January 2006
In this month's show we go on a sound seeing tour of the Lovell Telescope during the winter solstice. On the way we discover why two pulsars orbiting each other is a good thing and what we can see in the night sky this month. Also the latest news on the Stardust mission.
- January 2006 MP3: Download the whole show
- Stardust@Home
Waiting for the lift to arrive at the bottom of the tower.
The walkway from the top of the tower into the centre of the dish.
Standing between the old surface (below) and the new surface (above).
The gears for rotating in elevation.
Interview with Michael Kramer
Dr Michael Kramer tells us about cosmic lighthouses - pulsars. He explains the lighthouse effect which makes the pulsar appear to pulse when observed by a radio telescope. He also describes the recent discovery of the 'double pulsar' which has provided new ways to test Einstein's General Relativity.
- Interview with Michael Kramer MP3: Download this segment individually
- Jodrell Bank Pulsar Group
- First-known double pulsar
Night sky for January 2006
Ian Morison tells us what we can see in the night sky during January 2006.
- Night sky for January 2006 MP3: Download this segment individually
- Ian Morison's Night Sky pages
Show Credits
| Interview: | Nick Rattenbury interviewed Dr Michael Kramer (University of Manchester) |
| Night sky this month: | Ian Morison |
| Presenters: | Dave Ault, Nick Rattenbury and Stuart Lowe |
| Stardust report: | Paul Carr |
| Editor: | Dave Ault |
* If you live in the southern hemisphere you may need to convert south to north and left to right for Ian's descriptions to make sense.
