Posts by

Andy Briggs

A mystery solved? Fast Radio Burst detected within Milky Way

Fast Radio Bursts are very mysterious bursts of radio waves - perhaps just a thousandth of a second long - coming from all over the sky. This new discovery of one in our own galaxy is a stunner!

Andy Briggs

May 4, 2020

What is dark energy?

Dark energy is one of the great unsolved mysteries of cosmology. It's now thought to make up 68% of everything in the universe.

Andy Briggs

March 31, 2020

Observational astronomy and astrophysics work together to further our understanding of the cosmos. Astrophysicists apply the laws of physics and physical theories to interpret the light gathered by observational astronomers.

Andy Briggs

January 28, 2020

Betelgeuse: The Great Dimming of 2019-2020

The red supergiant star Betelgeuse, a bright star in the constellation of Orion, has been making headlines due to a recent drop in brightness. Is an explosion imminent? If it happens, will Earth be affected?

Andy Briggs

January 7, 2020

Astronomers find ‘missing’ neutron star after 32 years

Thirty-two years ago, Supernova 1987A erupted in the nearby Large Magellanic Cloud. Astronomers using the ALMA radio telescope now say they've found the small, compact neutron star created in this mighty star explosion.

Andy Briggs

December 23, 2019

Andy Briggs

Andy Briggs has spent the past 30 years communicating astronomy, astrophysics and information technology to people. He is the creator and manager of the YouTube channel Space Oddities (youtube.com/@spaceodditieslive) where an international panel bring you the latest astronomy & space exploration news and discussion. Andy has been active in many astronomy societies in the UK and is a frequent contributor to Astronomy Ireland magazine. Andy also lectures regularly on astrophysics-related themes such as gravitational waves and black holes. He lives in Catalonia, Spain, with his daughter.