The Infinite Monkey Cage. Image shows from L to R: Brian Cox, Robin Ince. Copyright: BBC
The Infinite Monkey Cage

The Infinite Monkey Cage

  • Radio factual
  • BBC Radio 4 / BBC Sounds
  • 2009 - 2024
  • 182 episodes (29 series)

Witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists' eyes. With Professor Brian Cox and Robin Ince. Also features Brian Cox.

Episode menu

Series 17, Episode 1 - When Two Stars Collide

Brian Cox and Robin Ince are joined on stage by comedian Dara O Briain, Professor Sheila Rowan of Glasgow University and Professor Nils Andersson of Southampton University to look at last summer's spectacular discovery of two colliding neutron stars.

Further details

Brian Cox and Robin Ince are joined by Dara O Briain, Professor Sheila Rowan and Professor Nils Andersson to look at last summer's spectacular discovery of two colliding neutron stars.

The observation of this huge cosmic event not only confirmed one of Einstein's great predictions, some 100 years ago, but also revealed the source of gold in our universe. Brian, Robin and guests look at how this momentous discovery brought together nearly one-third of the world's astronomers and astrophysicists as they raced to point their telescopes at the collision, but also confirmed the presence of gravitational waves, first predicted in Einstein's theory of general relativity back in 1915. They also discover why the source of our heavier elements such as gold and platinum has been so difficult to prove, until now.

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 8th January 2018
Time
4:30pm
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Tuesday 9th January 2018 11:00pm Radio 4

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