#399: Celestial Collisions & the Art of Extinguishing Stars: Probing Planetary Impacts and Fire Safety in Orbit

Strap in for a fiery cosmic conundrum and a celestial mystery spanning centuries in this latest episode of Space Nuts! Host Andrew Dunkley and the ever-knowledgeable Professor Fred Watson ignite a discussion on the dangers of fire in space. With a look back at some of history's most harrowing space blazes, they delve into NASA's sapphire experiments, which test the flammability of spacecraft materials to enhance future mission safety. From the tragic Apollo 1 disaster to a perilous inferno aboard the Mir space station, learn how these pivotal events are shaping the protocols that keep astronauts safe among the stars.Then, shift your gaze to a distant starlight drama as our Space Nuts duo investigates a puzzling stellar eclipse lasting 500 days. Could the dimming of a young, sun-like star be the aftermath of a colossal planetary collision? With the help of archival data from NASA's WISE mission, scientists have pieced together a story of cosmic destruction and creation. Discover how two exoplanets, each several times the mass of Earth, may have smashed together, leaving behind a glowing cloud of debris and the potential birth of new moons or even more planets.This episode is a testament to the relentless pursuit of knowledge and the ingenious methods astronomers use to unravel the secrets of the universe, even from 1850 light-years away. So, prepare for a journey that explores both the immediate concerns within our spacecraft and the cataclysmic events of distant solar systems.For a deeper dive into the universe's most burning questions and enigmatic events, subscribe to Space Nuts on your favorite podcast platform. And remember, the Q&A session now gets its spotlight in a dedicated episode every Monday, ensuring you get your full dose of cosmic curiosity. Until next time, keep your eyes to the cosmos and your mind open to the wonders it holds!Episode Chapters(00:00) Welcome to Space Nuts: Astronomy and Space Science(02:22) Fires in space - A look at NASA's sapphire experiments(12:45) The 500-day stellar eclipse and planetary collision aftermath(24:10) The future of space safety and celestial observations(29:55) Closing thoughts and the new Space Nuts Q&A episodesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts--2631155/support.For more Space Nuts visit www.spacenuts.io or our HQ at www.bitesz.com