The Best Space & Astronomy Podcasts To Listen To In 2020
Last Updated: 20 November 2020
In recent years, podcasts have become a very popular means of consuming information and content. For many amateur astronomers or space aficionados, astronomy podcasts are a very convenient way to keep up to date with the latest space news. Whether you are into stargazing, space exploration, black holes or rocket science, there is a show for everyone! We selected 9 of our favourite space podcasts and decided to share them with our lovely audience.
Happy listening!
Our Selection of the best space podcasts
StarTalk Radio
- Host: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Topics: Space, general science
- Publishing Frequency: Weekly
- Average Running Time: 50-60 mins
StarTalk Radio is a podcast hosted by the famous astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson which is published every Friday at 7pm ET. According to the website, the show’s mission is to “bridge science, pop culture and comedy with clarity, humour and passion” and it does so with great success. The host and various guests talk about astronomy and physics in a way that is very “accessible” for people who are not familiar with some of the more complex concepts.
The show won the “Best Science & Education Podcast award” last year. I find StarTalk to be an enjoyable podcast to listen to while commuting !
Where To Listen
Houston We Have a Podcast By NASA
- Host: Gary Jordan
- Topics: Space, NASA, Spaceflight
- Publishing Frequency: Weekly
- Average Running Time: 50-60 mins
Houston We have a podcast is a show hosted by Gary Jordan on behalf of NASA that is published on Friday every week. The different guest that comes on the show provides interesting stories and anecdotes about NASA and the different project they work on. As we approach a new era in space exploration, with the moon and mars as primary targets, this podcast offers an interesting insight into how NASA is preparing for those missions. If you love discussion about space, the ISS, astronauts and rockets, this is the podcast for you.
Where To Listen
Planetary Radio
- Host: Mat Kaplan
- Topics: Space News, Exploration, Science, Technology
- Episode Frequency: Weekly
- Average Running Time: 55 mins
Planetary Radio is a podcast hosted by Mat Kaplan of The Planetary Society that is published every Wednesday. This weekly broadcast invites many scientists, astronauts and celebrities such as Bill Nye to discuss the latest news in the space industry. This program is a great way to keep up with the most recent development in space exploration both, in terms of planned future missions and technological development. This podcast is a great listen for any space exploration enthusiast looking for unique and exciting perspectives on the future of mankind in the solar system.
Where To Listen
Space Junk Podcast
- Hosts: Tony Darnell, Dustin Gibson
- Topics: Astronomy, Stargazing, Planets, Telescopes
- Episode Frequency: Fortnightly
- Average Running Time: 60 mins
This podcast was created by the Oceanside Photo and Telescope (OPT) online store and is hosted by Tony Darnell and Dustin Gibson. A new episode is aired every 10 to 14 days and the topics are varied: from general discussions about astronomy to more complex conversations about astrophotography, the show is aimed at all levels of experience and knowledge. The show’s mission is to “bring you the latest information and advice on tools, gadgets, software and techniques to make the most of the night sky” and, as an avid listener, I can confirm that this is indeed the case!
Where To Listen
Universe Today Podcast
- Host: Fraser Cain
- Topics: Universe, Cosmos, Astronomy, Space Exploration
- Episode Frequency: Weekly
- Average Running Time: 20 to 60 mins
This space podcast is hosted by Fraser Cain, the editor of the famous space website “Universe Today” and new episodes are published every week. Topics range from the colonization of Mars to the future of the universe or even the possibility of extraterrestrial life… The program is segmented into different series: Open Space, Q&A and interviews with different members of the scientific community. With more than 670 episodes available for listening, there’s something for everyone!
Where To Listen
Star Signs: Go Stargazing!
