Professor Chris Lintott, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford and presenter of the BBC's long-running Sky at Night programme, joins Ben Gamble on the Astro Ben Podcast to talk about his book Our Accidental Universe and the accidental nature of astronomical discoveries.
The conversation runs from the diverse worlds of our Solar System to the outer reaches of the observable universe. Chris shares stories about "lazy astronomy", the connection people feel to the cosmos, the allure of a dark night sky and why Uranus and Neptune are the same colour.
Ben and Chris also touch on the Vera Rubin Observatory, SETI, the interstellar object 'Oumuamua, Chris's predictions for the future and the joys and challenges of presenting Sky at Night and communicating science. A good listen for stargazers and anyone curious about astronomy.
What you will hear in this episode
How weather affects stargazing, and the accessibility of astronomy and Jupiter
Why Uranus and Neptune are the same colour
The Vera Rubin Observatory and SETI
What 'Oumuamua was
Presenting Sky at Night and science communication
Chris's book Our Accidental Universe and the Dog Stars podcast
Follow Chris Lintott
Listen to the Astro Ben Podcast
More on astronomy and physics: Dr. Greg Hodgin on quantum spacetime and warp drives, or browse all Astro Ben Podcast episodes.
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