Supernovas, asteroids, dark matter, and dark energy… the universe is constantly changing. Today we’ll dive into how we track what’s shifting in the night sky and how it shapes our understanding of The Universe. Through decades of experience in astrophysics, planetary science, and instrumentation, we explore Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s role in a groundbreaking project that will shape the future of astronomy: the Vera Rubin Observatory.While LLNL astronomers eagerly prepare for the upcoming data, we delve into the observatory’s camera and learn about LLNL’s role in making this system a reality.--Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle. Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle. Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell. Narrated by Matthew Powell. Video Production by Levi Hanusch.Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance): Megan Eckart - Director, Space Science Institute, LLNLVincent Riot - Former LSST Camera Project Manager and Vera Rubin Observatory Deputy Project Manager, LLNLBrought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
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14:22
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14:22
Laser Guide Star
For decades, Earth’s atmosphere has blurred images of both stars and galaxies, greatly restricting our ability to see the universe clearly from the ground.But that all changed with the invention of the laser guide star.Think of it as building an artificial star in the sky—one that helps telescopes correct atmospheric distortion in real time. It’s a technology that revolutionized ground-based astronomy, enabling discoveries from distant black holes to the discovery of planets around nearby stars.But how do you go from a concept that once filled a building with laser equipment to something compact, reliable, and safe enough for observatories around the world?And what role did scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory play in making that technological leap possible?Tune in to hear the story behind one of astronomy’s most transformative innovations and the team that helped bring it to light.--Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle. Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle. Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell. Written by Caroline Kidd.Narrated by Matthew Powell. Video Production by Levi Hanusch.Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance): Claire Max, Emeritus Professor of Astronomy at UC Santa Cruz and Director of the University of California ObservatoriesDeanna Pennington, Senior Scientist with the Global Security Directory, LLNLBrought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
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22:20
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22:20
Interns
What’s it really like to intern at one of the nation’s premier science and national security labs? In this episode of The Big Ideas Lab, we follow the journey from first-day nerves to high-impact research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Featuring stories from fusion diagnostics to bioengineering breakthroughs, we hear from interns and mentors about the challenges, the discoveries - and the culture that makes it all possible.-- Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle. Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle. Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell. Narrated by Matthew Powell. Video Production by Levi Hanusch. Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance): Jarrod Farmer, Scholar Program Manager, LLNLJaya Sicard, Graduate Appointee, LLNL, and former Livermore Lab Foundation FellowMonica Moya, Group Leader of Bioengineering and Advanced Fabrication, LLNLBrought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
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16:20
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16:20
Forensic Science Center (Part 2)
The modern world is an onslaught of threats – from biological and radioactive to nuclear and chemical. At the Forensic Science Center at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab, chemists are working night and day to prevent the next catastrophe. In this episode, we’ll dive deeper into the world of Forensics and how its study can impact not only the quality of life – but the safety of every American.-- Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle. Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle. Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell. Narrated by Matthew Powell. Video Production by Levi Hanusch. Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance): Audrey Williams, Director of the FSC, LLNLCarlos Valdes, Lead Chemist, LLNLBrought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
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19:35
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19:35
Forensic Science Center (Part 1)
A mysterious package. A silent explosion. And a phone call that would change the course of forensic science forever. In this gripping first part of our series, we trace the origins of the Forensic Science Center at Lawrence Livermore National Lab through a decades-spanning investigation that began with the Unabomber and grew into a global hub for solving the most complex scientific mysteries. From moon rocks to murder cases, drug overdoses to nuclear smuggling, meet the scientists who turn microscopic clues into courtroom evidence. -- Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle. Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle. Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell. Narrated by Matthew Powell. Video Production by Levi Hanusch. Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance): Brian Andresen, Founder and Former Director, Forensic Science Center, LLNLArmando Alcarez, International Programs Lead, Forensic Science Center, LLNLBrought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Your exploration inside Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Hear untold stories, meet boundary-pushing pioneers and get unparalleled access to groundbreaking science and technology. From national security challenges to computing revolutions, discover the innovations that are shaping tomorrow, today.