https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/ https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/podcast-icon.jpg https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/ George Bendo copyright 2019-2026 George's Random Astronomical Object is a biweekly astronomy podcast featuring science discussions about astronomical objects at randomly selected locations in the sky. The wide range of topics discussed in the show include stars, variable stars, variable variable stars, supermassive black holes, ultracool dwarf stars, exoplanets, howler monkeys, infrared radiation, acronyms, more acronyms, starbursts, measurements of less than 12 parsecs, jellyfish galaxies, diffuse ionized gas, and general overall weirdness. en 10 May 2026 20:28:30 GMT 10 May 2026 20:28:30 GMT George's Random Astronomical Object is a biweekly astronomy podcast featuring science discussions about astronomical objects at randomly selected locations in the sky. George Bendo George's Random Astronomical Object is a biweekly astronomy podcast featuring science discussions about astronomical objects at randomly selected locations in the sky. The wide range of topics discussed in the show include stars, variable stars, variable variable stars, supermassive black holes, ultracool dwarf stars, exoplanets, howler monkeys, infrared radiation, acronyms, more acronyms, starbursts, measurements of less than 12 parsecs, jellyfish galaxies, diffuse ionized gas, and general overall weirdness. George Bendo rss-contact@randomastronomicalobject.com false episodic astronomy,space,science,random Not the Pope George Bendo The Leo IV Dwarf Galaxy is one of several ultra faint dwarf galaxies that orbit the Milky Way. Galaxies like this are weird relics of when the universe first formed; they contain very old stellar populations and abnormally large amounts of dark matter. Leo IV Dwarf Galaxy The Leo IV Dwarf Galaxy is one of several ultra faint dwarf galaxies that orbit the Milky Way. Galaxies like this are weird relics of when the universe first formed; they contain very old stellar populations and abnormally large amounts of dark matter. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0001.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0001.html 12 Aug 2019 12:00:00 GMT 08:46 false Variable Variability George Bendo HS Hydrae is a variable eclipsing binary star, which sounds more unusual than it actually is. However, it's precessing, which is not only unusual but also causes the variability to vary over time. HS Hydrae HS Hydrae is a variable eclipsing binary star, which sounds more unusual than it actually is. However, it's precessing, which is not only unusual but also causes the variability to vary over time. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0002.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0002.html 26 Aug 2019 12:00:00 GMT 09:00 false Room Temperature George Bendo HD 85512 is a nearby star slightly smaller and more orange than the Sun. It happens to have an exoplanet that could be close to Earth-like. HD 85512 HD 85512 is a nearby star slightly smaller and more orange than the Sun. It happens to have an exoplanet that could be close to Earth-like. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0003.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0003.html 09 Sep 2019 12:00:00 GMT 08:19 false A Damp Lyman Alpha Elephant George Bendo The most interesting thing about the quasar LBSQ 0058+0155 is not the quasar itself but the galaxy between the quasar and Earth. LBQS 0058+0155 The most interesting thing about the quasar LBSQ 0058+0155 is not the quasar itself but the galaxy between the quasar and Earth. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0004.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0004.html 23 Sep 2019 12:00:00 GMT 13:35 false Some Unexpected Helium George Bendo RV Octantis would be considered a run-of-the-mill RR Lyrae variable star if it wasn't for the unexpected discovery of helium in its atmosphere. RV Octantis RV Octantis would be considered a run-of-the-mill RR Lyrae variable star if it wasn't for the unexpected discovery of helium in its atmosphere. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0005.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0005.html 07 Oct 2019 12:00:00 GMT 10:31 false Extra Peculiar George Bendo HD 98851 is both an Am chemically peculiar star and a delta Scuti variable star, and it has two different pulsation cycles, which makes it really peculiar. HD 98851 HD 98851 is both an Am chemically peculiar star and a delta Scuti variable star, and it has two different pulsation cycles, which makes it really peculiar. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0006.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0006.html 21 Oct 2019 12:00:00 GMT 08:15 false Circles within Circles George Bendo 30 Ari contains four stars and an exoplanet all arranged in a rather complex set of nested orbits. 30 Arietis 30 Ari contains four stars and an exoplanet all arranged in a rather complex set of nested orbits. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0007.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0007.html 04 Nov 2019 12:00:00 GMT 11:23 false A Misbehaving LIRG George Bendo II Zw 96 is a luminous infrared galaxy (LIRG) where most of the infrared emission comes from some type of off-center region, which is weird compared to most other LIRGs. II Zw 96 II Zw 96 is a luminous infrared galaxy (LIRG) where most of the infrared emission comes from some type of off-center region, which is weird compared to most other LIRGs. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0008.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0008.html 18 Nov 2019 12:00:00 GMT 10:58 false A Cruise Holiday with a Peculiar Carbon Star George Bendo The star HD 214714 contains not only a large amount of carbon in its stellar atmosphere but also a peculiar combination of other heavy elements as well. HD 214714 The star HD 214714 contains not only a large amount of carbon in its stellar atmosphere but also a peculiar combination of other heavy elements as well. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0009.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0009.html 02 Dec 2019 12:00:00 GMT 09:34 false Ram Your Jellyfish George Bendo Abell 85 is a large, nearby cluster of galaxies with so many things happening inside that it could be called a ball of chaos. Abell 85 Abell 85 is a large, nearby cluster of galaxies with so many things happening inside that it could be called a ball of chaos. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0010.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0010.html 16 Dec 2019 12:00:00 GMT 11:28 false Howling Fast Differential Rotation George Bendo Psi Capricorni was the first star other than the Sun where the phenomenon of differental rotation was ever measured. Psi Capricorni Psi Capricorni was the first star other than the Sun where the phenomenon of differental rotation was ever measured. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0011.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0011.html 30 Dec 2019 12:00:00 GMT 09:06 false Watching Infrared Paint Dry George Bendo ELAIS N1 is a extragalactic deep field selected specifically for identifying many distant, faint galaxies at infrared wavelengths. ELAIS N1 ELAIS N1 is a extragalactic deep field selected specifically for identifying many distant, faint galaxies at infrared wavelengths. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0012.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0012.html 13 Jan 2020 12:00:00 GMT 11:00 false Stellar Companion Facial Reconstruction George Bendo BV Centaurus is an unusual example of a class of U Gem cataclysmic variable stars in which a white dwarf is stripping gas from a companion star. BV Centauri BV Centaurus is an unusual example of a class of U Gem cataclysmic variable stars in which a white dwarf is stripping gas from a companion star. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0013.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0013.html 27 Jan 2020 12:00:00 GMT 07:55 false Exoplanetary Acronym 103b George Bendo WASP-103 has an acronym for a name and also has a gaseous planet orbiting so close to it that the planet is in danger of being destroyed. WASP-103 WASP-103 has an acronym for a name and also has a gaseous planet orbiting so close to it that the planet is in danger of being destroyed. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0014.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0014.html 10 Feb 2020 12:00:00 GMT 10:18 false Calibrated Variability George Bendo Despite the variability of the gamma radiation from J0510+1800, this blazar is used as a flux calibrator at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths. J0510+1800 Despite the variability of the gamma radiation from J0510+1800, this blazar is used as a flux calibrator at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0015.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0015.html 24 Feb 2020 12:00:00 GMT 13:36 false Playing Golf on the Moon George Bendo The extremely bright, point-like emission from J1955+5131 in visible light and radio waves makes it useful for matching up images from different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum as well as an interesting object in its own right. J1955+5131 The extremely bright, point-like emission from J1955+5131 in visible light and radio waves makes it useful for matching up images from different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum as well as an interesting object in its own right. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0016.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0016.html 09 Mar 2020 12:00:00 GMT 13:55 false Confusing U George Bendo 4U 1957+115 is a low mass X-ray binary, a binary star system with a normal star about the size of the Sun and a relatively small black hole three times the mass of the Sun, and it also has an unfortunately confusing name. 4U 1957+115 4U 1957+115 is a low mass X-ray binary, a binary star system with a normal star about the size of the Sun and a relatively small black hole three times the mass of the Sun, and it also has an unfortunately confusing name. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0017.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0017.html 23 Mar 2020 12:00:00 GMT 09:22 false 0.2 Seconds of Gamma Rays George Bendo The short gamma ray burst GRB 100206A was found in a luminous infrared galaxy, which is very unusual place to find such gamma ray bursts. GRB 100206A The short gamma ray burst GRB 100206A was found in a luminous infrared galaxy, which is very unusual place to find such gamma ray bursts. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0018.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0018.html 06 Apr 2020 12:00:00 GMT 07:34 false Probably Not the Y2K Bug George Bendo Everything about the triple star system V505 Sgr looked normal aside from an abrupt change in the orbits of the stars sometime around the year 2000. V505 Sagittarii Everything about the triple star system V505 Sgr looked normal aside from an abrupt change in the orbits of the stars sometime around the year 2000. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0019.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0019.html 20 Apr 2020 12:00:00 GMT 09:33 false A Classic Non-Comet George Bendo Even though it may be rather ordinary from a scientific standpoint, the open cluster Messier 23 is a very popular with amateur astronomers. Messier 23 Even though it may be rather ordinary from a scientific standpoint, the open cluster Messier 23 is a very popular with amateur astronomers. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0020.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0020.html 04 May 2020 12:00:00 GMT 10:39 false Retro Gaming and Star Formation George Bendo NGC 281, which is also called the Pacman Nebula, is a place where star formation has been triggered two different ways, although the stars are not chased by any Ghost Nebulae. NGC 281 NGC 281, which is also called the Pacman Nebula, is a place where star formation has been triggered two different ways, although the stars are not chased by any Ghost Nebulae. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0021.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0021.html 18 May 2020 12:00:00 GMT 09:43 false Above and Below or Something Like That George Bendo NGC 55 has the interesting distinction of being the closest galaxy to Earth that is seen edge-on, and it also contains an ultraminous X-ray source (ULX) uncreatively named NGC 55 ULX. NGC 55 NGC 55 has the interesting distinction of being the closest galaxy to Earth that is seen edge-on, and it also contains an ultraminous X-ray source (ULX) uncreatively named NGC 55 ULX. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0022.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0022.html 01 Jun 2020 12:00:00 GMT 14:59 false The Counterrevolutionary from Centaurus George Bendo A number of peculiarities about the lenticular galaxy NGC 5102 indicate that a dwarf galaxy fell into it several hundred million years ago. NGC 5102 A number of peculiarities about the lenticular galaxy NGC 5102 indicate that a dwarf galaxy fell into it several hundred million years ago. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0023.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0023.html 15 Jun 2020 12:00:00 GMT 10:00 false Too Fast but Not Too Furious George Bendo PSR 0820+02 is the second pulsar ever discovered to be in a binary star system. PSR 0820+02 PSR 0820+02 is the second pulsar ever discovered to be in a binary star system. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0024.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0024.html 29 Jun 2020 12:00:00 GMT 09:27 false The Ultracool Neighbor George Bendo The nearby star DENIS J104814.7-395606 is cool (in the sense that it is awesome) because it is so cool (in the sense that it has a very low surface temperature for a star). DENIS J104814.7-395606 The nearby star DENIS J104814.7-395606 is cool (in the sense that it is awesome) because it is so cool (in the sense that it has a very low surface temperature for a star). https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0025.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0025.html 13 Jul 2020 12:00:00 GMT 09:35 false Cold at 14 Million Degrees Celsius George Bendo The group of galaxies called the IC 1860 Group looks like it was recently disturbed by a spiral galaxy falling into it. IC 1860 Group The group of galaxies called the IC 1860 Group looks like it was recently disturbed by a spiral galaxy falling into it. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0026.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0026.html 27 Jul 2020 12:00:00 GMT 09:31 false More Powerful than a Football Player with a Rocket Launcher George Bendo WR 40 is one of the brightest and best-studied Wolf-Rayet stars, a class of stars that are so hot that they are blowing themselves apart. WR 40 WR 40 is one of the brightest and best-studied Wolf-Rayet stars, a class of stars that are so hot that they are blowing themselves apart. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0027.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0027.html 10 Aug 2020 12:00:00 GMT 11:52 false Stellar Assassination George Bendo PGC 43234 was a relatively uninteresting galaxy until its central supermassive black hole shredded a star in an event known as ASASSN-14li. PGC 43234 PGC 43234 was a relatively uninteresting galaxy until its central supermassive black hole shredded a star in an event known as ASASSN-14li. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0028.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0028.html 24 Aug 2020 12:00:00 GMT 09:09 false High Contrast George Bendo A project using an interesting combination of methods was able to find a very faint red dwarf in orbit around the bright, nearby star Zeta Virginis. Zeta Virginis A project using an interesting combination of methods was able to find a very faint red dwarf in orbit around the bright, nearby star Zeta Virginis. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0029.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0029.html 07 Sep 2020 12:00:00 GMT 09:37 false Measure the Correct Distance and Win a Prize George Bendo NGC 3621 is one of a few galaxies where its distance has been measured with high accuracy using Cepheids and other stars with known brightness, thus making it very important for measuring the expansion of the universe. NGC 3621 NGC 3621 is one of a few galaxies where its distance has been measured with high accuracy using Cepheids and other stars with known brightness, thus making it very important for measuring the expansion of the universe. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0030.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0030.html 21 Sep 2020 12:00:00 GMT 13:13 false Jelly Bean Analysis George Bendo The red dwarf GJ 3470 has a gaseous exoplanet orbiting it in such a way that the planet passes between the star and the Earth, allowing astronomers to examine the atmosphere of the exoplanet. GJ 3470 The red dwarf GJ 3470 has a gaseous exoplanet orbiting it in such a way that the planet passes between the star and the Earth, allowing astronomers to examine the atmosphere of the exoplanet. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0031.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0031.html 05 Oct 2020 12:00:00 GMT 10:10 false Synonyms for Large George Bendo As a large elliptical galaxy with a supermassive black hole and supersized jets of gas emerging from its nucleus, NGC 6251 inspires some astronomers to use thesauruses. NGC 6251 As a large elliptical galaxy with a supermassive black hole and supersized jets of gas emerging from its nucleus, NGC 6251 inspires some astronomers to use thesauruses. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0032.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0032.html 19 Oct 2020 12:00:00 GMT 09:30 false Part of a Vegetarian Sausage George Bendo Messier 56 is a particularly old globular cluster that attracts a lot of attention from professional astronomers, although amateur astronomers have a tendency to overlook it. Messier 56 Messier 56 is a particularly old globular cluster that attracts a lot of attention from professional astronomers, although amateur astronomers have a tendency to overlook it. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0033.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0033.html 02 Nov 2020 12:00:00 GMT 12:12 false Longer Than This Podcast Episode George Bendo The gamma ray burst GRB 111209A was notable for being almost seven hours long, which is much longer than gamma ray bursts normally last as well as much longer than a typical Ariana Grande concert. GRB 111209A The gamma ray burst GRB 111209A was notable for being almost seven hours long, which is much longer than gamma ray bursts normally last as well as much longer than a typical Ariana Grande concert. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0034.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0034.html 16 Nov 2020 12:00:00 GMT 09:55 false The Ursa Major Eye Test George Bendo Mizar and Alcor have been visible as a double star since ancient times, but as technology has progessed over the centuries, astronomers have discovered that Mizar and Alcor are not just one pair of stars. Mizar and Alcor Mizar and Alcor have been visible as a double star since ancient times, but as technology has progessed over the centuries, astronomers have discovered that Mizar and Alcor are not just one pair of stars. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0035.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0035.html 30 Nov 2020 12:00:00 GMT 14:20 false Seventeen Ways to Oscillate George Bendo HD 60435 is a nearby example of a class of stars called rapidly oscillating Ap stars that can change brightness in just a few minutes. HD 60435 HD 60435 is a nearby example of a class of stars called rapidly oscillating Ap stars that can change brightness in just a few minutes. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0036.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0036.html 14 Dec 2020 12:00:00 GMT 11:17 false Blowing Bubbles (or Cavities) George Bendo Hickson Compact Group 62 contains hot intracluster gas with two large cavities (which I want to call bubbles) that formed from gas that was blown out of the galaxy at the centre of the group. Hickson Compact Group 62 Hickson Compact Group 62 contains hot intracluster gas with two large cavities (which I want to call bubbles) that formed from gas that was blown out of the galaxy at the centre of the group. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0037.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0037.html 28 Dec 2020 12:00:00 GMT 09:46 false The Clickbait Star George Bendo HD 220140 is often referred to as a naked young star, and it is a source of both X-ray emission and double entendres. HD 220140 HD 220140 is often referred to as a naked young star, and it is a source of both X-ray emission and double entendres. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0038.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0038.html 11 Jan 2021 12:00:00 GMT 09:07 false Sort of Faster than the Speed of Light George Bendo Gas ejected from the center of the quasar 1642+690 looks like it's travelling faster than the speed of light even though it isn't. 1642+690 Gas ejected from the center of the quasar 1642+690 looks like it's travelling faster than the speed of light even though it isn't. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0039.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0039.html 25 Jan 2021 12:00:00 GMT 08:35 false Sugar Formation George Bendo IRAS 16293-2422 is a complex protostellar object that contains multiple objects that are forming into Sun-like stars. IRAS 16293-2422 IRAS 16293-2422 is a complex protostellar object that contains multiple objects that are forming into Sun-like stars. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0040.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0040.html 08 Feb 2021 12:00:00 GMT 09:51 false Bobbins George Bendo BoBn 1 is not only a planetary nebula with an odd-to-pronounce name but also one of a very few planetary nebulae that have been found in the Milky Way's halo. BoBn 1 BoBn 1 is not only a planetary nebula with an odd-to-pronounce name but also one of a very few planetary nebulae that have been found in the Milky Way's halo. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0041.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0041.html 22 Feb 2021 12:00:00 GMT 10:29 false The Inside Joke Galaxy George Bendo The dust disk in the spiral galaxy NGC 891 is so useful for studying interstellar dust that many astronomers show up to conferences with science results specifically about this spiral galaxy. NGC 891 The dust disk in the spiral galaxy NGC 891 is so useful for studying interstellar dust that many astronomers show up to conferences with science results specifically about this spiral galaxy. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0042.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0042.html 08 Mar 2021 12:00:00 GMT 11:52 false Does It Dark Matter? George Bendo The dwarf galaxy NGC 1052-DF2 may be one of the very few galaxies that contains no dark matter, although the non-existence of something we cannot see in this galaxy is still being debated. NGC 1052-DF2 The dwarf galaxy NGC 1052-DF2 may be one of the very few galaxies that contains no dark matter, although the non-existence of something we cannot see in this galaxy is still being debated. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0043.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0043.html 22 Mar 2021 12:00:00 GMT 10:07 false The Understated Exoplanet Discovery George Bendo When it was discovered, WD 0806-661B was described as a very cool, very low mass brown dwarf, but it could actually be better characterized as a large exoplanet. WD 0806-661B When it was discovered, WD 0806-661B was described as a very cool, very low mass brown dwarf, but it could actually be better characterized as a large exoplanet. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0044.