(William H. Waller, Ph.D. – The Galactic Inquirer)
Piloted during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Earth & Space Reports video series is now in its 7th year of monthly programming (see (1) Earth & Space Reports – YouTube). Each episode consists of an online presentation by a research scientist, educator, or communicator on some topic in the Earth & space sciences. At first, these were solo efforts by the present author. But after a few episodes, the programming expanded to include other presenters as well as an online “gallery” of participants. Sometimes the Q&As involving these participants have been quite lively and illuminating.
Invitations are sent out via e-mail several weeks before each presentation. To be included on one of the invitation listservs, please e-mail Bill Waller at galacticinquiring@gmail.com with information on your background and interests.
Each Earth & Space Report was recorded via the Zoom platform and curated on the dedicated YouTube channel, where one can leave comments. There are now more than 72 Earth & Space Reports that together span a full range of topics in the Earth & space sciences. Consequently, the series has reached a level of maturity and breadth that should be attractive to science teachers and their students. Below, I have sorted the sundry episodes by topic – beginning with overviews of our place in space and time, biographies and retrospectives, as well as presentations directly intended for educators and their students. These initial presentations are followed by episodes covering more focused topics that extend from our Earthly circumstances as humans outward to the solar system and cosmos writ large.
Overviews of our Place in Space and Time:
#1 “What’s Happening on Earth and in Space” – Dr. Bill Waller (The Galactic Inquirer), April 2020 (https://youtu.be/IyWJ1ieEWVk?si=cwfwb74H_lkkEd2N)
#15 “Exploring our Cosmic Origins” – Dr. Bill Waller (The Galactic Inquirer), June 2021 (https://youtu.be/jibnei7f62A?si=Li2q6u7cbDdhMKRa)
#21 “Earth & Space Year in Review” – Drs. Bill Waller (The Galactic Inquirer) and Jay Pasachoff (Williams College), December 2021 (https://youtu.be/r8sP8fOHsz4?si=STLGteT-kspoIseP)
#30 “It’s a Big Universe – How have our understandings of it changed?” – Richard Luecke (Gloucester Area Astronomy Club), September 2022 (https://youtu.be/9z-XMizPr5M?si=wfaRXSMtuWnExSlP)
#32 “Navigating the Cosmos – from Planet Earth to the Cosmic Web” – Dr. Bill Waller (The Galactic Inquirer), November 2022 (https://youtu.be/SzBKWfG9xZE?si=hcZTNWay79HdVNTl)
#70 “Experiencing the Universe…with a Touch of Math!” – Dr. Sten Odenwald (NASA/GSFC, Ret.), February 2026 (https://youtu.be/9AqHwJA_adw?si=8A_Q5G8oYdI3RITs)
Biographies and Retrospectives:
#20 “Dr. James Sweitzer on his New Book, Dear Galileo: Letters from a Contemporary Astronomer to his Hero,” November 2021 (https://youtu.be/dijlgztheC0?si=_5qkLy4_uZeNrQjF)
#44 “Reflections on the Webb Telescope – and Cycling the World” – Dr. Scott Acton (Ball Aerospace), December 2023 (https://youtu.be/La-U8m5xkfo?si=hxazr_6CORQ5nK1V)
#50 “Capturing the Cosmos from the Sidelines: A Lifetime Love of Amateur Astronomy” – Phil Orbanes (Gloucester Area Astronomy Club), June 2024 (https://youtu.be/hY74zl9zduQ?si=qzbet0ANbXxueTF6)
#53 “The Life of Russell Porter — Astronomy’s Renaissance Man” – Dr. Mario Motta (American Medical Association), September 2024 (https://youtu.be/WHa1XPIHbzo?si=AcFtKgyvYcQ8Yj83)
#28 “Postcards from the Universe: APOD’s 27-year Legacy” – Dr. Jerry Bonnell (NASA/GSFC), July 2022 (https://youtu.be/Lj-rjung3QE?si=07bdRMB8qLIKENj1)
#66 “Silent Sky — Henrietta Leavitt’s Quest to Measure the Universe” – Ted Blank (NASA Solar System Ambassador), October 2025 (https://youtu.be/oY0Yz9KQG7Y?si=buoEcUBXiONIhCyu)
For Educators and Students of All Ages:
#8 “Experiential Learning Opportunities in Astronomy and Astrophysics” – Dr. Bill Waller (The Galactic Inquirer), November 2020 (https://youtu.be/4CsNLjQIj0o?si=DfzOdiRksra_JP_8)
#10 “Sailing for Science – Experiential Education on the High Seas” – Emily Dailey (SEA Semester), February 2021 (https://youtu.be/SoVIFWoWboc?si=Y5QdrBqBD4c74UXG)
#38 “Advancing Earth & Space Exploration in our Schools” – Dr. Bill Waller (The Galactic Inquirer), May 2023 (https://youtu.be/EEzLD8QUBxA?si=AX-sTz6LjpACyJ3W)
#54 “Advancing Astronomical Literacy via Student Writing Contests” – Dr. Bill Waller (The Galactic Inquirer), October 2024 (https://youtu.be/8Byu3Fjoyvw?si=uLVJ29oqrHD3bvBF)
#67 “Why Space Will Freak You Out – The Worst Places in the Universe” – Megan Watzke (Center for Astrophysics | Harvard and Smithsonian), November 2025 (https://youtu.be/8momxG1b2dw?si=ZX7kH1_rOsyspj_-)
#72 “The Art of Astronomical Sketching” – Richard Luecke (Gloucester Area Astronomy Club), April 2026 (https://youtu.be/1z8gjWFLfa4?si=5hwq81ghnC9-QhqI)
The Earth-Human Connection – Environmental Concerns:
#2 “Comparing Planetary Climates – and Why We Should Take Heed!” – Dr. Bill Waller (The Galactic Inquirer), May 2020 (https://youtu.be/nUqW8BGbcz0?si=dpoO5OM3W85npmzm)
#3 “Interview with Rhiannon Hurst (Rockport High School) on Her Biodigester Project” – June 2020 (https://youtu.be/ORBabUqf9jM?si=CzqdpFR6OUYBGHgD)
#4 “Waste Heat and Warming Climates” – Dr. Bill Waller (The Galactic Inquirer), July 2020 (https://youtu.be/XBUN9gfZIig?si=U-ybUaMzqVxnHCiK)
#7 “Winds of Change? Hurricanes in New England” – Dr. Sarah Damassa (Rockport, MA Conservation Commission), October 2020 (https://youtu.be/hZkf7Zunivs?si=QW5-hIXQmc8RhIju)
#27 “Mitigating Climate Change through Tropical Reforestation” – Greg Powell (Reforest the Tropics), June 2022 (https://youtu.be/f_dryoTJuDU?si=HvkEoeP-B0HMBzoJ)
#29 “Global Pollution and Its Health Impacts” – Dr. Philip Landrigan (Boston College), August 2022 (https://youtu.be/cH343LwjbWE?si=JUs3OnTy7dE4Iwzi)
#45 “The Intrigue and Importance of Vernal Pools” – Rick Roth (Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team), January 2024 (https://youtu.be/NghVRBcdZOs?si=ELmD6bCkaNzRdJpu)
#47 “Antediluvian Worlds: Exploring Possible Human Civilizations Before our Own” – Dr. Mark Carlotto (markcarlotto.com), March 2024 (https://youtu.be/fodVcMwc_eE?si=wf14iqzG0WSBa2f2)
#51 “What can astronomy tell us about climate change?” – Dr. Travis Rector (University of Alaska, Anchorage), July 2024 (https://youtu.be/MnTZzF_qQMA?si=hMa0_i8LsKZqc8zL)
#55 “The Earth Music Theater — a portal for experiencing Earth from space” – Dan Barstow (https://www.earthmusictheater.org), November 2024 (https://youtu.be/cc3zVG98QTI?si=iWtjNfPHZskT27Jz)
#57 “The Century of Plastics” – Hayden Spencer (Seaside Sustainability), January 2025 (https://youtu.be/ye8Z4ufDags?si=V_1QCBhTHdvGYbWK)
#68 “The New Zealand Starlight Conference: Worldwide Perspectives on Light Pollution” – Dr. Mario Motta (American Medical Association), December 2025 (https://youtu.be/IxOuFfoK0mM?si=FIgMnesfmdqgnWcD)
#73 “Plastics in our Environment” – Eric Magers (Seaside Sustainability), May 2026 (https://youtu.be/cvBjT45roak?si=qJ66eD6VL5TJYJ-T)
