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Strange Universe
Sundays, 9:35 a.m.

Astronomer Bob Berman sheds light on the mysteries of space and time. Always fascinating and fun, Strange Universe will take you places you never knew existed. Learn why Betelgeuse sometimes goes weirdly dim and how after the totality in 2017 in places like Wyoming and the Carolinas, millions finally got to see a total solar eclipse.

  • Strange Universe With Bob Berman
    Time to explore a radical new idea shaking up our understanding of the cosmos: what if dark matter doesn’t exist at all? Some European astronomers propose that the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies may have already collided once in the distant past—a theory that challenges long-held beliefs about gravity and the mysterious dark matter thought to hold galaxies together. Instead, they point to a bold alternative called MOND (Modified Newtonian Dynamics), which suggests gravity behaves differently on cosmic scales. If true, this could rewrite everything we know about the structure and evolution of the universe.
  • Strange Universe With Bob Berman
    For centuries, the full moon guided calendars and celebrations — and its legacy lives on. This weekend, we explore how lunar cycles still determine the timing of some holidays. Ever wonder why Easter moves around or why there's always a full moon during this time. It all comes down to ancient rules and celestial rhythms that still shape our holidays today.
  • Strange Universe With Bob Berman
    When darkness first falls these nights, the sky’s brightest star hovers in the west. This is the planet Jupiter. And just above it is a truly awesome object. It’s the twisted remains of one of the greatest start explosions. Tune in to hear how it could possibly be reached and what exactly happened.
  • Strange Universe With Bob Berman
    For anyone with a telescope, Saturn is a knockout. Check out the magnificent rings! Once every 50 years those rings are angled towards us and the sun. This spring is Saturn’s equinox, so it’s time to celebrate.
  • Strange Universe With Bob Berman
    This week in the western sky you'll spot the bright planet Jupiter, with the famous red star Aldebaran just beneath it. Aldebaran is the brightest star in the constellation Taurus, but it’s also known as the “follower,” trailing the Seven Sisters, or the Pleiades, across the heavens. The Pleiades, once feared for their connection to ancient rituals and catastrophic events, have captivated cultures for centuries—from the Minoans to the Maya, and even the Japanese, where they’re known as Subaru. Tune in as we explore the eerie history and celestial wonder of the Pleiades, and learn how binoculars can reveal their stunning beauty.
  • Strange Universe With Bob Berman
    This past Thursday marked the vernal equinox, signaling the official start of Spring. While the media often claims that "day and night are equal" on this day, a closer look at sunrise and sunset times reveals that daylight actually lasts a few minutes longer. The reason? Atmospheric refraction, which bends the sun’s image upward. But even so, it’s a close enough approximation. Tune in to hear more about the rhythms of our planet.
  • Strange Universe With Bob Berman
    Tune in to hear about an upcoming vernal equinox! Many civilizations have made vernal equinoxes into special or even sacred days. Learn how the sun is shifting into new constellations, and what most people get wrong.
  • Strange Universe With Bob Berman
    Tune in to hear about an upcoming vernal equinox! Many civilizations have made vernal equinoxes into special or even sacred days. Learn how the sun is shifting into new constellations, and what most people get wrong.
  • Strange Universe With Bob Berman
    We’re now just past the new Moon stage of the lunar cycle, which means we are now seeing a crescent moon. Always lowish in the sky, the crescent may be the Moon’s most fascinating phase. Perhaps its dreaminess comes from its uniqueness. Tune in to hear about other shapes and the sky and the best time to view Venus.
  • Strange Universe With Bob Berman
    The Apophis asteroid captured the public’s interest ever since it was discovered in 2004. It’s big enough to destroy a city and it’s headed our way. Lately, some social media posters seem to have discovered this menace for the first time and gave it scary publicity. Tune in to hear the actual facts. The asteroid will miss us this time.