IRrelevant Astronomy

Episodes

1. 27

   Stampy, the Science-Loving Postage Stamp

   Stampy helps a student learn about the engineering behind NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. Featuring Richard Horvitz, Robert Picardo, and Danny Pudi.

   Dec 16, 2015
2. 26

   NOTGLaDOS: Fusion vs. Fission

   When a science-mad A.I. system is installed at NASA, two hapless computer technicians learn the process behind nuclear fusion in the Sun, and how it differs from fission.

   Feb 12, 2014
3. 25

   Ask an Astronomy Brain Parasite: Why are astronauts weightless in space?

   Deep inside an astronomer's head, a parasite (voiced by Alan Tudyk) taps into his brain to learn about...science! Specifically, about why astronauts appear weightless in space. Wil Wheaton co-stars.

   Jul 16, 2013
4. 24

   Robot Astronomy Talk Show: The Mass of Asteroids (Cameron Diaz, Ed Wasser)

   Cameron Diaz teaches Robot IR-2 (Ed Wasser) how astronomers can measure the mass of asteroids from tremendous distances.

   Feb 26, 2013
5. 23

   Big Bang: The Musical

   Did you know 13.7 billion year old radiation from the Big Bang can be seen on any analogue TV set? In this mini-musical, a fictional couple (Brigitte Dale, Marc Helou) discuss the science behind this. Original song written & performed by Danny Tieger.

   Mar 18, 2011
6. 22

   Astronomy Anemone

   Veronica Belmont co-hosts a space-themed talk show with Astronomy Anemone, a carnivorous man-eating sea polyp. WARNING: contains scenes of cartoon violence and scientific jargon.

   Feb 16, 2011
7. 21

   Robot Astronomy Talk Show: Destroyer of Worlds (Ed Wasser, Wil Wheaton)

   Robot IR-2 (Ed Wasser) meets The Physician (Wil Wheaton), an intergalactic buttinsky in a small blue box spaceship. Together, they work to escape "The Destroyer of Worlds," a binary star system that is destroying its inner planets. With Brigitte Dale.

   Nov 28, 2010
8. 20

   Behind the Scenes: Dead Stars (Sean Astin, Sandeep Parikh)

   Actor Sean Astin is hired by a bullying educational film Director and her Flunky sidekick to explain about the life and death of stars. But when things go wrong on the set, actor Sandeep Parikh is hired to replace Sean... only to have things take a bizarre twist.

   Aug 10, 2010
9. 19

   Spaceship Spitzer: Bots of Both Worlds (Amy Okuda, Ed Wasser, Wil Wheaton)

   Amy Okuda flies to Saturn to observe a new giant ring around the planet: the largest ring ever discovered in our Solar System, but one that was only recently revealed through infrared observations by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope in 2009. While there, she and Irwin (voiced by Wil Wheaton)...

   May 25, 2010
10. 18

    Spitzer Space Telescope: The Musical

    A singing NASA supervisor uses song to explain about NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, and how infrared astronomy differs from visible-light telescopes like Hubble.

    Mar 9, 2010
11. 17

    Behind the Scenes: When Galaxies Collide (Felicia Day, Sean Astin)

    Felicia Day explains some of the science behind galactic "collisions," including the upcoming collision between the galaxy Andromeda and our own galaxy, in this mock behind-the-scenes look at the making of an educational video. Sean Astin also stars.

    Oct 26, 2009
12. 16

    Back in Time - Robot Astronomy Talk Show (Linda Hamilton, Dean Stockwell, Ed Wasser)

    Linda Hamilton attempts to foil the robots' plans of Universal conquest; meanwhile, Dean Stockwell explains the concept of "looking back in time" at objects in space, and how it helps astronomers understand how the Universe has evolved. Starring Ed Wasser as the voice of IR-2.

    Aug 24, 2009
13. 15

    Part Two: The Warm Mission (Sean Astin, Betty White)

    In this spoof of old TV action shows, Sean Astin, Osa Wallander, and Betty White search for a way to help the Spitzer Space Telescope after it runs out of coolant.

    Jun 22, 2009
14. 14

    Gravity and the Great Attractor - Robot Astronomy Talk Show (George Takei, Mark Hamill, Ed Wasser))

    George Takei, Mark Hamill, and Ed Wasser provide voices as IR-2 and the robot crew take a look at the Great Attractor, a massive hidden object that is pulling in every nearby galaxy in the local Universe (including our own).

    Apr 23, 2009
15. 13

    Twin Brown Dwarfs (Robot Astronomy Talk Show)

    While trapped in an interdimensional portal between two brown dwarfs, IR-2 and the robots encounter their evil twins from an alternate universe.

    Mar 11, 2009
16. 12

    M51 & Gizmo: Half-Baked Plan

    Hoping for his birthday to come around sooner, innocent alien M51 moves the Earth into a closer, faster orbit around the sun, and learns an important lesson about life in the Universe.

    Jan 23, 2009
17. 11

    The Slowlian Web (Spaceship Spitzer)

    During a tense face-off with a sinister (but extremely slow-moving) alien race, Dr. Michelle shows IR-1 how scientists can determine what extrasolar planets are made of, even when the planets are too far away to see.

    Nov 25, 2008
18. 10

    Sculpting With Stars (Robot Astronomy Talk Show)

    IR-2 opens diplomatic relations with the Earth, as a first step toward ruling over all humans on the planet.

    Oct 22, 2008
19. 9

    Psych Out

    Does the Helix Nebula look like a human eye? Why do we think we see well-known objects in nebulous images from space? An astronomer and his therapist clash over the issue in this comedic but educational animated short.

    Aug 25, 2008
20. 8

    The Building Blocks of Life (Robot Astronomy Talk Show)

    IR-2 and his crew learn about PAHs, which may be the building blocks of all life in the Universe, and decide to put them to good use.

    Jul 21, 2008
21. 7

    Omega Centauri (Robot Astronomy Talk Show)

    While the robots are away, a sad and lonely man calls in with a beautiful image of the Omega Centauri globular cluster.

    Jul 2, 2008
22. 6

    Baby Stars (Robot Astronomy Talk Show)

    Where do stars come from? IR-2 analyzes recent Spitzer imagery to find out, while an imposing Ratings-bot oversees the broadcast.

    May 16, 2008
23. 5

    Mountie Martin and the Space Diamonds (Dub'ya)

    Are tiny diamonds really common in the Universe? Join the intrepid Mountie Martin as he endeavors to find out, while on the trail of the sinister Sammy the Smuggler!

    Apr 21, 2008
24. 4

    Water in the Universe (Robot Astronomy Talk Show)

    Astronomers have discovered huge amounts of water around baby stars; IR-2 and his crew plan to make use of it.

    Mar 13, 2008
25. 3

    Asteroids (Robot Astronomy Talk Show)

    Will an asteroid strike the Earth and wipe out all life as we know it? IR-2 and his robotic crew make random phone calls to find out.

    Mar 4, 2008
26. 2

    Skinfrared 2

    Viewing liquids in extreme temperatures in both visible and infrared light, this episode of the Skinfrared series gives viewers a perspective on how infrared observatories like the Spitzer Space Telescope view the Universe.

    Feb 8, 2008
27. 1

    Enemy Mine (Spaceship Spitzer)

    While in battle around the supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy, Dr. Michelle teaches IR-1 the science behind these giant singularities.

    Jan 17, 2008
28. Skinfrared 1

    What is infrared light? The Skinfrared series contrasts the world around us in both visible and infrared light, giving the viewer a perspective on how infrared observatories like the Spitzer Space Telescope view the Universe.

    Jan 15, 2008