The Astronomer Royal and Potatoes on Mars
April\u2019s edition of our monthly astronomy podcast, presented\xa0by Chris North and Edward Gomez.\nEarlier this month we were treated to a talk in Cardiff by Lord Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal and Professor of Astrophysics at University of Cambridge. This afforded us the opportunity to speak to Professor Rees about the subject of his talk: \u201cThe World in 2015 \u2013 and beyond\u201d. After discussing the challenges facing the long-term survival of humanity, and possible solutions, we also discussed Lord Rees\u2019 role in the House of Lords, and recent developments in astronomy and cosmology.\nThere have been (yet) more exoplanet stories recently as well, so we also discussed atmospheres of exoplanets. And not wanting to limit ourselves to the biggest issues, we also discussed growing potatoes on Mars (well, the Andes, but that\u2019s pretty close)\u2026\n\nAn extended edition of an original\xa0broadcast on 26th April\xa02017 as part of Pythagoras\u2019 Trousers on Radio Cardiff.\nFor an archive of Pythagorean Astronomy, visit pythagastro.uk.\n[Update 25 April: You can also listen to an audio recording of Lord Rees\u2019 lecture.]