Space Nuts

Space Nuts
SPACE NUTS PREMIUM

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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.

  1. #472: Titan's Unique Atmosphere, Tidal Locking Insights & Triton's Cosmic Journey

    2 DAYS AGO

    #472: Titan's Unique Atmosphere, Tidal Locking Insights & Triton's Cosmic Journey

    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

    29 min
  2. #471: HERA's Martian Maneuvers, Black Hole Light Echoes & Ancient Healing Rays

    6 DAYS AGO

    #471: HERA's Martian Maneuvers, Black Hole Light Echoes & Ancient Healing Rays

    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

    35 min
  3. #471-472: HERA's Critical Burns, Black Hole Light Echoes & Ancient Healing with Light

    20 NOV • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    #471-472: HERA's Critical Burns, Black Hole Light Echoes & Ancient Healing with Light

    Space Nuts Episode 471 & 472: HERA's Journey and Light's Mysteries Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson as they delve into the latest cosmic adventures and discoveries in this episode of Space Nuts. From the HERA mission's critical manoeuvres to the intriguing phenomena of black hole light echoes, this episode is packed with celestial insights and scientific discussions. Episode Highlights: - HERA Mission Milestones: Explore the recent developments in the HERA mission as it undertakes crucial trajectory corrections. Discover how these manoeuvres set the stage for a gravitational assist from Mars and the mission's ultimate goal of orbiting Didymos. - Black Hole Light Echoes: Dive into the fascinating concept of light echoes around black holes. Learn how light can be bent by gravity, creating multiple echoes that offer insights into the accretion discs of these cosmic giants. - Healing with Light: Uncover the historical and modern uses of light in medical treatments. From ancient sun worship to contemporary phototherapy, explore the enduring relationship between light and human health. 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. My name is Andrew Dunkley 02:11 - I'm interested in two different stories about light about the hero mission 02:58 - ESA's HERA mission will make a close flyby of Mars next year 10:51 - Terrific. So, yeah, we will definitely be updating that when the time comes 11:22 - This story explains well how light is affected by gravity around black holes 21:19 - Going to wander around this way because I think it'll be quieter 21:40 - Andrew Dunkley with Professor Fred Watson on measuring black hole light echoes 22:33 - Even since ancient times we've used light for medical purposes, Fred says 27:50 - Fred has been receiving radiation therapy for prostate cancer for five weeks 33:57 - This is a Q and A episode with Professor Fred Watson 35:00 - How come Titan can retain an atmosphere when Mars cannot 41:09 - Why is tidal locking a function of proximity of bound objects 44:40 - Astronomer proposes planet Noren once did exist on elliptical orbit 48:24 - Nigel from Brisbane Australia asks hypothetical question about Neptune's Triton 52:30 - Triton is an ice world with a young surface estimated at 100 million years 54:48 - The word asteroid came from William Herschel who couldn't understand asteroids 56:38 - Triton demoted from dwarf planet to moon 56:55 - Doppler effect caused by motion and cosmological redshift ✍️ Episode References European Space Agency https://www.esa.int/ Phys.org https://phys.org/ Universe Today https://www.universetoday.com/ Astrophysical Journal Letters https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/ The Conversation https://theconversation.com/ Cancer Council New South Wales https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/ Space.com https://www.space.com/ Institute for Advanced Study https://www.ias.edu/ Los Alamos National Laboratory https://www.lanl.gov/ Southwest Research Institute https://www.swri.org/

    1h 3m
  4. #470: Cosmic Questions: Dark Matter, Titan's Secrets & Universe's Energy

    18 NOV

    #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 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

    28 min
  5. #469: Ryugu's Magnetic Mysteries, Arecibo's Silent Collapse & Venusian Impact Revelations

    14 NOV

    #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

    35 min
  6. #469-470 Plus: Ryugu's Magnetic Mysteries, Arecibo's Silent Collapse & Titan's Atmospheric Secrets

    13 NOV • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    #469-470 Plus: Ryugu's Magnetic Mysteries, Arecibo's Silent Collapse & Titan's Atmospheric Secrets

    Space Nuts Episode: Ryugu Revelations and Arecibo's Sad Tale Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in this fascinating episode of Space Nuts, where they explore the latest astronomical discoveries and delve into the mysteries of the universe. From new insights into the origins of our solar system to the unfortunate demise of a legendary observatory, this episode is packed with intriguing stories and cosmic wonders. Episode Highlights: - Ryugu's Magnetic Mystery: Discover the latest findings from the asteroid Ryugu, as scientists uncover surprising data about the magnetic fields of the outer solar system. Learn how these revelations could reshape our understanding of planetary formation and the early solar system. - Arecibo Observatory's Collapse: Uncover the sad story behind the collapse of the iconic Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. Explore the findings of the investigation into the structural failures and the future plans for this historic site. - Venus' Mysterious Crater: Venture to Venus as researchers identify what could be the oldest and largest impact crater on the planet. Understand how this discovery challenges our understanding of Venusian geology and its comparison to icy moons in the outer solar system. 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 where we discuss all sorts of astronomical and space science 02:45 - Russia put 53 satellites into orbit in one launch, which is a record 05:17 - Scientists have found no sign of a preserved magnetic field in Ryugu samples 14:40 - Andrew Dunkley with Professor Fred Watson on Ryugu asteroid study 15:21 - The Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico collapsed dramatically a few years ago 23:04 - It's Pretty sad to watch to be honest. Yeah, it's hardly surprising when you look at Hurricane Maria 24:22 - Fred Call says Venus' craters resemble impact craters on other icy moons 32:51 - Professor Fred Watson joins us for a Q and A edition of Space Nuts 34:40 - How would our universe behave without black holes, dark matter and dark energy 41:51 - How much of the universe's energy is tied up in dark matter 45:11 - Uranium was created in supernova explosions after the universe was formed 46:13 - You also mentioned lithium. Um, well, we know about its properties 48:14 - Ben Harding asks question about how galaxies formed in the early universe 54:07 - How did Saturn's moon Titan accumulate its thick nitrogen atmosphere 59:01 - Very, very good and hope all is well in Sweden 59:18 - Andrew Dunkley welcomes your questions on this week's Space Nuts podcast

    1h 1m
  7. #468: Moon Lava Tube Dangers, Black Hole Light Tricks & Gravitational Wave Wonders

    11 NOV

    #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

    34 min
  8. #467: Decoding Mars Messages, Hungry Black Holes & Martian Water Mysteries

    7 NOV

    #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.

    37 min

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SPACE NUTS PREMIUM

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About

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.

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