Naked Astronomy, from the Naked Scientists

How do you make steam inside a star? We explore the science of solar chemistry to find out how water molecules are created inside the envelope of red giants and We get an delegates-eye-view of the European Planetary Science Congress in Rome. In the news we discover a new way to find asteroids, explain the dust clouds surrounding binary stars and find out how the fine structure constant seems to vary over both space and time. Plus, we take on your space science questions on diluted light, Horava Gravity and building black holes! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Is our solar system normal? We compare ourselves to the ever increasing list of exoplanets to find out if we're the weird ones in the universe in this month's Naked Astronomy. Also, we explore the Nili Fossae region of Mars, where the rocks may contain evidence of early life - if only we could get there to find out. Plus, news about the shrinking moon and buckyballs in space and we tackle your space science questions. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

How do you answer the biggest questions in the Universe? In this month's Naked Astronomy, we'll find out how Stuart Clark tackles these issues, why satellites the size of a Rubic's cube can help launch new and innovative technology, and how to measure Earth's magnetic field. Plus, news about the birth of massive stars, the asymmetric death of old stars and extreme weather on exoplanets. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Can we watch whole worlds wandering? We'll explore the mechanisms of - and evidence for - planetary migration in this month's Naked Astronomy, and find out if migration in our own solar system can account for Earth's violent history. Also, we explore the processes that get stars started. Plus, news about strange flashes spotted on Jupiter, the origins of the Oort cloud and the Hayabusa mission bringing asteroid dust home to Earth. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Gamma Ray Bursts are the brightest events in the Universe. They shine like beacons, revealing the existence of galaxies we couldn't previously see, but what are they now showing astronomers? Also, we focus on the engineering challenges of extremely large telescope technology and how devices developed for stargazing could also hold the key to clean electricity here on Earth. Plus, a look back at Herschel's first year in action, how black holes get thrown out of galaxies, planet eating stars, as well as your questions on black holes, dark matter and the shape of the Milky Way. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

We find out how to measure a comet by riding in it's wake in this Naked Astronomy, as well as explore the latest exhibit in the Galaxy Zoo - brand new Hubble Space Telescope images. Plus, spotting a lightning strike on Saturn, Venusian volcanoes and cooling neutron stars, as well as your questions on black holes, shrinking comets and how to set your watch on the moon! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Is our galaxy home to aliens? Well, yes, but only if you're talking about clusters of stars. We find out how the Milky Way has stolen globular clusters from other galaxies on this month's Naked Astronomy, as well as explore why our search for ET has been met with an eerie silence. Plus, news of lava channels on Mars, the youngest exoplanet ever found and your questions about gravity, the earlest elements and the evidence for the big bang. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Blocking the light from a star is the only way to see some extra solar planets, as we find out in this month's Naked Astronomy. We discover how small, precise optics can do this job for us, as well as explore some of the current missions studying the Sun, and find out what the recently launched Solar Dynamics observatory will add. Plus, the seasons on Pluto, a comet-like collision confusion and your space science questions! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

We find out how to identify an exploding star in this edition of Naked Astronomy, with record holder and super supernovae spotter Tom Boles. Plus, how the Faulkes Telescope Project puts schoolchildren in charge of a 5 million pound telescope, the latest science news and we answer your questions on black holes, star shapes and what it's like to live on Venus! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this edition of Naked Astronomy, why scientists are making mud in the laboratory to try free a trapped Mars rover, the discs that give birth to new planets, the space equivalent of an ordnance survey map for the stars and how scientists are seeking the origins of life in outer space. Plus, your queries about the cosmos: could Earth capture a new moon, why is the asteroid belt not just a planet and is there a planet beyond Pluto... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists