Shirtloads of Science
Dr Karl’s a curious optimist – a great combination for a science lover. Join him and his guests for weird facts, amazing conversation and remember, it’s never too late for a happy childhood.
https://drkarl.com/
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 23 minutes
- Episodes
- 429
- Years Active
- 2016 - 2025
Life on Venus with Dr Bloom (206)
Sixty years ago Venus was our twin - tropical but possibly Earth-like. NASA's 1962 Mariner 2 mission blew that up . It showed Venus unfit for life - too hot with hostile chemistry. Glimmers of hope…
When Black Holes collide with professor Geraint Lewis (205)
We are learning more about Black Holes with the latest detection Technology. Prof. Geraint Lewis tells Dr Karl about how we found black hole twins, how we know they are not identical and what it mean…
The Universe has a Dark Side with Professor Geraint Lewis (204)
Dr Karl probes Professor Lewis on the latest on Dark Matter. Is it evenly spread ? Are there Dark Halos ? Galactic contact - fact or fiction ? Big questions with the best answers we have at the momen…
How Bent is our Universe ? with Dr Jessica Bloom (203)
An episode of colossal proportions on the shape of space. Your mind will be blown in multiple dimensions. Dr Jessica also explains to Dr Karl three ways the Universe can end. (Trigger warning : none…
Food for Health with Dr Nick Fuller (202)
Dr Karl visits Dr Nick for a health and diet check-up. In Covid times it is harder to stay in shape. Dr Fuller talks through the basics and what we can do to make healthy changes that last - whatever…
Top Galactic Neighbourhoods with Prof. Geraint Lewis (201)
Are "Goldilocks" zones overrated ? Can the mediocrity principle be overturned ? What about outer Galactic suburbs - are they the place to be ? Dr Karl and Prof Lewis discuss interstellar Real Estate …
Faster than Light with Prof. Geraint Lewis (200)
Speed limits are painful. So why is there a light speed limit on space travel (299,792km/s) ? Surely we can bend Einstein without breaking the Universe. Dr Karl (antigravity enthusiast) and Professor…
Black Hole Families with Dr Jessica Bloom (199)
Meet the Black Hole family. Dr Jessica Bloom takes Dr Karl through the three we've identified so far. So do they do more than suck ? Was Roger Penrose on the money when he suggested darkness as an en…
Black Hole Origins with Dr. Jessica Bloom (198)
Extraordinary discoveries are being made in the galactic darkness. Dr. Jessica Bloom assembles the historical, theoretical and observational data that are causing a rethink of black holes. Why are th…
Entropy with Prof Geraint Lewis (197)
Entropy comes from the Greek word for transformation. It is often used to describe the irreversible evening-out of stuff. In astronomy it is often called "the Heat death of the Universe". Entropy ori…
Shuttle vs Soyuz vs Dragon - Rocket Science with professor Geraint Lewis (196)
2020 is a milestone in space travel. The International Space Station received astronauts from a privately owned mission. So how do the USA's shuttle, Russia's Soyuz and Musk's Dragon stack up ? Docto…
How constant is the Hubble constant with professor Geraint Lewis (195)
Ninety years ago we first measured the rate of our expanding Universe. Today our accuracy is better but the new techniques are producing different numbers. Are there gremlins in our measurements or i…
Fast Radio Bursts and Magnetars with professor Geraint Lewis (194)
First observed in 2007, FRBs are becoming a very useful astronomical tool. In 2020, flashes were analysed and suggested an answer to that age-old question about the Universe. Most of it is unobserve…
The concept of Proof with Professor Geraint Lewis (193)
What does "proving" a theory really mean ? Is there a difference between Scientifically proving or proving it Mathematically ? Dr Karl and Prof Geraint Lewis discuss the meanings of these ideas and …
Prof. Anita Ho-Baillie and Perovskite Solar Cells (192)
Solar PV Panels have transformed our energy mix in the 21st century. Efficiency is up and costs and carbon emissions are lower. What next ? Imagine a solar film that squeezes 10% more out of the sun…
Cosmic Rays with Dr Jessica Bloom (191)
They're Cosmic ... but are they Rays ? Dr Karl gets the briefing from a recent University of Sydney astrophysics graduate, Dr Jessica Bloom. Cosmic Rays were found ages ago and still baffling us with…
Covid-19 - The Tests with Prof Eddie Holmes (190)
Lockdowns are a rational first response to a pandemic but what happens while we wait for a vaccine or treatment to be developed ? Dr Karl joins Prof Holmes in Part 3 of this series looking at Covid-1…
Covid-19 - The Numbers with Prof. Eddie Holmes (189)
Pandemics are complex so we rely on statistics to manage them. So how come the numbers vary so much around the world? Dr Karl asks Virology Professor Holmes why and also discovers which local factors…
Covid-19 - Viral History withProf Eddie Holmes (188)
Virology and evolutionary biologist Professor Eddie Holmes takes Dr Karl time travelling to visit a deadly virus. Many of today's treatments took thousands of years to develop. Smallpox proved to be…
Covid 19's chemical enemy (187)
A-Prof Alice Motion explores the chemistry and properties of the 29th element for Dr Karl. This persistent contact killer is amazingly passive (nothing else is needed). We've known of its benefits f…