Where did the moon come from, why is it bound to Earth’s gravitational pull, how does it affect tides, and what’s on the dark side? In this episode, Kalpana and Derrick explain where the moon came from, how it became gravitationally bound to the Earth, and how the moon has served as a cultural centerpoint...
How did our solar system come to be? What was here before, and what forces were at work nearly 5 billion years ago that kicked off the birth of our sun and solar system? In this episode, Derrick and Kalpana bring to life the crashes and explosions that created structures like our planets, asteroid belts,...
What’s up in the great vast night sky above us? Why are we humans compelled to look upward? What can we see with our naked eyes, and how can we find things that aren’t so obvious? In this episode, Kalpana and Derrick explain how to tell the difference between stars and planets, what colors we...
Ever wondered just how to stargaze and what you can see, but don’t have a degree in astrophysics? In this new series from The Franklin Institute, you’ll explore the secrets of the universe, find out whether black holes may be portals to other another universe, and get practical skills for using telescopes at home. Join...
MEET
Derrick Pitts
Co-host,
A Practical Guide to the Cosmos
Derrick is currently the Chief Astronomer and Director of the Fels Planetarium at The Franklin Institute. He’s also been a NASA Solar System Ambassador since 2009 and serves as the “Astrobiology Ambassador” for the NASA/MIRS/UNCF Special Program Corporation’s Astrobiology Partnership Program. He appears regularly in the media as a science content expert including appearances on the “Colbert Report” on Comedy Central and “The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson” on CBS.
Kalpana Pot
Co-host,
A Practical Guide to the Cosmos
Kalpana Pot is the youngest of three girls in a family full of doctors. Science and education were always of the utmost importance and value in her home. But performing arts was another passion for her, which is why she moved to LA to pursue acting after decades of dancing and singing. At the same time, Kalpana got to express her nerd love of astronomy by working weekends at Griffith Observatory. It was there that she found her love and skill in communicating science to people from all over the world. She is the host of space TikTok @TokNerdyToMe. Outside of work, Kalpana loves her dogs and volunteers for animal organizations.