Please Look Up

Join Leon and Alyshia as they talk all things volcanoes, movies, Artemis II, space crushes and crows! And once in a blue moon they'll sprinkle in what's up in the sky in the month of May - no but for real there's a blue moon this month.Tune back in in a month for the space news and what's up in June!Picture Links:Alyshia's space picture of the monthLeon's space picture of the monthArtemis II photo galleryStay up to date on all the space news with monthly 'The Sky Tonight' articles on our website: WA science. Done different. | Particle

Leon and Morgan share April night-sky highlights and space news, starting with Venus low in the west after sunset and Jupiter in the northwest, plus a tip for spotting satellites near Orion (steady, non-blinking lights) and using NASA’s “Spot the Station” for ISS passes. They mention viewing the faint stars Tau Ceti and 40 Ari tied to Project Hail Mary, and set pre-dawn “homework” to look east for Mercury, Mars, Saturn (and Neptune with a telescope), with April 16 best for seeing them near the Moon. Leon explains why Earth looks small from lunar distance, suggests the pinky-nail Moon size check (full moon April 2), and notes April 12 (Yuri Gagarin’s flight anniversary) and April 22 (Earth Day). Constellation of the month is Libra, historically Scorpius’s claws, and they discuss Gliese 581 and past radio messages. Space news covers Artemis schedule changes, a 2028 Moon goal, ISS funding to 2030 with a shift toward private stations, and they end with “space pitches” on simulated Martian wind in crops and artist concepts of space-based data centers, plus an After Dark “knees” prank story.

Happy March!With Alyshia away, Leon and Morgan guide you through everything you can see in the night sky in March.They talk about planets, stars, the moon... the moon... the moon... they talk about the moon a lot. Theres just so much going on with it!Stay up to date on all the space news with monthly 'The Sky Tonight' articles on our website: WA science. Done different. | Particle

We're going to the MOON!This episode Alyshia and Leon discuss the exciting Artemis II launch returning humans to the moon. Space fails include the Cancellation of Mars Sample Return, an Indian Polar Satelite Rocket Explodes taking 14 satellites with it - oops! Alyshia's brain breaks and Leon received yet ANOTHER spam call during recording.Night sky - Jupiter, Canis Minor.Space PicsArtemis II Movie Posterhttps://assets.science.nasa.gov/content/dam/science/missions/webb/science/2026/01/STScI-01KCMATAPPC5QXWSD5BM6VRT9M.pngSpace picturesAlyshia - James Webb Helix Nebulahttps://assets.science.nasa.gov/content/dam/science/missions/webb/science/2026/01/STScI-01KCMATAPPC5QXWSD5BM6VRT9M.pngComparison Video - https://youtu.be/F3nm9oUggrE?si=kz2KmS17NrSGO72wLeon - Crawler Preps for Artemis II Rollout.https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/nasas-crawler-preps-for-artemis-ii-rollout/Mars Sample Return Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9G36CDLzIg&t=1sAustralian of the Yearhttps://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jan/25/astronaut-katherine-bennell-pegg-named-australian-of-the-year-for-2026

Happy New Year!This month, join the Please Look Up team for this special episode of reflection - looking back on our favourite moments from the year of 2025. Leon and Alyshia will be back in February well rested and ready to return to regular space news programming.But fear not! We wouldn't leave you without your monthly dose of space news. If you want to read about what's happening in the night sky in January, check out the latest 'The Sky Tonight,' on the Particle website.Just click this link: WA science. Done different. | Particle

Join Leon and Alyshia in a look through the December night sky.Enjoy the last faint glimpses of the milky way for the year and cast your eyes instead on Jupiter which is shining brightly this month. If you whip out a telescope you may even be able to see Saturn and Neptune to add to your planet tally! And Pisces gives you your monthly dose of mythological family shenanigans.As for space news, the New Glenn rocket investigates Mars’ “absolutely spaghetti mess piss-weak magnetic field.”Important dates this month!December 5th - Super Full MoonDecember 14th - Geminids Meteor ShowerDecember 21 - Summer SolsticeTo see the space pictures of the month:Alyshia'sImage-1.jpg (640×800)Image-2.jpg (650×366)Leon'sExplosion-du-Booster-18-SpaceX-devra-repousser-le-vol-12-de-Starship-v3.jpg (800×533)

