Space Nuts

Professor Fred Watson and Andrew Dunkley

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.

Categories: Science & Medicine

Listen to the last episode:

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.

Previous episodes

427 - #416: Cosmic Conundrums & Astral Assemblies: Tackling the Universe's Toughest Questions
Mon, 13 May 2024

426 - #415: From Starliner's Slip to Lunar Lights: A Glimpse into Tomorrow's Space Tech
Thu, 09 May 2024

425 - #414: Stellar Collisions & Invisible Invitations: Unveiling the Universe's Secrets
Mon, 06 May 2024

424 - #413: Hubble's Hiccups & The Swiftest Space Spinner: Unraveling Cosmic Conundrums
Thu, 02 May 2024

423 - #412: Cosmic Queries: A Voyage to Voyager & Defending Astronauts Beyond Earth
Sun, 28 Apr 2024

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