Urban Astronomer

What’s the deal with Leap Years?

Posted on 9 Jun, 2020 by Allen Versfeld9 Jun, 2020

Leap Day, by Sanu N / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Today’s episode is the first Science Explainy Bit of the season, and it’s another basic, classic topic: Leap Years. As a reminder, I love looking at the questions that seem simple because we think of them as the sorts of things that children ask their parents, but the thing about these questions is that they never are simple. These are things that took humanity centuries or longer to figure out, and that most of us still don’t really understand because … Continue reading →

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Interview with Dr Tony Lelliott

Posted on 26 May, 2020 by Allen Versfeld26 May, 2020

At long last, the third season of the Urban Astronomer Podcast has kicked off! We thought the last season went so well that we’ve decided to keep things much as they are, with perhaps the occasional news segment added in whenever something interesting has happened. So for the most part, that means twelve episodes, alternating between interviews with people who have some sort of a connection to South African astronomy, and science explainy bits where I answer the questions that … Continue reading →

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Season 3 launching next week

Posted on 19 May, 2020 by Allen Versfeld19 May, 2020

This is just a short note to let you know that we’re still here, and that the new season launches next week! Long-time listeners have been waiting for this since February, but I don’t think there’s anybody left on Earth who couldn’t guess which world-changing event caused our schedule to slip! Still, after eight weeks in lock-down, it’s time to start delivering on our promises. Tune in next week to hear the first exciting episode of the new season of … Continue reading →

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Carnival of Space #658-659

Posted on 13 Apr, 2020 by Allen Versfeld13 Apr, 2020

Carnival of Space Image Credit: Jason Major

It’s time to drag myself out of pandemic induced home-schooling home-working anxiety-fueled torpor. We took a break last week, so it’s up to me to air out the tents, wake up the porters, get the performers warmed up and open up the Carnival of Space! Come one, come all, young and old, scientist and keen amateur, take your seat and enjoy this week’s finest writing on space science and astronomy. The show starts now! Universe Today How were Supermassive Black … Continue reading →

Season Three coming soon…

Posted on 25 Feb, 2020 by Allen Versfeld25 Feb, 2020

Microphone. Image By Jpcuevas (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Since our last episode aired, in early December last year, I’ve had people ask me when the third season will begin. Well the good news is: Soon! Guests have been booked, interviews will be recorded over the next few weeks, and science explainy bits… well. That’s where you come in! If you’ve got questions you’d like to hear answered in one of the Urban Astronomer Podcast Patented Science Explainy Bits then why not put them in an email and send … Continue reading →

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