Galaxy Quenching

In this Radiolab episode, Lulu Miller interviews Charity Woodrum, a NASA astrophysicist, about her work studying galaxy quenching and rejuvenation. Charity shares her personal journey, from growing up in rural Oregon amidst family struggles to finding solace in the night sky and eventually pursuing her dream of working in astrophysics. The discussion covers the scientific concepts of galaxy death and rebirth, as well as Charity's experience of profound personal loss when her husband and son were swept out to sea. She recounts how returning to her research and finding support from friends and even strangers helped her cope with grief and continue her work, which includes studying galaxies in the Hubble Deep Field using the James Webb Space Telescope. The episode explores themes of loss, resilience, and the interconnectedness of the universe, mirroring Charity's personal experiences with the life cycles of galaxies.