Nature Podcast – As the International Year of Astronomy kicks off, we look into the role of self-gravity in star formation, and discover a pair of unusual meteorites in Antarctica. Plus: what happens when you ‘over-squeeze’ photons, and our predictions for science in 2009.

China builds inland Antarctic base

Kunlun station to open later this month atop the frozen continent’s oldest ice.

Companies racing into India’s nuclear market

Deal between India and United States spurs investment rush.