Cheap Astronomy - Dear CA #74: The Big Questions

<p class="p1">Hosted by Steve Nerlich.</p> <p class="p1"><em>Dear Cheap Astronomy – How long did the Universe take to complete the periodic table?<span class= "Apple-converted-space"> </span></em></p> <p class="p1">So, this is really a question about nucleosynthesis, which began with the Big Bang and continues today in stars – and on a small scale in human-built laboratories.</p> <p class="p1"><em>Dear Cheap Astronomy – Is Interstellar travel really out of the question?</em><span class= "Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Our current understanding of physics suggests that traveling to the nearest star within a human life time is pretty much out of the question. Regardless of what type of engine you use – even approaching, let alone passing the speed of light puts you at risk of destroying your spaceship through collisions with just specks of cosmic dust.<span class= "Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Just visit: <a href= "https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy">https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy</a> and donate as much as you can!</p> <p class="p1">Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too!<span class= "Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Every bit helps! Thank you!</p> <p class="p1">------------------------------------</p> <p class="p1">Do go visit <a href= "http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop">http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop</a> for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness!</p> <p class="p1"><a href= "http://cosmoquest.org/Donate">http://cosmoquest.org/Donate</a> This show is made possible through your donations.<span class= "Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just <a href="http://cosmoquest.org/Donate">click<