The Supermassive Podcast

You spoke. We listened. We're releasing more episodes! Izzie, Dr Becky and Robert answer your questions in this first bonus episode of The Supermassive Podcast.

How hard is life for an astronomer that's a morning person? How do we know if a star is really red or just red-shifted? And more.

To add your questions, photos, messages to The Supermassive Mailbox then email podcast@ras.ac.uk, tweet @RoyalAstroSoc or find us on Instagram @SupermassivePod.

Can a black hole eat a black hole, whole? Is there a Universal now? Which household appliances wouldn't work on the International Space Station? Izzie Clarke puts your questions to Dr Becky Smethurst, Dr Robert Massey and Richard Hollingham.

Here are the websites to help find Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)
https://theskylive.com/
https://in-the-sky.org/

If you have a burning question for the team email it to podcast@ras.ac.uk, tweet @RoyalAstrocSoc or finds us on Instagram @SupermassivePod

This is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

Find out what happened when Izzie Clarke and Dr Robert Massey used a 12 tonne telescope at an observatory in Herstmonceux, Sussex. Plus, Dr Becky Smethurst explains the benefit of using space telescopes and takes on your questions.

With special to Dr Sandra Voss at The Observatory Science Centre in Hertsmonceux: https://www.the-observatory.org/

Get The Year In Space for a month-by-month guide to the night sky: https://geni.us/jNcrw

If you have a question for the team, email podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc.

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

The Astronaut Alarm is in overdrive... Izzie, Dr Becky, and his excellency Richard Hollingham have not one but TWO astronauts on this month's episode.

From the archive, Richard speaks to NASA astronaut Gene Cernan about Apollo 17 and being the last man on the Moon. ESA Astronaut Matthias Maurer talks about the upcoming Artemis missions which will see humans (hopefully, Matthias himself) return to our rocky neighbour. Plus, Robert Massey is on hand to answer your questions and share his stargazing tips for the month.

Read the full interview with the Last Man on the Moon, Gene Cernan, and find out more about Artemis in our book, The Year In Space.

Order here (it's an excellent Christmas present): https://geni.us/jNcrw

What cheese is the Moon made of? Email podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc with your thoughts on the debate.

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

Terrified that an asteroid could wipe out the planet? Don’t panic…the Supermassive team are here to help. Izzie and Dr Becky talk to Professor Alan Fitzsimmons about the results of the DART asteroid deflection mission and Samuel L Jackson (who knew he’s studying for a Phd at the Open University?) tells us how scientists plan to track and tackle threatening space rocks. Plus why the Deep Impact movie terrifies both Izzie and Dr Becky, but for very different reasons, and Dr Robert Massey takes us through the November night sky.

The Year in Space from the Supermassive Podcast is out now: https://geni.us/jNcrw

Send in your questions to podcast@ras.ac.uk

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham for the Royal Astronomical Society.

It's been an exciting time for space exploration, so Izzie and Dr Becky celebrate the year in space.... co-incidentally the title of The Supermassive Podcast's book which is out in October. How do plants grow in the ISS? Has JWST changed ideas about cosmology? And when will we get a home gravitational wave detector? The honourable Izzie Clarke, Dr Becky Smethurst, Dr Robert Massey, and (his excellency) space and science journalist Richard Hollingham take on your questions.

Pre-order our upcoming book The Year In Space for a run down of the most exciting space news and a look to the year ahead: https://geni.us/jNcrw

Listen to Space Boffins: https://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/astronomy-podcasts/space-boffins/apollo-remastered

Listen to Gardeners of the Galaxy: https://gardenersofthegalaxy.podbean.com/

Bookclub:
The Year in Space - The Supermassive Podcast (that's us!)
Apollo Remastered - Andy Saunders
Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning - Richard Hinckley Allen
A Responsibility to Awe - Rebecca Elson
A Brief History of Black Holes - Dr Becky Smethurst

Izzie and Dr Becky freak out over the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope. From seeing the deep (not so deep) field with Steve Wilkins from the University of Sussex, to exploring exoplanet atmospheres with Dr Hannah Wakeford from the University of Bristol. Plus, Dr Robert Massey takes the team through the September night sky.

Pre-order The Year in Space, out October 27th 2022
https://geni.us/jNcrw

Send in your questions for next month's Year in Space Q&A to podcast@ras.ac.uk

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham for the Royal Astronomical Society.

