Star Stuff

Star Stuff

Star Stuff is a top astronomy podcast by Lowell Observatory. Learn about the wildest parts of our universe, from black holes to mad scientists, through the eyes of our hosts!

Appreciating the Magic with Steve Smith
Star Stuff
Appreciating the Magic with Steve Smith

Recent Episodes

Nov. 5, 2026

Appreciating the Magic with Steve Smith

Steve Smith has flown four Space Shuttle missions and logged seven spacewalks, including five to repair the Hubble Space Telescope and two to help build the International Space Station. Beyond the launchpad, his career has taken him from diplomacy to the tech industry to the keynote stage. In this episode of Star Stuff, Steve sits down with historian Kevin Schindler and Lowell astronomer Dr. Kyler Kuehne, Director of Science and Technology, to look back on his time in orbit, talk about what it
Oct. 19, 2026

Saving the World with Dr. Ed Lu

Astronaut Dr. Ed Lu has flown the space shuttle, lived on the International Space Station, and helped build Google Maps. Now, he and his team at B612’s Asteroid Institute are working to create a map of the solar system. In this episode of Star Stuff, Ed joins Lowell astronomer Dr. Nick Moskovitz and historian Kevin Schindler to discuss how a small engineering team is developing tools to turn vast amounts of data from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory into precise asteroid orbits. They also explore
Sept. 1, 2026

Crew Members of Spaceship Earth with Nicole Stott

Astronaut Nicole Stott has spent 104 days in space, orbited Earth over 1,600 times, and even painted with watercolors aboard the International Space Station. In this episode of Star Stuff, Stott reflects on why she believes we’re all crew members of Spaceship Earth, how art became part of her work in orbit, and what she’s watching for as NASA’s Artemis missions push us back toward the Moon.
Aug. 18, 2026

Planetary Defense with Rusty Schweickart

In this episode of Star Stuff, retired NASA astronaut and B612 Foundation co-founder Rusty Schweickart joins Lowell Mission Scientist Dr. Melodie Kao and Lowell Historian Kevin Schindler to explore a question with no borders: how do you unite a divided world against a threat that could strike anyone, anywhere?
April 1, 2026

Bridging Stars and Storytelling with Nanibah Chacon

In this episode of Star Stuff, Lowell Observatory historian Kevin Schindler sits down with renowned Diné (Navajo) and Chicana artist Nanibah Chacon. Following the unveiling of her breathtaking new mural at the observatory, Nanibah discusses the profound intersection of Indigenous culture, science, and public art.
April 1, 2026

Bridging Stars and Storytelling with Nanibah Chacon

In this episode of Star Stuff, Lowell Observatory historian Kevin Schindler sits down with renowned Diné (Navajo) and Chicana artist Nanibah Chacon. Following the unveiling of her breathtaking new mural at the observatory, Nanibah discusses the profound intersection of Indigenous culture, science, and public art. The post Bridging Stars and Storytelling with Nanibah Chacon appeared first on Lowell Observatory.