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

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?

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

What is the average colour of the Universe?

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?