The Supermassive Podcast cover art

The Supermassive Podcast

The Supermassive Podcast

By: The Royal Astronomical Society
Listen for free

The UK's #1 space podcast.


Science journalist Izzie Clarke and astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst whizz through the universe to explore the latest research with leading experts, dive to history from the society’s archives and take on your weird and wonderful questions about all things space. Can we gravitationally hitch-hike out of the solar system? Do we live in a multiverse? What is time? Plus Dr Robert Massey is on hand with his top star-gazing tips.


Want to support the show? Join The Supermassive Club for exclusive content, star-gazing forums and ad-free listening... supermassive.supportingcast.fm


And keep adding to The Supermassive Mailbox with your pictures and questions for the team. Send them to podcast@ras.ac.uk or follow them on Instagram, @SupermassivePod.


The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media production for the Royal Astronomical Society. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Royal Astronomical Society
Astronomy Astronomy & Space Science Physics Science World
Episodes
  • What the heck are neutrinos?
    Jun 23 2026

    Is this the toughest subject we’ve ever tackled? Izzie certainly thinks so and it’s even making Dr Becky and Dr Robert's brains hurt. Helping them to make sense of these ‘weird and interesting’ particles are Dr Kirsty Duffy at the University of Oxford and Director of the Paris Astrophysics Institute, Professor Kumiko Kotera.


    For ad-free listening and to view Izzie's trajectory to becoming a better astronomer, join The Supermassive Club. Every member helps keep the show running, so thank you!


    Send us your astronomy attempts, questions (and nonsense!) to podcast@ras.ac.uk, on Instagram at @supermassivepod or post in The Supermassive Club.


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




    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
  • Why Is There Motion in the Universe?
    Jun 12 2026

    What happens if two diamond core stars collide? Will the Moon drift away from Earth? Why is there motion in the universe? And why we need a space AND time machine. Izzie, Dr Becky and Robert dive into The Supermassive Mailbox to answer your questions.


    For ad-free listening and to view Izzie's trajectory to becoming a better astronomer, join The Supermassive Club. Every member helps keep the show running, so thank you!


    Send us your astronomy attempts, questions (and nonsense!) to podcast@ras.ac.uk, on Instagram at @supermassivepod or post in The Supermassive Club.


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



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • How Do Space Telescopes Work?
    May 28 2026

    Nancy Grace Roman. Ariel. The next generation of space telescopes are here. Astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst and science journalist Izzie Clarke explore how they work, what they can tell us and why they might unravel our current understanding of the universe. Plus Dr Robert has your stargazing tips for June.


    Thank you to Dr Tom Barclay from NASA's Roman telescope and Dr Chris Pearson from RAL Space.


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



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
All stars
Most relevant
Excellent episode, An absorbing listen, no mater what your current level of knowledge. Relaxing and informative at the same time!

Fascinating

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.