BAS Observer March 2018

MARCH 2018 11 an observing question this booklet cannot answer for you. When does the Sun set this month? Where will the moons of Jupiter be located tonight? The depth of information contained here is astronomical. Astronomy Cast This a fantastic podcast and webinar series hosted by Fraser Cain, astronomy enthusiast, and professional astronomer Dr. Pamela Gay: http://www.astronomycast.com . The duo has an online archive of well over 400 podcasts, on a wealth of astronomy topics, available for download. So, point your smartphone at Astronomy Cast and learn some astronomy on your next bus or train ride. Cosmic Vertigo This is a 10-episode podcast series produced by the Australian ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/ cosmicvertigo/ . The hosts, Dr Amanda Bauer and Dr Alan Duffy, are both professional astronomers and science communicators. They provide wonderful explanations and insights on topics such as black holes and dark matter. This is an excellent resource for astronomy beginners. Star Stuff This is another wonderful ABC podcast production, hosted by Stuart Gary: http://www.abc.net.au/science/starstuff/ . Episodes delve into recent academic research papers and explain findings in a style designed for astronomy beginners. Crash Course – Astronomy This an American video series hosted by Phil Plait: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rHUDWjR5gg . These are short YouTube videos that provide a brief overview of about 50 astronomical topics. This is another great learning resource for train or bus commuters.  ■ In 2016, two postdoctoral researchers, Brett McGuire (National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Virginia) and Brandon Carroll (California Institute of Technology), working with astronomers at the Parkes Observatory in Australia, reported the detection of a molecule called propylene oxide (molecular formula: C3H6O) in interstellar space, near the centre of the Milky Way. But it wasn’t the chemical itself that was surprising; propylene oxide bears a property that has been associated exclusively with life on Earth. Read the full story at https://arstechnica. com/science/2018/02/how-did-life-begin-its-chemistry-101-but-in-space/ . Did Life Begin in Space? Star-forming region near the centre of the Milky Way Image courtesy of NASA & ESA