How does length contraction work in relativity? Do moving objects really get shorter? What about from their perspective? How are we supposed to make sense of any measurement?]
What is the “cold spot” on the cosmic microwave background? Why shouldn’t it exist? What are some possible explanations for it, and why are they unsatisfying? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
How do planets get tidally locked? What are these systems typically like? Can life find a home in such a challenging environment?
If we went to the Moon already, why can’t we go back so easily? What technology have we lost? What are we trying to do differently?
What’s the most distant thing we can see with the naked eye? What about with a telescope? What about at other wavelengths? Is there anything more to see?
What is “emergence” in physics and why is it a big deal? What would it mean for gravity to be emergent? How would we have to rewrite the laws of physics?
How can a “big rip” tear the Universe apart? What does that mean for existence itself? Is it going to happen, and what are we doing to find out? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
How do we track dangerous asteroids? What can impacts do to us? What do we plan to do if The Big One is headed for us? Is Armageddon a documentary?
Why is it so hard to get a picture of the Milky Way? How much of our galaxy have we mapped?
How do we achieve nuclear fusion in the laboratory? What are some experiments that are trying to achieve fusion power generation? Why is it so difficult?