Podcasts about new horizons spacecraft

New Horizons Spacecraft Pt. 2

New Horizons Spacecraft Pt. 1

In this episode, inspired by our good friend Alan Stern, the Principal Investigator for the New Horizons Spacecraft, we examine a question that has vexed astronomers, planetary scientists and 5th graders, for decades: " What exactly is a Planet ?" And more importantly, why should we care about definitions like this in science.

In 2015, the New Horizons Spacecraft flew past Pluto. Because Pluto is so far away, it took nearly 10 years of travel for the spacecraft to reach that distant dwarf planet -- and that was after a decade of work to get the spacecraft to the launch pad. Planetary scientists Alan Stern and David Grinspoon have written a new book, called: “Chasing New Horizons: Inside the Epic First Mission to Pluto”. The book tells the story of developing and operating the New Horizon mission. How on Earth’s own Joel Parker is also a scientist on the New Horizons mission, and he had a chance to chat with Alan and David about their book. Last week we heard the first part of this interview. In today’s show, we present Part 2 of that interview.  You can also listen to the full extended interview. Host/Producer:  Alejandro Soto Engineer:  Chip Grandits Add'l Contributions/Executive Producer: Joel Parker

A civic experiment: Six Coloradans, three who voted for Trump and three who didn't, break bread together. They agreed to step out of their political bubbles, sat at our table over soup and sourdough and talked, with no shouting. Then, as the New Horizons spacecraft heads for a target a billion miles past Pluto, a Boulder astronomer joins dozens traveling to South America and Africa to spot the object from Earth. And, an art museum could help fuel Walsenburg's future.

New Horizons Spacecraft pt. 2

New Horizons Spacecraft pt. 1

After a successful trip through the Pluto system, the New Horizons Spacecraft is heading towards an even more distant object.

After a successful trip through the Pluto system, the New Horizons Spacecraft is heading towards an even more distant object.

On July 14th NASA recieved a call home from the New Horizons Spacecraft sent to study Pluto.  This contact with Earth was confirmation that the spacecraft had survived and that humanity had now explored the mysterious ends of our solar system."Pluto Revealed" was a live event, sponsored by the Spark Musuem, Western Washington University (WWU) and the Planetary Society where over 100 people in Bellingham, Washington experienced this historic accomplishment together.  This audience also participated in a live taping of Spark Science with guests Casey Dreier- Planetary Society Director of Advocacy, Dr. Melissa Rice, Dr. Mike Kraft and Dr. Kirsten Fristad (all geophysicists from WWU) discussing features on Pluto. Please make sure to view the images on this site (located on the left site of the site labeled "Pluto Revealed Images..."), while listening to the show.Images Courtesy of NASA