Podcasts about Nature Astronomy

Astronomer and soon-to-be Dr. Kovi Rose joins us to discuss his newly published Nature Astronomy paper on one of the universe's newest mysteries: strange repeating flashes of radio waves and X-rays coming form deep within our galaxy! His team's discovery of ASKAP J174 has helped identify the source as a pair of stars orbiting each other, with a white dwarf pulling or accreting material from its companion. This discovery could help unlock the origins of mysterious signals flashing across the sky, unlocking even more secrets of the universe.

In today's Astronomy Daily, Anna and Avery cover six major stories: Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp pledges New Glenn will fly again before year's end despite last week's launchpad explosion; astronomers announce the first direct evidence of magnetic fields on exoplanets using Hot Jupiter wind data; NASA's Roman Space Telescope clears its final mirror inspection ahead of a September 2026 launch; SpaceX wins a $4.16 billion Space Force contract for an airborne threat-tracking satellite constellation; a reflection on the lasting scientific legacy of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS; and Hungarian researchers publish the definitive mass boundary between neutron stars and black holes at 2.2–2.3 solar masses.   Stories Covered •       Blue Origin New Glenn explosion aftermath — CEO Dave Limp confirms damage is less severe than feared, pledges return to flight before end of 2026 •       First direct evidence of exoplanet magnetic fields — Nature Astronomy, June 2, 2026 — ESO VLT and Gemini North study of seven Hot Jupiter wind speeds •       NASA Roman Space Telescope primary mirror passes final Earth-side inspection — September 2026 launch target confirmed •       SpaceX $4.16 billion US Space Force SB-AMTI contract — threat-tracking satellite constellation targeting 2028 operational capability •       3I/ATLAS scientific legacy — new analysis on what the interstellar comet reveals about solar system formation across the Milky Way •       Neutron star mass limit defined at 2.2–2.3 solar masses — HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungary   Key Terms Explained •       Hot Jupiter: A gas giant exoplanet similar in size to Jupiter, orbiting very close to its host star, typically tidally locked •       Magnetic field: An invisible force field generated by electrically conducting material moving inside a planet, critical for atmospheric protection •       Lagrange point 2 (L2): A gravitationally stable point in space approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, opposite the Sun — home to both JWST and (soon) Roman •       SB-AMTI: Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator — a satellite constellation for tracking airborne threats from orbit •       Neutron star: The ultra-dense remnant of a collapsed massive star, composed almost entirely of neutrons •       3I/ATLAS: Third confirmed interstellar object, discovered July 2025; an active comet from outside our solar system •       Deuterium: A heavy isotope of hydrogen containing one neutron; its abundance in 3I/ATLAS water suggests formation in an extremely cold environmentBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Sponsor LinkWhen your ready to upgrade your digital security online, do what we did and get the best - NordVPN. And right now you can save a heap of money and help support the show. For details on the full deal CLICK HEREAstronomy Daily — S05E98 | Weekend Wrap | May 9, 2026   Welcome to the Astronomy Daily Weekend Space & Astronomy News Wrap! Every Saturday, Anna and Avery bring you a roundup of the biggest stories from the past week in space and astronomy — plus two fresh stories to open the show. Here's what we covered this week:   Fresh Stories  

Sponsor Link:When you're ready to upgrade your online security, do what we did and get NordVPN. And right now we have a great deal for you that will save you lot's on money. There's never been a  better time. To check out the deal Click Here!Wednesday 6 May 2026 | astronomydaily.io | @AstroDailyPod   Episode Summary In today's episode, Anna and Avery explore six remarkable stories from across the cosmos: a tiny frozen world beyond Pluto surprises scientists with an atmosphere it should never have; NASA drops twelve thousand stunning photographs from the Artemis II mission and Artemis III preparations accelerate; Blue Origin's uncrewed moon lander Endurance passes its toughest test; new research confirms the sun actively speeds up the descent of space debris; radar-equipped drones emerge as a key tool for mapping buried Martian ice; and Comet PanSTARRS makes its debut in southern skies.   Stories in This Episode 1. The Atmosphere That Shouldn't Exist Japanese astronomers have detected a thin atmosphere around trans-Neptunian object 2002 XV93 — a Kuiper Belt body just 500 km across. Published in Nature Astronomy, the discovery challenges long-held assumptions about which bodies can retain atmospheres. Possible causes include cryovolcanism or a recent cometary impact. Lead researcher: Dr Ko Arimatsu, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.   2. NASA Releases 12,000+ Artemis II Photos + Artemis III Update NASA has published more than 12,000 high-resolution images from the Artemis II mission, captured using Nikon cameras and iPhone 17 devices by the crew of Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen. The archive includes lunar far-side close-ups, Earthset images, star trails, and a solar eclipse from space. Meanwhile, the Artemis III SLS core stage has arrived at Kennedy Space Center for assembly, with a mid-2027 launch targeting a 460 km Earth-orbit docking test.   3. Blue Origin's Endurance Passes NASA Vacuum Test Blue Origin's Blue Moon Mark 1 uncrewed cargo lander (nickname: Endurance) has completed thermal vacuum testing inside Chamber A at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston. The lander is targeted for the Moon's south polar region later in 2026, carrying stereo cameras and a laser retroreflector array. MK1 informs the development of the crewed Blue Moon Mark 2.   4. Solar Activity Accelerates Space Debris Reentry A study published today in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences tracked 17 pieces of orbital debris through three solar cycles (1986–2024). Researchers at India's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre found that once sunspot numbers reach ~70% of their cycle peak, orbital decay rates increase sharply due to thermosphere expansion and increased drag. Lead researcher: Ayisha Ashruf.   5. Radar Drones Could Map Hidden Water Ice on Mars A new study in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets proposes using low-flying radar-equipped drones to precisely map debris-covered glaciers on Mars. Tests on Earth's Galena Creek Rock Glacier in Wyoming demonstrated the technique can resolve the ice-debris boundary with unprecedented precision — information critical for future human missions planning to use Martian water resources.   6. Comet C/2025 R3 PanSTARRS — Now Visible from Southern Hemisphere Having passed perihelion on 19 April 2026 (at ~75 million km from the Sun) and peak northern hemisphere visibility, Comet C/2025 R3 PanSTARRS is now emerging in southern skies. Currently in Eridanus and heading toward Orion, the comet will pass within ~2° of the Orion Nebula 10–12 May. Best viewing conditions: around new moon 16 May. The comet is on a hyperbolic trajectory and will not return.   Connect With Us Website: astronomydaily.io Podcast: Available on all major podcast platforms X/Twitter: @AstroDailyPod Instagram: @AstroDailyPod TikTok: @AstroDailyPod Tumblr: @AstroDailyPodBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

NASA is advancing technologies to explore Earth-like planets far beyond our solar system.

