Bob McDonald
Bob McDonald is the host of CBC Radio's award-winning weekly science program, Quirks & Quarks. He is also a science commentator for CBC News Network and CBC TV's The National. He has received 12 honorary degrees and is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Latest from Bob McDonald
Analysis: Bob's blog
Stunning photo mosaic of neighbouring Andromeda Galaxy captures the glow of 200 million stars
To celebrate the 100-year Edwin Hubble discovery that Andromeda was a galaxy outside our own, astronomers release the most detailed Andromeda Galaxy image ever.
Radio -Quirks & Quarks |
Analysis: Bob's blog
Kissing moons may explain why Earth's moon is so large
The larger moons of Pluto and Earth likely formed through a collisional process with Charon and our moon, respectively, rather than by gravitationally capturing them. Due to Pluto and Charon's rocky, icy nature, their collision was more of a gentle short-lived kiss.
Radio -Quirks & Quarks |
Analysis: Bob's blog
How quickly is the universe expanding? Astronomers and theorists can't agree
New observations from the James Webb Space Telescope back up previous findings from the Hubble telescope that contradict theoretical predictions, suggesting the standard model theorists work from needs a revisit.
Radio -Quirks & Quarks |
Analysis: Bob's blog
SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket will launch NASA probe to Saturn's largest moon
NASA's sending an octocopter-lander to Saturn's cloud-covered moon, Titan, with SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket with a launch scheduled for 2028.
Radio -Quirks & Quarks |
Analysis: Bob's Blog
Astronaut brain fog known as the 'space stupids' not so bad after return to Earth, study suggests
A new study shows that the brain fog many astronauts report feeling when they're in space is not just all in their head. The good news is that these so-called "space stupids" go away once they return to Earth.
Radio -Quirks & Quarks |
Analysis: Bob's blog
Blind and sighted people alike can learn to 'see' with echolocation, study finds
Some people who are blind have been able to forego a walking cane by using echolocation instead to visually sense their world. Now in a new study, scientists discovered that sighted individuals can also gain this ability through training.
Radio -Quirks & Quarks |
Analysis: Bob's blog
Contest invites teams to design a 'generation starship' for a 250-year journey
A voyage in this kind of spacecraft — while still conceptual — would take multiple lifetimes, crossing unimaginable gulfs of interstellar space. The theoretical exercise puts aside technical problems, including the propulsion system, and focusses on the design of the habitat and society.
Radio -Quirks & Quarks |
Analysis: Bob's blog
Iceland looking to add space solar power to its sources of renewable energy by 2030
The U.K. based aerospace company, Space Solar, plans to launch its space-based solar power plant by 2030 to deliver clean energy to Iceland, which is already a renewable-energy powerhouse.
Radio -Quirks & Quarks |
Analysis: Bob's blog
Would you ride a high-altitude balloon to the edge of space?
Aerospace company aims to offer a transformative 'perspective' for future explorers to get close to the edge of space with their high-altitude balloon and spaceship capsule
Radio -Quirks & Quarks |
Analysis: Bob's blog
SpaceX surpasses its own record for the number of rockets launched in a year
SpaceX is leading the way in making space flight more affordable with their low cost reusable rockets.
Radio -Quirks & Quarks |