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Articles by John Gianforte
Cosmically Curious: Does the universe remember?
In this segment of Cosmically Curious, host Patrick McNameeKing speaks with astronomer John Gianforte from the University of New Hampshire about whether the cosmos preserves a record of everything that has ever happened — and what the physics of our own sun reveals about the vastness of that question. Patrick McNameeKing: Recently, a listener wrote in asking: "Does the universe keep a record of everything that has ever happened?
UNH hosting New England Fall Astronomy Festival featuring NASA keynote speaker
The University of New Hampshire's Department of Physics and Astronomy is hosting the New England Fall Astronomy Festival (NEFAF) — a free, two-day event in mid-October packed with inspiring talks, night-sky viewing, and hands-on activities for the whole family. Patrick McNameeKing: So, John, there's something fun happening next month at UNH. Can you tell us about it?
Cosmically Curious: What holds the universe together? All about fundamental constants
Ever wondered what holds the universe together? In this episode of Cosmically Curious, host Patrick McNamee King sits down with UNH astronomer John Gianforte to explore the fundamental constants of nature — the universal rules and numbers that define reality, set the laws of physics, and allow us to understand the cosmos across space and time. Patrick McNameeKing: So, John, what are the fundamental constants of nature? John Gianforte: You want me to give you a list of all of them?
Cosmically Curious: 'Evidence is overwhelming' as Webb Telescope detects key gases
A distant exoplanet 700 trillion miles away is captivating astronomers, and the latest findings from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have reignited a major question: Are we alone in the universe? On the latest episode of Cosmically Curious, host Patrick McNameeKing sits down with John Gianforte from the University of New Hampshire to discuss why K2-18b is making headlines. Here is their conversation. Patrick McNameeKing: So, John, there's a planet called K2-18b.
Cosmically Curious: Across the universe with Voyager 1 and 2, Part II
In this edition of Cosmically Curious, host Patrick McNamee King speaks with UNH astronomer John Gianforte about what NASA’s Voyager probes are encountering across the universe 50 years into their mission — and why mapping the boundary of interstellar space matters for the future of space travel. Patrick McNamee King: So, John, last week we talked about the cool plutonium generators powering Voyager 1 and 2.
Part I: The 50-Year Legacy of NASA's Voyager Probes
Launched in the summer of 1977, NASA’s Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft were originally authorized for a brief journey to visit Jupiter and Saturn. Nearly five decades later, both probes are still operating in deep space, pushing the boundaries of human exploration.
Cosmically Curious: Missed the Perseids? Don’t miss August’s near-total lunar eclipse
It’s been a busy week in the cosmos. Were you able to catch the Perseid meteor shower earlier this week? If you slept through it — or were met with cloudy skies — fear not! Another spectacular celestial event is right around the corner. In this segment of NHPR’s Cosmically Curious, host Patrick McNameeKing sits down with UNH astronomer John Gianforte to discuss an upcoming near-total lunar eclipse.
Cosmically Curious: Make your own rocket fuel
The discovery of water on Mars is significant in the search for microbial life, but what else might that discovery mean for space exploration? In 2008, the Mars Phoenix lander landed on Mars at the equivalent of the Arctic Circle on Earth. John Gianforte, Astronomy professor at the University of New Hampshire says, “After it touched down, it discovered that it landed basically on an ice skating rink just a few centimeters below the Martian soil.
Cosmically Curious: Asteroids and Aminos
Last week, we turned our gaze toward the hidden oceans within our solar system. Today, we’re looking even closer to home—specifically at the rocky neighbors sharing our cosmic backyard. John Gianforte, director of the UNH Observatory, joined us to break down the groundbreaking findings from NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission. Launched in 2016, the spacecraft traveled to Bennu, a near-Earth asteroid, where it performed a high-stakes "touch-and-go" maneuver to collect physical samples from the surface.
Cosmically Curious: The Long Game
Imagine strolling along a moonlit beach at night. As you listen to the gentle lull of churning waves, you look up and see not one moon, but dozens. This isn't science fiction—it’s a glimpse into the neighborhood of our solar system’s largest gas giant. Today, we’re exploring the efforts to understand the mysterious oceans hidden right in Earth’s cosmic backyard. Jupiter is a busy place, boasting an impressive 97 natural satellites.
Cosmically Curious: Wobbles & Shadows
Last November, a satellite named Mauve made history as the first private space telescope to reach orbit. It’s already hitting its stride, recently clocking its first star discovery. But Mauve isn't just star-gazing; it’s on a hunt for exoplanets. But what exactly is an exoplanet, and how do we find things that are trillions of miles away? Simply put, “An exoplanet is a planet that orbits a star other than the sun,” says John Gianforte, director of the Observatory at the University of New Hampshire.
Cosmically Curious: Spring Lunar Eclipse
UNH Observatory director John Gianforte explains how a lunar eclipse works, and how you can best view the one on March 3.
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