Space Nuts: Astronomy Insights & Cosmic Discoveries

Sponsor Links:This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the support of Antigravity A1. Experience the future of flight with the world’s first all-in-one 8K 360 drone. With intuitive controls and immersive goggles, the Antigravity A1 redefines what it means to fly. Check it out at AntigravityA1.This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the support of NordVPN. Protect your online privacy with the fastest, most secure VPN. Enjoy exclusive deals and stay safe while browsing the cosmos at Nordvpn.com/spacenuts.Q&A Edition: Black Holes, Cosmic Expansion, and the Fate of the SunIn this engaging Q&A episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson tackle a series of thought-provoking questions from listeners. From the implications of a black hole's mass to the mysteries of cosmic expansion, this episode is packed with fascinating insights and cosmic curiosities.Episode Highlights:- Black Hole Mass and Star Density: Justin from Melbourne wonders about the radius in light years of a sphere containing the nearest 4 million stars, comparing it to the mass of Sagittarius A, the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy. Andrew and Fred discuss star density and the methods to calculate it.- The Universe's Future: Charles from Brooklyn asks whether the universe's potential retraction would shorten its lifespan from trillions of years to just a few billion. The hosts delve into the complexities of dark energy and the various theories surrounding the fate of the universe.- What If the Sun Disappeared? Dean from Queensland poses a thought experiment about the consequences of the sun's sudden disappearance. Andrew and Fred explain how gravity and light travel at the same speed, leading to an eight-minute delay before Earth feels the effects of the sun's absence.- Voyager Plaque Mysteries: Patrick brings an intriguing question about the Voyager spacecraft and the accuracy of the plaques they carry. The hosts clarify the misconception and explore the significance of the messages sent into space.For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, X, YouTube Music Music, Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favorite platform.If you’d like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit spacenutspodcast.com/about.Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.

Sponsor Links:This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the support of Antigravity A1. Experience the future of flight with the world’s first all-in-one 8K 360 drone. With intuitive controls and immersive goggles, the Antigravity A1 redefines what it means to fly. Check it out at AntigravityA1.This episode is brought to you with the support of NordVPN. When you really need to do something about your online privacy, go with the best...NordVPN. Get our extra 4 months free offer by visiting Nordvpn.com/spacenutsNew Year, New Discoveries: Expandable Space Stations, Martian Caves, and Rogue PlanetsIn this exciting New Year edition of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson kick off 2026 with a bang, discussing groundbreaking developments in space exploration and astronomy. From innovative proposals for expandable space stations to intriguing discoveries on Mars, this episode is packed with cosmic insights.Episode Highlights:- Expandable Space Stations: Andrew and Fred dive into a fascinating proposal for an inflatable space station that could expand to be larger than the International Space Station. They explore the technology behind this concept and its potential implications for future space tourism and research.- Strange Caves on Mars: The duo discusses recent findings of unique caves on Mars that may have formed through water-driven processes. These caves could provide a habitat for microbial life, sparking interest in future rover missions to investigate their potential.- Observations of Rogue Planets: Andrew and Fred delve into the elusive nature of rogue planets, discussing how recent observations using gravitational microlensing have shed light on a planet 22 times the mass of Jupiter, located approximately 10,000 light years from Earth. They reflect on the significance of these findings and the advancements in technology that facilitate such discoveries.For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, X, YouTube Music Music, Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favorite platform.If you’d like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit spacenutspodcast.com/about.Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.

