Broadcast 2692 Dr. Stuart Robbins

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Guest:  Dr. Stuart Robbins; Topics Space science, Pluto, New Horizons, dwarf planets, craters, space missions, crackpot theories, and more.  Please direct all comments and questions regarding specific Space Show programs & guest(s) to the Space Show blog which is part of archived program on our website, www.thespaceshow.com.   Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are a violation of our copyright and are not permitted without prior written consent, even if for your own use. We do not permit the commercial use of Space Show programs or any part thereof, nor do we permit editing, YouTube clips, or clips placed on other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted, but the quote must be cited or referenced using the proper citation format. Contact The Space Show for further information. In addition, please remember that your Amazon purchases can help support The Space Show/OGLF. See www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm.   

We welcomed back Dr. Stuart Robbins for a space science discussion that addressed many topics and interests.  During the first segment of our 96 minute program, Dr. Robbins talked about the recent gravitational waves discovery, then he talked about New Horizons and the incoming Pluto data.  We talked about Pluto's status as a planet or a dwarf planet. Listeners asked several Pluto related questions.  One thing our guest said was the surprise in finding Pluto to be so active.  Dr. Robbins talked about the wide differences in age dating for Pluto ranging from 74 billions years for some surface and other features to just 1 billion years old.  He said there was no explanation for this as of yet.  At one point I asked him if a fleet of astronauts on the surface of Pluto could do faster and better research than robots of today.  Don't miss his answer to this question.

Dr. Robbins has a specialty in studying craters so he was asked if craters were similar throughout the solar system.  This was an interesting discussion which included the subject of Halo Craters so don't miss it.  Following craters, our guest was asked about Pluto's mythology.  He spoke to Pluto being the God of the Underworld.  BJohn asked a question about the chaotic rotation of Pluto moons. Johanthon asked about an idea he had regarding the Higgs-Boson particle.

In the second segment, Jennifer emailed in a question about some space projects being a waste of money compared to others.  This prompted an interesting discussion with our guest, one you will want to hear.  This discussion then led to our talking about the private sector doing science missions, returning to the Moon, or partnering with government on a purely science mission.  Again, don't miss what Stuart said in response to these questions.

Stuart took a listener question inquiring about weird or near crackpot ideas or theories now circulating and in vogue.  Our guest talked about the scientific method and the subject of plate tectonics before it became an accepted theory.  He pointed out that even when it was a fringe idea, promotors of it went through the publication and presentation format for scientific analysis and verification.  As he said, "they played the game."  Stuart said that if one is presenting a fringe or out of the box idea or theory, it still needs to go through the process to be taken seriously - most of the time.  Listener Johnathon then called the show to ask Dr. Robbins about his theory he presented during the Feb. 28, 2016 Open Lines Show.  Stuart could not comment on the theory but pointed to the type of research Johnathan needed to do to have scientists consider it and he suggested several resources for our caller.  This included running numbers, examining actual data from Cassini through the PDS (Planetary Data System) and publishing and presenting in more or less official scientific publications and conferences.  Publishing ideas on a website or a blog usually don't count.  Stuart suggested some additional resources for Johnathon to use and I again gave him some suggestions on getting help running the numbers since he said he did not have the math skills to do it on his own. 

Before the program ended, Stuart was asked about being surprised by Pluto findings and he was so listen to find out what surprised him the most.  In the final minutes of the program we talked about the odds for finding ET life on Mars or elsewhere.  I asked our guest for his website information so please check our www.sjrdesign.net and https://pseudoastro.wordpress.com

Please post your comments/questions in the comments section of this archived show on TSS website. You can reach Dr. Robbins through me or his website.

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29 Apr 2016 Dr. Stuart Robbins
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  • The Space Foundation Conference

  • The Space Foundation Conference

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  • The Space Foundation Conference