Kielder Observatory Podcast (Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society)

In this month's episode it was over to you, as we hosted a LIVE Ask An Astronomer session with Director of Astronomy Dan Pye.

You can also watch the show back on the Kielder Observatory Facebook page. We cover all manner of topics from Astrophotography to the chances of finding life in other worlds.

We also update you on the latest news from Kielder Observatory, and how you can book a place to come and visit us sometime soon too!

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This month on the Kielder Observatory podcast we speak to photographic artist Melanie King, and explore her work capturing scenes of the night sky via classic analogue methods. Many of us now have switched to digital cameras or even smart phones, but Melanie explains her love for space and the constellations that inspire her the most.

We also update you on the latest news from the observatory, and take a look at some of the things to look out for at night, even though the nights are getting lighter!

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This month for the first time ever we record the Kielder Observatory Podcast on location at the observatory! And it has been a busy time, not least with one of our telescopes being renamed. Find out its new name, and why it was chosen in the podcast!

Plus Ian Brannan and Director of Astronomy Dan Pye look at some of the recent scientific breakthroughs in space, and what this could mean for our understanding of the universe.

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In our July episode we try and explain as simply as possible, exactly what we are seeing in the first stunning images from the James Webb Telescope. 

Positioned 1 million miles away from earth, and looking billions of light years into the universe, to a time relatively shortly after the Big Bang, we are already seeing thousands of previously unknown galaxies. Not only that, but even in the first images there are some questions posed which scientists are very intrigued by.

Joining us in this episode is someone who worked on the James Webb project, Jurgen Scholl, Senior Optical Engineer at the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI) of Durham University. So who better to explain how we are seeing these images than someone who helped create the technology right here in the north east!

Along with Jurgen are our own Kielder astronomers Finn Burridge and Adam Shore.

You can also watch this episode on our Facebook page, head to videos and you will see the original live recording.

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In this episode Ian Brannan & Director of Astronomy Dan Pye take a look at some of the recent space stories making the news, including the discovery of an Exo Planet dubbed "Super Earth". Find out why though it is probably not a place you want to book a holiday to just yet.

We also look at Black Holes, NASA have simulated what it would be like to fall into one..!

And a new kind of rocket is set to blast off to space, built by Boeing..! It however doesn't resemble the kind of Boeing craft you might be used to..!

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In this very special episode we are joined by a man who has spent 166 days aboard the international space station, flying on the Shuttle, and conducting over 38 hours of spacewalks!

Clay shares his firsthand experiences of life beyond Earth, offering fascinating insights into what it’s really like to live and work in space.

Hosted by Ian Brannan along with Kielder Director of Astronomy Dan Pye and Science Engagement Lead Ellie Macdonald.

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This month Ian and Dan head out to combine recording a podcast, with a spot of stargazing as they highlight some of the other great and free locations across the North East offering a great view of the night sky.

They have a chat on a hill near Derwent Reservoir which despite some patch weather on the day is a great vantage point to see the Aurora, the Milky Way and meteor showers. 

August sees the return of proper astronomical darkness at night, but it's also a month filled with great events such as the Perseids meteor shower, the Milky Way being visible, and the possibility of the Aurora putting on a show!

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This month we meet the new SPIDER Radio Telescope which has become the latest addition to the Kielder Forest landscape. Director of Astronomy Dan Pye give us a tour, and explains some of the things we will now be able to detect in space with it. 

This addition means that even on a cloudy night, visitors will be able to take in some radio observations, and for schools and universities they will have a new resource to help with research into aspects of space.

We also bring you a full round of of the things to watch out for in the night sky over the final part of 2021.

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The Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights are widely regarded as a Holy Grail for any sky watchers. For those lucky enough to see a display it's all about the beautiful serene colours lighting up the sky.

However what we witnessing is the Earth's magnetic field protecting us from a violent onslaught of energised particles from the Sun, slamming into the planet at 45 million MPH!

Dr Melanie Windridge is a physicist, explorer and author of “Aurora: In Search of the Northern Lights” who has travelled the world to witness the Aurora, and tells us about the phenomena and also the best places to see it.! 

We also talk about fusion, which is the source of the Aurora, and how this could one day lead to unlimited energy here on Earth.

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This month we are joined by Adrian West, an astronomer with over 30 years' experience. Better known as Virtual Astro, he has one of the largest independent astronomy and space accounts on social media. He's passionate about the night sky and inspiring people to look up.

