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Starts With A Bang podcast

Ethan Siegel
Exoplanets
James Webb Space Telescope
Dark Matter
Astronomy
Brown Dwarfs
Astrobiology
Cosmic Microwave Background
Variable Stars
Active Galactic Nuclei
Supermassive Black Holes
Astrophysics
Vaporizing Planets
Biosignatures
Star Formation
Kuiper Belt
Black Holes
Milky Way
Multi-Wavelength Astronomy
Hot Jupiters
Planetary Systems

The Universe is out there, waiting for you to discover it. There’s a cosmic story uniting us. We’re determined to bring it to everyone.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes129Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Latest Episodes

We often think about the Solar System as being our own cosmic backyard, and in many ways, it is: these are the closest objects to us in all the Universe, and our only opportunity to study lunar and planetary systems in situ. However, when it comes to... more

Whenever a new star forms, several processes appear to be nearly universal. A cloud of cold molecular gas contracts, fragments, and rapidly collapses in certain places. The densest, coldest clumps of gas contract first, drawing in larger and larger a... more

When most of us were children, and we went to a rural area with clear skies overhead at night, we were all greeted by the same familiar sight: a dark night sky, glittering with many hundreds or even thousands of stars. Depending on how dark your sky ... more

Out there in the Universe, we're most aware of what we see: of all the forms of light that arrive in our eyes, instruments, telescopes, and detectors. Much more difficult to see, as well as understand and make sense of, is the wide array of "stuff" t... more

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Recent Guests

Lana Tilke
PhD candidate at Arizona State University, School of Earth and Space Exploration
Arizona State University
Episode: Starts With A Bang #129 - Triton and the outer solar system
Charles Law
NASA Sagan Fellow at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
Episode: Starts With A Bang #128 - Planet formation and proto-protoplanets
Meredith Rawls
Professor at the University of Washington; expert on satellites and the night sky
University of Washington
Episode: Starts With A Bang #127 - Satellites and space pollution
Dr. Elizabeth Tarantino
Postdoctoral research associate at the Space Telescope Science Institute with a focus on the interstellar medium and cosmic dust.
Space Telescope Science Institute
Episode: Starts With A Bang #126 - The origin of dust
Dr. Kate Storey-Fisher
Researcher at Stanford's Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, specializing in large-scale cosmic structure.
Stanford University
Episode: Starts With A Bang #125 - Large-scale structure
Kate Gold
PhD candidate and astronomer specializing in astrochemistry, studying chemical processes and elements in the universe.
University of Arizona
Episode: Starts With A Bang #124 - Astrochemistry
Dr. Daniel Whiteson
Professor of Physics at the University of California at Irvine and author of "Do Aliens Speak Physics?"
University of California at Irvine
Episode: Starts With A Bang #123 - Alien physics
Dr. Olivia Cooper
A postdoctoral fellow specializing in astronomy and astrophysics, currently at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
University of Colorado at Boulder
Episode: Starts With A Bang #122 - Galaxy evolution and JWST
Dr. Kielan Hoch
PhD astronomer specializing in young exoplanetary systems, postdoctoral research associate at the Space Telescope Science Institute
Space Telescope Science Institute
Episode: Starts With A Bang #121 - Direct exoplanet imaging

Host

Ethan Siegel
Host of the show with a focus on clear, accessible science communication.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 154 ratings
  • Can be condensed

    So I love Ethan’s perspective…

    Can you start out by not saying “when you look out into the universe” every time? Also, most of your questions to guests seem rhetorical. You basically answer it anyway. Finally, are all your guests female for some reason? Keep it up!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Cornell Big Red
    United States5 months ago
  • Episode #123- Alien Physics

    Interesting discussion on how aliens may interpret physics, math and science. It might be interesting to go further into the thought experiment to consider aliens with different forms, such as those consisting only of light or energy.

    One thing that bothered me in this discussion was the use of the word 'grok.' Although it has scientific origins, it seems to be more common in today's parlance thanks to Twitter. Maybe I'm an old fuddy-duddy with language, but would prefer understand or descern.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Beach chik
    United States7 months ago
  • Excellent

    Very informative for a beginner and just blows my mind almost every episode!Great show!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    daddyoroks
    United Statesa year ago
  • Interesting podcasts with reliably terrible guest audio.

