Star Stuff

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Star Stuff: A Space Poddity, by Lowell Observatory, will be a 45-minute podcast recorded on Mars Hill that aims to make astronomical science and space exploration fun and accessible to wide audiences using humor, facts, and casual banter. Two Lowell educators (Hailey Osborn and Wesley Sonnemaker) and one literature major (Cody Half-Moon) will sit together and discuss astronomy, planetary science, and space exploration via news articles, movie reviews, audience questions, pop culture discussions, and guest speakers. This podcast will run for one year, with its first episode launching in January 2022.

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    • Aug 19, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 49m AVG DURATION
    • 80 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Star Stuff

    Does Venus Have A Moon? | We Talk To Zoozve Discoverer Brian Skiff

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2024 30:17


    In this episode of Star Stuff, Cody Half-Moon sits down with Lowell astronomer Brian Skiff as he recounts his discovery of Venusian moon Zoozve, and how a determined dad's twitter […] The post Does Venus Have A Moon? | We Talk To Zoozve Discoverer Brian Skiff appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    LIVE from Grand Canyon: Turning the Park Dark

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 55:52 Transcription Available


    In this special episode of Star Stuff recorded live from Grand Canyon National Park, we're joined by former Astronomer in Residence and Lowell Observatory Public Information Officer Kevin Schindler, Grand […] The post LIVE from Grand Canyon: Turning the Park Dark appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Makers, Menders, and Writers | We Talk to Diana Gabaldon

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2024 43:37


    Makers, Menders, and Writers | We Talk to Diana Gabaldon 2Ep25 Lowell Historian Kevin Schindler sits down with the one and only Diana Gabaldon, author of the wildly popular Outlander book […] The post Makers, Menders, and Writers | We Talk to Diana Gabaldon appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    How Common is Life on Other Planets?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 33:21


    Wow, over 70,000 listens to Star Stuff! This podcast is still in the top 20 of astronomy podcasts and climbing. Thank you all for your support as we wrap up […] The post How Common is Life on Other Planets? appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    CSI: Mechanical Forensics

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2023 33:17


    In this Cosmic Scope Interview (CSI), Lowell's Technical Facilities Manager Jeff Gehring takes host Cody Half-Moon through the challenges of restoring the historic 24″ Clark Telescope to its former glory […] The post CSI: Mechanical Forensics appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Reconciling Religion and Astronomy

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 36:11


    An atheist, a catholic, and an agnostic walk into a podcast recording room… and have an incredible conversation about how science and astronomy inform religious perspectives! Inspired by Dr. Kyler […] The post Reconciling Religion and Astronomy appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    A Moving Portrait

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2023 31:51


    In this episode of Star Stuff, Lowell Historian Kevin Schindler and astronomer Gerard van Belle sit down for a chat with German artist Ulrike Arnold, the subject of the feature-length […] The post A Moving Portrait appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    How the Earth Formed

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2023 34:39


    In this episode of Star Stuff, join Cody Half-Moon and geologist John Compton as they discuss the mind-blowing process of our planet's formation over 4.6 billion years ago. The post How the Earth Formed appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Bringing Astronomy to the People

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023 33:22


    In this episode of Star Stuff, Kevin Schindler is joined by special guest Eric Edelman, the director of the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium in Prescott, AZ. Kevin and Eric […] The post Bringing Astronomy to the People appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Life Beyond Our Solar System

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 52:39


    In this episode of Star Stuff, we talk about aliens. Again. Join Cody Half-Moon and returning guest Dean Regas as they discuss upcoming solar eclipses, the possibility of life beyond […] The post Life Beyond Our Solar System appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    The Life and Times of Percival Lowell

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2023 32:50


    The man, the myth, the founder. In this episode of Star Stuff, we talk about how Percival Lowell made history by founding Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona and how he […] The post The Life and Times of Percival Lowell appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Choosing Between Sciences and Humanities: We Talk to Journalist Melissa Sevigny

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2023 36:54


    In this episode of Star Stuff, we sit down with journalist Melissa Sevigny to talk about her career, choosing between different paths, and her newest book, “Brave the Wild River.” […] The post Choosing Between Sciences and Humanities: We Talk to Journalist Melissa Sevigny appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Making an Impact