Sponsor LinkTo check out our special NordVPN offer for Astronomy Daily listeners: Click HereAstronomy Daily — S05E90 | Wednesday, April 22, 2026 In today's episode, Anna and Avery cover six stories spanning the fading power of humanity's most distant probe, fresh evidence for ancient life on Mars, a landmark black hole measurement, a SpaceX reusability milestone, a sobering assessment of the Artemis spacesuit programme, and tonight's moon and Jupiter conjunction.   Story 1 — Voyager 1 Powers Down the LECP Instrument •       NASA's JPL shut down Voyager 1's Low-energy Charged Particles experiment (LECP) on April 17, 2026, to conserve dwindling power. •       The decision followed an unexpected power drop during a routine roll manoeuvre in late February that nearly triggered an automatic emergency shutdown. •       Seven of Voyager 1's ten original instrument sets are now offline. Only the magnetometer and plasma wave subsystem remain active. •       Engineers are developing 'the Big Bang' — a plan to swap older components with lower-power alternatives — to extend operations into the 2030s. Testing on Voyager 2 is planned for May/June 2026; Voyager 1 to follow no sooner than July. •       Source: NASA JPL — https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-shuts-off-instrument-on-voyager-1-to-keep-spacecraft-operating/   Story 2 — Curiosity Rover Finds Organic Molecules on Mars •       Published April 21 in Nature Communications, the study describes the first use of the TMAH chemical experiment on another planet. •       More than 20 organic molecules were detected in clay-rich sandstone from the Glen Torridon region of Gale Crater, preserved for over 3.5 billion years. •       Discoveries include a nitrogen-bearing molecule structurally similar to DNA precursors — never before confirmed on Mars — and benzothiophene. •       The experiment cannot determine whether molecules are biological, geological, or meteoritic in origin. Future missions including Rosalind Franklin and Dragonfly will build on the technique. •       Source: phys.org — https://phys.org/news/2026-04-mars-rover-compounds.html   Story 3 — Black Hole Jets in Cygnus X-1 •       Curtin University-led study published April 16 in Nature Astronomy directly measures the instantaneous power of black hole jets for the first time. •       The jets in the Cygnus X-1 system carry energy equivalent to 10,000 suns and travel at approximately half the speed of light (150,000 km/s). •       Researchers used the companion star's stellar winds to 'bend' the jets, allowing calculation of their real-time power — a technique compared to watching wind deflect a fountain. •       About 10% of the energy released as matter falls into the black hole is carried away by the jets — confirming a long-held theoretical assumption. •       The measurement will help calibrate future observations from the Square Kilometre Array Observatory, currently under construction in WA. •       Source: ScienceDaily — https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260416071949.htm   Story 4 — SpaceX 600th Rocket Landing •       SpaceX completed its 600th successful Falcon booster landing on April 19, 2026, during the Starlink 17-22 mission from Vandenberg SFB. •       Booster B1097 landed on drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You' for its eighth successful recovery. The milestone arrived just 7 months after the 500th landing. •       The tally includes 496 drone ship landings and 104 ground landings, per SpaceX VP Kiko Dontchev. •       SpaceX's Starlink constellation now numbers over 10,275 satellites in orbit. •       Source: Space.com — https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-starlink-17-22-b1097-vsfb-ofisly-600th-falcon-landing   Story 5 — Artemis Spacesuit Crisis •       NASA's Office of Inspector General report (released April 20) warns that next-generation Artemis spacesuits may not be ready until 2031 — three years after the stated 2028 target. •       The xEVAS programme began as a two-company competition (Axiom Space + Collins Aerospace). Collins has effectively been removed after missing milestones. Axiom is now the sole contractor for the lunar surface suit. •       OIG analysis: based on an 8.7-year historical average from contract award to first flight for comparable NASA programmes, Axiom's 2022 award points to a 2031 delivery. •       NASA Administrator Isaacman has publicly maintained confidence in the 2028 date. Axiom plans a suit demonstration in 2026 on the ISS or during an Artemis mission. •       A separate risk: if the ISS variant of the suit slips past 2030, the Station could run out of operational EVA suits before decommissioning. •       Additional Artemis delays: SpaceX lunar Starship at least 2 years late; Blue Origin Blue Moon at least 8 months late (per separate March OIG report). •       Source: SpaceDaily — https://spacedaily.com/sd-n-the-spacesuit-gap-why-artemis-iiis-2028-landing-date-is-already-slipping/   Story 6 — Skywatching: Moon & Jupiter Conjunction •       Tonight (April 22), the half moon sits approximately 3 degrees from Jupiter in the constellation Gemini, near the stars Castor and Pollux. •       Visible to the naked eye in the western/northwestern sky after sunset. Binoculars will reveal Jupiter's four Galilean moons. •       Southern Hemisphere viewers: look northwest after dark; viewing window narrows the further south you are. •       Source: Space.com — https://www.space.com/stargazing/the-moon-and-jupiter-steal-the-show-after-sunset-on-april-22Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Durante su viaje alrededor de la Luna, la tripulación de la Artemis II ha estado utilizando cámaras digitales de altísima resolución, equipadas con sensores CMOS ultraprecisos, para fotografiar la superficie lunar como nunca antes la habíamos visto. Han capturado la impresionante Cuenca Oriental, un cráter de impacto colosal de casi mil kilómetros de diámetro, y han fotografiado el lado oculto de nuestro satélite con un nivel de detalle que corta la respiración. Estas imágenes de alta resolución van a servir para localizar las regiones más privilegiadas de la Luna. Regiones donde podremos establecer nuestras futuras bases y acceder a esas reservas de agua y de Helio-3 de las que tanto se habla. Y aunque China nos lleve la delantera, sabemos, por observaciones de misiones como la Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) de la NASA, que el agua existe allí en forma de hielo. Pero su origen y su distribución han sido un auténtico misterio que ha desconcertado a los científicos durante décadas. No obstante, un nuevo estudio internacional publicado en Nature Astronomy ha revelado que el agua se acumuló lentamente, gota a gota, a lo largo de un período asombroso de unos 3.000 a 3.500 millones de años en cráteres muy profundos de los polos lunares llamados “trampas de frío”.

