Big Picture Science

Big Picture Science
Big Picture Science Logo
GenreScience
Running time1 hour
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
Syndicatesself-distributed via the Public Radio Satellite System
Hosted bySeth Shostak, Molly Bentley
Executive producer(s)Molly Bentley
Edited byMolly Bentley, Seth Shostak, Gary Niederhoff
Recording studioMountain View, California
Original release2002
Audio formatmp3, wav
Websitebigpicturescience.org
Podcastbigpicturescience.org/listening_options

Big Picture Science is the national science radio program and podcast, produced at the SETI Institute and hosted by Senior Astronomer Seth Shostak and journalist Molly Bentley, the executive producer of the show.[1]

The program uses innovative storytelling to connect trends in contemporary research and technology. Episodes are thematic, providing in-depth discussion of particular developments in science. Topics covered include the latest developments in science. Guests include researchers from academic, public and private spheres (including NASA), popular science writers, cultural critics, engineers, and ethicists focused on science. Once a month an episode, "Skeptic Check," is devoted to critical thinking and takes on topics in junk science and the paranormal.[2][3]

The show is broadcast on approximately 155 radio stations, many of them NPR affiliates. These include KALW in San Francisco, WCMU-FM in Michigan, WVPE in Indiana, WHRV in Virginia, WIEC in Wisconsin, and WNYE in New York City, as well as World FM in Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand, and American Forces Network. The show is also available for download via podcast and direct download from podcast networks as well as the show's website where archived shows from 2006 on can also be found. Episodes are cut to an NPR clock.

Big Picture Science was formerly titled Are We Alone?, and functioned as a commercially-supported radio call-in show before transitioning to distribution through the Public Radio Satellite System and Public Radio Exchange.[4]

  1. ^ "About Big Picture Science". SETI Institute. 2014. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  2. ^ Blakemore, Erin (June 23, 2018). "Selling science, and debunking pseudoscience, through great stories". Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  3. ^ "Geomedia: Radio: "Big Picture Science" aptly named". www.earthmagazine.org. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  4. ^ "About The Show". August 13, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023.