Episodes

Light Pollution, Space Parasols, and Salvaging Satellites In this engaging Q&A episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner tackle a range of thought-provoking questions from listeners. From the effects of light pollution on stargazing to the intriguing concept of a space parasol for climate control, this episode is packed with cosmic curiosities and insightful discussions that will leave you contemplating the future of humanity in space. Episode Highlights: - Light...

Stunning Aurora Display: Mark your calendars for November 5th to 8th, 2025, as a powerful geomagnetic storm is set to light up the night sky with breathtaking auroras. Classified as a G3 storm, this display will be triggered by a significant coronal mass ejection from the Sun, resulting in vibrant colors visible farther south than usual. The Fate of Earth: NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) reveals alarming insights into the fate of planets orbiting sun-like stars. As these sta...

In this episode of SpaceTime , we explore remarkable discoveries and hypotheses that could redefine our understanding of planetary atmospheres and our journey back to the Moon. Phosphine Discovery in Brian Dwarf Wolf 1130C For the first time, astronomers have detected phosphine in the atmosphere of the brown dwarf Wolf 1130C, raising intriguing questions about its presence and the chemistry of such celestial bodies. This discovery, reported in the journal Science, highlights the significance o...

Viasat 3F2 Launch Scrubbed Again: The United Launch Alliance faced another setback as the launch of the Viasat 3F2 satellite was scrubbed for the second time this week due to persistent valve issues. This hefty communication satellite is crucial for providing high-speed internet across the Americas, following the challenges faced by its predecessor. Voyager 1's Historic Milestone: Voyager 1 is set to make history in November 2026 by becoming the first human-made object to travel a full light da...

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Universe's Expansion May Be Slowing: New research challenges the long-held belief that the universe's expansion is accelerating due to dark energy. This study suggests that dark energy might be evolving and weakening over time, potentially leading to a scenario where gravity could eventually dominate, resulting in a Big Crunch. Tianwen 1's Interstellar Photography: China's Tianwen 1 orbiter has captured stunning images of the interstellar object 3I Atlas, marking a significant achievement in it...

Sentinel 1D Launch Success: Ariana Space successfully launched the Sentinel 1D Earth observation satellite aboard an Ariane 62 rocket, placing it into a sun-synchronous orbit at 693 km. This satellite is essential for Europe’s Copernicus program, ensuring continuity of environmental data as it takes over from the aging Sentinel 1A. NASA Leadership Nomination: President Donald Trump has renominated Jared Isaacman, a prominent figure in commercial space, as NASA's next administrator. Isaacman, kn...

In this episode of SpaceTime , we dive into groundbreaking astronomical discoveries that challenge our understanding of the universe. The Most Massive Stellar Black Hole Merger Ever Observed Astronomers have detected the most massive stellar black hole merger to date, cataloged as GW23 1123, which resulted in a black hole with a staggering mass of 225 times that of our Sun. This episode discusses the implications of this merger, observed by the LIGO Virgo Collaboration, and how it pushes the b...

End of an Era for the International Space Station: NASA has outlined its final plans for the International Space Station, marking a significant transition in space exploration. The ISS, after over 25 years of continuous human presence in low Earth orbit, is set for a controlled deorbit in late 2030, targeting Point Nemo to minimize risks to people and property during its descent. Planets as Self-Sufficient Water Factories: New research reveals that certain exoplanets, specifically sub-neptunes,...

In this episode of SpaceTime , we explore a trio of intriguing astronomical phenomena that are reshaping our understanding of the cosmos. Interstellar Comet 3I Atlas: A Close Encounter Interstellar comet 3I Atlas has reached its perihelion, passing closest to the Sun without any signs of alien life forms, despite wild media speculation. This episode discusses how the comet maintained its expected trajectory and velocity, while also revealing groundbreaking findings from NASA's Swift Space Tele...

Interstellar Comet 3I Atlas Update: An exciting update on the interstellar comet 3I Atlas reveals it is brightening much faster than anticipated as it approaches the Sun. With its distinct blue color, astronomers believe it is venting ancient frozen materials, offering a rare glimpse into the chemical composition of an object from another star system. Amateur astronomers can now spot this cosmic visitor with their telescopes! NASA vs. Celebrity Misinformation: A recent claim by Kim Kardashian q...

Q&A Edition: Spaghettification, Neutron Stars, and the Mysteries of Wormholes In this mind-bending episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner tackle fascinating questions from listeners that delve into the depths of cosmic phenomena. From the peculiar concept of spaghettification to the nature of black holes and the theoretical existence of wormholes, this episode is a treasure trove of astronomical insights and engaging dialogue. Episode Highlights: - Understandi...

Taurid Resonance Swarm Alert: A new study highlights the potential threat posed by the Taurid Resonance Swarm, a dense cluster of celestial bodies within an annual meteor shower. Researchers emphasize the need for enhanced monitoring and planetary defense strategies, particularly during key years in 2032 and 2036 for targeted observations. China's Tiangong Space Station Milestone: China successfully launched its 10th crew to the Tiangong Space Station with the Shenzhou 21 mission. This mission ...

