Description (podcaster-provided):
The official monthly podcast from Kielder Observatory in Northumberland UK, situated under some of the darkest skies in the world.
If you've ever wondered what happens when you fall into a black hole, if intelligent life is watching us from other galaxies, or how the North East is at the forefront of the British Space programme, then you can find out more in this series!
Each month we also update you on the things to look out for in the night sky wherever you are, and of course update you on what's happening at the observatory too!
Subscribe now, and maybe we'll see you at Kielder soon!
Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ stargazing guides and seasonal night-sky highlights • aurora, meteor showers, eclipses, noctilucent clouds • deep-space science: black holes, dark matter, stars, quasars • JWST discoveries, exoplanets, search for life • space missions, satellites, space law • observatory news, events, astrophotography
This podcast is the monthly audio programme from Kielder Observatory in Northumberland, drawing on the region’s dark-sky setting to explore astronomy, space science, and practical stargazing. Across the episodes, the hosts mix accessible explanations of big cosmic questions—such as black holes, dark matter, the life cycles of stars, quasars, and how galaxies form—with updates on major space missions and technology, including the James Webb Space Telescope, lunar exploration plans, and crewed spaceflight experiences shared by astronauts.
A recurring thread is “what to look for in the night sky” through the seasons. Listeners are guided through meteor showers, planetary visibility, eclipses, the Milky Way, noctilucent clouds, and the aurora, with attention to observing tips for beginners and families as well as astrophotography advice for capturing events like Northern Lights displays.
The show also connects space to life on Earth and to society. Topics include solar activity and its impact on auroras and Earth’s magnetic environment, remote sensing and how historical satellite imagery supports environmental monitoring and archaeology, and the growing challenges of satellites and space debris. Episodes also touch on astrobiology and the search for life beyond Earth, from exoplanet atmospheres to the implications of potential biosignatures.
Alongside science, the podcast regularly highlights observatory news, public events, and outreach, including collaborations with artists, cultural perspectives on the night sky, and initiatives that broaden access to astronomy through talks, exhibitions, and additional observing locations.
|
Episodes:
|
Dark Matter - the Ghost in the Machine, with Prof Richard Massey
2026-Mar-17
48 minutes
|
Mission to the Moon! Everything you need to know about Artemis II
2026-Feb-03
56 minutes
|
Introducing our new observatory, and it's at a pub!
2025-Dec-02
41 minutes
|
Cannibal Aurora, Comets & Cosmic Phenomena - Nov 2025
2025-Nov-14
46 minutes
|
Why you should love the Fly! Dr Erica McAlister
2025-Aug-22
47 minutes
|
Talking the summer night sky - On Location at Kielder
2025-Jul-21
35 minutes
|
Noctilucent Clouds: The Summer Spectacle You Can't Miss
2025-May-19
32 minutes
|
Apollo Remastered Live With Andy Saunders
2025-Apr-17
38 minutes
|
At HELIOS with creator Luke Jerram
2025-Mar-26
32 minutes
|
Amazing Space Rocks! With Dr Luke Daly
2025-Jan-13
42 minutes
|
NASA Astronaut CLAY ANDERSON!
2024-Dec-02
73 minutes
|
Meteor Shower Season - November Update!
2024-Nov-18
37 minutes
|
The Search For Life - Professor Wallace Arthur
2024-Oct-02
59 minutes
|
Autumn Skies Are Here!
2024-Sep-13
38 minutes
|
Saving Earth from Space thanks to the Cold War!
2024-Jul-31
54 minutes
|
Martian Frost, Comets, and Summer Stargazing!
2024-Jul-01
47 minutes
|
The "Super Earth" & New Rockets - May Update!
2024-May-23
29 minutes
|
Astrophotography, Eclipses & Aurora!
2024-Mar-28
30 minutes
|
The Black Hole from the dawn of time & meet our new CEO!
2024-Feb-26
54 minutes
|
Aurora Hunting Inside The Arctic Circle!
2024-Jan-31
44 minutes
|
Kielder Narratives: How we brought art & space together!
2023-Dec-21
44 minutes
|
@VirtualAstro Adrian West - Night Sky Show Host
2023-Nov-17
33 minutes
|
Kids Takeover - Family Events, Rockets & More!
2023-Sep-05
32 minutes
|
Astronomical Darkness Returns! What to look for in August
2023-Jul-28
47 minutes
|
Renaming Our Telescope!
2023-Jul-03
40 minutes
|
The Laws Of Space! With space lawyer Lauren Napier
2023-Jun-07
41 minutes
|
Analogue Astrophotography - Melanie King
2023-May-17
32 minutes
|
James Webb Space Telescope - 1 Year On!
2023-Apr-05
42 minutes
|
In search of the Aurora - Dr Melanie Windridge
2023-Feb-20
60 minutes
|
Quasars and the evolution of the universe! Dr Victoria Fawcett
2023-Jan-30
43 minutes
|
Dr Jarita Holbrook - Cultural Astronomy
2022-Nov-23
42 minutes
|
Winter Astrophotography & Why Wind Is Important to Kielder!
2022-Oct-28
38 minutes
|
Black Holes Explored! With Prof Martin Ward
2022-Sep-27
43 minutes
|
Chris Lintott - BBC The Sky at Night Presenter!
2022-Aug-22
61 minutes
|
New James Webb Images Explained!
2022-Jul-20
65 minutes
|
The Secret Life of Stars!
2022-Jun-28
46 minutes
|
Noctilucent Clouds, the sound of a Black Hole, and art at the Obsy!
2022-May-27
43 minutes
|
International Dark Sky Week - UK vs NZ!
2022-May-04
53 minutes
|
All About The Royal Astronomical Society
2022-Mar-29
46 minutes
|
Ask An Astronomer Special
2022-Feb-23
83 minutes
|
Tracking Satellites & Space Junk
2022-Jan-24
35 minutes
|
Dr Olivia Jones - James Webb Telescope Expert + Ask An Astronomer
2021-Dec-10
73 minutes
|
Radio Astronomy Comes To Kielder
2021-Nov-23
34 minutes
|
Dr Natalie Starkey: Volcanoes of the Solar System
2021-Oct-07
63 minutes
|
Perseids Meteor Shower & September Update
2021-Sep-11
48 minutes
|
Science Vs Faith Vs The Universe, with Rev. Prof. David Wilkinson
2021-Aug-11
53 minutes
|
Dr Sam James, Why The Universe Is Moving..!
2021-Jun-16
47 minutes
|
Apollo 11 Moon Landing Expert, Dr Ken MacTaggart
2021-May-25
67 minutes
|
Meteorite Man Steve Arnold and Áine O’Brien
2021-Apr-10
56 minutes
|
Staying Healthy In Space! Dr Saralyn Mark, Medical Advisor to NASA
2021-Mar-08
41 minutes
|
Prof John Girkin - Durham's role on the James Webb Telescope
2021-Feb-12
41 minutes
|
The Realities Of Life On Mars - Hayden Goodfellow
2021-Jan-17
48 minutes
|
Dr Fred Stevenson, Cosmology and Black Holes
2020-Nov-10
54 minutes
|
Kielder Observatory CEO Catherine Johns
2020-Nov-06
47 minutes
|
Prof Wallace Arthur - The search for life on other planets.
2020-Oct-06
47 minutes
|
Kielder Podcast Trailer
2020-Oct-01
1 minute
|