À partir de 18 années d'imagerie radio à haute résolution, une équipe de chercheurs parvient à détecter une courbure des jets du trou noir de Cygnus X-1, induite par le vent stellaire de l'étoile compagne dans le système binaire. En modélisant les interactions jet-vent, ils déterminent pour la première fois la puissance cinétique instantanée du jet, qu'ils peuvent comparer à la puissance moyenne, seule valeur accessible jusqu'alors. Ils publient leur étude dans Nature Astronomy. Source A jet bent by a stellar wind in the black hole X-ray binary Cygnus X-1S. Prabu, et al.Nature Astronomy (2026)https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-026-02828-3 IllustrationVue d'artiste de Cygnus X-1 (International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research)

Les nébuleuses de vent de pulsar sont des bulles de particules relativistes, alimentées par la perte d'énergie rotationnelle des pulsars. L'observatoire LHAASO (Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory) a récemment permis de découvrir que la nébuleuse du Crabe, alimentée par le pulsar le plus énergétique de la Voie lactée, est un objet émetteur de rayons gamma de l'ordre du PeV (1015 eV), confirmant son rôle d'accélérateur de particules extrême. Les astrophysiciens de la collaboration LHAASO présentent aujourd'hui une autre source gamma ponctuelle d'ultra-haute énergie (E>100 TeV) qui est très clairement associée à la nébuleuse de vent de pulsar alimentée par PSR J1849-0001, un pulsar dont la puissance de ralentissement est 50 fois inférieure à celle du pulsar du Crabe. Ils publient leur étude dans Nature Astronomy. Source An extreme particle accelerator powered by pulsar PSR J1849−0001The LHAASO CollaborationNature Astronomy (13 avril 2026)https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-026-02839-0 Illustrations PSR J1849 détecté pat LHAASO dans plusieurs bandes énergétiques (LHAASO collaboration) Vue aérienne de l'observatoire LHAASO et ses centaines de détecteurs de gerbes de particules induites par les photons gamma de haute énergie (LHAASO collaboration)

L'hétérogénéité morphologique des systèmes de stellites de Jupiter et Saturne est frappante : alors que la configuration jovienne est caractérisée par la présence de quatre gros satellites (les satellites galiléens Ganymède, Io, Callisto et Europe), le système saturnien est architecturalement dominé par un seul gros satellite :Titan. Une équipe sino-japonaise vient de trouver une origine de cette différence, les chercheurs publient leur étude dans Nature Astronomy. Source Different architecture of Jupiter and Saturn satellite systems from magnetospheric cavity formationYuri Fujii et al.Nature Astronomy (2 april 2026).https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-026-02820-x Illustrations Vue d'artiste de la formation des satellites de Jupiter et de Saturne (Yuri I. Fujii/L-INSIGHT [Kyoto University], Shinichiro Kinoshita) Yuri Fujii

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 43 *Climate change is slowing Earth's spin at an unprecedented rate A new study has found that climate change is slowing the Earth rotation at an unprecedented rate compared to past 3.6 million years *Magnetic waves discovered deep inside the Sun Scientists have detected large scale magnetic waves moving deep inside the Sun. The discovery reported in the journal Nature Astronomy could help scientists predict solar activity. *Mystery medical evacuation from space station finally explained That mystery medical evacuation from the International Space Station earlier this year has finally been explained. *April SkyWatch The splendours of the Southern Cross and its two pointer stars Alpha and Beta Centauri, the blue Supergiant Canopus and the Lyrids meteor shower are among the highlights of the April night skies on SkyWatch.   Our Guests This Week: Artemis lunar science lead Kelsey Young from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre   And our regular guests: Alex Zaharov-Reutt from techadvice.life Tim Mendham from Australian Skeptics And Senior science writer and Sky and Telescope magazine contributor Jonathan Nally  

La réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre est aujourd'hui un enjeu mondial. Et selon le Global Carbon Project, les émissions de CO₂ ont déjà retrouvé, dès 2021, leur niveau d'avant la crise du Covid-19. Dans ce contexte, chaque effort compte, y compris dans des domaines auxquels on pense moins, comme la recherche scientifique. C'est précisément ce qu'a voulu mesurer une équipe de l'Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, à Toulouse. Dirigés par le chercheur Jürgen Knödlseder, ces scientifiques ont étudié l'empreinte carbone de leur propre discipline : l'astronomie. Leurs résultats ont été publiés en mars 2022 dans la revue Nature Astronomy.Premier constat : l'astronomie émet une quantité significative de CO₂. Et cette empreinte pourrait même être en hausse. Pour y parvenir, les chercheurs ont d'abord tenté d'évaluer les émissions de leur institut. Mais ils ont rapidement élargi leur analyse. Car dans ce domaine, les infrastructures sont dispersées à l'échelle mondiale : télescopes, observatoires, missions spatiales… Autant d'équipements énergivores. Au total, l'étude a porté sur une quarantaine d'observatoires et de télescopes, ainsi qu'une cinquantaine de missions spatiales majeures. Mais un obstacle important est apparu : le manque de données précises. Faute de transparence sur les émissions réelles, les chercheurs ont utilisé une méthode indirecte, appelée « ratio monétaire ». Elle consiste à estimer les émissions à partir du coût financier des projets, une approche utile, mais entachée d'incertitudes.Malgré ces limites, les résultats donnent un ordre de grandeur. Depuis leur création, ces infrastructures auraient généré environ 20,3 millions de tonnes de CO₂. En moyenne, cela correspond à environ 1,2 million de tonnes par an, soit l'équivalent des émissions d'un petit pays comme la Croatie. À l'échelle individuelle, chaque astronome serait responsable d'environ 36 tonnes de CO₂ par an, bien au-dessus de la moyenne française, autour de 10 tonnes. Cela équivaut, par exemple, aux émissions d'une voiture parcourant 150 000 kilomètres. Mais réduire cette empreinte s'annonce complexe. Les projets deviennent de plus en plus ambitieux, et donc plus gourmands en ressources. De nouvelles infrastructures sont en construction, comme l'Extremely Large Telescope en Europe. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

Une équipe internationale d'astrophysiciens vient de réaliser, pour la première fois, une mesure détaillée de la distribution des abondances de plusieurs éléments lourds dans l'environnement immédiat du trou noir supermassif de la galaxie du Compas. Cette analyse permet de contraindre la fraction relative des différents types de supernovas ayant enrichi chimiquement le milieu proche du trou noir. Les résultats de cette étude ont été publiés dans Nature Astronomy. Source Accurate determination of chemical abundances near a supermassive black holeCollaboration XRISMNat Astron (31 mars 2026).https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-026-02817-6 Illustrations La galaxie du Compas imagée par Hubble (NASA, Andrew S. Wilson (University of Maryland); Patrick L. Shopbell (Caltech); Chris Simpson (Subaru Telescope); Thaisa Storchi-Bergmann and F. K. B. Barbosa (UFRGS, Brazil); and Martin J. Ward (University of Leicester, U.K.)) Le télescope spatial XRISM (JAXA)

