Explore every episode of the podcast Universe University
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| After Talk for Episode 19 w/Dr. Brent Ziarnick | 17 Dec 2023 | 01:11:04 | |
Dr. Brent D. Ziarnick serves as an assistant professor at the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base. He is also author of ‘To Rule the Skies: General Thomas S. Power and the Rise of Strategic Air Command in the Cold War’. In this episode, he discusses the birth of the U.S. Space Force along with the military and economic implications of future space exploration and expansion. "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| Episode 19: The High Ground: Part 2 | 27 Apr 2023 | 00:27:14 | |
When the formation of the U.S. "Space Force" was announced, the new military branch was the butt of many jokes but what role will it serve in the 21st century? Tensions are currently high between the United States, Russia, and China. Is a war in outer space inevitable or will this new frontier offer prosperity for all who join in the adventure? A new guest on the program helps us to answer this important questions. REFERENCES: 'The Battle for the Soul of the Space Force' MUSIC: "Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Ossuary 6 - Air" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Crypto" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Thunderbird" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) | |||
| Episode 15: Life on Mars | 13 Apr 2020 | 00:58:32 | |
Mars has captivated the human imagination for generations. Yet the question remains: is there organic life on the Red Planet? If so, how can we search for it and what would such life be like? And what will day-to-day life be like for the first astronauts to set foot on Mars? The brilliant Dr. Robert Zubrin joins us to help answer some of these questions. If you would like to make a contribution to the program, click this link: https://www.patreon.com/universeuniversity?fbclid=IwAR0GJjAwa3C1f8KKxDi7aeGVEO-Ou3dL10vmf1kQHjssQu5eEgmCkyNFMgw VOICE CREDIT: A very generous, anonymous Patreon contributor offered to act as the voice to Agustina Lusky because Lusky does not speak English as her first language. The words in the episode are entirely Lusky's words. REFERENCES: "The Case for Mars: The Plan to Settle the Red Planet and Why We Must" "The Mars Underground" [2007 Documentary] "From Antarctica to Outer Space: Life in Isolation and Confinement" "Strife and Despair at South Pole Illuminate Psychology of Isolation" "A Brief History of Mars Missions" Space.com "Mars and Its Canals" by Percival Lowell MUSIC: "Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 6 - Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Infinite Perspective" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Thunderbird" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 1 - A begining" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Special Guest: Robert Zubrin. | |||
| After Talk for Episode 14 w/Nick Conant | 13 Feb 2020 | 01:36:43 | |
Nick Conant, a science communicator and Theater Manager of the Fiske Planetarium, sits down for an After Talk about: Native American astronomy, craters, comets as a (proposed) water source on Earth, and the ethics of asteroid mining. If you would like to make a contribution to the program, click this link: https://www.patreon.com/universeuniversity?fbclid=IwAR0GJjAwa3C1f8KKxDi7aeGVEO-Ou3dL10vmf1kQHjssQu5eEgmCkyNFMgw MUSIC: "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Special Guest: Nick Conant. | |||
| Episode 14: Harbingers of Cataclysm | 29 Jan 2020 | 01:00:26 | |
Centuries ago, the work of Edmond Halley demonstrated to the world that comets were not evil omens as many superstitious Europeans believed but celestial bodies in outer space. Even so, comets and asteroids could pose a direct threat to all life on Earth. The real question is whether humanity has the tools to meet that threat? If you would like to make a contribution to the program, click this link: https://www.patreon.com/universeuniversity?fbclid=IwAR0GJjAwa3C1f8KKxDi7aeGVEO-Ou3dL10vmf1kQHjssQu5eEgmCkyNFMgw PHOTO CAPTION: Comet Lovejoy near the constellation Ursa Major REFERENCES: 'Edmond Halley: Charting the Heavens and the Seas' 'The Day the Mesozoic Died: How the Story of the Dinosaurs' Demise was Uncovered' 'Ernst Florens Friedrich Chladni (1756-1827) and the origins of modern meteorite research' 'Asteroid Apocalypse? Why Scientists Worry About 2036 'Planet Buster'. Newsweek.com 'Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Mission', NASA.gov MUSIC: "Shores of Avalon" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Infinite Perspective" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 1: A Begining" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 6: Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| Year-End-Review | 31 Dec 2019 | 01:26:57 | |
Host and producer recap a year of podcasting in a holiday after talk. | |||
| After Talk for Episode 13 w/Alex Roland PhD | 03 Dec 2019 | 00:48:10 | |