- Host: Tom Kerss
- Topics: Stargazing, Observing, Planets, Night Sky, Moon
- Episode Frequency: Weekly
- Average Running Time: 12 mins
Star Signs: Go Stargazing! is a podcast hosted by Tom Kerss that focuses on night sky observation. A new episode is published every Saturday and covers all the celestial objects that can be observed by an amateur astronomer during the following week. The short duration of the episodes makes the podcast easy to follow, straight to the point and provides a comprehensive and useful guide to the night sky. Tom has done an excellent job of creating one of the most valuable and easy to listen to astronomy podcasts available on the market.
Where To Listen
SpaceTime with Stuart Gary
- Host: Stuart Gary
- Topics: Astronomy, Technology, Space, and Science News.
- Episode Frequency: 3 episodes per week
- Average Running Time: 25 to 35 mins
Astronomy Cast is hosted by Fraser Cain, creator of the Universe Today website and Pamela Gray, senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute and also known as Starstryder. The weekly program is short, about 30 minutes each, and the topics covered are mainly about recent discoveries in the universe. The strength of the show comes from the host’s ability to turn complicated astronomical content into something that everyone can understand. The topics covered are so varied that it is almost impossible to get bored with the show.
Where To Listen
Astronomy Cast
- Hosts: Fraser Cain & Pamela Gay
- Topics: Astronomy, Planetary Science, Space News
- Episode Frequency: Weekly
- Average Running Time: 30 mins
SpaceTime with Stuart Gary is an astronomy podcast that has been running for about 4 years. Stuart is an experienced podcaster who previously worked at Australian Public Radio. With over 500 episodes available, Stuart has created a podcast that is worth listening to regularly. The show explains different aspects of astronomy in great depth, for beginners and aficionados alike. If you’re interested in space and astronomy news, but don’t necessarily have the time to read all the articles on the subject, this is the show for you.
Where To Listen
The Orbital Mechanics
- Hosts: David Fourman, Ben Etherington & Dennis Just
- Topics: Spaceflight Engineering, Rockets, Space Exploration, Interviews
- Episode Frequency: Weekly
- Average Running Time: 45 to 60 mins
The Orbital Mechanics is a popular podcast that is worth listening to if you are interested in space flight, astronauts and the ISS. The topics may seem complex, but the three extremely passionate hosts make the podcast very accessible for everyone. As we are only a few years away from man’s return to space, I found this podcast to be the perfect way to get excited about the upcoming exploration and possible colonization of the Moon and Mars. I have no engineering background, but I still found myself very engaged with the show’s segments such as spaceflight history and future space missions. A great podcast for all space geeks!
Where To Listen
Urban Astronomer
- Hosts: Allen Versfeld
- Topics: Astronomy, Physics, Interviews
- Episode Frequency: Twice-monthly
- Average Running Time: 45 to 60 mins
The Urban Astronomer Podcast is a twice-monthly show about South African astronomy and astronomers. Episodes alternate between interviews, and our regular Science Explainy Bits. The interviews feature professional and amateur astronomers, telescope engineers, and anybody else who has a connection to astronomy in South Africa. The explainers are just Allen Versfeld taking deep dives into the very basics of astronomy and physics. More often than not, he finds them to be way more complex than they look–the explanations we all got as small kids are hopelessly oversimplified, if not plain wrong.
It’s a fun, casual show that’s now in its third season and has been running (with breaks) since 2017. Give it a listen and let us know what you think!
Where To Listen
What is your favourite podcast? Tell us about your favourite show in the comment section and we will update our list with your recommendations the next time we update this page.
Welcome to StarLust.org
Hey! I’m Tom Urbain, the founder of StarLust.org. I have been obsessed with space from a very young age. When I’m not binge-watching space documentaries, movies or TV shows, I can be found in my backyard, carefully collimating my telescope… ready to observe the universe!
Recommended Reading
If you fancy a little bit of space adventure while sat comfortably on your sofa under a blanket, check out our curated selection.
Do you love memes? Do you love space? Then this page is for you.
We have carefully selected some of the best documentaries to binge watch.
Applications for iPhone & Android have revolutionized backyard astronomy. It’s now easier than ever to find your way around the night sky.