She’s among the most famous missing persons in history.  On the eightieth anniversary of Amelia Earhart’s disappearance, mystery still shrouds her fate. What happened during the last leg of her round-the-world trek?

Theories abound.  Perhaps she ran out of fuel, and plunged into the ocean… or was captured by the Japanese.  A non-profit international organization, TIGHAR, suggests she was a castaway, and offers up a new analysis of bones found on a Pacific atoll during the time of the Second World War. Their researchers will return to this possible landing spot to seek more clues this summer.

We consider these theories and weigh the new evidence surrounding Earhart’s puzzling last flight.  Also, why are we uncomfortable with open-ended mysteries?

Guests:

  • Andrew McKenna – Researcher with TIGHAR (The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery)

  • Claire Maldarelli – Editor at Popular Science Magazine

  • Andrew Maynard – Director of the Risk Innovation Lab, Arizona State University

  • John Norberg – Journalist and former writer on air and space for Purdue University

Segments:
Part 1: John Norberg / Historic Flight
Part 2: Andrew McKenna / TIGHAR’s Search
Part 3: Claire Maldarelli / Evidence of Amelia
Part 4: Andrew Maynard / Inescapable Uncertainty

Descripción en español

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2026 Webby Award Nominee
for our three part series on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

Big Picture Science is an immersive radio show and podcast that reveals the unexpected connections in science.

Our Skeptic Check episodes take a critical look at extraordinary science claims and pseudoscience.

Don’t settle for a science snapshot. Get the big picture. 

Hosted By

Molly Bentley Executive Producer and Co-Host, Big Picture Science  

Seth Shostak Producer and Co-Host, Big Picture Science
Senior Astronomer, SETI Institute

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