Professor Alex Roland discusses how he became a historian for NASA, the financial costs of the U.S. shuttle program, the concept of "buying in", and the enormous challenges of manned space travel. If you would like to make a contribution to the program, click this link: https://www.patreon.com/universeuniversity?fbclid=IwAR0GJjAwa3C1f8KKxDi7aeGVEO-Ou3dL10vmf1kQHjssQu5eEgmCkyNFMgw MUSIC: "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| Episode 13: The Legend of Icarus | 25 Nov 2019 | 01:13:09 | |
The space shuttle was a marvel of American ingenuity that ushered in a new era for the American space program. But the world would soon learn that reusable spacecraft were far from being perfect machines. Is the story of the U.S. shuttle program a tale of triumph for human space exploration? Or is the tale of a modern day Icarus? If you would like to make a contribution to the program, click this link: https://www.patreon.com/universeuniversity?fbclid=IwAR0GJjAwa3C1f8KKxDi7aeGVEO-Ou3dL10vmf1kQHjssQu5eEgmCkyNFMgw For listener questions and comments, email us here: PHOTO CAPTION: Computer generated simulation depicting the American space shuttle's thermal tiles displacing heat upon reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. REFERENCES: 'After Apollo?: Richard Nixon and the American Space Program' 'Accountability in the Public Sector: Lessons from the Challenger', Public Administration Review 'Remembering Roger Boisjoly: He Tried to Stop Shuttle Challenger Launch', NPR.org 'For Parts, NASA Boldly Goes... on Ebay', The New York Times 'Pentagon Chief Assails Article on Shuttle Trip', The New York Times 'Prepared Statement of Dr. Michael D. Griffin: "The Future of Human Space Flight" MUSIC: "Heavy Heart" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 6: Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Shores of Avalon" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Pepper's Theme" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 1: A Begining" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Thunderbird" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 1: A Begining" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| After Talk for Episode 12 w/ Guest Konnor Blunt | 31 Oct 2019 | 01:14:10 | |
An after talk discussion with Konner Blunt from the Blunt Report on Halloween celebrations around the world, weather control, S.E.T.I. research, anthropomorphizing extraterrestrials, sleep paralysis, and UFOs. If you would like to make a contribution to the program, click this link: https://www.patreon.com/universeuniversity?fbclid=IwAR0GJjAwa3C1f8KKxDi7aeGVEO-Ou3dL10vmf1kQHjssQu5eEgmCkyNFMgw MUSIC: "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Special Guest: Konner Blunt. | |||
| Episode 12: The UFO Enigma | 29 Oct 2019 | 01:06:15 | |
In the late 1940s, the United States military began to take an interest in reports of unidentified flying objects or U.F.O.s which included multiple projects designed to investigate and evaluate the sightings. Despite the fact that many UFO sightings were cases of mistaken identity that could easily be explained away, a minority of them proved extremely perplexing to the U.S. government, leading some high level officials to consider the possibility that the Earth was being visited by extraterrestrials... and at the center of it all, there was one astronomer named J. Allen Hynek who struggled to bring his scientific expertise to bear on the mystery. If you would like to make a contribution to the program, click this link: https://www.patreon.com/universeuniversity?fbclid=IwAR0GJjAwa3C1f8KKxDi7aeGVEO-Ou3dL10vmf1kQHjssQu5eEgmCkyNFMgw REFERENCES: *'The UFO Phenomenon' * 'The Close Encounters Man: How One Man Made the World Believe in UFOs' 'Area 51: An Uncensored History of America's Top Secret Military Base' 'Glowing Auras and 'Black Money': The Pentagon's Mysterious U.F.O. Program', New York Times *'Maj. Gen. John A. Samford's Statement on "Flying Saucers" *(7/31/1952) 'Two Pilots Saw a UFO. Why Did the Air Force Destroy the Report?', History.com MUSIC: "Shores of Avalon" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 1: A Begining" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Tenebroud Brothers Carnival: Act Two" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Waltz of the Carnies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Thunderbird" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| After Talk for Episode 11 w/guest Beth Gordon | 19 Jul 2019 | 01:24:56 | |
Guest Beth Gordon chats about her wildly popular Instagram account (Spacewhippet), space museums around the country, the significance of Apollo 11, and the future of human space travel. If you would like to make a contribution to the program, click this link: https://www.patreon.com/universeuniversity?fbclid=IwAR0GJjAwa3C1f8KKxDi7aeGVEO-Ou3dL10vmf1kQHjssQu5eEgmCkyNFMgw MUSIC: "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Special Guest: Spacewhippet. | |||
| Episode 11: One Small Step: 50 Years Later | 15 Jul 2019 | 01:33:28 | |
