Dr Alastair Gunn

Alastair is a radio astronomer at the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics at the University of Manchester.

Recent articles by Dr Alastair Gunn

Can a planet orbit backwards compared to the other planets in a solar system? © Alamy

Can a planet orbit backwards compared to the other planets in a solar system?

Could there be fossils on Mars? © Dan Bright

Could there be fossils on Mars?

How do we calculate distances to other galaxies? © NASA/Hubble Space Telescope

How do we calculate distances to other galaxies?

The Allende meteorite, a slice of which is seen here, contains nine minerals never seen on Earth, including panguite © NASA

How can we tell that a meteorite has come from a particular planet?

How did Mars lose its atmosphere? © Getty Images

How did Mars lose its atmosphere?

How many stars are in the Milky Way? © Getty Images

How many stars are in the Milky Way?

Could you walk on a neutron star? © Getty Images

Why is a neutron star so heavy?

How big would Jupiter be if it were stripped of all its gases? © Getty Images

How big would Jupiter be if it were stripped of all its gases?

What does lunar dust smell like? © NASA

What does lunar dust smell like?

What’s the tallest mountain in the Solar System? © Getty Images

What’s the tallest mountain in the Solar System?

sunspots_0

Everyday science

Why are sunspots black?

What colour is space? © Getty Images

What colour is space?

What would a shooting star look like if it was coming straight towards you? © Getty Images

What would a shooting star look like if it was coming straight towards you?

What is the largest object in the Universe?

What is the largest known celestial body?

How can I see Jupiter and Saturn this week? © Getty Images

If we were to look at the Universe as a whole, what state of matter would we say it’s in?