Signs of life detected. This website may be returning to active service soon! We’ve already begun integrating with the Fediverse, to make it easier for people to find new articles and listen to the podcast. We’d appreciate if you could reply to this quick note, with a short comment or ‘Like’, or whatever is available. Since you might be reading this in any of a range of apps, social media networks or web browsers, I’d like to see what responses … Continue reading →
Astronomers have identified the biggest star known to have exoplanets yet, upsetting standard planetary formation models. To date, b Centauri is the biggest star known to host an exoplanet. Estimates of its mass put it at between two and four times the previous record holder, meaning it could be up to ten times bigger than our own Sun.
Continue reading →This is episode 60 of the Urban Astronomer podcast! Is that a milestone? Sure, but we’ll save the party hats for episode 75. Today we’ll just get on with the job at hand, and bring you a science explainy bit. Today’s question: How can astronomers be so certain about what things in space are made from? On Earth it’s relatively easy to send geologists out to different places with their hammers, and have them collect samples from interesting rock formations … Continue reading →
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This is just a short note to let you know that we’re still here, and that the new season launches next week! Long-time listeners have been waiting for this since February, but I don’t think there’s anybody left on Earth who couldn’t guess which world-changing event caused our schedule to slip! Still, after eight weeks in lock-down, it’s time to start delivering on our promises. Tune in next week to hear the first exciting episode of the new season of … Continue reading →
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It’s time to drag myself out of pandemic induced home-schooling home-working anxiety-fueled torpor. We took a break last week, so it’s up to me to air out the tents, wake up the porters, get the performers warmed up and open up the Carnival of Space! Come one, come all, young and old, scientist and keen amateur, take your seat and enjoy this week’s finest writing on space science and astronomy. The show starts now! Universe Today How were Supermassive Black … Continue reading →
