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Astronomy Cast

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Nov 29, 2021

Astronomy Cast Ep. 622: Rockier Moons & Giant Asteroids

by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

So a rock is a rock is a rock. Right? Across the solar system there are giant rocky asteroids and even “gianter” rocky moons. What is the difference between these two families of objects and where do they come from?


Nov 22, 2021

Astronomy Cast Ep. 621: Gas Giants

by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

For the longest time the only gas giant planets that we knew about were Jupiter and Saturn. But now, in the age of extrasolar planets, astronomers have discovered thousands of gas giants across almost as many star systems. What new discoveries have been...


Nov 15, 2021

Astronomy Cast Ep. 620: Why Getting to the Outer Worlds is So Difficult

by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

Good News! Over the next few years we’re gonna see a flotilla of new missions headed to Jupiter and Saturn. Why aren’t we seeing more missions to the outer planets like Uranus and Neptune, even Pluto? It turns out...


Nov 8, 2021

Astronomy Cast Ep. 619: Icy Moons & Dwarf Planets

by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

The outer Solar System is far enough from the Sun that water doesn't get blasted away into deep space. In this icy realm, there are many worlds with vast quantities of water ice. Today let's look at the icy outer moons and dwarf planets.


Nov 1, 2021

Astronomy Cast Ep. 618: Ice Giants

by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

So we’re learning more & more about the outer planets of the solar system. Uranus & Neptune are Ice Giants, filled with water and other volatiles that we'd consider ice if it was here on Earth. What’s inside these worlds and what can we expect to...