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Space Nuts Episode 490: Origins of Life, Mars Missions, and Cosmic Distances
Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner in this enlightening Q&A episode of Space Nuts, where they tackle some of your most pressing cosmic queries. From the origins of life on Earth to the challenges of traveling to Mars, and how we accurately measure distances in space, this episode is brimming with intriguing discussions that will expand your understanding of the universe.
Episode Highlights:
- Origins of Life: Christian shares his exciting research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, exploring the origins of life and its implications for other planetary bodies. Andrew and Jonti discuss the significance of these findings and how they relate to the conditions necessary for life to emerge.
- Traveling to Mars: Rennie asks about the potential pitfalls of a Mars mission. Discover the realities of traversing the asteroid belt and the safety measures in place to ensure a successful journey to the Red Planet.
- Measuring Cosmic Distances: Lawrence raises a thought-provoking question about how astronomers judge distances in space, especially with the effects of gravitational lensing. Andrew and Jonti explain the distance ladder method used to measure astronomical distances and the challenges involved.
- Future of the James Webb Space Telescope: Lee inquires about the possibility of building additional James Webb Space Telescopes. Andrew and Jonti discuss the complexities of space telescope production and the exciting prospects for future astronomical missions.
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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 - Introduction to the episode and questions
02:15 - Discussion on the origins of life and Christian's research
10:30 - Challenges of traveling to Mars and the asteroid belt
18:00 - How astronomers measure distances in space
26:45 - Future of the James Webb Space Telescope
30:00 - Closing thoughts and listener engagement
✍️ Episode References
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
https://www.pnas.org/
Astrobiology Research
https://www.astrobiology.com/
James Webb Space Telescope
https://www.jwst.nasa.gov/

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