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

Have we discovered anything in space that we now use in everyday life? © Dan Bright

Everyday science

Have we discovered anything in space that we now use in everyday life?

How do we know the shape of the Universe? © Science Photo Library

What shape is the Universe?

Conceptual image representing the process of nuclear fusion, specifically the creation of helium from hydrogen. Four protons (hydrogen nuclei) are combining on the left, releasing in the process two protons and two neutrons (a helium nucleus). The sum of the masses of the neutron and protons is less than that of the original four protons. The 'missing mass' is converted to energy, which we see in the form of electromagnetic radiation. This is the power behind the Sun's brilliant glow. In practice, the conversion of hydrogen into helium is more complicated than this, and undergoes several stages between the two shown here.

Future Technology

How does nuclear fusion work?

What is Hawking radiation? © Getty Images

What is Hawking radiation?

Could you protect astronauts from cosmic radiation by creating a magnetic field around their spaceship? © Alamy

Could a magnetic field protect a spacecraft?

Why do we think there are black holes in galaxy centres and not supermassive suns? creating a magnetic field around their spaceship? © Alamy

Why do we think black holes are in the centre of galaxies?

Would Earth be any different if it spun the other way? © Getty Images

Would Earth be any different if it spun the other way?

Why doesn’t Earth have rings? © Science Photo Library

Why doesn’t Earth have rings?

What is a wormhole? © Science Photo Library

What is a wormhole?

Could we harness energy from a black hole? © Getty Images

Could we harness energy from a black hole?

We now know that the Sun is at the centre of our Solar System, but great thinkers weren’t always so sure © Getty Images

Does our Solar System have a wall?

What does a comet smell like? © Getty Images

What does a comet smell like?

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

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

What colour is the Sun? © NASA/SOHO

Everyday science

What colour is the Sun?

Would happen if two gas planets collided? © Getty Images

Would happen if two gas planets collided?