Stories From Space

Guest | Dr. Will Grundy, Astronomer, Lowell Observatory

Host | Matthew S Williams

On ITSPmagazine 👉 https://itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/matthew-s-williams

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Episode Notes

Dr. Will Grundy, an astronomer and planetary scientist with the Lowell Observatory and a member of the New Horizons team, has been studying Pluto his entire professional life. Together, we sat down to discuss matters of planetary science, the Great Planet Debate, and the importance of icy bodies in the outer Solar System.

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Resources

Lowell Observatory: https://lowell.edu/

I Heart Pluto Festival 2025: https://iheartpluto.org/

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For more podcast Stories from Space with Matthew S Williams, visit: https://itspmagazine.com/stories-from-space-podcast

Host | Matthew S Williams

On ITSPmagazine 👉 https://itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/matthew-s-williams

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This Episode’s Sponsors

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Episode Description

A human migration to space is expected to take place this century. The first stop on the tour will undoubtedly be the Moon, Earth's nearest celestial neighbor and the gateway to the Solar System. This presents many challenges, like the near-vacuum environment, radiation, extreme temperatures, and micrometeroids. But with the right strategies, it could be done someday (and maybe sooner than we think!)

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Resources

NASA's Plan for Sustained Lunar Exploration and Development: https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/a_sustained_lunar_presence_nspc_report4220final.pdf

International Lunar Research Station - Guide for Partnership: https://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/copuos/2021/AM_3._China_ILRS_Guide_for_Partnership_V1.0Presented_by_Ms.Hui_JIANG.pdf

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For more podcast Stories from Space with Matthew S Williams, visit: https://itspmagazine.com/stories-from-space-podcast

Host | Matthew S Williams

On ITSPmagazine 👉 https://itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/matthew-s-williams

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This Episode’s Sponsors

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Episode Notes

The American and Soviet space programs began amid Cold War tensions, where the goal was to "get there first" and demonstrate who had technological supremacy. These efforts began with the launch of artificial satellites, followed quickly by sending crewed spacecraft to orbit. All in preparation for eventual missions to the Moon!

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Resources

What Was the Space Race? - National Air and Space Museum: https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/what-was-space-race

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For more podcast Stories from Space with Matthew S Williams, visit: https://itspmagazine.com/stories-from-space-podcast

Host | Matthew S Williams

On ITSPmagazine 👉 https://itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/matthew-s-williams

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This Episode’s Sponsors

Are you interested in sponsoring an ITSPmagazine Channel?
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Episode Notes

Red dwarf stars are the most common in the Universe, and are pretty good at forming rocky planets in their habitable zones (HZs). This includes Proxima b (the closest exoplanet to our Solar System). But red dwarfs are known for being temperamental and prone to flares. As a result, the debate continues as to whether or not planets orbiting these stars could support life.

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Resources

Could Earth Life Survive on a Red Dwarf Planet? - Universe Today: https://www.universetoday.com/166157/could-earth-life-survive-on-a-red-dwarf-planet/

Red Dwarf Stars Might Be Able to Hold Onto Their Atmospheres After All - Universe Today: https://www.universetoday.com/169037/red-dwarf-stars-might-be-able-to-hold-onto-their-atmospheres-after-all/

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For more podcast Stories from Space with Matthew S Williams, visit: https://itspmagazine.com/stories-from-space-podcast

Host | Matthew S Williams

On ITSPmagazine 👉 https://itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/matthew-s-williams

______________________
This Episode’s Sponsors

Are you interested in sponsoring an ITSPmagazine Channel?
👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/sponsor-the-itspmagazine-podcast-network

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Episode Notes

Could the reason we haven't found evidence of extraterrestrial life be that water is too abundant on some worlds? This is the essence of the Waterworlds Hypothesis, which tells us that rocky planets with the right balance of continents and oceans could be rare.

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Resources

Beyond “Fermi’s Paradox” XII: What is the Waterworlds Hypothesis?: https://www.universetoday.com/147775/beyond-fermis-paradox-xii-what-is-the-waterworlds-hypothesis/

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For more podcast Stories from Space with Matthew S Williams, visit: https://itspmagazine.com/stories-from-space-podcast