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Prepare to have your mind stretched to the cosmic limits in this Q&A episode of Space Nuts. Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson answer a selection of thought-provoking questions sent in by our curious listeners, tackling the mysteries of light, the concept of a holographic universe, and the challenges of interstellar travel.
First up, Alan from Medicine Hat, Canada, wonders how far light from an LED with one candle power can travel before it becomes undetectable by space telescopes. The duo discusses the persistence of light and the factors that influence our ability to observe its journey through the cosmos.
Next, Charles probes the perplexing theory of a holographic universe, questioning whether our three-dimensional experience is merely a projection from a two-dimensional boundary. Andrew and Fred unravel the theoretical underpinnings of this mind-bending concept and its implications for our understanding of reality.
The conversation then accelerates to relativistic speeds with Craig from sunny Merimbula, NSW, asking how fast a spacecraft must travel before encountering drag in the sparse medium of space. They also consider the potential hazards of high-speed collisions with cosmic dust and gas, pondering the aerodynamic and navigational challenges that would arise.
From the eternal voyage of light to the enigmatic nature of our universe and the theoretical speed limits of space travel, this episode of Space Nuts is a cosmic conundrum of astronomical proportions. Tune in as Andrew and Fred navigate through the universe's most intriguing puzzles.
00:00:00 Andrew Dunkley answers questions about light on this edition of Space Nuts
00:01:38 First question comes from Alan from Medicine Hat, Canada
00:03:44 There is no known limit to how far light can travel
00:06:03 Charles: What do you think of the theory that we live in a holographic universe
00:13:46 If all universes are expanding, would they eventually overlap
00:17:41 Craig Miller calls from sunny Merimbula in New South Wales
00:19:03 How much speed would drag depend on the concentration of particles in space

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Clear skies and cosmic queries await on Space Nuts, where we make the cosmos your backyard.

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Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson as they embark on another fascinating journey through the cosmos in the latest episode of Space Nuts. In this installment, the duo delves into a myriad of space phenomena, starting with the most significant solar flare in nearly a decade. They discuss the stunning auroral displays that resulted from this solar outburst and the potential impacts such events can have on our technology.Next, they celebrate a milestone for the Mars rover Perseverance, which has spent over 1000 days (or sols) on the Red Planet. The conversation explores the significance of the samples collected by Perseverance, including those that may contain ancient signs of life, and the future plans for their retrieval.The episode then propels into the future of space travel with NASA's innovative plasma rocket concept, which promises to cut travel time to Mars significantly. Andrew and Fred unpack the potential of this high-efficiency propulsion system and what it could mean for human exploration of the Red Planet.Finally, the pair examines a colossal protoplanetary disc discovery, the largest ever observed, which could herald the formation of some of the most massive planets we've ever seen. They ponder the possibilities of planet formation, the emergence of life, and the long-term evolution of these cosmic systems.From solar spectacles and Martian milestones to revolutionary rockets and planetary potential, this episode of Space Nuts is a cosmic cornucopia of astronomical insights. Tune in and let your imagination soar as we continue to uncover the secrets of the universe.
00:00:00 Andrew Dunkley talks about budgets and dog issues on this week's Space Nuts
00:02:31 The biggest solar flare in nearly a decade has just passed over the earth
00:06:58 Perseverance mission to look for signs of past life on Mars
00:14:22 Andrew Freedman says he could rerelease World War One audio under Australian copyright
00:16:49 A proposed plasma rocket would cut the travel time to Mars to two months
00:24:09 Fred: Have you seen a house before they build it
00:25:47 New infrared observations show giant edge on protoplanetary disc
00:32:10 Space Nuts podcast available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and iHeartRadio

Support Space Nuts and join us on this interstellar voyage by visiting our support page. Your contributions help us continue our mission to explore the wonders of the universe. Clear skies and boundless exploration await on Space Nuts, where we make the cosmos your backyard.