Join Leon and guest host Alyshia as they rocket into the November night sky and explore all the latest space news including:Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No... it's a supermoon!Grab a mirror because November is the best month to look at Uranus.Leon's namesake meteor shower.It's raining space junk, but has anyone ever been hit by it?How Leon broke Scitech.Enjoy, and we'll see you next month to talk about the night sky in December.If you're at all interested in the pictures discussed throughout this audio medium, you can find them here:Lottie WilliamsAlyshia's space pictures of the month: Image 1 Image 2

What's up this month?The October sky is just like Leon's resting heart rate... chill as hell.There's still stuff to see though! The milky way, triangles (like, official ones, not just three random stars connected), meteors and not to mention it's the best time of year to see Mercury!Additionally, Leon and guest host Alyshia embark on side quests including but not limited to alleged alien sightings, menstruating in space and coming up with the worst puns possible.

This episode containsSexual ReferencesCoarse Language viewer discretion advised Morgan joins Leon this episode, & asks all the hard hitting (not silly) questions. Theres a Total Eclipse of the Blood Moon to look out for. The oddly named Scutum is the constellation of the month & UY Scuti could swallow our entire solar system. Recapping the epic National Science week Mission Space project. Celebrating 10 years since the discovery of gravitational waves, listening to the ancient sounds of the universe & how we found a vintage playboy magazine containing a question about .... space junk?! For more space stuff check out Leon's Monthly Blog "The Sky Tonight"https://www.scitech.org.au/explore/the-sky-tonight/

The Night Sky!Stuff we will see: It's all about the Milkyway in August (just look up!)Stuff we won't see: Southern Hemisphere misses out on the Perseid meteor shower (lucky you if you're in the north!)Planets: Jupiter and Venus get close and personal in the morning of the 12th & 13th August. Something something optics, physics. Constellation of the Month: Norma - The Set Square. Beth gets constellation bias thinking about Norma and it's lack of greek mythology, but there's something mysterious hiding out there just beyond our view. called "the great attractor."Star Stories: Earth & it's many meanings to many peoples. Space Fail of the Month: An Artemis Rocket Booster went BOOM!Space Picture of the Month:- Beth - NASA Apollo mission patches https://particle.scitech.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/7995383large-1.jpg- Leon - Solid Rocket Boostershttps://particle.scitech.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/boosterstar.pngSpace Flight Focus: Gilmore Space - Eris 1 (Recorded before it launched and will feature more in our September episode)More space stuff: https://www.scitech.org.au/explore/the-sky-tonight/Science news from WA:WA science. Done different. | Particle

This week on Please Look Up, we’re climbing 2700 metres above sea level to check out a telescope so powerful it’ll basically binge watch the universe.The Vera Rubin Observatory has a 3.2 gigapixel camera (yes, gigapixel) and a mission to scan the entire night sky every three days for the next decade. Total cost? A cool $1 billion. Worth it? We think so.We unpack what this mega project means for science, why Vera Rubin never got a Nobel Prize (but should have), and how her work on dark matter changed the game.Also in this episode:July is peak Milky Way season so rug up, head outside and look upLearn to spot the Dark Emu, a brilliant Aboriginal constellation made of shadows, not starsVenus and Jupiter are stealing the morning show if you're up early enoughSpace junk is piling up with over 130 million bits of debris bigger than a centimetre floating around. We talk about why that matters and who’s keeping an eye on itStuff we mention:emudreaming.com – for more on Aboriginal astronomyscitech.org.au – if you want to keep learning locally

Beth and Leon are back with your monthly galaxy guide and a cracking mix of cosmic banter, dodgy Latin puns, and eyebrow raising Aussie aerospace news recorded at SciTech on Whadjuk Noongar land.In this episode:What's Up This Month? [01:00] Beth and Leon spin left for winter skies, chasing the Milky Way across the southeast and spotting Venus on your morning coffee run.Constellation of the Month: [10:00] Tucked between showier neighbours, Lupus isn’t the flashiest, but it’s got myth, mystery, and a surprise link to Harry Potter. No, really.Solstice Shenanigans [20:00] The 21st brings the darkest day of the year (aka perfect stargazing). Beth explains how to track the Sun with your shadow—and why Esperance has the real Stonehenge.Spaceflight Focus: [30:00] Australia’s first homegrown orbital rocket launch… didn’t quite launch. Beth and Leon unpack the Gilmore Space Vegemite-fuelled debacle and remind us that nobody died, so it’s fine to laugh. A little.

