#440: Earth Swap Hypotheticals & Europa Clipper Countdown

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Space Nuts Q&A:
Earth's Hypothetical Swap, Europa Clipper Mission, and Protoplanets
Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in this engaging Q&A episode of Space Nuts, where they delve into listener questions about some of the most fascinating topics in SpaceTime science.Episode Highlights:

• Earth Changing Places: Carrick from New Zealand poses a hypothetical question about what would happen if Earth swapped places with Mercury or been listening. Fred Watson discusses the catastrophic consequences, including tidal locking, atmosphere loss, and a runaway greenhouse effect.
• Europa Clipper Mission: Brady from Florida is eager to learn about the upcoming Europa Clipper mission. Fred Watson provides an overview of the mission's goals, which include searching for signs of life and studying Europa's ice shell and ocean. The mission is slated for launch in October 2024, with exciting data expected from 2030 onwards.
• Protoplanets and Stars: Matthew, a powerline worker, asks why protoplanets don't become stars. Fred Watson explains the lack of mass and energy required for nuclear fusion and discusses the formation of gas giants and brown dwarfs.
• Mars' Atmosphere: Martin sends in a creatively produced question about Mars' primordial atmosphere. Fred Watson elaborates on how Mars lost its atmosphere over millions of years due to a lack of magnetic field and gravitational pull, stripping it away slowly.

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