The Supermassive team dust off their wellies and peg down their tents for Standon Calling. And to celebrate 10 years of NASA's Curiosity rover landing on Mars, Izzie and Dr Becky are asking the question everyone at the festival wants answered... Is there life on Mars?

With special thanks to Dr Robert Massey, David Rothery, Professor of Planetary Geosciences at the Open University, and Alice Armstrong from Agile Rabbit.

Pre-order our book, The Year In Space, out October 2022:
https://geni.us/jNcrw

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production, by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

Izzie and Dr Becky are flying closer to home to look at the Rocky Planets; Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. How are they different? How are they similar? And can understanding their past tell us anything about Earth’s future? Plus, Dr Robert Massey has his stargazing tips for summer.

With special thanks to Dr Suzie Imber from the University of Leicester, and Sian Prosser from the Royal Astronomical Society.

Thank you to Brilliant for sponsoring this episode. Head to brilliant.org/supermassive to start free courses in maths, science, and computer science. The first 200 subscribers will get 20% off.

Our book, The Year In Space 2023, will be out in Oct 2022. Pre-order here: https://geni.us/jNcrw

We'll be LIVE at Standon Calling, Friday 22nd July 2022 at 2pm. Find out more: https://standon-calling.com/

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

From hexagonal shaped storms to spinning sideways, Izzie and Dr Becky are exploring our weird and wonderful Gas Giants. Joining them are Dr Tom Stallard from the University of Leicester and Dr Robert Massey, Deputy Director of the Royal Astronomical Society. Plus editor, Richard Hollingham, takes a trip to the Royal Astronomical Society’s library to see Galileo’s first observations of Saturn’s rings and William Herschel’s notebook from when he discovered Uranus.

See Jupiter's fast rotation (thanks to Dr James O'Donoghue) https://twitter.com/physicsJ/status/1519023430053818368

Thank you to Brilliant for sponsoring this episode. Head to brilliant.org/supermassive to start free courses in maths, science, and computer science. The first 200 subscribers will get 20% off.

The Year In Space 2023 by The Supermassive Team will be out on Oct 2022. Pre-order here: https://geni.us/jNcrw

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. Edited by Sarah Moore.

How does a galaxy evolve and die? Izzie and Dr Becky find out with help from Tim Davis at Cardiff University. Plus, Dr Robert Massey from the Royal Astronomical Society answers your questions and explains how to spot galaxies in the night sky.

Thank you to Brilliant for sponsoring this episode. Head to brilliant.org/supermassive to start free courses in maths, science, and computer science. The first 200 subscribers will get 20% off.

The link below has more information on the RAS Public Talk with Astronomer Royal Martin Rees, Space exploration and the search for extraterrestrial life - with humans and with robots.
https://ras.ac.uk/events-and-meetings/ras-public-lectures-and-events/space-exploration-and-search-extraterrestrial


A Year In Space by The Supermassive Team will be out on Oct 13th 2022. Pre-order here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Year-Space-Supermassive-Podcast-Astronomical/dp/1472299507/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1O3PS3QUCPP2A&keywords=the+year+in+space&qid=1650904438&s=books&sprefix=the+year+in+space%2Cstripbooks%2C94&sr=1-3

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

Izzie and Dr Becky are attempting to tackle the massive subject of building a galaxy.

Professor Mike Merrifield from The University of Nottingham explains how galaxies form and our very own galaxy expert, Dr Becky, tells us why they come in different shapes and sizes. Plus, Dr Robert Massey has his top tips for stargazing in spring.

Thank you to Brilliant for sponsoring this episode. Head to brilliant.org/supermassive to start free courses in maths, science, and computer science. The first 200 subscribers will get 20% off.

Explore the Galaxy Zoo here:
https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/zookeeper/galaxy-zoo/

Space Book Club recommendations...
Back to Earth - Nicole Stott
The End of Astronauts - Donald Goldsmith & Martin Rees The Disordered Cosmos - Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
"A Year In Space" by The Supermassive Team will be out on Oct 13th 2022. Pre-order here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Year-Space-Supermassive-Podcast-Astronomical/dp/1472299507/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1O3PS3QUCPP2A&keywords=the+year+in+space&qid=1650904438&s=books&sprefix=the+year+in+space%2Cstripbooks%2C94&sr=1-3

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. Editing this month is by Sarah Moore.

