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 Natural History
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Episodes
  • Apollo Secrets, Cosmic Questions & Martian Mysteries: #484

    Apollo Secrets, Cosmic Questions & Martian Mysteries: #484
    Jan 6 2025
    Space Nuts Episode 484: Unveiling Moon Mysteries, Fermi Paradox Insights, and Mars Terraforming Challenges - A Holiday Special Episode
    Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson as they delve into the fascinating realms of lunar exploration, the enigmatic Fermi Paradox, and the challenges of terraforming Mars in this captivating episode of Space Nuts. Packed with scientific insights and thought-provoking discussions, this episode promises to ignite your curiosity about the cosmos.
    Episode Highlights:
    - Unsealing Apollo's Secrets: Discover the intriguing story behind the recently opened lunar sample from the Apollo 17 mission. Learn why scientists waited 50 years to examine this precious material and what it could reveal about landslides on the Moon and its geological mysteries.
    - Fermi Paradox Explored: Dive into the Fermi Paradox with a listener's question about the formation of life and elements beyond iron. Explore the possibilities of why we haven't encountered extraterrestrial civilizations and the implications for our place in the universe.
    - Terraforming Mars: Engage in a speculative discussion about the feasibility of reactivating Mars' core to sustain an atmosphere. Explore the challenges of creating a habitable environment on the Red Planet and the limitations posed by its size and magnetic field.
    - Space News with Anna: Get the latest updates on SpaceX's upcoming Starship test flight and Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket debut. Learn about the exciting advancements in satellite deployment and the future of heavy-lift launch vehicles.
    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 Music Music, 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.
    If you'd like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit 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 - Andrew Dunkley welcomes Professor Fred Watson to Space Nuts
    02:13 - Apollo astronauts brought back 2,196 samples from the moon in 1960s
    09:41 - The Moon is once again drawing a lot of attention with ambitious plans
    12:38 - If you want to become a patron of our podcast, you can do so online
    13:59 - Question comes from Simon from Newcastle about the formation of elements and Fermi paradox
    15:33 - The Fermi paradox is about where is everybody in the universe
    22:16 - Without an active core Mars will not be able to sustain an atmosphere
    28:26 - SpaceX is gearing up for their seventh Starship test flight on January 10
    30:17 - Blue Origin preparing to launch their first New Glenn rocket on January 6th
    32:38 - Space Nuts is a twice weekly podcast from Bitesz. com
    ✍️ Episode References
    NASA
    https://www.nasa.gov
    Apollo 17 mission
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_17
    Artemis mission
    https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/
    SpaceX Starship
    https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/
    Blue Origin New Glenn
    https://www.blueorigin.com/new-glenn/
    James Webb Space Telescope
    https://www.jwst.nasa.gov
    Enrico Fermi
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enrico_Fermi
    Galileo's experiment
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo%27s_Leaning_Tower_of_Pisa_experiment
    Astronomy Daily
    https://www.astronomydaily.io
    Bitesz.com
    https://www.bitesz.com


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts--2631155/support.
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    33 mins
  • Ruby Rains, Scientific Skepticism & Space Surprises: #483

