logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2024
28m 18s

#470: Cosmic Questions: Dark Matter, Tit...

Professor Fred Watson and Andrew Dunkley
About this episode
Space Nuts Q&A Edition #470 - Universe Enigmas and Titan's Mysteries
Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in this captivating Q&A episode of Space Nuts, where they explore the cosmic questions posed by our curious audience. From the mysteries of a universe without black holes to the peculiar atmosphere of Saturn's moon Titan, this episode is brimming with fascinating insights and astronomical discussions.
Episode Highlights:
- Universe Without Dark Matter and Energy: Delve into the possibilities of a universe devoid of dark matter, dark energy, and black holes. Explore the implications for galaxy formation and the cosmic web, and ponder the nature of dark energy's role in the universe's expansion.
- Energy Loss and the Universe's Age: Investigate the concept of energy loss in the universe and the methods used to calculate its age. Discover why uranium's half-life isn't the key to unlocking the universe's timeline and how the Hubble constant plays a role.
- Early Universe Surprises: Question the surprises of finding ancient cosmic structures in the early universe. Examine how galaxy formation models are continually refined and the potential revelations from the Square Kilometre Array.
- Titan's Unique Atmosphere: Unravel the mystery of Titan's dense atmosphere and compare it to Mars' inability to retain one. Consider the possible factors contributing to Titan's atmospheric retention and the role of cryovolcanism.
For more Space Nuts, including our continually updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on facebook, X, YouTube, Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favourite platform.
For more Space and Astronomy News Podcasts, visit our HQ at www.bitesz.com.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts/support.
Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.
00:00 - This is a Q and A edition of Space Nuts
01:53 - Dark matter and dark energy are at the forefront of modern day cosmology
09:10 - How much of the universe's energy is kind of like gone
12:30 - Uranium was created in supernova explosions after the universe was formed
13:33 - Using half life of uranium or lithium to calculate age of the universe is sinful
15:33 - Ben Harding asks: Should we be surprised that galaxies formed so quickly
21:39 - How did Saturn's moon Titan accumulate its thick nitrogen atmosphere
26:45 - Andrew Dunkley: Thanks to everyone who's sending questions for Space Nuts
Up next
Nov 21
Meteor Showers, Mars Missions & the Mystery of Stranded Astronauts
<b>Sponsor Details:<br /></b>This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the support of<b> NordVPN. </b>To get our special Space Nuts listener discounts and four months free bonus, all with a 30 day money back guarantee, simply visit<b> <a href="https://nordvpn.com/spacenut ... Show More
54m 53s
Nov 17
Expanding Universes, Space Elevators & the Enigma of Gale Crater
<b>Sponsor Details:</b><br />This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the support of <b>NordVPN</b>. To get our special <b>Space Nuts listener discounts and four months free bonus</b>, all with a 30 day money back guarantee, simply visit <a href="https://nordvpn.com/spac ... Show More
43m 8s
Nov 13
Comet Conundrums, Cosmic Shutdowns & The Mars Remains Controversy
3I Atlas, Human Remains on Mars, and Moon Formation InsightsIn this thought-provoking episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner dive into some controversial and intriguing topics in the realm of space exploration. From the latest on Comet 3I Atlas and ... Show More
52m 2s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 13
Decelerating Cosmos and Solar Secrets: Unravelling Dark Energy and the Sun's Magnetic Dance
(00:00:00) Decelerating Cosmos and Solar Secrets: Unravelling Dark Energy and the Sun's Magnetic Dance (00:00:45) More confirmation that the Universe's expansion is slowing (00:08:53) First glimpse of the Sun’s polar magnetic field in motion (00:14:09) Space Weather events rampin ... Show More
25m 51s
Oct 14
Secrets of the Universe: What Happened Before The Big Bang, Life Across the Galaxy, Surviving a Black Hole & How We’re All Made of Stars | Astrophysicist Janna Levin
BLACK HOLES, THE BIG BANG & ALIEN LIFE: Astrophysicist Janna Levin Breaks Down the Universe Ever wondered what existed before the Big Bang? Or why all planets are different, and why Earth is so perfectly suited for life? In this mind-expanding episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, ... Show More
1h 5m
Oct 15
PART TWO: Secrets of the Universe: What Happened Before The Big Bang, Life Across the Galaxy, Surviving a Black Hole & How We’re All Made of Stars | Astrophysicist Janna Levin
BLACK HOLES, THE BIG BANG & ALIEN LIFE: Astrophysicist Janna Levin Breaks Down the UniverseEver wondered what existed before the Big Bang? Or why all planets are different, and why Earth is so perfectly suited for life?In this mind-expanding episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, r ... Show More
57m 41s
Feb 2025
Bennu's Building Blocks of Life, Asteroid YR4's Threat, and Lunar Dome Mysteries: S28E15
<b>SpaceTime Series 28 Episode 15</b><br /><b>The Astronomy, Space and Science News Podcast</b><br /><b>Building Blocks of Life on Asteroid Bennu,</b> New Asteroid Threat, and Lunar Dome Mission<br />In this episode of SpaceTime, we uncover groundbreaking discoveries from the ast ... Show More
29m 8s
May 2017
100. Neil deGrasse Tyson (Astrophysicist) – The Only "-ist" I Am
Since 2008, Big Think has been sharing big ideas from creative and curious minds. Since 2015, the Think Again podcast has been taking us out of our comfort zone, surprising our guests and Jason Gots, your host, with unexpected conversation starters from Big Think’s interview arch ... Show More
47m 31s
Mar 2023
62 - JWST and the Earliest Galaxies in the Universe (ft. Mike Boylan-Kolchin)
<p>Astronomers&apos; newest telescope, JWST, just discovered galaxies that formed earlier than previously thought possible. What does this discovery mean for our understanding of the early universe?<br/><br/>To support our show and get ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join ... Show More
24m 49s
Feb 2024
Black Hole Theory Cosmology (WHAT ARE BLACK HOLES?!) Part 1 with Ronald Gamble, Jr.
<p>How big are black holes? Is time elastic? What is spacetime foam? Why is there a place called “elsewhere?” Enjoy this dazzling two-parter that starts with the absolute basics with NASA’s Goddard Theoretical Astrophysicist and Black Hole Theory Cosmologist  Dr. Ronald Gamble, J ... Show More
48m 59s
Feb 2025
Saying Farewell to the Spacecraft That Mapped the Milky Way
The Gaia spacecraft stopped collecting data this January after about 11 years and more than three trillion observations. Senior space and physics editor Lee Billings joins host Rachel Feltman to review Gaia’s Milky Way–mapping mission and the tidal streams, black holes and astero ... Show More
17m 20s
Sep 30
How Webb Illuminates Stars’ Cloudy Origins
In the space between stars, dark clouds of gas, dust, and ice mingle in a chemical laboratory unlike any on Earth. Ewine van Dishoeck, an astronomer who studies molecules in space and who helped develop an instrument aboard NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, explains how Webb is ... Show More
22m 43s