Tim O’Brien

Join Tim O’Brien, an astrophysicist and space enthusiast at Jodrell Bank, as he takes us on a cosmic Halloween adventure. Discover what celestial wonders light up the dark night sky and explore the fascinating world of medicinal leeches, reshaping our understanding of these often-misunderstood creatures. Delve into the spooky science behind zombie folklore, parasites, and the shocking problem of pumpkin waste, urging sustainable alternatives for our Halloween festivities. It's a delightful blend of science, myths, and ecological wisdom!

Tim O'Brien, a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Manchester, dives into the impacts of proposed budget cuts to NASA. He discusses how a potential 20% reduction could jeopardize critical projects, including the Mars Sample Return mission. The conversation also highlights groundbreaking discoveries of chemical signals from distant exoplanets, signalling progress in the search for alien life. Additionally, O'Brien points to the upcoming close approach of asteroid Apophis, showcasing international collaboration efforts to enhance planetary defense.

Tim O'Brien, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Manchester and Associate Director of the Jodrell Bank Observatory, dives into pressing scientific issues. He discusses the legacy of the Asilomar conference and the urgent need for ethical guidelines in biotech as new risks emerge. Also on the table is asteroid 2024 YR4, with insights on NASA's latest collision predictions and the technology helping us watch the skies. Finally, he touches on the contentious debate surrounding Elon Musk's status in the Royal Society and its implications for science and ethics.