Who doesn’t love looking up at the moon?! Joining Izzie and Dr Becky, Professor Katherine Joy from the University of Manchester explains what past and future lunar missions can tell us, and Dr Megan Barford from Royal Museums Greenwich gives us a tour of two stunning moon maps from the 17th century. Plus, Dr Robert Massey takes on your questions and shares his top tips for moon-gazing.

See the moon maps here...
By Riccioli & Grimaldi, 1651: https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/1179815/view By Cassini, 1679: https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/1093522/view

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

The Supermassive team is finally doing something about all the questions that have been sent in. It’s Q&A time! From "fluffy" planets, to cake on the moon, join Izzie Clarke as she puts your questions to Dr Becky Smethurst, Dr Robert Massey and science and space journalist Richard Hollingham.

Join Dr Becky Smethurst and Dr Robert Massey as they explore eclipses; what are they and how have they been studied throughout history? Plus Izzie Clarke visits the Royal Astronomical Society Library to discover what the society has in the archives, and astronaut Nicole Stott and her husband, Fellow of the RAS, Chris Stott send us their eclipse audio diary from Antarctica.

The RAS Bicentenary Timeline can be found here: https://ras.ac.uk/timeline

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

What will the end of days actually look like? And how will it happen? This month, Izzie and Dr Becky explore the end of the Universe with cosmologist Dr Katie Mack - author of The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking). They also chat to astronomy journalist and author of The Unknown Universe, Dr Stuart Clark, who explains the role of dark energy. Plus, Dr Robert Massey takes on your questions and shares when it is best to see Jupiter, Saturn and Venus in December.

Send your astronomy questions for January's Q&A to podcast[@]ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc.

Book Club recommendations:

• The Red Planet - Simon Morden
• Apollo’s Muse - Mia Fineman and Beth Saunders
• Fire and Ice - Natalie Starkey
• The Invisible Universe - Matt Bothwell
• The Mysteries of the Universe - Will Gater

The Supermassive podcast is a Boffin Media production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

Finally, Izzie and Dr Becky are talking about the James Webb Space Telescope but why is this telescope so impressive? NASA’s Keith Parrish, the observatory manager for Webb, covers the basics and Professor Gillian Wright, the principal investigator for the mid-infrared instrument (MIRI), explains how it will help us see stars and planets born from clouds of dust. Plus Dr Robert Massey takes on your questions and shares his top stargazing tips for the month.

Thank you to the UK Space Agency for sponsoring this episode.

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham. Editing by Phil Sansom.

Wrap up warm, because this month Izzie and Dr Becky are exploring the icy worlds in the solar system. To help, they're joined by Caroline Harper, Head of Space Science at the UK Space Agency, to discuss the new mission heading to explore Jupiter’s icy moons. And they hear from Professor Michele Dougherty from Imperial College London, who sent Cassini to investigate Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Plus Dr Robert Massey takes on your questions and shares his latest stargazing tips for autumn.

Join the Royal Astronomical Society's livestream of Uranus, 8th-10th October 2021: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-weird-and-wonderful-world-of-uranus-world-space-week-tickets-183281298297

Thank you to the UK Space Agency for sponsoring this episode.

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

Izzie and Dr Becky are turning up the heat and exploring the fiery worlds in our solar system. From planets close to the Sun to a distant world of volcanoes and lava.

Joining them are planetary scientist Professor David Rothery from the Open University and Professor Alfred McEwen from the University of Arizona, who wants to send a mission to Jupiter’s moon Io. Plus Dr Robert Massey takes on your questions and has his monthly guide to stargazing.

This is a Boffin Media production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

This month it’s all about the trapped charged particles around our planet - the Van Allen radiation belts. Izzie and Dr Becky find out all about them with the help of Dr Maria Theresia Walach from Lancaster University, and Dr David Devorkin from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum explains how Explorer 1 discovered the belts in 1958. Plus, Dr Robert Massey joins to take on your questions and shares his top stargazing tips for July.
The podcast is looking for sponsorship to keep the series running. It'll help fund the recording, editing and time needed to bring you the latest from space. If you have a business that would be interested in supporting the series - or just a single episode - then email podcast@ras.ac.uk with the subject “sponsorship” for more information.