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2023 31:52


    Learn about a 50,000-year-old Meteor Crater from the man who runs the crater business here in Flagstaff, Arizona. In this episode of Star Stuff, we sit down with Matthew Kent, […] The post Making an Impact appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Making Science Accessible

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2023 33:24


    In this episode of Star Stuff, we talk to University of Denver professor and astronomer, Dr. Jennifer Hoffman, about making science more accessible. To learn more about DU SciTech Summer […] The post Making Science Accessible appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Theories of the Universe Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2023 42:12


    Multiverse? Simulation? In this episode of Star Stuff, we discuss even more of the most mind-blowing theories of how our universe works. The post Theories of the Universe Part 2 appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Theories of the Universe Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2023 38:06


    String Theory? Braneworld? In this episode of Star Stuff, we discuss some of the most mind-blowing theories of how our universe works. Stay tuned for Part 2! The post Theories of the Universe Part 1 appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    What Astronomers Do In The Dark

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2023 51:49


    In this episode of Star Stuff, astronomers Dr. Gerard van Belle and Dr. David Ciardi take us on a behind-the-scenes journey through a night of observing, from the movies they […] The post What Astronomers Do In The Dark appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Apollo Astronauts At The Grand Canyon? We Talk To Dark Sky Ranger Rader Lane

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2023 50:31


    Filmed at the Grand Canyon! This episode features audience favorite Dark Sky Ranger Rader Lane to discuss the Astronomer in Residence program at the Grand Canyon with the Astronomer in […] The post Apollo Astronauts At The Grand Canyon? We Talk To Dark Sky Ranger Rader Lane appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    What Is Life Really Like In Space? – We Talk To Astronaut Nicole Stott

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2023 31:17


    Ever wondered what it's like to live in space? Star Stuff sits down with Astronaut Nicole Stott to ask the important questions, from how living in space affected her art, […] The post What Is Life Really Like In Space? – We Talk To Astronaut Nicole Stott appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Capturing The Cosmos: We Talk About Astrophotography

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2023 38:24


    In this episode of Star Stuff, we sit down with Lowell educator, Gavin Moriarty, to talk about the basics of astrophotography and how you can get started in the craft. The post Capturing The Cosmos: We Talk About Astrophotography appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    What Is Life?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2023 41:39


    What is life? In this episode of Star Stuff, our hosts discuss what it means to be alive on Earth and beyond. The post What Is Life? appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Let’s Take A (Conversational) Look at the Sun – We Talk to Dr. Jeff Hall

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2023 63:04


    The Star Stuff crew sits down with solar astronomer and Lowell Observatory Executive Director, Dr. Jeff Hall, to talk about a seriously hot topic: the Sun! Jeff tells us about […] The post Let's Take A (Conversational) Look at the Sun – We Talk to Dr. Jeff Hall appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Exploring the Drake Equation: We Talk About Aliens

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2023 38:36


    Are we running through the six with our woes…. alone? The Drake Equation says no. On this episode of Star Stuff, our fearless hosts delve into a probabilistic argument created […] The post Exploring the Drake Equation: We Talk About Aliens appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    The Math of the Universe & Elements of Awe with Astronomer Dr. Daniel Fleisch

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2023 52:21


    Star Stuff sits down for a chat with astronomer Dr. Daniel Fleisch, who served as Astronomer in Residence at Grand Canyon National Park in December 2022. They discuss his time […] The post The Math of the Universe & Elements of Awe with Astronomer Dr. Daniel Fleisch appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    From The Farm To The Stars: We Talk About Clyde Tombaugh

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2023 42:19


    A telescope made out of farming equipment? Discovering Pluto? In this episode of Star Stuff, Hailey sits down with Lowell historian Kevin Schindler to talk about the man who discovered […] The post From The Farm To The Stars: We Talk About Clyde Tombaugh appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Beyond The Event Horizon: We Talk About Black Holes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2023 40:10


    Wormholes? Time travel? Alternate universes? In this episode of Star Stuff, Cody and Hailey talk about black holes, the different types of black holes, and the bizarre implications of their […] The post Beyond The Event Horizon: We Talk About Black Holes appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Seeing The Unseen: We Talk About Spectroscopy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2023 48:10


