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Cosmos for All

Cosmos for All

By: Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
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Where the brightest stars in astronomy take on the biggest questions in the universe.

Produced by the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, comprising the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the Harvard College Observatory.

Episodes
  • 01 | Black Holes, Dark Matter, and Space Junk: A Life in Astronomy with Jonathan McDowell

    01 | Black Holes, Dark Matter, and Space Junk: A Life in Astronomy with Jonathan McDowell
    Mar 9 2026

    It's our first episode of Cosmos For All, the podcast about astronomers and astronomy brought to you by the Center for Astrophysics, the largest center for astrophysics research in the world!

    And who better to kick off our podcast than the legendary astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell.

    He joins hosts Philippe Reekie and Christine Buckley to reflect on his 50-year career, which spans a range of research topics, including black holes, quasars, and the role of dark matter in the universe. And, of course, he muses about the three decades he spent on the CfA-operated iconic NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory.

    He fondly talks about his "side quest" to document space debris, track its atmospheric impacts, and advocate for a future with responsible satellite use. And we end with the human side of astronomy: What makes it so fascinating? Why do we do it? When will we find the first real evidence of alien life?

    Join us for this very special discussion on the importance of coffee, collaboration, and curiosity in doing real science. Listen to the end to find out who's McDowell's favorite Doctor!
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    47 mins
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