The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: From Diamond Rain to Rogue Planets: Unpacking Cosmic Curiosities

   Sponsor Link:This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the support of NordVPN. Protect your online activities with a special deal at www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts.In this Q&A episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner tackle a variety of fascinating questions from listeners. From the intriguing phenomenon of planetary atmospheres that may rain diamonds and sapphires, to the complexities of satellite approvals and the possibility of planets forming without a star, this episode is packed with cosmic insights.Key topics include:- Nick from Perth asks about the science behind the claims of diamond and sapphire rain on distant planets, prompting a discussion on spectral analysis and the nature of scientific reporting.- Sandy from Melbourne raises concerns about the recent FCC approval for Reflect Orbital's satellite, leading to an exploration of the regulatory landscape surrounding space launches and the implications for global cooperation.- Rennie from California queries whether planets can form without a sun, which sparks a deep dive into the theories surrounding rogue planets and the role of dark matter in planetary formation.Join Andrew and Jonty as they navigate these thought-provoking questions, shedding light on the mysteries of the universe and the ever-evolving field of astronomy.00:00 - This is a Q and A episode and in this particular show we're answering audience questions01:00 - Professor Jonty Horner joins us to discuss astrophysics01:29 - The heat stays a bit longer than summer and the cold stays too much past winter02:55 - Nick in Perth has a question regarding planetary atmospheres11:29 - Scientists are extrapolating from what they know about planets' interior12:49 - Andrew Dunkley: Question comes from Sandy in Melbourne, Australia14:51 - FAA proposing to circumvent environmental laws for commercial launches and spacecraft reentries21:54 - Fast developing industry with no regulation developed around it25:20 - Space Nuts Q and A edition with Andrew Dunkley and Jonty Horner25:38 - Can planets form without a sun because dark matter would be the gravity33:41 - You can send in your Space Nuts questions via our websiteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.

   August 24, 2026·38min
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   Number 2: How One Dinosaur-Killing Impact May Have Triggered Global Firestorms

   Sponsor Link:This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the support of NordVPN. Secure your online presence and enjoy a special deal at www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts. Asteroid or comet, dinosaur impact firestorms, crater discovery, and Q&A on exoplanets and satellitesAndrew Dunkley is joined by Professor Jonti Horner of the University of Southern Queensland for two tightly related Space Nuts conversations. The first explores how astronomy keeps blurring the lines between asteroids and comets, what new research says about the dinosaur-killing impact, and a surprising crater found by an amateur astronomer planning a trip. The second is a listener Q&A covering exotic exoplanet weather, space regulation, and whether planets can form without a star.Key topicsIn this episode, Andrew and Jonti explain why astronomy often uses tidy labels for objects that sit on a continuum, especially when the line between asteroid and comet gets blurry.They discuss near-Earth object 1998 SH2, which appears to have comet-like activity despite looking asteroid-like for decades.Jonti breaks down how outgassing can nudge a small body off its predicted path, revealing non-gravitational forces.The dinosaur-killing impact is revisited with new modelling suggesting the first hours after impact may have included global firestorms, not just long-term climate collapse.The show covers the terminology debate around meteor, meteorite, fireball, bolide, asteroid, and comet impact.A Canadian amateur astronomer, Joel LePointe, is credited with spotting a likely impact crater while planning a camping and hiking trip using satellite imagery.The newly identified crater near Lake Marcel in northern Quebec is described as about 390 million years old and roughly 25 kilometers wide.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.

   August 20, 2026·44min
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   Number 3: Exploring Moons with Atmospheres, Hot Jupiters, and the Mysteries of Black Holes

   Sponsor Link:This Q&A episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the support of NordVPN. When you decide to get serius about your security online, do what we did and get NordVPN. We have a special deal for you too, chck out the details at www.nordvpn.com/spacenutsIn this episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson delve into a captivating Q&A session, tackling a range of intriguing questions from listeners. From the possibility of moons having atmospheres to the mysteries surrounding hot Jupiters and the fascinating realm of black holes, this episode promises to ignite your curiosity about the cosmos.Key topics include:- Chris from Exmouth wonders if moons can have atmospheres and if they can share these with their parent planets, leading to a discussion on Titan and Pluto's unique characteristics.- An anonymous listener poses a thought-provoking question about 'secret astronomy' and the potential for military satellite technology to advance our understanding of the universe.- Fenton from Minnesota asks about the likelihood of rocky planets existing in solar systems with hot Jupiters, prompting a discussion on planetary migration and the diversity of solar systems.- Ed raises a classic black hole question regarding the merger of black holes and the concept of mass escaping, leading to an exploration of gravitational waves and their implications.Join Andrew and Fred Watson as they navigate these fascinating topics, providing insights and sparking further exploration into the wonders of space.00:00 01:18 04:13 05:37 11:35 16:34 20:35 27:11 31:31Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.

