The Supermassive Podcast cover art

The Supermassive Podcast

The Supermassive Podcast

Written by: The Royal Astronomical Society
Listen for free

The UK's #1 space podcast.


Science journalist Izzie Clarke and astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst whizz through the universe to explore the latest research with leading experts, dive to history from the society’s archives and take on your weird and wonderful questions about all things space. Can we gravitationally hitch-hike out of the solar system? Do we live in a multiverse? What is time? Plus Dr Robert Massey is on hand with his top star-gazing tips.


Want to support the show? Join The Supermassive Club for exclusive content, star-gazing forums and ad-free listening... supermassive.supportingcast.fm


And keep adding to The Supermassive Mailbox with your pictures and questions for the team. Send them to podcast@ras.ac.uk or follow them on Instagram, @SupermassivePod.


The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Royal Astronomical Society Astronomy & Space Science Physics Science World
Episodes
  • Why Is There Motion in the Universe?

    Why Is There Motion in the Universe?
    Jun 12 2026

    What happens if two diamond core stars collide? Will the Moon drift away from Earth? Why is there motion in the universe? And why we need a space AND time machine. Izzie, Dr Becky and Robert dive into The Supermassive Mailbox to answer your questions.


    For ad-free listening and to view Izzie's trajectory to becoming a better astronomer, join The Supermassive Club. Every member helps keep the show running, so thank you!


    Send us your astronomy attempts, questions (and nonsense!) to podcast@ras.ac.uk, on Instagram at @supermassivepod or post in The Supermassive Club.


    The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • How Do Space Telescope Work?

    How Do Space Telescope Work?
    May 28 2026

    Nancy Grace Roman. Ariel. The next generation of space telescopes are here. Astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst and science journalist Izzie Clarke explore how they work, what they can tell us and why they might unravel our current understanding of the universe. Plus Dr Robert has your stargazing tips for June.


    Thank you to Dr Tom Barclay from NASA's Roman telescope and Dr Chris Pearson from RAL Space.


    The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Did Gravity Wipe Out The Dinosaurs?

    Did Gravity Wipe Out The Dinosaurs?
    May 13 2026

    How do we calculate a black hole's event horizon? Does Mercury's tail impact Earth? Can we name a planet Rupert? And did gravity wipe out the dinosaurs? Izzie Clarke & Dr Becky Smethurst dive into the rather whimsical Supermassive Mailbox to answer your questions.


    Want to name an Exoworld? Here's the IAU website to start a campaign: https://nameexoworlds.iau.org/


    Send your questions, whimsical messages and your night sky photos to podcast@ras.ac.uk or find us on Instagram @SupermassivePod. Or why not support the show by joining The Supermassive Club? You'll get ad-free listening and access to The Supermassive forum.


    The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet