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PODCAST

Growing Worlds

A podcast shining a light on the early-career researchers leading the search for worlds beyond our solar system. Each episode dives into cutting-edge science, personal journeys, and the human stories behind astronomical discovery, revealing how today’s researchers are shaping our understanding of exoplanets and the Universe we call home.

science astronomy

All Episodes

00:35:44

Seeing exoplanets directly with Dr Vito Squicciarini

Growing Worlds ·

2026/10/05

What if we could actually see an exoplanet?In this episode, Jeni and Lorenzo are joined by Dr Vito Squicciarini from the University of Exeter to explore direct imaging: how astronomers block out starlight to reveal young giant planets, what their infrared light can tell us about their atmospheres, and how future telescopes could bring us closer to imaging smaller worlds.We also talk about HR 8799, Beta Pictoris and the discovery that became Vito’s Celestial Self.And since recording, Beta Pictoris

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00:05:59

Welcome back to Growing Worlds: Season 2 begins

Growing Worlds ·

2026/09/28

Growing Worlds is back for Season 2! In this short bonus episode, hosts Jeni and Lorenzo look back at where Season 1 took us and share what is changing as we begin a new year of the podcast.We welcome Robyn to the Growing Worlds team alongside assistant producer Carys, and reveal our plans to make the podcast more student-driven, bringing new people, ideas and voices into the show throughout the year.The heart of Growing Worlds is not changing: we will still be exploring exoplanet science with

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00:18:16

Season 1 finale: the stories behind Growing Worlds

Growing Worlds ·

2026/07/06

After 13 episodes exploring exoplanets and the people behind the science, we close our first season by stepping behind the scenes with our assistant producer Carys joining us at the mic. We look back at our favourite moments, share our own journeys into science, and finally answer the Celestial Self question ourselves.

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00:39:34

Inside JWST with Dr Achrène Dyrek

Growing Worlds ·

2026/06/01

Explore the fascinating details of JWST as hosts Jeni and Lorenzo chat with Dr Achrène Dyrek. From her engineering degree to her found love for astronomy during her studies, listen as Achrène takes you on the journey to her inspiring role at the Space Telescope Science Institute. Discover the engineering marvels behind the making and maintenance of the space telescope, along with the challenges and surprises of the extraordinary JWST.

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00:32:50

Building a Space Telescope for Exoplanets with Dr...

Growing Worlds ·

2026/05/18

Join hosts Jeni and Lorenzo as they chat with Dr Andrea Bocchieri, telescope scientist for ESA’s Ariel mission and future ESA system engineer. Andrea shares his journey into exoplanet science and takes us behind the scenes of preparing a space telescope to study the atmospheres of distant worlds.From spectroscopy and telescope stability to Lagrange points and exoplanet populations, this episode explores how Ariel will help transform our understanding of planets beyond the Solar System.

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00:24:49

Truth in the Data: a chat with Angèle Syty

Growing Worlds ·

2026/05/04

Join hosts Jeni and Lorenzo as they chat with Angèle Syty, a PhD student at the Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris working on data processing for the Ariel mission. Angèle takes us behind the scenes of exoplanet atmosphere observations, focusing on the importance of understanding systematics. Angèle shares how her work models the real-life behaviour of Ariel’s detectors, ensuring that panoramic spectra truly reflect distant worlds and not instrumental artefacts.Listen to Angèle’s story in the field,

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00:32:08

Exploring planetary atmospheres line by line with Dr...

Growing Worlds ·

2026/04/20

Discover more about how high-resolution spectroscopy can catch a glimpse of alien worlds amongst exoplanets with Dr Mattia d’Arpa. Join your hosts, Jeni and Lorenzo, for an interesting discussion about the mysteries of exoplanet atmospheres and the complexities of ground-based observations.Beginning his deep curiosity for science in high school, Mattia is now a postdoctoral researcher at the Instituto Nazionale di Astrofisica in Palermo, where he contributes to several international collaborations

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00:30:34

Opening the Universe: science outreach with Dr. Alex...

Growing Worlds ·

2026/04/06

Learn about the importance of science outreach as hosts Jeni and Lorenzo chat with Dr. Alex Thompson, a Postdoc at UCL’s department of physics and astronomy. Alex is soon moving to INAF Astronomical Observatory of Palermo and enlightens us of her contribution to ORBYTS, a programme that connects school students to real astrophysics research.Alex shares her career story, from her undergraduate degree to where she is today, showcasing her passion for outreach and shedding light on the found potential

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00:34:17

Exploring citizen science in exoplanet research with...

