Space Nuts

By: Professor Fred Watson and Andrew Dunkley
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  • Summary

  • 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.
    Copyright bitesz.com
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Astronomy Nature & Ecology
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Episodes
  • #472: Titan's Unique Atmosphere, Tidal Locking Insights & Triton's Cosmic Journey

    #472: Titan's Unique Atmosphere, Tidal Locking Insights & Triton's Cosmic Journey
    Nov 25 2024
    Space Nuts #472 Q&A Edition: Titan's Mysteries and Cosmic Curiosities
    Join 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/support
    or visit our Support page for more options: https://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.
    00:00 - This is a Q and A episode and we will be doing some homework
    01:17 - How come Titan can retain an atmosphere when Mars cannot
    07:23 - Why is tidal locking a function of proximity of bound objects
    11:00 - Ash Brisbane proposes that Planet Nine once existed on elliptical orbit
    14:43 - Nigel from Brisbane Australia asks hypothetical question about Neptune's Triton
    18:59 - Triton may have been formed much further out in the solar system
    21:17 - Nigel asks where the word asteroid came from
    23:24 - Fred answers question from Robert McCowan about Doppler effect
    ✍️ Episode References
    Kelly Miller
    https://www.swri.org
    Space.com article
    https://www.space.com/
    saturn-moon-titan-makes-own-atmosphere.html
    3--- Southwest Research Institute
    https://www.swri.org
    iHeartRadio
    https://www.iheart.com
    Apple Podcasts
    https://www.apple.com/apple-podcasts/
    Spotify
    https://www.spotify.com
    bitesz.com
    https://www.bitesz.com
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    29 mins
  • #471: HERA's Martian Maneuvers, Black Hole Light Echoes & Ancient Healing Rays

    #471: HERA's Martian Maneuvers, Black Hole Light Echoes & Ancient Healing Rays
    Nov 21 2024
    Space Nuts Episode 471: HERA's Journey and the Light of Healing
    Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in this enlightening episode of Space Nuts, where they explore the latest developments in Space exploration and the fascinating role of light in both astronomy and human healing.
    Episode Highlights:
    - HERA Mission Milestones: Discover the latest updates on the HERA mission, including critical trajectory corrections and its upcoming Mars gravity assist. Learn about its objectives, including a close encounter with Mars' moon Deimos, and its ultimate goal of orbiting the asteroid Didymos.
    - Black Hole Light Echoes: Delve into the intriguing concept of black hole light echoes and how light can be bent by gravity to create multiple observations of the same event. Understand the potential of using Very Long Baseline Interferometry to study these phenomena and what it could reveal about accretion discs.
    - Healing with Light: Explore the historical and modern uses of light in medicine, from ancient sun worship to contemporary phototherapy treatments. Hear Andrew's personal experience with radiation therapy and the importance of regular health checks.
    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: Coming up on Space Nuts is the HERA mission
    02:11 - I'm interested in two different stories about light about the hero mission
    02:59 - ESA's HERA mission will make a close approach to Mars next year
    11:07 - Andrew Dunkley and Fred Watson discuss light echoes in Space Nuts
    13:17 - Measuring Black Hole Light Echoes with Very Long Baseline Interferometry
    21:42 - Measuring black hole light echoes with very long baseline interferometry
    22:39 - Even since ancient times, we've used light for medical purposes
    27:55 - Fred has been receiving radiation therapy for prostate cancer for five weeks now
    34:16 - Professor Fred Watson: Believe me, I'll be around for next episode
    ✍️ Episode References
    European Space Agency
    https://www.esa.int
    Phys.org
    https://www.phys.org
    Universe Today
    https://www.universetoday.com
    Astrophysical Journal Letters
    https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/
    8205
    5--- The Conversation
    https://theconversation.com
    Cancer Council New South Wales
    https://www.cancercouncil.com.au
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    35 mins
  • #470: Cosmic Questions: Dark Matter, Titan's Secrets & Universe's Energy

    #470: Cosmic Questions: Dark Matter, Titan's Secrets & Universe's Energy
    Nov 18 2024
    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 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 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
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    28 mins

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