Episodes

  • Privately funded space exploration planned for Earth orbit

    Privately funded space exploration planned for Earth orbit
    May 7 2026
    The Lazuli Space Telescope is slated to be the first of its kind to be completely funded by private dollars. University of Arizona planetary scientist Ewan Douglas discusses the spacecraft designed to be larger than the Hubble Space Telescope, which was launched in 1990. Ewan Douglas spoke with Tim Swindle, professor emeritus of Planetary Science at the University of Arizona.
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    9 mins
  • Studying solar flares on faraway suns

    Studying solar flares on faraway suns
    May 1 2026
    A small Earth orbiting observatory called SPARCS (SPARKS) is surveying solar activity that might impact life on faraway planets. University of Arizona planetary scientist Travis Barman describes how data from SPARCS can increase understanding about our own solar system.
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    8 mins
  • Imagining the next phase in lunar exploration

    Imagining the next phase in lunar exploration
    Apr 23 2026
    The success of NASA's Artemis II mission is leading to discussion about a long-term human presence on the lunar surface. Former Paragon Space Development CEO Grant Anderson describes the challenges involved in creating a moon habitat for future explorers. Grant Anderson spoke with Tim Swindle, professor emeritus of Planetary Science at the University of Arizona.
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    11 mins
  • Understanding the genetic causes for ALS

    Understanding the genetic causes for ALS
    Apr 16 2026
    Biologists are reporting progress in unlocking the secrets of ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease. The University of Arizona's Russ Buchan and Kevin Rhine describe their collaborative efforts investigating the role genetics plays for patients coping with ALS. Russ Buchan and Kevin Rhine spoke with Tim Swindle, professor emeritus of Planetary Science at the University of Arizona.
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    10 mins
  • Continuing research on Long COVID

    Continuing research on Long COVID
    Apr 9 2026
    COVID 19 became part of our lives as a global pandemic in March of 2020. Since then, scientists have tracked the phenomenon of Long COVID, where symptoms have lasted well after the patient has recovered. University of Arizona medical professor Sairam Parthasarathy discusses the ongoing research into Long COVID and why so many questions about the disorder remain unanswered. Sairam Parthasarathy spoke with Tim Swindle, professor emeritus in Planetary Science at the University of Arizona.
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    10 mins
  • A decade of discovery from the orbit of Jupiter

    A decade of discovery from the orbit of Jupiter
    Mar 26 2026
    Researchers have been studying data from NASA's Juno spacecraft since the summer of 2016. University of Arizona planetary scientist Bill Hubbard looks back on nearly a decade of discovery from the orbit of Jupiter, our solar system's biggest planet. Bill Hubbard spoke with Tim Swindle, professor emeritus of Planetary Science at the University of Arizona.
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    13 mins
  • Charting the molecular signaling inside our cells

    Charting the molecular signaling inside our cells
    Mar 19 2026
    A protein complex inside every living cell that tells it how to grow. Problems with the protein's signaling system can lead to neurological issues. University of Arizona biologist Andrew Capaldi describes how scientists are examining the inner workings of cells. Andrew Capaldi spoke with Leslie Tolbert, Ph D. Regent's professor emerita in Neuroscience at the University of Arizona.
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    10 mins
  • Using artificial intelligence to create Biosphere 3

    Using artificial intelligence to create Biosphere 3
    Mar 12 2026
    Move over Biosphere 2, make room for Biosphere 3. Biosphere 2 director Joaquin Ruiz explains how artificial intelligence is moving the concept into the digital age, taking data and helping scientists develop new theories about the evolution of planet Earth. Joaquin Ruiz spoke with Tim Swindle, professor emeritus of planetary science at the University of Arizona.
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    6 mins