Explore every episode of the podcast Please Look Up

This month, Leon and Beth guide you through the night sky of Boorloo for September. Discover the planets Saturn and Venus, and learn about Saturn’s opposition and its upcoming equinox. The team also dives into the Deep Sky Dictionary, Space Picture of the Month, and the latest in space flight fails. Don’t miss out on the cosmic fun!

This month, Leon and Amanda delve into the fascinating story of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle debris that washed up in Greenhead in July 2023. Discover what this piece of space history is, how it got here, and its new home at Scitech. The team also explores the journey of the PSLV, its role in space missions, and the intricate process of preparing it for display. Don’t miss out on this special episode packed with intriguing insights and cosmic fun!

Leon is joined by Beth, a Scitech Planetarium Presenter, to highlight some spectacular constellations visible in the October night sky – and the dramatic mythologies that inspired their names!

The duo also discuss how and why we are studying two different asteroids – Bennu and Psyche.

To find out more about the WA space news, visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/

Credits

Host: Leon Smith

Guest: Beth Maskall

Producer: Zaya Altangerel

Leon is joined by Amanda to give you tips on how to spot Saturn, Jupiter, Venus and Mercury alongside a peculiar constellation known as Pavo the Giant Space Slug.

The duo also update us on the Chandrayaan-3 mission. And give us the hot details on India's newest space mission to study the Sun with ADITYA-L1.

To find out more about the WA space news, visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/

Credits

Host: Leon Smith

Guest: Amanda Hunter

Producer: Zaya Altangerel

As we head into the Noongar season of Djilba, Leon is joined by Amanda to talk all things stargazing and space news.

In addition to highlighting the constellations and planets visible in the WA sky this month, Amanda answers the question of "What exactly is a blue moon?"

The duo also talk about photographing black holes, and the launch of Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft.

To find out more about the WA space news, visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/

Credits

Host: Leon Smith

Guest: Amanda Hunter

Producers: Zaya Altangerel, Michael Gatt & Alyshia Gatani

Leon is joined by Professor Steven Tingay, the Deputy Executive Director of ICRAR, to talk all about the Murchison Widefield Array.

Join us as we discover the:

• purpose of the ground-breaking telescope
• meaning behind the MWA's Wajarri name
• MWA's influence on the Australian economy
• importance of saving ALL your data and more!

For more WA space news visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/

To learn more about the Murchison Widefield Array, visit: www.mwatelescope.org/

Credits

Host: Leon Smith

Guest: Professor Steven Tingay

Producers: Zaya Altangerel, Michael Gatt & Alyshia Gatani

Leon is joined by Sharna, a Scitech Planetarium Presenter, to talk all about the big stuff.

The duo discuss the importance of the Euclid Consortium and try to sum up 'dark matter' and 'dark energy' in a few short minutes.

To find out more about the WA space news, visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/

Credits

Host: Leon Smith

Guest: Sharna Lambert

Producers: Zaya Altangerel & Michael Gatt

As we head into the Noongar season of Makuru, Leon is joined by Amanda, a Scitech Planetarium Presenter, to talk all about what you can spot in the June night sky.

The duo highlight the constellation of Ophiuchus 'the serpent-bearer' and guide you on how to spot Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter.

Amanda also highlights the importance of a space mission called JUICE.

To find out more about the WA space news, visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/

Credits

Host: Leon Smith

Guest: Amanda Hunter

Producer: Zaya Altangerel

This month we're giving you some tips on how to spot the likes of Mars, Venus and Orion in the May night sky.

The duo also recount the launch of Space X Falcon 9 rocket. Some say it was a complete failure, others say it was a great success. Find out why the event was so polarising.

To find out more about the WA space news, visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/

Credits

Host: Leon Smith

Guest: Damon Hill

Producers: Zaya Altangerel & Michael Gatt

Leon ventures out to Exmouth, Western Australia to experience the 2023 Ningaloo Total Solar Eclipse. He's joined by special guest Dr Robin Cook from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) who gives us an in-depth look into the total solar eclipse.