   August 17, 2026·35min
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   Number 4: SpaceX Hit the Moon, and the Real Problem Is Just Beginning

   Space Nuts: Moon impact, Roman Observatory launch, and Neptune’s odd moonsAndrew Dunkley is joined by Professor Jonti Horner, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Southern Queensland, for a wide-ranging astronomy update. They cover SpaceX’s out-of-control rocket body hitting the Moon, the imminent launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Observatory, and a new result that may explain the strange origin of some of Neptune’s moons.We discuss why lunar impacts matter far beyond the Moon itself, how Roman will study exoplanets and dark energy, and why clay minerals on Neptune’s small moons are such a big clue about a violent early solar system.Key topicsSpaceX’s rocket body impacted the Moon after being left in a long, uncontrolled orbitWhy lunar impacts are a real concern for future habitats, infrastructure, and Apollo heritage sitesThe sheer scale of human-made objects that have already hit or landed on the MoonElon Musk’s vision for lunar factories, rail-gun launches, and large-scale off-Earth manufacturingWhy the same company could end up both creating the risk and needing to solve itThe Nancy Grace Roman Observatory launching around 9 months ahead of scheduleRoman’s 2.4 metre mirror, 300 megapixel wide-field camera, and hydrazine-fueled journey to L2How Roman will study dark energy, gravitational lensing, exoplanets, and free-floating planetsNew James Webb observations of Neptune’s moons showing clay-type minerals on Larissa and GalateaWhy those clays suggest a much older, more violent system shaped by Triton’s capture and moon-to-moon collisionsTimestamps:00:00 - Studio prep, muting phones, and getting ready to record01:53 - Episode intro: SpaceX lunar impact, Roman Observatory, and Neptune moons03:00 - Jonti Horner joins the show04:26 - SpaceX rocket body crashes into the Moon07:03 - Predicted impact plume and expected crater size08:54 - Korean spacecraft Danuri captures post-impact images10:19 - Why Moon impacts matter for future lunar bases11:47 - Protecting Apollo landing sites and lunar archaeology12:15 - More than 3,000 human-made objects have hit the Moon14:32 - Law, responsibility, and the problem of cleanup beyond Earth16:07 - Musk’s plans for Moon factories and Starlink-style expansion18:12 - Rail guns, Optimus robots, and scaling lunar industry19:34 - SpaceX’s own industry could be threatened by its own debris21:24 - Balancing commercial benefits and environmental costs23:46 - The Nancy Grace Roman Observatory launch approaches26:03 - Roman’s orbit, hydrazine fuel, and five-year mission plan27:57 - From WFIRST to Roman: how the telescope evolved29:23 - Roman’s mirror, 300 megapixel camera, and survey power30:14 - Exoplanets, microlensing, and the coronagraph33:29 - Roman’s launch status and the excitement ahead34:17 - Neptune’s moons and the role of TritonBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.

   August 27, 2026·46min
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   Number 5: The Galaxy’s Sugary Center Could Change How Life Began

   This episode covers three very different astronomy stories and then moves into a lively Q&A with listener questions. Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson discuss a possible sugary molecule in the center of the Milky Way, the risk lunar landers may contaminate ice that could preserve clues to life’s origins, and a new way to track lost dogs using satellite connectivity. The second half of the episode answers questions about moons with atmospheres, secret astronomy, hot Jupiters, and black hole mergers.Key topicsIn this episode, Fred Watson explains an update from Peter Verweyen on MOND, now referred to as Aether Scalar Tensor Theory, and how it relates to dark matter and dark energy debates.We discuss the detection of erythrulose, a sugar molecule found in interstellar gas clouds near the center of the Milky Way, and why this matters for prebiotic chemistry.Fred describes how molecules like sugar can form in cold molecular clouds before stars and planets exist, making some ingredients for life surprisingly common.We discuss a new study warning that rocket exhaust from future lunar landings could contaminate ice in permanently shadowed craters at the Moon’s south pole.The Moon’s polar ice may contain ancient prebiotic molecules delivered by comets, asteroids, and dust, making it a possible time capsule for the chemistry that led to life.We discuss the practical and ethical problem that landers have to use rocket engines, and those exhaust plumes may spread methane and other organics across the lunar surface very quickly.Fred shares how satellite-based direct-to-cell or direct-to-mobile systems could help locate lost dogs in remote places without cell coverage.We discuss how this kind of tracking builds on existing GPS pet trackers, and how it could be useful in wilderness areas, while also noting the limits and concerns in national parks.Timestamps(00:00) Start of the episode and what’s coming up(03:12) MOND update and the new AEST name(07:10) A sugary molecule in the center of our galaxy(09:51) Why sugar can form in deep space before stars exist(12:24) Why lunar landings could contaminate the Moon’s ice(14:54) The Moon as a time capsule for prebiotic molecules(16:24) Methane exhaust and rapid contamination risk(18:37) Should the Moon be protected like a national park?(20:28) Satellite tracking for lost dogs in remote areas(24:52) Direct-to-mobile satellite technology explained(25:44) The Judas goat program and invasive species controlBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.

   August 13, 2026·28min
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