Space Nuts: Astronomy Insights & Cosmic Discoveries

Space Nuts: Moon impact, Roman Observatory launch, and Neptune’s odd moons
Andrew Dunkley is joined by Professor Jonti Horner, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Southern Queensland, for a wide-ranging astronomy update. They cover SpaceX’s out-of-control rocket body hitting the Moon, the imminent launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Observatory, and a new result that may explain the strange origin of some of Neptune’s moons.
We discuss why lunar impacts matter far beyond the Moon itself, how Roman will study exoplanets and dark energy, and why clay minerals on Neptune’s small moons are such a big clue about a violent early solar system.
Key topics
SpaceX’s rocket body impacted the Moon after being left in a long, uncontrolled orbit
Why lunar impacts are a real concern for future habitats, infrastructure, and Apollo heritage sites
The sheer scale of human-made objects that have already hit or landed on the Moon
Elon Musk’s vision for lunar factories, rail-gun launches, and large-scale off-Earth manufacturing
Why the same company could end up both creating the risk and needing to solve it
The Nancy Grace Roman Observatory launching around 9 months ahead of schedule
Roman’s 2.4 metre mirror, 300 megapixel wide-field camera, and hydrazine-fueled journey to L2
How Roman will study dark energy, gravitational lensing, exoplanets, and free-floating planets
New James Webb observations of Neptune’s moons showing clay-type minerals on Larissa and Galatea
Why those clays suggest a much older, more violent system shaped by Triton’s capture and moon-to-moon collisions
Timestamps:
00:00 - Studio prep, muting phones, and getting ready to record
01:53 - Episode intro: SpaceX lunar impact, Roman Observatory, and Neptune moons
03:00 - Jonti Horner joins the show
04:26 - SpaceX rocket body crashes into the Moon
07:03 - Predicted impact plume and expected crater size
08:54 - Korean spacecraft Danuri captures post-impact images
10:19 - Why Moon impacts matter for future lunar bases
11:47 - Protecting Apollo landing sites and lunar archaeology
12:15 - More than 3,000 human-made objects have hit the Moon
14:32 - Law, responsibility, and the problem of cleanup beyond Earth
16:07 - Musk’s plans for Moon factories and Starlink-style expansion
18:12 - Rail guns, Optimus robots, and scaling lunar industry
19:34 - SpaceX’s own industry could be threatened by its own debris
21:24 - Balancing commercial benefits and environmental costs
23:46 - The Nancy Grace Roman Observatory launch approaches
26:03 - Roman’s orbit, hydrazine fuel, and five-year mission plan
27:57 - From WFIRST to Roman: how the telescope evolved
29:23 - Roman’s mirror, 300 megapixel camera, and survey power
30:14 - Exoplanets, microlensing, and the coronagraph
33:29 - Roman’s launch status and the excitement ahead
34:17 - Neptune’s moons and the role of Triton

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In this Q&A episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner tackle a variety of fascinating questions from listeners. From the intriguing phenomenon of planetary atmospheres that may rain diamonds and sapphires, to the complexities of satellite approvals and the possibility of planets forming without a star, this episode is packed with cosmic insights.
Key topics include:
- Nick from Perth asks about the science behind the claims of diamond and sapphire rain on distant planets, prompting a discussion on spectral analysis and the nature of scientific reporting.
- Sandy from Melbourne raises concerns about the recent FCC approval for Reflect Orbital's satellite, leading to an exploration of the regulatory landscape surrounding space launches and the implications for global cooperation.
- Rennie from California queries whether planets can form without a sun, which sparks a deep dive into the theories surrounding rogue planets and the role of dark matter in planetary formation.
Join Andrew and Jonty as they navigate these thought-provoking questions, shedding light on the mysteries of the universe and the ever-evolving field of astronomy.

00:00 - This is a Q and A episode and in this particular show we're answering audience questions
01:00 - Professor Jonty Horner joins us to discuss astrophysics
01:29 - The heat stays a bit longer than summer and the cold stays too much past winter
02:55 - Nick in Perth has a question regarding planetary atmospheres
11:29 - Scientists are extrapolating from what they know about planets' interior
12:49 - Andrew Dunkley: Question comes from Sandy in Melbourne, Australia
14:51 - FAA proposing to circumvent environmental laws for commercial launches and spacecraft reentries
21:54 - Fast developing industry with no regulation developed around it
25:20 - Space Nuts Q and A edition with Andrew Dunkley and Jonty Horner
25:38 - Can planets form without a sun because dark matter would be the gravity
33:41 - You can send in your Space Nuts questions via our website

