Equipping Podcasts: Rogue Planets, Early Human Tools, and Crafty Cockatoos

When scientific discoveries grab headlines, RTB scholars weigh in (via the Science News Flash podcast) to explain the discovery and offer a unique Christian perspective. This month’s recordings discuss an eclectic bunch of breakthroughs—from a lonely planet four times the size of Jupiter to the resourcefulness of a creative bird. We hope this list will whet your appetite for a helping of scientific discoveries.

• November 14, 2012, “Nearby Rogue Planet Discovered” — Astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink describes the discovery of a potential “orphan” planet floating just 100 light-years from Earth (the Milky Way Galaxy is approximately 100,000 light-years wide). Astronomers propose this planet is a gas giant that was ejected from its original solar system. Tune in to hear more about this exciting discovery as more data on the rogue planet accumulates.
• November 7, 2012, “Humans Made Tools Earlier Than Thought” — Biochemist Fuz Rana explains archeological finds in coastal South Africa. The ancient stone arrowhead discovery suggests that sophisticated human capabilities date back earlier than previously thought. Listen in to hear Fuz describe the potential impact of this finding on various human origin models and, specifically, on RTB’s creation model. 
• November 6, 2012, “Cockatoos Make Rakes, Other Tools” — Figaro, a resourceful cockatoo living in captivity, pulled a splinter from his aviary beam, shaped the wood with his beak, and used the “rake” to reach a nut placed just beyond the mesh of his cage. It’s possible that Figaro’s interaction with caretakers prompted him to build these tools. Tune in to hear Hugh Ross make the connection between this bird’s clever creation and the social bond between humans and animals.

For more updates of headline-grabbing news, subscribe to Science News Flash via iTunes or RSS feed.