Episode 677: Q&A 125 Can Stars Orbit So Close They’re Touching? And More...

In this week's questions show, I explain how it's possible for stars to orbit so closely they're actually touching. What are the limits to gravitational slingshots, and how astronomers know where to point their telescopes in the Universe. 00:00 Start 00:44 Can stars touch? 02:39 What is the maximum slingshot speed? 05:32 How do astronomers know where to look? 08:27 Could a planet orbit backwards? 10:56 Will nations allow deadly space lasers? 13:06 What if a black hole stopped rotating? 15:06 How would you control a warp drive? 17:32 Is Planet 9 a captured rogue planet? 21:36 Does this mean there are new physics? 25:08 How common are supernovae that don't leave a remnant? 27:14 Why would red dwarf planets be tidally locked? 28:54 How do space agencies decide to launch missions? Want to be part of the questions show? Ask a short question on any video on my channel. I gather a bunch up each week and answer them here. Our Book is out! https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Today-Ultimate-Viewing-Cosmos/dp/1624145442/ Audio Podcast version: ITunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2 RSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio Weekly email newsletter: https://www.universetoday.com/newsletter Weekly Space Hangout: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-KklSGlCiJDwOPdR2EUcg/ Astronomy Cast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHI67dh9jEO2rvK--MdCSg Support us at https://www.patreon.com/universetoday More stories at https://www.universetoday.com/ Twitch: https://twitch.tv/fcain Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/universetoday Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/universetoday Instagram - https://instagram.com/universetoday Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com Karla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com