Half a century ago this week, Apollo 11 set out to land on the moon. It was the culmination of hundreds of thousands of brilliant engineers working to make science fiction into science fact. But who were the three men who went on the journey? What did they experience during their epic journey to an alien world? And what significance does their historic mission have for humanity 50 years later? If you would like to make a contribution to the program, click this link: https://www.patreon.com/universeuniversity?fbclid=IwAR0GJjAwa3C1f8KKxDi7aeGVEO-Ou3dL10vmf1kQHjssQu5eEgmCkyNFMgw REFERENCES: *"What You Didn't Know About the Apollo 11 Mission" * 'The Last Man on the Moon: Astronaut Eugene Cernan and America's Race in Space' 'Somebody Else is on the Moon' Sergei Korolev: the Rocket Genius Behind Yuri Gagarin 'NOVA: To the Moon' (1997) PBS documentary 'The Engines that Came in From the Cold' (2001) documentary 'CuriousDroid' Youtube Channel MUSIC: "Shores of Avalon" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Heavy Heart" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Thunderbird" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 1: A Begining" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Crossing the Divide" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| Episode 18: The High Ground: Part 1 | 27 Mar 2023 | 00:38:10 | |
Outer space is the ultimate strategic high ground for the world's great powers. This is true for both spy satellites and ballistic missiles. During the Cold War, President Ronald Reagan proposed the creation of a technologically advanced, space-based defensive weapon system known as S.D.I.. But critics of the proposal dubbed it 'Star Wars' and said it would trigger a new arms race with the Soviet Union. What historical lessons can be learned from this episode in history? REFERENCES: "Adolf Hitler's Plot to Bomb New York" By David Robinson "The 1983 Military Drill that Nearly Sparked Nuclear War with the Soviets" by Francine Uenuma "Strategic Defense Initiative" State.gov MUSIC: "Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Ossuary 6 - Air" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Shores of Avalon" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) | |||
| After Talk for Episode 10 w/Guest Michael Tremmel PhD | 28 Jun 2019 | 00:54:12 | |
Michael Tremmel has a Bachelors Degree in physics and math from Northwestern University as well as a PhD in Astronomy from the University of Washington. He has written several publications in astrophysics journals about supermassive black holes and galaxy evolution. In this episode, he talks about popular misconceptions about black holes as well as the fabric of space-time itself. If you would like to make a contribution to the program, click this link: https://www.patreon.com/universeuniversity?fbclid=IwAR0GJjAwa3C1f8KKxDi7aeGVEO-Ou3dL10vmf1kQHjssQu5eEgmCkyNFMgw For more content from guest Michael Tremmel, click here: For listener questions and comments, email us here: MUSIC: "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Special Guest: Michael Tremmel. | |||
| Episode 10: Black Holes: Windows to Oblivion | 24 Jun 2019 | 01:00:28 | |
A European patent clerk with an overactive imagination revealed to the world the very fabric of space and time. But decades later, the discovery of black holes would reveal far more challenging facts about the nature of our universe: gaping holes in the very fabric of reality itself. Within the depths of black holes, we might find the keys to a comprehensive and unifiying understanding of quantum mechanics and General Relativity... or we might find a window to oblivion. If you would like to make a contribution to the program, click this link: https://www.patreon.com/universeuniversity?fbclid=IwAR0GJjAwa3C1f8KKxDi7aeGVEO-Ou3dL10vmf1kQHjssQu5eEgmCkyNFMgw PHOTO CAPTION: X-ray emissions as captured by the orbiting Chandra X-Ray Observatory. REFERENCES: "The Curious History of Relativity: How Einstein's Theory of Gravity was Lost and Then Found Again" by Jean Eisenstaedt "Cygnus X-1" StarDate.org "Case Study: John Michell and Black Holes" amnh.org MUSIC: "Ossuary 6 - Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Heavy Heart" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Americana" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 1: A Begining" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 5: Rest" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| After Talk for Episode 9 | 19 Apr 2019 | 01:19:46 | |
Guest Konner Blunt joins Chris and Blake for the after talk to discuss Pluto, the discipline of science, and life on Mars. Please listen to his shows at: iTunes:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-blunt-report/id1396353716 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUAxZDojccGJFJVcvYHUXPw Twitter: https://twitter.com/blunt_report Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluntreport/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebluntreport/ For listener questions and comments, email us here: MUSIC: "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Special Guest: Konner Blunt. | |||