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0044.html 05 Apr 2021 12:00:00 GMT 09:22 false Try Turning it Off and On Again George Bendo Markarian 590 contains an active galactic nucleus with a supermassive black hole, and the region around the black hole has strangely changed in brightness a couple of times in the past 50 years. Mrk 590 Markarian 590 contains an active galactic nucleus with a supermassive black hole, and the region around the black hole has strangely changed in brightness a couple of times in the past 50 years. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0045.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0045.html 19 Apr 2021 12:00:00 GMT 08:17 false Stability within a Cataclysm George Bendo An exoplanet has managed to stay in a stable orbit around LX Serpentis despite the fact that it is a cataclysmic binary star system with a chaotic past. LX Serpentis An exoplanet has managed to stay in a stable orbit around LX Serpentis despite the fact that it is a cataclysmic binary star system with a chaotic past. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0046.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0046.html 03 May 2021 12:00:00 GMT 09:16 false BYOB George Bendo NGC 3504 contains three rings, two bars, and a supermassive black hole but no locations licensed to sell alcohol (as far as astronomers know). NGC 3504 NGC 3504 contains three rings, two bars, and a supermassive black hole but no locations licensed to sell alcohol (as far as astronomers know). https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0047.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0047.html 17 May 2021 12:00:00 GMT 09:15 false It's Too Obvious To Say It's Complex George Bendo The S254-S258 Complex is a chain of ionized gas bubbles connected by a filament of cold interstellar gas and dust where star are forming in a complicated (or possibly complex) way. S254-258 Complex The S254-S258 Complex is a chain of ionized gas bubbles connected by a filament of cold interstellar gas and dust where star are forming in a complicated (or possibly complex) way. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0048.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0048.html 31 May 2021 12:00:00 GMT 09:50 false Big in the South George Bendo The cluster of galaxies Abell S1063 was only reported as a discovery in the 1980s, but it has attracted a lof of attention because of how it gravitationally distorts the light of galaxies behind it. Abell S1063 The cluster of galaxies Abell S1063 was only reported as a discovery in the 1980s, but it has attracted a lof of attention because of how it gravitationally distorts the light of galaxies behind it. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0049.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0049.html 14 Jun 2021 12:00:00 GMT 08:51 false It's Blue but not Blueberry George Bendo IC 10 is a nearby starburst, a type of galaxy that is forming stars at a very high rate (for its size) that should not be confused with the fruit flavored candy. IC 10 IC 10 is a nearby starburst, a type of galaxy that is forming stars at a very high rate (for its size) that should not be confused with the fruit flavored candy. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0050.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0050.html 28 Jun 2021 12:00:00 GMT 11:52 false Swipe Right for Gamma Rays George Bendo While the gamma ray burst GRB 090926A itself might be interesting to some astronomers (particularly desperate gamma ray astronomers), the interstellar gas between the burst and Earth may be even more interesting. GRB 090926A While the gamma ray burst GRB 090926A itself might be interesting to some astronomers (particularly desperate gamma ray astronomers), the interstellar gas between the burst and Earth may be even more interesting. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0051.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0051.html 12 Jul 2021 12:00:00 GMT 09:28 false The 10 Year Long Discovery George Bendo It took 10 years of observations for astronomers to determine that the star HD 154345 had a Jupiter-like exoplanet orbiting it. HD 154345 It took 10 years of observations for astronomers to determine that the star HD 154345 had a Jupiter-like exoplanet orbiting it. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0052.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0052.html 26 Jul 2021 12:00:00 GMT 10:36 false Fortified with Iron George Bendo Most globular clusters are among the first stars to form in the universe, but the globular cluster NGC 6352 seems abnormally young in comparison. NGC 6352 Most globular clusters are among the first stars to form in the universe, but the globular cluster NGC 6352 seems abnormally young in comparison. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0053.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0053.html 09 Aug 2021 12:00:00 GMT 09:23 false Build Your Own Hypothesis At Home George Bendo Jets of gas that are several light years long are emerging from the blue supergiant MWC 137, and no one knows why. MWC 137 Jets of gas that are several light years long are emerging from the blue supergiant MWC 137, and no one knows why. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0054.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0054.html 23 Aug 2021 12:00:00 GMT 10:42 false The Quiet Kid on the Edge of the Playground George Bendo The WLM Galaxy is located at the edge of the Local Group where it is relatively unaffected by everything happening around the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy. WLM Galaxy The WLM Galaxy is located at the edge of the Local Group where it is relatively unaffected by everything happening around the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0055.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0055.html 06 Sep 2021 12:00:00 GMT 09:57 false The Next Best Thing to an Exoplanet George Bendo Astronomers may not have found an exoplanet orbiting the star HD 191089, but they found the next best thing. HD 191089 Astronomers may not have found an exoplanet orbiting the star HD 191089, but they found the next best thing. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0056.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0056.html 20 Sep 2021 12:00:00 GMT 09:52 false One of 57 Varieties of Active Galactic Nuclei George Bendo 3C 147 is not the first object ever identified as a quasar, but it is sort of one of the first two objects ever called a quasar. 3C 147 3C 147 is not the first object ever identified as a quasar, but it is sort of one of the first two objects ever called a quasar. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0057.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0057.html 04 Oct 2021 12:00:00 GMT 12:45 false Insert Guitar Riff Here George Bendo Chi Cygni is a Mira-type variable star with some of the most extreme variations in brightness among any variable stars in the sky. Chi Cygni Chi Cygni is a Mira-type variable star with some of the most extreme variations in brightness among any variable stars in the sky. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0058.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0058.html 18 Oct 2021 12:00:00 GMT 10:26 false Do Not Confuse With VV Cephei George Bendo VW Cephei is an eclipsing binary star system containing two stars that are so close that they share an outer gas layer. VW Cephei VW Cephei is an eclipsing binary star system containing two stars that are so close that they share an outer gas layer. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0059.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0059.html 01 Nov 2021 12:00:00 GMT 07:41 false Conclusively Inconclusive George Bendo UM 425 could be either a pair of very similar quasars at the same distance from Earth or a single quasar that has been gravitationally lensed so that it appears twice in the sky. UM 425 UM 425 could be either a pair of very similar quasars at the same distance from Earth or a single quasar that has been gravitationally lensed so that it appears twice in the sky. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0060.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0060.html 15 Nov 2021 12:00:00 GMT 09:23 false Greater Than One George Bendo SPT-CL J0546-5345 is an abnormally large cluster that formed very quickly after the Big Bang, which places some strong constraints of models of the formation and evolution of the universe. SPT-CL J0546-5345 SPT-CL J0546-5345 is an abnormally large cluster that formed very quickly after the Big Bang, which places some strong constraints of models of the formation and evolution of the universe. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0061.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0061.html 29 Nov 2021 12:00:00 GMT 13:24 false Imaged Before the Hubble Space Telescope Was Fixed George Bendo NGC 7457 was one of the first things imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope, which meant that the images of it were relatively blurry, but this is not the most interesting fact about this lenticular galaxy. NGC 7457 NGC 7457 was one of the first things imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope, which meant that the images of it were relatively blurry, but this is not the most interesting fact about this lenticular galaxy. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0062.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0062.html 13 Dec 2021 12:00:00 GMT 08:43 false A Rant About Variable Star Classifications George Bendo UX Ari is an RS CVn type variable star system, which is a confusing way to classify variable star systems but which means that UX Ari contains two stars very close together with complex, interacting magnetic fields that produce all sorts of weird effects. UX Ari UX Ari is an RS CVn type variable star system, which is a confusing way to classify variable star systems but which means that UX Ari contains two stars very close together with complex, interacting magnetic fields that produce all sorts of weird effects. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0063.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0063.html 27 Dec 2021 12:00:00 GMT 09:49 false An Actual Use for Einstein's Famous Equation George Bendo VER J0521+211 is a distant galaxy that produces gamma rays with such high energy that, when the gamma rays hit the Earth's atmosphere, the photons transform into electrons and positrons. VER J0521+211 VER J0521+211 is a distant galaxy that produces gamma rays with such high energy that, when the gamma rays hit the Earth's atmosphere, the photons transform into electrons and positrons. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0064.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0064.html 10 Jan 2022 12:00:00 GMT 11:44 false The Infrared Twin George Bendo Even though HD 106252 has an exoplanet orbiting it, astronomers are much more interested in the fact that HD 106252 looks very similar to the Sun. HD 106252 Even though HD 106252 has an exoplanet orbiting it, astronomers are much more interested in the fact that HD 106252 looks very similar to the Sun. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0065.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0065.html 24 Jan 2022 12:00:00 GMT 10:30 false This Episode Brought to You by the Letter B George Bendo The binary star system b Centauri contains an exoplanet named b Centauri b that, despite its confusing name, has changed astronomers' perspectives on how and where planets can form. b Centauri The binary star system b Centauri contains an exoplanet named b Centauri b that, despite its confusing name, has changed astronomers' perspectives on how and where planets can form. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0066.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0066.html 07 Feb 2022 12:00:00 GMT 14:38 false The Weird Sphere George Bendo The abnormal-looking globular cluster Messier 71 is unusual in that its stars contain an excessive amount of heavy elements and in that it is being gravitationally shredded by the Milky Way. Messier 71 The abnormal-looking globular cluster Messier 71 is unusual in that its stars contain an excessive amount of heavy elements and in that it is being gravitationally shredded by the Milky Way. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0067.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0067.html 21 Feb 2022 12:00:00 GMT 12:37 false Reflections in Quotation Marks George Bendo The spiral galaxy NGC 6814 is a source of strong but variable X-ray emission that astronomers are using to measure the mass of a supermassive black hole at its center. NGC 6814 The spiral galaxy NGC 6814 is a source of strong but variable X-ray emission that astronomers are using to measure the mass of a supermassive black hole at its center. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0068.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0068.html 07 Mar 2022 12:00:00 GMT 09:52 false How To Avoid Photobombing Asteroids George Bendo The North Ecliptical Pole points to a location perpendicular to the plane of the Solar System, which makes it a unique place for certain types of astronomical observations. North Ecliptic Pole The North Ecliptical Pole points to a location perpendicular to the plane of the Solar System, which makes it a unique place for certain types of astronomical observations. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0069.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0069.html 21 Mar 2022 12:00:00 GMT 11:15 false The Uncredited Star George Bendo Eta Aquilae was the first Cepheid variable ever discovered, but this class of stars was named after Delta Cephei instead. Eta Aquilae Eta Aquilae was the first Cepheid variable ever discovered, but this class of stars was named after Delta Cephei instead. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0070.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0070.html 04 Apr 2022 12:00:00 GMT 08:36 false The Black Hole That Didn't Get Its Morning Coffee George Bendo The center of the barred spiral galaxy Messier 71 contains multiple regions where stars are forming as well as an inactive supermassive black home that needs some caffeine. Messier 61 The center of the barred spiral galaxy Messier 71 contains multiple regions where stars are forming as well as an inactive supermassive black home that needs some caffeine. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0071.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0071.html 18 Apr 2022 12:00:00 GMT 09:07 false No Face Masks Are Needed for Monocerotis George Bendo GX Monocerotis is a evolved star near the end of its life that is expelling its outer gas layers, and because the star is in orbit in a binary star system, those gas layers have formed a spiral pattern. GX Monocerotis GX Monocerotis is a evolved star near the end of its life that is expelling its outer gas layers, and because the star is in orbit in a binary star system, those gas layers have formed a spiral pattern. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0072.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0072.html 02 May 2022 12:00:00 GMT 08:43 false A Very Distant Infrared Smudge George Bendo The hyperluminous infrared galaxy IRAS 10214+4724 was the most distant infrared object seen by astronomers in the 1980s. IRAS 10214+4724 The hyperluminous infrared galaxy IRAS 10214+4724 was the most distant infrared object seen by astronomers in the 1980s. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0073.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0073.html 16 May 2022 12:00:00 GMT 14:04 false The Brightest Star on the Argo George Bendo As the second brightest star in the night sky, Canopus is associated with many different myths, yet as the closest yellow supergiant to Earth, the star is also scientifically important. Canopus As the second brightest star in the night sky, Canopus is associated with many different myths, yet as the closest yellow supergiant to Earth, the star is also scientifically important. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0074.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0074.html 30 May 2022 12:00:00 GMT 12:33 false The Completely Unconcerned Open Cluster George Bendo The open cluster NGC 3680 is 1.4 billion years old, making it unusually long-lived for such a cluster. NGC 3680 The open cluster NGC 3680 is 1.4 billion years old, making it unusually long-lived for such a cluster. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0075.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0075.html 13 Jun 2022 12:00:00 GMT 09:31 false A Modern Non-Comet George Bendo Sakurai's Object was discovered in 1996 by the amateur astronomer Yukio Sakurai, who had been searching for comets but who had instead found a dying star that had brifly undergone a final burst of fusion, causing it to increase dramatically in brightness. Sakurai's Object Sakurai's Object was discovered in 1996 by the amateur astronomer Yukio Sakurai, who had been searching for comets but who had instead found a dying star that had brifly undergone a final burst of fusion, causing it to increase dramatically in brightness. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0076.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0076.html 27 Jun 2022 12:00:00 GMT 08:43 false Another 90's Gamma Ray Flashback George Bendo GRB 980326 was the first gamma ray burst to be associated with a supernova, which was truly groundbreaking even if the astronomers who discovered it were probably using Netscape at the time. GRB 980326 GRB 980326 was the first gamma ray burst to be associated with a supernova, which was truly groundbreaking even if the astronomers who discovered it were probably using Netscape at the time. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0077.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0077.html 11 Jul 2022 12:00:00 GMT 10:30 false A Dwarf Galaxy with Something for Everyone George Bendo Located within the Local Group, the dwarf galaxy IC 1613 has been popular with professional astronomers for a variety of reasons, and it is also a notable albeit difficult-to-see amateur astronomy object as well. IC 1613 Located within the Local Group, the dwarf galaxy IC 1613 has been popular with professional astronomers for a variety of reasons, and it is also a notable albeit difficult-to-see amateur astronomy object as well. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0078.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0078.html 25 Jul 2022 12:00:00 GMT 12:03 false The Magic of Circumstellar Semantics George Bendo The star HD 131835 had a circumstellar disk of dust and gas that technically is neither a debris disk nor a protoplanetary disk but instead some sort of weird hybrid of these two things. HD 131835 The star HD 131835 had a circumstellar disk of dust and gas that technically is neither a debris disk nor a protoplanetary disk but instead some sort of weird hybrid of these two things. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0079.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0079.html 08 Aug 2022 12:00:00 GMT 11:39 false The Confusing and Controversial Names Episode George Bendo The star WR 124 (also called Merrill's Star, although that name ignores two of the people involved in the discovery) is a really hot Wolf-Rayet star that has produced the surrounding nebula M1-67 (which has no relation to Messier 1) and that is hurling through the Milky Way in an unusual direction at an unusual speed. WR 124 and M1-67 The star WR 124 (also called Merrill's Star, although that name ignores two of the people involved in the discovery) is a really hot Wolf-Rayet star that has produced the surrounding nebula M1-67 (which has no relation to Messier 1) and that is hurling through the Milky Way in an unusual direction at an unusual speed. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0080.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0080.html 22 Aug 2022 12:00:00 GMT 10:47 false Unusually Shocking George Bendo What may be most interesting about the pulsar PSR J2124-3358 is not that it is spinning very rapidly but that stellar winds from the pulsar have collided with the interstellar medium, producing a glowing bow shock. PSR J2124-3358 What may be most interesting about the pulsar PSR J2124-3358 is not that it is spinning very rapidly but that stellar winds from the pulsar have collided with the interstellar medium, producing a glowing bow shock. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0081.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0081.html 05 Sep 2022 12:00:00 GMT 09:50 false Officially Peculiar George Bendo A large mass of gas fell into the lenticular galaxy NGC 3593 about 2 billion years ago, and this gas both changed the appearance of the galaxy and also created new stars that now orbit the galaxy in the opposite direction from the older stars. NGC 3593 A large mass of gas fell into the lenticular galaxy NGC 3593 about 2 billion years ago, and this gas both changed the appearance of the galaxy and also created new stars that now orbit the galaxy in the opposite direction from the older stars. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0082.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0082.html 19 Sep 2022 12:00:00 GMT 09:17 false Number 1 in 1970 George Bendo In 1970, the quasar 4C 05.34 was the most distant known object in the universe, but this is not the only interesting fact about this object. 4C 05.34 In 1970, the quasar 4C 05.34 was the most distant known object in the universe, but this is not the only interesting fact about this object. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0083.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0083.html 03 Oct 2022 12:00:00 GMT 13:58 false Eccentricity George Bendo The evolved red star HD 214362 is orbiting the center of the Milky Way in a very eccentric way (as in either its orbit is a very elongated ellipse or its orbit is just plainly strange). HD 214362 The evolved red star HD 214362 is orbiting the center of the Milky Way in a very eccentric way (as in either its orbit is a very elongated ellipse or its orbit is just plainly strange). https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0084.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0084.html 17 Oct 2022 12:00:00 GMT 09:08 false The Swedish Stellar Superstore George Bendo As the largest open cluster that anyone has found in the Milky Way, Westerlund 1 contains a lot of rare and weird stars. Westerlund 1 As the largest open cluster that anyone has found in the Milky Way, Westerlund 1 contains a lot of rare and weird stars. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0085.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0085.html 31 Oct 2022 12:00:00 GMT 12:05 false Two Hellscapes Orbiting a Red Dwarf George Bendo The red dwarf HD 260655 has two large, hot, rocky planets orbiting very close to it. HD 260655 The red dwarf HD 260655 has two large, hot, rocky planets orbiting very close to it. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0086.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0086.html 14 Nov 2022 12:00:00 GMT 12:44 false The Fake Sphere George Bendo Although at first NGC 6781 may look like a spherical planetary nebula, it actually has a cylindrical shape, which has rather complex scientific implications for analyzing this object. NGC 6781 Although at first NGC 6781 may look like a spherical planetary nebula, it actually has a cylindrical shape, which has rather complex scientific implications for analyzing this object. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0087.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0087.html 28 Nov 2022 12:00:00 GMT 09:31 false Some Sort of Weird, Ultraviolet Freak of Nature George Bendo NGC 6052 looks like a spiral galaxy smashing into a wall of stars, which is more or less what is actually happening. NGC 6052 NGC 6052 looks like a spiral galaxy smashing into a wall of stars, which is more or less what is actually happening. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0088.