    I love the content but the guest's audio is almost always unlistenable.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    TomOwen7
    United States3 years ago
  • Just enough over my head that I can still reach if I stretch a bit. Perfect for the interested amateur.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Sagebrush24
    3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans highlight the host's ability to contextualize and explain deep concepts.
Listeners praise accessible explanations of complex topics.
Some critique pacing or guest audio quality.
Audience appreciates rigorous, yet engaging science discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#238
Australia/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Starts With A Bang #129 - Triton and the outer solar system
Q: If we could have an orbiter to Triton, what kinds of interior properties could we learn about, and how would that advance our understanding of Neptune's system?
An orbiter with a magnetometer and gravity measurements could constrain Triton's internal structure, core size, and whether a subsurface ocean exists, which would illuminate Triton's formation history, its possible dynamo, and how Neptune's magnetosphere interacts with its moons.
Starts With A Bang #129 - Triton and the outer solar system
Q: What makes Triton a likely captured object rather than a native moon, and what clues point to a capture-origin scenario?
Triton's retrograde, highly inclined orbit and its status as Neptune's largest irregular moon are key clues; the orbital configuration, plus the dynamical history needed to capture a body and disrupt Neptune's original moon system, strongly support a capture origin rather than in-situ formation.
Starts With A Bang #129 - Triton and the outer solar system
Q: Can you sort of tell me, because people generally classify themselves as one of two different types when they study things in the solar system? Either planetary scientists or planetary geologists, or planetary astronomers—is there a difference anymore?
Planetary science is an umbrella field that includes sub-disciplines like planetary astronomy (telescope-based observations) and planetary geology (in-situ and surface analyses). The two approaches are complementary; the distinction is helpful historically but increasingly overlaps as we combine remote sensing, modeling, and in-situ data to build a cohesive picture of worlds.
Starts With A Bang #127 - Satellites and space pollution
Q: What are the practical mitigation approaches for astronomers dealing with bright satellites in Rubin Observatory data?
Mitigation includes data processing Techniques to exclude satellite streaks, developing glint and debris detection algorithms, and coordinating with satellite operators to minimize interference, though coverage and scalability remain challenging as the constellation size grows.
Starts With A Bang #127 - Satellites and space pollution
Q: Can you talk to us about what happened in May of 2019 and why the current era of satellite megaconstellations is different?
The shift began with a massive increase in active satellites in low Earth orbit, driven by telecommunications and mega-constellations like Starlink, which dramatically lowered costs and accelerated deployment, creating new challenges for astronomy and the orbital environment.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Starts With A Bang podcast

What is Starts With A Bang podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show consistently centers on advanced astronomy and cosmology, featuring in-depth conversations about planetary formation, galaxy evolution, cosmic dust, exoplanets, and the broader structure of the universe. Guests are usually leading researchers or analysts from universities and space agencies, offering rigorous explanations that balance technical detail with accessible storytelling. A standout trait is the breadth of topics—from the interiors of ice giants to the behavior of the cosmic web—made engaging through clear intuition and cross-disciplinary perspectives. Listeners are likely drawn to scientifically rigorous discussions that also contemplate the implications for the future of space exploration and our understanding of the uni... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Starts With A Bang podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Starts With A Bang podcast:

1. Ask a Spaceman!
2. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas
3. Universe Today Podcast
4. The Supermassive Podcast
5. Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe

How many episodes of Starts With A Bang podcast are there?

Starts With A Bang podcast launched 11 years ago and published 129 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Starts With A Bang podcast?

Recent guests on Starts With A Bang podcast include:

1. Lana Tilke
2. Charles Law
3. Meredith Rawls
4. Dr. Elizabeth Tarantino
5. Dr. Kate Storey-Fisher
6. Kate Gold
7. Dr. Daniel Whiteson
8. Dr. Olivia Cooper

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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