This episode originally aired in 2024.Cosmic Q&A: Gravity, Energy, and Hidden GalaxiesIn this thought-provoking holiday repeat episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson dive into listener questions that explore the intricate relationships between gravity, energy, and the cosmos. With inquiries from Steve, Gus, and Nick, the discussion spans the nature of gravity, the implications of energy on gravitational fields, and the mysteries of galaxy movements.Episode Highlights:- Gravity Without Mass: Steve from New Zealand poses a fascinating question about the possibility of gravity existing without mass. Andrew and Fred discuss the theoretical implications and whether energy can contribute to gravitational effects, referencing concepts like thermal energy and dark matter.- Energy and Gravity: Gus from Jessica, Washington, raises an intriguing point about the equivalence of mass and energy and its relationship to gravity. The hosts navigate the complexities of gravitational energy and ponder whether the energy of gravitational fields could influence mass.- Hidden Galaxies: Nick from Auckland, New Zealand, wonders if there are early galaxies moving towards us that we can't yet see. The discussion delves into the concepts of redshift and peculiar motion, clarifying how the expansion of the universe affects our observations of distant galaxies.- Listener Engagement: The episode wraps up with Andrew and Fred encouraging listeners to keep sending in their questions, fostering a sense of community and curiosity about the universe.For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, X, YouTube Music Music, Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favorite platform.If you’d like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit spacenutspodcast.com/about.Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.

This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the support of Antigravity A1. Experience the future of flight with the world’s first all-in-one 8K 360 drone. With intuitive controls and immersive goggles, the Antigravity A1 redefines what it means to fly. Check it out at AntigravityA1.Archived Insights: Europa Clipper, Gravitational Waves, and Black Hole MysteriesIn this special episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson take a fascinating journey through some of the most compelling questions and discoveries in astronomy. As they explore the Europa Clipper mission, the nature of gravitational waves, and the enigmatic world of black holes, listeners are treated to a rich tapestry of cosmic knowledge. This episode originally aired in 2019.Episode Highlights:- Europa Clipper Mission: Andrew and Fred discuss NASA's exciting approval for the Europa Clipper mission, aimed at exploring Jupiter's icy moon Europa. They delve into the spacecraft's objectives, including investigating the moon's potential subsurface ocean and the challenges posed by Jupiter's intense radiation.- Gravitational Waves Explained: The hosts explore the recent detection of gravitational waves, speculating on their origins, including a possible black hole-neutron star merger. They discuss the significance of these findings and the ongoing efforts of astronomers to understand the universe's most violent events.- Black Hole Chris: Listener questions about the nature of black holes spark a lively discussion on topics such as infinite density, event horizons, and the complexities of capturing images of these cosmic phenomena. Andrew and Fred clarify misconceptions and provide insightful explanations.- Space Travel and Relativity: The episode wraps up with an intriguing listener question about the effects of traveling near the speed of light. Andrew and Fred clarify how relativistic mass works and dispel myths surrounding the transformation of spaceships into black holes.For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, X, YouTube Music Music, Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favorite platform.If you’d like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit spacenutspodcast.com/about.Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.

Cosmic Q&A: Light in Space, Astronaut Shielding, and Ice GiantsIn this engaging Q&A edition of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson tackle intriguing listener questions that delve into the mysteries of space. From the visibility of Voyager 1 in the depths of the solar system to the challenges of shielding astronauts from cosmic radiation, this episode is a treasure trove of cosmic knowledge.Episode Highlights:- Light in Space: Lee from New York City poses a thought-provoking question about how much light exists in space. Andrew and Fred explore the visibility of Voyager 1 and the implications of being far from the Sun, shedding light on human eye sensitivity and the ambient light from stars.- Shielding Astronauts: Fenton from St. Paul, Minnesota, raises an important question about protecting astronauts from radiation beyond the Van Allen Belt. The hosts discuss potential technologies, including superconducting electromagnets and the surprising effectiveness of hydrogen-rich materials like water as radiation shields.- Moon Comparisons: Robert from Vienna, Austria, wonders how our understanding of the solar system would differ if Earth had a moon like Europa or Titan, rather than our heavily cratered moon. The discussion highlights the significance of craters in understanding planetary history and the feasibility of landing on such moons.- Ice Giants Explained: Duncan from Weymouth, UK, questions why Uranus and Neptune are termed "ice giants" instead of "rock giants." Andrew and Fred clarify the definitions and characteristics that distinguish these planets from their gas giant counterparts, emphasizing the unique atmospheric compositions.For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, X, YouTube Music Music, Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favorite platform.If you’d like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit spacenutspodcast.com/about.Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.