| Episode 9: Pluto: God of the Underworld | 15 Apr 2019 | 00:52:34 | |
Discovered by an American farm boy in his early 20s, Pluto has captivated us for quite some time... but astronomers would later discover many other strange worlds within the outer boundaries of the solar system. And the mere existence of these worlds led to one of the greatest controveries in the history of astronomy. *PHOTO CAPTION: * *REFERENCES: * *"Out of Darkness: The Planet Pluto" * *"How I Killed Pluto and Why it Had it Coming" * *MUSIC: * "Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Shores of Avalon" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Americana" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Tenebrous Brothers Carnival - Act Two" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Infinite Perspective" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| After Talk for Episode 8 | 22 Feb 2019 | 01:41:56 | |
In a longer than average after talk; Host and Producer discuss the famous 'face' on Mars, the Space Exploration Initiative under President Bush, NERVA nuclear rockets, the problem of space junk, finding life on other planets, and the options for traveling to Mars. For listener questions and comments, email us here: MUSIC: "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| Episode 8: Musk's Mars (By Way of Zubrin) [2 of 2] | 18 Feb 2019 | 00:56:33 | |
Young entrepreneur Elon Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 with the hopes of building his own rockets and sending human beings to Mars. In the 21st century alone, we have seen startling revelations about the red planet. But Musk would soon find out that rocketry is a tedious and difficult business. Today, he has plans to send human beings to Mars... but just making the journey there, let alone landing on its surface, could prove to be the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced. For listener questions and comments, email us here: *REFERENCES: * "The Case for Mars: The Plan to Settle the Red Planet and Why We Must " "Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future" *MUSIC: * "Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 1 - A Begining" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Thunder Dreams" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Crypto" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Infinite Perspective" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| After Talk for Episode 7 | 15 Feb 2019 | 00:52:01 | |
Guest Vera Demchenko joins the after talk to discuss her work at the famous Green Bank Observatory, life on Mars, Elon Musk, and the value of space exploration. For listener questions and comments, email us here: MUSIC: "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| Episode 7: Musk's Mars (By Way of Zubrin) [part 1 of 2] | 11 Feb 2019 | 00:41:19 | |
For some time now, human beings have been fascinated by the planet Mars, from its earthlike features to its potential for alien life. This world may hold vital clues as to whether or not human beings are alone in the universe. We've sent robots to explore the red planet, yet human beings have never set foot on its surface. If humans ever make it to this remote planet, it will be due to the dedicated efforts of a few bold and brilliant figures in our recent history. If you would like to make a contribution to the program, click this link: https://www.patreon.com/universeuniversity?fbclid=IwAR0GJjAwa3C1f8KKxDi7aeGVEO-Ou3dL10vmf1kQHjssQu5eEgmCkyNFMgw For listener questions and comments, email us here: PHOTO CAPTION: Elon Musk's signature in the sand of another world. *REFERENCES: * "The Case for Mars: The Plan to Settle the Red Planet and Why We Must " "Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future" "A Brief History of Mars Missions" Space.com "Mars and Its Canals" by Percival Lowell MUSIC: "Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 6 - Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Infinite Perspective" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Thunderbird" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 1 - A begining" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| After Talk for Episode 6 | 02 Jan 2019 | 01:08:55 | |
Host and Producer discuss space stations (including China's national space station), nuclear technology used for peaceful purposes, and Orion starships. For listener questions and comments, email us here: CORRECTIONS: The "Colorado Skies" series still exists at the Fiske Planetarium. "A Closer Look" is just a separate series. Our Mars episode will likely be released in February, not January. For listener questions and comments, email us here: MUSIC: "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) REFERENCE: "Project Orion: The True Story of the Atomic Spaceship" | |||
| Episode 6: War and Space | 31 Dec 2018 | 00:52:00 | |