Adrian is author of the book "The Secret World of Stargazing", and is now touring the UK with his show "The Night Sky Show Live". You can see Adrian performing in the North East at the Sunderland Empire on January 6th 2024.

For more info visit thenightskyshow.co.uk 

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The spring equinox is approaching, and in this month's episode Director of Astronomy at Kielder Observatory Dan Pye joins us to look ahead to an interesting time of year as the seasons change! Plus will look at a few news stories from the universe including the discovery of the oldest Black Hole ever found, lurking near the very dawn of time!

We are also joined by 2 CEOs, as way say goodbye and look back on the time of Catherine Johns, who has been CEO of the observatory since 2019. We also meet new CEO Leigh Venus, who has spent many years in culture and tourism, and both speak about why CEO of Kielder Observatory is a job like no other!  

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As we head through the middle part of the year, Ian Brannan and Director of Astronomy Dan Pye look at the Summer Triangle, a collection of constellation which take centre stage in the night sky at this time of year.

We also discuss the discovery of frost on Mars, which has been found at the top of the biggest mountain in the Solar System Olympus Mons, which is 3x bigger than Mount Everest!

And we look ahead to a potential comet with could be visible this autumn!

For more news and info visit kielderobservatory.org

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In this episode we hand over to Amber, age 6 (nearly 7!) from Sunderland who came to visit and take part in one of out many family events. Rather than a grown up talk all about it, we thought it best to hear about the experience from one of our younger guests!

Rockets & More is one of the summer events which has become a firm part of the Kielder programme, ultimately ending with kids building and launching their own rockets into the sky!

There are many family events all year round, they take place much earlier at around 5pm, and suitable for a variety of ages. Find out more about them at kielderobservatory.org and book your visit.

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Ever wondered what would happen if the Earth should fall into a black hole?

A black hole is a region of spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing, no particles or even light can escape from it, and time literally ends.

Prof Martin Ward is currently the Temple Chevallier Chair of Astronomy at Durham University and has spent over 50 years studying black holes. In this episode he shares his findings, and explains what a black hole is, why planets can exist perfectly well near one, and what might happen if we were to venture into one..!

Martin is joined by Kielder astronomer Finn Burridge to explore black holes, and why there's no reason for us here on earth to have any worries about them, for a few million years at least. 

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This month we look at how Kielder Observatory has become the first place in the world to take part in a new project tracking space junk and satellites. There are over half a million objects orbiting our planet, some are working satellites but there are many objects including old satellites, space equipment and rockets just floating in an eternal orbit. 

If those objects were to crash it could start a chain reaction, devastating satellites and in turn causing chaos down here on Earth. NORS based in Durham have developed a tracking system to keep tabs on the space junk above us, and alert owners of working satellites to any potential dangers. To tell us more we speak to Dr Laurence Blacketer from the NORS LOCI project.

We also look at recent events in the night sky and particularly talk about the aurora which has been visible across the north east in January. And we take a look ahead to some of the things to look out for as we head into February 2022.

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In this episode of the Kielder Observatory Podcast Ian Brannan and our Director of Astronomy Dan Pye are joined by special guest Dr Olivia Jones, to look back on the first year since first light on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Dr Olivia Jones was involved in the launch mission, and is one of a number of scientific researchers working on the project and now analysing the data sent back from JWST.

Even after a short period of operation the JWST has given us stunning images and data from deep into the universe, looking billions of years into the past. It has also detected characteristics in the atmospheres of some Exo Planets which show that deep in the universe, if there is other life, it may well not be as we know it..!

We also give you a round up of what's been happening at Kielder Observatory over the past few weeks, and details of the major things to look for in the night sky though April.

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Crisp winter nights are back, and with clear skies that makes for perfect star gazing conditions for the whole family to wrap up warm and see some amazing things..! 

It is a busy time for meteor showers, a number of planets are visible to the naked eye, and we now have the best chance for the next 11 years of seeing the aurora too..!

Get a full update of what's happening at the observatory as well as space in general with Ian Brannan & Director of Astronomy Dan Pye, who also have news of 1 very special guest joining us on the podcast soon..!

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This episode was recorded live during #internationaldarkskyweek. Kielder Observatory is situated in the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, and we will linked up with a Dark Sky Park about as far away as you can get on this planet..!

We were joined live from New Zealand by Gareth Davies from Dark Sky Network NZ, and Nalayini Davies who is the Vice President of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand and an International Dark-Sky Association board member, and Nalayini was the driving force behind making New Zealand's Dark Sky Reserve, Aotea/Great Barrier Island, happen.

