Episodes

  • AaS! 254: How Do Variable Stars, You Know, Vary?
    Aug 19 2025

    What powers Cepheid variable stars? What about Mira variables and pulsating stars? And are there variable stars that don’t actually vary at all? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!

    Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter

    All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com

    Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/PaulMSutter

    Read a book: https://www.pmsutter.com/books

    Keep those questions about space, science, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, and cosmology coming to #AskASpaceman for COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME AND SPACE!

    Big thanks to my top Patreon supporters this month: Justin G, Chris L, Alberto M, Duncan M, Corey D, Michael P, Naila, Sam R, John S, Joshua, Scott M, Rob H, Scott M, Louis M, John W, Alexis, Gilbert M, Rob W, Jessica M, Jules R, Jim L, David S, Scott R, Heather, Mike S, Pete H, Steve S, Lisa R, Kevin B, Michael B, Aileen G, Don T, Steven W, Deborah A, Michael J, Phillip L, Mark R, Alan B, Craig B, Mark F, Richard K, Stace J, Stephen J, Joe R, David P, Justin, Robert B, Sean M, Tracy F, Ella F, Thomas K, James C, Syamkumar M, Homer V, Mark D, Bruce A, Tim Z, Linda C, The Tired Jedi, Gary K, David W, dhr18, Lode D, Bob C, Red C, Stephen A, James R, Robert O, Lynn D, Allen E, Michael S, Reinaldo A, Sheryl, David W, Chris, Michael S, Erlend A, James D, Larry D, Karl W, Den K, George B, Tom B, Edward K, Catherine B, John M, Craig M, Scott K, Vivek D, Barbara C, Brad, and Azra K!

    Hosted by Paul M. Sutter.

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    25 mins
  • AaS! 253: What Does Outer Space Sound Like?
    Aug 5 2025

    What would the Sun sound like if we could hear it? Does any noise at all happen in the universe? What’s the biggest sound of all? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!

    Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter

    All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com

    Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/PaulMSutter

    Read a book: https://www.pmsutter.com/books

    Keep those questions about space, science, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, and cosmology coming to #AskASpaceman for COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME AND SPACE!

    Big thanks to my top Patreon supporters this month: Justin G, Chris L, Alberto M, Duncan M, Corey D, Michael P, Naila, Sam R, John S, Joshua, Scott M, Rob H, Scott M, Louis M, John W, Alexis, Gilbert M, Rob W, Jessica M, Jules R, Jim L, David S, Scott R, Heather, Mike S, Pete H, Steve S, Lisa R, Kevin B, Michael B, Aileen G, Don T, Steven W, Deborah A, Michael J, Phillip L, Mark R, Alan B, Craig B, Mark F, Richard K, Stace J, Stephen J, Joe R, David P, Justin, Robert B, Sean M, Tracy F, Ella F, Thomas K, James C, Syamkumar M, Homer V, Mark D, Bruce A, Tim Z, Linda C, The Tired Jedi, Gary K, David W, dhr18, Lode D, Bob C, Red C, Stephen A, James R, Robert O, Lynn D, Allen E, Michael S, Reinaldo A, Sheryl, David W, Chris, Michael S, Erlend A, James D, Larry D, Karl W, Den K, George B, Tom B, Edward K, Catherine B, John M, Craig M, Scott K, Vivek D, Barbara C, Brad, and Azra K!

    Hosted by Paul M. Sutter.

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    32 mins
  • AaS! 252: Why Can’t We Get Free Energy from the Vacuum?
    Jul 22 2025

    Why does the vacuum of spacetime have energy? How much energy does it have? What prevents us from using it to do anything useful? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!

    Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter

    All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com

    Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/PaulMSutter

    Read a book: https://www.pmsutter.com/books

    Keep those questions about space, science, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, and cosmology coming to #AskASpaceman for COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME AND SPACE!

    Big thanks to my top Patreon supporters this month: Justin G, Chris L, Alberto M, Duncan M, Corey D, Michael P, Naila, Sam R, John S, Joshua, Scott M, Rob H, Scott M, Louis M, John W, Alexis, Gilbert M, Rob W, Jessica M, Jules R, Jim L, David S, Scott R, Heather, Mike S, Pete H, Steve S, wahtwahtbird, Lisa R, Couzy, Kevin B, Michael B, Aileen G, Don T, Steven W, Deborah A, Michael J, Phillip L, Mark R, Alan B, Craig B, Mark F, Richard K, Stace J, Stephen J, Joe R, David P, Justin, Robert B, Sean M, Tracy F, Sarah K, Ella F, Thomas K, James C, Syamkumar M, Homer V, Mark D, Bruce A, Tim Z, Linda C, The Tired Jedi, Gary K, David W, dhr18, Lode D, Bob C, Red B, Stephen A, James R, Robert O, Lynn D, Allen E, Michael S, Reinaldo A, Sheryl, David W, Sue T, Chris, Michael S, Erlend A, James D, Larry D, Karl W, Den K, George B, Tom B, Edward K, Catherine B, John M, Craig M, Scott K, Vivek D, and Barbara C!