    Welcome to Star Stuff Season 2, now also in video format on YouTube! How do scientists study light? In this episode, Cody and Hailey talk about the various types of […] The post Seeing The Unseen: We Talk About Spectroscopy appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Season 1 Finale: What We Learned On Season 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2022 58:48


    That's a wrap on Star Stuff Season 1! In this episode, Cody and Hailey reminisce with Star Stuff crew members, Madi Mooney, Nate Nise, and John Compton, about their favorite […] The post Season 1 Finale: What We Learned On Season 1 appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Learning Science Through Historic Literature

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2022 46:07


    You've heard the Greek myths about how the constellations formed, but what about the stories of other cultures? In this episode of Star Stuff, Cody sits down with cultural astronomer […] The post Learning Science Through Historic Literature appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    How Realistic Were These Popular Sci-Fi Movies? A Scientist's Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2022 59:10


    Listen in as Lowell Observatory Educators Hailey Osborn and Matt Lydy discuss some of the most popular sci-fi movies, from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) to Passengers (2016). Learn their […] The post How Realistic Were These Popular Sci-Fi Movies? A Scientist's Review appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Fostering Education Resources in Communities

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2022 51:59


    In this episode of Star Stuff, Hailey chats with Lowell Early Education Supervisor, Kelly Ferguson, and CEO of Flagstaff local business Quality Connections, Armando Bernasconi. Kelly talks about how Lowell's […] The post Fostering Education Resources in Communities appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Tales from the Drinking Horn: We Talk Norse Mythology with the Meadcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2022 44:22


    Grab a horn-full of your favorite beverage and get ready for a crossover of mythic proportions! In this episode of Star Stuff, Hailey and John discuss Norse mythology with Nick […] The post Tales from the Drinking Horn: We Talk Norse Mythology with the Meadcast appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Arecibo Observatory: A Message To The Unknown

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2022 51:10


    In this episode of Star Stuff, Cody and Hailey chat with Bradly Rivera, the Elementary School Division Head and STEM Program Lead at Arecibo Observatory's STAR Academy. Learn all about […] The post Arecibo Observatory: A Message To The Unknown appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    The Modern Hunt for Aliens: What Is Astrobiology?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2022 50:25


    In this episode of Star Stuff, Hailey chats with astrobiologist Dr. Bonnie Baxter and Lowell Public Program Educator Juan Ruiz about astrobiology. How did they get into the field? What […] The post The Modern Hunt for Aliens: What Is Astrobiology? appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    ‘Oumuamua: The Extrasolar Asteroid… Or Alien Craft

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2022 59:49


    In this Episode of Star Stuff, Cody and Hailey chat with astrophysicist and returning guest Dr. Martin Elvis about ‘Oumuamua, an interstellar object with unknown origins. Is it a space […] The post ‘Oumuamua: The Extrasolar Asteroid… Or Alien Craft appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    The Fear and Beauty of the Night: We Talk to Grand Canyon’s Astronomer in Residence Lauren Camp

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2022 56:07


    In this episode of Star Stuff, Cody chats with poet Lauren Camp about her experience as the Grand Canyon's astronomer in residence and how the park's dark skies influenced her […] The post The Fear and Beauty of the Night: We Talk to Grand Canyon's Astronomer in Residence Lauren Camp appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    We Got Astronomers to Review The Thing

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2022 58:35


    In this episode of Star Stuff, Cody and Hailey hear from astronomers Dr. Kyler Kuehn and Dr. Teddy Kareta as they give their scientific perspectives on the classic horror/sci-fi film […] The post We Got Astronomers to Review The Thing appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Searching for New Worlds with Jake Clark

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2022 70:44


    On this episode of Star Stuff, Hailey and Madi sit down with 2020 Fullbright Future Scholar, astronomy PhD candidate, and freelance science communicator Jake Clark to discuss distant worlds, teenage […] The post Searching for New Worlds with Jake Clark appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Debating Space Conspiracy Theories

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2022 46:03


    Is NASA real? Is the Earth flat? In this episode of Star Stuff, Cody and Hailey chat with John Compton about space-related conspiracy theories and how they don't hold up […] The post Debating Space Conspiracy Theories appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    How Would You Remember The Stars? | We Talk to Rader Lane, Dark Sky Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2022 55:36