Join Leon and Beth for your monthly dose of stargazing tips, mythological deep dives, and cosmic commentary, recorded at SciTech on Whadjuk Noongar land.*Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault and a survivor’s experience. This content occurs between 40:00 and 52:40.In this episode:What’s Up This Month? [01:00] Celebrate Star Wars Day by heading outside on May 4th at exactly 7:13pm! Beth and Leon walk us through how to spot a perfect first quarter moon, locate Mars, and catch the International Space Station fly directly between Castor and Pollux in Gemini. Also featuring: the tiny Canis Minor, and the surprisingly lion-like Leo constellation.Constellation of the Month: Leo the Lion [10:00] It’s Leon’s time to shine! The crew explores Leo, a constellation that actually resembles its namesake. Learn how to find it in the northern sky this month, how its stars form a backwards question mark, and how both ancient Greeks and Arab astronomers imagined the same great lion in the sky.Star Stories: The Nemean Lion and Regulus [20:10] Dive into the mythology behind Leo, including Hercules’ impossible battle against the Nemean Lion and the clever trick (or divine advice) that helped him skin the beast. Plus: Harry Potter trivia, the meanings behind Regulus and Denebola, and what Arabic star names reveal about ancient cross-cultural astronomy.Meteor Showers and Planet Gazing: The Eta Aquarids [33:40] Set your alarms! The Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks in the early morning hours of May 5th and 6th. With the moon out of the way and meteors zipping by at 70 km/s, this is one of the best sky shows of the year. Bonus: look east to spot Venus, Saturn, and even distant Neptune (with a telescope).Star Stories II: Neptune the Freshwater God [40:55] Neptune wasn't always the god of the sea! Beth explains how this Roman deity originally ruled over springs and rivers, and only later took on Poseidon's oceanic identity. Hear about Neptunalia—the ancient summer festival of shade, wine, and cool water—and the odd tale of how Neptune ended up inside his father Saturn.Space Picture of the Month [TBA] …Was there one? Maybe. Possibly. We were distracted by imaginary sausage dogs in the sky. (Sorry, Canis Minor.)

Please Look Up Podcast | April EditionJoin Leon and Beth (with special April Fool's guest Producer Morgan!) for your monthly dose of space news, astronomy tips, and cosmic commentary—recorded at SciTech on Whadjuk Noongar land.In this episode:What's Up This Month? [01:00] Beth guides us through the southern sky as the Southern Cross returns, marking the rise of the spectacular Milky Way and the famous dark Emu.Star Stories: Saturn and Too Many Moons [09:25] Beth dives into the mythology surrounding Saturn (Cronus)—god of time, agriculture, and oddly enough, Christmas traditions. Plus, what's up with Saturn's 274 moons?!Constellation of the Month: Cancer the Crab [27:10] Leon reveals the secrets of Cancer, the faintest zodiac constellation, including how to find the famous Beehive Cluster, a nearby exoplanet system, and some strangely named stars (featuring two donkeys!).Spaceflight Focus: Return from the ISS and Media Missteps [44:03] Leon and Beth discuss astronauts Butch and Suni's long-awaited return from the International Space Station and reflect critically on media coverage surrounding their mission.Space Picture of the Month (01:06): The return of the favourite segment, Space Picture of the Month!

