What will we discover next? Smithsonian Under Secretary for Science and Research Dr. Ellen Stofan and NASA’s Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen unpack this question in the new monthly video series “E.Z. Science.” Dr. E and Dr. Z will share exciting new discoveries being made by NASA and others, and explore their relationship to the Museum’s one-of-a-kind collection. They’ll dive into topics like insights from the Apollo missions, the mysteries of the Sun, and the search for planets like our own. And they’ll answer the questions you submit through social media using #EZScience.

Watch the Series: YouTube

 

Season 2, Episode 7: Inspiring Women in Space and Science

Meet astrophysicist Kelly Korreck and spaceflight engineer/website specialist Dana Bolles, both currently based at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum featured statues of them as part of a program to inspire the next generation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Learn about their journeys and their advice for achieving your dreams in this episode of #EZScience

 

 

Season 2, Episode 6: Taking Light Apart with the James Webb Space Telescope

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is heading to space to explore the universe as no telescope has before. This observatory has both cameras and spectrographs, instruments that take light apart to reveal the chemical makeup of cosmic objects.

 

 

Season 2, Episode 5: Exploring the X-ray Universe

By studying X-rays in deep space, we can learn about some of the most violent and extreme objects in the universe, such as black holes and the remains of stars that have exploded. NASA’s Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer, IXPE, will study these phenomena in a new way. Learn more in this episode of #EZScience, starring NASA associate administrator for science Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen and Smithsonian Under Secretary for Science and Research Dr. Ellen Stofan.

 

 

Season 2, Episode 4: Studying Earth from Space

Earth science is an important priority for NASA. To understand our planet’s climate and how it is changing we need to study the Earth from all angles. In the latest episode of #EZScience, NASA associate administrator for science Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen and Smithsonian Under Secretary for Science and Research Dr. Ellen Stofan discuss NASA’s Earth observation satellites, including the recently-launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite.

 

 

Season 2, Episode 3: Women in Astronomy

The history of women in astronomy is fascinating and inspiring— women like Caroline Herschel, Phoebe Waterman Haas and Vera Rubin have been making discoveries and contributions in astronomy for over 200 years. In the latest episode of #EZScience, NASA associate administrator for science Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen and Smithsonian Under Secretary for Science and Research Dr. Ellen Stofan celebrate Women’s History Month and discuss the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory.

 

 

Season 2, Episode 2: International Space Station – Our Home in Space for 20 Years

This November, we celebrate 20 years of continuous human presence on the International Space Station — an incredible example of international cooperation. In our latest episode of #EZScience, NASA associate administrator for science Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen and National Air and Space Museum director Dr. Ellen Stofan discuss the incredible science that has been conducted on the orbiting laboratory and what’s next for human spaceflight.

 

 

Season 2, Episode 1: OSIRIS-REx Touches Down On Bennu

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is scheduled to touch down on the asteroid Bennu on October 20, 2020, for its first sample collection attempt. To kick off the second season of #EZScience, NASA associate administrator for science Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen and National Air and Space Museum director Dr. Ellen Stofan discuss this exciting and innovative mission to return samples from an asteroid to Earth and the scientific opportunities it opens up.

 

 

Season 1, Episode 10: Preparing to Launch the Perseverance Rover to Mars

In this “On the Go” episode of #EZScience, we’re on the scene at Kennedy Space Center with the rocket that will take the Perseverance rover and the Ingenuity helicopter to Mars.

 

 

Season 1, Episode 9, Part II: Mars Perseverance Rover Will Look for Signs of Ancient Life

Let’s talk about science! In the latest episode of #EZScience, learn about the science behind NASA's Perseverance rover that is targeted to launch to the Red Planet on July 30.

 

 

Season 1, Episode 9, Part I: Launching to Mars with NASA's Perseverance Rover

Let’s talk about science! In the latest episode of #EZScience, learn about the upcoming launch of Perseverance. Dr. E and Dr. Z talk about the technological advancements of the newest Mars rover (and helicopter!). The premiere of this episode is part of the National Air and Space Museum’s Mars Day program. Learn more: https://airandspace.si.edu/mars-day

 

 

Season 1, Episode 8: Your Career Questions Answered!

Let's talk about science! Watch the eighth episode of our #EZScience series to hear answers to your questions about studying the field of space science and careers in space exploration.

 

 

Season 1, Episode 7: Your Space Science Questions Answered!

Let's talk about science! Watch the seventh episode of our #EZScience series to hear answers to your questions about planetary and space science.

 

 

Season 1, Episode 6: NASA's Hubble Space Telescope — Our Window to the Stars

Let's talk about science! Watch the sixth episode of our #EZScience series to learn about the 30th anniversary of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. As the first major optical telescope to be placed in space, Hubble has changed our fundamental understanding of the universe.

 

 

Season 1, Episode 5: Balloon Science

Let's talk about science! Watch the fifth episode of our #EZScience series to learn how NASA uses balloon science to better understand our planet and universe.

 

 

Season 1, Episode 4: The Path to Mars 2020

Let's talk about science! Watch the fourth episode of our #EZScience series to learn about NASA’s upcoming Mars 2020 rover mission by looking back at the Mars Pathfinder mission and Sojourner rover. Discover the innovative elements of Mars 2020 (including a small solar-powered helicopter!) and what we hope to learn about the Red Planet when our new rover arrives in February 2021.

 

 

Season 1, Episode 3: Our Favorite Star — The Sun

Let's talk about science! Watch the third episode of our #EZScience series to learn about an essential part of our lives: the Sun. Discover how spacecraft such as NASA’s Parker Solar Probe are exploring the wonders of our closest star.

 

 

Season 1, Episode 2: The Search for New Planets

Let's talk about science! Watch the second episode of our #EZScience series to learn about our search for new planets using the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, James Webb Space Telescope and more!

 

 

Season 1, Episode 1: Exploring the Moon with Apollo

Let's talk about science! Watch the first episode of our #EZScience series to learn about the Apollo program that sent humans to the Moon, what we learned from our first Moon landings and what's next for lunar exploration.