Universe Today Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 677: Q&A 125 Can Stars Orbit So Close They're Touching? And More... Jul 24, 2020

Show notes

In this week's questions show, I explain how it's possible for stars to orbit so closely they're actually touching. What are the limits to gravitational slingshots, and how astronomers know where to point their telescopes in the Universe.

00:00 Start
00:44 Can stars touch?
02:39 What is the maximum slingshot speed?
05:32 How do astronomers know where to look?
08:27 Could a planet orbit backwards?
10:56 Will nations allow deadly space lasers?
13:06 What if a black hole stopped rotating?
15:06 How would you control a warp drive?
17:32 Is Planet 9 a captured rogue planet?
21:36 Does this mean there are new physics?
25:08 How common are supernovae that don't leave a remnant?
27:14 Why would red dwarf planets be tidally locked?
28:54 How do space agencies decide to launch missions?

Want to be part of the questions show? Ask a short question on any video on my channel. I gather a bunch up each week and answer them here.

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

Weekly email newsletter:
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Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Support us at https://www.patreon.com/universetoday
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Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

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Episode 676: Lunar Rovers. From Apollo to Artemis Jul 21, 2020

Show notes

When the Apollo astronauts first landed on the Moon, they couldn’t go far on foot. That’s why the three final missions were equipped with Lunar Roving Vehicles, or Moon buggies, which allowed the astronauts to cover much more ground and do more science.

Now that NASA is returning to the Moon by 2024 as part of its Artemis Program, it’s considering a fleet of new vehicles that will help astronauts roam far and wide across the surface of the Moon.

60 fps Apollo Videos from Dutchsteammachine
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRGEIYuo_HbUR6GhFLeEkPA

Want to see this video early? Join our community at https://www.patreon.com/universetoday

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

Weekly email newsletter:
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Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Support us at https://www.patreon.com/universetoday
More stories at https://www.universetoday.com/
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Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

References:
https://space.nss.org/wp-content/uploads/Lunar-Bases-conference-2-706-Lunar-Roving-Vehicle.pdf
https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo11.html
https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/exploration_rover_concepts_grc.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228353156_Concept_for_a_Radioisotope_Powered_Dual_Mode_Lunar_Rover
https://www.lpi.usra.edu/lunar/documents/NTRS/collection2/NASA_CR_192034.pdf
https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/technology/space_exploration_vehicle/
https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/284669main_LER_FactSheet_web.pdf
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-to-industry-send-ideas-for-lunar-rovers/
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-administrator-signs-declaration-of-intent-with-japan-on-artemis-space-station
https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/27059582.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eney3cJBtow

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Episode 675: Q&A 124: Are We Even Mentally Capable of Understanding the Universe? And More... Jul 20, 2020

Show notes

In this week's questions show I explain why it's still important to do science, even if it's difficult, can we use multiple methods to measure distance, and why the Trojan asteroids don't collect into a single object?

00:00 Start
00:40 Why should we bother trying to understand the Universe?
05:01 Can different methods be used to measure distances to the same object?
07:50 Why don't Trojans collect into a single object?
10:24 Split the videos up?
13:02 Do supernovae cause a chain reaction?
14:27 Why settle the Milky Way?
16:48 What if a black hole came close to the Earth?
18:04 Is there an escape velocity from the Milky Way?
18:51 Could we detect something moving faster than light?
20:48 Could we detect pulsars in other galaxies?
22:44 When does a planet end, and an atmosphere begin?
24:06 Could we store photons for energy?

Want to be part of the questions show? Ask a short question on any video on my channel. I gather a bunch up each week and answer them here.

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

Weekly email newsletter:
https://www.universetoday.com/newsletter

Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

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Episode 674: A Massive Star Just Disappeared. No Supernova, Just Straight to Black Hole Jul 14, 2020

Show notes

When the largest stars die, it’s usually pretty obvious. Supernovae are visible from billions of light-years away. But recently astronomers watched a massive star just disappear. No explosion, nothing, it just… vanished?

Of course, it could have been dust. It’s always dust. But one intriguing possibility is that the star just imploded directly into a black hole, without the supernova detonation. And if that’s the case, is this happening more often, we just didn’t notice it?

Want to see this video early? Join our community at https://www.patreon.com/universetoday

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

Weekly email newsletter:
https://www.universetoday.com/newsletter

Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

References:
https://www.eso.org/public/archives/releases/sciencepapers/eso2010/eso2010a.pdf
https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2017/09/05/the-suns-energy-doesnt-come-from-fusing-hydrogen-into-helium-mostly/#456b5d0670f9
https://www.eso.org/public/usa/news/eso2010/
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2017/collapsing-star-gives-birth-to-a-black-hole
https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2017/12/26/direct-collapse-black-holes-may-explain-our-universes-mysterious-quasars/#1575aa7b71f0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEZu3pXAFWY

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Episode 673: A New Way to Measure The Expansion of the Universe. The Cosmological Crisis Deepens. Jul 08, 2020

Show notes

This episode is a segment that we did in the Weekly Space Hangout talking about how astronomers are using masers (water lasers) to measure the expansion rate of the Universe.

