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Space Nuts

Space Nuts

Professor Fred Watson and Andrew Dunkley

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.

481 - #470: Cosmic Questions: Dark Matter, Titan's Secrets & Universe's Energy
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  • 481 - #470: Cosmic Questions: Dark Matter, Titan's Secrets & Universe's Energy
    Space Nuts Q&A Edition #470 - Universe Enigmas and Titan's Mysteries
    Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in this captivating Q&A episode of Space Nuts, where they explore the cosmic questions posed by our curious audience. From the mysteries of a universe without black holes to the peculiar atmosphere of Saturn's moon Titan, this episode is brimming with fascinating insights and astronomical discussions.
    Episode Highlights:
    - Universe Without Dark Matter and Energy: Delve into the possibilities of a universe devoid of dark matter, dark energy, and black holes. Explore the implications for galaxy formation and the cosmic web, and ponder the nature of dark energy's role in the universe's expansion.
    - Energy Loss and the Universe's Age: Investigate the concept of energy loss in the universe and the methods used to calculate its age. Discover why uranium's half-life isn't the key to unlocking the universe's timeline and how the Hubble constant plays a role.
    -Early Universe Surprises:Question the surprises of finding ancient cosmic structures in the early universe. Examine how galaxy formation models are continually refined and the potential revelations from the Square Kilometre Array.
    - Titan's Unique Atmosphere: Unravel the mystery of Titan's dense atmosphere and compare it to Mars' inability to retain one. Consider the possible factors contributing to Titan's atmospheric retention and the role of cryovolcanism.
    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 SpaceNutsPodon 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/support.
    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 a Q and A edition of Space Nuts
    01:53 - Dark matter and dark energy are at the forefront of modern day cosmology
    09:10 - How much of the universe's energy is kind of like gone
    12:30 - Uranium was created in supernova explosions after the universe was formed
    13:33 - Using half life of uranium or lithium to calculate age of the universe is sinful
    15:33 - Ben Harding asks: Should we be surprised that galaxies formed so quickly
    21:39 - How did Saturn's moon Titan accumulate its thick nitrogen atmosphere
    26:45 - Andrew Dunkley: Thanks to everyone who's sending questions for Space Nuts
    Mon, 18 Nov 2024
  • 480 - #469: Ryugu's Magnetic Mysteries, Arecibo's Silent Collapse & Venusian Impact Revelations
    Space Nuts Episode 469: Ryugu Revelations and Celestial Mysteries
    Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in this enthralling episode of Space Nuts, where they delve into the latest astronomical discoveries and cosmic stories. From the secrets of asteroid Ryugu to the mysterious demise of the Arecibo Observatory, this episode is packed with fascinating insights and stellar discussions.
    Episode Highlights:
    - Ryugu's Magnetic Mysteries: Uncover new findings from the Ryugu asteroid samples, revealing insights into the magnetic fields of the outer solar system. Explore how these discoveries might reshape our understanding of planetary formation and the solar nebula.
    - Arecibo's Tragic End: Learn about the sad fate of the iconic Arecibo Observatory and the invisible issues that led to its collapse. Discover the plans for transforming this historic site into an education centre for future generations.
    - Venusian Impact Crater Discovery: Dive into the intriguing discovery of a massive impact crater on Venus, revealing unexpected similarities with ice moons like Callisto and Europa. Delve into the theories that suggest a past where Venus had a lava-covered surface.
    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/support.
    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. Thank you for joining us
    00:35 - Professor Fred Watson discusses Venus on this episode of space nuts
    02:45 - Russia put 53 satellites into orbit in one launch the other day
    05:17 - Scientists have found no sign of a preserved magnetic field in Ryugu samples
    14:36 - Andrew Dunkley with Professor Fred Watson studying Ryugu asteroid sample
    15:21 - The Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico collapsed in 2020
    23:13 - National Science foundation says the building will be turned into an education centre
    24:37 - Fred Call says Venus' craters are much younger than similar craters elsewhere
    32:53 - Yes. Isn't that amazing? That's really big pickup. Indeed. Um, Fred mentioned it. Yeah.
    33:03 - Please leave a review if you listen to us through whatever platform
    33:56 - All right, so, yeah, Fred Watson, astronomer at large
    Thu, 14 Nov 2024
  • 479 - #468: Moon Lava Tube Dangers, Black Hole Light Tricks & Gravitational Wave Wonders