The duo also discuss how our galaxy is changing and what working at ICRAR is like.

For more WA space news visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/ To learn more about Dr Cook's research, visit: www.icrar.org/people/rcook/

Credits

Host: Leon Smith

Guest: Dr Robin Cook

Producers: Zaya Altangerel and Michael Gatt

Leon is joined by Brandi, a Scitech Planetarium Presenter and lover of the night sky, to talk all about the upcoming 'hybrid' total solar eclipse.

Highlights of their discussion include :

• Why everyone is so excited about this upcoming eclipse

• What makes a 'hybrid' eclipse

• How best to view the eclipse

If you've already heard enough about the eclipse, the duo also highlights all the different constellations and planets you can look out for in the WA night sky this month.

Credits

Host: Leon Smith

Guest: Brandi Wahl

Producer: Zaya Altangerel

Our host Leon is joined by Damon, one of Scitech's expert Planetarium Presenters, to highlight the different constellations and planets visible in the March night sky. The duo also ponder upon the role of 3D printers in space exploration, as well as the question of 'Why should we care about space exploration?'

To find out more about WA space news, visit: https://particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/

Credits Host: Leon Smith Guest: Damon Hill Producers: Zaya Altangerel & Michael Gatt

This month, Leon and Amanda guide you through the night sky of Boorloo for August. Discover the constellations Scorpius and Sagittarius and learn why the “Teapot” is must-see. The team also dives into Space Flight Fails, Deep Sky Dictionary, and the Space Picture of the Month. Don’t miss out on the cosmic fun!

This month Beth and Leon take you through the night sky of Boorloo over July (As long as the winter clouds don't get in the way. The team then talks about the Constillation of the Month, Space Flight Fails, Deep Sky Dictionary and Space Picture of the Month.

Head to our Instagram @particlewa to see photos from the episode. Show notes can be found on our website at particle.scitech.org.au

Leon and Beth chat about what you'll see looking up at the sky in Boorloo in June.

Featuring Antares (the moral enemy of Mars), Hydra (the giant snake) and Alphard (the lonely Librarian). Beth rants about space tourism, and Leon nerds-out over a "really cool graph."

Discussed this month:

• The Winter Solstice
• Planets: Mercury, Saturn, Mars & Jupiter
• Constellations: Scorpius & Hydra
• Stars: Antares, Alphard,
• Space Flight Focus: Blue Origin, New Shepard.

Space Pictures of the Month:

Earth and Moon as viewed from Mars

https://science.nasa.gov/resource/earth-and-moon-as-viewed-from-mars/

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems

Percentage of World's Population in Daylight or Twighlight

Credit: timeanddate.com

https://www.timeanddate.com/news/astronomy/99-percent-sunlight

Credits:

Hosts: Beth Maskall, Leon Smith.

Recording, Mixing, and Editing: Alyshia Gatani

Please Look Up is recorded at Scitech on Whadjuk Noongar Land.

We embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first STEM practitioners, and value their knowledge as the very first astronomers, engineers, problem-solvers and innovators of this land. ​

We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging.

Want more?

For more Western Australian space news, and content checkout:

The Sky Tonight - Monthly Update | Scitech

WA science. Done different. | Particle (scitech.org.au)

Beth and Leon discuss what's in the night sky in May. Why Boeing starliner is having so many troubles, the oddly shaped radio telescope that was an important part of WA Broadcast history, and listen to the creepy sound of Vela's pulsar.

Beth and Leon are back to tell you what you need to know about space this month.

First, what's in the sky this month, including an amazing solar eclipse that you'll be able to watch... over live stream, because it happens on the other side of the world.

Space Flight Focus: How is SpaceX going with launching the biggest ever rocket? Well, Leon boldly forecasts that their Starships will be carrying cargo within the year.

Space Picture of the Month: We're back with more super radio friendly content. Visit our Instagram to see the pictures, and listen along as Beth talks about seeing ourselves from space, and Leon describes how the Landsat program captures data from space that can help us understand how earth is changing.

Constellation of the Month: Puppis (with special mention of a nebula that looks like a zucchini and smells like a rotten egg).

