Universe University

A journey through astronomy and space history to the outer boundaries of the universe.

About the show

Universe University takes listeners on a cosmic adventure through outer space: from the history of human spaceflight and astronomy to the cutting edge theoretical physics. It is an entertaining and informative exploration of how human beings have sought and found answers to some of our most profound questions about the universe... as well as a look at those questions that are still unanswered.

Episodes and Blog Entries

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    EPISODE 20: PLANETARY QUARANTINE

    Episode  |  October 24th, 2024  |  28 mins 46 secs
    covid-19, elon musk, mars, nasa, planetary protection, spacex

    Are viruses and pathogens from Mars a future risk to humanity?

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    After Talk for Episode 19 with Dr. Brent Ziarnick

    Episode  |  December 16th, 2023  |  1 hr 11 mins
    history, nasa, science, space, space force

    Our guest explains the origin of America's Space Force.

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    Episode 19: The High Ground: Part 2

    Episode  |  April 27th, 2023  |  27 mins 14 secs
    artemis, china, fusion power, moon, nasa, space force

    What does the future hold for different world powers in outer space? And what purpose will the newly formed Space Force serve?

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    Episode 18: The High Ground: Part 1

    Episode  |  March 27th, 2023  |  38 mins 10 secs
    cold war, nasa, nuclear, reagan, sdi, star wars

    In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan imagined a space based weapon system known as S.D.I.

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    Episode 17: The Twelfth Man

    Episode  |  December 16th, 2022  |  17 mins 39 secs
    apollo 17, artemis, gene cernan, jack schmitt history, nasa, science, space, universe university

    A 50th anniversary special to commemorate Apollo 17.

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    After Talk for Episode 16 w/Andrew Chaikin (pt 2 of 2)

    Episode  |  April 10th, 2021  |  32 mins 4 secs
    a man on the moon, apollo, artemis, chaikin, history, nasa, science, space, universe university

    American author and science journalist chats with Universe University.

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    After Talk for Episode 16 w/Andrew Chaikin (pt 1 of 2)

    Episode  |  November 12th, 2020  |  46 mins 51 secs
    a man on the moon, apollo, artemis, chaikin, nasa

    American author and science journalist chats with Universe University.

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    Episode 16: On the Shoulders of Giants

    Episode  |  October 28th, 2020  |  39 mins 39 secs
    history, nasa, science, space, universe university

    Nearly half a century before the space age began in earnest, a few brilliant visionaries had the courage to look beyond their own time and see humanity’s future.

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    Bonus After Talk: Reflections on Mars (part 2 of 2)

    Episode  |  May 27th, 2020  |  48 mins 52 secs
    history, nasa, science, space, universe university

    Host and producer discuss the future of space travel and manned missions to Mars.

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    Bonus After Talk: Reflections on Mars (part 1 of 2)

    Episode  |  May 20th, 2020  |  1 hr 5 mins
    history, nasa, science, space, universe university

    Host and producer discuss the future of manned space travel.

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    Interstellar Culture

    Article  |  May 18th, 2020
    By Chris Grant
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    Destiny in the Stars

    Article  |  May 4th, 2020
    By Chris Grant

    Human destiny lies in outer space... but we have yet to take the first real step towards that destiny by sending humans to Mars.

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    After Talk for Episode 15 w/Robert Zubrin PhD

    Episode  |  April 20th, 2020  |  1 hr 43 mins
    artemis, elon musk, mars, mars society, nasa, robert zubrin, spacex, starship

    The Brilliant Dr. Zubrin discusses his career in aerospace engineering, Elon Musk, and his own personal philosophy of space flight.

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    Episode 15: Life on Mars

    Episode  |  April 13th, 2020  |  58 mins 32 secs
    artemis, elon musk, mars, mars society, nasa, robert zubrin, spacex, starship

    Will the first astronauts to set foot on Mars find life on the Red Planet?

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    After Talk for Episode 14 w/Nick Conant

    Episode  |  February 13th, 2020  |  1 hr 36 mins
    history, nasa, science, space, universe university

    Planetarium science communicator sits down for a chat about astronomy.

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    Episode 14: Harbingers of Cataclysm

    Episode  |  January 29th, 2020  |  1 hr 26 secs
    history, nasa, science, space, universe university

    A journey through history to understand comets and asteroids as well as the threats they pose to all life on Earth.