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0088.html 26 Dec 2022 12:00:00 GMT 11:30 false Relationship Status - It's Complicated George Bendo R Aquarii could be described as one of the closest symbiotic binary star systems to Earth, but it's more complicated than that. R Aquarii R Aquarii could be described as one of the closest symbiotic binary star systems to Earth, but it's more complicated than that. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0089.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0089.html 09 Jan 2023 12:00:00 GMT 08:57 false The Globular Cluster in a Forest Fire George Bendo UKS 1 probably lies on the far side of the Milky Way, and the light from the cluster is heavily obscured by interstellar dust, but even though it's hard to see, astronomers are still really interested in it. UKS 1 UKS 1 probably lies on the far side of the Milky Way, and the light from the cluster is heavily obscured by interstellar dust, but even though it's hard to see, astronomers are still really interested in it. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0090.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0090.html 23 Jan 2023 12:00:00 GMT 09:17 false The Second Air Pump Galaxy George Bendo Antlia 2, which was recently found orbiting the Milky Way, is the most diffuse galaxy that anyone has ever discovered up to this point in time. Antlia 2 Antlia 2, which was recently found orbiting the Milky Way, is the most diffuse galaxy that anyone has ever discovered up to this point in time. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0091.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0091.html 06 Feb 2023 12:00:00 GMT 11:26 false Look at This Elliptical Galaxy Instead George Bendo The elliptical galaxy contains an abnormal amount of interstellar dust with no accompanying interstellar gas, which is weird. NGC 4125 The elliptical galaxy contains an abnormal amount of interstellar dust with no accompanying interstellar gas, which is weird. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0092.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0092.html 20 Feb 2023 12:00:00 GMT 11:43 false Superthin George Bendo UGC 7321 is an unusually flat (or superthin) spiral galaxy, which is indicative of how it has avoided gravitational interactions with other galaxies that could alter its shape. UGC 7321 UGC 7321 is an unusually flat (or superthin) spiral galaxy, which is indicative of how it has avoided gravitational interactions with other galaxies that could alter its shape. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0093.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0093.html 07 Mar 2023 12:00:00 GMT 09:05 false So Hot and So Small George Bendo WD 2211-495 is a small, hot white dwarf with a rather unusual amount of heavy elements in its outer atmosphere, implying that something from a surrounding planetary system occasionally falls into the star. WD 2211-495 WD 2211-495 is a small, hot white dwarf with a rather unusual amount of heavy elements in its outer atmosphere, implying that something from a surrounding planetary system occasionally falls into the star. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0094.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0094.html 20 Mar 2023 12:00:00 GMT 08:22 false Two Non-Archaeological Relics George Bendo The cluster Abell 168 formed from the merger of two smaller clusters, and this had many weird effects on the intracluster gas between the galaxies. Abell 168 The cluster Abell 168 formed from the merger of two smaller clusters, and this had many weird effects on the intracluster gas between the galaxies. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0095.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0095.html 03 Apr 2023 12:00:00 GMT 08:06 false The Proof-Of-Concept Exoplanet George Bendo WASP-1 was the first star identified as having an exoplanet by the Wide Angle Search for Planets and thus helped to validate the techniques used by that survey. WASP 1 WASP-1 was the first star identified as having an exoplanet by the Wide Angle Search for Planets and thus helped to validate the techniques used by that survey. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0096.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0096.html 17 Apr 2023 12:00:00 GMT 11:29 false A Runaway Cow George Bendo Mu Columbae is a bright, blue star that was ejected from the Orion Nebula in a complex gravitational interaction involving three other stars. Mu Colombae Mu Columbae is a bright, blue star that was ejected from the Orion Nebula in a complex gravitational interaction involving three other stars. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0097.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0097.html 01 May 2023 12:00:00 GMT 11:24 false Double the Black Holes for Double the Fun George Bendo Markarian 266 is a pair of merging galaxies that now contains two supermassive black holes. Markarian 266 Markarian 266 is a pair of merging galaxies that now contains two supermassive black holes. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0098.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0098.html 15 May 2023 12:00:00 GMT 11:50 false No References to the Six Wives of Henry VIII George Bendo Abell 514 is a cluster of galaxies that contains six radio galaxies, and the polarized radio emission from those six radio galaxies can be used to probe the magnetic fields within the cluster. Abell 514 Abell 514 is a cluster of galaxies that contains six radio galaxies, and the polarized radio emission from those six radio galaxies can be used to probe the magnetic fields within the cluster. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0099.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0099.html 27 May 2023 12:00:00 GMT 09:41 false The Self-Descriptive Nebula George Bendo The Taurus Molecular Cloud is exactly what it sounds like it is, a cloud made of mulecular gas (mostly molecular hydrogen) in the constellation Taurus, but it is also much more than that. Taurus Molecular Cloud The Taurus Molecular Cloud is exactly what it sounds like it is, a cloud made of mulecular gas (mostly molecular hydrogen) in the constellation Taurus, but it is also much more than that. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0100.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0100.html 12 Jun 2023 12:00:00 GMT 13:52 false Warm and Cold George Bendo The star Eta Corvi is surrounded by a disk of dust with a rather complex structure and rather complex origin. Eta Corvi The star Eta Corvi is surrounded by a disk of dust with a rather complex structure and rather complex origin. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0101.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0101.html 26 Jun 2023 12:00:00 GMT 11:48 false Another Ring Thing George Bendo The spiral galaxy NGC 7552 is best known for its relatively small but bright starburst ring. NGC 7552 The spiral galaxy NGC 7552 is best known for its relatively small but bright starburst ring. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0102.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0102.html 10 Jul 2023 12:00:00 GMT 07:14 false The Pulsar within the Cosmic Hand George Bendo PSR B1509-58 is a relatively young pulsar that sits within a supernova remnant that looks like a giant hand. PSR B1509-58 PSR B1509-58 is a relatively young pulsar that sits within a supernova remnant that looks like a giant hand. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0103.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0103.html 24 Jul 2023 12:00:00 GMT 08:35 false Going Cross Country for a Supermassive Black Hole George Bendo Observations with a telescope as large as the Untied States were needed to prove that J16021+3326 is a blazar, a type of galaxy containing a supermassive black hole. J16021+3326 Observations with a telescope as large as the Untied States were needed to prove that J16021+3326 is a blazar, a type of galaxy containing a supermassive black hole. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0104.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0104.html 07 Aug 2023 12:00:00 GMT 09:15 false Super-Slow Star Formation George Bendo Located at the edge of the Local Group, the Sagittarius Dwarf Irregular Galaxy has some of the stars with the fewest elements other than hydrogen or helium in the known universe. Sagittarius Dwarf Irregular Galaxy Located at the edge of the Local Group, the Sagittarius Dwarf Irregular Galaxy has some of the stars with the fewest elements other than hydrogen or helium in the known universe. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0105.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0105.html 21 Aug 2023 12:00:00 GMT 11:21 false A Tale of Two Binary Star Systems George Bendo While some astronomers are interested the globular cluster NGC 6712 because it appears to have been severely tidally disrupted by orbiting too close to the center of the Milky Way, other astronomers are interested in the cluster because it contains a couple of weird yet similar binary star systems. NGC 6712 While some astronomers are interested the globular cluster NGC 6712 because it appears to have been severely tidally disrupted by orbiting too close to the center of the Milky Way, other astronomers are interested in the cluster because it contains a couple of weird yet similar binary star systems. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0106.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0106.html 04 Sep 2023 12:00:00 GMT 12:09 false The Red Rectangle George Bendo The Red Rectangle (yes, the Red Rectangle) is a uniquely weird protoplanetary nebula formed by a uniquely weird binary star system. Red Rectangle The Red Rectangle (yes, the Red Rectangle) is a uniquely weird protoplanetary nebula formed by a uniquely weird binary star system. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0107.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0107.html 18 Sep 2023 12:00:00 GMT 10:57 false Objects in the Mirror May Be More Complicated Than They Appear George Bendo The protostellar object PDS 70 has a very complicated protoplanetary system that includes a disk of gas and dust and two protoexoplanets. PDS 70 The protostellar object PDS 70 has a very complicated protoplanetary system that includes a disk of gas and dust and two protoexoplanets. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0108.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0108.html 02 Oct 2023 12:00:00 GMT 10:43 false A Water World without Kevin Costner George Bendo The Kepler-138 star system contains at least four exoplanets, one of which may be a "water world" covered in a very deep ocean. Kepler-138 The Kepler-138 star system contains at least four exoplanets, one of which may be a "water world" covered in a very deep ocean. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0109.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0109.html 16 Oct 2023 12:00:00 GMT 12:14 false We Came, We Saw, We Measured George Bendo The spiral galaxy Markarian 766 contains an active galactic nucleus with a supermassive black hole, which means that everyone needs to apply their favorite technique to measure the black hole's mass. Mrk 766 The spiral galaxy Markarian 766 contains an active galactic nucleus with a supermassive black hole, which means that everyone needs to apply their favorite technique to measure the black hole's mass. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0110.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0110.html 30 Oct 2023 12:00:00 GMT 10:01 false The 1925 Classic George Bendo The classical nova RR Pictoris was one of the brightest and closest to ever appear in the sky. RR Pictoris The classical nova RR Pictoris was one of the brightest and closest to ever appear in the sky. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0111.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0111.html 13 Nov 2023 12:00:00 GMT 07:23 false Imagine Marilyn Monroe in a Movie Named the Great Attractor George Bendo The Norma Cluster lies near the center of a giant supercluster of galaxies that is pulling in everything else in the local universe, including our galaxy. Norma Cluster The Norma Cluster lies near the center of a giant supercluster of galaxies that is pulling in everything else in the local universe, including our galaxy. