Unsolved Space Mysteries

Venture with us into the depths of the universe as we explore the Great Attractor—a gravitational anomaly in intergalactic space that's pulling galaxies, including our own, towards it. Despite being obscured by the Zone of Avoidance, this phenomenon continues to baffle scientists. Join us as we delve into the theories, observations, and scientific implications of this cosmic mystery. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join us as we delve into the enigma of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). This faint radiation left over from the Big Bang has been a cornerstone of cosmology, but it also holds anomalies that challenge our understanding of the universe. We'll explore the intriguing Cold Spot and Axis of Evil, and discuss if these are mere statistical flukes, signs of exotic physics, or evidence of a pre-Big Bang universe. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we delve into one of the most baffling mysteries of the cosmos: Dark Matter. This elusive substance, which neither emits nor absorbs light, is believed to make up about 85% of the universe's mass, yet we've never directly detected it. Join us as we explore the evidence for dark matter's existence, the ongoing efforts to observe it, and the intriguing theories that challenge its very existence. We'll navigate this cosmic conundrum with the same scientific rigor and sense of wonder that characterizes our journey through the universe's unsolved mysteries. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We examine the first confirmed interstellar object detected passing through our solar system, 1I/ʻOumuamua, whose peculiar acceleration and unusual physical properties sparked intense scientific debate. Our hosts analyze the detailed observational data from multiple telescopes that revealed its bizarre cigar-like shape and unexpected acceleration away from the Sun. We explore the competing theories about its composition—from hydrogen ice to ultra-thin structures—and discuss how this single object has revolutionized our understanding of interstellar objects while highlighting the limitations of our current detection capabilities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our hosts investigate KIC 8462852, also known as Tabby's Star, whose unprecedented irregular dimming patterns have defied conventional astronomical explanations. We examine the Kepler Space Telescope data showing light fluctuations of up to 22%, far exceeding what's typically observed during planetary transits. The discussion covers the comprehensive analysis of historical astronomical plates, modern multi-wavelength observations, and the various proposed explanations—from comet swarms to stellar physics—while exploring how this single star has forced us to reconsider our understanding of stellar behavior and evolution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We delve into the enigmatic world of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs), millisecond-long radio pulses from deep space that pack more energy than our Sun emits in decades. The hosts analyze the groundbreaking discovery of FRB 121102, the first repeating fast radio burst, and examine how its detection transformed our research approaches. Through detailed discussion of radio telescope data, signal patterns, and host galaxy characteristics, we explore competing theories including magnetar flares, neutron star collisions, and exotic physics scenarios, while highlighting why this phenomenon continues to challenge our understanding of high-energy astrophysics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we investigate the mysterious deceleration observed in the Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft that challenged our understanding of deep space navigation. Our hosts examine the precise tracking data that revealed an unexplained sunward acceleration of approximately 8.74 × 10−10 m/s², which couldn't be explained by known gravitational forces or spacecraft systems. We explore the decades-long investigation involving multiple research teams, the proposed theoretical explanations ranging from modified gravity to dark matter effects, and how the eventual resolution through thermal radiation pressure revolutionized our approach to deep space mission design and highlighted the complexity of space navigation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.