Space Nuts

Space Nuts Episode: Ryugu's Microbial Mystery, Martian Moon Origins, and Galactic CollisionsJoin Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson as they explore the latest cosmic revelations. From unexpected microbial contamination of Richie asteroid samples to a groundbreaking theory on the formation of Mars's moons, and the first results from a new instrument on the William Herschel Telescope, this episode is packed with stellar insights and astronomical wonders.Episode Highlights:- Richie Asteroid Contamination: Delve into the challenges of keeping extraterrestrial samples free from Earth's microbes. Despite stringent sterilisation efforts, Richie samples returned by Hayabusa2 show signs of terrestrial contamination, raising questions about planetary protection protocols.- Martian Moons' New Origin Theory: Discover a fresh perspective on how Phobos and Deimos may have formed. A new model suggests that these moons originated from debris of an asteroid that broke apart due to Mars's gravitational forces, offering a