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The Astrophysics Podcast

Paul Duffell
Astrophysics
Black Holes
Dark Matter
Gravitational Waves
Supernovae
Supernova
James Webb Space Telescope
Neutron Stars
Vera Rubin Observatory
Tidal Disruption Events
James Webb Telescope
Planet Formation
Exoplanets
Binary Stars
Fluid Dynamics
Supermassive Black Hole
Gamma-Ray Bursts
Cosmology
Protoplanetary Disks
Stellar Evolution

Once a month, Purdue University's Professor Paul Duffell discusses astronomy and astrophysics with experts from around the world. Duffell and guests discuss supernovae, galaxies, planets, black holes, and the nature of space and time.

Supported by the National Science Foundation under grant AAG-2206299.

Music by Brittain Ashford.

Produced in beautiful Lafayette, Indiana by Paul Duffell.

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PublishesMonthlyEpisodes31Founded3 years ago
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AstronomyPhysicsScience

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Artwork for The Astrophysics Podcast

Latest Episodes

The Theory of Relativity was discovered by Einstein over a century ago, and it tells us how time and space are distorted when moving close to the speed of light. We mere earthlings don't get the opportunity to move that fast, but there are some pheno... more

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Abigail Polin is back, and we are doing another astrophysics Q&A! This time, our questions come from a class of third graders in Indiana. You'll be surprised at how some of the simplest questions can lead us down a very complex path!

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This episode we get back to the objects that inspired the whole field of astrophysics -- stars. Those little points of light that first inspired us as children are incredible physics laboratories that we can still use today to learn about plasma phys... more

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Just how much do we know about how the planets formed? How much of this can we learn from getting images of young solar systems? Why does it help to look at the disk using radio waves instead of optical wavelengths? Dr. Charles Law discusses these qu... more

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Recent Guests

Ranadeep Dastidar
PhD graduate from Purdue, theorist who builds computer models of relativistic jets
Louisiana State University (postdoc in progress)
Episode: Dr. Ranadeep Dastidar -- Astrophysics at the Speed of Light
Abigail Polin
Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Purdue University
Purdue University
Episode: Dr. Abigail Polin -- Astrophysics Q & A #3
Dr. Jeff Gerber
Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Purdue University
Purdue University
Episode: Dr. Jeff Gerber -- Let's Talk Stars
Charles Law
Postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
Episode: Dr. Charles Law -- All the Molecules in Protoplanetary Disks
Dr. Daniel Polin
Ph.D. from UC Davis, instrumentalist involved in the development of the camera at Vera Rubin Observatory.
Rubin Observatory
Episode: Dr. Daniel Polin -- The Biggest Digital Camera in the World
Dr. Gurtina Besla
Professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
Episode: Dr. Gurtina Besla -- Dark Matter in the Milky Way
Dr. Abigail Polin
Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Purdue University
Purdue University
Episode: Dr. Abigail Polin -- Astrophysics Q & A #2
Dr. Kaitlin Kratter
Professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona with expertise in computational astrophysics.
University of Arizona
Episode: Dr. Kaitlin Kratter -- Building a Solar System on the Computer
Dr. Tim Cunningham
Postdoctoral research fellow at the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard and Smithsonian
University of Warwick
Episode: Dr. Tim Cunningham -- White Dwarfs Sometimes Eat Planets

Host

Paul Duffell
Host of The Astrophysics Podcast

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 363 ratings
  • Dr. Dastidar episode July 1 2026

    The interview of Dr. Dastidar promised a fascinating topic, but just so you know the conversation takes 33 minutes to even start there. First we hear a friendly interrogation that reveals innumerable details about the man’s education and evolution as a scientist. (Please put that in the description next time.) For those that want to hear the actual science content, you’re welcome.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Spring7Boy
    United Statesa month ago
  • A fascinating broad brush view of astrophysics

    Paul has a huge and varied range of astrophysics specialists come in and have a question/answer chat session about a wide variety of astrophysics related topics. The contents to be very accessible and easy to understand and I have learned so much. During the episodes I use my favourite AI for my own question/answer sessions to dig into and expand on my thinking that is sparked by this podcast. Most importantly, they all have a great time laughing and chatting about their favourite subjects.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SiriouslyLost
    New Zealanda month ago
  • Strikes a great balance

