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Embark on an astronomical odyssey with Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson as they delve into the latest celestial phenomena on this episode of Space Nuts. The show kicks off with a discussion on the most intense solar flare in nearly a decade, lighting up the skies with breathtaking auroras and raising concerns about potential impacts on our tech-reliant world. Next, the duo celebrates a Martian milestone: Perseverance rover's 1000 days on the Red Planet. Discover the scientific treasures unearthed by this intrepid explorer, from intriguing rock samples to the pivotal role of its aerial companion, Ingenuity. Then, strap in for a journey through the possibilities of advanced space travel as NASA's innovative plasma rocket concept promises to slash Mars travel time from nine months to a mere two months. Could this be the breakthrough we need for the next giant leap in interplanetary exploration?Finally, peer into the cosmic cradle of a giant protoplanetary disc, the largest ever observed. This discovery could herald the birth of massive new worlds, offering a glimpse into the early stages of planet formation and the boundless potential of the universe.From solar spectacles to Martian marvels and the promise of faster space travel, this episode of Space Nuts is a testament to the relentless pursuit of knowledge that propels humanity beyond the final frontier.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 The perseverance rover is now past 1000 days on the red planet
00:14:27 Andrew says he could rerelease audio from World War One book under Australian copyright
00:16:49 A proposed plasma rocket would cut the travel time to Mars to two months
00:24:07 Fred: Have you seen a house before they build it
00:25:45 New observations show giant edge on protoplanetary disc around distant star
00:31:21 Andrew Dunkley with Professor Fred Watson answering questions about light
00:33:03 First question comes from Alan from medicine Hat, Canada
00:35:14 There is no known limit to how far light can travel
00:37:33 Charles: What do you think of the theory that we live in a holographic universe
00:44:10 What if the hologram is made of dark matter
00:45:26 If all universes are expanding, would they eventually overlap
00:49:07 Craig Miller calls from sunny Marambula in New South Wales
00:50:30 How much speed can drag create depending on concentration of particles in space

Thank you for your continued support. Your contributions help us continue our mission to explore the wonders of the cosmos. Clear skies and bold explorations 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.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts--2631155/support.

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.

Embark on a cosmic journey with Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson as they unravel the latest space conundrums on Space Nuts. In this episode, they delve into the trials and tribulations of Boeing's Starliner – a spacecraft that's faced its fair share of setbacks. Will the next launch finally see it dock with the International Space Station, or will the stars remain out of reach for this ambitious vessel?The duo also sheds light on an innovative concept to illuminate the Moon's dark craters using mirrors. Could this ingenious solution unlock the Moon's potential as a base for future space exploration?From Earth's orbit, they turn their gaze to satellites that do more than just circle our planet – they predict crop yields, an advancement that could revolutionize agriculture, especially in the face of climate change.And finally, Space Nuts celebrates a special anniversary – ten years of the High Precision Polarimetric Instrument (HIPPI). Discover how this small yet mighty device has transformed our understanding of distant magnetic fields and even the potential to detect rainbows on exoplanets.Join Andrew and Fred as they tackle these topics and more, providing insights that only seasoned space enthusiasts can offer. It's an episode not to be missed by anyone who looks up at the night sky with wonder.00:00:00 - Andrew Dunkley hosts Space Nuts podcast about astronomy and space science
00:01:33 - Launch of Boeing's Starliner scheduled for Friday has been scrubbed
00:04:49 - Andrew Webb: There's a lot of interest in the moon right now
00:10:47 - Professor Fred Watson: There is a valley in Norway that doesn't see sun
00:15:19 - Hippo is an acronym for high precision, um, polarimetric instrument
00:16:28 - Hippy was first used on the Anglo australian telescope
00:24:56 - Hippy is capable of detecting rainbows in atmospheres of exoplanets
00:25:54 - Use of satellites to predict crop yields is becoming increasingly feasible
00:32:14 - Andrew Dunkley with Professor Fred Watson on Space nuts
00:33:51 - Robert from the Netherlands says black holes may have magnetic fields
00:40:25 - Three questions from Pete Ellinger about different star types across galaxies
00:46:34 - Metallicity, the amount of iron in a star, varies across galaxies
00:48:08 - Michael from Kent asks Professor Watson what project stood out for him most
00:56:39 - Yeah, that's one of the good ones are. It's a bit like hippie
00:56:56 - Fred asks why fog bows are white and not a rainbo

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