logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2023
52m 38s

A Glimpse into the Past: 3 Billion Years...

Professor Fred Watson and Andrew Dunkley
About this episode
Get ready to explore a 10 billion year old mystery! A closely bound duo of energetic quasars, the hallmark of a pair of merging galaxies, have been discovered when the Universe was only 3 billion years old. What secrets do these quasars hold and why have they lasted so long? Join us as we unravel this age-old mystery and uncover the secrets of the cosmos. But be warned, the answers may not be what you expect...
In this episode, you will be able to:
*Uncover the fascinating story behind the discovery of dual quasars from a 10-billion-year-old galaxy merger
*Delve into the enigmatic Lyman alpha radiation bar of light observed on Saturn
*Explore the environmental impact and challenges faced by the groundbreaking Square Kilometre Array radio telescope
*Understand the science of infrared radiation, heat transmission, and black body light emissions *Consider the odds of life existing on Enceladus and other high-pressure ice moons

'Cosmic Noon is one of the hot topics because it's that period when the Universe was just a few billion years old, when star formation was at its peak.' - Fred Watson

The resources mentioned in this episode are:
Visit the Noirlab.edu website to explore the press release about dual quasars blaze bright and learn more about this discovery.
Visit the NSF's Optical and Infrared observatories website to learn more about their ground and space-based telescopes, including the Gemini North Telescope in Hawaii.
Read Fred's book, Cosmic Chronicles or Exploding Stars and Invisible Planets (as it is titled in the United States) for more information on Saturn and other astronomical topics.
Keep an eye out for Andrew's upcoming audio edition of Parallax and check out his other books as well.
For details visit www.spacenutspodcast.com/shop
This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the support of NordVPN...the vpn we all use personally. To get the Space Nuts listener deal visit www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts - you'll be glad you did.
Up next
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
Jun 30
Celestial Curiosities: Pulsars, Gravitational Waves & the Secrets of the Universe
Cosmic Curiosities: Exploring Neutron Stars and Gravitational WavesIn this engaging episode of Space Nuts, hosts Heidi Campo and Professor Fred Watson embark on a fascinating journey through listener questions that probe the depths of astrophysics and cosmology. From the nature o ... Show More
25m 58s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2024
S27E47: Stellar Nurseries: Unveiling the Origins of Brown Dwarfs and Starbursts
Prepare to illuminate the shadowy frontiers of space in SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 47. We begin by shedding light on new findings that reveal brown dwarfs, those celestial enigmas straddling the line between the largest planets and the smallest stars, are far more star-like than ... Show More
25m 1s
Aug 2023
Mapping the universe
A rocket launch, super-massive black holes and ghost particles! This past week’s scientific findings are testament to how hard-at-work cosmologists and physicists have been seeking out the fundamental building blocks of our universe and the rules that govern it. Professor of Cosm ... Show More
35m 18s
Feb 2024
S27E20: The Improbable Galaxy: Unveiling the Enigma of Pearl SDG
For peace of mind when online and know you are protected get our special 60% off deal on Incogni. Visit www.incogni.com/stuartgary to get the deal The Space, Astronomy & Science Podcast. SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 20 *The Enigma of Pearl SDG: A Galaxy That Defies Expectations As ... Show More
24m 13s
Mar 2024
S27E30: Axion Stars: The Unseen Beacons of Dark Matter Mysteries
The Space, Astronomy & Science Podcast. SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 30 *Unveiling the Mysteries of Dark Matter with Hypothetical Axion Stars Could the enigmatic axion star hold the key to understanding dark matter? Join us as we delve into the realm of theoretical physics, where ... Show More
42m 18s