Best Black Star Heritage Podcasts (2024)

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Looking Up - 21 Aug 24 - Professor Phil Charles 5:10

23h ago5:10

5:10

Professor Phil Charles was the director of the Southern African Astronomical Observatory here in Cape Town and retired many years ago. What has he been up to since? Kechil catches up with him at the IAU's General Assembly on August 13th.By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 14 Aug 24 - What is dark matter and what is dark energy? 5:17

1h ago5:17

5:17

What is dark matter and what is dark energy? Do they exist? Well, we've sent up a spacecraft which has left a space telescope, Euclid, to map billions of galaxies and detect their movement. To tell us more about this mysterious and fascinating endeavor is Sandor Kruk of the European Space Agency, here at the International Astronomical Union's Gener…

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Looking Up - 07 Aug 24 - The International Astronomical Union's General Assembly 5:10

7d ago5:10

5:10

It's the International Astronomical Union's General Assembly happening now in Cape Town from 6-15th August. This is great news for Africa, as it's the first time the annual General Assembly has taken place in this continent. More information about public events and booking can be found here: https://astronomy2024.org/public/ The number of the Obser…

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Looking Up - 10 July 24 - More about asteroids 4:54

1M ago4:54

4:54

More about asteroids, other threats in space and how the Chinese are dealing with them, plus advance notice of the International Astronomical Union's General Assembly taking place in Cape Town 6-15 August.By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - Last Sunday was International Asteroid Day 5:31

1M ago5:31

5:31

Last Sunday was International Asteroid Day. This was celebrated mainly on Monday when people were back at work, when Kechil attended a talk given by Marco Micheli of the European Space Agency's Space Situational Awareness Planetary Defence Office. Here he is talking to Kechil about why it is important to devote attention to asteroids. Here in South…

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Looking Up - 26 June 24 - Why do stars spin? What sets them off? 4:54

2M ago4:54

4:54

Why do stars spin? What sets them off? Recent observations from the James Webb Space Telescope may tell us something about this phenomenon and what happens in the early phase of a star's life.By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 19 June 24 - Even NASA slips up in its communications 4:22

2M ago4:22

4:22

Even NASA slips up in its communications from time to time. Recently they broadcast a medical emergency drill to their public livestream channel about the International Space Station by mistake. Kechil here attempts to recreate the drama.By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 12 June 24 - What do things in the universe taste like? 5:04

2M ago5:04

5:04

What do things in the universe taste like? Kechil explores this with recent experiments and theory.By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 05 June 24 - Voyager1 continues to deliver 6:05

3M ago6:05

6:05

Voyager1 continues to deliver! An amazing piece of software engineering has fixed a problem. You too can track the two Voyagers here: https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status/By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 29 May 24 - How can the Sun affect our weather, aside from its obvious heat ? 5:46

3M ago5:46

5:46

How can the Sun affect our weather, aside from its obvious heat. Given the spate of solar storms earlier in the month, Kechil has brought back Jacques van Delft to talk about how our Sun may affect our rainfall, with predictions about what we may expect this winter. If you would like to follow Jacques van Delft, here is his Facebook page on solar a…

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Looking Up - 22 May 24 - Kechil talks to the Director of the Solar Section of the Astronomical Society of SA 5:35

3M ago5:35

5:35

Recently there has been a spate of solar storms. Kechil talks to the Director of the Solar Section of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa, Jacques van Delft, about our nearest star and what it has been up to. If you would like to follow Jacques van Delft, here is his Facebook page on solar activities https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=…

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Looking Up - 15 May 24 - 55 Cancri e is an odd one 5:04

3M ago5:04

5:04

We are finding out more about planets outside of our solar system. 55 Cancri e is an odd one: it orbits its sun once every 17 Earth hours, and is only 2.3 kms away - can you imagine that? I wonder what it sounds like there. You would definitely not want to visit. It has a molton lava surface and is possibly made out of diamond!…

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Looking Up - 08 May 24 - New Boeing Starliner capsule 6:24

