Space on Earth

S2. Ep. 14 — Spectroscopy: The Study of Light

How can astronomers figure out what distant stars and planets are made of without ever visiting them? In this episode of Space on Earth, Havilah and Lacey explore the fascinating science of spectroscopy, the study of light, and how it allows scientists to uncover the composition, motion, and even the atmospheres of worlds across the universe.

S2. Ep. 13 — Artemis III | The Final Test Before The Moon

In this episode of Space on Earth, Wyatt, Taylor, and Ophelia explore Artemis III, NASA’s first major test of the hardware and procedures that will enable humanity’s return to the Moon. From Orion’s role in Earth orbit to the involvement of Blue Moon and Starship, the team breaks down how this mission is paving the way for the next giant leap in lunar exploration.

S2. Ep. 12 — Farewell, MAVEN

For over a decade, NASA's MAVEN spacecraft orbited Mars, helping scientists uncover how the Red Planet lost its atmosphere and transformed from a potentially habitable world into the cold desert we see today. In this episode of Space on Earth, Wyatt and Pascal explore MAVEN's groundbreaking discoveries, its cultural impact, and the legacy it leaves behind following the recent loss of contact with the spacecraft.

S2. Ep. 11 — Binary Stars

Join Taylor and Tulsi as they explore how paired stars orbit, interact, and shape our understanding of the cosmos. This episode breaks down the science behind binary systems—from visual pairs to supernovae—and their vital role in modern astronomy.

S2. Ep. 10 — How Space & Science Shape Pop Culture

This episode explores how space science has shaped modern pop culture through movies, books, and music. From the sci-fantasy worlds of Star Wars to the physics-driven realism of Interstellar, the conversation examines how filmmakers balance scientific accuracy with imagination. The episode also dives into the survival science of The Martian and the hopeful, problem-solving spirit of Project Hail Mary, discussing concepts like time dilation, black holes, orbital mechanics, astrobiology, and the challenges of long-distance space travel. Beyond film, the discussion explores how science fiction books such as Dune, Ender's Game, and stories like Arrival use space to reflect on humanity, communication, and the unknown. The episode concludes by looking at the influence of space on music, especially the work of David Bowie and Space Oddity, exploring how artists have used space as a metaphor for hope, isolation, identity, and imagination.

S2. Ep. 9 — Can We Rent Sunlight from Space? An Interview with Summer Ash

In this episode, hosts Wyatt and Sirena interview science communicator Summer Ash about radio astronomy, the Very Large Array, light pollution, and the growing debate around projects like Reflect Orbital. The conversation explores how astronomers study invisible light, why dark skies matter for science and ecosystems, and how new satellite technologies could reshape humanity’s relationship with the night sky.

S2. Ep. 9 — Astrogeology

This episode explores the field of astrogeology, explaining how scientists use the principles of Earth’s geology to study planets, moons, asteroids, and other solid bodies across the solar system. The hosts discuss key questions about planetary formation, impact craters, volcanic activity, water evidence, and rock composition, highlighting how these clues reveal the history of other worlds and our own. They also introduce pioneers like Eugene Shoemaker and connect the science to local training sites in the American Southwest, while explaining how tools like spectroscopy allow scientists to study distant planets through light.

S2. Ep. 7 — Artemis II: The Journey Beyond Earth Orbit

In this episode of Space on Earth, student hosts Wyatt Wade and Lacey Collins explore the long-awaited Artemis II mission, from its delayed launch to its successful journey around the Moon and return to Earth. They highlight the mission’s cultural significance, including its diverse crew and connections to mythology, before breaking down the technical milestones such as launch, orbital maneuvers, trans-lunar injection, and the lunar flyby. Along the way, they discuss real challenges faced during the mission, from hardware issues to in-flight adjustments, as well as powerful human moments experienced by the crew. The episode captures both the scientific achievements and emotional impact of humanity’s return to deep space exploration.

S2. Ep. 6 — Aurora Science and Art: The Northern Lights Explained

This episode explores the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, as both a scientific phenomenon and a source of artistic inspiration. The hosts explain how charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere, producing colorful light displays that vary by gas type and altitude. They discuss where and when auroras are most visible, including rare sightings farther south during strong solar storms. The conversation also highlights how auroras help scientists study space weather and their potential impacts on satellites, GPS, and power systems. Finally, the episode connects science to creativity, examining how the Northern Lights inspire painting, photography, and music through their motion, color, and energy.

S2. Ep. 5 — The Sound of Space

In this episode, the hosts explore why space is silent and how we can still “hear” the universe. They explain that sound requires a medium like air, which the vacuum of space lacks, and describe how spacecraft such as Voyager 1 and Juno collect electromagnetic waves, plasma vibrations, and magnetic field data. Through sonification, scientists translate these signals into audible frequencies, producing the haunting cosmic tones often released by NASA. The conversation then turns to how these sounds inspire ambient music, film scores, and multimedia art. By transforming raw space data into sound, artists and scientists together create emotional experiences that help audiences feel the scale, mystery, and beauty of the cosmos.

S2. Ep. 4 — Dark Matter and the Universe

In 1933, Fritz Zwicky discovered that galaxies were moving as if they contained far more mass than we could see, a mystery later confirmed by Vera Rubin when she showed galaxies should spin apart if only visible stars were holding them together. This invisible mass became known as dark matter. In this episode, Wyatt, Pascal, and HattieRose explore how math and redshift revealed this hidden structure of the universe and how the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will help map its influence across the cosmos.

