Universe Today Podcast

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[Q&A] Dark Matter Evidence, Oort Cloud Shape, Size of Lagrange Points Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

Will LIGO detect gravitational waves when Betelgeuse explodes? Why are scientists so sure about dark matter? Could Betelgeuse become a black hole after it goes supernova? Why is the Oort cloud a sphere, not a disk? What determines the size of Lagrange points? All this and more in this week's Q&A!

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00:00 Start
00:49 [Tatooine] Why is the Oort cloud a sphere?
06:25 [Coruscant] Could field stars have no metals?
11:00 [Hoth] Will Betelgeuse become a black hole?
12:32 [Naboo] Why the Universe didn't become a black hole?
14:45 [Kamino] Why are scientists so sure about dark matter?
20:56 [Bespin] Will LIGO detect Betelgeuse's bang?
25:02 [Mustafar] Will Earth's polarity flip break all compasses?
26:21 [Alderaan] How big are Lagrange points?
28:45 [Dagobah] What science discovery do I anticipate the most?
29:57 [Yavin] Can we safely go through heliospheric termination shock?
32:03 [Mandalore] How big must the accretion disk be for Sgr A to be visible from Earth?

📺 VIDEO VERSION
https://youtu.be/NvQOatYAmIw

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[Space Bites] Ancient Echo from Sgr A* // Lightning on Jupiter // TRAPPIST-1c by James Webb Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

JWST Looks at the Next Planet in the TRAPPIST system. Could we detect colliding supermassive black holes. Hot Jupiters that flew too close to their stars.

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00:00 Intro
00:14 Second planet in Trappist-1 system by Webb
https://www.universetoday.com/162014/the-suspense-is-killing-us-the-next-planet-in-the-trappist-system-gets-the-jwst-treatment/
02:53 Detecting supermassive black holes collisions
https://www.universetoday.com/162004/astronomers-have-never-detected-merging-supermassive-black-holes-that-might-be-about-to-change/
06:02 Echo from Sgr A activity
https://www.universetoday.com/162040/the-milky-ways-supermassive-black-hole-had-a-burst-of-activity-200-years-ago-we-just-saw-the-echo/
08:21 Starlinks are getting dimmer
https://www.universetoday.com/162002/even-though-theyre-bigger-generation-2-starlinks-are-fainter-than-gen-1/
11:44 Dealing with space junk
https://www.universetoday.com/162029/a-new-mission-will-grab-dead-satellites-and-push-them-into-the-atmosphere-to-burn-up/
13:20 Last week's vote results
https://youtu.be/yadpJxWOX8U
13:58 Hot Jupiters too close to their stars
https://www.universetoday.com/161967/this-hot-jupiter-is-leaving-a-swirling-tail-of-helium-in-its-wake/
16:19 Unexpected discovery from Parker Solar Probe
18:30 Interviews
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbJ42wpShvmnK1xmCRad_8bn0uOcmLiIE
19:40 Lightning on Jupiter
https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/jpl/nasa-s-juno-mission-captures-lightning-on-jupiter/
20:45 Flyby of Mercury
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science
21:57 CO2 Map
23:28 Outro

📺 VIDEO VERSION
https://youtu.be/5jw_cHqT8QU

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[Interview] Simulating The Universe with Supercomputers Jun 21, 2023

Show notes

Supercomputer simulations of the Universe are a huge part of modern astronomy. In this interview with Dr Andrew Pontzen we discuss, how exactly are these simulations done, what's the future of this industry, how it will shape the James Webb era and is it possible that we live in a simulation after all.

📖 Andrew's book "The Universe In a Box": https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/669774/the-universe-in-a-box-by-andrew-pontzen/

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00:00 Intro
01:23 Supercomputers
07:02 History of simulations
10:30 How to simulate the Universe
21:50 "Impossible" galaxies by JWST
30:28 Large simulations of the Universe
36:30 How will the JWST era go
40:33 How tech will change simulations
43:43 Can we live in a simulation
49:40 Outro

📺 VIDEO VERSION
https://youtu.be/FlM1A9QY_qU

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[Q&A] Strange Isotopes in Supernovae, External Gravitational Lenses, Existence of The Present Jun 20, 2023

Show notes

Which astronomical events can only be seen with gravitational waves? Is there enough water on the Moon for a permanent colony? Can we use stars other than the Sun as gravitational lenses? Does the present even exist or are we always living in the past? All this and more in this week's Q&A session.

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00:00 Start
00:40 [Tatooine] Which things we can see only with gravitational waves?
10:38 [Coruscant] How can the Universe be larger than 13.8 billion light years?
13:26 [Hoth] Are we all living in the past?
16:04 [Naboo] How's the search for Planet 9 going?
18:57 [Kamino] Are there rare elements on Mars?
20:34 [Bespin] Is there enough water on the Moon for a permanent colony?
22:11 [Mustafar] Can we use other stars as gravitational lenses?
25:01 [Alderaan] Are strange isotopes and rare elements created in supernovae?
27:01 [Dagobah] Worst space-related movie regarding Physics?
28:49 [Yavin] Do gas giants have solid cores?
29:59 [Mandalore] What would I do if I met aliens?
33:29 [Geonosis] What would I do as a NASA Chief?