This is a Boffin Media production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

Grab your dustpan and brush… This month, Izzie and Dr Becky get to grips with the leftovers from space activity, it's all about space junk. Joining them are engineer Dr Hugh Lewis from the University of Southampton, who models how the debris builds up over time, and space archaeologist Dr Alice Gorman explains its historical significance. Plus, Robert Massey joins in to take on your questions and shares his top stargazing tips.

The podcast is looking for sponsorship to keep the series running. It'll help fund the recording, editing and time needed to bring you the latest from space. If you have a business that would be interested in supporting the series - or just a single episode - then email podcast@ras.ac.uk with the subject “sponsorship” for more information.

This is a Boffin Media production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

Is it a planet? Is it a black hole? Is it even real? This month, Izzie and Dr Becky try and get to the bottom of the mysterious planet nine - an enigmatic - and so far invisible - ninth planet in our solar system. Helping them are the scientists that have made headlines trying to solve this puzzle, Mike Brown from the California Institute of Technology, and Jakub Scholtz from the University of Turin. Plus, Robert Massey joins in to take on your questions and explains how to see the upcoming eclipse.

The Supermassive podcast reached 100k listens this month - thank you to everyone who has listened so far. If you’re interested in sponsoring the series (or an episode or two) then please email podcast@ras.ac.uk with the subject “sponsorship”.

This is a Boffin Media production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

“It’s like the evidence left over after a crime.” This month Izzie and Dr Becky venture into the outer Solar System to explore a sea of weird rocks, a squashed snowman and ice volcanoes on a demoted planet. They are joined by Dr Meg Schwamb from Queen’s University Belfast and Alice Bowman, Mission Operations Manager for the New Horizons mission at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. Becky also explains the science behind a possible ‘fifth force of nature’ and Dr Robert Massey takes on your questions and tells us what to look out for in the spring night sky. You can send your questions or space book club recommendations to podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc using #RASSupermassive.

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

"I was tracking down every signal that it picked up, and there was one signal that I couldn't make sense of."

Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell gives Izzie and Dr Becky a neutron star 101 and tells them how she discovered pulsars in the 1960s. Plus, Dr Robert Massey takes on your questions and tells us what to look out for in the spring night sky.

Book Club Recommendations

• Forgotten Women: The Scientists - Zing Tsjeng
• Six Impossible Things - John Gribbin
• The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking) - Katie Mack
• Vera Rubin: A Life - Jacqueline and Simon Mitton
• Cosmos - Carl Sagan
• The Book Nobody Read - Owen Gingerich

Don't forget to send your questions or space book club recommendations to podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc using #RASSupermassive.

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

This month, Izzie and Dr Becky are shining a light on the first stars in the Universe. When did they form? And could any still exist today? Plus, they explore the life of Cecelia Payne Gaposchkin, the astrophysicist who discovered the structure of stars, and Dr Robert Massey joins them to discuss the latest NASA rover on Mars.
With special thanks to Dr Emma Chapman from Imperial College London, author of First Light, and Donovan Moore, author of What Stars Are Made Of: The Life of Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin.
The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst are kicking off the new year with the beginning of everything, the Big Bang. They speak with Professor David Wands who explains how our universe began, and dive into the historical debate behind this model with Professor Thomas Hertog. And, as always, astronomer Dr Robert Massey shares his top tips for stargazing this month.
Send the team your questions, photos and science book recommendations on social media using #RASSupermassive or email podcast@ras.ac.uk
The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

This month, Izzie & Becky are taking astronomy to the extremes with gamma ray expert, Professor Paula Chadwick, and Professor Julian Osborne from the SWIFT Observatory.
Plus, Robert Massey shares his top tips for stargazing at home and how best to see the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21st. Send your pictures and questions to podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc using #RASSupermassive.

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

It’s about time we gave optical telescopes a break! This month, Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst explore radio astronomy with Professor Tim O'Brien from the UK's Jodrell Bank Telescope and Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith, former project scientist for the Australian Square Kilometre Array.

Plus, Robert Massey shares his top tips for stargazing at home and choosing the right telescope for you. Send you pictures and questions to podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc.

