July 2007 Extra
Dave and Nick are here for the mid-July show. We present part two of our Harry Potter-style intros (The Chamber of Anti-Science) with a special cameo appearance from The Bad Astronomer, Phil Plait. Nick finds out all about white dwarf stars and planets from Matt Burleigh and then stands in for Tim in Ask an Astronomer. We also have reviews from listeners and a preview of the next show featuring galaxy evolution and the Galaxy Zoo.
- July 2007 Extra MP3: Download the whole show (low and high bandwidth versions)
- The Galaxy Zoo
- HD 189733 b (Extrasolar Planets Encyclopedia)
- HD 189733 b (Observatoire de Geneve)
Interview with Dr Matt Burleigh (Universitity of Leicester)
Nick Rattenbury talked to Matt Burleigh about white dwarf stars. Matt tells us how white dwarfs originate from the cores of Red Giant stars collapsing inwards when they reach the ends of their lives. He also tells us about the search for planets around white dwarfs using the Gemini telescopes and the VLT.
- White dwarfs, Red Dwarfs and Sub-Stellar Objects
- Extremophiles described by Wikipedia
- Dyson Sphere (Encyclopedia of Astrobiology Astronomy and Spaceflight)
Ask an astronomer - Amateur observations and weightlessness
Dave puts listener questions to Nick Rattenbury. Ed Nory asks if there is much chance of self-funded amateur astronomers discovering new planets or bodies. Joe Jones asks about the acceleration due to gravity and weightlessness on the International Space Station.
Show Credits
| Interview: | Nick Rattenbury talked to Dr Matt Burleigh |
| Ask an Astronomer: | Dave Ault and Nick Rattenbury |
| Presenters: | David Ault and Nick Rattenbury |
| Editors: | Stuart Lowe and Dave Ault |
| Cover Art: | Artist's impression of the binary star system RS Ophiuchi hydrogen-rich gas transferred from a red giant onto the surface of a white dwarf has just exploded. CREDIT: David A. Hardy www.astroart.org/ & Science and Technology Facilities Council |
| Intro/Outro voices: | Ara Pelodi as Nick, Paula Cartwright as Stuart, Captain John Tadrzak as the Caretaker, John Morgan as Baron Deathmortes, and Phil Plait (www.badastronomy.com) as himself. |
| Website: | Stuart Lowe |