3M ago6:24

6:24

Two items: the recently postponed launch of the new Boeing Starliner capsule and what will those astronauts wear? Plus, a new find: a very massive stellar black hole in our galaxy, 33 times the mass of our Sun.By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 01 May 24 - K2-18 b 4:41

4M ago4:41

4:41

K2-18 b may be the location for our first detection of alien life. We will have to wait a few months for results of recent observations to become available. Spoiler alert: probably not life you could enjoy a cup of tea and a cosy fireside chat with.By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 24 April 24 - 49 new galaxies detected by Dr Marcin Glowacki 5:37

4M ago5:37

5:37

Dr Marcin Glowacki shares his brand new research, in which he has detected 49 new galaxies while he was looking for something else! Marcin and Kechil discuss star-forming galaxies.By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 17 April 24 - Fast Radio Bursts 5:29

4M ago5:29

5:29

Fast Radio Bursts: can we ever see them? What are they? Masters student Kira Hanmer is among the first in the world ever to go looking for these unexplained phenomena in the optical realm.By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 10 April 24 - PhD student Venu Prayag shares his interest in technosignatures 7:18

4M ago7:18

7:18

Second year PhD student Venu Prayag shares his interest in technosignatures: a method of detecting alien activity emanating from planets outside of our solar system. He's optimistic we will find these soon, and with the South African instrument, MeerKAT, in the Northern Cape!By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 03 April 24 - There will be a solar eclipse on 8 April 4:34

5M ago4:34

4:34

There will be a solar eclipse on 8 April visible over Mexico, the southern and eastern United States, and part of Canada. It will not be visible over this continent. There are all manner of nutty things being said about it on the Internet. Enjoy!By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 27 Mar 24 - So many satellites 5:06

5M ago5:06

5:06

So many satellites: how do we stop them colliding with each other? space.com reveals the data.By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 13 Mar 24 - Leeuwenboschfontein Observatory 4:40

5M ago4:40

4:40

Kechil spent a blissful weekend recently at a star-gazing event at Leeuwenboschfontein Observatory, and you can too! Here are some links which will take you there: https://www.leeuwenboschfontein.co.za/pages/lbf-astronomical-observatory/ https://www.facebook.com/LeeuwenboschfonteinObservatory/ The children of Bellville North Primary School joined f…

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Looking Up - 28 Feb 24 - Landing on the Moon is tricky 4:18

6M ago4:18

4:18

Landing on the Moon is tricky - you try it! Kechil unpacks the latest in a crop of difficult endeavours, this time from a private company.By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 21 Feb 24 - Professor Matthew Bailes from Swinburne University of Technology 5:36

6M ago5:36

5:36

Professor Matthew Bailes from Swinburne University of Technology in Australia talks about pulsars and working with the MeerKAT telescope in the Northern CapeBy Kechil Kirkham

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Ep.65: Stance’s Final Episode! Musician Kamaal Williams, Author LaToya Watkins, Artist Cochemea, Musician Sinkane 1:11:49

6M ago1:11:49

1:11:49

After seven years of Stance which has spanned over 64 episodes of arts, culture and current affairs, 8 insightful Stance Takes shows, the growth of Stance Studios, multiple awards, and over 30 in-person events across the globe, we present our final show! In this episode, Chrystal Genesis takes one last look at creativity, storytelling and what it m…

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Looking Up - 14 Feb 24 - Raoul Coetzee, creator of the Carina image 5:47

6M ago5:47

5:47

Raoul Coetzee, creator of the Carina image you see above, talks about astrophotographyBy Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 07 Feb 24 - Carina nebula 5:03

7M ago5:03

5:03

Raoul Coetzee's striking image of the Carina nebula, now on the podcast pageBy Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 31 Jan 24 - JAXA's Moon mission 4:21

7M ago4:21

4:21

About JAXA's recent Moon missionBy Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 24 Jan 24 - Evolution of galaxies in clusters 5:00

