mathematical models and data from Earth, he tries to determine if an asteroid's surface is blocky, dusty, or both.

    181: Young Stellar Objects with Dr. Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2021 29:23


    Dr. Rachel Smith tells us about her research into young stellar objects. These new stars are surrounded by a cloud of dust that may eventually become planets. Dr. Smith also explains why she thinks it is important to physically travel to telescopes when she makes her observations.

    180: Space Advocacy with Casey Dreier

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2020 27:15


    Casey Dreier, Chief Advocate of the Planetary Society, stops by to chat about space policy. He explains why human spaceflight is such a challenge, and talks about how scientists decide which planet to explore. He also explains how individual citizens from around the world can influence space policy.

    179: Not just a telescope with Dr. Virkki

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2020 23:32


    Dr. Anne Virkki talks about the Arecibo Radio Telescope, which recently sustained severe damage. She talks about the discoveries made at the telescope and explains that it could be rebuilt, if there was enough public support.

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