Episodes

  • Galaxy Forensics: Decoding Galaxy Evolution with Dr. Elisabete da Cunha (Astrophiz 230)

    Galaxy Forensics: Decoding Galaxy Evolution with Dr. Elisabete da Cunha (Astrophiz 230)
    Aug 3 2026
    How do we "autopsy" a galaxy from billions of light-years away? Join world-renowned astrophysicist Dr. Elisabete da Cunha as she sits down with Astrophiz host Brendan O’Brien to explore the life, evolution, and eventual "death" of the most massive structures in the universe. From her early inspirations under the stars of Portugal to her groundbreaking work in Extragalactic Astronomy, Elisabete shares her personal journey and the high-tech tools used to decode Starlight, Cosmic Dust, and Spectral Energy Distributions (SEDs). In this episode, we dive into: Galaxy Evolution: How star systems grow and transform over billions of years. Radio Astronomy: Using invisible light to peer into the deep universe. Stellar Populations: What the chemistry of stars tells us about the history of space. Cosmology & Dark Matter: The invisible forces shaping our galactic neighborhood. Whether you are a student of astrophysics or a casual stargazer, this conversation offers a unique, charming, and deeply insightful window into the forensic evidence of our universe. Read the full transcript and see the show notes at: https://astrophiz.com/2026/03/18/galaxy-forensics-with-dr-elisabete-da-cunha-astrophiz-230/ Subscribe to Astrophiz for your monthly dose of space science, telescope technology, and expert interviews.
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    50 mins
  • Astrophiz 234: Hacking Mars Satellites to Watch a Solar Superstorm with Dr Jacob Parrott

    Astrophiz 234: Hacking Mars Satellites to Watch a Solar Superstorm with Dr Jacob Parrott
    May 14 2026
    In May 2024, the "Mother’s Day Superstorm" slammed into Mars with a force Earth didn't experience. But how do we see a storm on a planet without a magnetic field? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jacob Parrott from the European Space Agency (ESA) to discuss his groundbreaking research recently published in Nature Communications. Jacob explains how he and his team "hacked" veteran satellites—the Mars Express and the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter—to perform an unintended dance known as "mutual radio occultation." Discover how redundant hardware from failed landers became a cutting-edge sensor for Martian aeronomy, revealing how solar flares strip the atmosphere from the Red Planet. In this episode: • From biology and media internships to ESA’s grad scheme. • The physics of radio occultation: Using signal "bending" to measure atmospheric density. • Retasking the Melacom and Electra antennas for deep-space science. • Processing the data: From raw waveforms to Python and SPICE simulations. Read the full transcript and see the images at: https://www.Astrophiz.com
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • May SkyGuide with Dr. Ian Musgrave – Comet C/2025 R3 & Citizen Science | Astrophiz 233

    May SkyGuide with Dr. Ian Musgrave – Comet C/2025 R3 & Citizen Science | Astrophiz 233
    Apr 29 2026
    Welcome to Astrophiz Episode 233 This month, we are joined by Dr. Ian Musgrave for the May Sky Guide. We explore the planetary alignments, the upcoming Eta Aquariid meteor showers, and how you can track Comet C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS). Plus, we dive into the fascinating world of sun-grazing comets and how you can get involved in citizen science. In this episode: Planetary Watch: Venus and Jupiter dominating the evening; Saturn and Mars rising in the morning. Moon Phases: Full Moon details, the "Blue Moon" on May 31st, and the occultation of Antares. Meteor Showers: What to expect from the Eta Aquariids (and how to watch them away from the Moon). Comet Hunting: Tracking Comet C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS) and finding "sun-grazers" via SOHO and STEREO spacecraft imagery. Citizen Science: Tips on how to hunt for comets using online archives. Upcoming: Join us on May 15th as we speak with Dr. Jacob Parrott from the ESA Space Research and Technology Centre about the Mother's Day solar storm and Mars' atmosphere. Support Independent Science: Astrophiz is free, ad-free, and unsponsored. For full transcripts, show notes, and celestial charts, please visit: https://astrophiz.com #Astrophiz #Astronomy #Stargazing #SciencePodcast #MaySkyGuide #IanMusgrave #CitizenScience #Space #CometHunting #AstronomyPodcast
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    23 mins
  • Aurora Secrets & Space Weather: Dr. Maria-Theresia Walach | AstroPhiz 232

