Look at the world in a whole new light: Hear about a view that's "out of this world" as astronaut Commander Chris Hadfield describes the photos he took of Mother Earth from 250 miles away, and what they revealed. We also explore how the Roman and pre-historic worlds are within reach when you dig a little beneath the surface in Britain.  And listeners share the highlights of their travels in the Holy Land. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Digging England; Astronaut's View of Earth; Holy Land Travels - Travel with Rick Steves

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Actor Alan Alda created the “Flame Challenge” in 2012 to promote better science communication. Each year, he asks scientists to explain a question that keeps them up at night to 11-year-olds around the world, who choose the winning entry. This year’s question: What is sleep?

Alan Alda Challenges Scientists to Answer: What Is Sleep?

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Scientists estimate that Mars has been an arid and dusty planet for at least the last two billion years. But this week, NASA’s Curiosity rover uncovered more evidence that a gigantic lake—possibly the size of Utah’s Great Salt Lake—could have once existed in Gale Crater. Ashwin Vasavada, deputy project scientist for the Curiosity Mission, discusses the clues that are leading scientists to believe that this lake, or series of lakes, may have been on the Martian surface for millions of years.

Evidence Mounts for Liquid Water on Mars

Meteorologist Frank Lombardo from WeatherWorks joined us this morning to break down the blizzard that is slamming the northeast.

Blizzard shuts down New York City, much of U.S. Northeast

With today’s technology, astronomers can see billions of years into the past, but they’ve never been able to see the first light emitted in the universe after the Big Bang. That could be about to change thanks to a new high-powered telescope being developed by the University of Chicago and ten partner organizations. The billion dollar Giant Magellan Telescope is one of the first in a new generation of extremely large, earth-based telescopes, which may spur a new era for astronomy. Wendy Freedman is the board chair for the Giant Magellan Telescope Organization, and a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the U of C. She joins us with more.

Giant telescope may be able to see first light in the universe

The Afternoon Shift was a live WBEZ show featuring in-depth interviews and conversations with newsmakers and innovators. Its last show was June 5, 2015.

Giant telescope may be able to see first light in the universe

WBEZ's Afternoon Shift

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