We also linked up with The Royal Observatory Greenwich, and astronomer Dr Ed Bloomer, who explains how you can still enjoy the night sky in the brightest of cities.

PLUS we want you to head outside tonight and take a picture of the night sky wherever you are and share it with us. 

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We are recording on location at the Kielder Observatory. As the seasons change and autumn approaches, join host Ian Brannon and a panel of space experts as they delve into the latest celestial events and missions. From the best time to view the Milky Way and Saturn to upcoming lunar eclipses and the fascinating missions to Mercury and Europa, this episode is packed with astronomical insights. Discover how you can make the most of the night sky with just your naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope, and get the latest updates on space missions and discoveries.

Kielder Observatory, Night Sky, Astronomy, Milky Way, Saturn Rings, Lunar Eclipse, Boeing Starliner, Spacex, Bepicolombo, Mercury Mission, Europa Clipper, Search For Life, Jupiter Moon, Space Missions, Telescopes, Stargazing, Autumn Equinox, Zodiacal Light, Open Cluster, Cepheus Constellation

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In this episode Director of Astronomy Dan Pye, and Ian Brannan head to Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland, to get up close to The Sun! 

HELIOS is the latest creation of artist Luke Jerram, whose previous works of the Moon & Earth you may have previously seen in the North East. Luke chats to us about his latest project, and how the idea came about in the first place!

Plus with the upcoming partial Solar Eclipse we have advice on how to see it safely, as well as a look ahead to what to expect in the night sky in the coming few weeks heading into spring!

Helios is at Seaton Delaval Hall until April 6th, and will be touring the UK with the National Trust. More details can be found HERE

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Hello and Welcome to The official monthly podcast from Kielder Observatory situated in the Northumberland Dark Sky Park in the UK, under some of the darkest skies in Europe.

Our special guest is Dr Natalie Starkey a cosmochemist and author   who joins us to talks about some of the amazing findings from her new book called Fire & Ice, and how Volcanoes could be key to supporting life in other worlds..

It’s a fascinating chat and we’ll learn how not all volcanoes erupt with fire, some with ice. Plus we’ll learn why some of the biggest unsolved mysteries of the solar system are right here on earth.

First though we’ll begin by updating you on the news from right here in the North East, and from Kielder Observatory…

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Who is responsible if something goes wrong in space? Whilst we are a way off having an intergalactic police force, there are many laws and regulations specific to space. From space junk & satellites to who owns a planet, the countries of Earth have come together to make agreements on the rules of space.

Northumbria University is one of the few places which specialises in the subject of "Space Law", and in this episode we chat to lecturer Lauren Napier to find out more about the rules that keep space a safe-ish place, and also keeps out dark skies clear!

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This month we talk to observational astronomer Dr Victoria Fawcett, about some of the research she has been involved in including the DESI & MOONs projects. 

As we get more data about the deeper universe scientists like Victoria hope to learn more about the formation of galaxies and even the origins of the universe.

Dr Victoria is also very active sharing her knowledge via outreach programmes, and was awarded an outstanding contribution award at the North East STEM awards last year.

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Recorded live in front of an online audience on Facebook this month, Director of astronomy Dan Pye, Ellie Macdonald and Adam Shore join Ian Brannan as we explore some of the things to look out for over the final weeks of 2021 in the night sky.

And we are joined by special guest Dr Olivia Jones of the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, who is an expert on the James Webb Telescope which launches soon (hopefully) and when it does it will bring us a whole new view of the universe. STFC Webb Fellow at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre at the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh. Previously worked at Jodrall B ank

Plus we took your questions for "Ask An Astronomer", covering everything from meteorites, to comets, to the Milky Way, and even cats..

You can WATCH the episode too if you wish here https://fb.watch/9PaGzMsJQu/

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This month Ian Brannan chats with Kielder Observatory Director of Astronomy Dan Pye, about the Secret Life of Stars. From our nearest star, The Sun, to how that compares with the very largest star in the known universe..!

We also explore the life cycles of stars, from the birth, to their slow but dramatic deaths. Plus find out how things might end for for our own Sun, and what that would mean for life on Earth, and the rest of the Solar System.

In addition we bring you a round up of all the latest things going on at Kielder Observatory, and a look ahead to the events in the summer night sky to look out for over the next few weeks!

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As we head towards the mid point of the year and the nights become lighter, we explore some of the unique things about the summer night sky. The north of England is a fantastic place to see Noctilucent Clouds, a phenomena only visible at this time of year. In this episode Director of Astronomy Dan Pye explains what they are, and how you can see them anywhere in the north.