📺 VIDEO VERSION
https://youtu.be/GwXi4F7xnJU

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[Interview] Can Axions Be Dark Matter? Jun 17, 2023

Show notes

We still don't know what is Dark Matter. We can see its effects but we don't know what it's made of. However, with their latest publication, Dr Amruth Alfred suggests that dark matter should be made of axions (which are one of the candidates among other particles).

Paper by Dr Amruth Alfred and his team:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-023-01943-9

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00:00 Intro
02:19 WIMPs vs Axions
06:35 Observations
15:54 Implications for Cosmology
18:54 Where axioms come from
23:57 Difficulties with observations
27:54 How can the results be confirmed or debunked
31:13 Open-mindness in science
36:50 Gravitational lenses
54:35 Outro

📺 VIDEO VERSION
https://youtu.be/M7IO6FkHRhE

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[Space Bites] Another Enceladus Breakthrough, Crystallising White Dwarf, 19-Hour Earth Day Jun 16, 2023

Show notes

A white dwarf is starting to turn into a diamond. Another key element for life found in the plumes at Enceladus. The Parker Solar Probe discovers the source of the fast solar wind. All this and more in this week’s episode of Space Bites.

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00:00 Intro
00:17 White Dwarf Turns Into Diamond
https://www.universetoday.com/161929/a-white-dwarf-is-starting-to-crystallize-into-diamond/
03:34 Parker Solar Probe Confirm The Source of Solar Wind
- https://www.universetoday.com/161891/parker-solar-probe-flies-close-enough-to-the-sun-to-see-the-source-of-the-fast-solar-wind/
06:14 Fighting Satellite Trails
https://www.universetoday.com/161932/astronomers-have-figured-out-clever-tricks-to-reduce-the-impact-of-satellite-trails/
10:16 Phosphorous Discovered at Enceladus
- https://www.universetoday.com/161954/an-element-critical-for-earth-life-is-spewing-out-of-enceladus/
12:31 Vote Results from last week
- https://youtu.be/5Qxo3MhhInA
13:06 What’s Going On With The Tarantula Nebula
- https://www.universetoday.com/161885/the-tarantula-nebula-shouldnt-be-forming-stars-whats-going-on/
15:27 19-hour long day
- https://www.universetoday.com/161937/a-day-on-earth-used-to-only-be-19-hours/
18:14 ISS Transit in front of the Sun
- https://www.universetoday.com/161902/thierry-legaults-stunning-views-of-the-space-station-with-spacewalking-astronauts-crossing-in-front-of-sunspots/
19:53 Curiosity's Postcard
- https://www.universetoday.com/161945/curiosity-takes-one-final-postcard-image-of-a-picturesque-valley-before-moving-on-to-its-next-destination/

📺 VIDEO VERSION
https://youtu.be/yadpJxWOX8U

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[Q&A] Solar Wind Slowing Down Planets, Nuking the Sun, Exomoon Reflection Jun 14, 2023

Show notes

Is nuking the Sun a good way to disarm the Earth? Should they rebuild the Arecibo observatory? How will SpaceX Starship change spaceflight? Could we see a reflection of an exomoon in a planet's ocean? Can a heavy suit help fight lower gravity effects on Moon and Mars? All this and more in this week's Q&A.

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https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1198440-universe-today-book-club

00:00 Start
00:50 [Tatooine] Are cosmic ray observatories a thing?
05:03 [Coruscant] Can we see a reflection of an exomoon?
08:01 [Hoth] Does solar wind slow down planets?
09:55 [Naboo] Can solar systems exist outside of galaxies?
11:38 [Kamino] What's up with Boeing Starliner?
13:24 [Bespin] What would happen if we nuke the Sun?
15:34 [Mustafar] Should Arecibo be rebuilt?
17:18 [Alderaan] How can we detect electromagnetic poles of exoplanets?
18:23 [Dagobah] Will wearing a heavy suit help fight the lack of gravity?
20:12 [Yavin] How Starship will change the future?
22:59 [Mandalore] AI changing science videos?

📺 VIDEO VERSION
https://youtu.be/xv4JFvvEXN8

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[Space Bites] James Webb Deep Field, Betelgeuse's Doing It Again, Starliner Fail Jun 09, 2023

Show notes

Betelgeuse is unexpectedly bright, and update of JWST’s Deep Field program, and more problems with the Boeing Starliner.