    Cody Half-Moon meets again with fan-favorite Dark Sky Ranger Rader Lane of the Grand Canyon National Park to talk about how Rader combines dark skies and creative inspirations to produce […] The post How Would You Remember The Stars? | We Talk to Rader Lane, Dark Sky Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    When Black Holes Collide

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2022 49:05


    Cody and Hailey learn about colliding black holes with CASA postdoctoral research associate Dr. Scott Barrows and Lowell Observatory astronomer Dr. Jennifer Hanley. The post When Black Holes Collide appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Throwing DARTs: Exploring NASA’s Planetary Defense Mission

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2022 46:12


    In this episode of Star Stuff, Cody, Hailey, Lowell Astronomer Dr. Nick Moskovitz, and DART Team Lead Dr. Cristina Thomas will discuss the ins and outs of NASA's Double Asteroid […] The post Throwing DARTs: Exploring NASA's Planetary Defense Mission appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Asteroids: How Love, Fear, and Greed Will Determine Our Future in Space

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2022 70:42


    In this episode of Star Stuff, Cody, Hailey, and Harvard astrophysicist Dr. Martin Elvis talk about quasars, black holes, asteroids, and Dr. Elvis' book Asteroids: How Love, Fear, and Greed Will […] The post Asteroids: How Love, Fear, and Greed Will Determine Our Future in Space appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Dr. Vera Rubin: Discoveries, Stories, and Good Memories

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2022 67:10


    In this episode of Star Stuff, Cody and Hailey chat with Dr. Alycia Weinberger and Dr. Kaspar von Braun about American astronomer Dr. Vera Rubin. They discuss her life and […] The post Dr. Vera Rubin: Discoveries, Stories, and Good Memories appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Academic Burnout

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2022 74:48


    In the latest episode of Star Stuff, Cody Half-Moon, Hailey Osborn, Ariel Daniel, and Victoria Girgis sit down to discuss what it's like to be a student in modern university […] The post Academic Burnout appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir: An Astronomer’s Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2022 74:26


    Enjoy this full book review of Andy Weir's incredible sci-fi novel Project Hail Mary — from astronomers here at our world-famous observatory! Listen to our scientists Dr. Kaspar von Braun, Dr. Catherine […] The post Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir: An Astronomer's Review appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Guess That Sci-Fi Movie: We Play A Podcast Game

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2022 59:03


    No Earth. His best friend is a cockroach. Can you guess the sci-fi movie? Play along on this episode of Star Stuff and see how many you can guess! The post Guess That Sci-Fi Movie: We Play A Podcast Game appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    The Path of a Female Scientist

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2022 57:38


    Cody and Hailey meet up with Dr. Catherine Clark and Dr. Lauren Biddle (two newly-minted PhD's!) to discuss what inspires them, hurdles they've faced as women in STEM, what it […] The post The Path of a Female Scientist appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Saturn Opposition: What It Means and Why It’s So Cool

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2022 26:32


    Join Cody Half-Moon, Hailey Osborn, and John Compton as they talk about what exactly it means for a planet to be in opposition, and what is so cool about Saturn […] The post Saturn Opposition: What It Means and Why It's So Cool appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    The Art of the Night Sky – We Talk to “NightVisions” Artist Arline Martens and Exhibit Co-Creator Chris Luginbuhl

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2022 42:27


    Cody Half-Moon and Hailey Osborn sit down with fiber artist Arline Martens and the principal of Dark Sky Partners Chris Luginbuhl to talk about their experience with astronomical art, and […] The post The Art of the Night Sky – We Talk to “NightVisions” Artist Arline Martens and Exhibit Co-Creator Chris Luginbuhl appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

    Astronomy in Poetry with Author Julie Swarstad Johnson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2022 47:09


    English majors Cody Half-Moon and Madi Mooney geek out with poet Julie Swarstad Johnson, who recently served as Lowell Observatory's Poet In Residence. Tune in to hear them discuss Julie's […] The post Astronomy in Poetry with Author Julie Swarstad Johnson appeared first on Lowell Observatory.

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