In this episode, we speak with Dr. Rachana Agrawal (Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur) about the early stages of space exploration — where missions are imagined, analysed, and designed long before launch. We discuss what goes into planning planetary missions, including renewed interest in Venus, and then turn to her journey into aerospace, from IIT Bombay […]
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#36 Mapping the Milky Way in Radio
01/02/2026 | 23 mins.
In this episode, we explore how astronomers observe the Milky Way using radio telescopes. A new large-scale radio map of our galaxy reveals structures that are hidden in visible light, including star-forming regions, supernova remnants, and large-scale magnetic features.We discuss how radio telescopes work, why resolution matters, and what this new map tells us about […]
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#35 Pluto, Planets, and Resonances: A Conversation with Prof. Renu Malhotra
07/12/2025 | 47 mins.
This episode features Prof. Renu Malhotra, the planetary scientist whose pioneering work on Pluto’s orbit and planetary migration transformed the understanding of the Solar System. A main-belt asteroid, Asteroid 6698 Malhotra, is named in her honour. The conversation covers orbital resonances, Jupiter’s influence in the solar system, asteroid impacts, exoplanets, the uniqueness of Earth, and […]
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#34 How Dust Shapes the Universe
05/10/2025 | 29 mins.
When we think of dust, we usually imagine something to wipe off our tables. But in space, dust is far more than a nuisance—it is the very building block of stars, planets, and maybe even life itself. In this episode, Prof. Hiroaki Katsuragi from Osaka University joins us to explore the fascinating world of cosmic […]
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#33 Volcanoes in the Solar System
07/09/2025 | 25 mins.
Volcanoes aren’t just found on Earth—they erupt across the solar system in the most unexpected ways! From fiery lava fountains on Jupiter’s moon Io to icy geysers on Saturn’s Enceladus, these cosmic volcanoes tell us amazing stories about distant worlds. In this episode, we explore how and why volcanoes erupt beyond Earth—and what they reveal […]
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