For the Love of Science

Welcome to For the Love of Science, a podcast from The Bay Area Environmental Research Institute. In this show, we hear directly from the institute's scientists, engineers, and mission specialists about the groundbreaking research they’re doing right now in earth, environmental, and space sciences, and learn about what their work can teach us about our Earth and our universe.

How to Build a Research Institute, in 30 Short Years 08/02/2023

How to Build a Research Institute, in 30 Short Years In this special episode, hear the story of BAERI’s founding from the founders themselves: husband and wife team Robert Bergstrom and Sharon Sittloh. /episode/index/show/baeri/id/27643491

Planet Twins and Martian Winds 04/20/2023

Planet Twins and Martian Winds In this episode we hear from planetary scientist Victoria Hartwick who works with the at NASA Ames. The conversation includes a discussion about Dr. Hartwick’s paper that explores whether wind turbines on Mars could be a viable source of energy for future humans on that planet, then ranges to how clouds form in the highest reaches of the atmosphere, how climate models work, and how planetary climates, including our own here on Earth, are affected by the space environment around them. Quick Glossary - Any planet outside of our solar system (i.e., a planet revolving around a star that is not our Sun) - Computer programs that simulate weather patterns over time - The temperature scale used in exoplanetary science Ablation - The breaking up of a meteor when it travels through Earth’s atmosphere - Pearlescent extremely high-altitude clouds visible at dawn and dusk. They are formed on meteoric smoke. /episode/index/show/baeri/id/26605305

Kristina Pistone on what it's like to work as a climate scientist 10/03/2022

Kristina Pistone on what it's like to work as a climate scientist What’s it like to work as a climate scientist today? In this episode I speak with climate scientist Kristina Pistone about her research, her role on the sustainability commission for the city of Sunnyvale in California, and how our current system of science funding impacts her ability to do her work. More about Kristina: How to save a planet podcast: /episode/index/show/baeri/id/24570615

The researchers ready for the James Webb Space Telescope - Part II: Jesse Bregman 07/05/2022

The researchers ready for the James Webb Space Telescope - Part II: Jesse Bregman In this two-part series we meet two researchers who will soon be working with data from the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope. In Part II, I speak with Jesse Bregman, an astrophysicist who has spent his 50 year career at NASA Ames, and been part of some pretty amazing leaps in infrared astronomy. The conversation ranges from the backyard telescope he and his brother built, to how astrochemistry research could lead us to an understanding of the origins of life on Earth. You can learn more about Jesse's work by going to /episode/index/show/baeri/id/23637044

The researchers ready for the James Webb Space Telescope - Part I: Taylor Bell 07/05/2022

The researchers ready for the James Webb Space Telescope - Part I: Taylor Bell In this two-part series we meet two researchers who will soon be working with data from the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope. In this episode, Part I, I speak with early career astronomer Taylor Bell about his work categorizing exoplanets and the path that led him to where he is today. You can learn more about Taylor and his work by visiting /episode/index/show/baeri/id/23636939

What does science mean to you? 02/02/2022

What does science mean to you? Fourteen current and alumni researchers at the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute answer the question: What does science mean to you? We hear from:Geert BarentsenAnn Marie CodyChristina HedgesSusan HobanDarlene LimAmber McCullumZara MirmalekSommer NicholasJuan Torres PerezEmily SchallerCindy SchmidtAlex SehlkeKatie SternNikki Tulley This episode was edited and scored by Danny Clay. /episode/index/show/baeri/id/22001603

Exoplanets! — Part 2 10/12/2021

Exoplanets! — Part 2 This two-part series is all about exoplanets, planets outside of our solar system, and how they and the stars they orbit are a key part of the search for extraterrestrial life. /episode/index/show/baeri/id/20792990

Exoplanets! — Part 1 10/12/2021

Exoplanets! — Part 1 This two-part series is all about exoplanets, planets outside of our solar system, and how they and the stars they orbit are a key part of the search for extraterrestrial life. /episode/index/show/baeri/id/20792366

The people helping make Earth Science research possible 07/13/2021

The people helping make Earth Science research possible In this episode we speak with two team members of NASA’s Earth Science Project Office (ESPO), and learn about the essential, behind the scenes work they’re doing to help scientists get out into the field and collect the data they need to better understand our planet. /episode/index/show/baeri/id/19790153

NASA's student airborne research program: A unique NASA internship 05/14/2021

NASA's student airborne research program: A unique NASA internship Dr. Emily Schaller talks about running SARP, a unique NASA internship that gives undergraduate students hands-on experience in atmospheric science research. Learn more at Listen to with Oregon State University. /episode/index/show/baeri/id/19100915

Connecting Tribal Lands with NASA Remote Sensing Tools 02/26/2021

Connecting Tribal Lands with NASA Remote Sensing Tools Remote sensing is a powerful tool - it can be used to map the topography of the ocean floor, track the ash plume of an erupting volcano, or understand drought patterns on tribal lands. As the technology becomes easier for tribal land managers to use, the biggest challenge isn’t navigating the data - it’s navigating the human relationships and conversations about how to make that data more useful. /episode/index/show/baeri/id/18111677

How to discover a new planet 11/10/2020

How to discover a new planet In this episode we hear from two researchers who helped make the data from NASA’s Kepler mission accessible to the public, so that anyone in the world, including you, could sit down at your computer and discover a new planet. /episode/index/show/baeri/id/16746746

For the Love of Science

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