Join Professor Fred Watson, world-renowned Astronomer at Large, and Sci-Fi Author and Broadcaster Andrew Dunkley, on their captivating podcast, Space Nuts. Dive...
Space Nuts #476 Q&A: Gravitational Waves, Space Stations, and Ultra Massive Black HolesJoin Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in this engaging Q&A edition of Space Nuts as they tackle intriguing questions from listeners worldwide. From the curious nature of gravitational waves to the feasibility of a dual orbiting space station, and the mystery of ultra massive black holes, this episode is full of cosmic conundrums and insightful discussions.Episode Highlights:- Gravitational Waves Conundrum: Explore whether gravitational waves can reflect or refract like light or sound waves. Understand the unique nature of these quadrupole waves and how they interact with the fabric of Space.- Orbiting Space Stations: Delve into the concept of a space station orbiting both Earth and the Moon in a figure 8 pattern. Discuss the challenges of such an endeavour and its potential impact on lunar missions.- China's Satellite Constellations: Examine the implications of China's new satellite constellation and the efforts to reduce their visibility, similar to SpaceX's Starlink.- Ultra Massive Black Holes: Investigate the possibility of ultra massive black holes residing in cosmic voids and their potential role in the universe's large-scale structure.- Spacesuit Compatibility Issues: Understand the challenges faced by astronauts due to incompatible spacesuits between Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Dragon capsule.For more Space Nuts, including our continually updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on facebook, X, YouTube, Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favourite platform.For more Space and Astronomy News Podcasts, visit our HQ at www.bitesz.com.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/aboutTo check out a couple of our sponsors visit NordVPN and OldGloryStay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.00:00 - This edition of Space Nuts will focus on gravitational waves01:28 - Colin asks is there any evidence that gravitational waves reflect or refract06:25 - Is it possible to have a space station orbiting both Earth and the moon09:39 - With China adding a new, currently visible satellite constellation, are discussions being had13:39 - Professor Fred Watson answers audience questions in Q and A edition19:55 - Your final question reflects on an issue we spoke about recently21:09 - Mark asks about spacesuit compatibility between Boeing Starliner and SpaceX Dragon26:51 - If you have questions for us, please send them through via our website✍️ Episode ReferencesSpaceXhttps://www.spacex.com/Starlinkhttps://www.starlink.com/Apollo 8https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_8Artemis Programmehttps://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/International Space Station (ISS)https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.htmlUSA Todayhttps://www.usatoday.com/Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/copuos/index.html Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts--2631155/support.
Space Nuts Episode 475: Skynet's Secret, Rocket Dreams, and Magenta MysteriesJoin Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson as they delve into the latest cosmic stories and uncover the mysteries of the universe. From the fall of a pioneering rocket company to the unexpected movement of the UK's oldest satellite, and the vibrant magenta aurorae over Japan, this episode is packed with fascinating insights and celestial curiosities.Episode Highlights:- Reaction Engines' Setback: Discover the tragic halt in development for the UK company aiming to revolutionise Space travel with their innovative Space plane, Skylon. Learn about the SABRE engine's potential and the financial hurdles that have stalled this groundbreaking project.- Skynet's Mysterious Move: Uncover the curious case of Skynet 1A, the UK's oldest satellite, which has mysteriously shifted its position in orbit. Explore the potential implications of this movement and the historical context of this Cold War era satellite.- Magenta Aurorae Explained: Dive into the world of citizen science as we explore how amateur astronomers helped explain the appearance of magenta aurorae over Japan. Understand the atmospheric conditions and solar activity that led to this rare and beautiful phenomenon.For more Space Nuts, including our continually updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on facebook, X, YouTube, Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favourite platform.For more Space and Astronomy News Podcasts, visit our HQ at www.bitesz.com.Become a supporter of this podcast for extended commercial free episodes and more. Visit our Support page for options: https://spacenutspodcast.com/about (A great Christmas Present idea...just saying)Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.00:00 - This is Space Nuts where we talk, uh, astronomy and space science02:02 - Company trying to develop rocket motor to get into orbit has run out of money08:11 - Professor Fred Watson says SpaceX's proposed rocket would have been environmentally friendly12:11 - Someone apparently moved UK's oldest satellite, which was launched in 196919:57 - Fred Wa says Americans originally controlled satellite's orbit but RAF eventually took control22:49 - This year has been an astounding year in terms of being able to observe aurora30:35 - Andrew Dunkley: Thanks for your company, Fred✍️ Episode ReferencesReaction Engines[Reaction Engines](https://www.reactionengines.co.uk/)Universe Today[Universe Today](https://www.universetoday.com/)BBC[BBC](https://www.bbc.com/)Optus[Optus](https://www.optus.com.au/)Lockheed Blackbird[Lockheed Blackbird](https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/index.html)SpaceX[SpaceX](https://www.spacex.com/)Phys.org[Phys.org](https://phys.org/)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts--2631155/support.