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0112.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0112.html 27 Nov 2023 12:00:00 GMT 09:37 false The Mystery Spot George Bendo The white dwarf GD 394 seems to have an abnormal amount of heavy elements in its outer atmosphere and also varies in brightness with a period of 1.146 days, and no one understands why. GD 394 The white dwarf GD 394 seems to have an abnormal amount of heavy elements in its outer atmosphere and also varies in brightness with a period of 1.146 days, and no one understands why. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0113.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0113.html 11 Dec 2023 12:00:00 GMT 08:10 false George's 2020 Data Processing Project from Hell George Bendo As the second closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way, Messier 33 has been a very popular observing target for both amateur and professional astronomers, and even I have made images of the galaxy. Messier 33 As the second closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way, Messier 33 has been a very popular observing target for both amateur and professional astronomers, and even I have made images of the galaxy. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0114.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0114.html 25 Dec 2023 12:00:00 GMT 15:51 false Oyster? George Bendo While the planetary nebula NGC 1501 is a popular amateur astronomy target, the newly formed, hot, pulsating white dwarf at its center is much more interesting to professional astronomers. NGC 1501 While the planetary nebula NGC 1501 is a popular amateur astronomy target, the newly formed, hot, pulsating white dwarf at its center is much more interesting to professional astronomers. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0115.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0115.html 08 Jan 2024 12:00:00 GMT 09:35 false The Really Really High Expectations Exoplanetary System George Bendo 47 Ursa Majoris is a nearby Sun-like star that astronomers have intensely studied in an effort to find an Earth-like exoplanet, and while three exoplanets have been found orbiting the star, none of them are remotely similar to the Earth. 47 UMa 47 Ursa Majoris is a nearby Sun-like star that astronomers have intensely studied in an effort to find an Earth-like exoplanet, and while three exoplanets have been found orbiting the star, none of them are remotely similar to the Earth. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0116.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0116.html 22 Jan 2024 12:00:00 GMT 08:40 false No Shockingly Dumb Jokes in This Episode George Bendo Kappa Cassiopeiae is a large blue variaable star that is most potentially interesting because of the bow shock between its stellar winds and the interstellar medium. Kappa Cassiopeiae Kappa Cassiopeiae is a large blue variaable star that is most potentially interesting because of the bow shock between its stellar winds and the interstellar medium. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0117.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0117.html 05 Feb 2024 12:00:00 GMT 06:38 false The Golden Standard George Bendo The Type Ia supernova SN 2005cf was observed at multiple wavelengths for three months after its appearance, allowing astronomers to create templates of its spectrum that could be used to measure distances to other Type Ia supernovae. SN 2005cf The Type Ia supernova SN 2005cf was observed at multiple wavelengths for three months after its appearance, allowing astronomers to create templates of its spectrum that could be used to measure distances to other Type Ia supernovae. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0118.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0118.html 19 Feb 2024 12:00:00 GMT 10:50 false Alpha Table George Bendo Even though Alpha Mensae is in one of the faintest and dumbest constellations in the sky, it's an intriguing star system because it is very close to the Earth, because one of the stars is very Sun-like, and because it may contain an exoplanet or a disk of dust in orbit around that Sun-like star. Alpha Mensae Even though Alpha Mensae is in one of the faintest and dumbest constellations in the sky, it's an intriguing star system because it is very close to the Earth, because one of the stars is very Sun-like, and because it may contain an exoplanet or a disk of dust in orbit around that Sun-like star. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0119.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0119.html 04 Mar 2024 12:00:00 GMT 08:49 false A Possible Source of the Cosmic Rays that Gave the Fantastic Four Their Superpowers George Bendo The Monogem Ring, which is one of the largest sources of X-rays in the Earth's sky, was created by a supernova explosion about 86000 years ago, and the core of the star that exploded has been identified as the pulsar PSR B0656+14 at the center of the ring. Monogem Ring and PSR B0656+14 The Monogem Ring, which is one of the largest sources of X-rays in the Earth's sky, was created by a supernova explosion about 86000 years ago, and the core of the star that exploded has been identified as the pulsar PSR B0656+14 at the center of the ring. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0120.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0120.html 18 Mar 2024 12:00:00 GMT 11:14 false Can You Find the Supermassive Black Hole? George Bendo NGC 34 (also known as NGC 17) is a chaotic-looking galaxy that formed from two smaller galaxies merging together, and it is a place where astronomers have easily found lots of stars forming in a starburst but where they have had difficulty concluding whether the galaxy also contains a supermassive black hole. NGC 34 NGC 34 (also known as NGC 17) is a chaotic-looking galaxy that formed from two smaller galaxies merging together, and it is a place where astronomers have easily found lots of stars forming in a starburst but where they have had difficulty concluding whether the galaxy also contains a supermassive black hole. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0121.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0121.html 01 Apr 2024 12:00:00 GMT 08:53 false Wait For It... George Bendo The cluster of galaxies MACS J1149.5+2223 is so massive that it has gravitationally bent (or lensed) the light from multiple things behind it, including one of the most distant galaxies in the universe and a supernova. MACS J1149.5+2223 The cluster of galaxies MACS J1149.5+2223 is so massive that it has gravitationally bent (or lensed) the light from multiple things behind it, including one of the most distant galaxies in the universe and a supernova. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0122.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0122.html 15 Apr 2024 12:00:00 GMT 12:57 false More Dampness George Bendo The quasar QSO 1331+170 is best known for having a darker galaxy in front of it that is absorbing its light. QSO 1331+170 The quasar QSO 1331+170 is best known for having a darker galaxy in front of it that is absorbing its light. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0123.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0123.html 29 Apr 2024 12:00:00 GMT 11:09 false 6 > 2 George Bendo Most people would associate Castor with Pollux, which are the two brightest stars in the constellation Gemini, but Castor by itself is very interesting because it is actually a very complex system containing six stars. Castor Most people would associate Castor with Pollux, which are the two brightest stars in the constellation Gemini, but Castor by itself is very interesting because it is actually a very complex system containing six stars. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0124.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0124.html 13 May 2024 12:00:00 GMT 11:16 false The Business Form Variable Star System George Bendo HR 1099 (also known as V711 Tauri) was instrumental in showing that magnetic fields play a major role in causing the variability of stars within the RS CVn class of variable star systems. HR 1099 HR 1099 (also known as V711 Tauri) was instrumental in showing that magnetic fields play a major role in causing the variability of stars within the RS CVn class of variable star systems. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0125.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0125.html 27 May 2024 12:00:00 GMT 07:39 false Do Not Mention Exoplanet b Again George Bendo HD 181433 has three exoplanets, two of which are gas giants with very unusually elongated orbits that have been very challenging to properly measure. HD 181433 HD 181433 has three exoplanets, two of which are gas giants with very unusually elongated orbits that have been very challenging to properly measure. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0126.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0126.html 10 Jun 2024 12:00:00 GMT 10:10 false The Nebraska Blue Straggler Special George Bendo The open cluster NGC 188 is peculiar not only because it is very old for an open cluster but also because it contains an unusual number of blue stars for a cluster of its age. NGC 188 The open cluster NGC 188 is peculiar not only because it is very old for an open cluster but also because it contains an unusual number of blue stars for a cluster of its age. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0127.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0127.html 24 Jun 2024 12:00:00 GMT 12:59 false The Dwarf Living Inside the Bridge George Bendo The NGC 6221/NGC 6215 Group of galaxies contains a bridge-like structure of hydrogen gas connecting the two spiral galaxies within the group as well as a dwarf galaxy that looks like it formed within the bridge. NGC 6221/NGC 6215 Galaxy Group The NGC 6221/NGC 6215 Group of galaxies contains a bridge-like structure of hydrogen gas connecting the two spiral galaxies within the group as well as a dwarf galaxy that looks like it formed within the bridge. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0128.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0128.html 08 Jul 2024 12:00:00 GMT 06:58 false Rinky-Dink George Bendo The very small Pyxis Cluster orbits the Milky Way in such an extremely extended orbit that it travels further away than many of the dwarf galaxies orbiting our galaxy. Pyxis Cluster The very small Pyxis Cluster orbits the Milky Way in such an extremely extended orbit that it travels further away than many of the dwarf galaxies orbiting our galaxy. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0129.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0129.html 22 Jul 2024 12:00:00 GMT 09:15 false Putting It All Together George Bendo NGC 4261 was made famous when Hubble Space Telescope observations in the 1990s showed that this elliptical galaxy contains a supermassive black hole. NGC 4261 NGC 4261 was made famous when Hubble Space Telescope observations in the 1990s showed that this elliptical galaxy contains a supermassive black hole. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0130.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0130.html 05 Aug 2024 12:00:00 GMT 07:46 false Get To Know Your Ultrafaint Neighbors George Bendo Hydrus I is a very small, ultrafaint dwarf galaxy orbiting the Milky Way that was accidentally (or, to use the technical term, serendipitously) found by the Dark Energy Survey. Hydrus I Hydrus I is a very small, ultrafaint dwarf galaxy orbiting the Milky Way that was accidentally (or, to use the technical term, serendipitously) found by the Dark Energy Survey. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0131.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0131.html 19 Aug 2024 12:00:00 GMT 09:45 false I Need a 2002 Pop Culture Reference George Bendo The radio source PMN J0134-0931 created a lot of excitement in 2002 when people discovered that it was a quasar gravitationally lensed by another galaxy in front of it, they were really excited. PMN J0134-0931 The radio source PMN J0134-0931 created a lot of excitement in 2002 when people discovered that it was a quasar gravitationally lensed by another galaxy in front of it, they were really excited. