Astrum cover art
ActiveUnited Kingdom

Astrum

A solo-hosted documentary series exploring the latest discoveries and enduring mysteries of astronomy and space exploration.

The brief

This is a solo-hosted, documentary-style YouTube show that breaks down complex topics in astrophysics and planetary science. Using a clear, authoritative voice-over, host Alex McColgan explains concepts from the formation of lunar craters to alternative theories about black holes. Episodes are built around a central scientific question and are heavily reliant on polished animations, data visualizations, and simulations to tell the story.

The show's strength is its ability to translate dense, cutting-edge scientific papers and theories into compelling, visually-rich narratives. Unlike many science channels, it often focuses on a single, deep topic per episode, such as a specific celestial object or a new research paper, giving viewers a thorough understanding.
— What makes it distinctive
§1 · The host

Who hosts this show

Astrum is a UK-based YouTube channel that explains complex topics in astronomy, astrophysics, and planetary science. Hosted by Alex McColgan, the show uses high-quality animations, clear narration, and simulations to make cutting-edge science accessible to a general audience. McColgan started the channel in 2013 while at university and has since grown it to include a team of writers and editors.

AI-extracted bio · help us verify· Source: gemini-video-grounded

Credentials & credits

  • Creator of Astrum YouTube channel since 2013
  • BA in Digital Film and TV, University Centre Grimsby
  • Director, MCCOLGAN ASTRUM SPACE LIMITED

Other ventures

  • Astrum Podcast
  • Astrum Earth (YouTube channel)
  • Astrum Spanish (YouTube channel)
  • Astrum Portuguese (YouTube channel)
  • Patreon Membership
§2 · Classification

What kind of podcast

Region
uk
§3 · Cadence & catalog

When new episodes drop

Publishing rate
~1.2/week
Not shown by Apple / Spotify
Total episodes
473
Last episode
3 months ago
Jun 24, 2026
Status
Active
§3b · Editor's picks

Notable episodes

AI-extracted picks + commentary · help us verify
  1. 01
    Sagittarius A* Might Not Be a Black Hole

    Explores a radical new theory that challenges a core concept in astrophysics, demonstrating the show's ability to tackle cutting-edge, complex science.

  2. 02
    This Moon Collision Did Something Crazy on Earth

    Connects a remote lunar event directly to Earth's history, including the age of dinosaurs, making a distant topic feel immediate and impactful.

  3. 03
    Something Came Out of 3I/ATLAS

    Provides a comprehensive summary of a major, collaborative scientific observation campaign, showcasing the show's role as a detailed science communicator.

§4 · Signature

What you'll be asked on this show

How the host interviews

Astrum is a solo narrative show with no interviews. Host Alex McColgan uses a voice-over to guide the viewer through a scientific topic, often structuring the episode around a central mystery. The visual style is polished and professional, with frequent use of high-quality simulations and animations to illustrate complex ideas. Some episodes are "supercuts" that compile and update previous content on a single theme, like the search for water on Mars.

Signature segments

  • · Host introduction: "I'm Alex McColgan and you're watching Astrum."
  • · Patreon supporter credits displayed on rockets in the end screen.
  • · "Supercut" episodes compiling previous content on a single topic.
  • · Occasional "at home" meme format (e.g., "We have Tycho Crater at home.")

Topics covered repeatedly

AstronomyAstrophysicsPlanetary ScienceSpace ExplorationCosmologyLunar GeologyBlack HolesDark MatterInterstellar ObjectsJames Webb Space Telescope
§5 · Guests

Who gets booked here

AI-extracted guest list + profile · help us verify
Typical guest

The show does not feature guest interviews. It frequently cites the work of scientists, researchers, and historical figures, often showing their names and affiliations on screen, but they do not appear for interviews.

§6 · Channels & links

Where to find this show

§7 · Stats

Audience & reach

YouTube · first-party
Subscribers
2.8M
2,820,000
Avg views / video
717K
Trailing window
Total views
583M
583,085,805
Videos published
473
Sponsor readEstimated

Sponsors are often tech-focused (Dwarf Lab telescopes, JMP statistical software) or direct-to-consumer brands that appeal to a scientifically curious audience (Babbel, VisiSolar eclipse glasses). Sponsorships are integrated as host-read segments within the video, often with a discount code for viewers.

AI-extracted sponsor read · help us verify

Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.

§8 · Contact

Pitch this show

Sign-in required
Verified contact
Host / booking email
a•••@•••.com
Public channels

Free: limited reveals · Pro: unlimited reveals + CSV export
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§9b · FAQ

People also ask

AI-extracted researched answers · help us verify
What is the host's name?
The creator and host of Astrum is Alex McColgan.
Is Astrum still making new videos?
Yes, the channel is active and typically releases new videos on a weekly basis.
What is the format of the show?
Astrum is a solo-hosted, narrative documentary-style show. It does not feature interviews.
Where can I watch Astrum?
The primary platform for Astrum is its YouTube channel. Audio versions are also available as a podcast on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Does the show have guests?
No, Astrum is a solo narrative format and does not conduct interviews. It does, however, frequently reference the work of various scientists and researchers.
Last updatedJun 29, 2026Not yet host-verified
Research depthDeep dossierHigh confidence · Jun 29, 2026 · gemini-2.5-pro

Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.

§9c · Methodology

Sources & how this page was built

This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence

  1. [01]Astrum YouTube Channelyoutube.com
  2. [02]MCCOLGAN ASTRUM SPACE LIMITED - Companies Housefind-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk
  3. [03]Astrum Space - Apple Podcastspodcasts.apple.com
  4. [04]Astrum Pivots to Memberships After a Decade on YouTube - The Publish Pressthepublishpress.com
  5. [05]Alex McColgan Work Blog - CV and Referencealexmccolganworkblog.blogspot.com
  6. [06]Astrum Patreonpatreon.com
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