Join Leon and Beth for this month’s PLU Podcast, your ultimate guide to the night sky over Borloo! As the warm evenings of Bunuru continue, March offers stunning celestial sights, with Mars and Jupiter shining bright in the north. Meanwhile, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury stay hidden in the Sun’s glare, slowly making their way back into view—though the best chance to spot them comes in April.Turn your gaze southward to the vast Argo Navis, the great celestial ship, and discover Lepus, the mysterious celestial hare nestled beneath Orion. Plus, Leon and Beth break down the March equinox, explaining how the Earth’s slow wobble has changed the stars we see over thousands of years.Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or just looking up for the first time, this episode will help you navigate the cosmos from your own backyard!

February’s night sky is putting on a show! This month, Leon and Beth guide you through a rare planetary parade, where every planet—including Mercury—is visible at once. Learn how to spot Venus at peak brightness, Jupiter ruling the northern sky, and Orion’s celestial hunting dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor. Plus, we debunk the myths around planetary alignments and take a deep dive into the fiery world of Io, Jupiter’s volcanic moon, where a recent eruption reshaped its surface. Tune in for space news, skywatching tips, and a friendly satellite-spotting competition!

Get ready for a spectacular January night sky! This month, we’ll take you on a stargazing journey featuring Mars at opposition, a rare planetary parade visible from Perth, Western Australia, and the stunning constellation of Gemini.Find out why Venus and Saturn are cozying up in the west, when to catch Earth at perihelion, and why Mars is shining brighter than ever. Plus, we’ll uncover the secrets of open star clusters, the legendary Eskimo Nebula, and the mythological twins of Gemini.Whether you’re an experienced astronomer or a curious observer, we’ve got everything you need to make the most of this month’s night sky. Don’t miss your chance to catch 2025’s best view of Mars!Please Look Up is brought to you by Particle and powered by Scitech, your ultimate guide to the cosmos!

Get ready for a spectacular December night sky! This month, we’ll guide you through dazzling meteor showers, breathtaking star clusters, and other celestial wonders visible from Perth, Western Australia.From the brightest constellations to the most exciting planetary alignments, we've got you covered. Plus, stay up to date with the latest discoveries and stories in space exploration.Please Look Up is brought to you by Particle and powered by Scitech—your ultimate guide to the cosmos!

Join hosts Leon and Beth as they guide you through November's celestial highlights! This month features an exciting planetary lineup in the western sky, with Venus and Mercury putting on a show after sunset. Learn when to catch the Leonids meteor shower, explore the southern constellation Mensa, and discover the fascinating Magellanic Clouds. Plus, get details about Astrofest, happening November 9th at Curtin University - Perth's biggest astronomy event of the year.

Join us this October as we explore the night sky’s wonders, from the last glimpses of the Milky Way to the dazzling Orionid meteor shower. Plus, discover the celestial beauty of Subaru. Tune in for your monthly dose of stargazing insights.

This month, Leon and Beth guide you through the night sky of Boorloo for September. Discover the planets Saturn and Venus, and learn about Saturn’s opposition and its upcoming equinox. The team also dives into the Deep Sky Dictionary, Space Picture of the Month, and the latest in space flight fails. Don’t miss out on the cosmic fun!

This month, Leon and Amanda delve into the fascinating story of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle debris that washed up in Greenhead in July 2023. Discover what this piece of space history is, how it got here, and its new home at Scitech. The team also explores the journey of the PSLV, its role in space missions, and the intricate process of preparing it for display. Don’t miss out on this special episode packed with intriguing insights and cosmic fun!

This month, Leon and Amanda guide you through the night sky of Boorloo for August. Discover the constellations Scorpius and Sagittarius and learn why the “Teapot” is must-see. The team also dives into Space Flight Fails, Deep Sky Dictionary, and the Space Picture of the Month. Don’t miss out on the cosmic fun!

