#471: HERA's Martian Maneuvers, Black Hole Light Echoes & Ancient Healing Rays

Space Nuts Episode 471: HERA's Journey and the Light of Healing
Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in this enlightening episode of Space Nuts, where they explore the latest developments in Space exploration and the fascinating role of light in both astronomy and human healing.
Episode Highlights:
- HERA Mission Milestones: Discover the latest updates on the HERA mission, including critical trajectory corrections and its upcoming Mars gravity assist. Learn about its objectives, including a close encounter with Mars' moon Deimos, and its ultimate goal of orbiting the asteroid Didymos.
- Black Hole Light Echoes: Delve into the intriguing concept of black hole light echoes and how light can be bent by gravity to create multiple observations of the same event. Understand the potential of using Very Long Baseline Interferometry to study these phenomena and what it could reveal about accretion discs.
- Healing with Light: Explore the historical and modern uses of light in medicine, from ancient sun worship to contemporary phototherapy treatments. Hear Andrew's personal experience with radiation therapy and the importance of regular health checks.
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Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.
00:00 - Andrew Dunkley: Coming up on Space Nuts is the HERA mission
02:11 - I'm interested in two different stories about light about the hero mission
02:59 - ESA's HERA mission will make a close approach to Mars next year
11:07 - Andrew Dunkley and Fred Watson discuss light echoes in Space Nuts
13:17 - Measuring Black Hole Light Echoes with Very Long Baseline Interferometry
21:42 - Measuring black hole light echoes with very long baseline interferometry
22:39 - Even since ancient times, we've used light for medical purposes
27:55 - Fred has been receiving radiation therapy for prostate cancer for five weeks now
34:16 - Professor Fred Watson: Believe me, I'll be around for next episode
✍️ Episode References
European Space Agency
https://www.esa.int
Phys.org
https://www.phys.org
Universe Today
https://www.universetoday.com
Astrophysical Journal Letters
https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/
8205
5--- The Conversation
https://theconversation.com
Cancer Council New South Wales
https://www.cancercouncil.com.au