Episode 61: Molecules: Where Chemistry Meets Astronomy, with Jan Cami

For more info on the podcast, please see our About page.

Feature Guest: Jan Cami

Did you know that buckyballs, complex soccer-ball shaped molecules formed from 60 carbon atoms, were recently discovered deep in interstellar space. Or that the centre of the Milky Way galaxies tastes like raspberries and smells like rum? And what about recently discovered WEIRDOS? Atoms and molecules may be small, but they can tell us lot about the very large, from the temperature of stars to the evolution of galaxies to the startling locations where life might be found. For more on the chemistry of the universe, today we’re joined at The Star Spot by Jan Cami

LISTEN NOW OR DOWNLOAD

Current in Space

Think interesting geological events only happen on Earth? Anuj shares groundbreaking new evidence of subduction occurring on Jupiter’s icy moon Europa.

About our Guest

Jan Cami is professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Western Ontario. His research is in molecular spectroscopy, dust mineralogy and diffuse interstellar bands. Cami has worked as a research scientist with the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, or SETI and is deeply involved in astronomy outreach

Links

Jan Cami Faculty Page

Space Buckyballs (SETI Talk)

Buckyballs detected in space (CBC)

How to Listen to the Show

* LISTEN NOW OR DOWNLOAD
* Subscribe for free with itunes
* Use feedburner in your browser

The Star Spot is also broadcast on The Scope at Ryerson. The show airs every Tuesday and Sunday at 6:00PM Eastern Time. Listen live here

If you have interesting news and story ideas, as well as topics or potential interview guest, please send them to starspotpodcast@gmail.com