It's the first day of astronomical spring — and the universe is celebrating in style. On today's Astronomy Daily, Anna and Avery cover a triple CME solar storm with aurora potential reaching as far south as Illinois, explain why the vernal equinox amplifies aurora activity, report on the ongoing meteorite hunt following Tuesday's spectacular Ohio fireball, reveal an extraordinary 14-billion-year-old star that carries the chemical fingerprints of the universe's very first stars, bring a happy update on Europe's Proba-3 solar science satellite which has ended a month of silence, and explain how X-ray CT scans of returned asteroid samples finally cracked one of Bennu's longest-standing mysteries.   Stories in This Episode 1. Triple CME Strike + Equinox Aurora Alert Three coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are currently en route to Earth, with the first arriving today. Forecasters predict G2 (moderate) to G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm conditions, potentially bringing auroras as far south as Illinois. The timing coincides with the vernal equinox — historically one of the best aurora windows of the year due to the Russell-McPherron effect. 2. The Vernal Equinox — Today! The 2026 March equinox arrived today at 14:46 UTC, marking the astronomical start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere (and autumn in the Southern). Tonight, a thin crescent Moon appears alongside Venus in the west-southwest sky. 3. Ohio Fireball — Meteorite Hunt Underway On St. Patrick's Day (March 17), a seven-ton asteroid exploded over northeast Ohio with the force of 250 tons of TNT. NASA confirmed meteorites landed near Medina County, and hunters from across the US have already found fragments in the Sharon Center area. 4. Ancient 'Cosmic Fossil' Star PicII-503 Astronomers have discovered PicII-503, a second-generation star in the Pictor II dwarf galaxy with only 1/40,000th of the Sun's iron — the lowest ever measured outside the Milky Way. Its extraordinary carbon-to-iron ratio links it to mysterious carbon-enhanced metal-poor stars scattered across our galaxy's halo, solving a long-standing stellar mystery. Published in Nature Astronomy by Anirudh Chiti (Stanford) et al. 5. Proba-3 Phones Home — 'A Great Relief!' ESA confirmed on March 19 that its Proba-3 Coronagraph satellite — silent since mid-February after an anomaly caused it to lose attitude control — has reestablished contact via the Villafranca ground station. The spacecraft is in safe mode, solar-powered, and undergoing health checks before science operations can resume. 6. NASA Cracks Bennu's Boulder Mystery X-ray CT scans of returned OSIRIS-REx samples reveal Bennu's boulders are riddled with internal crack networks — the missing piece explaining the asteroid's puzzling low thermal inertia. Published in Nature Communications. The findings will improve asteroid characterisation from Earth-based telescopes globally.   Source Links Triple CME / Aurora Alert — Space.com: https://www.space.com/stargazing/auroras/aurora-alert-powerful-geomagnetic-storm-could-spark-northern-lights-as-far-south-as-illinois-on-march-19 Triple CME / Sun News — EarthSky: https://earthsky.org/sun/sun-news-activity-solar-flare-cme-aurora-updates/ NOAA Space Weather Prediction Centre: https://www.spaceweather.gov Vernal Equinox 2026 — EarthSky: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-vernal-or-spring-equinox/ Ohio Fireball — EarthSky: https://earthsky.org/earth/sonic-boom-from-a-meteor-cleveland-ohio-and-pennsylvania-mar-17-2026/ Ohio Meteorite Hunt — Cleveland19: https://www.cleveland19.com/2026/03/19/meteorite-hunters-states-away-find-fragments-northeast-ohio/ PicII-503 Discovery — NOIRLab: https://noirlab.edu/public/news/noirlab2607/ PicII-503 — Nature Astronomy (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-026-02802-z Proba-3 Phones Home — Space.com: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/missions/a-great-relief-europes-proba-3-solar-eclipse-satellite-phones-home-after-a-month-of-silence Proba-3 ESA Statement: https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/Proba-3_s_Coronagraph_is_alive Bennu Mystery Solved — NASA Science: https://science.nasa.gov/missions/osiris-rex/asteroid-bennus-rugged-surface-baffled-nasa-we-finally-know-why/ Bennu — Nature Communications (SciTechDaily): https://scitechdaily.com/we-were-scratching-our-heads-scientists-finally-solve-asteroid-bennus-surface-mystery/   Find us: astronomydaily.io  |  @AstroDailyPod on Twitter/X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube & Tumblr Part of the Bitesz.com Podcast NetworkBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Astronomers have unveiled a novel technique for detecting faint signals from stellar and exoplanetary systems — potentially opening new pathways in the search for extraterrestrial technology and natural astrophysical phenomena alike. In this episode of SETI Live, host Moiya McTier sits down with radio astronomer Cyril Tasse to explore the method described in Nature Astronomy. How does it work? Why is it different from traditional radio searches? And what kinds of signals could it reveal that we've been missing? Radio waves from distant stars and planets are incredibly faint and often buried in noise. This new approach rethinks how we process and interpret complex data, potentially improving sensitivity to subtle, structured signals. RIMS press release: https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/the-detection-of-radio-bursts.html RIMS paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-025-02757-7 Stellar storm press release: https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/evidence-of-a-massive-stellar.html CME video: https://youtu.be/bHlOYFn0RUM (Recorded live 5 March 2026.)

