Pocket Science

Hosted by AJ Perron

Science

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Aug 2024

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About the show

Exploring questions of Earth, existence and the unknown. Join us biweekly to explore the divide between science fiction and science fact. Use our Linktree stay caught up on all things Pocket Science. Previously the Universe-ity podcast.

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35 recent

August 19, 202453 min

Superconductors: Magic Materials, Real Power

Superconductors are the closest thing to magic that science has to offer - and likely the key to our future. They'll change technology, transportation, and our power grids as we know it. Over five Nobel Prizes have been awarded for research into superconductive materials, but their behavior remains difficult to explain. AJ and Nate sit down with materials scientist Dr. Tim Cullinan to explore what makes this phenomenon so miraculous why its explanation is so elusive.Additional topics include: the antimatter paradox, Boeing's Starliner (yes, again), and the first sample from the far side of the moon.Check us out on Instagram to never miss our content!Want to be a future listener shoutout? Fill out this form.For more of t.o's music, take a listen on Spotify.

August 5, 202439 min

Can Science Restore Venus's Ancient Oceans?

Today, Venus is a scorching hot, inhospitable wasteland. Yet, in the distant past, it was a water world identical to Earth. To understand this drastic change, AJ and Nate will explore a strange phenomenon discovered in Venus's atmosphere. Then, they'll break down an insane, far-fetched plan to restore Venus to its former glory - that with enough time, just might work.Additional topics include: How to see 2024's best meteor shower, what your confidence says about your knowledge level, and a rampaging bulldozer.Check us out on Instagram to never miss our content!Want to be a future listener shoutout? Fill out this form.For more of t.o's music, take a listen on Spotify.

July 22, 202455 min

Do Your Past and Future Exist?

Our daily lives would tell us we understand time - but what if that's not the case? AJ and special guest Nate Pinto explore the mysteries of time and what physics says about its place in our universe. Is there only "the now"? Is the past lost and is the future unwritten? The answer is a solid... maybe.Additional Topics Include: A potential new airspeed record, the best spot for a moon base, and what your forehead says about your empathy.Check us out on Instagram to never miss our content!For more of t.o's music, take a listen on Spotify.

June 3, 202447 min

Why Physicists Think Alien Civilizations are Harvesting the Stars

The Sun is the greatest source of energy in our entire solar system. So what if we could harness it's energy directly? This theory, known as a Dyson Sphere, has been around since the 60s, but recent research indicates that this theory could be a reality right here in the Milky Way. This episode, AJ and Jud discuss the purpose of Dyson Spheres, breakdown two new studies pointing to their existence, and discuss why they may - or may not be - very realistic.Additional Topics Include: The new SpaceX EVA suit, the new age of humanoid robots, and a brand new vacation spot - complete with space debris.And yes, we know that the Boeing Starliner ended up not launching. Again.Follow us on Instagram to never miss new Pocket Science news: linktr.ee/universe_ityCheck out t.o's music on Spotify for more like our show music: SpotifyFor sweet new science-themed clothing, check out our store at shoppocketscience.com

May 7, 202449 min

Project West Ford: The Craziest U.S. Military Experiment in Space

If you thought you'd heard all the crazy stories from the Cold War period, think again. This episode dives into one of the wildest military ideas to date. At a time when international communications were severely limited in their reach and reliability, the U.S. Military was ready to try anything. One such initiative was part Project Westford: a secret military plan to give the Earth a giant metal ring. This episode, AJ and Jud jump into the project's wild history, the science behind it, and its incredibly complicated aftermath. Along the way, you'll learn how radio waves work, how they're used, and the unique role that the ionosphere plays for Earth.Additional Topics Include: Boeing Starliner, China's new sample-return mission, Voyager 1, and more things Star Wars got wrong.Check out our more music from t.o on Spotify hereCheck out all the new Pocket Science apparel hereFollow the show to never miss updates by using our linktree!

April 23, 202444 min

How Space Law Will Shape Our Future

Who doesn't love more rules? Starting with the Outer Space Treaty in 1969, the United Nations has continued to build the framework for what flies in space (pun intended). Now, with the commercial space race in its beginnings, NASA has built the Artemis Accords with the help of seven other nations to provide continued guidance. This week, Jud and AJ will tear through the legal jargon and explain exactly what these new laws mean - for better or for worse.Additional Topics Include: the Cybertruck Recall, an 11-billion dollar NASA mission, and some interesting deaths.Check out T.O, the creator of our show music, on Spotify here!Check out our linktree to never miss out on Universe-ity content!

April 9, 202441 min

Mass Extinction Events: Every Time Life Beat Death

Despite life's age of 500 million years on planet Earth, brutal climate conditions have challenged its resiliency on several occasions. This week, AJ and Jud dive into every mass extinction, whether it was from volcanoes, asteroids, global cooling - or a hellish mix of just about everything. While it's been 66 million years since the last one, they'll explain why we might be nearing the next big event - and how we can avoid it. Additional topics include: A time zone for the moon, the new world's-largest camera, and the worst pick for a "state planet".Check out our linktree to follow us on our socials!

March 26, 202459 min

Making "The Martian": Behind-the-Scenes with the Designer

Regarded as one of the most technically demanding sci-fi movies of the 21st century, "The Martian" challenges what the near-future of spaceflight looks like. And while its science may seem sound, the story took an incredible amount of engineering (and movie-magic) to bring it to life. This week, AJ and Jud sit down with the film's production designer Arthur Max (known for other films such as Se7en, Gladiator, and Napoleon) to see how the an off-world adventure was created right here on Earth.Additional Topics Include: rock theater, a sneak peak at a Gladiator sequel 20 years in the making, and Brad Pitt's limousine driver.

March 12, 202436 min

Gravitational Waves: How Everything Warps Everything

Billions of years ago, the most energetic event in the universe would send space-warping shockwaves hurtling towards Earth. Yet, when they reached us in 2015, we didn't feel a thing. In fact, everything around you is constantly creating these gravitational waves. This week, AJ and Jud will dive into how they're created and how we're proving their existence with two of the largest experiments ever created.Additional Topics Include: a breakthrough in quantum gravity, a ban for TikTok, and one of Germany's most interesting laws.Check out our linktree to stay up to date with all things Universe-ity!

February 26, 202454 min

The Three-Body Problem: How Gas Giants Built a Moon-opoly

Have you ever wondered what it would look like if we had no moon? Well, how about if there were dozens? If we take a tour of the solar system, other moon systems get incredibly complex. So why isn't that the case here? In this episode, Jud and AJ will explain the billion year old physics of how the Earth was robbed of an even more interesting night sky.Additional Topics Include: Why snow (mostly) isn't yellow, What you didn't know about Pompeii, and what Star Wars got right about having two suns.Check out our linktree to never miss out on anything from Universe-ity!

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