IRrelevant Astronomy

What is infrared light? The Skinfrared series contrasts the world around us in both visible and infrared light, giving the viewer a perspective on how infrared observatories like the Spitzer Space Telescope view the Universe.

While in battle around the supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy, Dr. Michelle teaches IR-1 the science behind these giant singularities.

Viewing liquids in extreme temperatures in both visible and infrared light, this episode of the Skinfrared series gives viewers a perspective on how infrared observatories like the Spitzer Space Telescope view the Universe.

Will an asteroid strike the Earth and wipe out all life as we know it? IR-2 and his robotic crew make random phone calls to find out.

Astronomers have discovered huge amounts of water around baby stars; IR-2 and his crew plan to make use of it.

Are tiny diamonds really common in the Universe? Join the intrepid Mountie Martin as he endeavors to find out, while on the trail of the sinister Sammy the Smuggler!

Where do stars come from? IR-2 analyzes recent Spitzer imagery to find out, while an imposing Ratings-bot oversees the broadcast.

While the robots are away, a sad and lonely man calls in with a beautiful image of the Omega Centauri globular cluster.

IR-2 and his crew learn about PAHs, which may be the building blocks of all life in the Universe, and decide to put them to good use.

Does the Helix Nebula look like a human eye? Why do we think we see well-known objects in nebulous images from space? An astronomer and his therapist clash over the issue in this comedic but educational animated short.

IR-2 opens diplomatic relations with the Earth, as a first step toward ruling over all humans on the planet.

During a tense face-off with a sinister (but extremely slow-moving) alien race, Dr. Michelle shows IR-1 how scientists can determine what extrasolar planets are made of, even when the planets are too far away to see.

Hoping for his birthday to come around sooner, innocent alien M51 moves the Earth into a closer, faster orbit around the sun, and learns an important lesson about life in the Universe.

While trapped in an interdimensional portal between two brown dwarfs, IR-2 and the robots encounter their evil twins from an alternate universe.

George Takei, Mark Hamill, and Ed Wasser provide voices as IR-2 and the robot crew take a look at the Great Attractor, a massive hidden object that is pulling in every nearby galaxy in the local Universe (including our own).

In this spoof of old TV action shows, Sean Astin, Osa Wallander, and Betty White search for a way to help the Spitzer Space Telescope after it runs out of coolant.

Linda Hamilton attempts to foil the robots' plans of Universal conquest; meanwhile, Dean Stockwell explains the concept of "looking back in time" at objects in space, and how it helps astronomers understand how the Universe has evolved. Starring Ed Wasser as the voice of IR-2.

Felicia Day explains some of the science behind galactic "collisions," including the upcoming collision between the galaxy Andromeda and our own galaxy, in this mock behind-the-scenes look at the making of an educational video. Sean Astin also stars.

A singing NASA supervisor uses song to explain about NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, and how infrared astronomy differs from visible-light telescopes like Hubble.

Amy Okuda flies to Saturn to observe a new giant ring around the planet: the largest ring ever discovered in our Solar System, but one that was only recently revealed through infrared observations by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope in 2009. While there, she and Irwin (voiced by Wil Wheaton) encounter an old enemy, and must defeat their sinister plot. Ed Wasser also stars.

Actor Sean Astin is hired by a bullying educational film Director and her Flunky #2 sidekick to explain about the life and death of stars. But when things go wrong on the set, actor Sandeep Parikh is hired to replace Sean... only to have things take a bizarre twist.

Robot IR-2 (Ed Wasser) meets The Physician (Wil Wheaton), an intergalactic buttinsky in a small blue box spaceship. Together, they work to escape "The Destroyer of Worlds," a binary star system that is destroying its inner planets. With Brigitte Dale.

Veronica Belmont co-hosts a space-themed talk show with Astronomy Anemone, a carnivorous man-eating sea polyp. WARNING: contains scenes of cartoon violence and scientific jargon.

Did you know radiation from the Big Bang can be seen on any analogue television set? In this mini-musical, a young couple (Brigitte Dale, Marc Helou) discuss the real science behind this, while arguing over what to watch on TV. Original song written & performed by Danny Tieger.

Cameron Diaz teaches Robot IR-2 (Ed Wasser) how astronomers can measure the mass of asteroids from tremendous distances. Specifically, it describes the formula "F=ma" and how it can be used in conjunction with measurements of the "Yarkovsky Effect," a force that can push around asteroids & other objects in space.

Deep inside an astronomer's head, a parasite (voiced by Alan Tudyk) taps into his brain to learn about...science! Specifically, about why astronauts appear weightless in space. Wil Wheaton co-stars.

When a science-mad A.I. system (voiced by GLaDOS actress Ellen McLain) is installed at NASA, two hapless computer technicians learn the process behind nuclear fusion in the Sun, and how it differs from fission.

How does NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope use engineering to stay cold in space? To find out, a student (Danny Pudi) exchanges letters with a NASA engineer (Robert Picardo) via a helpful talking postage stamp (Richard Horvitz).