This active galaxy (3C442A) is emitting high-energy particles through its poles, as you can see with the xray/radio composite. credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Univ. of Bristol/Worrall et al.; Radio: NRAO/AUI/NSF
We’re going to return back to a long series of episodes we like to call: Radiation that Will Turn You Into a Superhero. This time we’re going to look at cosmic rays, which everyone knows made the Fantastic Four. These high-energy particles are streaming from the Sun and even intergalactic space, and do a wonderful job of destroying our DNA, giving us radiation sickness, and maybe (hopefully!) turning us into superheroes.
Gravity waves ripple the fabric of space credit: JPL
If you remember way back to Episode 9, we covered Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity. Well, that's only half of the relativity picture. The great scientist made an even more profound impact on physics with his theory of general relativity, replacing Newton with a better model for gravity.
Neutron star collision credit: NASA/Insights Magazine/Visualization Werner Benger, Zuse Institute Berlin and Albert Einstein Institute
It's all relative. How many times have you heard that? Well, when you're traveling close to the speed of light, everything really is relative; especially the passage of time. This week, Fraser and Pamela give you the skinny on Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity. After listening to a few thought experiments, you too should be able to wrap your head around this amazing theory.