S2. Ep. 3 — The Art of Science Communication: A Conversation with Arwen Hubbard

Hosts Heidi Rose, Shaylee, and new co-host Lacey interview Arwen Hubbard about space science communication and why it matters. Arwen shares what she loves most: staying close to new discoveries and building community through shared curiosity. The conversation explores how communicating science changes with different audiences, why uncertainty is one of the hardest ideas to explain, and how to balance “we do not know yet” with evidence-based reasoning. Arwen reflects on the New Horizons Pluto flyby and her passion for connecting space to Earth, especially New Mexico landscapes. The episode wraps with practical advice for students: start communicating now.

S2. Ep. 2 — We're Going Back to the Moon!

Taylor and Wyatt break down Artemis II, NASA’s first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit in over 50 years, exploring how it tests the Orion spacecraft, advances human spaceflight, and sets the stage for a sustained return to the Moon and future missions to Mars.

S2. Ep. 1 — A Look Into 2026

In this first episode of 2026, returning student hosts Shaylee, Wyatt, and HattieRose kick off the new year with a look at what’s ahead. They preview upcoming podcast themes, highlight major space and sky events for 2026, including Artemis II, eclipses, and planetary viewing, and share what excites them most about space science. The hosts also introduce changes for the new season, including new co-hosts and a move to weekly episodes. It’s a relaxed, behind-the-scenes welcome back to Space on Earth and the year ahead.

Ep. 17 - Comets: Cosmic Time Capsules

In this episode of Space on Earth, the team dives into the icy world of comets, the frozen leftovers from the birth of our solar system. They share what comets are made of, how their glowing tails form, and how these ancient travelers may have helped seed life on Earth. You’ll also learn how to spot two real comets visible right now, C/2025 A6 (Lemmon)and C/2025 R2 (SWAN), plus get tips for stargazing and tracking them in the night sky.

Ep. 16 - Mars

This episode dives deep into the wonders and mysteries of Mars, exploring the Red Planet from every angle. Listeners learn about its size, gravity, seasons, and extreme temperatures, as well as its dramatic surface features like Olympus Mons and Valles Marineris. The hosts discuss Mars’ thin atmosphere, shifting dust storms, and long-gone rivers and lakes, raising the question of whether life once thrived there. The conversation highlights robotic missions that have transformed our understanding of Mars, the cultural fascination with the planet in both myth and science fiction, and the ambitious plans to one day send humans through massive projects like Starship. Both scientific detail and cultural context come together, making this an engaging journey into why Mars captures so much human curiosity and imagination.

Ep. 15 - Gamma-Ray Bursts & Big Dreams with Dr. Nicole Lloyd Ronning

In this special episode, our hosts (Shaylee, Tulsi, Hattie Rose, and Wyatt) talk with Los Alamos National Lab astrophysicist Nicole Lloyd Ronning about gamma-ray bursts, black holes, and what the early universe can tell us today. We dig into career paths, astronaut dreams, and the big question—are we alone?

Ep. 14 - Jim Lovell: A Life Among the Stars

In this episode of Space on Earth, the team pays tribute to Captain James “Jim” Lovell Jr., legendary Apollo 13 commander and one of NASA’s most accomplished astronauts. Hosts Taylor and Wyatt reflect on his remarkable career, from early days building model rockets to his four spaceflights that shaped the Space Age: Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, and the dramatic Apollo 13 mission. Along the way, they explore Lovell’s legacy as a pioneer of spacewalking, lunar navigation, and teamwork under pressure, and why his story continues to inspire dreamers and explorers on Earth today.

Ep. 13 - From Solar Flares to Rocket Science: Exploring the Sun

In this episode of Space on Earth, the team takes a deep dive into our star, the Sun: its classification, life cycle, and how it compares to other stars. They explore the Sun’s role as the engine of the solar system, its magnetic storms and auroras, and its influence on Earth’s climate and technology. The hosts highlight groundbreaking missions like the Parker Solar Probe, SOHO, and Solar Orbiter, revealing how scientists study the Sun up close. From ultraviolet light to solar wind, rockets to red giants, this episode uncovers how the Sun shapes life, space travel, and our future.

Ep. 12 - Comparative Planetology

In this episode of Space on Earth, Taylor, Hattie Rose, Tulsi, and Wyatt dive into comparative planetology—the science of understanding other planets by comparing them to Earth. They explore how we use remote sensing, rovers, and past missions to study the geology of Mars, the Moon, and Venus, revealing insights about Earth’s own history. Wyatt shares how lunar samples from Apollo missions changed our understanding of the Moon’s formation and its role in stabilizing Earth’s climate. Hattie highlights Mars as a geologic time capsule, preserving features lost to time on Earth, and explains how missions from Viking to Perseverance are helping answer the big question: was Mars ever home to life? Tulsi contrasts Venus’s similarities and extreme differences with Earth, including its thick carbon dioxide atmosphere and backward spin. The episode wraps with a look toward future missions and how New Mexico has contributed to planetary exploration. Curious about other worlds? Tune in to discover how studying the planets helps us understand our own.