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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
Star Formation
Active Galactic Nuclei
Supermassive Black Holes
Astrophysics
Vaporizing Planets
Biosignatures
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.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes130Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for Starts With A Bang podcast

Latest Episodes

One of the most foundational questions we know how to ask in astronomy is simply this: given a cloud of gas of a given mass, what types of stars will form? How many stars of a given mass will you wind up with, and what factors does that depend on? Th... more

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

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Recent Guests

Charles Steinhardt
Professor at University of Missouri; extragalactic astronomer
University of Missouri
Episode: Starts With A Bang #130 - the initial mass function of stars
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

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
#202
Poland/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Starts With A Bang #130 - the initial mass function of stars
Q: What tests or observations could help resolve IMF variations in the near future?
Local cluster studies with Gaia and spectroscopy to measure low-mass stars, combined with photometric fitting and machine learning on large surveys, plus high-redshift JWST/Roman data to compare IMF in different environments.
Starts With A Bang #130 - the initial mass function of stars
Q: What evidence suggests the Milky Way IMF is not universally applicable to distant galaxies?
JWST observations show massive, early-forming galaxies that seem too massive if a Milky Way-like IMF is assumed; varying IMF with temperature, metallicity, and density can reconcile these observations, implying environment-dependent IMF.
Starts With A Bang #130 - the initial mass function of stars
Q: Why would an extragalactic astronomer care about IMF and star formation rate across the universe?
Because IMF assumptions directly affect inferred stellar masses and star formation histories of galaxies; if the IMF varies with environment or redshift, our estimates of galaxy growth, mass assembly, and feedback processes could be biased.
Starts With A Bang #130 - the initial mass function of stars
Q: Can you sort of give some context on what an initial mass function is, and what the factors go into determining how stars of different masses form?
The IMF describes how common stars of different masses are in a population, and it can be traced back to fragmentation in collapsing gas clouds; high-mass stars form from relatively rare, dense regions while low-mass stars are more common, but their visibility complicates measurements. Factors include temperature, density, metallicity, and the thermodynamic history of the cloud.
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.

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. The Supermassive Podcast
2. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas
3. Ask a Spaceman!
4. Universe Today Podcast
5. The Origins Podcast with Lawrence Krauss

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

Starts With A Bang podcast launched 11 years ago and published 130 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. Charles Steinhardt
2. Lana Tilke
3. Charles Law
4. Meredith Rawls
5. Dr. Elizabeth Tarantino
6. Dr. Kate Storey-Fisher
7. Kate Gold
8. Dr. Daniel Whiteson

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