🦄 Support us on Patreon:
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📚 Suggest books in the book club:
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00:00 Intro
00:13 Betelgeuse Is Acting Weird Again
- https://www.universetoday.com/161751/betelgeuse-is-almost-50-brighter-than-normal-whats-going-on/
03:15 Webb Deep Field
- https://www.universetoday.com/161792/jwst-shows-how-the-early-universe-was-furiously-forming-stars/
06:25 Organic Molecules Seen Farther Than Ever Before
- https://www.universetoday.com/161793/jwst-sees-organic-molecules-ludicrously-far-away/
07:59 Last Week's Vote
- https://www.youtube.com/@frasercain/community
08:33 Why Jupiter Stripes Change Color
- https://www.universetoday.com/161767/jupiters-stripes-change-color-now-we-might-know-why/
10:14 Things Are Not Looking Good for Boeing
- https://www.universetoday.com/161776/starliner-faces-new-delays-for-crewed-flights-to-iss/
12:09 NIAC Interviews
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbJ42wpShvmmM_Ft5DzAbrwzXHB8ED0rf
13:22 Satellite Beams Power To Earth
- https://www.universetoday.com/161759/new-satellite-successfully-beams-power-from-space/
15:44 Cool Space Videos
- https://www.universetoday.com/161760/20-years-of-mars-express-images-helped-build-this-mosaic-of-the-red-planet/
18:48 Outro

📺 VIDEO VERSION
https://youtu.be/5Qxo3MhhInA

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[Q&A] True Size of the Universe, Inescapable Planets, Magnetic Poles Reversal Jun 06, 2023

Show notes

Was the Universe ever the size of an orange or a basketball? Can life exist on planets that cannot be escaped? Can the asteroid belt ever produce a new planet? Is the CMB slowly changing over time? What happens at the very edge of the observable Universe? All this and more in this week's Q&A!

🦄 Support us on Patreon:
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📚 Suggest books in the book club:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1198440-universe-today-book-club

00:00 Start
00:41 [Tatooine] Was the Universe ever the size of an orange?
05:40 [Coruscant] Is the CMB changing over time?
07:49 [Hoth] What happens at the edge of the Universe?
09:38 [Naboo] What are the chances for a habitable moon at Alpha Cen?
12:16 [Kamino] What happened to SOFIA's plane?
15:00 [Bespin] Is magnetic pole reversal a thing?
17:34 [Mustafar] What's the current state of orbital refuelling?
21:35 [Alderaan] Can a planet orbit binary stars?
23:47 [Dagobah] How can we use gravitational waves?
25:59 [Yavin] Does the ISS need refuelling?
26:45 [Mandalore] Can life exist on inescapable planets?
29:43 [Geonosis] Can what happens inside very dense neutron stars be extended to black holes?
31:58 [Corellia] Can the asteroid belt produce a new planet in our solar system?
33:13 [Crait] Can a simulated Universe become indistinguishable from a real one?

📺 VIDEO VERSION
https://youtu.be/wXUHnkbj_z0

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[Space Bites] Huge Discoveries by James Webb // Fire In Space // Quantum Squeezing Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

Lots of new discoveries from JWST. How a software bug killed HAKUTO-R. Kepler’s last ever exoplanets.

🦄 Support us on Patreon:
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📚 Suggest books in the book club:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1198440-universe-today-book-club

00:00 Intro
00:12 JWST Spies Huge Water Plumes on Enceladus
- https://www.universetoday.com/161655/jwst-spies-a-gigantic-water-plume-at-enceladus/
02:15 Ultra-Hot Jupiter Mapped by Webb
- https://www.universetoday.com/161719/jwst-scans-an-ultra-hot-jupiters-atmosphere/
04:28 A Bug That Crashed Hakuto-R
- https://www.universetoday.com/161661/hakuto-rs-software-got-confused-at-the-last-minute-causing-it-to-crash-into-the-moon/
06:35 New Spaceflight Record
08:22 Ingenuity Went Silent. But It’s Back
- https://www.universetoday.com/161667/nasas-mars-helicopter-went-silent-for-six-agonizing-days/
10:15 Kepler’s Last Planets
- https://www.universetoday.com/161680/the-kepler-missions-final-three-planets/
11:55 Best Space Bite from Last Week
12:37 The Soot Zone
- https://www.universetoday.com/161593/a-new-place-to-search-for-habitable-planets-the-soot-line/
14:45 Support Us on Patreon
15:49 LIGO’s Fully Operational Again
- https://www.universetoday.com/161553/after-three-years-of-upgrades-ligo-is-fully-operational-again/
17:59 Fire in Space
- https://www.universetoday.com/161724/esa-is-testing-how-iron-burns-in-weightlessness/
19:41 James Webb teams up with Chandra and Hubble
- https://www.universetoday.com/161551/chandra-and-jwst-join-forces-in-a-stunning-series-of-images/
20:52 Outro

📺 VIDEO VERSION
https://youtu.be/OEFciqSNmOk

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