This month Beth and Leon take you through the night sky of Boorloo over July (As long as the winter clouds don't get in the way. The team then talks about the Constillation of the Month, Space Flight Fails, Deep Sky Dictionary and Space Picture of the Month.Head to our Instagram @particlewa to see photos from the episode. Show notes can be found on our website at particle.scitech.org.au

Leon and Beth chat about what you'll see looking up at the sky in Boorloo in June.Featuring Antares (the moral enemy of Mars), Hydra (the giant snake) and Alphard (the lonely Librarian). Beth rants about space tourism, and Leon nerds-out over a "really cool graph."Discussed this month:The Winter SolsticePlanets: Mercury, Saturn, Mars & JupiterConstellations: Scorpius & HydraStars: Antares, Alphard,Space Flight Focus: Blue Origin, New Shepard.Space Pictures of the Month:Earth and Moon as viewed from Marshttps://science.nasa.gov/resource/earth-and-moon-as-viewed-from-mars/Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science SystemsPercentage of World's Population in Daylight or TwighlightCredit: timeanddate.comhttps://www.timeanddate.com/news/astronomy/99-percent-sunlightCredits:Hosts: Beth Maskall, Leon Smith.Recording, Mixing, and Editing: Alyshia GataniPlease Look Up is recorded at Scitech on Whadjuk Noongar Land.We embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first STEM practitioners, and value their knowledge as the very first astronomers, engineers, problem-solvers and innovators of this land. ​We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging.Want more?For more Western Australian space news, and content checkout:The Sky Tonight - Monthly Update | ScitechWA science. Done different. | Particle (scitech.org.au)

Beth and Leon discuss what's in the night sky in May. Why Boeing starliner is having so many troubles, the oddly shaped radio telescope that was an important part of WA Broadcast history, and listen to the creepy sound of Vela's pulsar.

Beth and Leon are back to tell you what you need to know about space this month.First, what's in the sky this month, including an amazing solar eclipse that you'll be able to watch... over live stream, because it happens on the other side of the world.Space Flight Focus: How is SpaceX going with launching the biggest ever rocket? Well, Leon boldly forecasts that their Starships will be carrying cargo within the year.Space Picture of the Month: We're back with more super radio friendly content. Visit our Instagram to see the pictures, and listen along as Beth talks about seeing ourselves from space, and Leon describes how the Landsat program captures data from space that can help us understand how earth is changing.Constellation of the Month: Puppis (with special mention of a nebula that looks like a zucchini and smells like a rotten egg).Find more space news on the Particle websiteIf you have a question about space, reach out on instagram. We might be able to answer it in an upcoming episode. Find us @particlewaCreditsHosts: Leon Smith, Beth MaskallProducers: Michelle Aitken, Zaya Altangerel

Did you know that Leon is the biggest space nerd of the Scitech Planetarium crew? This month we turn the tables and let Beth ask all the questions. We also introduce new segments for some fresh perspectives on space news.First, what's in the sky this month as usual.Space Flight Focus: Beth asks Leon about recent attempts to land on the moon and whether we'd call them successes or failures.Space Picture of the Month: The duo challenge each other to describe pictures of space. See what they're talking about on our Instagram.Constellation of the Month: Carina (and Leon manages to talk about Dune Part 2.)Find more WA space news on the Particle websiteIf you have a question about space, message us on Instagram! We might be able to answer it in an upcoming episode. Find us @particlewaCreditsHosts: Leon Smith and Beth MaskallProducers: Michelle Aitken, Zaya Altangerel

Leon is joined by Amanda, a Scitech Planetarium Presenter, to highlight all the different planets and constellations you'll be able to spot throughout December.The duo also discuss what went wrong with the second Space X Starship launch.To find out more about WA space news, visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/CreditsHost: Leon SmithGuest: Amanda HunterProducer: Zaya Altangerel, Michelle Aitken, Alyshia Gatani

Leon is joined by Sharna, a Scitech Planetarium Presenter, to highlight a collection of creatively named objects you can see in the Perth night sky. Some examples include Grus the Crane and the Spare-tyre nebula.The duo also discuss how scientists are going to calculate the weight of our universe. To find out more about WA space news, visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/CreditsHost: Leon SmithGuest: Sharna LambertProducer: Zaya Altangerel

Leon is joined by Beth, a Scitech Planetarium Presenter, to highlight some spectacular constellations visible in the October night sky – and the dramatic mythologies that inspired their names!The duo also discuss how and why we are studying two different asteroids – Bennu and Psyche.To find out more about the WA space news, visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/CreditsHost: Leon SmithGuest: Beth MaskallProducer: Zaya Altangerel

