Space Nuts Space Nuts

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

This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the help of NordVPN...online security with a 30 day money-back guarantee. To check out our special deal for you, visit www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts

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.

Embark on an astronomical journey with Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in this captivating episode of Space Nuts. The cosmic conundrum that is the Hubble Space Telescope faces familiar challenges once again, with its gyroscopes causing a stir and casting it into safe mode. Fred delves into the history and potential future of this venerable eye in the sky, as NASA engineers contemplate a future where Hubble may have to operate at a reduced efficiency.Next, the duo spins into a discussion about the fastest rotating asteroid ever observed, 2024 BX1, which hurtled towards Earth and disintegrated in our atmosphere, leaving behind a trail of clues for scientists to unravel. With a rotation period clocked at an astonishing 2.588 seconds, this space rock set a new record and provided a meteoric spectacle for those fortunate enough to witness its fiery demise.Finally, Andrew and Fred explore the enigmatic world of gamma ray bursts, those fleeting yet fiercely powerful cosmic events that have puzzled astronomers since their accidental discovery in 1967. A new breakthrough hints at the possibility that these bursts are not only symmetrical but may also be the result of laterally moving jets, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the mechanics of these astronomical phenomena.From the trials and tribulations of the Hubble to the rapid revolutions of an asteroid and the perplexing properties of gamma ray bursts, this episode of Space Nuts is a cosmic voyage through the mysteries of space. Tune in to unravel the universe's most intriguing puzzles and remember, the cosmos is always full of surprises.00:00:00 - Coming up on this episode of Space nuts is Hubble having trouble again
00:02:32 - Gyroscopes are what let Hubble telescope point in the right direction
00:07:38 - An asteroid was detected 3 hours before it hit the earth's atmosphere
00:14:06 - Professor Fred Watson says four polish meteorite hunters found some fragments
00:15:45 - Gamma ray bursts were discovered accidentally in 1967 but scientists have been studying them since
00:20:16 - Gamma ray bursts also have light curves which are completely symmetrical
00:26:45 - Fred: I'm still trying to get my head around these things
00:28:54 - Professor Fred Watson answers questions from James, lloyd and Ron
00:29:50 - Kate and Jeremy met Andrew and Fred on the Canadian train for the eclipse
00:31:31 - Fred Watson: Get your iPad to read book rather than struggling through it
00:34:03 - Planet nine, should such a thing be discovered? Does the individual get a say
00:40:53 - Do normal everyday stars like our sun ever collide and what do they create
00:44:43 - Do galaxies as a whole have electromagnetism
00:51:13 - If scientists in distant solar system were searching for exoplanets using modern technology
00:58:44 - Andrew Dunster: Thanks to everyone who sent questions inSupport the podcast and expand your knowledge of the universe by visiting https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts--2631155/support. Subscribe for more celestial insights with Space Nuts, where every episode brings you closer to the stars. Until our next stellar encounter, keep your eyes on the skies and your curiosity ever-expanding.