SpaceX's Lunar Lander Revamp: SpaceX is reshaping its plans for the lunar lander in NASA's Artemis program, opting for a simplified mission architecture that promises to expedite astronaut landings on the Moon. This shift comes as the original timeline faces significant delays, with new flight tests of the Starship V3 architecture targeted for 2026. Coronal Mass Ejection and Life: Astronomers have observed a coronal mass ejection from a young, active star for the first time. This powerful stell...

Jupiter's Influence, Hungry White Dwarfs, and Chiron's Rings In this captivating episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner explore the dynamic forces shaping our solar system and beyond. From the pivotal role of Jupiter in planetary formation to the intriguing behaviors of white dwarfs and the rapid evolution of Chiron's ring system, this episode is packed with cosmic revelations and scientific insights. Episode Highlights: - Jupiter's Role in the Solar System: A...

In this episode of SpaceTime , we delve into groundbreaking discoveries that could reshape our understanding of life on Mars and the cosmos beyond. Martian Ice: A Potential Reservoir for Life A recent study suggests that Martian ice may be the most promising location to search for signs of ancient microbial life. Researchers found that biomolecules from dormant microbes degrade significantly slower in pure water ice compared to Martian soil mixtures. This discovery, published in the journal As...

Milky Way in a New Light: Astronomers have unveiled a stunning new radio image of the Milky Way, captured by the Murchison Wide Field Array in Australia. This unprecedented view reveals over 3,000 supernova remnants and stellar nurseries, enhancing our understanding of the life cycle of stars from birth to death. Farewell to Akatsuki: The Japanese space agency JAXA has officially declared its Akatsuki spacecraft dead after a decade of revolutionizing our understanding of Venus. Despite a rocky ...

Second Generation Black Holes Discovered: Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery with the detection of second generation black holes, providing evidence for hierarchical mergers. The LIGO Virgo Kagra collaboration identified two gravitational wave events, revealing unexpected characteristics that suggest a complex history of cosmic collisions. Young Astronomer Makes Asteroid Discoveries: Meet Stuart Patel, a 12-year-old from Andrew, who has potentially discovered two new asteroids thr...

(00:00:00) Lunar Relics and Interstellar Insights: Discoveries from the Moon and Comet 3I ATLAS (00:00:46) Relics of the outer solar system discovered on the Moon (00:03:30) Insights from interstellar comet 3I ATLAS (00:07:31) SpaceX's Starship Mega rocket test flight (00:23:54) The Science report (00:31:46) Episode Wrap In this episode of SpaceTime , we explore remarkable discoveries that provide new insights into our solar system and beyond. Relics of the Outer Solar System Found on the...

Discovering Tatooine's Twin: Astronomers have unveiled a remarkable binary star system, TOI2267, located 190 light years away, featuring three Earth-sized exoplanets orbiting two suns. This unprecedented arrangement challenges existing models of planet formation, suggesting that stable rocky planets can thrive in chaotic environments. Exploring ISS History: A new interactive website, ISS in Real Time, allows users to experience 25 years of International Space Station history. Compiled by NASA e...

(00:00:00) Near Miss and Cosmic Spectacles: Asteroids, Comets, and Space Junk in Earth's Orbit (00:00:46) Planet Earth experiences as asteroid near miss (00:02:58) Two green comets lighting up the night skies (00:07:31) Chinese space junk smashes into Western Australia (00:09:09) The Science Report (00:12:07) Skeptics guide to the magic healing Biomet (00:15:15) Show Wrap-up In this episode of SpaceTime , we dive into a series of astonishing astronomical events that recently unfolded, inc...

Unlocking the Sun's Secrets: Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the Sun's corona, observing twisting magnetic waves that may explain why this outer atmosphere is millions of degrees hotter than the surface. This confirmation of decades-old theories could reshape our understanding of stellar dynamics. Brightest Cosmic Flash: The brightest fast radio burst ever recorded, dubbed RB Float, has left astronomers perplexed as it has not repeated since its initial observation. T...

Q&A Edition: Sun-Moon Coincidences, Cosmic Event Horizons, and Hoag's Object In this thought-provoking episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner tackle intriguing questions from listeners that explore the wonders of the cosmos. From the fascinating similarities between the Sun and the Moon to the mysterious nature of Hoag's Object, this episode is filled with scientific insights and engaging discussions. Episode Highlights: - Sun and Moon Coincidences: Andrew and...

End of an Era for SpaceX: SpaceX is decommissioning its original Starship launch pad, Pad 1, at its Starbase facility in Texas. This pad, crucial for early Starship development with 11 flights, has seen significant upgrades over the years and will be remembered as the birthplace of Starship flights. China's Reusable Rocket Ambitions: The Chinese company Landspace is making strides with its Zhuque 3 Rocket, a stainless steel, methane-fueled, reusable launch vehicle. They recently completed a suc...