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0132.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0132.html 02 Sep 2024 12:00:00 GMT 11:21 false Strong Arm Tactics George Bendo One of the spiral arms in the galaxy NGC 3110 is producing unusually huge amounts of new stars as well as unusually huge amounts of infrared emission. NGC 3110 One of the spiral arms in the galaxy NGC 3110 is producing unusually huge amounts of new stars as well as unusually huge amounts of infrared emission. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0133.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0133.html 16 Sep 2024 12:00:00 GMT 09:45 false Not Dead Yet George Bendo The star at the center of the planetary nebula NGC 7094 is almost but not quite a white dwarf, making it a rather unusual object for astronomers to look at. NGC 7094 The star at the center of the planetary nebula NGC 7094 is almost but not quite a white dwarf, making it a rather unusual object for astronomers to look at. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0134.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0134.html 30 Sep 2024 12:00:00 GMT 07:24 false Feedback Time George Bendo NGC 3801 is one of the very few nearby galaxies where astronomers can see jets from an active galactic nucleus disrupting star formation in the galaxy in a process known as feedback. NGC 3801 NGC 3801 is one of the very few nearby galaxies where astronomers can see jets from an active galactic nucleus disrupting star formation in the galaxy in a process known as feedback. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0135.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0135.html 14 Oct 2024 12:00:00 GMT 09:01 false Barium George Bendo HD 11397 is one of very few Sun-like stars that might seem ordinary but actually contain abnormally large amounts of heavy elements, most notably barium, that they could not have formed themselves. HD 11397 HD 11397 is one of very few Sun-like stars that might seem ordinary but actually contain abnormally large amounts of heavy elements, most notably barium, that they could not have formed themselves. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0136.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0136.html 28 Oct 2024 12:00:00 GMT 10:43 false The Bedtime Story of the Black Hole that was Too Large for its Galaxy George Bendo The elliptical galaxy NGC 4291 contains a supermassive black hole that is unusually massive in comparison to the rest of the galaxy. NGC 4291 The elliptical galaxy NGC 4291 contains a supermassive black hole that is unusually massive in comparison to the rest of the galaxy. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0137.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0137.html 11 Nov 2024 12:00:00 GMT 08:17 false A Weird Example of a Weird Subclass of a Weird Class of Objects George Bendo 4U 1850-087 is an ultracompact binary star system consisting of a whtie dwarf and a neutron star orbiting each other so closely that the neutron star can strip the outer layers off of the white dwarf. 4U 1850-087 4U 1850-087 is an ultracompact binary star system consisting of a whtie dwarf and a neutron star orbiting each other so closely that the neutron star can strip the outer layers off of the white dwarf. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0138.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0138.html 25 Nov 2024 12:00:00 GMT 08:40 false Recoil George Bendo The galaxy 3C 186 features a supermassive black hole with a mass several billions of times the mass of the Sun that has been ejected 36000 light years out of the galaxy's nucleus. 3C 186 The galaxy 3C 186 features a supermassive black hole with a mass several billions of times the mass of the Sun that has been ejected 36000 light years out of the galaxy's nucleus. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0139.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0139.html 09 Dec 2024 12:00:00 GMT 08:16 false Imagine All the Dust George Bendo Infrared observations of SN 1995N indicate that the material ejected by the explosion may have produced a huge amount of dust. SN 1995N Infrared observations of SN 1995N indicate that the material ejected by the explosion may have produced a huge amount of dust. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0140.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0140.html 23 Dec 2024 12:00:00 GMT 09:44 false Just a Very Nice Spiral George Bendo Messier 74 is just a very nice looking face-on spiral galaxy, which has made it quite useful for many different types of astrophysical analyses. Messier 74 Messier 74 is just a very nice looking face-on spiral galaxy, which has made it quite useful for many different types of astrophysical analyses. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0141.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0141.html 06 Jan 2025 12:00:00 GMT 12:32 false The Littlest Galaxy Ever Found George Bendo The awkwardly-named Segue 2 is (as of the time of the publication of this episode) the smallest galaxy anyone has ever found. Segue 2 The awkwardly-named Segue 2 is (as of the time of the publication of this episode) the smallest galaxy anyone has ever found. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0142.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0142.html 20 Jan 2025 12:00:00 GMT 10:31 false Almost Absolutely Awesome George Bendo GJ 887 is a very close red dwarf with two exoplanets (and a potential third) that almost look like they could harbor life except for one potential problem. GJ 887 GJ 887 is a very close red dwarf with two exoplanets (and a potential third) that almost look like they could harbor life except for one potential problem. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0143.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0143.html 03 Feb 2025 12:00:00 GMT 10:52 false Heavy Metals George Bendo The stars in the open cluster NGC 6253 contain abnormally large amounts of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium, and no one is quite certain why. NGC 6253 The stars in the open cluster NGC 6253 contain abnormally large amounts of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium, and no one is quite certain why. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0144.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0144.html 17 Feb 2025 12:00:00 GMT 08:05 false Neutron Numbers Time George Bendo PSR J1518+4904 is one of the very few identified double neutron stars, and it has provided opportunities to perform unique measurements on the objects. PSR J1518+4904 PSR J1518+4904 is one of the very few identified double neutron stars, and it has provided opportunities to perform unique measurements on the objects. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0145.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0145.html 03 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT 10:56 false The Prototype of Peculiar George Bendo SN 2002cx was the first supernova ever identified in a subclass of objects now called Type Iax supernovae. SN 2002cx SN 2002cx was the first supernova ever identified in a subclass of objects now called Type Iax supernovae. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0146.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0146.html 17 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT 08:05 false Nothing But Gas George Bendo Abell 1142 is a peculiar cluster of galaxies that has formed from the merger of two smaller clusters, and its center contains nothing but gas. Abell 1142 Abell 1142 is a peculiar cluster of galaxies that has formed from the merger of two smaller clusters, and its center contains nothing but gas. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0147.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0147.html 31 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT 08:21 false Problem Solving George Bendo DI Pegasi is a star system with two eclipsing stars in its center that orbit each other every 17 hours and 5 minutes and two smaller stars on very wide orbits that gravitationally tug on the central two stars, which has the effect that the variability of the star system's brightness seems to change over decades of time. DI Peg DI Pegasi is a star system with two eclipsing stars in its center that orbit each other every 17 hours and 5 minutes and two smaller stars on very wide orbits that gravitationally tug on the central two stars, which has the effect that the variability of the star system's brightness seems to change over decades of time. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0148.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0148.html 14 Apr 2025 12:00:00 GMT 08:01 false Spaghetti Leftovers George Bendo The globular cluster Messier 54 is not part of our galaxy but actually the nuclear stellar core of a dwarf galaxy that has nealy been completely gravitationally torn apart by the Milky Way. Messier 54 The globular cluster Messier 54 is not part of our galaxy but actually the nuclear stellar core of a dwarf galaxy that has nealy been completely gravitationally torn apart by the Milky Way. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0149.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0149.html 28 Apr 2025 12:00:00 GMT 09:42 false And Now for Something Completely the Same George Bendo Wolf 1069 is another nearby red dwarf with an exoplanet, but this time, the exoplanet is more likely to harbor life than other nearby red dwarfs with exoplanets that I may have discussed in previous episodes. Wolf 1069 Wolf 1069 is another nearby red dwarf with an exoplanet, but this time, the exoplanet is more likely to harbor life than other nearby red dwarfs with exoplanets that I may have discussed in previous episodes. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0150.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0150.html 26 May 2025 12:00:00 GMT 09:50 false A Magnetic Whale George Bendo Beta Ceti is a relatively close giant star where helium fusion has been triggered in its core, but it's a bit unusual compared to other stars that have reached this stage in their evolution. Beta Ceti Beta Ceti is a relatively close giant star where helium fusion has been triggered in its core, but it's a bit unusual compared to other stars that have reached this stage in their evolution. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0151.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0151.html 09 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT 07:11 false The Spiderweb Flashlight George Bendo The quasar PKS 2126-158 has been popular to observe because astronomers can see many different things between the quasar and Earth, including an entire cluster of galaxies, that are absorbing light from the quasar. PKS 2126-158 The quasar PKS 2126-158 has been popular to observe because astronomers can see many different things between the quasar and Earth, including an entire cluster of galaxies, that are absorbing light from the quasar. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0152.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0152.html 23 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT 08:39 false A Wolf Within a Wolf George Bendo Hen 2-113 is a rather unusual planetary nebula that formed not when a Sun-like star died but when a large, massive, and extraordinarily hot Wolf-Rayet star blew away its outer hydrogen layers. Hen 2-113 Hen 2-113 is a rather unusual planetary nebula that formed not when a Sun-like star died but when a large, massive, and extraordinarily hot Wolf-Rayet star blew away its outer hydrogen layers. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0153.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0153.html 07 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT 07:17 false The Binary Star System That Needed to Go on Hiatus George Bendo A 0535+26 is a rather unusual star system called a Be high mass X-ray binary that periodically produces bursts of X-ray emission. A 0535+26 A 0535+26 is a rather unusual star system called a Be high mass X-ray binary that periodically produces bursts of X-ray emission. