Tag Archives: Solar System

How many moons does Uranus have?

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Uranus has 29 moons, as of 20 August 2025. These moons are divided into three groups: 5 major moons (Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon, all named for characters in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”), 19 small inner moons and ten irregular moons orbiting further out. The largest of these is Titania, which is the 8th largest moon in the Solar System with a diameter of 1528 km. The most recently discovered moon has not yet been named, but has … Continue reading →

Why did I defend the geocentric model?

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In this eighth episode of the second season, I defend my defense of the Ptolemaic geocentric system of crystal spheres! I hadn’t even realized till I started recording that this is our 50th ever episode. I really should be so blown away that I’ve kept things going this long, but I’m not, somehow? Perhaps it’s just become a habit, and I stopped noticing milestones! But anyway, 50 episodes, I think that’s pretty amazing and I’m very proud to have made … Continue reading →

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Why do planets orbit in the same plane?

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In episode 48 of the Urban Astronomer Podcast, we’re doing another Science Explainy bit! These segments are where you get to hear my droning voice explain some fundamentals and answer listener questions. Today we get asked why it always is that planets orbit in the same plane, and why the Moon can be seen during daylight. If you like what you hear, don’t forget to tell a friend about the show, and make a small donation on our Patreon account. … Continue reading →

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Podcast #26: Neville Young

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This is the 26th episode of the Urban Astronomer Podcast, where we get back to our original focus of interviewing people involved in South African astronomy. Whether they’re professional or amateur, South African, or merely visiting to do astronomy under our clear skies through our world-class observatories, we want to talk to them.  In this episode, we chat with Neville Young. Neville Young Neville has been a member of the Pretoria center of the Astronomical Society of South Africa since the … Continue reading →

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Podcast #8: Venus, KELT-11b and Blood Moon Pregnancies

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Welcome to the 8th episode of the Urban Astronomer Podcast!  This week, Cathrine continues her series on The Planets with the hottest world in our Solar System: Venus.  Allen then reports on the discovery, by a telescope at SAAO’s facility in Sutherland, of KELT-11b, an unusually inflated exoplanet.  And finally we look at what is apparently a common question in parts of the world: Is it safe to watch a Lunar Eclipse, while pregnant? This is Cathrine’s second appearance in … Continue reading →

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