Tag Archives: NASA

Podcast #25: Clyde Foster at ScopeX 2017

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Welcome to the 25th episode of the Urban Astronomer Podcast, which is also the 1st episode of 2018. Happy New Year!  Over the past few episodes, I’ve been running a series of public lectures that I recorded at ScopeX 2017.  ScopeX is an annual telescope and astronomy expo held every year at the Military History museum in Johannesburg.  This is the last lecture in the series, on the topic of the Apollo Program. Clyde Foster was the speaker. News Next … Continue reading →

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Podcast #24: Willie Koortz at ScopeX 2017

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Welcome to Episode 24 of the Urban Astronomer Podcast, and a Happy New Year to each and every one of you.  This episode features the keynote lecture from ScopeX 2017, delivered by Willie Koortz.  Willie is an electronic technician working for the South African Astronomical Observatory, and is one of South African astronomy’s more interesting characters. ScopeX Lecture In his talk, he discusses South Africa’s role in the early days of the Space Age, looking at professional-amateur collaborative projects like … Continue reading →

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Podcast #19: Michele Dougherty

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Welcome to the 19th episode of the Urban Astronomer Podcast, featuring an interview with Cassini mission scientist Dr Michele Dougherty.  We’ve been up to so much since episode 18, with probably the biggest job being hosting an hour segment about podcasting to a developing market, on the International Podcast Day 30 hours continuous celebrations. Thanks to the guys at IPD for inviting us, and especially thank you to Richard, Chantelle and Andrew from the NAG gaming podcast who shared that … Continue reading →

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Podcast #1: Seven earth-like planets

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Wow, we finally did it!  The podcast is alive, and this is the first episode!  In this episode, I cover probably the biggest astronomy news item of the year so far, and also read one of my more recent opinion pieces.  I know, you could just read it yourself, but it’s something I feel quite passionate about, and wanted to let you hear it in my own voice. As long-time readers will know, this is something I’ve been threatening to … Continue reading →

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Global Warming changing ecosystems

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  A team of NASA and university scientists have found that Northern latitudes are starting to see lusher plant growth as a result of warmer average temperatures lengthening the growing seasons.  The 30 year study examined the relationship between changes in surface temperature and vegetation growth between latitudes of 45°N and the Arctic Circle, and found these far Northern regions are becoming more and more like areas further South. As the Northern latitudes get warmer, sea ice and snow cover … Continue reading →