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#474 Q&A: Constellation Curiosities, Comet Encounters & The Universe's Birthdate
Space Nuts Episode 474 Q&A: Cosmic Constellations, Comet Mysteries, and Citizen ScienceJoin Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson as they explore the wonders of the universe in this Q&A edition of Space Nuts. From the shifting constellations as you journey through Space to the enigmatic nature of comets and the age of the universe, this episode is packed with celestial insights and intriguing questions from our audience.Episode Highlights:- Constellations from Afar: Discover how the constellations we know would appear from different vantage points in Space. How far must you travel before the familiar star patterns become unrecognisable?- Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS: Delve into the story of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, its recent appearance in our skies, and the question of whether it has visited our solar system before. Learn about the signs that indicate a comet's history and its journey from the Oort Cloud.- Age of the Universe: Uncover the methods used to determine the age of the universe, including the role of the Hubble constant and the importance of measuring cosmic distances. How close are we to knowing the exact age?- Citizen Science Opportunities: Explore the world of citizen science and how you can contribute to astronomical discoveries. From asteroid occultations to light curve data, find out how you can be part of the scientific community.For more Space Nuts, including our continually updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on facebook, X, YouTube, Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favourite platform.For more Space and Astronomy News Podcasts, visit our HQ at www.bitesz.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spacenutspodcast.com/aboutStay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.00:00 - Space Nuts Q and A edition with Professor Fred Watson01:29 - Roger asks how far can you go before constellations start getting disoriented07:45 - Professor Fred and Andrew answer your questions about the Space Nuts podcast09:13 - On the nights I was best able to observe it, it was cloudy10:49 - Could this comet be its first visit into the inner solar system13:47 - How did we measure how old the universe is? Thanks, Fred19:16 - Sandy asks what is the greatest astronomical discovery by a citizen scientist✍️ Episode ReferencesSpace Nuts Podcast[Space Nuts Podcast](https://www.spacenutspodcast.com)New Horizons[New Horizons](https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/newhorizons/main/index.html)Zooniverse[Zooniverse](https://www.zooniverse.org)DreamLab App[DreamLab](https://www.vodafone.com.au/about/news-centre/dreamlab)Unistellar[Unistellar](https://unistellaroptics.com)Galaxy Zoo[Galaxy Zoo](https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/zookeeper/galaxy-zoo)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts--2631155/support.
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#473: Alien Volcanoes, Black Hole Mysteries & Uranus Revisited
Space Nuts Episode 473: Volcanic Worlds, Vanishing Stars, and Uranus MysteriesJoin Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson as they embark on a cosmic journey exploring the fiery phenomena of volcanoes, the curious case of a supernova that wasn't, and the peculiarities of Uranus in this episode of Space Nuts.Episode Highlights:- Volcanic Exoplanets: Discover the latest findings on an exoplanet, L98-59d, which may be volcanically active or even a molten world. Learn how the James Webb Space Telescope has helped uncover the atmospheric signatures indicating volcanic activity.- The Supernova That Never Was: Delve into the enigmatic story of a star in the Andromeda Galaxy that collapsed into a black hole without the typical supernova explosion. Understand the theories behind this rare cosmic event and its implications for black hole formation.- Revisiting Uranus: Re-examine the data from Voyager 2's flyby of Uranus, revealing new insights into the planet's magnetosphere and challenging previous assumptions. Discover how a solar flare might have skewed our understanding of this gas giant.For more Space Nuts, including our continually updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on facebook, X, YouTube, Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favourite platform.For more Space and Astronomy News Podcasts, visit our HQ at www.bitesz.com.If you'd like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders, visit spacenutspodcast.com/aboutStay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.00:00 - This episode is dedicated to volcanoes, supernovas that were not01:04 - Icelandic word for double L has two double L's in it02:58 - An exoplanet that scientists think might be volcanic has been discovered10:20 - L98.59D is very close to its parent star12:38 - A supernova that did not happen has turned into a black hole21:22 - Andrew Dunkley says black holes are characterised by very few parameters22:57 - New research on Uranus suggests its magnetic bubble may have been distorted✍️ Episode ReferencesSpace Nuts Podcasthttps://www.bitesz.com/show/space-nuts/Professor Fred Watsonhttps://www.fredwatson.com.au/Eyjafjallajökullhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eyjafjallaj%C3%B6kullTikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/Vanuatuhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VanuatuDenpasar, Indonesiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DenpasarNASA's TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite)https://www.nasa.gov/tess-transiting-exoplanet-survey-satelliteNASA's Kepler Space Telescopehttps://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.htmlJames Webb Space Telescope (JWST)https://www.jwst.nasa.gov/Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Researchhttps://space.mit.edu/Andromeda Galaxy (M31)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andromeda_GalaxyPhys.orghttps://phys.org/Cosmos Magazinehttps://cosmosmagazine.com/Voyager 2https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/Linda Spilkerhttps://solarsystem.nasa.gov/people/1618/linda-spilker/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts--2631155/support.