We are also joined by Helen McGhie, Kielder Observatory's Photographic Artist in Residence, and Senior Lecturer at the University Of Sunderland.

Helen is behind a new artistic installation called "Another Dimension", and you will drive through the exhibition if you are visiting us over the summer months..!  Another Dimension has been supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and she explains to us the story behind it.

PLUS, NASA scientists have shared for the first time, what a Black Hole sounds like..! We take a listen and debunk the science around space silence..!

All this and much more in this month's Kielder Observatory Podcast..!

ALSO: If you do see Helen's photographic exhibition she would love to hear your thoughts..!  helen.mcghie@research.sunderland.ac.uk if you wish to share your experience of the banner or online exhibitions - It all helps her PhD thesis!

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Life IS 100% out there, we just need to find it, however that's not to say other life hasn't found us..! A few of the insights from evolutionary astrobiologist Wallace Arthur, who joins us once again to discuss the latest discoveries relating to Exo Planets, and why they could be the key for discoveries..!

If you want to know where we may find alien life, and why the conversations could be fairly lengthy if we do, then make sure you listen to this one!

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Join us in this captivating episode of the Kielder Observatory podcast as we explore the origins of life and the universe with Dr. Luke Daly, an expert in planetary geoscience from the University of Glasgow. Discover how space rocks like asteroids and meteorites may hold the key to understanding the formation of our solar system and the potential for life beyond Earth. Alongside hosts Ian Brannan & Dan Pye, delve into the fascinating journey from a waterless desert planet to our vibrant blue Earth, and uncover the secrets of water delivery mechanisms from comets to early terrestrial planets. This episode promises an engaging exploration into the mysteries of planetary science and the exciting prospects for future discoveries.

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This month we record the podcast at the observatory itself, and it's a Dan fest. Host Ian Brannan is joined by Director of Astronomy Dan Pye, and Director of Astrophotography Dan Monk, to discuss a couple of hot topics and give you some top tips heading into April!

On April 8th there is due to be a total eclipse which will be best viewed in the United States, but discover Kielder's plans to bring this event to you LIVE from one of our astronomers who is heading to Texas to take in and share the spectacle with you.

Plus with the constant likelihood of an Aurora display at this time of year, Dan Monk explains how to maximise your chances of getting an awesome photo, and shares his adventures to Iceland chasing the phenomenon..!

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February is the month of love, and in this episode of the Kielder Observatory Podcast discover how to see a heart light years away in space! Our Director of Astronomy Dan Pye explains the other celestial events occurring through February including our Pye in the Sky challenge!

The main theme of this episode is the Aurora, our science communicator Ishbel Wright has recently ventured north of the Arctic Circle as part of a university project to install a network of cameras to give us a better understanding of this phenomenon. But of course she also saw the northern lights for herself more intensely than ever! As we move towards another peak time to see the Aurora in the UK, we also give you a few tips to improve your chances of bagging a photo for yourself!

Aurora Borealis, Arctic Circle, Night Sky, Planetary Conjunctions, Venus, Heart Nebula, Cassiopeia, Pleiades, Constellations, Andromeda Galaxy, Science Communicator, Ionosphere, Tromso Norway, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Star Clusters, Caroline Rose Cluster, Ishbel Wright, Dan Pye

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This month the spotlight is on both wind, and astro photography..! Firstly we introduce our new crowd funding initiative to raise money for a 2nd wind turbine on the Kielder Observatory site.  

One of the first features many visitors notice will be the general hum coming from the existing wind turbine. In order to rely less on a diesel generator we are looking to add a second turbine elsewhere on the site. Dan Pye our director of astronomy explains why the wind turbine is so important, and how you can get involved to help out.

This month we also catch up with Dan Monk, our director of Astro Photography. You will likely have seen some of Dan's stunning images, but this month he explains a few of the ingredients you need to get a stunning shot of the night sky, as well as a few of the things to particularly point your camera at through the winter months.

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In this month's episode Ian Brannan, and astronomers Dan Pye & Ellie Macdonald  explore the relationship between humans and the night sky, with cultural astronomy expert Dr Jarita Holbrook. 

Since the dawn of time humans have gazed into the night sky, with many civilisations drawing their own inspiration and meaning from what they saw. Timeless stories, even whole religions has been formed from the inspiration the universe has given particularly in times of great turbulence and upheaval.