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Prepare for a cosmic deep dive into the enigmatic world of black holes and stellar mysteries on this Q&A episode of Space Nuts. 
Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson answer burning questions from the Space Nuts community, starting with a head-scratcher about black holes and magnetic fields. Can these gravitational giants possess magnetic fields, and if so, how do they influence the spectacular jets seen emanating from quasars? The duo untangles the complex relationship between rotation, charge, and magnetism.
Next, Pete from sunny Sheffield queries the stellar classification mnemonic "Oh, Be A Fine Girl, Kiss Me" and its implications. How do the proportions of these star types stack up in the Milky Way, and do these ratios hold true across other galaxies? The conversation illuminates the cosmic census of star types, from the rare, scorching O stars to the ubiquitous, cooler M dwarfs.
Listeners also get a personal touch as Michael from Kent inquires about Fred's most standout project over his illustrious career. Fred shares insights into his contributions to groundbreaking surveys and reminisces about the influential projects that have shaped our understanding of the universe.
Rounding off the episode, Rusty from Donnybrook seeks to understand why fogbows are white rather than exhibiting the vibrant hues of a typical rainbow. The answer lies in the intricate interplay of light refraction, dispersion, and the often-overlooked diffraction in tiny water droplets.
From the nature of magnetic fields in the abyss of black holes to the distribution of stars across the cosmos, this episode of Space Nuts is a treasure trove of astronomical knowledge. Tune in as Andrew and Fred navigate the celestial curiosities that keep us gazing skyward with wonder.
00:00:00 Professor Fred Watson answers your questions on this edition of Space Nuts
00:02:31 Robert from the Netherlands says black holes do not have a magnetic field
00:09:15 Three questions from Pete Ellinger on different types of stars
00:15:08 Metallicity, the amount of iron in a star, varies across galaxies
00:16:59 If there was a project that you could have worked on past or present, what
00:25:21 The hippie telescope was a big leap forward from the existing telescope
00:25:47 Final question, Fred, comes from Rusty in Donnybrook about fog bows
Support Space Nuts and join us on this journey through the stars by visiting https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts--2631155/support.
Your contributions help us continue our mission to answer the universe's most perplexing questions.

Clear skies and boundless curiosity await on Space Nuts, where we make the cosmos your backyard.

Embark on a lunar adventure with Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in this episode of Space Nuts, as they delve into the challenges and innovations surrounding our celestial neighbor, the Moon. First up, the duo discusses the recent setbacks of Boeing's Starliner, a spacecraft that faced yet another delay just moments before its much-anticipated launch. What went wrong this time, and what does it mean for the future of crewed missions?Next, they illuminate the idea of using mirrors to shine sunlight into the permanently shadowed craters of the Moon's South Pole. With the potential of harvesting water ice for resources, could this reflective solution be the key to sustaining future lunar bases?Then, celebrate a special anniversary with the team as they highlight ten years of HIPPI, the High Precision Polarimetric Instrument, and its incredible contributions to astronomy. From tracking magnetic fields in distant galaxies to the possibility of detecting rainbows on exoplanets, HIPPI's decade of discovery is truly something to cheer about.Finally, the conversation turns to Earth as Andrew and Fred explore how satellites are revolutionizing agriculture by predicting crop yields from space. This technology holds promise for farmers around the globe, especially in the face of changing climate conditions.From the intricacies of space technology to the practical applications of satellite data, this episode of Space Nuts is a cosmic journey that connects the farthest reaches of the universe to the down-to-earth matters of daily life. Tune in and let your curiosity take flight.00:00:00 Andrew Dunkley: Space nuts podcast about astronomy and space science
00:01:30 Launch of Boeing Starliner scheduled for Friday has been scrubbed
00:04:47 Andrew Webb: There's a lot of interest in the moon right now
00:10:41 A valley in Norway has a mirror that doesn't see the sun
00:14:56 Andrew Dunkley: Hipie is the high precision polarimetric instrument
00:20:45 Polarising sunglasses can detect rainbows with incredibly high precision
00:25:40 Fred Geyer explores the use of satellites to predict crop yieldsSupport Space Nuts and join us on this interstellar voyage by visiting https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts--2631155/support. Don't miss out on future episodes as we continue to decode the universe's grandest puzzles. Clear skies and bold questions await on Space Nuts, where we make the cosmos your backyard.