    Hosted by Paul M. Sutter.

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    34 mins
  • AaS! 251: Are the Cosmic Voids Really Empty?
    Jul 8 2025

    How do we actually define voids? Are there regions within them that are truly empty? What would it be like to be inside one? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!

    Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter

    All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com

    Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/PaulMSutter

    Read a book: https://www.pmsutter.com/books

    Keep those questions about space, science, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, and cosmology coming to #AskASpaceman for COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME AND SPACE!

    Big thanks to my top Patreon supporters this month: Justin G, Chris L, Alberto M, Duncan M, Corey D, Michael P, Naila, Sam R, John S, Joshua, Scott M, Rob H, Scott M, Louis M, John W, Alexis, Gilbert M, Rob W, Jessica M, Jules R, Jim L, David S, Scott R, Heather, Mike S, Pete H, Steve S, wahtwahtbird, Lisa R, Couzy, Kevin B, Michael B, Aileen G, Don T, Steven W, Deborah A, Michael J, Phillip L, Mark R, Alan B, Craig B, Mark F, Richard K, Stace J, Stephen J, Joe R, David P, Justin, Robert B, Sean M, Tracy F, Sarah K, Ella F, Thomas K, James C, Syamkumar M, Homer V, Mark D, Bruce A, Tim Z, Linda C, The Tired Jedi, Gary K, David W, dhr18, Lode D, Bob C, Red B, Stephen A, James R, Robert O, Lynn D, Allen E, Michael S, Reinaldo A, Sheryl, David W, Sue T, Chris, Michael S, Erlend A, James D, Larry D, Karl W, Den K, George B, Tom B, Edward K, Catherine B, John M, Craig M, Scott K, Vivek D, and Barbara C!

    Hosted by Paul M. Sutter.

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    31 mins
  • AaS! 250: Where Do the Constants of Nature Come From? Part 2
    Jun 17 2025

    Part 2 of 2! What are the modern constants of nature? Is the universe fine-tuned for life? Does the multiverse or string theory explain the origins of the constants? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!

    Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter
    All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com
    Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/PaulMSutter
    Read a book: https://www.pmsutter.com/books

    Keep those questions about space, science, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, and cosmology coming to #AskASpaceman for COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME AND SPACE!

    Big thanks to my top Patreon supporters this month: Justin G, Chris L, Alberto M, Duncan M, Corey D, Michael P, Naila, Sam R, John S, Joshua, Scott M, Rob H, Scott M, Louis M, John W, Alexis, Gilbert M, Rob W, Jessica M, Jim L, David S, Scott R, Heather, Mike S, Pete H, Steve S, wahtwahtbird, Lisa R, Couzy, Kevin B, Michael B, Aileen G, Don T, Steven W, Brian O, Deborah A, Michael J, Mark R, Alan B, Craig B, Mark F, Richard K, Stace J, Stephen J, Joe R, David P, Justin, Robert B, Sean M, Tracy F, Sarah K, Ella F, Thomas K, James C, Syamkumar M, Homer V, Mark D, Bruce A, Tim Z, Linda C, The Tired Jedi, Gary K, David W, dhr18, Lode D, Bob C, Red B, Stephen A, James R, Robert O, Lynn D, Allen E, Michael S, Reinaldo A, Sheryl, David W, Sue T, Chris, Michael S, Erlend A, James D, Larry D, Karl W, Den K, George B, Tom B, Edward K, Catherine B, John M, Craig M, Scott K, Vivek D, and Barbara C!

    Hosted by Paul M. Sutter.

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    33 mins
  • AaS! 249: Where Do the Constants of Nature Come From? Part 1
    Jun 3 2025

    Part 1 of 2! How do fundamental constants appear in physics? Why are they so important? Why do we care where they come from? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!

    Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter
    All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com
    Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/PaulMSutter
    Read a book: https://www.pmsutter.com/books

    Keep those questions about space, science, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, and cosmology coming to #AskASpaceman for COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME AND SPACE!