    I really enjoy the balance Paul strikes between research interests, personal background, and scientific development. I don’t think perspective scientists hear enough about imposter syndrome, honest remarks on day to day activities, and rejection. It humanizes the field. I like that he stops and spells out the acronyms and assumes the listeners aren’t astrophysicists. While I have little education in astrophysics I am capable of following the narrative and always learn something. Thanks for makin... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Randy146
    United States5 months ago
  • moderator is speaking way too much

    as the title says

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    thedizziedgirl
    Austria5 months ago
  • Perfect Balance Between Rigor and Ease of Understanding

    Each episode features researchers discussing cutting-edge work. It offers the technical rigor needed to challenge oneself without feeling overwhelmed and is highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn real astrophysics, not pop-sci sound bites.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Stargazing Dad
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate accessible explanations and deep dives with credible guests.
The host's balance of rigor and clarity is often praised, with occasional critiques about pacing or interruptions.
Guests are described as engaging, knowledgeable, and able to connect complex topics to real-world science.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#15
United States/Science/Astronomy
Apple Podcasts
#244
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#7
United Kingdom/Science/Astronomy
Apple Podcasts
#10
Canada/Science/Astronomy
Apple Podcasts
#107
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#164
Canada/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Dr. Jeff Gerber -- Let's Talk Stars
Q: What drew you to astronomy as a field and how did you realize it could be a career?
A combination of early exposure to science, engaging mentors, and undergraduate research opportunities—especially REUs and work with telescopes like prompt telescopes—showed me that astronomy could be a viable, funded career path, not just a pastime; that realization came during college after working on observational projects and seeing grad school as a funded experience.
Dr. Jeff Gerber -- Let's Talk Stars
Q: Where did you grow up and how did it influence your path into science?
I grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in a family where science was encouraged though not professionally pursued by parents; early experiences outdoors, science programs, and a grandfather who was a geophysicist helped seed curiosity, which was reinforced by later schooling and mentors who nudged me toward astronomy.
Dr. Gurtina Besla -- Dark Matter in the Milky Way
Q: Can you give me an example of a recent result that you're excited about?
Dr. Besla mentioned that they have observational evidence for dark matter wakes trailing behind the Large Magellanic Cloud, which aligns with their theoretical predictions.
Dr. Gurtina Besla -- Dark Matter in the Milky Way
Q: Can you think of an example of something that got you interested in science?
Dr. Besla was particularly fascinated by Egyptology and the precise alignment of pyramids with constellations, which drew her towards astronomy.
Dr. Gurtina Besla -- Dark Matter in the Milky Way
Q: So, let me start by asking, where did you grow up?
Dr. Besla grew up in Mississauga, a suburb of Toronto in Canada, where she had a culturally diverse upbringing.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Astrophysics Podcast

What is The Astrophysics Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, teacherly interview show where a Purdue-affiliated host talks with leading astrophysicists and researchers about big questions in space—jets, black holes, stars, planets, and the evolving tools that enable discovery. Episodes balance rigorous science with accessible explanations, personal career stories, and practical insights about how research happens, often highlighting the human side of science and the role of collaboration. Noteworthy is the emphasis on connecting complex topics to broader questions and everyday understanding, plus frequent attention to imaging, instrumentation, and observational astronomy that shape modern astrophysics.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Astrophysics Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Astrophysics Podcast:

1. The Supermassive Podcast
2. SpaceTime with Stuart Gary
3. Bedtime Astronomy
4. Why This Universe?
5. Universe Today Podcast

How many episodes of The Astrophysics Podcast are there?

The Astrophysics Podcast launched 3 years ago and published 31 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 The Astrophysics Podcast?

Recent guests on The Astrophysics Podcast include:

1. Ranadeep Dastidar
2. Abigail Polin
3. Dr. Jeff Gerber
4. Charles Law
5. Dr. Daniel Polin
6. Dr. Gurtina Besla
7. Dr. Abigail Polin
8. Dr. Kaitlin Kratter

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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