Aliens
Amanda Parer's 'Fantastic Planet'
The renowned Australian visual artist Amanda Parer is bringing 'Fantastic Planet' - giant inflatable luminous white 'humanoids' who land at different sites across the globe - to Auckland as part of… Audio
Scientists sense they are getting closer to discovering aliens
Astronomer Seth Shostak made a daring bet in his 2012 TED Talk: We'll find extraterrestrial life by 2036 or he'll buy you a cup of coffee. Nine years on, Shostak remains convinced that it's a matter… Audio
The Weekend Panel with Josie Pagani and Louis Houlbrooke
Joining us on the Panel this morning are Josie Pagani and Louis Houlbrooke. Among other topics, they'll be looking at Jake Bezzant and his purported behaviour online and Naomi Osaka's pullout from the… Audio
The truth is out there: Top Harvard astronomer believes in extraterrestrial life
In late 2017, scientists at a Hawaiian observatory glimpsed a strange object soaring through our inner solar system. The object dubbed "Oumuamua" was pancake-shaped, and as big as a football field. It… Audio
The strange effects the moon could be having on our health
The idea that the lunar cycle can influence our behaviour and wellbeing dates back thousands of years. In her new book, The Human Cosmos, science writer Jo Marchant re-examines the effects that the… Audio
Science fiction helps build mental resilience in young people
Historically, those who read sci-fi and fantasy have been stigmatised as nerds, but research by Professor Esther Jones shows sci-fi and fantasy may help young people cope, especially with the stress… Audio
The Luminaries, The Great, The Vast of Night
Film and TV reviewer James Croot looks at the TVNZ-BBC production of Eleanor Catton's award-winning novel The Luminaries, a hilarious new look at Catherine the Great from the co-writer of The… Audio
What makes us believe conspiracy theories?
Why do people believe conspiracy theories? And what do conspiracy theories tell us about the way we view the world? Professor Joe Uscinski is a political scientist and author of American Conspiracy… Audio
The quiet zone: the US town where Wi-Fi is banned
The Green Bank Radio Telescope is the largest steerable telescope in the world. The telescope needs to be isolated from all the radio noise that humanity produces. Which means that WiFi in Green Bank… Audio
Dr Neil deGrasse Tyson on Pluto, religion, and his fans
Dr Neil deGrasse Tyson's has attracted one of the world's largest online followings with his fascinating, widely accessible insights into science and our universe. He joined Jim Mora to discuss his… Audio
Brother Guy Consolmagno SJ: The Vatican's official star gazer
Brother Guy Consolmagno SJ is the Vatican's official astronomer and advisor to the Pope. He's been touring New Zealand this week and stopped by at RNZ for an exclusive interview with Jim. Audio
NZSO Comic Con
NZSO plays the music of Comic Con. A concert packed with popular themes and soundtracks from sci-fi and fantasy films as well as computer games. Audio
So where ARE the aliens? New BBC podcast looks at what we know for sure
Do you believe extraterrestrials exist? Astronomer Seth Shostak explores what we do and don't know about potential life on other planets in the new BBC podcast So Where Are The Aliens? Audio
Douglas Vakoch - Can we speak alien?
Dr Douglas Vakoch is President of METI, a nonprofit research and educational organisation dedicated to transmitting intentional signals to nearby stars. He is an elected member of the International… Audio
Chilean telescope to be modified in search for life
A huge telescope in Chile is going to be modified so that it can look for signs of life in the Alpha Centauri star system, the system closest to us. The European Southern Observatory's Very Large… Audio
More planets more aliens?
An update of New Zealand UFO sightings has been released. Is it co-incidence it comes at the same time that NASA announces over 1200 new plants have been identified. Audio
World Contact Day
"Calling occupants of interplanetary craft!" Today is World Contact Day. Originated by the International Flying Saucer Bureau. Audio
Aotearoa Futurism part two: South Pacific Futurists
In part two of Aotearoa Futurism, Sophie Wilson and Dan Taipua survey space Maori, Astronesians and South Pacific Futurists who achieve self-determination through music, technology and the farthest… Audio
Aotearoa Futurism part one: Space Maori and Astronesians
If Afrofuturism is where science fiction and technology meets popular culture of the African diaspora, could it be happening in Aotearoa too? In part one of Aotearoa Futurism, Sophie Wilson and Dan… Audio