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StarStuff with Stuart Gary

Hosted by Stuart Gary, StarStuff takes us on a weekly journey across the universe to see the death of stars and the birth of new worlds. StarStuff’s tour of the cosmos examines those ultimate questions: where do we come from?; and are we alone? From Einstein’s relativity theory to quantum mechanics, StarStuff reports on the latest news and discoveries in science, with a special focus on astronomy, space sciences and cosmology.

Latest Episodes:

Ceres bright spot mystery solved Dec 16, 2015

FINAL EPISODE: Bright spots on the dwarf planet Ceres are giant salt pans. Also; climate change slowing the planet's rotation, and searching for the universe's missing matter.

How the Sun generates solar flares Dec 09, 2015

Astronomers observe for the first time how the Sun acts as a powerful accelerator. Also: The LISA Pathfinder launches on its mission to test Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, and discovery of another possible dwarf planet out beyond Pluto.

Black hole stellar feeding frenzy Dec 02, 2015

A monster black hole rips apart a Sun-like star in a spectacular stellar feeding frenzy. Also; Earth's magnetic field isn't about to flip just yet, and the new model explaining how the Moon got its tilt.

Astronomers see the birth of a planet Nov 25, 2015

Scientists witness for the first time how planets are born and grow. Also; The red planet Mars to get a Saturn-like ring, and 100 years of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.

Where did Earth's water come from? Nov 18, 2015

New findings explain the origins of Earth's water. Also: possible ice volcanoes discovered on Pluto, and the oldest stars ever seen.

How the Moon was made Nov 11, 2015

Solving the last remaining questions about the birth of Earth's Moon. Also: new images of the most powerful explosion since the Big Bang of creation, and confirmation that the Martian atmosphere was blown away by the Sun.

Rosetta's comet raises questions about Earth's origins Nov 04, 2015

Discovery of molecular oxygen on comet 67P leads to questions about where the Earth, Sun and solar system were made. Also; new studies examine the interstellar space around our solar system, and probe magnetic fields inside stars.

Zombie star cannibalises planets Oct 28, 2015

White dwarf star caught destroying several planets. Also: New Horizons completes the family portrait of the Pluto system, and a supermassive black hole rips an entire star apart.

Milky Way could make stars for another six billion years Oct 21, 2015

The Milky Way has up to three times more star-forming material than previously thought. Also; sudden dramatic increase in X-ray flares blasting out of supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy, and stunning new views of Enceladus.

Best evidence yet that Mars was warm and wet Oct 14, 2015

Rounded pebbles indicate ancient Mars had running streams and long periods of warm wet climate. Also; Earth's inner core is far younger than previously thought, and stunning new images of blue Earth-like skies on Pluto.

Asteroid and volcanoes combined killed the dinosaurs Oct 07, 2015

The asteroid that slammed into Earth 66 million years ago accelerated volcanic eruptions in India creating a double-whammy disaster that wiped out the dinosaurs. Also; new insights into the dwarf planet Ceres, and neutrino discovery awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Signs of water discovered on Mars Sep 30, 2015

Astronomers confirm dark streaks running down cliffs on the Red Planet contain evidence of flowing liquid water. Also; Rosetta's comet 67P consists of two separate comets that merged early in the history of the solar system, and new computer simulations reveal how the brightest galaxies in the universe were formed.

Red dwarfs point to birth of a solar system Sep 23, 2015

Dust discs discovered around two nearby stars challenge existing ideas about how planets form. Also; two supermassive black holes to crash into each other much sooner than previously thought and spectacular new images of Pluto's majestic icy mountains and frozen nitrogen streams.

Global ocean discovered on Saturn's moon Enceladus Sep 16, 2015

A global ocean discovered under the frozen surface of Enceladus a new target in the hunt for life beyond Earth, Also; Ceres' bright spots still a mystery, and world's longest continental hotspot chain discovered under Australia.

Survey to build largest map of dark matter Sep 09, 2015

The biggest survey of dark energy and dark matter ever undertaken about to begin in Australia. Also; a possible alien planet in our solar system, and oops the prime meridian's in the wrong place!

How galaxies change the look of the universe Sep 02, 2015

Galaxy evolution shows a dramatic drop in the ratio of spiral to elliptical galaxies. Also; astronomers find a nearby quasar powered by two supermassive black holes, and red sprites at night prove to be an astronaut's delight.

How Jupiter was made Aug 26, 2015

The king of planets may have formed from pebbles. Also; Don't panic! Asteroid won't hit Earth next month, says NASA, and studies narrow down the candidates in the search for dark energy and dark matter.

Colliding galaxies found next door Aug 19, 2015

Astronomers have discovered a spectacular galactic collision hidden on the other side of the Milky Way. Also; smallest planet ever directly seen beyond our solar system, and plans for a space elevator capable of reaching into the stratosphere.

A galaxy in the making Aug 12, 2015

Astronomers believe they've seen the first evidence of galactic birth. Also; the most detailed look yet at when the universe will end, and a new record for the most distant galaxy ever seen.

Earth's magnetic field much older than we thought Aug 05, 2015

Ancient minerals push back the age of Earth's magnetic field by more than 800 million years. Also; first auroras detected beyond our solar system, and Rosetta's Philae lander reveals its comet's secrets.

Glaciers could explain Pluto's young surface Jul 29, 2015

Glaciers on the surface of Pluto could explain the mysterious frozen world's youthful skin. Also: most Earth-like planet ever found orbiting a Sun-like star, and more support for the Standard Model of particle physics.

Pluto up close Jul 22, 2015

Icy mountain ranges and vast frozen plains dominate a geologically young surface on Pluto. Also; dead galaxies saved by dark matter, and a new 100-million-dollar effort to try an answer that eternal question: are we alone in the universe?

Hello Pluto! Jul 15, 2015

New Horizons becomes the first spacecraft to visit Pluto. Also monster black hole grows surprisingly faster than its ancient galaxy, and physicists at CERN discover a new particle: the 'pentaquark'.

New Horizons stays on track for Pluto Jul 08, 2015

Despite a glitch earlier this week, New Horizons is on course for its historic rendezvous with Pluto. Also; mystery circles on Pluto's surface baffle scientists, and new calculations claim an earlier more violent end to the universe.

Alien planet in comet's clothing Jul 01, 2015

Astronomers discover a planet that looks like a comet. Also; how magnetic fields could help to form a galaxy's spectacular spiral arms, and Earth hit by two geomagnetic storms in a week.

Early stars observed in detail Jun 24, 2015

Astronomers observe what could be some of the first stars to form after the Big Bang. Also: evidence for current volcanism on Venus, and new signs of methane from Mars.

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