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  • Minerals & Geology with Alex Ruff

    Minerals & Geology with Alex Ruff
    Jan 5 2026
    Scientists can be found everywhere in the museum. Alex Ruff may seem like a mild-mannered Building Manger here at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, but he is actually an expert in minerals and geology...with the credentials to boot. Enjoy this deeply fascinating conversation about our exquisite minerals, geology in general, and even a bit more about our illustrious Alma Queen! I guess you could say this conversation...rocks.

    Show notes:

    Yes, Manganese Carbonate is the mineral of which Rhodochrosite is made and its purity dictates how "red" it appears.

    For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/
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    30 Min.
  • Terracotta Warriors

    Terracotta Warriors
    Nov 1 2025
    They march once more, this time to Houston 📍

    Explore World of the Terracotta Warriors, opening November 14.

    See ancient China’s unification under Qin Shi Huang brought to life through rare artifacts and stunning craftsmanship.

    World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries in Shaanxi in the 21st Century is jointly organized by the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center, and Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Site Museum of the People's Republic of China, and Bowers Museum in the United States.

    Local support is provided by Regent Seven Seas Cruises®.

    #TerracottaWarriors #HMNS #HistoryUnearthed #WarriorsAtHMNS

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    For centuries, China’s Terracotta Warriors have stirred the soul and ignited the imagination. Here at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, we are thrilled, privileged, and honored to host these marvels within our own walls for all to witness. https://www.hmns.org/

    For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/
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    38 Min.
  • The Science & History of Bourbon

    The Science & History of Bourbon
    Sep 15 2025
    Even if you do not drink it, the science and history behind bourbon is infused with notes of wonder, curiosity, and fascination. Bourbon expert Randy Bruner helps us to get acquainted with its enchanting history, as well as tips for those interested in developing their own taste for this historical spirit.

    More info and upcoming tasting events: https://sugarland.hmns.org/

    For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/
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    54 Min.
  • Ever Wondered How Asteroids Get Their Names?

    Ever Wondered How Asteroids Get Their Names?
    Sep 9 2025
    Have you ever noticed asteroid names and wondered how they came to be? Let's go to the HMNS George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park and talk to astronomer Tracy Knauss to learn all about it...and much more!

    George Observatory
    https://george.hmns.org/

    More about our 36 inch scope
    https://youtu.be/hz2-GgX9omg?si=Y5-Xbp6qORNLA8Tk

    George VLOG
    https://youtu.be/e9pXhaA0q8A?si=elZTB-o9GgLIQBM1

    Tracy's Asteroid
    https://fbac.org/2025/08/21/tracy-knauss-asteroid/

    Timestamps

    0:00 Intro
    0:54 Tracy's Asteroid
    4:09 What do the label numbers mean?
    8:05 Who can find asteroids?
    13:47 More about Tracy's asteroid
    18:58 Has the George Observatory found asteroids?
    20:34 Addressing light pollution
    25:29 Venus is cool
    27:28 Do you need expensive equipment for viewing/astrophotography?
    35:14 Sometimes you don't need anything at all
    36:57 History of 36-inch scope & George Observatory
    41:23 Importance of optics
    44:50 More 36-inch scope facts

    For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/
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    48 Min.
  • Let's call this a kind of...Mummification "Orientation"

    Let's call this a kind of...Mummification "Orientation"
    Jul 1 2025
    Kat Havens joins the podcast in our beautiful Hall of Ancient Egypt to discuss the, well, gutwrenching process of mummification!

    Website: https://www.hmns.org/

    eMail: Podcasts@HMNS.org

    The smell of a mummy: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mummies-from-ancient-egypt-smell-surprisingly-nice-scientists-say/

    For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/
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    1 Std. und 19 Min.
  • Fennec Foxes & How We Care for Our Animals

    Fennec Foxes & How We Care for Our Animals
    Jun 2 2025
    (00:00:00) Fennec Foxes & How We Care for Our Animals
    (00:22:08) In with the Foxes

    Our new exhibit "Extreme Animals Alive" showcases the superhero-like adaptations of some awesome animals. In this episode, we talk about Fennec Foxes specifically, and the blood, sweat, tears, and dedication that goes into caring for the animals in our museum.

    Website: https://www.hmns.org/

    Email: Podcasts@hmns.org

    YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/Blm8WukRZHI

    0:00 Outside Exhibit
    22:10 Inside with the Foxes

    For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/
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    59 Min.
  • Two Big, Two Fail: The Life and Demise of Ice Age Giants, Ground Sloths & Armadillos

    Two Big, Two Fail: The Life and Demise of Ice Age Giants, Ground Sloths & Armadillos
    May 1 2025
    Giant Ground Sloths and Giant Armadillos (Eremotherium and Glyptodon) were seemingly too big to fail...yet time comes for us all. So, how did these Ice Age (Pleistocene) get SO big, and why did they go extinct?

    Previous episode mentioned:

    Fossil Preperation
    https://open.spotify.com/episode/5762aSEEWuQeUVqJGIo6NK?si=2f6420a3c6ab4d19

    Email: Podcasts@HMNS.org

    For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/
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    46 Min.
  • Quantum Computing: A Qubit Crash Course

    Quantum Computing: A Qubit Crash Course
    Apr 2 2025
    While Ai is the current hype, even thinking about Quantum Computing can seem daunting, if not ominous...honestly. So here is a crash course in qubits to hopefully help ease us into an initial pursuit of understanding.

    Deeper dive into Quantum Computers: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/quantum-computing

    Email us! Podcasts@HMNS.org

    Ai Episode: https://youtu.be/uWWFlbDl6BE?si=mfnSB580vY7HzDZu

    For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/
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    13 Min.