Space Nuts: Astronomy Insights & Cosmic Discoveries - podcast cover

Space Nuts: Astronomy Insights & Cosmic Discoveries

Professor Fred Watson and Andrew Dunkleywww.spacenutspodcast.com
Join Professor Fred Watson and Sci-Fi Author Andrew Dunkley on Space Nuts as they delve into astronomy, space travel, and cosmic mysteries. Explore groundbreaking discoveries and listener Q&A in captivating discussions. Follow us on social media to engage with our community!

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-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.
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Episodes

Now What

Astronomy, Science, Space, and Stuff. Space Nuts Episode 241 with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley Now What? ●The Perseverance Rover has landed on Mars on schedule and as planned. But now what? ●The Gaia Space Observatory study into binary stars…some results have been released and Fred explains their importance. ● Listener questions…the shadows on the tennis court during the Australian Open and another on La Grange Points…Fred has answers. For more Space Nuts, supporter links, to visit...

Feb 25, 202151 min

It's Question Time

Astronomy, Science, Space, and Stuff. Space Nuts Episode 240 with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley Question Time ●This whole episode is devoted to answering many of the questions we receive from our listeners. Fred has answers for all of them ●And a Space Nuts first…special guest host Russell Palmer joins Andrew and Fred with his questions live from Western Australia. BTW…you can call him Rusty…all his friends do. For more Space Nuts, supporter links, to visit the shop, buy a book, to ...

Feb 18, 202158 min

Mars - The UAE Mission

Astronomy, Science, Space, and Stuff. Space Nuts Episode 239 with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley Mars – The UAE Mission ●The UAE Mars Mission…even though Andrew keeps calling it the Moon mission…heaven knows where his mind was at… ●Matter that appears to be missing in the universe. Fred has an explanation… ●A warm Neptune like Exoplanet has been discovered… ●Listener questions – if the universe is expanding, how can galaxies collide? Surely, they’ve moving away from each other. Plus,...

Feb 11, 202152 min

Mars

Astronomy, Science, Space, and Stuff. Space Nuts Episode 238 with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley Mars - A Primer ●Probing the Martian Atmosphere – from a time when it was warm and wet. ● Getting to Mars faster….and the solution is? ● Listener questions – from Aaron in Nebraska (USA) and Pete in Sheffield (UK). Fred has answers for both of them… For more Space Nuts, supporter links, to visit the shop, buy a book, to leave us your questions, and to stream podcast episodes on-demand, vi...

Feb 04, 202155 min

The TOI-178 System

Astronomy, Science, Space, and Stuff. Space Nuts Episode 237 with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley The TOI-178 System ●The discovery of some new exoplanets that are proving to be a bit of a mystery. So, what’s going on…Fred explains. ● SLABS – Stupendously Large Black Holes (no kidding) ● Listener questions – from 9 yr old Ashlyn in Atlanta Georgia (USA) and Jarrod from Melbourne (Australia). Fred has answers for them… For more Space Nuts, supporter links, to visit the shop, buy a book...

Jan 28, 202149 min

Protected

Astronomy, Science, Space, and Stuff. Space Nuts Episode 236 with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley Protected ●Passing of a new law protecting historic space history sites. ●Detecting gravitational waves using an observatory the size of a galaxy. What? ●Listener questions – from the Jonah in Houston (USA) and Jacob in Phoenix (USA). Fred has answers for them…. For more Space Nuts, supporter links, to visit the shop, buy a book, to leave us your questions, and to stream podcast episodes ...

Jan 21, 202143 min

'the need for speed'

Astronomy, Science, Space, and Stuff. Space Nuts Episode 235 with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley ‘a need for speed’ ●A need for speed – wondering why 2020 seemed to move along so quickly? Fred knows why… ● Chinese Astronomers nearly 600 high velocity stars (see a theme here?). And of course Fred has insider knowledge… ● Listener questions – from the UK and South Australia to kick off the New Year. For more Space Nuts, supporter links, to visit the shop, buy a book, to leave us your q...

Jan 14, 202146 min

Buffering

Astronomy, Science, Space, and Stuff. Space Nuts Episode 234 with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley Buffering - In this episode, Andrew throws questions from listeners at Fred without notice. And Fred answers them...is there anything he doesn’t know? For more Space Nuts, supporter links, to visit the shop, buy a book, to leave us your questions, and to stream podcast episodes on-demand, visit our website at https://spacenutspodcast .com (mobile friendly). Become a Space Nuts crew member...

Dec 24, 202056 min

The Great Conjunction

Space Nuts Episode 233 with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley ‘The Great Conjunction’ - The great conjunction...so what’s so important about this rare celestial event? - The link between radio bursts and the flares of cool stars. - Listener questions - Alex in Bellingen has a question about neutron stars. Zoe has a question about Santa and time dilation. While Travis is still trying to get his head around why black holes have different masses. Fred explains... For more Space Nuts, suppo...

Dec 17, 202043 min

Welcome Home!