Since the dawn of the space age, the governments and militaries of the world have prepared for war in outer space: from the early days of the Cold War to America's Air Force in the 21st century... from anti-satellite weapons to Soviet military space stations. One military space vehicle was even designed that could carry human beings to the stars... or annihilate the entire human race. If you would like to make a contribution to the program, click this link: https://www.patreon.com/universeuniversity?fbclid=IwAR0GJjAwa3C1f8KKxDi7aeGVEO-Ou3dL10vmf1kQHjssQu5eEgmCkyNFMgw For listener questions and comments, email us here: PHOTO CAPTION: Sketch of a Project Orion spacecraft *REFERENCES: * "Astrospies" NOVA, 2008 (Documentary) "Project Orion: The True Story of the Atomic Spaceship" *MUSIC: * "Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Not As It Seems" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 1 - A Begining" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Egmont Overture Finale" composed by Ludwig van Beethoven "Pepper's Theme" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Crossing the Divide" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| Episode 17: The Twelfth Man | 16 Dec 2022 | 00:17:39 | |
50 years ago today, the three Apollo 17 astronauts departed the Moon to return to Earth. It was the first time in human history that a scientist set foot on another world: geologist Harrison 'Jack' Schmitt. What lessons does this historic mission have to teach us in the coming years as humans finally return to the Moon with the Artemis program? RECORDED BY: Jantzen Carter REFERENCES: 'Apollo 17: Diary of the Twelfth Man' by Harrison 'Jack' Schmitt 'The Last Man on the Moon' by Eugene Cernan and Don Davis 'A Man on the Moon' by Andrew Chaikin MUSIC: "Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Thunderbird" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 1: A Begining" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| Christmas Special: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 8 | 25 Dec 2018 | 00:06:49 | |
| After Talk for Episode 5 | 21 Nov 2018 | 01:36:03 | |
Host and producer discuss Giordano Bruno's mystical beliefs, Neil deGrasse Tyson's politics, star gazing, light pollution, paradigm shifts in science, and the bible. For listener questions and comments, email us here: MUSIC: "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) REFERENCES: 'The Great Myths 3: Giordano Bruno was a Martyr for Science' by Tim O'Neill 'A Burning Obsession: Cosmos and its Metaphysical Baggage' by Peter Hess 'Copernicus and His World' (documentary) | |||
| Episode 5: The Heretic | 19 Nov 2018 | 01:03:54 | |
For centuries, humanity concieved of a cosmos with a fixed earth at its center with stars and planets orbiting around it. Then one day, an obscure Polish priest proposed an outlandish new theory. But it was Galileo and his telescope that would provide the ultimate proof for this radical theory when he bore witness to the universe as it truly existed. Galileo boldly challenged the Catholic Church's view of the universe... in the process, he gave birth to modern astronomy. For listener questions and comments, email us here: PHOTO CAPTION: The first known diagram to depict a heliocentric (sun centered) universe. MUSIC: "Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Heavy Heart" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Hidden Past" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 1 – A Beginning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Americana" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Crossing the Divide" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Suite Number 4 in D Minor, Sarabande" George Frideric Handel REFERENCES: *'Copernicus and His World' *(documentary) 'Galileo' by J.L. Heilbron 'The Stories Behind the Voyager Mission: Linda Morabedo Kelly' | |||
| Episode 5 Preview | 31 Oct 2018 | 00:01:38 | |
For over a millenium, our understanding of the universe and our place within it had been deeply flawed. A few pioneers in astronomy concieved of the universe in a different way, challenging the established order. Yet one of them was more brazen than all the others. His name was Galileo and he is considered the father of modern science... but in the eyes of the Catholic Church, he was also a heretic. Join us for Episode 5: The Heretic on November 19th. "Heavy Heart" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| After Talk for Episode 4 THE GRAND FINALE! | 24 Oct 2018 | 01:27:10 | |
Host and producer talk about moon landings, review the film 'First Man', Space X, talk recent news about the Soyuz, and look forward towards future episodes. CORRECTION: In reality, Neil Armstrong did not bring a bracelet from his deceased daughter along with him to the moon, as portrayed in the film 'First Man'. For listener questions and comments, email us here: MUSIC: "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| Episode 4: Into the Great Wide Open (Part 3 of 3) | 22 Oct 2018 | 01:19:16 | |