    Big thanks to my top Patreon supporters this month: Justin G, Chris L, Alberto M, Duncan M, Corey D, Michael P, Naila, Sam R, John S, Joshua, Scott M, Rob H, Scott M, Louis M, John W, Alexis, Gilbert M, Rob W, Jessica M, Jim L, David S, Scott R, Heather, Mike S, Pete H, Steve S, wahtwahtbird, Lisa R, Couzy, Kevin B, Michael B, Aileen G, Don T, Steven W, Brian O, Deborah A, Michael J, Mark R, Alan B, Craig B, Mark F, Richard K, Stace J, Stephen J, Joe R, David P, Justin, Robert B, Sean M, Tracy F, Sarah K, Ella F, Thomas K, James C, Syamkumar M, Homer V, Mark D, Bruce A, Tim Z, Linda C, The Tired Jedi, Gary K, David W, dhr18, Lode D, Bob C, Red B, Stephen A, James R, Robert O, Lynn D, Allen E, Michael S, Reinaldo A, Sheryl, David W, Sue T, Chris, Michael S, Erlend A, James D, Larry D, Karl W, Den K, George B, Tom B, Edward K, Catherine B, John M, Craig M, Scott K, Vivek D, and Barbara C!

    Hosted by Paul M. Sutter.

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    36 mins
  • AaS! 248: What’s Going on Inside Neutron Stars?
    May 20 2025

    What’s inside a neutron star? What strange states of matter do we encounter? And what mysteries will we find deep in the core? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!

    Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter
    All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com
    Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/PaulMSutter
    Read a book: https://www.pmsutter.com/books

    Keep those questions about space, science, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, and cosmology coming to #AskASpaceman for COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME AND SPACE!

    Big thanks to my top Patreon supporters this month: Justin G, Chris L, Alberto M, Duncan M, Corey D, Michael P, Naila, Sam R, John S, Joshua, Scott M, Rob H, Scott M, Louis M, John W, Alexis, Gilbert M, Rob W, Jessica M, Jules R, Jim L, David S, Scott R, Heather, Mike S, Pete H, Steve S, wahtwahtbird, Lisa R, Couzy, Kevin B, Michael B, Aileen G, Don T, Steven W, Brian O, Michael J, Mark R, Alan B, Craig B, Mark F, Richard K, Stace J, Stephen J, Joe R, David P, Justin, Robert B, Sean M, Tracy F, Sarah K, Ella F, Thomas K, James C, Syamkumar M, Homer V, Mark D, Bruce A, Tim Z, Linda C, The Tired Jedi, Gary K, David W, dhr18, Lode D, Bob C, Red B, Stephen A, James R, Robert O, Lynn D, Allen E, Michael S, Reinaldo A, Sheryl, David W, Sue T, Chris, Michael S, Erlend A, James D, Larry D, Charles, Karl W, Den K, George B, Tom B, Edward K, Catherine B, John M, Craig M, Scott K, Vivek D, Deborah A, and Barbara C!

    Hosted by Paul M. Sutter.

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    33 mins
  • AaS! 247: How Can We Get Giant Black Holes in the Early Universe?
    May 6 2025

    How do we explain the giant black holes appearing in the young universe? Is it possible to directly collapse a black hole, skipping the formation of stars? What does ultraviolet radiation have to do with this? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!

    Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter
    All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com
    Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/PaulMSutter
    Read a book: https://www.pmsutter.com/books

    Keep those questions about space, science, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, and cosmology coming to #AskASpaceman for COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME AND SPACE!

    Big thanks to my top Patreon supporters this month: Justin G, Chris L, Alberto M, Duncan M, Corey D, Michael P, Naila, Sam R, John S, Joshua, Scott M, Rob H, Scott M, Louis M, John W, Alexis, Gilbert M, Rob W, Jessica M, Jules R, Jim L, David S, Scott R, Heather, Mike S, Pete H, Steve S, wahtwahtbird, Lisa R, Couzy, Kevin B, Michael B, Aileen G, Don T, Steven W, Brian O, Michael J, Mark R, Alan B, Craig B, Mark F, Richard K, Stace J, Stephen J, Joe R, David P, Justin, Robert B, Sean M, Tracy F, Sarah K, Ella F, Thomas K, James C, Syamkumar M, Homer V, Mark D, Bruce A, Tim Z, Linda C, The Tired Jedi, Gary K, David W, dhr18, Lode D, Bob C, Red B, Stephen A, James R, Robert O, Lynn D, Allen E, Michael S, Reinaldo A, Sheryl, David W, Sue T, Chris, Michael S, Erlend A, James D, Larry D, Charles, Karl W, Den K, George B, Tom B, Edward K, Catherine B, John M, Craig M, Scott K, Vivek D, Deborah A, and Barbara C!

    Hosted by Paul M. Sutter.

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    29 mins