On the night of Oct. 5, 1923, Edwin Hubble spotted a variable star in Andromeda from Mt. Wilson Observatory above Pasadena, California, proving that our galaxy is just one of countless others in the Universe. Now, California Rep. Judy Chu, co-chair of the Planetary Science Caucus, has introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives supporting the designation of Oct. 5 as National Beyond the Milky Way Day in the United States. John Mulchaey, president of Carnegie Science, and Jess Soto, Carnegie Science’s public engagement specialist, join Planetary Radio to share the story of the discovery and the push for national recognition. We also bring you highlights from the Oct. 13 ceremony at Carnegie’s Hale Library, along with conversations with Rep. Chu, Planetary Society CEO Jennifer Vaughn, and astrophysicist Laura-May Abron. Asa Stahl, our public outreach astronomer, shares how you can vote in The Planetary Society’s Best of 2026 Awards. Then Bruce Betts, our chief scientist, explains why it took humanity so long to realize Andromeda was a galaxy and how you can see it for yourself.

Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2026-beyond-the-milky-way-day

On the night of Oct. 5, 1923, Edwin Hubble spotted a variable star in Andromeda from Mt. Wilson Observatory above Pasadena, California, proving that our galaxy is just one of countless others in the Universe. Now, California Rep. Judy Chu, co-chair of the Planetary Science Caucus, has introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives supporting the designation of Oct. 5 as National Beyond the Milky Way Day in the United States. John Mulchaey, president of Carnegie Science, and Jess Soto, Carnegie Science&rsquo;s public engagement specialist, join Planetary Radio to share the story of the discovery and the push for national recognition. We also bring you highlights from the Oct. 13 ceremony at Carnegie&rsquo;s Hale Library, along with conversations with Rep. Chu, Planetary Society CEO Jennifer Vaughn, and astrophysicist Laura-May Abron. Asa Stahl, our public outreach astronomer, shares how you can vote in The Planetary Society&rsquo;s Best of 2026 Awards. Then Bruce Betts, our chief scientist, explains why it took humanity so long to realize Andromeda was a galaxy and how you can see it for yourself.
Discover more at:<a href="https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2026-beyond-the-milky-way-day"> https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2026-beyond-the-milky-way-day</a>

Planetary Radio brings you the human adventure across our Solar System and beyond. We visit each week with the scientists, engineers, leaders, advocates, and astronauts who are taking us across the final frontier. Regular features raise your space IQ while they put a smile on your face. Join host Sarah Al-Ahmed and Planetary Society colleagues including Bill Nye the Science Guy and Bruce Betts as they dive deep into space science and exploration. The monthly Space Policy Edition takes you inside the DC beltway where the future of the US space program hangs in the balance. Visit planetary.org/radio for an episode guide and much more.

Planetary Radio brings you the human adventure across our Solar System and beyond. We visit each week with the scientists, engineers, leaders, advocates, and astronauts who are taking us across the final frontier. Regular features raise your space IQ while they put a smile on your face. Join host Sarah Al-Ahmed and Planetary Society colleagues including Bill Nye the Science Guy and Bruce Betts as they dive deep into space science and exploration. The monthly Space Policy Edition takes you inside the DC beltway where the future of the US space program hangs in the balance. Visit planetary.org/radio for an episode guide and much more.

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

Planetary Radio brings you the human adventure across our solar system and beyond. We visit each week with the scientists, engineers, leaders, advocates, and astronauts taking us across the final frontier. Regular features raise your space IQ while they put a smile on your face. Join host Sarah Al-Ahmed and Planetary Society colleagues including Bill Nye, the Science Guy, and Bruce Betts, chief scientist for The Planetary Society, as they dive deep into the latest space news. The monthly Space Policy Edition takes you inside the DC beltway with Casey Dreier and Jack Kiraly to discuss the politics of space exploration in the US and advocacy actions you can take to support the missions that matter. Visit planetary.org/radio for the space trivia contest, an episode guide, and much more.

Planetary Radio brings you the human adventure across our solar system and beyond. We visit each week with the scientists, engineers, leaders, advocates, and astronauts taking us across the final frontier. Regular features raise your space IQ while they put a smile on your face. Join host Sarah Al-Ahmed and Planetary Society colleagues including Bill Nye, the Science Guy, and Bruce Betts, chief scientist for The Planetary Society, as they dive deep into the latest space news. The monthly Space Policy Edition takes you inside the DC beltway with Casey Dreier and Jack Kiraly to discuss the politics of space exploration in the US and advocacy actions you can take to support the missions that matter. Visit planetary.org/radio for the space trivia contest, an episode guide, and much more.

California Rep. Judy Chu, Carnegie Science President John Mulchaey, and Jess Soto of Carnegie Science share the story behind the push to recognize Oct. 5 as National Beyond the Milky Way Day, honoring Edwin Hubble’s 1923 discovery of a Universe beyond our galaxy. 