We also look at some of the great space superstitions held by various civilisations and cultures around the globe too.

Plus we have a look at the latest news from Kielder Observatory, and who to look out for in the night sky over the coming final few weeks of 2022.

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Recorded live in Hexham Andy Saunders, the author of Apollo Remastered, discusses wit Dan Pye & Ian Brannan how he brought the Moon landings to life with stunning, high-definition images restored from NASA’s original Apollo film footage, which had been stored away for decades. 

His groundbreaking work reveals never-before-seen spacewalks, astronaut portraits, and breathtaking views of Earth and the Moon.

You can see the exhibition at Queen's Hall in Hexham until the end of May.

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For over 200 years, the Royal Astronomical Society has been encouraging and promoting astronomy, solar system science and other related branches of science.

In this episode Ian Brannan & Dan Pye speak to Dr Robert Massey, Deputy Executive Director of RAS about how the society has changed over the years, what the future may hold for space exploration, and the role observatories like Kielder play in sharing knowledge of the universe with the public.

We also give you some tips on what to look out for in the night sky over the coming weeks of April 2022, and there's a slightly more difficult challenge from Dan for the seasoned astronomer..! 

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Joining us this month is Chris Lintott, a Professor of Astrophysics at Oxford University but known to millions as a current presenter on the BBC's The Sky At Night, a show which has been on our screens ever since 1957!

He co-authored Bang! – The Complete History of the Universe and The Cosmic Tourist with Sir Patrick Moore and Queen guitarist and astrophysicist Brian May. A book which has had a recent revision having been published originally in 2006.

He's also co founder of Galaxy Zoo, an online crowdsourcing project where members of the public can volunteer their time to assist in classifying over a million galaxies.

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In this episode of the Kielder Observatory podcast, we venture into the fascinating world of remote sensing with Professor Danny Donoghue from Durham University.

Discover how legacy satellite data from as far back as the 1960s is being utilised to enhance our understanding of Earth's resources, environmental changes, and even archaeology.

Learn about the declassified Cold War-era satellite programme, Corona, and its modern applications. Join us as we delve into the past, present, and future of satellite technology, its impact on climate change studies, and the exciting potential of drones in remote sensing.

Further Links:

Kielder Observatory
https://www.kielderobservatory.org

Durham University
https://www.dur.ac.uk

Landsat Programme
https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov

Corona Programme
https://www.nro.gov/History-and-Studies/Center-for-the-Study-of-National-Reconnaissance/CSNR-Programs/Corona/

James Webb Space Telescope
https://www.jwst.nasa.gov

Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society
https://www.rspsoc.org.uk

Institute for Data Science, Durham University
https://www.dur.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/data-science/

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In this episode we are joined by some of the team behind out "Kielder Narratives" project: Composer Will Todd, Poet Dan Simpson, and musician & Producer Chad Male join Ian Brannan & Director of Astronomy Dan Pye to tell the story behind the work, and we will also hear the final production in full too!

Kielder Narratives is a collaborative project which builds upon the work we have already delivered with Southpaw Dance Company as part of Kielder Dark Skies.
We wanted to find different ways of engaging the communities in and around Kielder, so that they themselves can tell their story of working, living and playing in such a unique environment.

Funded by Arts Council England, Kielder Observatory were able to commission a poet, Dan Simpson, to complete a residency in the area- engaging with local communities to find out what the dark skies mean to them. The poet co-created poems, plays, songs and spoken word pieces to help articulate the thoughts and feelings of the communities were work in. 

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Ken MacTaggart has worked on NASA’s Apollo Lunar Surface Journal with editor Dr Eric Jones and colleagues for 20 years, and is co-editor of the Apollo 11 Flight Journal established by W. David Woods.  He has interviewed and written about spaceflight for The Independent, The Herald, The Scotsman, Spaceflight and numerous other magazines and newspaper, plus TV programmes.

Ken is a Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society and works as a technology consultant, advising public agencies on science and space policy.  As well as his interest and deep knowledge of spaceflight, he has published on a range of other historical subjects, so his angle on Apollo is often quite different from the purely technical.

In this episode Ken reveals some of the finer details of that mission to the moon in 1969 which perhaps went unnoticed, but bring a whole new dimension to the incredible story of the moon landings.

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In this episode we talk to the Reverend Professor David Wilkinson, who began his career as an astrophysicist before becoming a Methodist minister and is currently a professor in the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University.

We discuss the connection between science and faith throughout history and bridging the gap between the two (often conflicting) topics.

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