    Ruby Rains, Scientific Skepticism & Space Surprises: #483
    Jan 2 2025
    Space Nuts Episode: Gemstone Rain on Exoplanets and the Reliability of Research Papers #483
    Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson as they explore the wonders of the cosmos in another intriguing episode of Space Nuts. This week, dive into the fascinating world of exoplanets with gemstone rain and discuss the reliability of research papers with insightful audience questions.
    Episode Highlights:
    - Gemstone Rain on Exoplanet WASP-121b: Discover the extraordinary exoplanet where it rains gemstones. Learn about the unique atmospheric conditions that lead to such exotic precipitation and the incredible journey of water and other materials across this tidally locked world.
    - Reliability of Research Papers: Delve into a thought-provoking discussion about the accuracy of scientific research papers. Explore how often published findings might be influenced by bias or statistical errors and what this means for fields like astronomy.
    - Space Debris in Kenya: Hear about the unexpected arrival of a massive metal object in a Kenyan village, identified as a separation ring from a rocket launch. Understand the implications of such events and the protocols followed under International Space Law.
    - Gravitational Wave Detection Breakthrough: Learn about a new technique called optical spring tracking that could significantly enhance our ability to detect gravitational waves. Discover how this advancement could provide insights into cosmic events from the earliest moments of the 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 Music, YouTube Music Music, 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.
    If you'd like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit 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 Space Nuts, where we talk astronomy and space science
    01:41 - Andrew Bennett: There's an exoplanet that rains gemstones
    05:08 - You observe the star's light throughout the orbital period of the planet
    12:09 - You can help support the Space Nuts podcast through Patreon or Supercast
    13:47 - Bob from North Carolina has two questions for Professor Watson about scientific accuracy
    22:12 - A metal object plummeted from space and landed in a Kenyan village on Tuesday
    23:34 - Scientists have developed a new technique called optical spring tracking to detect gravitational waves
    ✍️ Episode References
    WASP-121b
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WASP-121b
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
    https://www.mit.edu/
    Johns Hopkins University
    https://www.jhu.edu/
    Caltech
    https://www.caltech.edu/
    Hubble Space Telescope
    https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/main/index.html
    phys.org
    https://phys.org/
    Astronomy Daily
    https://astronomydaily.io/
    Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO)
    https://www.ligo.caltech.edu/


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts--2631155/support.
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    26 mins
  • Cosmic Mysteries, Lost Civilizations & Solar Probes: #482

    Cosmic Mysteries, Lost Civilizations & Solar Probes: #482
    Dec 29 2024
    Space Nuts Episode: Dark Energy Discoveries, Ancient Peruvian Observatories, and Solar Proximity #482
    Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson as they explore groundbreaking discoveries in this fascinating episode of Space Nuts. From potential evidence of dark energy to the mysteries of an ancient Peruvian observatory, and the record-breaking feats of NASA's Parker Solar Probe, this episode is packed with cosmic insights and historical wonders.
    Episode Highlights:
    - Dark Energy Detection: Dive into the latest research from the University of Cambridge, where scientists may have accidentally stumbled upon evidence of dark energy. Explore the significance of this potential discovery and its implications for the future of physics.
    - Ancient Peruvian Observatory: Discover the story behind a 2,200-year-old observatory in Peru, recently granted World Heritage status. Learn about its role in ancient civilization and the remarkable precision of its astronomical alignments.
    - Parker Solar Probe's Record-Breaking Mission: Marvel at NASA's Parker Solar Probe as it makes its closest-ever approach to the Sun, achieving unprecedented speeds and providing new insights into solar physics. Understand how this mission is reshaping our knowledge of the Sun's mysterious processes.
    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 Music, 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 for extended commercial-free episodes and more. Visit our Support page for options: 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 - Space Nuts is taking a bit of a break at the moment
    01:30 - University of Cambridge scientists looking for detection of dark energy using Italian telescope
    08:07 - Peruvian observatory that was discovered in 2005 has hit the news again
    14:26 - NASA's Parker Solar Probe made its closest ever approach to the Sun
    17:29 - NASA is getting ready to announce major changes to its Mars sample return mission
    18:56 - From record breaking solar encounters to the evolving plans for Mars
    ✍️ Episode References
    University of Cambridge
    [University of Cambridge](https://www.cam.ac.uk/)
    Gran Sasso National Laboratory
    [Gran Sasso National Laboratory](https://www.lngs.infn.it/en)
    University of Leicester
    [University of Leicester](https://le.ac.uk/)
    NASA Parker Solar Probe
    [NASA Parker Solar Probe](https://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/parker-solar-probe)
    NASA Mars Sample Return Mission
    [NASA Mars Sample Return Mission](https://mars.nasa.gov/msr/)
    Astronomy Daily
    [Astronomy Daily](https://astronomydaily.io)


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts--2631155/support.
    Show more Show less
    20 mins

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