SpaceTime Series 19 Episode 21 - Show Notes

Mysterious alignment of supermassive black holes discovered in the distant universe.
Astronomers have been shocked by new deep radio imaging which has revealed that supermassive black holes in a region of the distant universe are all spinning out radio jets in the same direction.  The bizarre findings are totally unexpected -- based on our current understanding of cosmology. 

A new study bringing science a step closer to understanding antimatter.
Scientists are developing new numerical models to better understand why we live in a universe composed mostly of matter rather than antimatter. Existing cosmological theory tells us that equal amounts of matter and antimatter were made in the big bang 13.8 billion years ago, and the laws of physics show that matter and antimatter annihilate each other if they come into contact.  So that raises the question: why didn’t the universe explode and cease to exist immediately and why do we live a universe made of matter rather than antimatter? 

The strange system challenging existing models on dark matter and hypervelocity stars.
Astronomers have discovered a strange star system on the outskirts of our Milky Way Galaxy travelling at almost our galaxies escape velocity. The discovery challenges existing hypothesis that hypervelocity stars are flung onto their high speed trajectories by the supermassive black hole at the galactic centre. 
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New study explores links between cosmic rays and galaxy formation
New computer simulations indicate that cosmic rays – high speed subatomic particles produced in supernovae explosions -- may play a vital role in the formation of galaxies and galaxy clusters. The findings will help scientists trying to understand how galaxies are made which is among the greatest problems facing modern astrophysics.

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