How was radioactive decay discovered? What are the different kinds of decay? How does quantum mechanics make all this happen? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Apr 5th: How Does Radioactive Decay Work?
Tag: Ask A Spaceman
Mar 15th: What Are Some Alternatives to the Big Bang Theory?
What makes the Big Bang theory so successful? How were alternatives ruled out? What are the electric universe and steady state theories? Do any other options remain, like conformal cyclic cosmology?
Mar 1st: What are Lagrange Points?
Why are Lagrange points so crucial to astronomy? What makes even simple gravity so difficult? How do you “put” something at a Lagrange point?
Feb 15th: What’s So Fine About the Fine Structure Constant?
What is the fine structure constant? Where does it come from? Why is it so important? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Feb 1st: What Is Loop Quantum Gravity?
Why do we care about loop quantum gravity? Is it a viable path to uniting quantum mechanics and general relativity? What does it mean for spacetime to be discrete?
Jan 18th: Can We Get Some Love for Globular Clusters?
How are globular clusters so old? Where did they come from, and how are they linked to galaxy formation? What makes them so globular, anyway?
Jan 4th: Do We Live In a Giant Simulation?
What is the simulation hypothesis? Is it just pseudoscience? How do we grapple with its implications? Find the answer in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Dec 21st: What’s the Truth Behind ‘Oumuamua?
Where did ‘Oumuamua come from? What is it made of, and how did it end up here? Is it really an artifact of an alien civilization?
Dec 7th: What Comes After the James Webb Space Telescope?
What missions will come after the James Webb Space Telescope launches? What new discoveries await us? How long will they take to start?
Nov 16th: Where Can We Find Diamond Rain?
How do giant planets make diamond rain? Does it really, you know, rain? Where does diamond rain exist?