Radio Waves
November 12, 2025 • EPISODE 286
How do invisible waves travel across the world and beyond? In this episode of Science LIVE, Dr. Roger Billings dives into the fascinating science of radio waves—how they’re created, how they move through space, and how they make long-distance communication possible. From the basics of frequency and transmission to early breakthroughs like Morse code and modern applications such as HAM radio and space communication, join us as we explore the hidden currents that keep us connected.
About DrB
Dr. Roger Billings is a visionary innovator whose work has touched the lives of millions of students and transformed the landscape of education. Widely known as “DrB” to the countless kids who benefit from his groundbreaking Acellus learning system, Dr. Billings has dedicated his life to advancing education through technology.
As part of DrB’s lifelong commitment to supporting education, Science LIVE was launched as a way to “give back” by mentoring students in conjunction with the Roger Billings Scholarship Program.
Read more about DrB »
About the Roger Billings Scholarship Program »
Those watches are so cool. I can’t believe they can time things on the moon!
Science is so amazing!
da da di da da di di di di daa
Learning about science is one of my favorite things!
Hello from ND! I think Morse code is such an amazing tool
That astronaut experience sounds nerve wracking but exciting.
Learning about space is so cool
I love watching science live!!
How do you measure the amount of gravity on a planet?
I look forward to learning something new every Wednesday 🙂
What timezone did astronauts use their watches on? Was it the time of the area where they took off, or elsewhere?
howdy from Texas
What material is the b-2 spirit stealth bombers coating made off
That is cool.
That’s so cool! It makes me want an Omega watch. 😉
I love science live
This is Kasen from Hawaii it’s soooo cool to learn that lasers can be used to cool things down!
Where do you submit your science fair projects?
I always wondered why watches were needed in space?
How does the morse code signal get from from one place to another?
I really love science live, its so educational and entertaining to watch.
Is Morse code still used today? Where?
if i’m right they still use it in the military
Thank you for answering my question
The only Morse code I know is S.O.S.
It was interesting learning about the Omega watch and it’s impact on space travel.
Do people still use Morris Code?
heyy ! from NC, North Carolina, love learning new things from this live !
It is amazing to learn about the watch that made to the moon, something that seemed useless to have turn into something that was relied on in a matter of life and death.
Its crazy to think that the Omega watch saved those astronaut from possibly missing earth.
Hello from Las Vegas! I really like science Wednesdays
The Omega watch was fantastic to learn about. Thanks for the story.
How did Morse code originate?
I like when you guys talk about radio waves and signals and space.
Happy Science Live, from Nevada!
I love everything about space.
I loooooooooove that jacket ms. Pajet
Wow, making such a sturdy watch is incredible. Making a watch that can pass all those test is truly amazing and nothing short of incredible. The precision of time for the watch is also incredible.
Why cant we see any other planets other than moon from earth?
Looking forward to see what Dr. Roger Billings has to say today and the silly stuff R-51 will do. (I just remembered that I’ve been calling him R-15 before, typos are annoying.)
How old is Morse code?
I never knew about NASA using watches in space. Interesting to hear how they used them too.
I think that the talk about space was very cool! I liked the story about the Omega watch. My mom didn’t even know about that stuff
What else has Snoopy been apart of? There should be a Snoopyland.
Such a cool learning experience!
It would be cool to go to space.
Here from Kentucky tonight. I’m very interested in learning more about astronauts and the devices they use.
This is the best part of my day and, I love science 🧫
When did the watch company find out they actually made the watch that NASA ended up using for the missions?
Hi from Texas you don’t sound old you do sound smart. I would love to go to the moon one day.
Are Omega watches standard issue now for Astronauts?
I love learning something every Wednesday
Wednesday is my favorite night bc of science night live!
I love astrology and learning about the outer space!
I bet that the Apollo astronauts wore the Omega watches after their missions, too.
I love the moon
Hello Dr. Roger Billings!!
Wow, making such a sturdy watch is incredible. Making a watch that can pass all those test is truly amazing and nothing short of incredible. The precision of time for the watch is also incredible.
I think it was so cool how they used the watch to time things while on the moon.
First week doing this school! The live is interesting!
that’s really cool I have been doing it for about three or four years!
I bet you will enjoy Acellus academy its amazing how much you can learn from everyone!
Talking about cool lazers is so interesting, and about the watch that made it to the moon and helped save their lives!!
Hey! How’s project deep hole going?
*I appreciate science live thank you*
The moon and space exploring is so cool!
I never knew that they used a watch.
I love this live so much.
I always thought that those astronaut suits were so cool
Dr. Billings is the best! I learn so much from him
I learn a lot from him to.
How do our organs react to the lack of gravity in space? Does our organs and stomach acid float in our bodies in space?
Do any of the astronauts today, that are on the International Space Station or with Space X still use Omega watches?
The company made a space watch, pretty out of this world.
Looking forward to see what Dr. Roger Billings has to say today!
I enjoyed Dr. Tobias’ lecture about the omega watch and how it was tested and able to be used during the first moon landing.
It was so interesting to learn about the story of the Omega watch, and the subsequent events that occured from it. I love how fun and humorous the Snoopy Award was, adding a lightheartedness to a serious and stressful situation.
Always such a joy to watch these!
was the snoopy award a challenge coin
snoopy is still really popular in the space world.
