Strange Spins and Cosmic Rings: Exploring NGC 4698 and Chariklo's Secrets

Sponsor Link: This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the support of NordVPN. To check out our special money-saving deal, visit www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts Space Nuts: Unraveling the Mysteries of NGC 4698 and Chariklo's Rings In this exciting episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson explore some truly peculiar cosmic phenomena. They kick off with a deep dive into the strange behaviour of the galaxy NGC 4698, known for its unusual rotational patterns and mysterious bulge, leading to discussions about possible galactic mergers. Next, the duo ventures into the intriguing world of Chariklo, a centaur object with changing rings, as they discuss the latest observations from the James Webb Space Telescope and the implications of its unique ring structure. Join Andrew and Fred Watson as they navigate these captivating astronomical tales with their signature blend of humour and insight. Key topics - The peculiar characteristics of NGC 4698: What makes this galaxy behave strangely? - Insights into the dynamics of galaxy mergers and their effects on structure. - Chariklo's rings: How have they changed since their discovery, and what does this mean for our understanding of ring systems? - The potential existence of a hidden moon influencing the structure of Chariklo's rings. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction and overview of today's topics 01:20 - Discussion on the peculiar galaxy NGC 4698 and its unusual features 15:30 - Exploring Chariklo and the changes in its ring system 25:00 - Insights from the James Webb Space Telescope and the hidden moon hypothesis 35:15 - Final thoughts and listener engagement Wanting a commercial free option of Space Nuts? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.