In the thrilling conclusion to our three part series, the space race comes to a conclusive end with the first attempts to send human beings to the moon. In the late 1960s, the Soviet Union's once unstoppable space program suffered a serious setback but they were determined to press on. In America, Von Braun's Saturn V rocket was completed and tested. After the Apollo 1 tragedy, NASA decided to make a bold move to save the space program. Yet even as the Soviet Union lagged behind in the space race, they still had a few tricks up their sleeve. For listener questions and comments, email us here: PHOTO CAPTION: Universe University's producer Blake stands next to a Saturn V F-1 rocket engine at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. MUSIC: "Shores of Avalon" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Thunder Dreams" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Crossing the Divide" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Infinite Perspective" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Crypto" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Americana" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Thunderbird" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) REFERENCES: 'Starman: The Truth Behind the Legend of Yuri Gagarin' 'The Last Man on the Moon: Astronaut Eugene Cernan and America's Race in Space' 'Somebody Else is on the Moon' Sergei Korolev: the Rocket Genius Behind Yuri Gagarin 'NOVA: To the Moon' (1997) PBS documentary 'The Engines that Came in From the Cold' (2001) documentary 'CuriousDroid' Youtube Channel | |||
| After Talk for Episode 3 | 17 Oct 2018 | 01:31:36 | |
Host and producer discuss the physical hardships of space travel and the life threatening risks that astronauts take. CORRETION: B.C. actually does stand for "Before Christ". It is a common misconception that A.D. stands for "After Death" rather than "Anno Domini". For listener questions and comments, email us here: Intro Music By | |||
| Episode 3: Into the Great Wide Open (Part 2 of 3) | 15 Oct 2018 | 01:12:35 | |
America continued to strive to take the lead in the space race with Project Gemini but the Soviet Union's brilliant Chief Designer seemed to be ahead of them at every turn. America's efforts during this time resulted in some great victories in the space race but the price of this progress proved to be quite high. For listener questions and comments, email us here: MUSIC: "Shores of Avalon" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Waltz of the Carnies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Tenebrous Brothers Carnival - Act Two" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Malicious" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| After Talk for Episode 2 | 10 Oct 2018 | 01:02:30 | |
Host (Chris) and producer (Blake) discuss the physical rigors of space travel, roller coasters, Nazi ethics, and the first human spaceflight. For listener questions and comments, email us here: Intro Music By | |||
| Episode 2: Into the Great Wide Open (Part 1 of 3) | 08 Oct 2018 | 01:16:10 | |
In mankind's most brutal and barbaric century, we witnessed the dawn of a new era: the space age. Born of wartime conflict, the modern rocket would become the chariot that carried human beings outside of the atmosphere and into outer space. But no human could have made the journey if not for the dedicated engineers that transformed science fiction into science fact. These men changed the course of world history and shifted the balance of power between superpowers. Today, we begin our three-part series on the space race, from the murderous V-2 rockets of Nazi Germany to Cold War era spacecraft... from the earliest satellites to the first man in space. Join us at Universe University as we leave the earth and step out into the great wide open. MUSIC: "Anguish" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Tenebrous Brothers Carnival - Intermission" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Shores of Avalon" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| After Talk for Episode 16 w/Andrew Chaikin (pt 2 of 2) | 11 Apr 2021 | 00:32:04 | |
The renowned and deeply insightful Andrew Chaikin joins the After Talk to share his views on space exploration along with his experiences interviewing the Apollo astronauts. Chaikin is the author of 'A Man on the Moon', 'Voices from the Moon', and 'A Passion for Mars'. MUSIC: "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| After Talk for Episode 1 | 03 Oct 2018 | 00:23:53 | |
Host (Chris) and producer (Blake) have a discussion on E.T.s, quantum physics, H.G. Wells, and how human beings panic during a disaster. For listener questions and comments, email here: Intro Music By | |||
| Episode 1: When E.T. Calls | 01 Oct 2018 | 00:50:03 | |
