Astrophysics for All – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Are galaxies truly eternal, or do they have lifecycles just like living things?

In this episode of Astrophysics for All, I speak with Dr Jesse van de Sande, astrophysicist and lecturer at UNSW, about how galaxies form, evolve, and eventually stop producing new stars. We explore the idea of "zombie galaxies," the future collision between the Milky Way and Andromeda, and how astronomers use the motions of stars to reconstruct events that occurred billions of years ago.

Jesse also explains how cutting-edge techniques such as integral field spectroscopy allow researchers to map galaxies in unprecedented detail, and shares insights into life as a professional astrophysicist.

Professor Sara Seager is one of the world's leading exoplanet scientists and a professor of planetary science and physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her research has helped shape the modern search for planets beyond our Solar System and the quest to discover life elsewhere in the universe.

In this episode of Astrophysics for All, Professor Seager discusses how astronomers use spectroscopy to study exoplanet atmospheres, what scientists mean by a "biosignature", and why proving the existence of extraterrestrial life is far more difficult than many people realise. She also explains the science behind Project Starshade, reflects on the revolutionary impact of the James Webb Space Telescope, and shares why Venus has re-emerged as one of the most intriguing worlds in our Solar System.

Along the way, Professor Seager offers valuable advice for students interested in astrophysics and STEM, discussing confidence, curiosity, and the importance of building connections throughout your scientific journey.

Clouds might look soft and harmless, but they play one of the biggest roles in deciding Earth’s future climate.

In this episode of Astrophysics for All, I'm speaking with Professor Steven Sherwood, a leading climate scientist at UNSW Sydney, about how physics, computer models, and satellite data help us understand the atmosphere.

Professor Sherwood holds a physics degree from MIT, a master’s in engineering physics and fluid mechanics from UC San Diego, and a PhD in oceanography from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

In this episode of Astrophysics for All, I’m joined by Dr. Rosanna Ruggeri, a cosmologist and honorary research fellow at the University of Queensland. We explore how scientists map the large-scale structure of the universe, what dark energy is, and why understanding it is key to predicting the universe’s ultimate fate. Dr. Ruggeri shares her journey working with cutting-edge instruments like DESI and the Vera Rubin Observatory, and explains how curiosity, coding, and persistence shape a career in science.

In this episode of Astrophysics for All, I’m joined by Dr Laura Driessen, a radio astronomer and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Sydney’s Sydney Institute for Astrophysics. We explore what radio astronomy actually is, how scientists study stars and cosmic events using signals we can’t see, and why some of the universe’s biggest discoveries come from its quietest signals. Dr Driessen shares her journey into astronomy, her work with major telescopes like ASKAP and MeerKAT, and what it’s really like to search for things that appear, disappear, and change across the radio sky. Whether you’re interested in space, science, or how curiosity turns into a career, this episode offers an honest look at what it means to explore the universe.

"We only know life as we know it."

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Jerome de Leon, an astrophysicist who has helped discover dozens of exoplanets using telescopes like Kepler, TESS, and Subaru. He is a Project Assistant Professor at the University of Tokyo and an astronomer–data scientist leading international teams on new exoplanet discoveries. In this episode, we explore how scientists detect planets we can’t see directly, why exoplanets have such unusual names, and what makes a planet “habitable.” Dr. De Leon also shares his inspiring journey from the Philippines to some of the most remote observatories in the world. Whether you’re curious about life beyond Earth or just love space, this episode will bring the universe a little closer to you.

Curious about how to really learn astronomy? In this episode, Taweewat (Champ) Somboonpanyakul, an astrophysicist with roots at Stanford, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Chicago, and now Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, walks us through the hands-on experiences that shaped his career, from childhood stargazing to using world-class telescopes. You’ll gain insight into how astronomers ask big questions and how different sciences come together to find answers.

In this episode, alongside Leah Kalimeris from the International Centre from Radio Astronomy Research, we explore the invisible part of the universe—radio waves! Learn what radio waves really are, how they’re different from visible light, and why radio astronomy is essential for discovering things like black holes, pulsars, and the early universe. We’ll break it all down in simple terms and show you how radio waves are not just for music, but for unlocking cosmic secrets.

In this episode of Astrophysics for All, I’m joined by Professor Marla Geha, Professor of Astronomy and Physics at Yale University and an award-winning educator whose research focuses on dwarf galaxies and dark matter.

We explore how some of the faintest and smallest galaxies in the universe could help answer some of cosmology’s biggest questions. Professor Geha explains how astronomers detect invisible dark matter through the motion of stars, why dwarf galaxies are so important for understanding galaxy formation, and how modern digital sky surveys are transforming astronomy.

Astronomy has long captivated human curiosity, but how can it reshape our lives and communities? Dr. Emma Cain Louden is a passionate astrophysicist with a PhD from Yale University, and serves as the president of Slooh, a platform that democratises access to astronomy by allowing people around the world to use remotely operated telescopes. Her work bridges the gap between complex scientific concepts and relatable experiences, making astronomy relevant to a wider audience.