    This episode is brought to you by Saily. Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily eSIM
    data plans! Download Saily app and use code 'spacenuts' at checkout. For more details on what Saily can do for you, visit www.saily.com/spacenuts
    Space Nuts Q&A Edition - Episode 468
    Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in this lively Q&A episode of Space Nuts, where they dive into a variety of intriguing questions from our audience. From the mysteries of lunar lava tubes to the wonders of black holes and gravitational waves, this episode is packed with fascinating insights and cosmic discussions.
    Episode Highlights:
    - Lunar Lava Tubes: Discuss the potential hazards that lunar lava tubes might pose for future moon missions. Explore the implications for astronauts traversing the moon's surface and how NASA might mitigate these risks.
    - Black Hole Conundrums: Tackle a thought-provoking question about the behaviour of light within a black hole. Discover the complexities of singularities and the fascinating concept of frame dragging in rotating black holes.
    - Gravitational Waves and Cosmic Expansion: Delve into the nature of gravitational waves and their impact on our understanding of the universe. Learn whether these waves could influence cosmic phenomena like gravitational lensing and the expansion of the universe.
    - Instatravel Pod Adventure: Imagine a journey to any location in the universe with a hypothetical instatravel pod. Join Andrew and Fred Watson as they share where they would go and why, from viewing the Milky Way from afar to discovering intelligent life on another planet.
    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/support.
    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 - Andrew Dunkley answers audience questions on this edition of Space Nuts
    03:54 - Mikey from Illinois ponders about possible lava tubes on the moon
    10:02 - Jake from Australia has a question about Black holes
    14:48 - Would gravitational waves help explain the expansion of the universe
    17:49 - Do gravitational waves travel as a sphere or do they affect space time
    22:15 - Fred asks two questions about a unique opportunity to travel in a space pod
    25:17 - Andrew was asked where he would like to go in the universe
    31:37 - Andrew Dunkley: Thank you for listening to the Space Nuts podcast

    Mon, 11 Nov 2024
  • 478 - #467: Decoding Mars Messages, Hungry Black Holes & Martian Water Mysteries

    This episode is brought to you by Saily. Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily eSIM
    data plans! Download Saily app and use code 'spacenuts' at checkout.

    Space Nuts Episode: Mars Mysteries and Cosmic Feasts
    Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in this intriguing episode of Space Nuts, where they dive into the latest discoveries and discussions in the realm of astronomy and Space exploration. From mysterious messages from Mars to the insatiable appetite of black holes, this episode is packed with fascinating insights and cosmic wonders.
    Episode Highlights:
    - Mars Message Decoded: Explore the story behind a mysterious message sent from Mars in 2023, now decoded by a father-daughter Timms. Discover the artistic and scientific collaboration that led to this unique project and its implications for extraterrestrial communication.
    - Ancient Mars' Climate Conundrum: Delve into a new study that challenges our understanding of Mars' history. Learn about the planet's carbon dioxide cycle and the possibility of ancient lakes and rivers hidden beneath layers of ice and CO2.
    - Black Hole's Cosmic Feast: Uncover the staggering discovery of a black hole consuming matter at an unprecedented rate. Understand the implications of this finding for our knowledge of black hole growth in the early universe.
    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/support.
    Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.

    Thu, 07 Nov 2024
  • 477 - #466: Mysterious Spacecraft Sounds, Big Bang Beliefs & Saturn's Ring Dynamics

    This episode is brought to you by Saily. Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily eSIM
    data plans! Download Saily app and use code 'spacenuts' at checkout.
    Space Nuts Q&A Edition - Episode 466
    Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in this captivating episode of Space Nuts, where they address intriguing questions from our audience. From unexplained spacecraft noises to the mysteries of the Big Bang, this episode is filled with fascinating insights and cosmic discussions.
    Episode Highlights:
    - Unexplained Spacecraft Noises: Dive into the mystery of strange noises reported on various spacecraft, including the Boeing Starliner and historical incidents on Space Shuttle Discovery and Shenzhou 5. Explore potential explanations and the quirks of space acoustics.
    - Challenging the Big Bang Theory: Join the debate as listener Binny shares his scepticism about the Big Bang and proposes an alternative theory involving a massive rotating black hole. Delve into the evidence for the Big Bang and the cosmic microwave background radiation.
    - Planetary Gyroscopes: Discover what happens if a planet is tilted off its axis and whether it could behave like a giant gyroscope. Learn about gravitational forces and the dynamics of planetary rings, with insights into Saturn and Uranus.
    - The Electromagnetic Spectrum in Astronomy: Explore the different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum and their significance in scientific discoveries. Professor Fred Watson shares his insights on the most interesting and impactful wavelengths, from visible light to the 22-centimetre line of hydrogen.
    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/support.
    Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.

    Mon, 04 Nov 2024
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