Astronomers are already searching for signs of microscopic alien life on Mars and elsewhere but is there intelligent life in the universe? Are there advanced, technological civilizations like our own on other planets? Many astronomers believe the answer is yes and we may be on the verge of discovering it. Some scientists even think we may have discovered it already! Radioastronomy offers us a chance to listen for alien signals in the cosmos. But how will we prepare for a call from E.T.? And when E.T. does call, should we call back? If you would like to make a contribution to the program, click this link: https://www.patreon.com/universeuniversity?fbclid=IwAR0GJjAwa3C1f8KKxDi7aeGVEO-Ou3dL10vmf1kQHjssQu5eEgmCkyNFMgw MUSIC: "Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Shores of Avalon" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 1 - A Beginning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Ossuary 6 - Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| An Introduction | 26 Sep 2018 | 00:02:01 | |
At Universe University, former planetarium presenter Chris Grant will be taking listeners on an adventure through astronomy, theoretical physics, and the history of human spaceflight. Each new episode will include an aftertalk with discussion as well as Q&A about the content of the episode. Look for Episode One: 'When E.T. Calls' coming out on Monday, October 1st! MUSIC: "Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| After Talk for Episode 16 w/Andrew Chaikin (pt 1 of 2) | 12 Nov 2020 | 00:46:51 | |
The renowned and deeply insightful Andrew Chaikin joins the After Talk to share his views on space exploration along with his experiences interviewing the Apollo astronauts. Chaikin is the author of 'A Man on the Moon', 'Voices from the Moon', and 'A Passion for Mars'. MUSIC: "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| Episode 16: On the Shoulders of Giants | 28 Oct 2020 | 00:39:39 | |
Nearly half a century before the space age began in earnest, a few brilliant visionaries had the courage to look beyond their own time and see humanity’s future. From Russia to the United States, a few brilliant minds transformed science fiction into science fact, giving birth to the space age. REFERENCES: ‘The Russian Cosmists: The Esoteric Futurism of Nikolai Fedorov and His Followers’ ‘The Case for Space: How the Revolution in Spaceflight Opens Up a Future of Limitless Possibility’ MUSIC: "Ossuary 1 - A begining" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) “Tenebrous Brothers Carnival: Act Two” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Infinite Perspective" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | |||
| Bonus After Talk: Reflections on Mars (part 2 of 2) | 27 May 2020 | 00:48:52 | |
Host and producer discuss the future of space travel and manned missions to Mars. If you would like to make a contribution to the program, click this link: https://www.patreon.com/universeuniversity?fbclid=IwAR0GJjAwa3C1f8KKxDi7aeGVEO-Ou3dL10vmf1kQHjssQu5eEgmCkyNFMgw MUSIC: "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) REFERENCES: "Scientists and Seaman" [article] "Humans Will Never Colonize Mars" [article] "The Case for Space" "Merchants of Despair: Radical Environmentalists, Criminal Pseudo-Scientists, and the Fatal Cult of Antihumanism" "Elon Musk: Telsa, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future" | |||
| Bonus After Talk: Reflections on Mars (part 1 of 2) | 20 May 2020 | 01:05:07 | |
Host and producer discuss the future of space travel and manned missions to Mars. If you would like to make a contribution to the program, click this link: https://www.patreon.com/universeuniversity?fbclid=IwAR0GJjAwa3C1f8KKxDi7aeGVEO-Ou3dL10vmf1kQHjssQu5eEgmCkyNFMgw MUSIC: "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) REFERENCES: "The Case for Space" "Merchants of Despair: Radical Environmentalists, Criminal Pseudo-Scientists, and the Fatal Cult of Antihumanism" "Elon Musk: Telsa, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future" | |||
| After Talk for Episode 15 w/Robert Zubrin PhD | 20 Apr 2020 | 01:43:18 | |
Dr. Robert Zubrin joins the after talk for an in depth discussion on space exploration. He starts by telling us the story of his Mars Direct plan, the founding of the Mars Society, and his relationship with the young Elon Musk. We go on to discuss the technical and political challenges of sending human beings to Mars as well as his personal philosophyof human space exploration. To watch the video version of this interview, click this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4cWRQo2_Iw MUSIC: "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) REFERENCES: "The Case for Space" "Merchants of Despair: Radical Environmentalists, Criminal Pseudo-Scientists, and the Fatal Cult of Antihumanism" "Elon Musk: Telsa, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future" Special Guest: Robert Zubrin. | |||
| EPISODE 20: PLANETARY QUARANTINE | 25 Oct 2024 | 00:28:46 | |
