Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Greenland has been making headlines in recent years, but did you know that over 125 years ago, it was the site of a dramatic and troubling event involving meteorites, colonization, and exploitation?
In this powerful episode of Mr. Universe, astrophysicist Salman Hameed and host Monte Belmonte explore the incredible story of three massive iron meteorites taken from Greenland between 1894–1897 by U.S. naval officer Robert Peary. These space rocks were sold to the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York—but they weren’t the only things he brought back…
Peary also forcibly brought six Inughuit individuals—including children—to the U.S., a decision that led to heartbreak and tragedy. This overlooked chapter in the history of science raises important questions about ethics, colonialism, and the ownership of cultural and scientific heritage.
🔎 Topics Covered:
- Meteorites from Greenland 🌠
- The science behind iron meteorites 🧲
- Ethical concerns in historical scientific expeditions
- Colonialism in science & museum practices 🏛️
- Lessons for today’s scientific community
🎧 Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that blends astronomy, history, and ethics.
An edited version of this segment airs on The Fabulous 413 on NPR/NEPM
Listen Here: npr.org/podcasts/1155727495/the-fabulous-413
#meteorites #astronomynews #greenland #sciencehistory #colonialism #InuitHistory #spacemysteries #astronomyadventures #cosmology #astronomynews #podcast #scienceexplained #nasa #spaceexploration #trump #musk
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Salman Hameed has a PhD in astronomy and is Charles Taylor Chair and Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities at Hampshire College, and a member of the Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD) in Massachusetts, USA. He is also the CEO of the non-profit Kainaat Studios
Credits:
Hosts: Monte Belmonte & Salman Hameed
Editor: Shehryar Shaikh
Music: "Gates of Gagashah" by Zohaib Kazi
Images: Wikipedia, British Museum, PBS, American Museum of Natural History and Royal Museums Greenwich Prints
Galactic Orbiters (Founding Supporters):
Sahr Foundation, Dr. Zafar Iqbal & Dr. Mehr Iqbal, Qazi Family Foundation and PixelEdge
Stellar Orbiters:
AIIR Foundation, Ashraf Qazi, Aimen Khan, Slavena Emilova Molle and Abid & Farah Donation Fund
Space Orbiters:
Dr. Abdul Nadir, Dr. Asad Ansari, Dr. Salman Mallick, Dr. Tariq Hameed, Asif Alam, Zubair Faiz, Dr. Kamran Manzoor, Dr. Arsalan Malik and Junaid Qurashi
Thank you to all our other monthly donors as well!
If you wish to donate, please visit: kainaatstudios.com/donate
Greenland has been making headlines in recent years, but did you know that over 125 years ago, it was the site of a dramatic and troubling event involving meteorites, colonization, and exploitation?
In this powerful episode of Mr. Universe, astrophysicist Salman Hameed and host Monte Belmonte explore the incredible story of three massive iron meteorites taken from Greenland between 1894–1897 by U.S. naval officer Robert Peary. These space rocks were sold to the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York—but they weren’t the only things he brought back…
Peary also forcibly brought six Inughuit individuals—including children—to the U.S., a decision that led to heartbreak and tragedy. This overlooked chapter in the history of science raises important questions about ethics, colonialism, and the ownership of cultural and scientific heritage.
🔎 Topics Covered:
- Meteorites from Greenland 🌠
- The science behind iron meteorites 🧲
- Ethical concerns in historical scientific expeditions
- Colonialism in science & museum practices 🏛️
- Lessons for today’s scientific community
🎧 Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that blends astronomy, history, and ethics.
An edited version of this segment airs on The Fabulous 413 on NPR/NEPM
Listen Here: npr.org/podcasts/1155727495/the-fabulous-413
#meteorites #astronomynews #greenland #sciencehistory #colonialism #InuitHistory #spacemysteries #astronomyadventures #cosmology #astronomynews #podcast #scienceexplained #nasa #spaceexploration #trump #musk
Subscribe to our Kids Urdu Channel here: youtube.com/@UCDt7wgStPBzuxtcAf2qqnkg
Subscribe to our Urdu Channel here: youtube.com/@UClJlxaRQLPsx0gPIHgIZffw
For more information about Kainaat Studios:
kainaatstudios.com
Sign up to our mailing list to get unseen content and hear special announcements! kainaatstudios.com/newsletter
Follow us for more:
Facebook facebook.com/kainaatstudios
Twitter twitter.com/KainaatStudios
Instagram instagram.com/kainaatstudios
TikTok tiktok.com/@kainaatstudios
LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/kainaat
Salman Hameed has a PhD in astronomy and is Charles Taylor Chair and Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities at Hampshire College, and a member of the Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD) in Massachusetts, USA. He is also the CEO of the non-profit Kainaat Studios
Credits:
Hosts: Monte Belmonte & Salman Hameed
Editor: Shehryar Shaikh
Music: "Gates of Gagashah" by Zohaib Kazi
Images: Wikipedia, British Museum, PBS, American Museum of Natural History and Royal Museums Greenwich Prints
Galactic Orbiters (Founding Supporters):
Sahr Foundation, Dr. Zafar Iqbal & Dr. Mehr Iqbal, Qazi Family Foundation and PixelEdge
Stellar Orbiters:
AIIR Foundation, Ashraf Qazi, Aimen Khan, Slavena Emilova Molle and Abid & Farah Donation Fund
Space Orbiters:
Dr. Abdul Nadir, Dr. Asad Ansari, Dr. Salman Mallick, Dr. Tariq Hameed, Asif Alam, Zubair Faiz, Dr. Kamran Manzoor, Dr. Arsalan Malik and Junaid Qurashi
Thank you to all our other monthly donors as well!
If you wish to donate, please visit: kainaatstudios.com/donate