    Aurora Secrets & Space Weather: Dr. Maria-Theresia Walach | AstroPhiz 232
    Apr 12 2026
    Discover the hidden science of the Northern Lights! In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Maria-Theresia Walach to uncover the physics behind the aurora and the fascinating complexities of space weather. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The Science of the Aurora: What actually causes the different colors and shapes in the night sky? Space Weather Impacts: How solar activity affects our satellites, power grids, and GPS systems. The Ionosphere: A deep dive into the layer of Earth's atmosphere that acts as a gateway to space. Current Research: Dr. Walach shares insights from her latest work on magnetospheric physics. Timestamps: 00:56 - Introduction to Dr. Maria-Theresia Walach 05:15 - How Auroras are formed: Solar wind meets the Magnetosphere 12:30 - The impact of Space Weather on modern technology 22:45 - Researching the Ionosphere: Challenges and breakthroughs 35:10 - Future missions and what’s next for Space Physics 42:00 - Closing remarks and where to find more research About the Guest: Dr. Maria-Theresia Walach is a leading researcher specializing in Space Physics and the Earth's Ionosphere. Her work is vital for understanding the Sun-Earth connection and protecting our planetary infrastructure. Links & Resources: AstroPhiz Website: https://astrophiz.com/ Follow us on Twitter: @AstroPhiz Keywords: Astronomy, Aurora Borealis, Northern Lights, Space Weather, Physics, NASA, Dr Maria-Theresia Walach, Science Podcast, Ionosphere.
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    44 mins
  • SkyGuide April 2026: Two Rare Comets and the Morning Planet Dance

    SkyGuide April 2026: Two Rare Comets and the Morning Planet Dance
    Mar 31 2026
    Will we see a "Headless Comet" this month? ☄️ Join Brendan O’Brien and Dr. Ian Musgrave for the April 2026 SkyGuide as we track the rare C/2026 A1 MASS Comet and a spectacular Morning Planet Parade. In this episode, you’ll discover: The "Planet Dance": How to spot Mercury, Mars, and Saturn clustering in the morning twilight. Double Comet Watch: Updates on C/2026 A1 and C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS)—will they survive perihelion? Deep Sky Targets: Finding the "Sickle of Leo" and the blue-white star Regulus. Lunar Events: When to catch the "Lunar X" and "Lunar A" on the moon’s surface. Viewing Tips: Why the April 5th end of Daylight Saving is your best friend for early stargazing. Links & Resources: Full Transcript & Imagery: astrophiz.com Detailed Star Charts: Visit Ian’s Astroblog Subscribe: Never miss an episode—follow us on SoundCloud, Youtube podcasts, Audible podcasts, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Connect with Astrophiz: https://astrophiz.com/2026/03/31/astrophiz-231-april-2026-skyguide-two-rare-comets-and-the-morning-planet-dance/ Produced on Yorta Yorta, Pangarang, and Kaurna country. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and the first astronomers of Australia. Host: Brendan O’Brien: Astronomers, Astrophysicists & Space Scientists. Guest: Dr. Ian ‘Astroblog’ Musgrave. #Astronomy #SkyGuide #Comet #Space #Stargazing #SciencePodcast #PlanetParade #STEM
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    22 mins
  • AstrophizMarchSkyGuide

    AstrophizMarchSkyGuide
    Feb 28 2026
    Welcome to the Astrophiz March SkyGuide, where Ian tells us about the Total Lunar Eclipse and all the observation and astrophotography tips that go with it. Also you get highl;ights of the morning and evening skies and how to find the Variable star, Mira.
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    18 mins
  • Astrophiz 228: Pulsar Secrets with Dr Garvit Grover

    Astrophiz 228: Pulsar Secrets with Dr Garvit Grover
    Feb 14 2026
    A fantastic interview with an amazing pulsar astrophysicist who is unravelling the secrets of misbehaving pulsars using his phenomenal coding skills. Subscribe and/or Listen here... or read the transcript on Astrophiz.com
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    38 mins
  • Astrophiz#227FebruarySkyGuide

    Astrophiz#227FebruarySkyGuide
    Jan 30 2026
    Dr. Ian ‘Astroblog’ Musgrave give us 'February' in his monthly SkyGuide series. This month you get moon phases, the Beehive Cluster, nice planetary action, Lunar X, the Pleiades and the Southern Pleiades. Our audio files and transcripts are available on our website at Astrophiz.com, and our MP3 files can be freely streamed or downloaded to your favourite device from our SoundCloud channel, our free Amazon Audible stream, YouTube podcasts, Podbean, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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    10 mins