Welcome back to the new series of the Oxford Sparks Big Questions Podcast! We are here to answer weird and wonderful questions about our world, with the help of science. And we’re starting with a very big question! How do you sequence the genomes of 70,000 species?

Dr Liam Crowley, from the Department of Biology, tells us about the ground-breaking Darwin Tree of Life project, which aims to sequence the genomes of over 70,000 species in Britain and Ireland. Discover the challenges and technological advances that make this monumental task possible, and explore the potential applications in fields like conservation genetics and evolutionary biology.

Tune in to find out how this project could revolutionise our understanding of biodiversity and the future of life on Earth!

Summer is here, and with heatwaves forecast, how do we keep our homes cool without relying on air conditioning?

In the UK, soaring summer temperatures can be brief but powerful. So, what can we do? Nicole Miranda, from the Department of Engineering, shares practical, energy-efficient and eco-friendly strategies to help you stay comfortable during the hot months. And yes, ice creams are encouraged!

This is the final episode of this season. We hope that you have enjoyed learning the science behind the many weird and wonderful aspects of our world. If you have a big question, get in touch and we will try to find you an answer in the next season.

Scientists are returning to the moon, but when they get there, what time is it?

Dr Carly Howett from the Department of Physics explains the basics: what time is, and how we found a globalised way of understanding time zones so we can meet for a 3pm coffee or international video call, and everyone is in the right place at the right time.

But how does that translate to space and why could the consequences of incorrect timekeeping be disastrous for space craft docking missions?

If you want to get to grips with the weird and wonderful world of lunar time, then tune in to our latest podcast to find out more!