Growing Worlds ·

2026/03/16

Do you want to get involved in real exoplanet research? Listen as hosts Jeni and Lorenzo are joined with Anastasia Kokori, a PhD candidate in Exoplanetary Science at University College London. Anastasia is the coordinator of ExoClock and ExoClock Unlocked, an international effort that brings together professional astronomers, students, and amateur observers to monitor exoplanet transits and add to the development of exoplanet research. Anastasia tells her story, from a teacher in primary education

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00:32:59

How exoplanets can save us: a chat with Dr Raissa...

Growing Worlds ·

2026/03/02

Dr Raissa Estrela from NASA's JPL explains how exoplanet observations reveal clues to Earth’s past and perfect balance. Your hosts, Jeni and Lorenzo, chat with Raissa about exoplanet spectra, through which scientists can decode the fingerprints of distant atmospheres, revealing chemical compositions, evolutionary stages, and even parallels to early Earth. These comparisons act as the perfect ‘textbook’ for understanding how planets form, change, and sustain life. Ultimately, Raissa’s message is

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00:33:51

Reflecting our World to understand others with Dr...

Growing Worlds ·

2026/02/16

Bring yourself back to Earth through an inspiring chat with Dr Giulia Roccetti, an ESA research fellow at the European Space Astronomy Centre in Madrid. Hosts Jeni and Lorenzo join Giulia for a discussion about the innovative approach of using Earth as a proxy for exoplanet research through the investigation of Earthshine.Giulia’s journey started from her ever-present passion for environmental science, which led her to research that combines atmospheric physics, climate science and exoplanet

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00:33:26

The Clouds of distant worlds: a chat with Dr Sushuang Ma

Growing Worlds ·

2026/02/02

Explore the science of one of the trickier components of exoplanet science: clouds, as hosts Jeni and Lorenzo are joined by Dr Sushuang Ma, a researcher at King’s College London. Sushuang’s work centres on modelling and retrieving exoplanetary atmospheres. She shares the significance of temperature and the role it plays in determining the interesting characteristics of clouds, which are not the fluffy white water vapour clouds we are used to. Listen as the conversation guides you through the

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00:31:31

How star spots trick astronomers: a chat with Dr...

Growing Worlds ·

2026/01/19

Explore the dark side of stars with Dr Mayuko Mori, a postdoctoral researcher at the Astrobiology Centre in Tokyo. Listen as hosts Jeni and Lorenzo chat with Mayuko about star spots and their significance in exoplanet characterisation. These cooler, darker areas on the surface of a star can lead to potentially misleading discoveries, and therefore, expanding our understanding is crucial for enhancing our knowledge of other worlds. However, it is not just for the pros! Dr Mori calls out to amateur

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00:34:08

Inside the Stars: a chat with Dr. Gael Buldgen

Growing Worlds ·

2026/01/05

Join us for a deep dive inside stars as hosts Jeni and Lorenzo chat with Dr. Gael Buldgen, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Liège. Gael studies stellar oscillations and probes the internal structure of stars with exquisite precision. He enlightens us about the intricate connection between stars and their exoplanets, capturing the importance of understanding stellar properties for characterising distant worlds. Listen as Gael explains his fascinating view of stars as natural

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00:32:40

The diversity of Rocky Worlds with Dr Oliver Herbort

Growing Worlds ·

2025/12/15

Explore the diversity of rocky planets with Dr Oliver Herbort, an Ariel Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Vienna. Hosts Jeni and Lorenzo chat with Oliver about what makes each planet unique, from atmospheric chemistry to the nature of its surface. Oliver reflects on how a lifelong fascination with astronomy led him to study rocky exoplanets, developing models that link atmospheric processes with the composition of planetary surfaces. Prepare to expect the unexpected. From carbon planets to

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00:26:39

A Star is born: Growing Worlds begins with Dr Camilla...

Growing Worlds ·

2025/12/01

In this launch of Growing Worlds, hosts Jeni Millard and Lorenzo Mugnai chat with Dr Camilla Pezzotti about the bond between stars and planets. Listen as Camilla guides us through the intricate journey from the birth of stars from gas clouds to the fully formed celestial bodies, beautifully illustrating how the digital world can be used to unravel their mysteries. She draws us in with her admiration for stars and enlightens us about her poetic resonance with Mercury, finding comfort in their shared

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00:05:09

Welcome to Growing Worlds

Growing Worlds ·

2025/11/24

Growing Worlds is a podcast where exoplanet science meets human stories, told through conversations with early-career researchers. In this short introduction, hosts Dr Jenifer Millard and Dr Lorenzo Mugnai are joined by assistant producer Carys Townsend to share what each episode has in store. You will hear a wide range of topics related to our understanding of other worlds, alongside the personal journeys of the researchers behind the work. Tune in as Growing Worlds celebrates the human side of

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