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

3D rendering of a swarm of Meteorites or asteroides entering the Earth atmosphere.

Has an object ever left Earth’s atmosphere through natural means?

Would happen if two gas planets collided? © Getty Images

Would happen if two gas planets collided?

The Universe has an average colour – and it’s called cosmic latte © Getty Images

What is the average colour of the Universe?

What colour is the Sun? © NASA/SOHO

Everyday science

What colour is the Sun?

The Earth’s rotation is changing speed: should we be worried? © Getty Images

The Earth’s rotation is changing speed: should we be worried?

Do the Sun’s rays get further apart from each other over distance? © Getty Images

Do the Sun’s rays get further apart from each other over distance?

Does anyone control where satellites are launched into space? © Getty Images

Does anyone control where satellites are launched into space?

If humans don't finish it, when will the world actually end? © Getty Images

If humans don’t finish it, when will the world actually end?

Is the weight of the Earth changing? © Getty Images

Is the weight of the Earth changing?

How do we know the Milky Way is a spiral galaxy? © Getty Images

How do we know the Milky Way is a spiral galaxy?

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?

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

How do we calculate distances to other galaxies?

How did Mars lose its atmosphere? © Getty Images

How did Mars lose its atmosphere?