Running Before the Sun: Astronomer Jay Pasachoff

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode blends a year-end fundraising appeal for the Planetary Society with interviews on NASA and ESA policy, eclipse outreach, Pluto occultations, and LightSail II testing. Jason Davis discusses NASA’s human spaceflight direction and SLS/Orion changes; Bill Nye covers European space funding and U.S. science policy; Jay Pasachoff explains eclipse science and public education; and Bruce Betts previews LightSail II tests, the Geminids, and Apollo 17 history.

Main Topics: Year-end Planetary Society fundraising appeal: The host opens with a donation pitch for the Planetary Fund, emphasizing support for the Society’s four core enterprises and a matching gift opportunity that doubles donations during the giving period. NASA human spaceflight and SLS/Orion strategy: Jason Davis discusses his Horizon Goal series and argues NASA is visibly transforming around SLS and Orion, while noting uncertainty about whether the incoming administration will alter plans. He also addresses a possible change in the first crewed Orion mission profile. ESA funding, ExoMars, and planetary science policy: Bill Nye reviews ESA’s decisions to fund ExoMars and extend ISS participation, while expressing concern that European and U.S. budget pressures could delay major science missions and constrain planetary science support. Eclipse science and public outreach with Jay Pasachoff: Jay Pasachoff explains solar eclipses, the importance of totality, and the need for accurate public education. He also discusses the black drop effect, transit observations, and why children should be exposed to eclipses early. Occultations, Pluto atmosphere studies, and scientific collaboration: Pasachoff details how occultation work with Pluto and other bodies uses specialized observations, including SOFIA and coordinated telescope networks, to probe atmospheres and planetary structure. LightSail II final Earth testing and space mission preparation: Bruce Betts reports on upcoming final tests of LightSail II at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, including simulated flight events before delivery to the Air Force Research Laboratory and integration with Prox-1. Night sky, mission history, and trivia: Betts covers the Geminid meteor shower, current visible planets, Apollo 17’s launch and lunar return, and a trivia contest about Martian polar-cap geology.

Key Arguments: Public support and donations are especially important at year-end because they directly advance space science advocacy and education, and matched gifts make contributions go further. NASA’s human spaceflight program is not static; centers are actively reorganizing infrastructure and operations around SLS and Orion, indicating real institutional transformation. A possible revision to the first crewed Orion mission profile shows NASA is trying to reduce risk by favoring abort capability and conservative trajectory choices. ESA’s commitment to ExoMars and the ISS is significant, but mission delays and funding constraints show how hard it is to sustain ambitious planetary and astrophysics programs. Planetary science funding is vulnerable to broader political and tax-policy shifts, and advocacy is needed to protect long-term exploration investments. Eclipse outreach must be accurate and enthusiastic; over-warning people can undermine trust in science and public health messaging. Early exposure to eclipses can inspire lifelong interest in science, especially among children. Occultation observations, especially of Pluto, can reveal atmospheric structure through gradual dimming and central flash effects. Final ground testing is essential for LightSail II before flight, because issues found now can still be fixed before launch. The Geminids remain a strong meteor shower, but moonlight will reduce visibility this year.

Data Points: Matching gift cap: $100,000 - Donations to the Planetary Fund are doubled by an anonymous donor up to this amount. Donation timeframe: Year-end giving period - The fundraising appeal emphasizes donations made before the end of the year. Planetary Society core enterprises: 4 - Robotic space exploration, human space exploration, planetary defense, and the search for life. ISS funding extension: Until 2024 - ESA member nations agreed to continue participating in the International Space Station through this year. ExoMars launch year: 2020 - ESA’s ExoMars rover is scheduled for launch in 2020 after prior delays. North American total eclipse date: August 21, 2017 - Jay Pasachoff discusses the upcoming total solar eclipse across the United States. Totality band width: About 60 miles wide - Pasachoff describes the narrow path of totality across the U.S. Americans in totality path: About 50 million - Estimated population living within the path of totality. Eclipse duration: About two minutes - The total phase of the eclipse is brief compared with the partial phase. Mercury transit date: May 9, 2016 - Pasachoff references his observations of the transit of Mercury. Pluto occultation year: 2002 - A major occultation from Mauna Kea provided early atmospheric data on Pluto. Apollo 17 lunar sample return: About 110 kilograms (244 pounds) - Betts cites the amount of lunar material returned by Apollo 17. Apollo 17 launch year: 1972 - This week in space history marks Apollo 17’s launch and final human lunar landing. LightSail II test location: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo - Final spacecraft testing is being performed there before delivery. Geminid peak: December 13-14 - The meteor shower’s main peak is discussed by Betts. Planetary Society radio contest prize: 200-point iTelescope.net account - A prize offered for the trivia contest winner.

Pivotal Quotes: "Now is the most important time for the public to show its support of space exploration and science in general." — Listener Nicholas Panagasser (quoted by host): Year-end fundraising appeal used to frame the episode’s opening message. "They really are transforming themselves." — Jason Davis: Describing NASA centers being reorganized around SLS and Orion. "It's important to give accurate information." — Jay Pasachoff: Explaining why eclipse safety messaging must be scientifically correct and not alarmist.

Implications: The episode underscores that space exploration depends on sustained public support, careful mission planning, and accurate science communication. It also highlights how policy changes, funding, and outreach shape what gets flown, discovered, and understood next.