Leon is joined by Amanda to give you tips on how to spot Saturn, Jupiter, Venus and Mercury alongside a peculiar constellation known as Pavo the Giant Space Slug. The duo also update us on the Chandrayaan-3 mission. And give us the hot details on India's newest space mission to study the Sun with ADITYA-L1. To find out more about the WA space news, visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/CreditsHost: Leon SmithGuest: Amanda HunterProducer: Zaya Altangerel

As we head into the Noongar season of Djilba, Leon is joined by Amanda to talk all things stargazing and space news.In addition to highlighting the constellations and planets visible in the WA sky this month, Amanda answers the question of "What exactly is a blue moon?"The duo also talk about photographing black holes, and the launch of Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft.To find out more about the WA space news, visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/CreditsHost: Leon SmithGuest: Amanda HunterProducers: Zaya Altangerel, Michael Gatt & Alyshia Gatani

Leon is joined by Professor Steven Tingay, the Deputy Executive Director of ICRAR, to talk all about the Murchison Widefield Array.Join us as we discover the:purpose of the ground-breaking telescopemeaning behind the MWA's Wajarri nameMWA's influence on the Australian economyimportance of saving ALL your data and more!For more WA space news visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/To learn more about the Murchison Widefield Array, visit: www.mwatelescope.org/CreditsHost: Leon SmithGuest: Professor Steven TingayProducers: Zaya Altangerel, Michael Gatt & Alyshia Gatani

Leon is joined by Sharna, a Scitech Planetarium Presenter, to talk all about the big stuff. The duo discuss the importance of the Euclid Consortium and try to sum up 'dark matter' and 'dark energy' in a few short minutes. To find out more about the WA space news, visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/CreditsHost: Leon SmithGuest: Sharna LambertProducers: Zaya Altangerel & Michael Gatt

As we head into the Noongar season of Makuru, Leon is joined by Amanda, a Scitech Planetarium Presenter, to talk all about what you can spot in the June night sky.The duo highlight the constellation of Ophiuchus 'the serpent-bearer' and guide you on how to spot Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter.Amanda also highlights the importance of a space mission called JUICE.To find out more about the WA space news, visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/CreditsHost: Leon SmithGuest: Amanda HunterProducer: Zaya Altangerel

This month we're giving you some tips on how to spot the likes of Mars, Venus and Orion in the May night sky.The duo also recount the launch of Space X Falcon 9 rocket. Some say it was a complete failure, others say it was a great success. Find out why the event was so polarising.To find out more about the WA space news, visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/CreditsHost: Leon Smith Guest: Damon Hill Producers: Zaya Altangerel & Michael Gatt

Leon ventures out to Exmouth, Western Australia to experience the 2023 Ningaloo Total Solar Eclipse. He's joined by special guest Dr Robin Cook from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) who gives us an in-depth look into the total solar eclipse.The duo also discuss how our galaxy is changing and what working at ICRAR is like.For more WA space news visit: www.particle.scitech.org.au/ To learn more about Dr Cook's research, visit: www.icrar.org/people/rcook/Credits Host: Leon Smith Guest: Dr Robin Cook Producers: Zaya Altangerel and Michael Gatt

Leon is joined by Brandi, a Scitech Planetarium Presenter and lover of the night sky, to talk all about the upcoming 'hybrid' total solar eclipse.Highlights of their discussion include :Why everyone is so excited about this upcoming eclipseWhat makes a 'hybrid' eclipseHow best to view the eclipseIf you've already heard enough about the eclipse, the duo also highlights all the different constellations and planets you can look out for in the WA night sky this month.Credits Host: Leon Smith Guest: Brandi Wahl Producer: Zaya Altangerel

Our host Leon is joined by Damon, one of Scitech's expert Planetarium Presenters, to highlight the different constellations and planets visible in the March night sky. The duo also ponder upon the role of 3D printers in space exploration, as well as the question of 'Why should we care about space exploration?' To find out more about WA space news, visit: https://particle.scitech.org.au/category/space/ Credits Host: Leon Smith Guest: Damon Hill Producers: Zaya Altangerel & Michael Gatt