Find more space news on the Particle website

If you have a question about space, reach out on instagram. We might be able to answer it in an upcoming episode. Find us @particlewa

Credits

Hosts: Leon Smith, Beth Maskall

Producers: Michelle Aitken, Zaya Altangerel

Did you know that Leon is the biggest space nerd of the Scitech Planetarium crew? This month we turn the tables and let Beth ask all the questions. We also introduce new segments for some fresh perspectives on space news.

First, what's in the sky this month as usual.

Space Flight Focus: Beth asks Leon about recent attempts to land on the moon and whether we'd call them successes or failures.

Space Picture of the Month: The duo challenge each other to describe pictures of space. See what they're talking about on our Instagram.

Constellation of the Month: Carina (and Leon manages to talk about Dune Part 2.)

Find more WA space news on the Particle website

If you have a question about space, message us on Instagram! We might be able to answer it in an upcoming episode. Find us @particlewa

Credits

Hosts: Leon Smith and Beth Maskall

Producers: Michelle Aitken, Zaya Altangerel

Leon is joined by Amanda, a Scitech Planetarium Presenter, to highlight all the different planets and constellations you'll be able to spot throughout December.

The duo also discuss what went wrong with the second Space X Starship launch.

To find out more about WA space news, visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/

Credits

Host: Leon Smith

Guest: Amanda Hunter

Producer: Zaya Altangerel, Michelle Aitken, Alyshia Gatani

Leon is joined by Sharna, a Scitech Planetarium Presenter, to highlight a collection of creatively named objects you can see in the Perth night sky. Some examples include Grus the Crane and the Spare-tyre nebula.

The duo also discuss how scientists are going to calculate the weight of our universe.

To find out more about WA space news, visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/

Credits

Host: Leon Smith

Guest: Sharna Lambert

Producer: Zaya Altangerel

February’s night sky is putting on a show! This month, Leon and Beth guide you through a rare planetary parade, where every planet—including Mercury—is visible at once. Learn how to spot Venus at peak brightness, Jupiter ruling the northern sky, and Orion’s celestial hunting dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor. Plus, we debunk the myths around planetary alignments and take a deep dive into the fiery world of Io, Jupiter’s volcanic moon, where a recent eruption reshaped its surface. Tune in for space news, skywatching tips, and a friendly satellite-spotting competition!

Get ready for a spectacular January night sky! This month, we’ll take you on a stargazing journey featuring Mars at opposition, a rare planetary parade visible from Perth, Western Australia, and the stunning constellation of Gemini.

Find out why Venus and Saturn are cozying up in the west, when to catch Earth at perihelion, and why Mars is shining brighter than ever. Plus, we’ll uncover the secrets of open star clusters, the legendary Eskimo Nebula, and the mythological twins of Gemini.

Whether you’re an experienced astronomer or a curious observer, we’ve got everything you need to make the most of this month’s night sky. Don’t miss your chance to catch 2025’s best view of Mars!

Please Look Up is brought to you by Particle and powered by Scitech, your ultimate guide to the cosmos!

Get ready for a spectacular December night sky! This month, we’ll guide you through dazzling meteor showers, breathtaking star clusters, and other celestial wonders visible from Perth, Western Australia.

From the brightest constellations to the most exciting planetary alignments, we've got you covered. Plus, stay up to date with the latest discoveries and stories in space exploration.

Please Look Up is brought to you by Particle and powered by Scitech—your ultimate guide to the cosmos!

Join hosts Leon and Beth as they guide you through November's celestial highlights! This month features an exciting planetary lineup in the western sky, with Venus and Mercury putting on a show after sunset. Learn when to catch the Leonids meteor shower, explore the southern constellation Mensa, and discover the fascinating Magellanic Clouds. Plus, get details about Astrofest, happening November 9th at Curtin University - Perth's biggest astronomy event of the year.

Join us this October as we explore the night sky’s wonders, from the last glimpses of the Milky Way to the dazzling Orionid meteor shower. Plus, discover the celestial beauty of Subaru. Tune in for your monthly dose of stargazing insights.