Brisbane Line

Howdy info seekers! Thanks for listening on this fine Thursday edition of Brisbane Line. Here's a run-down of the stories we ran.

Story #1: What you need to know about the Solar Maximum 2025

Did you know our sun operates on a natural 11 year cycle, alternating between high and low magnetic activity?

In October 2024, U.S space agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the sun had reached its solar maximum phase and would continue into 2025.

However, has the maximum phase already peaked or will it do so later in the year?

To find out the answer as well as learning from past solar storm activity, 4ZZZ’s Toni Pankaluic spoke with Dr Benjamin Pope, an Associate Professor of Statistical Data Science at Macquarie University to find out more.

For a deep dive...

If you could buy/access a solar telescope equipped with filters during the Solar Maximum 2025, you'll enjoy the sun's beautiful surface features and sunspots. Otherwise during the minimum phase years from now, the sun becomes featureless. Do note, avoid what Galileo once did by using a normal telescope to see the sun... as your eyes will burn!   

Brisbane Line Discussion - Impacts of US Tariffs on Australian Film & TV Industry

In early May, US President Donald Trump announced a 100 per cent tariff on films produced in foreign lands, marking the first instance of these trade policies extending to the entertainment industry.   

The announcement has sparked fears for the future of the Australian film and television industry, while our streaming services are saturated with overseas content leaving little room for locally made stories.

To discuss the situation and possible future ramifications, 4ZZZ’s Toni Pankaluic spoke with Stephen Luby, a Lecturer in Screen Producing from the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne.