BBC Inside Science

Chris Lintott, astronomer and science communicator, debates Pluto’s planetary status. Professor Yossi Yovel, animal communication researcher, outlines a prize to decode animal signals. Roland Pease, science reporter, investigates an Alaskan landslide and tsunami. Penny Sarchet, New Scientist editor, rounds up overlooked research and social-science stories.

Caroline Steel, science journalist known for quick rundowns of new research, and Dr Samantha Burgess, deputy director at Copernicus and lead on the European State of the Climate report. They explore why Europe is warming twice as fast as the world, the roles of Arctic amplification, changing air pollution and snow loss, and which regions face the sharpest impacts.

Lizzie Gibney, Nature reporter covering robotics and Big G measurements. Frankie Dunn, researcher who described the Ediacaran fossil Auroralumina, linking early animals to modern groups. John Tregoning, vaccine immunology professor and author on pathogens and preparedness. They discuss avian flu risks and mRNA vaccine preparedness. They also explore ancient fossils and surprising science news like a ping-pong robot.

Jim Smith, a long‑time Chernobyl researcher, explains lingering contamination, wildlife recovery and how the disaster reshaped energy policy. Jenny Millard, astronomer and weekly space news contributor, covers Artemis updates and the Hubble tension. Short, varied conversations move from radiation biology and social impacts to lunar missions and cosmic expansion.

Kelly Weinersmith, biologist and author of City on Mars, outlines health, radiation and habitat challenges for living on the Moon and Mars. Libby Jackson, Head of Space at the Science Museum and former ESA Flight Controller, explains Artemis II’s tests, reentry risks and the mission’s role in paving the way for lunar bases. Short, clear takes on engineering, geology and the practical limits of staying on the Moon.

Penny Sarchet, former biologist and managing editor at New Scientist, gives plant and biology explanations. Mark Maslin, Earth System Science professor, tackles geomagnetism, plastics and noise. Catherine Heymans, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, unpacks galaxies, gravity slingshots and Martian meteorites. The trio answer listener questions on photosynthesis, magnetic reversals and why some plants are not green.

Caroline Steele, science reporter covering CERN antimatter moves and brain preservation news. Dr Harry Cliff, Cambridge particle physicist who traps and studies antiprotons. Dr Hannah Sargeant, planetary scientist working on nuclear electric propulsion for lunar and Mars missions. They discuss nuclear-powered space travel, how reactors drive electric thrusters, and the careful transport and trapping of antimatter.

Dr Rebecca Ingle, Associate Professor in Physical Chemistry at UCL, explains helium’s unique cryogenic role and fragile global supply. Richard Murray, CEO and co-founder of Orca Computing, outlines photonic quantum hardware and real-world applications. They discuss photonic qubits, system design that avoids extreme cooling, industry use-cases, and why quantum may be moving from labs into practical tech.

Kit Yates, mathematical biologist and science communicator, and Laura Wilcox, atmospheric scientist specializing in aerosol–climate interactions. They discuss new analyses that suggest recent warming has sped up. Short-term variability is separated from forced trends. Possible causes covered include cleaner air revealing greenhouse warming, rising methane, and cloud changes.

Jodie Howlett, who leads in-orbit manufacturing at the UK Space Agency, discusses making medicines and materials in microgravity. Everett Dolman, professor of space strategy and former Space Command member, explains how warfare in orbit could use jamming, lasers and non-kinetic attacks while avoiding debris. They talk risks to space infrastructure and practical paths for space-based manufacturing.