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0154.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0154.html 21 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT 08:47 false Pinwheel George Bendo The nearby face-on spiral galaxy Messier 101 is one of the most popular galaxies in the sky for astronomers to study, particularly in terms of studying the relative abundances of various elements within the galaxy. Messier 101 The nearby face-on spiral galaxy Messier 101 is one of the most popular galaxies in the sky for astronomers to study, particularly in terms of studying the relative abundances of various elements within the galaxy. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0155.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0155.html 04 Aug 2025 12:00:00 GMT 11:21 false Dust Puffs George Bendo Z Ursa Minor belongs to a class of variable stars that occasionally produce puffs of dust, but this is not the weeirdest thing about them. Z Ursae Minoris Z Ursa Minor belongs to a class of variable stars that occasionally produce puffs of dust, but this is not the weeirdest thing about them. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0156.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0156.html 18 Aug 2025 12:00:00 GMT 07:56 false Something More Interesting than Three Exoplanets George Bendo The nearby Sun-like star HD 69830 may have three exoplanets orbiting it, but astronomers seem more focused on trying to understand a hard-to-explain dust disk in the star system. HD 69830 The nearby Sun-like star HD 69830 may have three exoplanets orbiting it, but astronomers seem more focused on trying to understand a hard-to-explain dust disk in the star system. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0157.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0157.html 01 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT 08:23 false Dark Burst George Bendo The gamma ray burst GRB 020819 took place in a galaxy containing so much light-obscuring interstellar dust that people initially misidentified which galaxy contained the burst. GRB 020819 The gamma ray burst GRB 020819 took place in a galaxy containing so much light-obscuring interstellar dust that people initially misidentified which galaxy contained the burst. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0158.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0158.html 15 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT 08:11 false That One Very Famous Double Star George Bendo While amateur astronomers know that Albireo is a very spectacular-looking double star, professional astronomers are more interested in the dynamical complexities of Albireo's two star systems. Albireo While amateur astronomers know that Albireo is a very spectacular-looking double star, professional astronomers are more interested in the dynamical complexities of Albireo's two star systems. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0159.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0159.html 29 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT 08:58 false A Spiral Galaxy Using a Non-Standard Font George Bendo The spiral galaxy NGC 3718 has an unusually weird spiral shape, which belies its unusual history. NGC 3718 The spiral galaxy NGC 3718 has an unusually weird spiral shape, which belies its unusual history. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0160.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0160.html 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 GMT 08:47 false More Subclassifications George Bendo Dy Pegasi is an SX Phoenicis type variable star, and SX Phoenicis type variable stars are a subset of Delta Scuti type variable stars, and this episode explains why that is confusing but what it also actually means. DY Pegasi Dy Pegasi is an SX Phoenicis type variable star, and SX Phoenicis type variable stars are a subset of Delta Scuti type variable stars, and this episode explains why that is confusing but what it also actually means. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0161.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0161.html 27 Oct 2025 12:00:00 GMT 08:14 false Slightly More Interesting Than a Medieval Anglo-Gallic Coin George Bendo The lenticular galaxy NGC 1172 contains two different populations of globular clusters, which indicates something about the history of the galaxy. NGC 1172 The lenticular galaxy NGC 1172 contains two different populations of globular clusters, which indicates something about the history of the galaxy. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0162.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0162.html 10 Nov 2025 12:00:00 GMT 09:26 false Ludricous Rotation George Bendo The pulsar PSR J1022+1001 is one of a small subclass of pulsars named millisecond pulsars because they rotate one every few milliseconds. PSR J1022+1001 The pulsar PSR J1022+1001 is one of a small subclass of pulsars named millisecond pulsars because they rotate one every few milliseconds. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0163.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0163.html 24 Nov 2025 12:00:00 GMT 08:07 false Not Just Any Quasar But The Quasar George Bendo Markarian 231 is now widely recognized not only as the closest quasar to Earth but also as a very bright ultraluminous infrared galaxy. Mrk 231 Markarian 231 is now widely recognized not only as the closest quasar to Earth but also as a very bright ultraluminous infrared galaxy. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0164.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0164.html 08 Dec 2025 12:00:00 GMT 11:05 false A Hole in the Clouds George Bendo Baade's Window is an unusual hole through the interstellar dust in the Milky Way's disk through which astronomers can very clearly see the stars near the center of our galaxy. Baade's Window Baade's Window is an unusual hole through the interstellar dust in the Milky Way's disk through which astronomers can very clearly see the stars near the center of our galaxy. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0165.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0165.html 22 Dec 2025 12:00:00 GMT 08:54 false An Overlooked Cluster George Bendo The southern open cluster IC 2602, also known as the Theta Carinae Cluster or the Southern Pleiades, may not be as famous as some open clusters visible from the Northern Hemisphere, but it is still a good place for professional astronomers to study young stars, and it's also a good amateur astronomy target. IC 2602 The southern open cluster IC 2602, also known as the Theta Carinae Cluster or the Southern Pleiades, may not be as famous as some open clusters visible from the Northern Hemisphere, but it is still a good place for professional astronomers to study young stars, and it's also a good amateur astronomy target. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0166.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0166.html 05 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT 10:40 false Controversial Radiowaves George Bendo Astronomers have been studying the radiowave emission from the cluster of galaxies Abell 4038 quite intently and have provided both conventional and unconventional explanations for its origin. Abell 4038 Astronomers have been studying the radiowave emission from the cluster of galaxies Abell 4038 quite intently and have provided both conventional and unconventional explanations for its origin. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0167.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0167.html 19 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT 09:29 false A Very Good Looking Scientific Footnote George Bendo While not many professional astronomers have spent much time looking at the open cluster Messier 103, it is still a spectacular object to see in an amateur astronomy telescope. Messier 103 While not many professional astronomers have spent much time looking at the open cluster Messier 103, it is still a spectacular object to see in an amateur astronomy telescope. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0168.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0168.html 02 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT 07:49 false No Longer a Suspect George Bendo LGS 3 (also known as the Pisces Dwarf Galaxy) is a nearby but faint dwarf galaxy that has provided some interesting clues as to how stars formed in the early universe. LGS 3 LGS 3 (also known as the Pisces Dwarf Galaxy) is a nearby but faint dwarf galaxy that has provided some interesting clues as to how stars formed in the early universe. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0169.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0169.html 16 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT 09:41 false Don't Forget the Feedback George Bendo NGC 2639 may look like an ordinary spiral galaxy, but it contains an active galactic nucleus with jets of gas that have emerged from that nucleus in four different directions, which is, to use the technical term, quite weird. NGC 2639 NGC 2639 may look like an ordinary spiral galaxy, but it contains an active galactic nucleus with jets of gas that have emerged from that nucleus in four different directions, which is, to use the technical term, quite weird. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0170.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0170.html 02 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT 08:07 false Guess Again George Bendo 3C 324 was once identified as a possible gravitational lens where one galaxy was bending the light from a galaxy behind it, but it turned out to be something different. 3C 324 3C 324 was once identified as a possible gravitational lens where one galaxy was bending the light from a galaxy behind it, but it turned out to be something different. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0171.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0171.html 16 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT 08:26 false Lego Minifigures with Masers George Bendo VY Canis Majoris is not only much, much larger than the Sun but is also ejecting blobs of gas that are forming molecules and dust. VY Canis Majoris VY Canis Majoris is not only much, much larger than the Sun but is also ejecting blobs of gas that are forming molecules and dust. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0172.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0172.html 30 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT 09:52 false The Hot Calibrator George Bendo G191-B2B is a hot white dwarf with a layer of nearly pure oxygen that has been used as a flux calibration source for one particularly famous telescope. G191-B2B G191-B2B is a hot white dwarf with a layer of nearly pure oxygen that has been used as a flux calibration source for one particularly famous telescope. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0173.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0173.html 13 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT 10:17 false Toy Exoplanets George Bendo The red dwarf TOI-700 has at least four exoplanets orbiting it, and two of them are Earth-sized exoplanets lying within the star system's habitable zone. TOI-700 The red dwarf TOI-700 has at least four exoplanets orbiting it, and two of them are Earth-sized exoplanets lying within the star system's habitable zone. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0174.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0174.html 27 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT 10:51 false Counterintuitive Supernova Explosions George Bendo The Cepheus Flare is a nearby regions where a series of supernova explosions have counterintuitively triggered the formation of stars. Cepheus Flare The Cepheus Flare is a nearby regions where a series of supernova explosions have counterintuitively triggered the formation of stars. https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0175.mp3 https://www.randomastronomicalobject.com/object0175.html 11 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT 09:58 false