Earth & Sky Podcast

Biochemist Mike Goosey of Shell describes the search for non-food sources for the next generation of biofuels and the development of processes to convert them to fuel.

Fernando Pages builds homes that are affordable without the need for subsidies. Pages explains why green building is really advanced building, and how affordable and green go together.

Columbia University paleontologist Steve Brusatte thinks dinosaurs might have been just lucky to have ruled Earth for so long.

October 6, 2008. As soon as darkness falls, look for the moon. You’ll find Jupiter blazing nearby. Jupiter and the moon look close together, but Jupiter is much farther away than the moon 42 light-minutes tonight, in contrast to about a light-second for the moon.

Microbiologist Dickson Despommier of Columbia University talks about the idea of ‘vertical farming’ in city buildings growing produce, even fish and poultry, in vertical greenhouses.

Microbiologist Dickson Despommier of Columbia University talks about the idea of ‘vertical farming’ in city buildings growing produce, even fish and poultry, in vertical greenhouses.

Global warming could push ocean life in new directions, warns Jorge Sarmiento of Princeton University. Hear about Sarmiento s research on how small temperature changes could have a big impact on ocean biology.

Sustainability is now necessary for the long-term survival of large businesses. Jay Banner of the University of Texas at Austin explains why.

Sustainability is now necessary for the long-term survival of large businesses. Jay Banner of the University of Texas at Austin explains why.

October 2, 2008. Look westward in early evening near the place where the sun went down to catch the waxing crescent moon and dazzling planet Venus. These are nighttime s two brightest lights, and they can be seen this early evening from everywhere on Earth except far-northern latitudes.

October 2, 2008. Look westward in early evening near the place where the sun went down to catch the waxing crescent moon and dazzling planet Venus. These are nighttime s two brightest lights, and they can be seen this early evening from everywhere on Earth except far-northern latitudes.

A British student wonders how the energy issue will impact our planet. Yale professor and energy futurist Arnulf Gruber responds, and talks about what kids can do to help.

A British student wonders how the energy issue will impact our planet. Yale professor and energy futurist Arnulf Gruber responds, and talks about what kids can do to help.

Sally Collins of the U.S. Forest Service says that plans to manage American forests sometimes have to change fast. Hear Collins talk about forest fires, climate change, and other issues facing today s forests.

Sally Collins of the U.S. Forest Service says that plans to manage American forests sometimes have to change fast. Hear Collins talk about forest fires, climate change, and other issues facing today s forests.

Medical researchers want to keep astronauts hearts healthy in space, so they looked to the sporting world to find the best excercise. Hear about why rowing is best.

Medical researchers want to keep astronauts hearts healthy in space, so they looked to the sporting world to find the best excercise. Hear about why rowing is best.

Watersheds around the country are creating a market for trading water quality, which is somewhat similar to trading carbon credits. The purpose is to control nutrient pollution in water, which can for example cause coastal waters to become toxic to both humans and animals.

Watersheds around the country are creating a market for trading water quality, which is somewhat similar to trading carbon credits. The purpose is to control nutrient pollution in water, which can for example cause coastal waters to become toxic to both humans and animals.

The USGS estimates a 99 percent chance of a major earthquake striking California within the next 30 years. Hear about an earthquake early warning system being developed for southern California.

The USGS estimates a 99 percent chance of a major earthquake striking California within the next 30 years. Hear about an earthquake early warning system being developed for southern California.

September 26, 2008. Look for the moon and Saturn above the eastern horizon an hour or more before sunrise. In North America, the moon and Saturn will appear to pair up side by side.

September 26, 2008. Look for the moon and Saturn above the eastern horizon an hour or more before sunrise. In North America, the moon and Saturn will appear to pair up side by side.

By the end of this century, experts say, Earth’s climate will have changed. Here in the U.S., the climate in the southwestern states might change most, according to Noah Diffenbaugh of the Purdue Climate Change Research Center.

By the end of this century, experts say, Earth’s climate will have changed. Here in the U.S., the climate in the southwestern states might change most, according to Noah Diffenbaugh of the Purdue Climate Change Research Center.

Kidnapped and enslaved ant nannies might be rebelling against their ant captors, according to biologist Susanne Foitzik of Munich, Germany.

Kidnapped and enslaved ant nannies might be rebelling against their ant captors, according to biologist Susanne Foitzik of Munich, Germany.

Hear astronomer Andrea Ghez of UCLA, who received a 2008 MacArthur genius grant for her work on black holes. She s proved not only that supermassive black holes exist, but that one exists at the very center of our galaxy.

Hear astronomer Andrea Ghez of UCLA, who received a 2008 MacArthur genius grant for her work on black holes. She s proved not only that supermassive black holes exist, but that one exists at the very center of our galaxy.

September 22, 2008. The September equinox falls today at 3:44 p.m. At the instant of this year s September equinox, the noonday sun will be directly overhead at the equator as seen from northern Brazil.