A packed episode today: a live spacewalk is underway at the ISS as we record, asteroid Ryugu has yielded all five DNA building blocks, a solar storm is heading for Earth overnight, Artemis II's moon rocket is about to roll out, and Blue Origin has unveiled an asteroid defence mission concept.   Story 1 — ISS Spacewalk 94: Meir & Williams EVA NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Chris Williams conducted U.S. spacewalk 94 today (March 18), exiting the ISS Quest airlock at approximately 8:00 a.m. EDT for a planned 6.5-hour EVA. The pair installed a modification kit and routed cables to prepare the 2A power channel for a future roll-out solar array (IROSA). It is Meir's fourth spacewalk and Williams' first. A second EVA (spacewalk 95) is planned for approximately April 1 to prep the 3B power channel. •       Source: NASA — nasa.gov •       Watch: NASA+, Amazon Prime, YouTube (search 'NASA spacewalk 94')   Story 2 — Asteroid Ryugu: All Five DNA Building Blocks Found Samples returned from asteroid Ryugu by Japan's Hayabusa-2 mission contain all five canonical nucleobases — adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil — the building blocks of DNA and RNA. The findings, published March 16 in Nature Astronomy, suggest these life-essential compounds are widespread across the solar system and may have been delivered to early Earth by asteroid impacts. •       Source: Nature Astronomy (DOI: 10.1038/s41550-026-02791-z) •       Lead researcher: Dr. Toshiki Koga, JAMSTEC (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology) •       Further reading: phys.org, space.com, gizmodo.com   Story 3 — Aurora Alert: CME Arriving March 19 A coronal mass ejection (CME) produced by an M2.7 solar flare from active region AR4392 on March 16 is forecast to reach Earth on March 19. NOAA has issued a G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm watch, with potential for isolated G3 (Strong) conditions. Aurora could be visible across northern US states, Canada, and northern Europe overnight March 19–20. The timing coincides with the vernal equinox, enhancing the geomagnetic effect via the Russell-McPherron effect. •       Source: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center — swpc.noaa.gov •       Aurora tracking: SpaceWeatherLive, My Aurora Forecast (apps) •       Further reading: space.com, earthsky.org, watchers.news   Story 4 — Artemis II: Rollout Decision Happening Today NASA's Artemis II SLS rocket is preparing to roll out from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center, with the final timing decision being made today (March 18). Engineers completed repairs faster than expected after fixing an electrical harness in the flight termination system. Rollout is expected March 19 or 20, preserving the April 1 launch window. The crew: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch (NASA), and Jeremy Hansen (CSA) — the first crewed mission to lunar space since Apollo 17 in 1972. •       Source: NASA — nasa.gov/artemis, space.com •       Launch window: April 1–6, 2026 (with additional dates available) •       Watch the rollout livestream: NASA YouTube channel   Story 5 — Blue Origin NEO Hunter: Asteroid Defence Blue Origin has partnered with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Caltech to develop the NEO Hunter mission concept — a planetary defence system built on the Blue Ring spacecraft platform. NEO Hunter combines ion beam deflection (firing charged particles to nudge an asteroid off course) and 'Robust Kinetic Disruption' (crashing into the asteroid at up to 22,600 mph), with a dedicated 'Slamcam' satellite documenting any impact. No launch date has been announced. •       Source: Blue Origin (via X / space.com, March 17, 2026) •       Blue Ring platform: modular satellite bus supporting up to 4,000 kg payload •       Partners: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of TechnologyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Six Bigfoot sightings in four days across Northeast Ohio moving eastward. Astronomers discover vast flat structure of dark matter around the Milky Way. Bacteria survive conditions proving life could travel from Mars to Earth.March 6-10, 2026: Northeast Ohio experienced a "flap"—six separate Bigfoot sightings in four days across Portage and Trumbull counties. Clear eastward pattern from Mantua to Garrettsville to Windham to Newton Township. Heights 6-10 feet, brown and black fur. March 10th: German shepherd sees something in woodline, comes back shaking with fear. Bigfoot Society says this cluster activity hasn't happened since the 1970s.Story went national March 11th. Sheriff confirmed 10 people reported "big creature with musty odor." Fox News, Newsweek, Yahoo all covered it. WKYC called it biggest cryptid event since 1970s. Zero official police reports filed—people won't go on record. Ohio ranks 4th in U.S. for Bigfoot sightings.Astronomers at University of Groningen discover we're inside a flat cosmic sheet of dark matter spanning tens of millions of light years. Solves 50-year mystery of why nearby galaxies move away instead of toward us. Published in Nature Astronomy.Deep dive: Bacteria tested under Mars-to-Earth travel conditions survived. "The equipment broke before the bacteria did. Maybe we're Martians." Panspermia evidence—life on Earth from Mars.Watch video episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfiniteRabbitHolePodcastVisit our website: https://InfiniteRabbitHole.com

Astronomy Daily S05E65 — 17 March 2026 Six stories from the frontiers of space and astronomy, hosted by Anna and Avery.   IN THIS EPISODE: •    

