logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2023
43m 14s

Unlocking the Mystery of Exoplanet Magne...

Professor Fred Watson and Andrew Dunkley
About this episode
In this episode, you will be able to:
  • Explore magnetic fields on exoplanets and their fascinating role in supporting life.
  • Delve into the reasons behind Virgin Orbit's bankruptcy amid SpaceX's thriving success.
  • Uncover the mysterious fast blue optical transient (FBOT) explosions and their significance in space.
  • Understand the correlation between Voyager spacecraft's speed and interstellar gas density.
  • Engage with the latest news in space science and astronomy to stay updated and informed.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:
  • Visit the website phys.org (P-H-Y-S) to read up on the discovery of magnetic fields on exoplanets.
  • Learn more about the Liverpool Telescope and its polarimeter equipment by visiting the University of Liverpool's website.
  • Explore the University of Sheffield's Department of Physics and Astronomy to learn more about Dr. Justin Mornd's research on FBOT explosions.
  • Stay informed about updates on space weather and its potential impact on Earth by following the news from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
  • Keep an eye on future discoveries and research related to auroras on stars and exoplanets, as well as their potential implications for the search for life in the universe.

Do Exoplanets Have Magnetic Fields?
In this episode, the hosts dive into the topic of magnetic fields on exoplanets and their importance for potentially supporting life. The discussion touches on the role of Earth's magnetic field in shielding the atmosphere and the planet's surface from harmful subatomic particles. For a rocky planet to have a magnetic field, the presence of an iron and nickel core is essential, as it generates a magnetic field as the planet rotates. For life to exist or have the potential to exist on these planets, having a magnetic field could play a crucial role, offering a protective layer against harmful cosmic radiation. Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson highlight the recent discovery of the first exoplanet with a magnetic field, YZ Ceti B, which is located around 12 light-years away and orbits an M-dwarf star. Scientists have used radio emissions from the star to study the interaction between the planet and the star's magnetic field, revealing that YZ Ceti B generates bursts of radio emissions, an indication of it having its own magnetic field. This discovery holds great significance as it suggests that other rocky exoplanets may also have magnetic fields, making them potential candidates for supporting life. However, some exceptions in our own solar system, such as Venus and Mars, challenge this notion.
I'm seeing this thing that no one has seen happen before, which is always a nice thing when you're a working astronomer and you're sitting at a big telescope somewhere and something turns up. - Professor Fred Watson
For more Space Nuts visit www.spacenuts.io
Up next
Yesterday
Cosmic Chronicles: UFOs, Galactic Archaeology & the Mystery of the Zombie Satellite
Galactic Discoveries: Unraveling the Milky Way and Mysterious SignalsIn this intriguing episode of Space Nuts, hosts Heidi Campo and Professor Fred Watson dive deep into the latest astronomical findings and cosmic mysteries. From the formation of our galaxy to puzzling signals fr ... Show More
36m 55s
Jul 7
Stellar Questions: Gravitational Waves, Time Travel & the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
In this thought-provoking Q&A episode of Space Nuts, hosts Heidi Campo and Professor Fred Watson tackle a variety of intriguing listener questions that delve into the realms of astrophysics and the possibilities of life beyond Earth. From the complexities of time dilation to the ... Show More
29m 55s
Jul 4
Stellar Snapshots: The Vera C. Rubin Telescope & Mars' Mysterious Landscapes
Exploring the Cosmos: New Telescopes, Busy Space Stations, and Martian MysteriesIn this captivating episode of Space Nuts, hosts Heidi Campo and Professor Fred Watson take listeners on a journey through the latest astronomical discoveries and ongoing missions. From the stunning a ... Show More
30m 55s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2023
S26E111: Space Probes, New Planets, and Mysteries of Mind & Matter: A Galactic Dive
**SpaceTime with Stuart Gary Series 26 Episode 111 Show Notes** 1. **Parker Solar Probe's Venus Flyby:** Dive into the details of the Parker Solar Probe's recent gravity-assist flyby of Venus. This maneuver has propelled the spacecraft into a series of record-setting flights arou ... Show More
26m 55s
Sep 2020
Le champ magnétique terrestre va-t-il s’inverser ?
Produit par des mouvements du noyau externe de la Terre, le champ magnétique terrestre protège notre planète des vents solaires et de particules émanant de l'espace, très chargées en énergie. Pour certains scientifiques, un inversement de ce champ magnétique pourrait se produire ... Show More
2m 13s
Sep 2023
S26E106: The Violent Accretion Disk of a Supermassive Black Hole // The Monster Centaurus A // Indian Lunar Rover
The Space News Podcast. SpaceTime Series 26 Episode 106 *The violent accretion disk of a supermassive black hole Astronomers have for the first time ever, captured spectra from the tumultuous accretion disk of an actively feeding super massive black hole. *Studying the monster Ce ... Show More
34m 18s