'Planetary protection' is a term that refers to efforts to prevent Earth microbes from spreading to other planets - and to prevent any hypothetical microbes from other planets from spreading to the Earth. What effect does this policy have on current robotic missions? And what implications will it have for a human mission to Mars? Is it possible that microbes from Mars could pose a danger to human beings on Earth? Or have science fiction and politics 'infected' the minds of NASA officials? EDITED BY: Jilyana Solis REFERENCES: 'The Overprotection of Mars' by Alberto Farien and Dirk Schultze-Makuch (2013) 'Planetary Protection and Regulating Human Health: A Risk that is Not Zero' by Victoria Sutton (2019) 'The Case for Mars: The Plan to Settle the Red Planet and Why We Must' by Robert Zubrin (2011) MUSIC: "Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Ossuary 1 - A Beginning" "Ossuary 6 - Air" | |||
| Episode 21: The Great UFO Debate | 22 Jan 2025 | 00:32:51 | |
Are UFOs a worthy subject for scientific study? Is it really possible - or likely - that the Earth is currently being visited by extraterrestrials from other planets? On this controversial issue, how does one separate truth from fiction, myth from reality, and hoaxes from fact? In a series of congressional hearings, at least one high ranking member of the American intelligence community has claimed that multiple crashed UFOs with alien creatures on board have been recovered in the United States. This claim is not new. A famous announcement about a crashed flying saucer was made in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947. But is there any truth to this account? The subject of UFOs - both historically and in the present day - is worthy of cauatious, skeptical, and objective consideration. EDITED BY: Jilyana Solis REFERENCES: 'The Edge of Reality' 'Are UFOs a National Security Risk? Hearing puts Pentagon on Notice' 'In Search of: UFO Coverups', Alan Landsburg Productions 'The Close Encounters Man: How One Man Made the World Believe in UFOs' MUSIC: "Shores of Avalon" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Walz of the Carnies" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Ossuary 6 - Air" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Ossuary 1: A Begining" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) | |||
| AFTER TALK FOR EPISODE 21 w/David Paull | 28 Jan 2025 | 00:27:37 | |
Ameteur documentary filmmaker David Paull joins the program for a chat about his short film 'The Trent Saucer', which covers the famous Oregon UFO sighting and its two iconic UFO photographs. He also offers his thoughts on UFO festivals, Roswell, pop culture, and making films. DAVID'S VOICE ACTING: THE TRENT SAUCER (short film) ROSWELL REVISITED (short film) EDITED BY: Jilyana Solis MUSIC: | |||
| EPISODE 22: THE PRIMEVAL ATOM | 30 Jul 2025 | 00:27:24 | |
In the 1920s, the work of the brilliant astronomer Edwin Hubble revealed the universe was expanding. But it was a Belgian preist named Georges Lemaitre who concieved of the idea that the universe began in the distant past. Today, we call this idea the big bang theory. SEE CHRIS GRANT SPEAK IN PERSON: EDITED BY: Jilyana Solis REFERENCES: 'Lonely Hearts of the Cosmos' by Dennis Overbye 'Hubble, Humason, and the Big Bang: The Race to Uncover the Expanding Universe' by Ron Voller 'The Preist who Proved Einstein Wrong' by Marcelo Gleiser MUSIC: "Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Heavy Heart" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Ossuary 1: A Begining" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Thunder Dreams" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) | |||
| EPISODE 23: THE AXIS OF EVIL | 29 Sep 2025 | 00:25:55 | |
In the latter half of the 20th century, the "steady state theory" was proposed as an alternative to the controversial big bang theory until a pair of young radio astronomers stumbled upon a strange radio signal coming from every corner of the sky. Their Nobel Prize winning discovery would answer many questions about the big bang... but the dawn of the space age raised some confounding new questions that astronomers are still trying to comprehend. EDITED BY: Jilyana Solis REFERENCES: 'Lonely Hearts of the Cosmos' by Dennis Overbye 'Astronomers Reveal a Cosmic Axis of Evil' MUSIC: "Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Ossuary 6 - Air" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Thunder Dreams" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) "Shores of Avalon" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) | |||
| EPISODE 24: Heavenly Palaces | 06 Jan 2026 | 00:42:25 | |
Shortly after the first US Moon landing, the Soviet Union placed the first space station in low Earth orbit. While the United States responded with their own "Skylab" station later, the Russian "Salyut" stations would soon surpass them. As the Cold War drew to an end, the massive Soviet "MIR" station would eventually become an international hub for cooperation in outer space. But along the way, many space station crews would face a life and death battle to keep the station in orbit... EDITED BY: Jilyana Solis REFERENCES: "Off the Planet: Surviving Five Perilous Months Aboard the Space Station MIR" "The Forgetten Rescue of the Salyut 7 Space Station" MUSIC: "Shores of Avalon" "Nonstop" "Lost Time" "Perspectives" "Air" "Ossuary 1: A Beginning" "Crypto" "Pepper's Theme" | |||