Episode: S05E63  |  Date: Saturday, 14 March 2026 Hosted by Anna & Avery  |  Astronomy Daily Podcast Network — Bitesz.com   From galactic migrations to Pi Day planets, Episode 63 covers six stories that span the breadth of the solar system and beyond. Our Sun turns out to have hitched a ride outward from the Milky Way's interior billions of years ago — and brought thousands of stellar companions with it. China has named a leading candidate for its first crewed Moon landing. Russia is dusting off the legacy of the legendary Soviet Venera programme with an ambitious 2036 return to Venus. NASA's nuclear-powered Titan drone is now being physically built. China's Mars sample return mission is constructing actual spacecraft. And in honour of Pi Day, we visit the exoplanet whose year lasts almost exactly 3.14 days.   Story 1: The Sun Was Part of a Galactic Migration of Solar Twins A new study in Astronomy & Astrophysics by researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan has built the largest-ever catalogue of solar twins — 6,594 Sun-like stars. Using ESA's Gaia satellite, they found a clustering of stars aged 4–6 billion years, suggesting the Sun migrated outward from the Milky Way's inner regions billions of years ago, possibly when the galactic bar was still forming and its 'corotation barrier' was weak enough to allow mass stellar movement. This migration may have placed Earth in a calmer, more life-friendly region of the Galaxy.   •      Journal: Astronomy & Astrophysics (March 2026) •      Lead researchers: Daisuke Taniguchi (Tokyo Metropolitan University) & Takuji Tsujimoto (NAOJ) •      Data source: ESA Gaia satellite — catalogue of ~2 billion stars •      Key finding: Sun likely formed ~10,000 light-years closer to the Galactic Centre than its current position   Story 2: China Eyes Rimae Bode for Its First Crewed Moon Landing A study published in Nature Astronomy (9 March 2026) proposes Rimae Bode — a volcanic region near Sinus Aestuum on the lunar near side — as a prime candidate for China's first crewed lunar landing, targeted for 2030. The site contains five distinct terrain types including pyroclastic deposits, mare basalts, rille systems and highland material. Researcher Jun Huang (China University of Geosciences, Wuhan) described it as a 'geological museum.' Four specific landing spots within the region have been proposed.   •      Journal: Nature Astronomy (March 2026) •      Lead researcher: Jun Huang, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan •      Site: Rimae Bode, near Sinus Aestuum, lunar near side •      Oldest volcanic activity in region: ~3.2–3.7 billion years ago •      China's crewed lunar landing target: 2030   Story 3: Russia Plans Venera-D Mission to Venus in 2036 Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov confirmed on 10 March 2026 that Russia plans to launch the Venera-D mission — comprising a lander, atmospheric balloon, and orbiter — to Venus in 2036. The mission would extend the legacy of the Soviet Venera programme (1961–1983), which remains the only national programme to have successfully landed on Venus. Scientific goals include searching for microbial life in Venus's clouds and studying the planet's atmosphere.   •      Mission: Venera-D (lander + balloon + orbiter) •      Planned launch: 2036 •      Agency: Roscosmos •      Heritage: Soviet Venera programme — 16 missions, 1961–1983 •      Science goal: Search for biosignatures in Venusian cloud layers (48–60 km altitude) •      Source: TASS, citing Razvedchik Journal interview with Denis Manturov   Story 4: NASA Begins Building Dragonfly — Nuclear-Powered Drone for Titan NASA and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) officially began integration and testing of the Dragonfly rotorcraft on 10 March 2026. The car-sized, nuclear-powered octocopter is designed to fly across the surface of Saturn's moon Titan, targeting a 2028 launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy and arriving at Titan in 2034. It will explore diverse terrain including organic dunes and the Selk impact crater, studying prebiotic chemistry relevant to the origins of life.   •      Mission: Dragonfly | Agency: NASA / Johns Hopkins APL •      Launch: No earlier than summer 2028 (SpaceX Falcon Heavy) •      Arrival: Titan, 2034 | Mission duration: ~3.3 years •      Power: Radioisotope thermoelectric generator (nuclear) •      Range: >108 miles (175 km) across Titan's surface •      Quote: "This milestone essentially marks the birth of our flight system." — Elizabeth Turtle, PI   Story 5: China's Tianwen-3 Mars Sample Return Enters Construction Phase China's Tianwen-3 mission chief designer Liu Jizhong announced on 12 March 2026 that the mission has achieved key technology breakthroughs and is entering flight model development — building the actual spacecraft. Two Long March 5 rockets will launch in late 2028, carrying a lander/ascent vehicle and an orbiter/return spacecraft respectively. The goal is to return at least 500 grams of Martian samples to Earth by 2031 — what would be humanity's first Mars sample return.   •      Mission: Tianwen-3 | Agency: CNSA •      Launch: Late 2028 (two Long March 5 rockets) •      Sample return: Earth, targeted 2031 •      Sample target: Minimum 500 grams of Martian rock and soil •      Landing site candidates: 19 remaining (narrowing to 3 by end of 2026) •      Primary science goal: Search for biosignatures / signs of past life on Mars •      Note: NASA's Mars Sample Return was effectively cancelled in early 2026   Story 6 (Pi Day Special): K2-315b — The Exoplanet with a 3.14-Day Year In honour of Pi Day (3/14), NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day features K2-315b — an Earth-sized exoplanet orbiting a cool red dwarf star approximately 185 light-years away. Its orbital period of almost exactly 3.14159 days makes it one of the most mathematically charming exoplanet discoveries on record. Discovered using Kepler K2 mission data and announced in 2020, the planet orbits so close to its star that its surface is extremely hot and definitely uninhabitable — but delightfully pi-shaped in its year length.   •      Exoplanet: K2-315b •      Distance: ~185 light-years •      Host star: Cool red dwarf (M-type) •      Orbital period: 3.14159 days •      Discovery: Kepler K2 mission data, announced 2020 •      Surface: Extremely hot — far too close to its star for habitability •      Today's NASA APOD (14 March 2026): astronomydaily.io for linkBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Welcome to Episode 60 of Astronomy Daily Season Five! In today's episode, Anna and Avery cover six major stories from the world of space and astronomy — including a neutron star collision in an unprecedented location, the latest Artemis II news, and a cosmic mystery solved after decades.   Stories covered in this episode:   1. NASA Discovers Neutron Star Crash in Unexpected Location A fleet of NASA telescopes — including Chandra, Fermi, Swift, and Hubble — has detected a neutron star merger inside a tiny galaxy buried in a vast stream of gas, 4.7 billion light-years away. It's the first time this type of collision has been spotted in such an environment, and it may explain why gamma-ray bursts sometimes appear outside any galaxy — and how precious metals like gold and platinum ended up in distant stellar regions. Published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.   2. Artemis II Flight Readiness Review NASA will host a Flight Readiness Review press conference on Thursday 12 March at Kennedy Space Center, covering progress toward the first crewed Artemis mission. The rocket is currently back in the Vehicle Assembly Building following a helium issue, with rollout to the launchpad expected around 19 March and a launch target of no earlier than 1 April 2026.   3. Firefly Alpha 'Stairway to Seven' Scrubbed Again Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket — attempting its return to flight after a 10-month grounding — has been scrubbed three times in 10 days. The latest scrub occurred on 10 March during fluid loading after off-nominal readings. A new launch date will be confirmed following engineering review. This mission is the final Block I Alpha flight, with the upgraded Block II debuting on Flight 8.   4. DART Mission Reveals 'Cosmic Snowball Fight' Between Asteroids Researchers at the University of Maryland have found the first direct visual proof of material transfer between two asteroids — fan-shaped streaks on the surface of asteroid moon Dimorphos, left by debris thrown off its parent asteroid Didymos at just 30.7 cm/s. The discovery provides visual confirmation of the YORP effect and has implications for planetary defence modelling. ESA's Hera mission arrives at Didymos in December 2026. Published in The Planetary Science Journal.   5. Starship Flight 12 — About Four Weeks Away SpaceX is approximately four weeks from the launch of Starship Flight 12, which will be the first flight of the upgraded V3 configuration — the most powerful version of the already record-breaking vehicle. Engineers have completed propellant system tests on Ship 39 at Starbase, Texas, and preflight preparations are continuing.   6. Giant Cosmic Sheet Discovered Around the Milky Way Astronomers from the University of Groningen, publishing in Nature Astronomy, have used advanced computer simulations to discover that the matter surrounding our Local Group is arranged in a vast, flat sheet — dominated by dark matter — stretching tens of millions of light-years across. This structure, flanked by enormous empty voids, explains why nearby galaxies are moving away from us rather than being pulled inward. It's the first detailed map of dark matter distribution in our cosmic neighbourhood.     Astronomy Daily is part of the Bitesz.com Podcast Network. Website: astronomydaily.io | Social: @AstroDailyPod on all major platformsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

ASTRONOMY DAILY — S05E57 | Saturday 7 March 2026  A landmark week for planetary defence — scientists confirm that NASA's DART impact didn't just move an asteroid's orbit around its companion, it shifted the entire binary system's path around the Sun. Plus: gravitational waves double, a European spacecraft goes silent, a 45-year theory bites the dust, a young Sun caught in the act — and a double planet show in tonight's sky.   In This Episode •       [00:00] Cold Open — Humanity moved a solar orbit •       [02:00] Story 1: DART changed Didymos's orbit around the Sun (Science Advances, March 2026) •       [06:00] Story 2: LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA doubles the gravitational wave catalog with GWTC-4 •       [10:00] Story 3: ESA's Proba-3 Coronagraph spacecraft goes dark — recovery underway •       [13:00] Story 4: Stars keep their rotation pattern for life — 45-year theory overturned (Nature Astronomy) •       [16:30] Story 5: Chandra captures first astrosphere around a Sun-like star •       [19:30] Story 6: Venus and Saturn pair up in tonight's sky — skywatching guide   Connect With Us •       Website & Blog: astronomydaily.io •       Social: @AstroDailyPod •       Network: Bitesz.com Podcast NetworkBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Show Summary:ENGINEER SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Lonnie Johnson (b. 1949) is an American inventor and engineer whose curiosity started early. Growing up in Alabama, he loved taking things apart and even built a working robot in high school, winning a statewide science fair as the only Black student competing. Johnson went on to earn engineering degrees and worked for the U.S. Air Force and NASA, contributing to major missions like Galileo's exploration of Jupiter.While experimenting at home in the 1980s, he accidentally created a powerful water stream that sparked an idea. After refining the design, he invented the Super Soaker, one of the best‑selling toys of all time. Dr. Johnson used its success to fund research in advanced batteries and clean energy through his own company. With more than 100 patents, he continues to innovate and inspire young engineers today.Links from the Show:Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 178. Getting Kids to Think71. How to Create a Relevant STEM Challenge193. Are You Manufacturing Engineers?150. Screw the Standards! Or Should We? ft. Dr. PedersenVivify STEM Blog Posts Go On a Mission to Mars!7 Activities Featuring Women in STEM HistoryWhat to Teach in STEM: A K-8 Engineering Education FrameworkVivify STEM LessonsFREE! - Featured Engineer Lesson: Dr. Lonnie JohnsonDesign a Lunar or Mars ColonyOrbital MissionSTEM Innovators lessonsWho is an Engineer or Scientist? STEM Career Game & ActivitySTEM Innovators BINGO Game: 24 Game-Changing Thinkers in STEM!Astro-Rover Space Science & Engineering Design UnitOther STEM ResourcesDr. Lonnie Johnson Official WebsiteNASA Galileo MissionBook: Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris BartonNASA ArtemisArticle: The 5 Traits of a Great EngineerIn STEM NewsBoiling Space Oceans: A study in Nature Astronomy suggests that some icy moons, including Enceladus, may have underground oceans that can begin to boil as their ice shells thin.Light Control: Scientists at NYU have developed a new way to control how crystals form by using light as a “remote control.”Thing IRL: Researchers led by roboticist Aude Billard at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology have developed a highly flexible robotic hand that can grasp multiple objects at once — and even detach to crawl around independently.Lunar Construction: Astroport Space Technologies and Venturi Astrolab have successfully tested a robotic lunar excavator designed to help build future infrastructure on the Moon.Retinal Implant: A miniature wireless retinal implant is offering renewed hope to individuals who have lost their sight due to advanced age-related macular degeneration.THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTESTHE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUPVIVIFY INSTAGRAMVIVIFY FACEBOOKVIVIFY XVIVIFY TIKTOKVIVIFY YOUTUBE

