#70 - April 2018

The Discussion: The Beast from the East makes practical astronomy
difficult and we take a look at listeners’ emails that accuse us
of imperialism, suggest we throw away some solar filters, provide
an alternative look at solar system creation and reveal their own
astronomy outreach experiences.


The News: Rounding up the space and astronomy news this month we
have:


China’s space station is about to fall out the sky

Genetic sequencing looks at an alien find

Did a year in space alter Mark Kelly’s DNA?

More delays to the James Webb Space Telescope

A new European Space Agency telescope gets the green light



Famous Astronomer: This month we give you a primer on an upcoming
podcast extra on the life of recently departed Stephen Hawking.


Q&A: Listeners’ questions via email, Facebook & Twitter
take us on a journey into the astronomy issues that have always
plagued our understanding or stretched our credulity. This month
we take a look answering difficult questions:


I live in a part of the World with very strong religious beliefs
and often get asked sensitive questions relating to faith and
astronomy. I’d be interested to hear your take on this and what
“polite” stock replies you give. Stefan Zietara, undisclosed
location in the Middle East.