Avant Fart

S1E17 - The Oort Cloud

Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The Oort Cloud is a vast, invisible shell surrounding the solar system. In this episode, we explore where comets come from and how far the Sun’s influence really reaches. We discuss evidence for something we’ve never seen directly. The Oort Cloud exists mostly in theory—but theory can be powerful. It’s the solar system’s distant memory.

S1E16 - Eris

Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Send us Fan Mail

Eris is one of the most distant known objects in our solar system. In this episode, we explore how its discovery reshaped planetary science. We talk about the debate it sparked and why definitions matter. Eris is cold, far away, and deeply influential. Sometimes change comes from the edges.

S1E15 - Mars

Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Send us Fan Mail

Mars has captivated human imagination for centuries. In this episode, we explore its red surface, ancient rivers, and ongoing exploration. We talk about why Mars lost its atmosphere and what it once may have been. Mars sits at the center of our hopes for exploration and caution. It’s a planet shaped by time—and loss.

S1E14 - Hoag's Object

Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Send us Fan Mail

Hoag’s Object looks like a cosmic ring floating alone in space. In this episode, we unpack why this galaxy is so unusual. We explore theories about its formation and why none fully explain it. Hoag’s Object is a reminder that the universe doesn’t owe us neat answers. Sometimes mystery is the point.

S1E13 - Proxima Centauri

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Send us Fan Mail

Proxima Centauri is the closest star to our Sun, but still unimaginably far away. In this episode, we explore what it means to have a stellar neighbor. We talk about exoplanets, red dwarfs, and the challenges of interstellar travel. Proximity in space is relative—and humbling. Even our nearest neighbor remains out of reach.

S1E12 - Pluto

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Send us Fan Mail

Pluto may no longer be called a planet, but it’s far from insignificant. In this episode, we explore Pluto’s icy mountains, thin atmosphere, and surprising complexity. We discuss how our definitions change as science advances. Pluto reminds us that labels matter less than understanding. The edge of the solar system is more alive than we once thought.

S1E11 - Venus

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Send us Fan Mail

Venus is often called Earth’s twin, but the resemblance ends quickly. In this episode, we explore how Venus became a runaway greenhouse world. We talk about thick clouds, crushing pressure, and volcanic landscapes. Venus shows us how small changes can lead to drastically different outcomes. It’s a cautionary tale written in heat and sulfur.

S1E10 - Ganymede

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Send us Fan Mail

Ganymede is the largest moon in the solar system, even bigger than Mercury. In this episode, we explore its magnetic field, icy crust, and possible underground ocean. We talk about how moons can behave like planets in their own right. Ganymede challenges our definitions and expectations. It’s proof that size isn’t everything—but it helps.

S1E9 - Jupiter

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Send us Fan Mail

Jupiter is the giant of our solar system, both massive and influential. In this episode, we explore its swirling storms, powerful gravity, and enormous family of moons. We discuss how Jupiter shaped the solar system’s formation and may have protected inner planets from catastrophic impacts. Its Great Red Spot is older than modern science itself. Jupiter is less a planet and more a system of worlds.

S1E8 - The Pink Moon

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Send us Fan Mail

The Pink Moon isn’t actually pink, but its name carries centuries of meaning. In this episode, we explore where lunar names come from and why they mattered to early cultures. We talk about the Moon’s phases and how they shape our experience of time. The Pink Moon marks seasonal change as much as astronomical motion. It’s science, language, and history rolled into one night sky event.

S1E7 - The Wild Duck Cluster

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Send us Fan Mail

The Wild Duck Cluster is a dense swarm of stars moving together through space. In this episode, we talk about star clusters and how they form. We explore why this particular cluster stands out in the night sky and what it reveals about stellar motion. Clusters like this help astronomers understand gravity on a grand scale. It’s organized chaos, written in starlight.

S1E6 - Umbriel

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Send us Fan Mail

Umbriel is one of the darkest moons in the solar system, both literally and figuratively. In this episode, we explore its heavily cratered surface and mysterious composition. We discuss why some moons are geologically active while others seem frozen in time. Umbriel’s appearance tells a story of ancient impacts and long silence. Sometimes the quiet worlds have the most history written on them.

S1E5 - Earth

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Send us Fan Mail

Earth is our home, but it’s also a planet worth studying like any other. In this episode, we step back and look at Earth from a cosmic perspective. We talk about what makes Earth habitable and how rare—or common—those traits might be elsewhere. From plate tectonics to atmosphere, Earth is a finely balanced system. Understanding our planet helps us understand all the others.

S1E4 - Europa

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Send us Fan Mail

Europa is an icy moon with a secret ocean beneath its surface. In this episode, we explore why scientists believe liquid water exists far from the Sun. We talk about cracked ice, tidal heating, and what Europa might teach us about life beyond Earth. The moon looks quiet from afar, but it’s anything but still. Europa reminds us that life-friendly environments may exist in unexpected places.

S1E3 - Hanny's Voorwerp

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Send us Fan Mail

Hanny’s Voorwerp is one of astronomy’s happiest accidents. Discovered by a volunteer citizen scientist, this strange glowing object challenged astronomers to rethink what they were seeing. In this episode, we unpack what Hanny’s Voorwerp actually is and why it glows so eerily green. We also talk about the role of public science and how curiosity can lead to real discoveries. Sometimes the universe reveals itself to people who simply stop and look.

S1E2 - Mercury

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Send us Fan Mail

Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system, but it carries some of the biggest extremes. In this episode, we explore its scorching days, freezing nights, and surprisingly complex geology. We discuss why Mercury looks the way it does and what its surface tells us about the early solar system. You’ll hear how space missions transformed Mercury from a blurry dot into a detailed world. Small planet, big science.

S1E1 - Tau Canis Majoris

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Send us Fan Mail

Tau Canis Majoris is a massive, luminous star system hiding in plain sight within a familiar constellation. In this episode, we explore what makes this star unusual, including its intense radiation and complex stellar environment. We talk about how astronomers study stars that are too distant to visit but bright enough to shape their surroundings. Along the way, we’ll touch on stellar evolution and why massive stars live fast and die dramatically. It’s a reminder that even “background” stars can have extraordinary stories.