Une nouvelle étude parue dans Nature Astronomy montre que l'une des plus grandes étoiles connues, nommée WOH G64, a subi une transformation spectaculaire en 2014 en passant de supergéante rouge à hypergéante jaune. Ce changement brutal pourrait être le signe d'une supernova imminente. Source The dramatic transition of the extreme red supergiant WOH G64 to a yellow hypergiantGonzalo Muñoz-Sanchez et al.Nature Astronomy (23 february 2026)https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-026-02789-7 Illustrations Image de WOH G64 par le VLTI et représentation d'artiste (ESO/K. Ohnaka et al., L. Calçada) Evolution du spectre de WOH G64 lors de la transition (Muñoz-Sanchez et al.) Gonzalo Muñoz-Sanchez

Astronomy Daily — S05E41 | Tuesday 17 February 2026 Ring of Fire, Farewell Comet, and the Smell of Rotten Eggs in Space   Two celestial events happen TODAY — an annular solar eclipse transforms the Antarctic Sun into a ring of fire, and a rare hyperbolic comet makes its closest pass to Earth before leaving the solar system forever. Plus, JWST uses the smell of rotten eggs to solve a major exoplanet mystery, NASA performs a CT scan on the northern lights, a startup plans to fuel rockets with water, and we preview why 2026 is the dawn of a golden age of eclipses.   In This Episode: •      Ring of Fire solar eclipse over Antarctica — happening today, February 17, with up to 96% of the Sun covered and a 616km-wide path of annularity •      Comet Wierzchoś (C/2024 E1) makes its closest approach to Earth today at 151 million km — a one-way trip out of the solar system, never to return •      JWST detects hydrogen sulfide in giant exoplanets orbiting HR 8799, proving they formed like planets, not brown dwarfs — published in Nature Astronomy •      NASA's BADASS and GNEISS twin rocket missions launch from Alaska to “CT scan” the electrical circuitry of the aurora •      General Galactic, led by ex-SpaceX engineer Halen Mattison, reveals plan to make rocket fuel from water — satellite test in October 2026 •      2026: A golden age of eclipses begins — total lunar eclipse March 3, total solar eclipse over Europe August 12, and much more ahead   Hosted by: Anna & Avery Produced by: Huw at Bitesz.com Website: astronomydaily.io Social: @AstroDailyPod across all platforms Network: Bitesz.com Podcast NetworkBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

SpaceTime with Stuart Gary Gary - Series 29 Episode 16In this episode of SpaceTime, we dive into groundbreaking revelations about Europa's ice shell, explore new evidence for the existence of a potential Planet Nine, and discuss a significant advancement in quantum physics that challenges the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle.Europa's Ice Shell Thickness RevealedData from NASA's Juno mission has provided the first insights into the thickness of Europa's icy crust, estimating it to be around 29 kilometers. This measurement comes from Juno's 2022 flyby, where the spacecraft utilized its microwave radiometer to analyze the moon's surface temperature and characteristics. The findings suggest that beneath this thick ice lies a global ocean of liquid water, potentially harboring the ingredients necessary for life. Understanding the ice shell's structure is crucial for future missions, including NASA's Europa Clipper, set to arrive in 2030.The Case for Planet NineA new study published in Nature Astronomy presents fresh simulations suggesting that wide-orbit planets, like the hypothesized Planet Nine, could be a natural outcome of chaotic early planetary systems. Researchers found that during turbulent phases of stellar formation, planets can be flung into distant orbits rather than being ejected entirely. This work offers a 40% chance that a Planet Nine-like object exists, providing a promising avenue for future exploration as telescopes become more capable of surveying the distant solar system.Advancements in Quantum PhysicsIn a remarkable breakthrough, physicists have demonstrated a method to sidestep the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, allowing for simultaneous precise measurements of a particle's position and momentum. This innovative approach, detailed in Science Advances, could pave the way for ultra-precise sensor technologies across various fields, including navigation and astronomy. The study redefines the boundaries of quantum measurement, offering new possibilities for scientific exploration.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesNature AstronomyScience AdvancesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.

Die Themen in den Wissensnachrichten: +++ Was sexuelle Fantasien mit der Persönlichkeit zu tun haben +++ Jupiter ist kleiner als bisher gedacht +++ Grizzlybären liefern Videos über ihr Leben +++**********Weiterführende Quellen zu dieser Folge:Associations between big five personality traits, facets, and sexual fantasies, In: PLOS One, 4.2. 2026The size and shape of Jupiter, Nature Astronomy, 2.2. 2026Grizzly bears outfitted with video collars show rare view of Alaska's Arctic wilderness, AP, 2.2. 2026Ghrelin and MBOAT4 are lost in Serpentes, Open Biology, 4.2. 2026Neurodivergence and well-being: The fulfilment of fundamental psychological needs, work-related stress and life satisfaction, British Journal of Psychology 23.01. 2026Alle Quellen findet ihr hier.**********Ihr könnt uns auch auf diesen Kanälen folgen: TikTok und Instagram .