7M ago5:00

5:00

Kellie Devos is a PhD student at the University of Nottingham, UK, studying the evolution of galaxies in clusters. It sounds rather like living in cities, in that you have a different way of being in different suburbs. She wishes she could visit them in a spaceship, but unfortunately even if you could visit far away galaxies, you might not see as m…

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Ep.64: Music w/Enji; US Jews of Color: Celebrating Sukkot, Journalist Robin Washington, Writer Hanah Bloom, Jews of Color Initiative CEO Ilana Kaufman & Philosopher Lewis R. Gordon 1:15:07

7M ago1:15:07

1:15:07

On Stance, we explore the question: what does it mean to be a Jewish person of color in America today? We chat with a range of voices from this growing demographic, in the worlds of philosophy, pop culture, community organizing, and journalism. Plus, we cover music with Jazz Musician Enji to learn more about her mesmerizing new record, Ulan. At a S…

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Looking Up - 17 Jan 24 - Missions to the Moon launching this year 5:42

7M ago5:42

5:42

There are many missions to the Moon launching this year, including the Peregrine mission, which was launched recently and has unfortunately already malfunctioned. This show outlines a few of these, some of which are commercial enterprises or collaborations between industry and government space agencies. The Chinese, Japanese, US and private concern…

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Looking Up - 10 Jan 24 - Cocktail Party Problems in Space 4:28

8M ago4:28

4:28

What have selective hearing aids got to do with astronomy? Why might you wish to listen to what your partner is saying to someone else at a Cocktail Party? What is the Cocktail Party problem and do they have these problems in space?By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 03 Jan 24 - Fun Facts about the Mantis Moon 5:02

8M ago5:02

5:02

Fun facts about the Moon. This month we have the Mantis Moon. To find out more about southern hemisphere moons appropriate for us in South Africa, take a look at http://cfah.org.za/fullmoon/By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 27 Dec 23 - The turn of the Springbok Moon 5:30

8M ago5:30

5:30

It's Full Moon today. What all about the Moon? Today is the turn of the Springbok Moon, and if you want to know more about southern hemisphere names of Moons go to the Centre for Astronomical Heritage’s website cfah.org.za and look up Heritage Moons.By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 20 Dec 23 - Professor John Compton describes what we know about the Geology of Planets 6:25

8M ago6:25

6:25

How do we know about the geology of planets outside of our solar system? Professor John Compton describes what we know about the geology of planets other than our own, and how we can determine the behaviour and composition of other planets. Did you know what a dead planets is? Find out, all in 5 minutes!…

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Looking Up - 13 Dec 23 - The History of Astronomy in Cape Town 5:54

8M ago5:54

5:54

Professor John S Compton talks to Kechil about some of the fascinating characters connected to the history of astronomy in Cape Town. You can find out more from his book: Interpreting Earth, A History of Geology through Encounters with Table Mountain. It is obtainable by visiting the website https://www.johnscompton.com/ and from independent booksh…

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Looking Up - 06 Dec 23 - Matter does escape from black holes 4:55

9M ago4:55

4:55

Matter does escape from black holes, in million-light-year-long Jedi lightsaber type structures called relativistic jets, which stretch up to 10 times longer than our Milky Way galaxy. These things continue to amaze scientists.By Kechil Kirkham

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Ep.63: Harlem Raised: Film w/ Maysles Documentary Center, Food w/ Sugar Hill Creamery, Nature w/ Brotherhood Sister Sol; Music w/ Vagabon 57:51

9M ago57:51

57:51

This show explores Harlem, one of New York City’s most historic and noteworthy places. Co-hosted by special guest, Vita, she joins her mum, Stance’s host and founder Chrystal Genesis to highlight some of their favorite places. As residents of the area, they visit a handful of their favorite spots, spanning film, food and nature to uncover what cont…

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Looking Up - 29 Nov 23 - Professor John Compton talks to Kechil about his latest book 5:58