You'd think that another, independent way to measure the expansion rate of the Universe would be helpful, but it's only deepened the mystery of the cosmological crisis.

Subscribe to the Weekly Space Hangout
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg

Watch this episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzO-QhBFz04

Thumbnail credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser

Want to see this video early? Join our community at https://www.patreon.com/universetoday

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

Weekly email newsletter:
https://www.universetoday.com/newsletter

Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

References:
https://www.universetoday.com/146523/evidence-is-building-that-the-standard-model-of-the-expansion-of-the-universe-needs-some-new-ideas/
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2001.09213.pdf

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Episode 670: NASA is Considering the Trident Mission. Going Back to Neptune and Triton. Jul 04, 2020

Show notes

Earlier this year, NASA announced 4 new Discovery-class missions that they were considering. These are low-cost, rapidly-built missions that will help scientists understand some mystery in astronomy and planetary science.

One of these missions is called Trident, and it’s going to be targeting the Planet Neptune. And more specifically, it’s going to be providing close up pictures of its largest moon Triton.

Want to see this video early? Join our community at https://www.patreon.com/universetoday

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

Weekly email newsletter:
https://www.universetoday.com/newsletter

Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

References:
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7680
https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/galleries/images-voyager-took/neptune/
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7597
https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2019/pdf/3188.pdf
https://www.nasa.gov/planetarymissions/discovery.html
https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2019/pdf/3188.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-v7HRsanZY

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Episode 671: Q&A 123: What if a Supernova Exploded Beside a Black Hole? And More... Jul 04, 2020

Show notes

In this week's questions show, I answer what would happen if a supernova exploded right beside a black hole, how do we know that it's impossible to travel faster than the speed of light, can we hitch a ride on an interstellar object, and more...

00:00 Start
00:17 What if a supernova exploded right beside a black hole?
03:09 Is interstellar travel just too difficult?
05:25 How do we know FTL is impossible?
07:58 How does the Mars helicopter navigate?
09:18 Why does NASA still pay Boeing for Starliner?
11:25 How does the speed of causality work?
14:15 What if you watched a warp drive ship?
16:35 Will China go to Mars?
20:26 Why aren't we tidally locked to the Sun?
22:22 Maybe dark matter is in another dimension?
23:48 Can we hitch a ride on an interstellar asteroid?
26:15 Turning energy into matter

Want to be part of the questions show? Ask a short question on any video on my channel. I gather a bunch up each week and answer them here.

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

Weekly email newsletter:
https://www.universetoday.com/newsletter

Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

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Episode 672: Open Space 85: Final Open Space Before Hiatus, Live QA with Fraser Jul 04, 2020

Show notes

This week, it'll be the last Open Space with Fraser before the show goes on its summer hiatus until September. If you've got some burning space questions, no will be your chance to ask them.

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

What Fraser's Watching Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbJ42wpShvmkjd428BcHcCEVWOjv7cJ1G

Weekly email newsletter:
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Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Support us at: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday
More stories at: https://www.universetoday.com/
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/fcain
Follow us on Twitter: @universetoday
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/universetoday
Instagram - https://instagram.com/universetoday

Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

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Episode 668: Q&A 122: How Will We Know It's Alien Life? And More... Jun 29, 2020

Show notes

In this week's episode, I answer questions about alien life, why the ISS is at its current altitude, and of course, many questions about black holes.

00:00 Start
00:11 How do we know it's life?
02:00 Could smaller planets form directly?
04:33 Any way to service Hubble?
05:55 Boost the station up? What does that mean?
07:18 If you went the speed of light to 10 light-years away...
08:40 Will we change our DNA?
11:34 Is Paul really a Doctor?
15:13 Have any stars gotten closer than Alpha Centauri?
16:13 Why can't you escape an event horizon?
17:30 Are black holes a singularity?
19:44 Why have we found so many hot Jupiters?
22:25 Why is ISS at its current altitude?

Want to be part of the questions show? Ask a short question on any video on my channel. I gather a bunch up each week and answer them here.

Our Book is out!
https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/

Audio Podcast version:
ITunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

Weekly email newsletter:
https://www.universetoday.com/newsletter

Weekly Space Hangout:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/

Astronomy Cast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg

Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

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Episode 669: Interview with Fraser on Space Junk Podcast - Mars is the Worst Place to Live Jun 29, 2020

Show notes

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