Sun, 13 Sep 2026 23:47:08 -0400 ur © 2026 Mr. Universe yes fb0ea178-ea0a-57b7-b23f-72d37178e97b Salman episodic false This is a podcast about astronomy and science, hosted by Salman Hameed and Monte Belmonte. Politics, South Asia, and films also enter the conversations, when they interact with science and astronomy. Mr. Universe is a segment on New England Public Media's Fabulous 413 show, and is brought to you here by Kainaat Studios. 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Salman Space Mirrors to Extend Daylight is a Terrible Idea! | Mr Universe What if a fleet of mirrors in orbit could reflect sunlight back toward Earth and extend “daylight” after sunset?

It sounds like science fiction, but a U.S. startup called Reflect Orbital is proposing exactly that. The company plans to test its first satellite later this year, raising an extraordinary question about how far we should go in manipulating our night sky. 🛰️☀️

But astronomers, ecologists, and wildlife conservationists are already raising serious concerns.

🌌 Why It Matters:
For billions of years, Earth has followed a natural rhythm of day and night.

Artificially adding sunlight from orbit could have consequences far beyond astronomy. Light pollution already affects night-sky observations, ecosystems, and wildlife behavior, and putting mirrors in space could introduce an entirely new dimension to the problem.

This episode asks a bigger question:

Just because we can change the night sky, should we?

Also airing on The Fabulous 413 (NPR/NEPM)
https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1155727495/the-fabulous-413

🔔 Subscribe to Kainaat Studios

Join Monte & Salman every week on Mr. Universe for bilingual (English + Urdu) conversations where astronomy, biology, and the biggest questions in science come together.

💬 Tell us in the comments:
If scientists create revolutionary discoveries, should they be freely shared with humanity—or protected through patents?

For more information about Kainaat Studios:
https://www.kainaatstudios.com/

Salman Hameed has a PhD in astronomy and is Charles Taylor Chair and Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities at Hampshire College, and a member of the Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD) in Massachusetts, USA. He is also the CEO of the non-profit Kainaat Studios 

Credits: 
Hosts: Monte Belmonte & Salman Hameed
Editor: Shehryar Shaikh
Music: "Gates of Gagashah" by Zohaib Kazi
Images: Wikipedia, NASA, ESA, ESO, Reflect Orbital, Monocle, National Geographic and Washington Post
Galactic Orbiters (Founding Supporters):  
Iqbal Family Foundation, Getz Pharma, Sahr Foundation, Dr. Zafar Iqbal & Dr. Mehr Iqbal, Khalid Mahmood, Qazi Family Foundation and PixelEdge

]]> What if a fleet of mirrors in orbit could reflect sunlight back toward Earth and extend “daylight” after sunset?

It sounds like science fiction, but a U.S. startup called Reflect Orbital is proposing exactly that. The company plans to test its first satellite later this year, raising an extraordinary question about how far we should go in manipulating our night sky. 🛰️☀️

But astronomers, ecologists, and wildlife conservationists are already raising serious concerns.

🌌 Why It Matters:
For billions of years, Earth has followed a natural rhythm of day and night.

Artificially adding sunlight from orbit could have consequences far beyond astronomy. Light pollution already affects night-sky observations, ecosystems, and wildlife behavior, and putting mirrors in space could introduce an entirely new dimension to the problem.

This episode asks a bigger question:

Just because we can change the night sky, should we?

Also airing on The Fabulous 413 (NPR/NEPM)
https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1155727495/the-fabulous-413

🔔 Subscribe to Kainaat Studios

Join Monte & Salman every week on Mr. Universe for bilingual (English + Urdu) conversations where astronomy, biology, and the biggest questions in science come together.

💬 Tell us in the comments:
If scientists create revolutionary discoveries, should they be freely shared with humanity—or protected through patents?

For more information about Kainaat Studios:
https://www.kainaatstudios.com/

Salman Hameed has a PhD in astronomy and is Charles Taylor Chair and Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities at Hampshire College, and a member of the Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD) in Massachusetts, USA. He is also the CEO of the non-profit Kainaat Studios 

Credits: 
Hosts: Monte Belmonte & Salman Hameed
Editor: Shehryar Shaikh
Music: "Gates of Gagashah" by Zohaib Kazi
Images: Wikipedia, NASA, ESA, ESO, Reflect Orbital, Monocle, National Geographic and Washington Post
Galactic Orbiters (Founding Supporters):  
Iqbal Family Foundation, Getz Pharma, Sahr Foundation, Dr. Zafar Iqbal & Dr. Mehr Iqbal, Khalid Mahmood, Qazi Family Foundation and PixelEdge

]]> Salman Buzzsprout-19800145 Sun, 13 Sep 2026 23:00:00 -0400 1204 full false