The Science Show - Separate stories podcast

Dr John Bolton, once of the Radiophysics Laboratory in the CSIRO to conduct secret research on radar for the military, also helped pioneer radio astronomy after the Second World War. 
He was invited to Caltech to show them how to build radio telescopes — but then resigned and returned to Australia to build the legendary Parkes Telescope. 
Guest Jonas Zmuidzinas  Professor of physics  Director of Caltech Optical Observatories  Caltech 
PresenterRobyn Williams

Harriet Brettle studied finance, had several varied jobs in leadership, and now heads the Keck Institute for Space Studies at Caltech. 
Like the “professor of everything” Bob May from Australia, who once combined his mathematical physics with the head of the Bank of England, Harriet can take risks with projects based on knowing both what’s worthwhile scientifically and sensible financially. 
Guest Harriet Brettle Executive director of the Keck Institute for Space Studies Caltech 
PresenterRobyn Williams

Erik Petigura is a professor of physics and astronomy at UCLA who specialises in discovering planets smaller than giants like Neptune and bigger than Mars and Earth.
Our Solar System has none of these intermediate planets, so what's the attraction?
Guest
Erik Petigura
Professor of physics and astronomy 
UCLA 
Presenter
Robyn Williams

Once the stuff of science fiction, self-driving cars are now a common sight in some American cities.
Robyn Williams rode in a robot taxi around Phoenix, Arizona.
Guest
Kylie Ahern
Science publisher at STEM Matters and The Brilliant
Presenter
Robyn Williams

When raised lead levels were noticed in Los Angeles last year, Professor Francois Tissot, who usually examines the chemistry of asteroids, quickly saw that the fires that ravaged the region in January 2025 were to blame. 
He reveals the current extent of the concern and suggests Australia inspects its own burned regions too. 
Guest Francois Tissot Professor of geochemistry Caltech 
PresenterRobyn Williams