logo
episode-header-image
Jun 26
34m 32s

Cosmic Detectives: Solving the Missing M...

Professor Fred Watson and Andrew Dunkley
About this episode
Unraveling Cosmic Mysteries: Fast Radio Bursts and Earth's Magnetism
In this intriguing episode of Space Nuts, hosts Heidi Campo and Professor Fred Watson delve into the captivating world of cosmic enigmas. From the potential resolution of the 'missing matter' mystery to the groundbreaking findings linking Earth's magnetism and oxygen levels, this episode is packed with revelations that will spark your curiosity about the universe.
Episode Highlights:
Fast Radio Bursts and Missing Matter: The episode kicks off with a discussion on fast radio bursts, their origins, and how they may help astronomers account for the elusive missing matter in the universe. Fred explains the significance of these brief bursts of radio waves and their role in revealing the intergalactic medium's composition.
Understanding Neutron Stars: Heidi and Fred take a moment to clarify the difference between neutron stars and our sun, exploring the fascinating life cycle of stars and the unique characteristics of neutron stars that lead to phenomena like magnetars and fast radio bursts.
Proba 3 Mission and Solar Eclipses: The conversation shifts to the European Space Agency's Proba 3 mission, which aims to study the sun's corona using two satellites. Fred shares how this innovative approach allows scientists to observe the sun's outer atmosphere in detail, akin to a solar eclipse, and the potential for citizen scientists to engage with this data.
Link Between Magnetism and Oxygen: The episode concludes with a discussion on a recent study revealing a mysterious correlation between Earth's magnetic field strength and atmospheric oxygen levels over the past 500 million years. Fred emphasizes the implications of this finding for understanding life processes and the search for extraterrestrial life.
For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, X, YouTube Music Music, Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favorite platform.
If you’d like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit spacenutspodcast.com/about
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) Welcome to Space Nuts with Heidi Campo and Fred Watson
(01:20) Discussion on fast radio bursts and missing matter
(15:00) Clarifying neutron stars vs. our sun
(25:30) Insights into the Proba 3 mission and solar corona
(35:00) Exploring the link between Earth's magnetism and oxygen
For commercial-free versions of Space Nuts, join us on Patreon, Supercast, Apple Podcasts, or become a supporter here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support
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
Dec 2024
Superflare Warnings, Binary Stars at the Galactic Core, and Lucy's Close Earth Flyby: S27E156
SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 156 Superflares: A Century-Long Threat? A new study warns of the potential for our Sun to unleash superflares, with the threat estimated at once per century. These massive eruptions could engulf the Earth, challenging our understanding of solar behavio ... Show More
18m 58s
Jan 2025
Mars' Volcanic Awakening, Supernova 1987A's Secrets, and Dream Chaser Delays: S28E05
SpaceTime Series 28 Episode 05 Volcanic Activity on Mars New research suggests recent volcanic activity on Mars, with eruptions possibly occurring within the last 50,000 years. This discovery, based on satellite observations, highlights a mysterious dark deposit in Elysium Planit ... Show More
26m 6s
Oct 2024
Galactic Giants, Ancient Microbes, and Vulcan's Triumphant Flight
SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 124 *Galaxies: Bigger Than We Ever Imagined Recent findings suggest that galaxies are far larger than previously thought, with gaseous halos extending much further into intergalactic space. This study, published in Nature Astronomy, focuses on the circ ... Show More
29m 50s
Apr 2024
S27E48: Cosmic Cartography: Charting Dark Energy's Role in the Universe's Fate
Embark on an astronomical odyssey with SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 48, as we unveil the most detailed view of the expanding universe to date. The first-year data from DESI, the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument survey, is in, and it's changing the cosmic game. This groundbreak ... Show More
31m 44s
Mar 2024
S27E33: Star Shredded by Black Hole: A Cosmic Feast Observed
For your special NORDVPN discount and risk free 30 Day Money back guarantee, visit www.nordvpn.com/stuartgary and use the code STUARTGARY at checkout. Get your online privacy under control with the best in the business. The Space, Astronomy & Science Podcast. SpaceTime Series 27 ... Show More
31m 48s
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
Jan 2025
Webb Telescope Confirms Hubble Tension, Vesta's Liquid Mysteries, and Mars' Explosive New Year: S28E01
SpaceTime Series 28 Episode 01 Webb Telescope Confirms Hubble Tension The James Webb Space Telescope has confirmed the Hubble Tension, challenging the current understanding of cosmic theory. New observations reveal that the Universe is expanding faster now than during its early y ... Show More
32m 45s
Jan 2025
Parker Solar Probe's Record-Breaking Journey, Mysterious X-ray Flares, and Solar Cycle's Weather Impact: S28E03
SpaceTime Series 28 Episode 03 Parker Solar Probe's Historic Journey NASA's Parker Solar Probe has made history by becoming the fastest man-made object, surviving a record-breaking close approach to the Sun's surface. The probe, travelling at an unprecedented speed of 155,520 kil ... Show More
26m 46s
Mar 2025
Exoplanet Discovery, Dark Energy Evolution
SpaceTime Series 28 Episode 37 The Astronomy, Space and Science News Podcast Exciting New Exoplanet Discovery, Evolving Dark Energy, and Insights into the Moon's Magnetic Field In this episode of SpaceTime, we uncover the discovery of a potential new exoplanet, TOI 2818C, located ... Show More
27m 27s
May 2024
S27E59: Venus's Vanishing Vapors: The Mystery of a Bone-Dry Planet
Embark on an interplanetary journey with SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 59, where we unravel the enigmatic atmosphere of Venus and its waterless environment. Discover the startling new study that suggests Venus lost its water reserves to space, leaving it with a mere fraction of Ear ... Show More
25m 51s