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Space Nuts: Astronomy Insights & Cosmic Discoveries

Space Nuts: Astronomy Insights & Cosmic Discoveries

By: Professor Fred Watson and Andrew Dunkley
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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.Copyright bitesz.com Astronomy Astronomy & Space Science Nature & Ecology Science
Episodes
  • Cosmic Queries Unleashed: Gravitons, Expanding Universes & the Weight of Space Travel

    Cosmic Queries Unleashed: Gravitons, Expanding Universes & the Weight of Space Travel
    Jul 6 2026
    Universe, and WeightlessnessIn this Q&A edition of Space Nuts, Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson tackle an array of intriguing listener questions that delve into the complexities of the universe. From the implications of an expanding universe to the elusive graviton and the experience of transitioning from weightlessness back to Earth's gravity, this episode promises to enlighten and entertain.Main Topics:
    • The potential for a future black void in our night sky as the universe continues to expand.
    • Understanding the graviton: Why do some physicists believe in its existence despite its elusive nature?
    • Exploring the properties of photons and their wave-particle duality.
    • The impact of long-term weightlessness on astronauts and their return to normal gravity.
    • Listener feedback and inspiring stories about engaging younger generations in astronomy.
    Timestamps:
    • 00:00 - Introduction to today's Q&A session and listener engagement
    • 02:30 - Clint's question about the future of the night sky and cosmic expansion
    • 12:45 - Alan's deep dive into gravitons and their connection to gravity
    • 28:00 - Misty's inquiry about the wave function of particles and photons
    • 40:15 - Casey's question on the effects of returning to gravity after weightlessness
    • 50:30 - Final thoughts and encouragement for listener questions
    Resources & Links:
    • Support Space Nuts
    Join Andrew and Fred Watson for another fascinating exploration of the cosmos, and don't forget to send in your questions for future episodes. Keep your curiosity alive and continue to look up!
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    33 mins
  • The Pink, Salty Exoplanet — Could Humanity Travel to the Galaxy’s Most Colorful World?

    The Pink, Salty Exoplanet — Could Humanity Travel to the Galaxy’s Most Colorful World?
    Jul 2 2026
    Space Nuts Episode 369: Exploring Phobos, Pink Exoplanets, and Saving the SWIFT Observatory
    This episode dives into some of the most intriguing space stories, from the mysterious Martian moon Phobos and its peculiar orbit to the bizarre, salt-colored exoplanet GJ 504b—possibly a pink dwarf. Plus, learn about a swift rescue mission to save the vital SWIFT space observatory.
    In this episode:
    The unique orbit and origin hypotheses of Phobos, including upcoming JAXA mission MMX
    How Phobos's orbit might decay within millions of years and its potential internal structure
    The discovery and characteristics of the pink, salty exoplanet GJ 504b
    The debate over whether GJ 504b is a planet, brown dwarf, or star
    The challenges faced by the aging SWIFT observatory and innovative plans for its rescue
    Listener questions about universe expansion, gravitons, particles, and effects of space travel on humans
    Timestamps:
    00:00 - Overview of today's space stories and why they matter
    00:40 - Insights on Phobos, Mars's close-in moon with unusual orbit
    03:01 - How Phobos's orbit is unstable and upcoming JAXA's MMX mission
    04:37 - Theories about Phobos's origin: collision vs. capture
    07:05 - Surface features and internal structure of Phobos
    09:24 - The future of Phobos and its potential collision with Mars
    14:00 - Discovery of the pink, salty exoplanet GJ 504b
    15:09 - Why GJ 504b is unique: direct imaging, color, and spectral analysis
    16:07 - Is GJ 504b a planet, brown dwarf, or a star?
    17:37 - The temperature of GJ 504b and implications for its classification
    19:45 - How James Webb observations reveal salt clouds in GJ 504b's atmosphere
    21:03 - Could GJ 504b be a pink dwarf? The classification debate
    22:38 - Comparing planetary colors: Jupiter, Saturn, and the implications
    23:05 - Fun cultural tidbits: Pink salt, salt coffee, and other salty things
    24:44 - Urgency in the SWIFT space observatory rescue mission
    26:08 - The history and importance of SWIFT since 2004
    28:53 - The evolving orbit of SWIFT and innovative launch plans by Catalyst Space Technologies
    31:42 - Challenges in orbital correction and the future of space observatories
    34:34 - Final thoughts from Fred and the excitement of upcoming space missions
    35:11 - Wrap-up and call for listener questions on space, particles, and the universe
    Resources & Links:
    Japanese Martian Moons Explorer (MMX)
    GJ 504b Details and Discovery
    James Webb Space Telescope
    Catalyst Space Technologies
    Royal Astronomical Society Monthly Notices
    Connect with the Guests & Hosts:
    Andrew Dunkley - Twitter
    Professor Fred Watson - Twitter
    Note: This episode combines deep space science, recent breakthroughs, and listener engagement, making complex topics approachable and fascinating. Stay tuned for upcoming missions, scientific debates, and space trivia that make our universe endlessly intriguing.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • Unraveling Cosmic Mysteries: Big Rips, Neutron Collisions & Lunar Sunsets

    Unraveling Cosmic Mysteries: Big Rips, Neutron Collisions & Lunar Sunsets
    Jun 29 2026
    In this episode of Space Nuts, join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson as they dive into a myriad of listener questions, exploring the cosmos with curiosity and humour. From the enigma of the Big Rip and the mysteries surrounding the universe's beginnings to the fascinating dynamics of colliding neutron stars and the potential for lunar sunsets, this Q&A edition promises to enlighten and entertain.Main Topics:
    - The Big Rip vs. the Big Crunch: Is the Big Crunch making a comeback in cosmological discussions? [00:00–15:00]
    - Exploring the concept of 'nothing' before the Big Bang: What does it mean and why is it so perplexing? [15:01–30:00]
    - The collision of neutron stars: What happens and the implications for cosmic safety? [30:01–45:00]
    - Lunar sunsets: Could you witness the sun's corona from the moon, and what is the effect of lunar dust? [45:01–60:00]
    - Reflections on cosmic mysteries and the future of lunar exploration. [60:01–70:00]
    Resources & Links:
    - Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation Studies
    - Research on Neutron Star Collisions
    - Upcoming Lunar Exploration Missions
    Connect with Professor Fred Watson:
    LinkedIn | Twitter
    Join us for another fascinating journey through the universe, and don’t forget to send in your questions for future episodes! Stay curious, and keep looking up!
    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.
    00:00 –This is a Q and A edition of Space Nuts. We answer audience questions
    01:56 –Fred: Question comes from Martin Berman Govine about the Big Crunch
    09:54 –The RIP concept is probably more favourable than the crunch concept
    10:30 –Mike asks question about whether there was anything before the Big Bang
    16:51 –The cosmic microwave background radiation dates 380,000 years after the Big Bang
    18:23 –When two neutron stars collide, do any fragments break off into the universe
    20:14 –Colin says neutron stars are formed by gravitational collapse at end of star's life
    23:05 –Our final question today comes from Bill in relation to the solar eclipse
    24:40 –Could you see lunar corona from the surface, Professor Fred Watson says
    28:50 –Space Nuts podcast available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and iHeartRadio
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
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Listened for years now. Simply the best of there is in space podcasts. Nice one

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