Astronomy, Science, Space, and Stuff. Space Nuts Episode 232 with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley - Hayabusa 2 successfully returns….Fred explains why this mission was so important. - NASA’s plans to contract out the collection of moondust. - Listener questions - first up is Laurie from the UK with a question about finding life on other planets, if it happened, would it jeopardize our plans to go there? Plus Kat has a question about the ‘Superman’ effect. - Fred and Andrew have answer...

Dec 10, 202050 min

A New Atlas of the Universe

Astronomy, Science, Space, and Stuff. Space Nuts Episode 231 with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley - The Australian CSIRO Million Galaxies Survey from ASKAP (The Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder) has spectacular results - Fred has the details. - China’s Changi 5 mission details - Wattle seeds in Space? What? - And our listeners clock in with their questions: - Ralph lays out his theory of what the universe looks like... - Damien has a question about SpaceTime and Dark Matte...

Dec 03, 202048 min

RIP Arecibo Observatory

Space Nuts podcast Episode 230 with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley - RIP Arecibo. Fred discusses the importance of the venerable site...and what it’s loss will mean. - Listener questions galore...this episode we feature questions from listener Brian in Georgia, USA; Glyn from Albion, Victoria Australia; Snow from New Zealand and Damien Huxley. Fred has answers for all of you. For more Space Nuts, links, and to stream podcast episodes on-demand, visit our website at https://spacenutsp...

Nov 26, 202047 min

A SpaceX Delivery

Astronomy, Science, Space, and Stuff. Space Nuts Episode 229 with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley - SpaceX delivers four astronauts to the ISS in a historic mission. - Now there’s a use for old rocket bodies... - A new research paper has been released detailing the origins of protein structures responsible for metabolism - the precursors for potential life. This is a big deal and Fred explains why. - Question time – First up, listener Misty West from the USA has a question about the p...

Nov 19, 202048 min

The Dish

Space Nuts Episode 228 with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley - The Parkes Radio Telescope, made famous by the movie ‘The Dish’ is in the news. Fred explains why… - The Galah Project has thrown up some interesting new data. Fred has the latest on the project’s findings… - Did an extra planet exist in our solar system at one stage? - Listener questions – Adam poses an interesting one, what if Jupiter ignited and became a star? And Paul asked about orbiting mechanics. Fred has answers… Fo...

Nov 12, 202042 min

Milestone Reached

Space Nuts Episode 227with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley - Happy Milestone ISS - another record goes into the history books. - Is it really all about to end for us? Fred spells out the facts...so relax. - Listener questions - first up - A question about telescope tracking distant objects from the Equator and the evolution of life on other planets - would it be different to ours? Fred has answers. For more Space Nuts, links, and to stream podcast episodes on-demand, visit our website...

Nov 06, 202042 min

NASA's Big Tease

Space Nuts Episode 226 with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley - More water on the moon than first thought? That’s what NASA’s big tease was about this week….Fred has the details. - And while on the moon, what about this Nokia 4G Network….fact or fiction? - We revisit the OSIRIS-REx vs Bennu adventure for an update. - Listener questions - first up - Why after the Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, does the sun continue to set later? Plus...the use of the sun as a gravitational l...

Oct 29, 202056 min

Spaghettification

- A stars death by spaghettification. Fred explains... - The OSIRIS-rex mission...a perspective and some background. - Listener questions this week. We revisit the movie Interstellar with a correction to the answer of a previous question...and the gravastar theory - Fred has answers. The calculator Fred mentions can be found at https://www.omnicalculator.com / For more Space Nuts, links, and to stream podcast episodes on-demand, visit our new website at https://spacenutspodcast .com (mobile frie...

Oct 22, 202044 min

About That Fake Asteroid

- Fake asteroid news? - Take a listen to the sound of the Milky Way...beautiful...and clever. - A bunch of listener questions this week all from listener Asley. Fred has answers for all of them… For more Space Nuts, links, and to stream podcast episodes on-demand, visit our new website at https://spacenutspodcast .com (mobile friendly). Become a Space Nuts crew member and gain immediate access to our catalogue of special commercial-free versions of Space Nuts plus bonus content now rolling out. ...

Oct 15, 202050 min

24 Exoplanets

- Nobel Prize winners for 2020... - A new study of Comets suggests earth may have a second alignment plane... - A new report suggests there may be 24 exoplanets with a better potential for life than Earth. - Listener questions this week come from Zoe Whiteside in Northern Ireland and Gareth Edwards. Fred has answers for them… For more Space Nuts, links, and to stream podcast episodes on-demand, visit our new website at https://spacenutspodcast .com (mobile friendly). Become a Space Nuts crew mem...

Oct 08, 202042 min

The Ice Lakes of Mars

- Mars is back in the news with new data on the South Pole’s lakes….Fred has the details. - Looking to buy a telescope? Fred has some advice - The Square Kilometer Array, a project that Fred is very close to, made the news this week. An update. - Listener questions this week come from listeners and active space nuts Will in Phoenix Arizona and Paul in Sydney Australia. Fred has answers for them… For more Space Nuts, links, and to stream podcast episodes on-demand, visit our new website at https:...

