Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe Listener Questions #18
Sep 30, 2025
Discover the wonders of gravitational slingshots and how they propel space probes like Voyager. Dive into the awe-inspiring world of megafauna extinction and why Africa's large mammals thrived alongside humans. Explore the mysteries of microscopic black holes and how they interact with their surroundings. Join a lively debate on conservation values while pondering the fate of Earth if a tiny black hole were to slip inside. This episode is filled with fascinating insights and thought-provoking questions!
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Close Encounter With A Mountain Lion
- Daniel recalled seeing a mountain lion about 80 feet away in his parents' backyard and shared the awe and terror of that close encounter.
- He emphasized the catlike smoothness and startling size that made him quietly retreat indoors.
Wood Froglet Moment In The Woods
- Kelly described sitting among hundreds of newly metamorphosed wood froglets with sunlight filtering through trees, creating a magical moment.
- She watched them hop around and felt like she was inside a fairy book.
How Gravitational Slingshots Work
- A gravitational slingshot steals a tiny bit of momentum from a planet to boost a spacecraft without fuel usage.
- The planet slows imperceptibly while the probe gains speed because momentum is conserved.