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Sponsor Link:
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Asteroid or comet, dinosaur impact firestorms, crater discovery, and Q&A on exoplanets and satellites
Andrew Dunkley is joined by Professor Jonti Horner of the University of Southern Queensland for two tightly related Space Nuts conversations. The first explores how astronomy keeps blurring the lines between asteroids and comets, what new research says about the dinosaur-killing impact, and a surprising crater found by an amateur astronomer planning a trip. The second is a listener Q&A covering exotic exoplanet weather, space regulation, and whether planets can form without a star.
Key topics
In this episode, Andrew and Jonti explain why astronomy often uses tidy labels for objects that sit on a continuum, especially when the line between asteroid and comet gets blurry.
They discuss near-Earth object 1998 SH2, which appears to have comet-like activity despite looking asteroid-like for decades.
Jonti breaks down how outgassing can nudge a small body off its predicted path, revealing non-gravitational forces.
The dinosaur-killing impact is revisited with new modelling suggesting the first hours after impact may have included global firestorms, not just long-term climate collapse.
The show covers the terminology debate around meteor, meteorite, fireball, bolide, asteroid, and comet impact.
A Canadian amateur astronomer, Joel LePointe, is credited with spotting a likely impact crater while planning a camping and hiking trip using satellite imagery.
The newly identified crater near Lake Marcel in northern Quebec is described as about 390 million years old and roughly 25 kilometers wide.

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In this episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson delve into a captivating Q&A session, tackling a range of intriguing questions from listeners. From the possibility of moons having atmospheres to the mysteries surrounding hot Jupiters and the fascinating realm of black holes, this episode promises to ignite your curiosity about the cosmos.
Key topics include:
- Chris from Exmouth wonders if moons can have atmospheres and if they can share these with their parent planets, leading to a discussion on Titan and Pluto's unique characteristics.
- An anonymous listener poses a thought-provoking question about 'secret astronomy' and the potential for military satellite technology to advance our understanding of the universe.
- Fenton from Minnesota asks about the likelihood of rocky planets existing in solar systems with hot Jupiters, prompting a discussion on planetary migration and the diversity of solar systems.
- Ed raises a classic black hole question regarding the merger of black holes and the concept of mass escaping, leading to an exploration of gravitational waves and their implications.
Join Andrew and Fred Watson as they navigate these fascinating topics, providing insights and sparking further exploration into the wonders of space.
00:00 01:18 04:13 05:37 11:35 16:34 20:35 27:11 31:31

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This episode covers three very different astronomy stories and then moves into a lively Q&A with listener questions. Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson discuss a possible sugary molecule in the center of the Milky Way, the risk lunar landers may contaminate ice that could preserve clues to life’s origins, and a new way to track lost dogs using satellite connectivity. The second half of the episode answers questions about moons with atmospheres, secret astronomy, hot Jupiters, and black hole mergers.
Key topics
In this episode, Fred Watson explains an update from Peter Verweyen on MOND, now referred to as Aether Scalar Tensor Theory, and how it relates to dark matter and dark energy debates.
We discuss the detection of erythrulose, a sugar molecule found in interstellar gas clouds near the center of the Milky Way, and why this matters for prebiotic chemistry.
Fred describes how molecules like sugar can form in cold molecular clouds before stars and planets exist, making some ingredients for life surprisingly common.
We discuss a new study warning that rocket exhaust from future lunar landings could contaminate ice in permanently shadowed craters at the Moon’s south pole.
The Moon’s polar ice may contain ancient prebiotic molecules delivered by comets, asteroids, and dust, making it a possible time capsule for the chemistry that led to life.
We discuss the practical and ethical problem that landers have to use rocket engines, and those exhaust plumes may spread methane and other organics across the lunar surface very quickly.
Fred shares how satellite-based direct-to-cell or direct-to-mobile systems could help locate lost dogs in remote places without cell coverage.
We discuss how this kind of tracking builds on existing GPS pet trackers, and how it could be useful in wilderness areas, while also noting the limits and concerns in national parks.
Timestamps
(00:00) Start of the episode and what’s coming up
(03:12) MOND update and the new AEST name
(07:10) A sugary molecule in the center of our galaxy
(09:51) Why sugar can form in deep space before stars exist
(12:24) Why lunar landings could contaminate the Moon’s ice
(14:54) The Moon as a time capsule for prebiotic molecules
(16:24) Methane exhaust and rapid contamination risk
(18:37) Should the Moon be protected like a national park?
(20:28) Satellite tracking for lost dogs in remote areas
(24:52) Direct-to-mobile satellite technology explained
(25:44) The Judas goat program and invasive species control

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