Oct 01, 202045 min

Rosetta Spacecraft - Back In The News

- Data from the Rosetta Spacecraft is back in the news - Fred has the details. - Apparently Russia is claiming Venus as their planet. What? - NASA’s plans to return to the moon have been released. We have the details. - Listener questions this week involve fuzzy telescope images...why is it so? And did the universe start out as a black hole...and did matter emanate from this black hole? Fred has the answers. For more Space Nuts, links, and to stream podcast episodes on-demand, visit our new webs...

Sep 24, 202049 min

Life On Venus?

- Could there really be life on Venus? Fred has the latest… - Listener question time...as we work our way through the backlog we address questions about lasers in space and spy agencies, binary stars and more. Fred and Andrew have answers. For more Space Nuts, links, and to stream podcast episodes on-demand, visit our new website at https://spacenutspodcast.com (mobile friendly). Become a Space Nuts crew member and gain immediate access to our catalogue of special commercial-free versions of Spa...

Sep 17, 202052 min

'The Moon's Going Rusty'

-“The moon’s going rusty’ - The Rusty crust of the moon...so what’s going on? - Sorry - No sign of alien technology according to a new study… - China’s X37B Spacecraft... - Listener question time...questions this week about Mu1 Scorpii and the expansion of the Universe. Fred has the answers. For more Space Nuts, links, and to stream podcast episodes on-demand, visit our new website at https://spacenutspodcast .com (mobile friendly). Become a Space Nuts crew member and gain immediate access to ou...

Sep 10, 202049 min

Free-Floating Planetary-Mass Objects

- Free-floating planets - Just what are they? Fred explains... - Is our Sun a part of a binary system? Discussion ensues... - Listener question time...Paul in Victoria (Australia) asks why haven’t we been back to Uranus & Neptune since Voyager 2. Andrew has a theory which is plainly ridiculous….fortunately Fred has a more straight forward answer. - And the Space Doogie is back in the news...of course Andrew is excited. Plus Gregory Peck makes an appearance...as brief as it is...just to let y...

Sep 03, 202039 min

Leaky ISS

- The leak in the ISS - repairs are underway... - The ice moon Europa...what’s up around its poles? - Listener question time...Telescopes and the atmosphere...should we relocate them to the Moon or Mars? And, why slingshot around Venus to go to Mars? What’s the advantage, if indeed there is one? Fred addresses these queries... For more Space Nuts, links and to stream podcast episodes on-demand, visit our new website at https://spacenutspodcast .com (mobile friendly). Become a Space Nuts crew mem...

Aug 27, 202041 min

A Ring Galaxy Discovery

- A ring galaxy discovery...so just what is a ring galaxy? Fred has the answers… - Lunar Landing Modules ...polluting the lunar ice? - Listener question time...Our place in the Universe...a wild theory...but is it plausible? Plus could there be a mirror image of our Milky Way Galaxy out there? Fred addresses this one... For more Space Nuts, links and to stream podcast episodes on-demand, visit our new website at https://spacenutspodcast .com (mobile friendly). Become a Space Nuts crew member and...

Aug 20, 202045 min

Question Time

Space Nuts Episode 215 with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley - Question time...as Andrew & Fred tackle some of the more pressing questions from our global audience… - Meanwhile, in Australia, the venerable Parkes Radio Telescope has been heritage listed...Fred has the details. For more Space Nuts, links and to stream podcast episodes on-demand, visit our new website at https://spacenutspodcast .com (mobile friendly). Become a Space Nuts crew member and gain immediate access to our ...

Aug 13, 202044 min

The Crashed Vikram Lander - Found

- As we all know, India’s Chandrayaan-2 mission to the Moon ended with the Vikram Lander crashing...and lost. Now they’ve found it Fred has the story. - The rivers on Mars may have been formed under sheets of ice. That’s the new theory. Fred has the details… - Listener questions…the Hubble Telescope and a picture taking conundrum...and a well thought out question about interstellar travel and the expanding universe. Fred does the sums and has answers… For more Space Nuts, links and to stream pod...

Aug 06, 202037 min

The Mars Rush of 2020 Is On

Space Nuts Episode 213 with Professor Fred Watson & Andrew Dunkley - NASA’s mission to Mars - the rush is on - exciting times ahead… https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/overview/# :~:text=The%20Mars%202020%20mission%20with,potential%20for%20life%20on%20Mars. - Fred’s involvement with the RAVE Survey and it’s recently released results. Get the inside scoop... - Listener questions…from Martin in Austria and Paddy in Sydney (Australia) about the ISS, Space junk and creating a magnetic field ...

Jul 30, 202045 min

Introducing: Gregory Peck

- Mars season kicks off with the UAE successfully heading off to the Red Planet... - It would seem Venus has active volcanoes still. So what does this mean? - Listener questions…what on earth is a Terrascope? Fred explains and a question asking ‘If Einstein were alive today, what do you think would be the biggest mystery he’d want solved is?’ Fred and Andrew speculate. - And a special appearance from the latest crew member - say hello to Gregory Peck. For more Space Nuts and to stream podcast ep...

Jul 23, 202040 min
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