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Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures

Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures
Black Holes
Exoplanets
James Webb Space Telescope
Black Widow Pulsars
Extraterrestrial Life
Water
Neutron Stars
Quantum Mechanics
Astrophysics
Gravitational Waves
Astronomy
Milky Way
Astrobiology
Multiverse
Gamma-Ray Sky
Religion
Asteroids
Gravitational Lensing
NASA
Europa

Listen to exciting, non-technical talks on some of the most interesting developments in astronomy and space science. Founded in 1999, the Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures are presented on six Wednesday evenings during each school year at Foothill College, in the heart of California's Silicon Valley. Speakers include a wide range of noted scientists, explaining astronomical developments in everyda... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes54Founded4 years ago
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AstronomyScience

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Artwork for Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures

Latest Episodes

A Talk by Dr. Oliver White (SETI Institute)

May 28, 2025

Ten years ago, the New Horizons spacecraft flew by the Pluto system and revealed an unexpectedly diverse range of landscapes on that dwarf planet and its largest moon Charon -- implying much ... more

Non-technical Talk by Prof. Jonathan Fortney (U. of California, Santa Cruz) 

Apr. 9, 2025

Over 6000 planets have now been found around other stars, but we only have information about what their atmospheres are like for a few dozen.  NASA's powerful ... more

Mar. 5, 2025

 Dr. Simon Steel (SETI Institute)

Dr. Steel discusses the Copernican revolution and how it changed humanity's view of its place in the universe. He then talked about other "Copernican" discoveries that displaced us from a central perch... more

Jan. 29, 2025

Dr. Darlene Lim (NASA Ames Research Center)

NASA's Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) is a planned mission to go to the South Pole of the Moon and get a close-up view of the locations that can sustain water ice – i... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Dr. Oliver White
Planetary Scientist at the SETI Institute, member of the New Horizons Mission Team
SETI Institute
Episode: Science at the Edge of the Solar System
Dr. Darlene Lim
Research scientist at NASA Ames Research Center, expert in collaborative science operations.
NASA Ames Research Center
Episode: Human-Robotic Exploration from the Moon to Mars
Dr. Dan Coe
Astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute and Johns Hopkins University
Space Telescope Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University
Episode: Observing with the James Webb Space Telescope: Glimpsing the First Stars
Dr. Roger Romani
Professor of Physics at Stanford University and member of the Kavli Institute.
Stanford University
Episode: Black Widow Pulsars: The Vengeful Corpses of Stars
Dr. Robert Pappalardo
Project scientist for NASA's Europa Clipper mission at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
NASA
Episode: Europa Clipper: Exploring Jupiter's Ocean World
Dr. Paul Halpern
Professor of Physics at St. Joseph's University and author of 18 popular science books including 'The Allure of the Multiverse'.
St. Joseph's University
Episode: The Allure of the Multiverse (with Dr. Paul Halpern)
Dr. Brian Lantz
Senior Research Scientist
Stanford University
Episode: Exploring the Gravitational Wave Universe
Dr. Laura Schaefer
Assistant Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Stanford University, planetary scientist focusing on the atmospheres of rocky planets
Stanford University
Episode: Water Above, Water Below: The Many Roles of Water in Making Planets Habitable

Host

Andrew Fraknoi
Emeritus Chair of the Astronomy Department at Foothill College. He has been a key figure in organizing these lectures, sharing his passion for astronomy and education with diverse audiences.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 58 ratings
  • SiliconValleyAstronomyLecture

    Besides the hacking cough of the primary speaker, this episode was enlightening: The idea that all religions on earth are earthbound & therefore not Universal truth. But the idea that extraterrestrials don't exist is a truly ignorant idea. #GlobalDisclosureDay2024

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Anonymous 919
    Canadaa year ago
  • Fascinating

    I find it extraordinary that we live in an age in which some of the brightest minds of our time can share their immense knowledge to the common man for free. Truly remarkable

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cole1638
    United Statesa year ago
  • Excellent!

    Dr Fraknoi & Foothill College deserve heaps of praise for producing this gem of a series. I’m lucky to have been introduced to this series in person by my parents. I’m also lucky to live within driving distance of FC.

    Dr Fraknoi has always presented interesting speakers and leaders in their respective fields.

    But now everyone on the planet (and beyond!) can enjoy these lectures remotely via podcast & video (YouTube). So sit back, relax, and enjoy their latest astronomy lecture! I’m sure t... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tandem Bear
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the non-technical approach to complex scientific topics, making them accessible for a general audience.
There is a strong acknowledgment of the quality of the speakers and their ability to engage and inspire listeners about astronomy.
Many express gratitude for the opportunity to learn from leading experts without requiring a background in science.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Science at the Edge of the Solar System
Q: What most important unanswered question about Pluto?
To what degree has volcanism shaped its surface?
Science at the Edge of the Solar System
Q: What surprised you most in all this discovery?
The incredible diversity that we saw on Pluto, with all the different landscapes looking so different from each other.
New Worlds: Analyzing the Atmospheres of Exoplanets with the James Webb Space Telescope
Q: Can we look for the atmospheres of planets in the Trappist-1 system?
Yes, we can observe the atmospheres of the Trappist-1 planets, but so far there's no evidence for atmospheres detected.
New Worlds: Analyzing the Atmospheres of Exoplanets with the James Webb Space Telescope
Q: How long of an observation do you need to get an accurate spectra of these planets?
For gas giants, we typically observe once or twice, which takes about five to six hours. For smaller planets, we might observe them several times over a longer period to build better signals.
Copernicus 4.0: How the Views of Earth's Importance and the Search for Life are Changing
Q: Do we really want to be advertising ourselves? I know you want to find them, but do you want them to find us?
It goes back to the size of the galaxy; things are so far away that our presence is lost over those huge distances.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures

What is Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exciting and accessible discussions on the latest advancements in astronomy and space science capture the essence of this lecture series. With distinguished scientists and experts presenting complex topics in everyday language, each session offers insights into current astronomical discoveries and innovations. The talks cover a wide range of subjects, from the exploration of distant planets and moons to the implications of finding extraterrestrial life, allowing listeners to connect with the universe in an engaging and thought-provoking manner. The series stands out by presenting scientific content in a format that is both informative and engaging, appealing to audiences with varying levels of familiarity with astronomy.

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How many listeners does Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures:

1. The Astrophysics Podcast
2. The Supermassive Podcast
3. Universe Today Podcast
4. SpaceTime: Your Guide to Space & Astronomy
5. Astrum Space

How many episodes of Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures are there?

Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures launched 4 years ago and published 54 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures?

Recent guests on Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures include:

1. Dr. Oliver White
2. Dr. Darlene Lim
3. Dr. Dan Coe
4. Dr. Roger Romani
5. Dr. Robert Pappalardo
6. Dr. Paul Halpern
7. Dr. Brian Lantz
8. Dr. Laura Schaefer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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