19 December 2019: The three-body problem, and festive fun

We’ve launched our 2019 listener survey. We want to know what you think of the show to help us make a great podcast. You can find the survey here. Thanks!This week, a solution to a centuries-old physics problem, and holiday shenanigans.In this episode:00:51 Disentangling three bodiesResearchers have been working to unpick a problem that has stumped scientists since the 1600s. Research Article: Stone and Leigh08:50 Frosty the SnowmanThe first of our festive science songs, about how a certain snowman is faring under climate change. Scroll to the transcript section below for the lyrics.11:00 Festive quiz showOur reporters battle it out to be crowned as this year’s quiz champion. Can they describe some of the top news headlines without saying certain important words? We find out.19:21 Carol of M87Our second song is about the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration’s imaging of the supermassive black hole at the centre of the M87 galaxy. Scroll to the transcript section below for the lyrics.20:33 News ChatWe hear about some of the people on Nature’s 10 this year. Feature: Nature’s 10: Ten people who mattered this year30:00 Rockin’ Around SupremacyFor our final song, we hark back to October, when Google claimed to have achieved quantum supremacy. Scroll to the transcript section below for the lyrics.TRANSCRIPTFrosty the Snowman lyrics:Frosty the Snowman was a jolly, happy soulBut the smile wore off as the globe got hot‘Cause the world used too much coal.Frosty the Snowman is a fairy tale they sayHe was made of snowBut the kids won’t know ‘cause it’s them who have to pay.Gonna’ need some magic toConvince the world to stop‘Cause now we’re running out of timeAnd he’s feeling mighty hot.Oh, Frosty the Snowman, is endangered as could beAnd the children say they wish he’d stay,But they don’t trust you and me.He led them down the streets of townRight to the climate COP.They gathered there, and Greta staredAnd together hollered “STOP”.Frosty the Snowman, had to hurry on his wayBut he said we should do all that we couldFor to change our dirty ways.Frosty the Snowman, knew the time to act was nowSo the girls and boys said make some noiseAnd we’ll get a change somehowCarol of M87 lyrics:Hark at the soundPhotons aboundRadio wavesAll seem to sayOut in the darkThis glowing sparkWe find our goalSee a black hole.(M) M Eight-se’en(Eight) As it was then(tee) eons ago(se’en) See it aglowData from theseObservatriesProcessed to giveThe first imageOne seems to seeWith EHTFire in a ringLight circlingEinstein was right,Warped is the light,See the lensingBending the ring.Now-we see-a supermassive black hole. (M – eigh-ty- se’en)How-we see-a supermassive black hole. (M – eigh-ty-se’en)(M) Space time is bent(Eight) See this event(tee) Horizon burn(ee) So... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.