Earth Systems Science:
#9 “The Marvels and Mysteries of Rockport’s Eels: 20 Years in Millbrook” – Eric Hutchins (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), December 2020 (https://youtu.be/rR0_G82z5pw?si=Br8J_yihumDA04Ch)
#13 “Whales and New Ocean Science” – Iain Kerr (Ocean Alliance), April 2021 (https://youtu.be/5pIpsMFU5mE?si=pe4QTgazlA17hMpk)
#19 “The Granites of New England” – Steven Haynes (The Granite Museum), October 2021 (https://youtu.be/3MA7FpGFhq4?si=r9hz6u6Y8EIOnpoR)
#23 “Earthquakes in New England” – Dr. John Ebel (Boston College), February 2022 (https://youtu.be/4w17sxNinEo?si=cYtNJjO5-2uXrTlu)
#31 “Meteorite or Slag? The Mystery of the Allia Rock” – Dr. Bill Waller (The Galactic Inquirer), October 2022 (https://youtu.be/EHUARJ3cjZ4?si=69TQfcew_79WkCTa)
The Earth-Moon Connection:
#24 “Astronomy from the Moon – The ILOA 5 Moon Missions” – Steve Durst (International Lunar Observatory Association), March 2022 (https://youtu.be/4ijgmkCB5j8?si=7Y4Gg_UPpXeXxoaU)
#34 “Hot and Cold: Volcanoes and Cold Spots on the Moon” – Dr. Caitlin Ahrens (NASA/GSFC), January 2023 (https://youtu.be/DK9fw7m3jlA?si=U4fzi0Oc1BtqLaun)
#59 “Weird Moon Facts — and the Importance of Being Wrong” – Seth Lockman (NASA Solar System Ambassador), March 2025 (https://youtu.be/tms3SatdlPc?si=1T9ZIr4u82xwzrMB)
#65 “Visualizing a Future on the Moon — A Virtual Tour” – Dr. Phillip Youngblood (The Science Circle), September 2025 (https://youtu.be/zfX8McVSNYA?si=h7hbhcbXwyO1aRCz)
The Sun-Earth Connection:
#17 “The Scientific Magic of Total Solar Eclipses” – Dr. Shadia Habbal (University of Hawaii, Institute of Astronomy), August 2021 (https://youtu.be/KFRit-VeTa4?si=na1pNEqC2d1Bzyfq)
#25 “Surfing the Auroral Cascade – Insights and Enigmas” – Dr. Bill Waller (The Galactic Inquirer), April 2022 (https://youtu.be/1QleCaoRRkU?si=0OxymO8wFXUG2mt9)
#36 “Indigenous Skywatchers on Poles Hill: Archeoastronomy at an Ancient Observatory” – Mary Ellen Lepionka (Massachusetts Archeological Society), March 2023 (https://youtu.be/h218HU7olt0?si=BbrLOndT4MM_IBfO)
#39 “Preparing for Two U.S. Eclipses of the Sun” – Dr. Andrew Fraknoi (Foothill College, Ret.), June 2023 (https://youtu.be/Et07gs6N0f0?si=fml4VpubvMeiJH74)
#46 “It’s the Sun Stupid! Revealing Its Many Mysteries” – Dr. Sten Odenwald (NASA/GSFC), February 2024 (https://youtu.be/PUNQKVd2yuM?si=RhFwASz1lPI72GRt)
#48 “Solar Eclipse Sharathon” – multiple presenters, April 2024 (https://youtu.be/7vLbggs_7BM?si=I17neECEi8KB4hxR)
#49 “Aurora Sharathon” – multiple presenters, May 2024 (https://youtu.be/PXrnPq49tuU?si=Ubh6TgcVGxTlfaY_)
#60 “Solar Irradiance: Earth’s Energy Source” – Dr. Judith Lean (University of Colorado), April 2025 (https://youtu.be/O5RQVIF3z7U?si=0bluRgHHjQCTbrbI)
The Solar System:
#10 “Space Missions – Past, Present, and Future” – Dr. Joel Parker (Southwest Research Institute), January 2021 (https://youtu.be/H-p8lli7tb4?si=EOvdjW-9RLOnor2B)
#16 “Today’s Solar System: It Ain’t What It Used to Be” – Andrew Shaner (Lunar and Planetary Institute), July 2021 (https://youtu.be/3ahHvj4_46g?si=Vc9c4pGSUz00a01c)
#33 “The Search for Life in the Solar System” – Dr. Lou Mayo (Marymount University), December 2022 (https://youtu.be/VkevSn8_FfQ?si=gJlfeurFMcLpRYjP)
#41 “Asteroids, Comets, Meteors … and Close Encounters” – Richard Luecke (Gloucester Area Astronomy Club), August 2023 (https://youtu.be/rrGYt5g-69c?si=Ss3Uo8UlmtxWMITW)
#62 “Looking for Life on Mars (in the Laboratory)” – Molly Twombly (Tufts University), June 2025 (https://youtu.be/fC8O1RwZD9w?si=WCrwkuQUNjpKsIFC)