Space Book Club Recommendations:

• When Galaxies Collide - Lisa Harvey-Smith
• Space: 10 Things You Should Know - Becky Smethurst
• Moon: Art, Science, Culture - Robert Massey & Alex Loske
• No Shadow of a Doubt - Daniel Kennefick
• How To Be An Astronaut and Other Space Jobs - Sheila Kanani
• The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking) - Katie Mack

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

Why do we need astronauts? And where are we hoping to send them in the future? This month, Dr Becky Smethurst and Izzie Clarke explore the role of humans in space exploration and are joined by European Space Agency Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti.

Plus, the team celebrate 20 years of human presence on the International Space Station and Robert Massey shares his top tips for stargazing in November.

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst travel through our solar system; where exactly have we sent probes and rovers? Plus, they speak with Professor Jane Greaves, the scientist behind that Venus discovery, and Robert Massey joins to chat about all things stargazing.
With special thanks also to Professor Emma Bunce from the University of Leicester.
The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst explore the importance of Earth's core and magnetic field. Plus, the team finds out about the astronomer who sailed the seas in the name of science and Robert Massey joins to chat about all things stargazing.
With special thanks to Dr Rebekah Higgitt from National Museums Scotland. You can see the National Maritime Museum's collections of Halley's charts here: https://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/540213.html
The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

Dr Becky Smethurst and Izzie Clarke investigate the cosmic coincidences that formed the Earth and explore whether there are earthquakes and volcanoes on other planets. Plus, astronomer Robert Massey joins them to chat all things #cometNEOWISE and what else to look for in the night sky this month.

With special thanks to Dr Amy Gilligan from the University of Aberdeen, Professor David Rothery from the Open University, and everyone who shared their images of Neowise.
Keep sending your questions and stargazing photos to the team via podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc.
The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

The search for alien life continues. Dr Becky Smethurst and Izzie Clarke explore the world of astrobiology and astronomer Robert Massey joins them to take on your extraterrestrial questions. Plus, they discuss the "broken pipeline" for black and minority ethnic physicists with Dr Sheila Kanani, and what to look for in the night sky this month.
With special thanks to Professor Jane Greaves from Cardiff University.
The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

The worlds outside our solar system; exoplanets. This month, Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst take on listener questions about exoplanets, celebrate 30 years of the Hubble Space Telescope with Robert Massey, and amateur astronomer Steve Brown shares his beginner’s guide to astrophotography. With special thanks also to Dr Hannah Wakeford from the University of Bristol.
Join the Royal Astronomical Society for an online series of talks exploring their collection.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/livestream-overlapping-collections-across-the-atlantic-tickets-105821880092
The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham

Brits love talking about the weather, so Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst are taking it up a notch. This month, the Supermassive team explore the solar wind, auroras on other planets and the European Space Agency Satellite that's on its way to the sun, Solar Orbiter.

With special thanks to UCL's Professor Andrew Coates and Lee Macdonald from Oxford's History of Science Museum.

Share your astrophotography and lockdown creations with the team via podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc.

For the next Royal Astronomical Society's "sew-cial" visit:
https://ras.ac.uk/news-and-press/news/ras-bicentennial-quilt

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham..

This month, Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst explore the star in our neighbourhood, the annoying habits you would banish there and the extreme stars further afield. Plus the Royal Astronomical Society trusts them with a very special book from their archives: Caroline Herschel's star atlas.

What annoying habits would you banish to the sun? Or have you tried some Astrophotography at home? Share with the team via podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc.

With special thanks to Professor Lucie Green from University College London and Royal Astronomical Society librarian, Sian Prosser.

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society.

This month, Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst explore relativity, gravitational waves and the photographs that made Albert Einstein a household name. Astronomer Robert Massey joins us to talk through SpaceX's Starlink and what we can see in the night sky. Plus we have a special gift from poet laureate Simon Armitage.

With special thanks to Professor Toby Wiseman from Imperial College London and Royal Astronomical Society librarian, Sian Prosser.

You can send your questions to the team via podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc.

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society.

From black holes to dark matter, this first episode of the Royal Astronomical Society's new podcast explores the odd things in space we can't see. Plus, hosts astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst and science journalist Izzie Clarke are trusted with a book from 1566 and Robert Massey, the Deputy Executive Director of the RAS, shares his top tips for stargazing at home.

With special thanks to Dr Rebekah Higgitt from the University of Kent, Professor Hiranya Peiris and Professor Andrew Pontzen from University College London.

And yes, we've had to change the name of our podcast. All shall be revealed in episode two...

You can send your questions to the team via podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc.

The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society.