Shirtloads Of Science

Speed limits are painful. So why is there a light speed limit on space travel (299,792km/s) ? Surely we can bend Einstein without breaking the Universe. Dr Karl (antigravity enthusiast) and Professor Geraint Lewis (real scientist) take it to the limit. How fast can we go ?

Meet the Black Hole family. Dr Jessica Bloom takes Dr Karl through the three we've identified so far. So do they do more than suck ? Was Roger Penrose on the money when he suggested darkness as an energy source? The big questions are discussed in this second dark podcast. 

Extraordinary discoveries are being made in the galactic darkness. Dr. Jessica Bloom assembles the historical, theoretical and observational data that are causing a rethink of black holes. Why are they at the astrophysical crossroads ?  And Dr Karl estimates our civilization's Kardashev ranking - how advanced are we ? Part 1 of a double black hole podcast. https://drkarl.com/   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kardashev_scale

Entropy comes from the Greek word for transformation. It is often used to describe the irreversible evening-out of stuff. In astronomy it is often called "the Heat death of the Universe". Entropy originated with the centuries-old laws of thermodynamics. So how is Entropy holding up? Dr Karl and professor Geraint Lewis put it to the test.  http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~gfl/ http://drkarl.com

2020 is a milestone in space travel. The International Space Station received astronauts from a privately owned mission. So how do the USA's shuttle, Russia's Soyuz and Musk's Dragon stack up ? Doctor Karl and Professor Geraint Lewis review the modern history of human space flight.      http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~gfl/ http://drkarl.com

Ninety years ago we first measured the rate of our expanding Universe. Today our accuracy is better but the new techniques are producing different numbers. Are there gremlins in our measurements or is it the Universe travelling in unexpected ways ?  Dr Karl and Prof Geraint Lewis discuss this huge question. http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~gfl/ http://drkarl.com

First observed in 2007, FRBs are becoming a very useful astronomical tool. In 2020,  flashes were analysed and suggested an answer to that age-old question about the Universe. Most of it is unobserved - so where is it hiding ? Dr Karl and Prof Lewis take a walk through the FRBs and Magnetars, the new phenomena making headlines . Drkarl.com   https://theconversation.com/half-the-matter-in-the-universe-was-missing-we-found-it-hiding-in-the-cosmos-138569  

What does "proving" a theory  really mean ? Is there a difference between Scientifically proving or proving it Mathematically ? Dr Karl and Prof Geraint Lewis discuss the meanings of these ideas and how they are applied today. From pandemics to climate change, we depend on solid science - so how do you tell if something has been proved?  http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~gfl/ http://drkarl.com

Solar PV Panels have transformed our energy mix in the 21st century. Efficiency is up and costs and carbon emissions are lower.  What next ? Imagine a solar film that squeezes 10% more out of the sun ? Professor Anita Ho-Baillie walks Dr Karl through solar PV and this phenomenal new approach. Barely 10 years in development, is there a Perovskite Solar efficiency race already ?  

They're Cosmic ... but are they Rays ? Dr Karl gets the briefing from a recent University of Sydney astrophysics graduate, Dr Jessica Bloom. Cosmic Rays were found ages ago and still baffling us with more questions. Dr Jessica and Dr Karl go to the ends of the earth on this cosmic quest.      https://drkarl.com/ https://www.facebook.com/astrokitten/photos/  

Lockdowns are a rational first response to a pandemic but what happens while we wait for a vaccine or treatment to be developed ? Dr Karl joins Prof Holmes in Part 3 of this series looking at Covid-19 tests. What is the difference between them ? Professor of Virology, Eddie Holmes also explains how our immune system fights a virus and why this one has been so hard to beat - so far. @EdwardCHolmes https://drkarl.com/ Note: episode recorded in late May 2020 using data available at the time

Pandemics are complex so we rely on statistics to manage them. So how come the numbers vary so much around the world? Dr Karl asks Virology Professor Holmes why and also discovers which local factors also affect Covid-19 statistics.  Australia's secret national chook stockpile is revealed and Professor Holmes estimates the rubbery-ness of some well known figures. Note: episode recorded in late May 2020 using data available at the time. @EdwardCHolmes https://drkarl.com/  

Virology and evolutionary biologist Professor Eddie Holmes takes Dr Karl time travelling to visit a deadly virus. Many of today's treatments took thousands of years to develop.  Smallpox proved to be a tough virus to manage but it also taught us how to fight back. From skin scratching to cows, the American Civil War, Baltic mummies and DNA -  Science finally stopped smallpox in its tracks.  @EdwardCHolmes https://drkarl.com/ Note: episode recorded in late May 2020 using data available at the time

A-Prof Alice Motion explores the chemistry and properties of the 29th element for Dr Karl.  This persistent contact killer is amazingly passive (nothing else is needed). We've known of its benefits for thousands of years and yet chrome, plastics and stainless steel prevail in our healthcare facilities. @all_isee @_breakinggood https://drkarl.com/

Dr Simon Murphy explains to  Dr Karl the extraordinary behaviour of a star in the early stages of life.  Observed only recently, it widens our understanding of new stars.  https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2020/03/10/astronomy-new-type-of-pulsating-star-discovered.html http://drkarl.com  

We can't see the great attractor but we've measured it's presence. We're falling into Virgo and Virgo cant't resist it's force. Is Dark Energy involved ? What is the "zone of avoidance" ? Professor Geraint Lewis helps Dr Karl with his homework. http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~gfl/ http://drkarl.com

Dr Karl & Prof G. Lewis discuss the gaps and guesses that string together our understanding of the Cosmos. So what happens if we find a mistake in one of Einstein's predictions ? It's one of the discussion points in Geraint Lewis' latest book written with Luke Barnes. https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-cosmic-revolutionary-s-handbook-luke-a-barnes/book/9781108486705.html drkarl.comhttp://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~gfl/

It's part two of the Neutron star exploration with Professor G. Lewis. He takes Dr Karl layer by layer down to the core. Things are so squashed in there that quantum physics takes over. Escape from the lockdown inside a star where things go subatomic. http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~gfl/

What happens when you squeeze a star ?  Dr Karl gets inside one with Professor G. Lewis. They travel from the subatomic level up with the latest on Neutron Stars. Trigger Warning - Quarks and Bosons are mentioned . It's part one with more from the Neutrons next time.   http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~gfl/

To study the stars, look to the ocean. Water ebbs and flows under the influence of gravity. Astronomers see tides in moons, stars and around black holes. Dr Karl talks with two astrophysicists who recently measured a bulging star with earth-like tides.