5 Live Science Podcast The science of telescopes
Sep 20, 2020
Explore the intriguing history of telescopes, from Galileo's revolutionary observations to advanced technologies unlocking the universe's mysteries. Discover the significance of gravitational waves and how they unveil phenomena like black hole mergers. Learn about the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Telescope and its ambitious cosmological surveys. Dive into the Square Kilometre Array's groundbreaking research in radio astronomy and its role in understanding dark matter. Plus, get the latest on possible life in Venus' clouds and how vaccine trials are shaping public confidence.
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Transparent Vaccine Trials Build Trust
- Be transparent about vaccine trials and investigate adverse events promptly to maintain public trust.
- Pause and probe unexpected reactions, then publish clear evidence on safety and efficacy before wide rollout.
Local Public Health Beats One-Size Rules
- Top-down single-number rules (like the 'rule of six') lack clear scientific grounding and risk losing public confidence.
- Local, well-resourced public-health teams that support isolation and tracing provide more effective control.
Phosphine Is A Strong But Tentative Biosignature
- Detection of phosphine in Venus' clouds is the strongest current biosignature from another planet but is not definitive proof of life.
- Alternative non-biological processes could produce phosphine, so follow-up observations and missions are required.
