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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
James Webb Telescope
Planet Formation
Tidal Disruption Events
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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PublishesMonthlyEpisodes30Founded2 years ago
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SciencePhysicsAstronomy

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Artwork for The Astrophysics Podcast

Latest Episodes

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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The Vera Rubin Observatory has just started taking its first data this month. We have a special guest (Dr. Daniel Polin) who helped in the construction of the camera for Rubin. This digital camera was a major feat due to the very large amount of data... more

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Recent Guests

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. 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
Dr. Merel van't Hoff
Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Purdue University
Purdue University
Episode: Dr. Merel van 't Hoff -- The Birth of the Planets
Dr. Wen-Fai Fong
Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Episode: Dr. Wen-Fai Fong -- The Neutron Star Mash

Host

Paul Duffell
Host of The Astrophysics Podcast

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 338 ratings
  • 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 States2 months ago
  • moderator is speaking way too much

    as the title says

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    thedizziedgirl
    Austria2 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 States3 months ago
  • Pushing audience away

    I really wanted to like this podcast but there are so many interruptions. Sometimes it’s rephrasing what the guest just said, sometimes it’s cutting them off mid sentence, and sometimes, worst of all, it’s infantilizing the audience. I’d argue a significant portion of the people who found this podcast actively searched for it. They likely have an interest in the subjects and want to hear from the experts directly. Thank you for bringing them in to the space but please allow them to geek out with... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Q_Luke
    United States3 months ago
  • Real Deal!

    Personable interviews with mega-mind scientists doing interesting things. Funny and charming.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Prsopect Farms
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Requests for more guest diversity and listener engagement.
Very accessible without losing scientific rigor and depth.
Episodes feature strong guest interviews with real expertise.
Mix of humor and serious science lands well for many listeners.
Some listeners wish for fewer interruptions and tighter pacing.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#9
United States/Science/Astronomy
Apple Podcasts
#121
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#3
Canada/Science/Astronomy
Apple Podcasts
#10
United Kingdom/Science/Astronomy
Apple Podcasts
#55
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#148
United Kingdom/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?

The show features in-depth conversations with leading astrophysicists and space researchers, exploring topics from star formation and planetary systems to black holes and cosmology. Guests range from university professors to instrument builders, often tying cutting-edge science to teaching, mentoring, and real-world impacts. The host balances rigorous science with accessible explanations and personal storytelling, which helps demystify complex concepts for curious listeners. This format is likely to appeal to listeners who enjoy thoughtful, technically grounded astrophysics discussions presented in a relatable way, with occasional reflections on science education and career paths in academia.

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How many listeners does The Astrophysics Podcast get?

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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. Universe Today Podcast
5. Ask a Spaceman!

How many episodes of The Astrophysics Podcast are there?

The Astrophysics Podcast launched 2 years ago and published 30 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. Abigail Polin
2. Dr. Jeff Gerber
3. Charles Law
4. Dr. Daniel Polin
5. Dr. Gurtina Besla
6. Dr. Kaitlin Kratter
7. Dr. Tim Cunningham
8. Dr. Merel van't Hoff

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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