9M ago5:58

5:58

Professor John Compton talks to Kechil about his latest book: Interpreting Earth, A History of Geology through Encounters with Table Mountain. It is full of the history of astronomy and geological exploration in The Cape, and contains many lovely illustrations. It is obtainable by visiting the website https://www.johnscompton.com/ and from independ…

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Looking Up - 22 Nov 23 - The worthy and wonderful Sky Guide Southern Africa 2024 4:52

9M ago4:52

4:52

The worthy and wonderful Sky Guide Southern Africa 2024 is now available in bookshops. You can see a review here: https://assa.saao.ac.za/ and if you scroll down a bit, on the facebook site here: https://www.facebook.com/Astrosocsa. How to buy it, you can find here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za/book/sky-guide-2024/9781775848677 Also, someth…

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Looking Up - 01 Nov 23 - Particle accelerators,Space Endeavours 4:54

10M ago4:54

4:54

Nano-particle accelerators, women in space, and Chinese space endeavour. It's all happening!By Kechil Kirkham

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Ep.62: On Humanity w/ Philosopher & Historian Professor Lewis R. Gordon; Poet & Writer Fariha Róisín; Music w/Soul Singer-songwriter Danielle Ponder 43:44

10M ago43:44

43:44

How do we tap into sources of hope, compassion and humanity during such turbulent times? This episode of Stance explores this question through the lenses of philosophy, poetry, and music. Professor Lewis R. Gordon is a philosopher, musician, and historian whose areas of focus include existentialism, Africana philosophy, social and political theory,…

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Looking Up - 25 Oct 23 - Historical records of the Sun's cycles 5:02

10M ago5:02

5:02

Two unrelated stories: historical records of the Sun's cycles, and luxurious space toilets.By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 18 Oct 23 - Kechil interviews director Dane Dodds 4:44

10M ago4:44

4:44

There is a new documentary film doing its rounds on the festival circuit called !Aitsa about the people and the place where the big radio telescopes are being operated and built in the northern cape. Kechil interviews the director, Dane Dodds, who is from that area himself, about the film. The scope of the film is enormous and cosmic, and you can f…

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Looking Up - 11 Oct 23 - Migratory bird vagrancy 4:49

11M ago4:49

4:49

Migratory bird vagrancy is not a phrase you may ponder often, but it happens, and especially during solar storms which disrupt the Earth's magnetosphere. What else does space weather get up to?By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 4 Oct 23 - Sounds in space! 4:09

11M ago4:09

4:09

Sounds in space! The Perseverance Mars rover is the only one to record human audible sounds and return it back to Earth. It looks like in future we may send microphones on other space missions. Odd to think of other planets and moons sounding very different to Earth.By Kechil Kirkham

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Ep.61: Celebrating ESG w/ Co-Founder, Singer & Guitarist Renee Scroggins; Journalist, Cultural Critic & Professor Carol Cooper 34:26

11M ago34:26

34:26

We’re back from our summer break to bring you a special show all about the seminal funk-punk dance band, ESG. Join us on this immersive musical journey through New York City exploring the 70’s, 80’s and beyond, following ESG and their unique sound and story. Starting in the South Bronx, sisters, Valerie, Renee, Deborah, and Marie Scroggins formed E…

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Looking Up - 20 Sept 23 - Have we detected a sign of life on an exoplanet? 5:37

11M ago5:37

5:37

Have we detected a sign of life on an exoplanet? The chemical signature of DMS has been possibly found by the James Webb Space Telescope. In a year's time we'll have more robust data on this, but it suggests that phytoplankton may exist - that is, life! - on a planet which is not Earth.By Kechil Kirkham

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Looking Up - 13 Sept 23 - What is a Silent Barker? 4:20

11M ago4:20

4:20

What is a Silent Barker? Good pub quiz question. It's a special space mission designed to keep an eye on the behaviour of satellites not belonging to the United States, in geosynchronous orbit. Silent Barker was launched last Sunday, Kechil gives us the lowdown.By Kechil Kirkham