Point Spread Functions Archives

Astronomers rely on the optics of their instruments, and there are some basic limits that you just can’t avoid. Whatever we look at is distorted by the optics, in fact, a basic property of light means that we’ll never get perfect optics. Here’s why we can’t “magnify and enhance” forever.
Continue reading “Astronomy Cast Ep. 380: The Limits of Optics”

Universe Today Podcast

Universe Today podcasts with Fraser Cain

The Guide to Space is a series of space and astronomy poddcasts by Fraser Cain, publisher of Universe Today

In this week's live Open Space, people wanted to know if solar sails really work, will we ever get close to the speed of light, what's the best way to get out of Venus' gravity well, and more?

01:46 Do solar sails really work?
02:48 Will we ever get close to the speed of light?
06:22 Best way to get off Venus?
08:45 What about the standard candle?
11:45 Why is it so hard to get to Mercury?
14:15 Could FTL escape a black hole?
15:10 How did the astronauts deal with regolith?
18:12 Could there be liquid water on Mercury?
19:41 What's the best place on Earth to look through a telescope?
21:01 Does the regolith get into spacesuits?
22:20 Could an Alcubiere Drive get out of a black hole?
23:15 Do I ever use the telescope behind me?
24:08 Why is the speed of light so disproportionate to the size of the Universe?
26:07 Do I use the RASA?
27:03 How will I watch Crew Dragon?
28:00 Could we build a particle accelerator on the Moon?
30:16 What if another system collided with us?
32:32 Is it worth launching visible light telescopes?
34:22 Would I live in orbit for a month?
36:20 Should we colonize Mars?
39:50 Where will we find life in the Solar System?
41:00 Will bigger rockets make simpler big telescopes possible?
45:49 Why is Andromeda heading towards us?
46:19 Do I believe in alternate universes?
47:26 Any good ideas for space debris?
50:31 Could a black hole eat a supernova?
53:14 What space problem keeps me up at night?
56:19 Is the Planck scale the resolution of the Universe?