#64 “Space Settlements and their Governance” – Dr. Julian Waller (George Washington University), August 2025 (https://youtu.be/EFCyt5JYFFY?si=eKIAbnmZVHaOYtLR)
#71 “Planetary Analogs: Simulating the Solar System in our Backyard” – Dr. Jordan Bretzfelder (Georgia Tech), March 2026 (https://youtu.be/qyf8OFRr0lw?si=ulmg6k7gxXtVFUgM)
Other Stellar and Planetary Systems:
#6 “Conversation with Scientific Leader Dr. Stella Kafka” (American Association of Variable Star Observers, American Meteorological Society, etc.), September 2020 (https://youtu.be/bXB9ZNVg3ro?si=-NaJ1g_0ecevhCjC)
#22 “The Quest to Find Habitable Planets” – Alex Trunnell (Meridian Academy), January 2022 (https://youtu.be/YLNObGN5PVw?si=UELib7DGraLCASYM)
#56 “DIY Exoplanet Finding” – John Gianforte (University of New Hampshire), December 2024 (https://youtu.be/IytpUQPlGW4?si=XOSSTaoRy1Ku3CSE)
Stellar and Nebular Denizens of our Milky Way Galaxy – Galactic Ecosystems:
#14 “Surfing the Galactic Froth” – Dr. Bill Waller (The Galactic Inquirer), May 2021 (https://youtu.be/0KWG4UdrmqQ?si=zvjGSvExCuvf8Y4m)
#18 “Mapping the Milky Way” – Dr. Mark Reid (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics), September 2021 (https://youtu.be/G6sImibCjHM?si=pxbBLE2zwtalIAwl)
#37 “Astrophotography from the Vineyards” – Tony Weinbeck (University of Wyoming), April 2023 (https://youtu.be/58305CN5Qpw?si=URMEDQnRcoOYlcb9)
#42 “Exploring the Cold Universe with ALMA” – Dr. Gerald Schieven (NRC/Canada), September 2023 (https://youtu.be/_H3gxj7qFOM?si=t6gNjjAMqfqzZ3ro)
#43 “Sensing the Biochemical Character of Galactic Ecosystems” – Dr. Bill Waller (The Galactic Inquirer), October 2023 (https://youtu.be/GAgQJDraUAE?si=fHpymGZFyL3tuM4B)
#58 “The Molecular Universe: An Astrochemical View of the Cosmos” – Dr. Charles Law (University of Virginia), March 2025 (https://youtu.be/Ul9daIBsqQ4?si=qjvm07wtjHYJvCyC)
Other Galaxies in the Nearby and Remote Universe:
#5 “Galaxy Blowhards: Or How I Learned to Love Galactic Theatrics” – Dr. Bill Waller (The Galactic Inquirer), August 2020, (https://youtu.be/bXB9ZNVg3ro?si=-NaJ1g_0ecevhCjC)
#12 “Galaxy Magnetism as Revealed by SOFIA” – Dr. Enrique Lopez Rodriguez (NASA/Stanford), March 2021 (https://youtu.be/DeJIgUwW3mc?si=f2ix8vzYRsdL8UzQ)
#26 “How Galaxies Grow” – Dr. Kalina Nedkova (Tufts University), May 2022 (https://youtu.be/67vDrG4ccAM?si=eXdW-qTpwBHqJReS)
#35 “Finding Buried Treasures in Nearby Galaxies with the JWST” – Dr. Sean Linden (University of Massachusetts), February 2023 (https://youtu.be/Nwxr-RGbClM?si=DPAoGRf7366TqO-T)
#40 “Rare Emission from Powerful Stars in the Triangulum Galaxy” – Olivia Gaunt (Tufts University), July 2023 (https://youtu.be/djuI4cqRE0w?si=ejm9PFKW__khOqbD)
#52 “New Galaxy Results from the Webb Space Telescope” – Tony Weinbeck (University of Wyoming), August 2024 (https://youtu.be/B6TlmRzd0PM?si=3vF6s8-xnvXIVGIT)
#69 “Unraveling the Chemical Evolution of Galaxies” – Sofia Ridolfo (Center for Astrophysics | Harvard and Smithsonian), January 2026 (https://youtu.be/E95Um61fmNY?si=a087S7wRgOPeKjPe)
Other Wonders of Space and Time on the Cosmic Frontier:
#60 “Cosmic Inflation: The Solution to the Big Bang’s Problems” – Catherine Petretti (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics), May 2025 (https://youtu.be/KX7lHjmLn3M?si=8ILGOdd8WLDH3-lN)
#63 “Time: The Final Frontier” – Dr. Sten Odenwald (NASA/GSFC, Ret.), July 2025 (https://youtu.be/YKsqHv_8jnk?si=iO91G6wqX_WJG4I_)