Latest from Bob McDonald
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10 unsolved mysteries in science
Every spring, Quirks & Quarks features our ever-popular listener question show, where we find experts to answer your questions. But here are ten mysteries that science has yet to answer.
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Canada's first person in space, Marc Garneau — and a privileged journalist who knew him
Marc Garneau, Canada's first astronaut, passed away this week at the age of 76. Quirks and Quarks host Bob McDonald reflects on their decades-long friendship.
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Clearest images of sun's atmosphere yet show coronal rain and dancing plasma
New images that are the highest resolution ever taken of the surface of the sun and its corona are revealing details that have never been seen before. These stunning pictures will help scientists solve mysteries about how storms on the sun develop.
Analysis: Bob's blog
With uncertainty around life on Mars, human visits present an ethical dilemma
Sterilizing robotic spacecraft to prevent contamination is one thing, but sterilizing human beings is impossible. We are substantially made of bacteria, and those organisms will travel with us to Mars.
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Russian spacecraft expected to survive death plunge to Earth later this week
A Russian probe that's been stuck in Earth's orbit since the 1970s when it was supposed to land on Venus will likely survive what astronomers are calling its 'final death plunge' through our planet's atmosphere to reach the surface in the next week.
Analysis: Bob's Blog
De-extinction or pre-extinction? Biotech company's resurrected 'dire wolves' raise questions
Scientists created a version of the extinct dire wolf. But we should be directing our resources to preventing extinction in the first place.
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How chimpanzee tool use provides insight into early human behaviour
Chimps apply engineering skills to select tools with the right characteristic for hunting termites. This can teach us more about how ancient humans learned to use tools.
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Assault at Antarctic base could be a warning for future travellers to Mars
A tense situation among members of an isolated base in Antarctica could foretell conflicts among astronauts on a long distance journey to Mars.
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Advances in solar technology could push us closer to cheap, clean energy
There has been great hope for perovskite solar cells because they have the potential to produce low cost solar energy in a wide variety of applications, where conventional cells will not work.
Analysis: Bob's blog
European Paralympic athlete in line to become the first disabled astronaut in space
British Paralympian John McFall has formally completed his astronaut training, and is now on the waiting list for a spot to fly to the International Space Station, which would make him the first disabled person to reach orbit.