Have you ever gazed up at the night sky and wondered what secrets the stars hold? This week on Space Nuts Q&A, we invite you to join host Andrew Dunkley and astronomer extraordinaire Professor Fred Watson as they navigate the cosmos to answer some of the most intriguing questions from our listeners.
From the picturesque city of Florence, Italy, Viano reaches out with a two-part question that challenges the boundaries of space photography and the mysterious forces that dictate the orbits of planets. As we embark on ambitious projects like Breakthrough Starshot, aiming to photograph distant exoplanets, Viano's concerns about capturing clear images at a third of the speed of light spark a fascinating discussion. Can we overcome the hurdles of space-time distortion and robotic precision to glimpse alien worlds?
Next, we venture into the realm of moons with Brady from Florida, who lives where rockets soar into space. He asks, could a moon have its own moon, and what would we call such a celestial body? As Fred delves into the intricacies of gravitational binding, we learn why our solar system may lack these sub-satellites and where in the cosmos they might exist.
Scott from Oregon brings our attention to the star system HDF 110067, a cosmic conundrum with six exoplanets in a perfect mathematical arrangement. But the real puzzle lies in its triple star system status, despite the vast distances between its stellar companions. How do astronomers define such a system, and what keeps these celestial dancers in their gravitational embrace?
This episode is not just about answering questions; it's about igniting curiosity and unraveling the mysteries that the universe presents. Whether you're an astronomy enthusiast or just love the thrill of discovery, Space Nuts Q&A is your gateway to the stars.
Join us on this interstellar journey as we tackle these questions and more. Listen now to expand your universe!