Space Nuts #472 Q&A Edition: Titan's Mysteries and Cosmic CuriositiesJoin Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in this intriguing Q&A episode of Space Nuts, where they delve into the mysteries of our solar system and beyond, addressing questions from their curious audience. From the unique atmosphere of Titan to the hypothetical existence of Planet Nine, this episode is filled with captivating discussions and astronomical insights.Episode Highlights:- Titan's Atmospheric Enigma: Explore the origins of Titan's thick nitrogen atmosphere and its ability to retain it, unlike Mars. Discover the role of comets and organic chemistry in shaping this unique moon's environment.- Tidal Locking Explained: Understand the gravitational phenomenon of tidal locking and why proximity and size matter. Learn about the differences in how natural and man-made satellites maintain their orientation.- Planet Nine Hypothesis: Dive into a speculative theory about Planet Nine and its potential impact on Uranus and Mercury. Discuss the ongoing search for this elusive celestial body.- Triton's Dwarf Planet Status: Uncover the history of Neptune's moon Triton and its possible past as a dwarf planet. Examine the characteristics that make Triton a fascinating world in its own right.- Distinguishing Doppler Effects: Differentiate between Doppler shifts caused by relative motion and the redshift due to the universe's expansion. Explore how these phenomena are used to study cosmic objects.For more Space Nuts, including our continually updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on facebook, X, YouTube, Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favourite platform.For more Space and Astronomy News Podcasts, visit our HQ at www.bitesz.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts/supportor visit our Support page for more options: https://spacenutspodcast.com/aboutStay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.00:00 - This is a Q and A episode and we will be doing some homework01:17 - How come Titan can retain an atmosphere when Mars cannot07:23 - Why is tidal locking a function of proximity of bound objects11:00 - Ash Brisbane proposes that Planet Nine once existed on elliptical orbit14:43 - Nigel from Brisbane Australia asks hypothetical question about Neptune's Triton18:59 - Triton may have been formed much further out in the solar system21:17 - Nigel asks where the word asteroid came from23:24 - Fred answers question from Robert McCowan about Doppler effect✍️ Episode ReferencesKelly Millerhttps://www.swri.orgSpace.com articlehttps://www.space.com/saturn-moon-titan-makes-own-atmosphere.html3--- Southwest Research Institutehttps://www.swri.orgiHeartRadiohttps://www.iheart.comApple Podcastshttps://www.apple.com/apple-podcasts/Spotifyhttps://www.spotify.combitesz.comhttps://www.bitesz.com
Join Professor Fred Watson, world-renowned Astronomer at Large, and Sci-Fi Author and Broadcaster Andrew Dunkley, on their captivating podcast, Space Nuts. Dive into the vast universe of space, astronomy and astrophysics as they discuss the latest news, exciting space travel adventures, groundbreaking discoveries, and unravel the enduring mysteries of the cosmos. This engaging series offers a unique blend of expert insights and imaginative storytelling and listener input, making it a must-listen for space enthusiasts and science fiction fans alike.Two episodes a week with news and explainer focused editions published on Thursday's and our Listener Q&A focused edition on Monday's.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts--2631155/support.