Prepare for an interstellar Q&A session with Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson on this episode of Space Nuts. We're answering cosmic queries from the Space Nuts audience, starting with James's fascination with the elusive Planet Nine. Could this potential new member of our solar system already have a name waiting in the wings, or will its discoverer have the honor of christening it?Next, Lloyd from Cairns wonders about celestial smash-ups, but not the kind involving black holes or neutron stars. What happens when ordinary stars collide? Do they dance a destructive tango, or can they merge into something grander? The duo delves into the fiery fates of these stellar encounters.Rennie probes the electromagnetic forces at play in the universe, from the behavior of light to the magnetic fields of galaxies. What role does electromagnetism play on other planets, and what happens to worlds lacking this fundamental force? Fred illuminates the subject with his astrophysical expertise.Finally, Ron poses a thought-provoking question: If alien scientists were observing Earth, could they detect signs of life from afar? And conversely, could we spot the telltale signs of extraterrestrial existence on a distant exoplanet? The answers might just redefine our search for cosmic companions.From naming planets to star collisions, electromagnetic enigmas, and the search for life beyond Earth, this episode of Space Nuts is an exploration of the curiosities that light up our universe. Tune in for these mind-expanding discussions and remember to send in your astronomical questions for a chance to be featured on the show.Support our cosmic journey by visiting https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts--2631155/support. Your contributions help us continue our mission to unravel the mysteries of the stars. Until next time, keep your eyes on the skies and your curiosity boundless.00:00:00 Questions from James, Lloyd and Ron on this episode of Space Nuts
00:01:13 Andrew and Fred met Kate and Jeremy on the Canadian train for the eclipse
00:03:04 Andrew: Get your iPad to read the book rather than struggling through it
00:05:38 Planet nine, should such a thing be discovered? Or would the individual decide
00:12:48 Do normal everyday stars like our sun ever collide and what do they create
00:16:54 Do galaxies as a whole have electromagnetism
00:23:14 If scientists in distant solar system were searching for exoplanets using modern technology
00:30:08 Send us your questions via our website, spacenutspodcast. comSpace Nuts – your ticket to the universe. Join us each week as we make the cosmos your backyard

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Dive into the cosmic unknown with Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson on this episode of Space Nuts, as they explore the latest hiccups of the venerable Hubble Space Telescope. Despite its unparalleled success over the past 34 years, Hubble is once more grappling with gyroscopic glitches that threaten to reduce its celestial observations' efficiency. Can NASA engineers coax Hubble back to its full cosmic potential?Next, join the duo as they delve into the mystery of the fastest spinning asteroid ever discovered, 2024 BX1. Detected a mere three hours before it streaked through Earth's atmosphere, this diminutive space rock has set a new record for rapid rotation, completing a turn every 2.6 seconds. Learn how meteorite hunters in Poland managed to snag fragments of this celestial speedster, offering us a rare close-up of an asteroidal visitor.Finally, Andrew and Fred illuminate the perplexing world of gamma-ray bursts, those enigmatic flashes of light that outshine entire galaxies in mere seconds. With a new breakthrough in understanding their light curves, scientists are unraveling the symmetrical patterns of these bursts, revealing insights into the relativistic jets that propel them across the universe. Could this be the key to decoding one of the cosmos' most powerful phenomena?From the trials of Hubble to the swift twirl of an asteroid and the cryptic luminance of gamma-ray bursts, this episode of Space Nuts is a journey through the marvels and mysteries of our vast universe. Tune in and let your imagination soar to the farthest reaches of space and time.00:00:00 This is Space nuts. Coming up on this episode, Hubble having trouble again
00:02:31 Gyros at the Hubble space telescope have failed again but it's not fatal
00:07:38 An asteroid was detected 3 hours before it hit the earth's atmosphere
00:13:58 Professor Fred Watson says meteorite fragments were found before it hit earth
00:15:49 Gamma ray bursts were discovered accidentally in 1967 but scientists have been studying them since
00:20:20 Gamma ray bursts also have light curves which are completely symmetrical
00:26:46 Fred Dunkley: FRBs release huge amounts of energy in a short timeSupport Space Nuts and join us on this interstellar voyage by visiting https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts--2631155/support. Don't miss out on future episodes as we continue to decode the universe's grandest puzzles. Clear skies and bold questions await on Space Nuts, where we make the cosmos your backyard.