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Planetary Radio

Each week, Planetary Radio visits with a scientist, engineer, project manager, advocate or writer who provides a unique perspective on the quest for knowledge about our solar system and beyond. We also showcase regular features that raise your space IQ while they put a smile on your face. The show is hosted by Mat Kaplan, with regular guests Bill Nye, Bruce Betts, and Emily Lakdawalla. Contact us at planetaryradio@planetary.org.

NOTE TO iTUNES LISTENERS: we are aware of the problem affecting iTunes subscribers to Planetary Radio and are working on a solution. In the meantime, you can find Planetary Radio on your local radio station, or download mp3s of past shows from our archives, or check out the most recent shows below!

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Recent Shows

A happy Mat Kaplan in the Lynx cockpit's left seat

Visiting the Spacecraft Technology Expo

05/14/2012 | 28:50
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Spaceplanes, spacesuits and rockets, oh my! Mat Kaplan talks to exhibitors and others at the first ever Spacecraft Technology Expo in Los Angeles.

Planetary Astronomer Franck Marchis

05/07/2012 | 28:50
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Guests

Franck Marchis, Planetary Astronomer, SETI Institute

Based now at the SETI Institute’s Carl Sagan Center, Franck Marchis recently visited the Planetary Society for a conversation with host Mat Kaplan. He uses several of Earth’s most powerful telescopes to study what he calls multiple asteroid systems.

Human mission to an asteroid in an Orion capsule (thumbnail)

Cutting-edge Approaches to Protecting Interplanetary Astronauts

04/30/2012 | 28:50
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As if extremes of temperature and lack of air weren’t enough! Some scientists believe it’s space radiation that will keep humans from venturing deep into our solar system. Not so, say three teams of NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC)-funded researchers. Each is exploring a cutting-edge approach to protecting astronauts on their way to Mars and other destinations.

The Pioneer Anomaly... Solved!

04/23/2012 | 28:50
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Guests

Slava Turyshev, Research scientist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory

After decades of mystery and investigation, after the recovery of gigabyte after gigabyte of data stored in obsolete computer formats, the whatdunit surrounding Pioneers 10 and 11 has finally reached its conclusion.

Taking Back the Night -- International Dark Skies Week

04/16/2012 | 28:50
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Guests

Scott Kardel, Public Affairs Director, International Dark-Sky Association

There are millions of urbanites who have never seen the wonders of a truly dark night sky. Scott Kardel of the International Dark Sky Association is fighting to restore the sky our ancestors knew so well.

Searching for Pandora With Debra Fischer

04/09/2012
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Guests

Debra Fischer, Astronomer

Yale exoplanet hunter Debra Fischer is about to begin looking for worlds in the star system that is nearest to Earth. She'll tell us about new technology enabling this effort, and how you can join the search.

The Allen Telescope Array - timelapse at night with Milky Way (thumbnail)

SETI Scientist Jill Tarter Continues the Search

04/02/2012 | 28:50
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Guests

Jill Tarter, Director of SETI Research, SETI Institute

The Director of the Center for SETI Research is thrilled to have the Allen Telescope Array back in the hunt for extraterrestrial intelligence. She also tells us about SETILive.

Big News All Around the Solar System From Emily Lakdawalla

03/26/2012 | 28:50
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Guests

Emily Lakdawalla, blogger, The Planetary Society
Bill Nye

The 2012 Lunar and Planetary Science Conference attracted many of the world's finest planetary scientists. This year it also attracted Emily Lakdawalla and Bill Nye the Planetary Guy. Emily provides a special report on amazing new discoveries about our solar system.