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Space Nuts: Astronomy Insights & Cosmic Discoveries

Space Nuts: Astronomy Insights & Cosmic Discoveries

By: Professor Fred Watson and Andrew Dunkley
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About this listen

 Join Professor Fred Watson and Sci-Fi Author Andrew Dunkley on Space Nuts as they delve into astronomy, space travel, and cosmic mysteries. Explore groundbreaking discoveries and listener Q&A in captivating discussions. Follow us on social media to engage with our community!

Two episodes a week with news and explainer focused editions published on Thursday's and our Listener Q&A focused edition on Monday's.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.Copyright bitesz.com Astronomy Astronomy & Space Science Nature & Ecology Science
Episodes
  • Planetary Orbits, Cosmic Expansion & The Nature of Nothing | Space Nuts Q&A

    Planetary Orbits, Cosmic Expansion & The Nature of Nothing | Space Nuts Q&A
    Apr 20 2026
    Planetary Orbits, Cosmic Expansion, and the Nature of Nothingness In this thought-provoking Q&A episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson tackle a diverse array of listener questions that delve into the intricacies of our universe. From the stability of planetary orbits to the enigmatic concept of nothingness before the Big Bang, this episode promises to enlighten and intrigue.
    Episode Highlights:
    - Planetary Orbits vs. Energy: Justin from Melbourne asks how planets maintain stable orbits around the sun without spiraling inwards. Andrew and Fred explore the negligible forces at play in interplanetary space, discussing the stability of planetary dynamics and the historical migrations of planets within the solar system.
    - Expansion of Earth: Larry questions whether the Earth is expanding along with the universe. The hosts clarify that while space itself is expanding, the forces that hold the Earth together, such as gravity, prevent any significant changes at a local scale.
    - The Concept of Nothingness: Mike from the UK raises a philosophical query about what existed before the Big Bang. Andrew and Fred discuss the implications of time and existence, examining the idea that time itself may have begun with the Big Bang and the theories surrounding this profound mystery.
    - Projectiles in Space: Giles presents a fascinating "what if" scenario regarding the accuracy of firing solid metal projectiles from orbit. The hosts analyze the challenges of targeting and the influence of atmospheric conditions, drawing parallels with historical warfare and modern technology.

    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, Instagram, and more. 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.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.
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    28 mins
  • Lunar Water Mysteries, Interstellar Juice & Graphene's Cosmic Potential

    Lunar Water Mysteries, Interstellar Juice & Graphene's Cosmic Potential
    Apr 16 2026
    In this intriguing episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson explore the latest revelations in space science, focusing on the presence of water on the Moon, the fascinating findings from the comet 3I Atlas, and the innovative use of graphene in propulsion technology. This episode is a deep dive into how these cosmic elements intertwine and shape our understanding of the universe.
    Episode Highlights:
    - Water on the Moon: Andrew and Fred discuss the recent studies suggesting that the water found in lunar craters may have accumulated over billions of years, primarily through solar wind interactions rather than single impactful events. They delve into the implications of this discovery for future lunar exploration and potential resource utilization.
    - Comet 3I Atlas: The hosts share exciting insights from the ESA's JUICE spacecraft, which has provided unprecedented observations of the interstellar comet 3I Atlas. They highlight the significant water vapor emissions and the implications for understanding comet behavior as it travels through our solar system.
    - Graphene Aerogel Propulsion: A fascinating discussion unfolds around the recent experiments with graphene aerogels and their potential for light-driven propulsion in space. Andrew and Fred explore how this innovative technology could revolutionize space travel, enabling efficient and sustainable propulsion methods for future missions.
    - Future of Space Exploration: The episode wraps up with reflections on the importance of ongoing research and technological advancements in the realm of space exploration, emphasizing the need for in-situ investigations to unravel the mysteries of our celestial neighbors.

    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, Instagram, and more. 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.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Relativistic Beaming, Martian Waters & Cosmic Trash: The Space Nuts Q&A

    Relativistic Beaming, Martian Waters & Cosmic Trash: The Space Nuts Q&A
    Apr 13 2026


    Relativistic Doppler Beaming, Martian Water, and Fusion Confusion
    In this engaging Q&A edition of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson dive into a variety of thought-provoking listener questions that explore the depths of astronomy and space science. From the complexities of relativistic Doppler beaming in black holes to the intriguing evidence of water on Mars and the mysteries of nuclear fusion in the sun, this episode is brimming with cosmic insights and scientific clarity.
    Episode Highlights:
    - Relativistic Doppler Beaming: Ron from New York asks about the brightness differences in black hole accretion disks. Andrew and Fred explain how relativistic speeds affect light emission, leading to the phenomenon known as Doppler beaming and why we don't see the expected color shifts.
    - Water on Mars: Sunny from California questions the geological evidence for water on Mars. The hosts discuss the findings from the Phoenix lander and the implications of briny water on the Martian surface, confirming that it was indeed water, albeit potentially different from what we know on Earth.
    - Earth's Mass and Space Junk: Holt raises a fascinating question about how much material we can send into space before it impacts Earth's orbit. Andrew and Fred provide insights into the negligible mass we've launched compared to the Earth's total mass, reassuring listeners that our planet remains unaffected.
    - Fusion Reactions in the Sun: Ken from Maroochydore seeks clarification on the fusion process in the sun, specifically regarding mass loss and binding energy. The hosts unravel the complexities of fusion, explaining how energy is produced and the significance of mass defects in nuclear reactions.

    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, Instagram, and more. 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.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
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