Did you know: The fictional astronaut Buzz Lightyear from Disney Pixar’s Toy Story, is actually named after the second man on the moon, Neil Armstong’s partner on Apollo 11, Buzz Aldrin.
Fun fact from a Disney nerd that enjoys science, haha.
Hey from Delaware!
I love Science lIve (✿◡‿◡)
yay Dr. roger billings
hiii i loved watching nasa videos when i was little!
The fact that the Omega Watch could withstand so many tests against the other watches, shows how durable they truly are.
That sounds nerve wracking .
My favorite part was when he talked about how the Apollo 11 Mission in the 1960s almost went wrong!
R-51 is the best!
DrB!!!!!!!!
How much does the watch cost to produce?
The story on how the omega watch saved the astronauts lives during Apollo 13 is fascinating!
I love snoopy!
Do they still sell Omega watches?
How durable is the material Omega used for their watches? How was it able to withstand extreme temperatures for so long?
Do they still sell the omega watches that were used on the moon?
Best fun fact I ever heard, never expected NASA to be connected with Snoopy in any way possible! love it!
I love learning so many new things every Wednesday!
What would’ve happened if they did not have that watch? coming from NC
The coral is so pretty!
I was wondering why they would need a watch in space, but that makes sense.
I love Science Live
NASA got LUCKY!!!!!!! 😀 It seems like it was hard!!!
How much was the omega watch company paid for making these special watches?
I would be very scared in those 14 seconds
Hello from Montana! Have you ever stopped to think, “How much has science evolved since the first invention?”
the snoopy award, love it. I love science live I learn so much
aww snoopyyyyy that’s so cute
Wow imagine being on the moon
WOW! that 14 seconds was alot of pressure!
If they missed the earth what would happen?
Hello from New York! It is snowing here right now. I got accepted to one of the universities I applied to! 🙂
Hello!!! Greetings from Dominican Republic.
I didn’t know watches were put through so many tests.
Apollo 13 has always intrigued me
I like Tobias’s tie! Looks great 😊
I never knew about the watches when they went to the moon- thank you!
I would not think that a wrist watch would be so important.
It’s quite scary how you can easily miss earth by just a second. Glad they had the watches on hand.
How much has the moon changed since the first man went on the moon?
Its amazing to know that watches are even used on important mission’s like going to the moon.
I like your tie.
How did the omega watch stay in tact after going to space and all the test?
I’ve always thought it’s really cool that astronauts can communicate with the team on Earth from all the way up in space.
I’d really like to see more sections on Astrology.
they made a movie based off Apollo 13, it’s pretty intense, but it’s a great movie!
who knew lasers could be used for cooling. That could be used for air conditioners.
Its Aubree from Texas! love watching science live!! So fun!
One single second off and they would miss Earth??
Where are the watches today from the moon landing?
Can you buy those watches today?
I need a watch like that.
Hello from Massachusetts! How did Apollo 13 happen?
The watch is actually quite nice looking.
I wonder if those watches could work on Mars?
What materials were used that kept the watches from getting too cold.
Is time on the moon the same as on earth?
Can anyone buy an omega watch?
Wow is omega the only watch company to make a watch that successfully work’s on the moon?
So for apollo 13 all they had were wrist watches
What makes certain watches more valuable than others?
How many watches did they test in total
What would you do if the experiment failed?
What were some issues that needed to be worked out, in order for the watches to work on the moon?
Did they find out what caused the Apollo 13 to have to shut down all the power to their shuttle?
Hello from CO😎 I didn’t actually know this and in 5th grade I learned about Neil!😎
I love science live! I always learn something new!
I find it quite amazing that every Wednesday I find out something new that I never knew about.
I always thought that those astronaut suits were so cool
how low is the gravity on the moon?
Wow! That is amazing. I’ve never thought about the role of time in rocket science. What are other gadgets used in rocket science that are often overlooked?
I don’t think there’s gravity on the moon
I love dr Tubious
I love science live it is so fun
Hi from Texas! I just started this program yesterday. This is my first Science Live. I’m excited to learn new things!
From NE Happy Science Live
why did they need a watch in space?
I love everything about space. I never knew about the watch.
Are corals living or are they just like bushes under water
How do astronaut suits help you breathe on the moon
Are omega watches sold for all people to buy?
What were some of the kinks that needed to be worked out, in order for the watches to work on the moon?
I never noticed the watch! That’s so cool!
Astronauts are so cool
i love space man its crazy how some people think the moon landing isnt real
I never noticed the watch! Thats so cool!
How do you come up with the ideas for science live
I didn’t know there was such intense testing for watches I found that pretty interesting.
watches are so cool. and that’s so cool how they test it for durbality and functionality
When was the stopwatch invented?
those outfits are cool
Hello Tobias, I love your segment on Science Live Night!
Why was it called the omega?
Love the Space tie. 🙂
Who knew all the variables that would need to be thought of to develop a watch for space
How does the Omega watch work, what is the mechanism?
I find it so interesting how powerful lasers can be.
Imagine being anonymously contacted by NASA and not replying.
so excited that I have the opportunity to learn about this today!
I love Tobias’s section!! I love history and science and this is both!
what would happen if it did fail
breakthrough moments in science is my favorite segment
What does a thermal vacuum chamber operate on?
How did they cool the laser’s down to a cold temperature?
What are some of the watch companies that were apart of the 4 that sent them prototypes?
My dad just said that he thought you were going to talk about an Omega Speedmaster!