Dr. Al Grauer hosts. Dr. Albert D. Grauer ( @Nmcanopus ) is an observational asteroid hunting astronomer. Dr. Grauer retired from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2006. travelersinthenight.org From May & June, 2025. Today's 2 topics: - In a recent paper published in Nature Astronomy entitled "Surveys of the scientific community on the existence of extraterrestrial life" Dr. Peter Vickers and his team of 10 co-authors report the results  of their survey of the lead authors for the past 10 years in the top three astro-biological journals. These researchers sought to measure if their sample group of scientists thought it likely that: 1) simple life,  and/or  2) life more complex than terrestrial bacteria, and/or  3) Intelligent life comparable or superior to human beings exists outside of Earth. For more: https://cosmoquest.org/x/365daysofastronomy/2014/07/24/july-24th-are-we-alone/   - The good news is a Mars landing by human colonists and their equipment seems technically feasible given a large budget of cash and grit.   We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs.  Just visit: https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy and donate as much as you can! Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too!  Every bit helps! Thank you! ------------------------------------ Do go visit http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness! http://cosmoquest.org/Donate This show is made possible through your donations.  Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just click!) ------------------------------------ The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. http://www.psi.edu Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org.

La matière noire n'émet ni n'absorbe de lumière, mais joue un rôle fondamental dans l'évolution des galaxies et des structures. Comme elle n'interagit que par la gravité, l'un des moyens les plus directs de l'étudier est l'effet de lentille gravitationnelle : la déviation de la lumière provenant de galaxies lointaines par une masse intermédiaire. Une équipe de chercheurs vient d'utiliser cette méthode avec des images du télescope Webb pour fournir une carte de la masse sombre la plus détaillée à ce jour. L'étude est publiée dans Nature Astronomy. Source An ultra-high-resolution map of (dark) matterDiana Scognamiglio et al.Nature Astroinomy (26 january 2026)https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-025-02763-9 Illustrations Cartographie de la matière noire dans la zone étudiée (Scognamiglio et al.) Cartographie de la matière noire dans la zone étudiée, en contours de densité (Scognamiglio et al.) Diana Scognamiglio

El asteroide Bennu continúa aportando nuevas pistas a laspreguntas más importantes de los científicos sobre la formación del sistema solar primitivo y los orígenes de la vida. Como parte del estudio en curso de las muestras intactas traídas a la Tierra por la nave espacial Orígenes, Interpretación Espectral, Identificación de Recursos y Seguridad - Explorador de Regolito (OSIRIS-REx, por sus siglas en inglés) de la NASA, tres nuevos artículos publicados el 2 de diciembre por las revistas científicas Nature Geosciences y Nature Astronomy presentan descubrimientos extraordinarios: azúcares esenciales para la biología, una sustancia similar a la goma nunca antes vista en los astromateriales, y una abundancia inesperadamente grande de polvo producido por la explosión de supernovas.https://www.instagram.com/curiosidacientificapodcasthttps://www.patreon.com/agustinvalenzuelahttps://linktr.ee/curiosidadcientificapodcast?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnqTX8A3EoF-JfoI76o6akor_8DvvsckFovEynE6VTpKUADdK36SXTjJniUT4_aem_jYk7Do5M-qhYMUyUbOPipQ

Sponsor Link:This episode of SpaceTime is brought to you with the support of Squarespace. When it's time to get a presence online, go with the folks who support us...and build the best websites easily. No hassles. You can check out their special offer for SpaceTime listeners by visiting our special URL....Click HereIn this episode of SpaceTime, we uncover new evidence suggesting that dark matter may interact with neutrinos, a revelation that could reshape our understanding of the universe. We also discuss a serious medical issue that has forced one of the crews aboard the International Space Station to return home early, and learn about the remarkable discovery that galaxies spin like clockwork.Dark Matter and Neutrinos: A Possible InteractionScientists are challenging the long-standing standard model of particle physics with new findings indicating that dark matter and neutrinos may interact. This groundbreaking research, reported in Nature Astronomy, provides a rare glimpse into the universe's hidden components. By analyzing data from both the early and late universe, researchers suggest that these elusive cosmic entities could influence the formation of galaxies and other structures, potentially addressing discrepancies observed in cosmological measurements.Medical Emergency Forces ISS Crew to Return EarlyNASA's SpaceX Crew 11 is returning to Earth ahead of schedule due to a medical concern involving one of the astronauts. While the situation is stable and not classified as an emergency, the decision was made to ensure the crew member receives comprehensive medical evaluation on the ground. This marks a historic moment, as it is the first time in 26 years of ISS operations that a medical issue has necessitated an early return.Galaxies Spin Like ClockworkRecent studies have confirmed that galaxies rotate approximately once every billion years, regardless of their size. This research, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, reveals a consistent rotational pattern across different types of galaxies, enhancing our understanding of their mechanics and structure. The findings indicate that older stars exist even at the edges of galaxies, providing valuable insights into galactic formation and evolution.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesNature AstronomyMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical SocietyBritish Medical JournalBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.

Récemment, un objet d'un million de masses solaires a été découvert, associé à un arc gravitationnel étendu et extrêmement fin. Une équipe d'astrophysiciens vient d'effectuer des tests approfondis de diverses hypothèses concernant le profil de densité de masse de cet objet. Il serait composé d'un trou noir central de l'ordre de 1 million de masses solaires entouré d'une distribution de matière noire qui serait tronquée brusquement à un rayon de 139 pc, une structure qui ne ressemble à aucun objet astronomique connu et qui challenge les modèles "classiques" de matière noire froide. L'étude est parue dans Nature Astronomy. Source A possible challenge for cold and warm dark matterSimona Vegetti et al.Nature Astronomy (5 january 2026)https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-025-02746-w Illustration Image de la lentille gravitationnelle JVAS B1938+666. L'objet perturbateur objet de cette étude est désigné par la lettre

Une équipe de chercheurs vient de caractériser l'épaisseur de la glace et la structure du sous-sol d'Europe (lune de Jupiter) grâce au radiomètre micro-ondes de la sonde Juno. Alors qu'on estimait auparavant que cette croute de glace surplombant un océan liquide faisait entre 3 km et 30 km, la valeur trouvée aujourd'hui est dans la fourchette haute : 29 ± 10 km, mais il y aurait des fissures de plusieurs centaines de mètres de profondeur. L'étude est publiée dans Nature Astronomy. Source Europa's ice thickness and subsurface structure characterized by the Juno microwave radiometerS. M. Levin et al.Nature Astronomy (17 december 2025)https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-025-02718-0 Illustrations Europe imagée par Juno lors de son survol du 29 septembre 2022 (NASA) Données MWR pour chaque canal de fréquence, superposées sur une carte d'Europe (Levin et al.) Steven Levin

(3:07) Publícase en Nature a análise dunha biofirma detectada polo rover Perseverance en Marte. Borja Tosar dános o contexto deste achado. (17:06) Efeméride do 18 de setembro do Calendario da Historia da Ciencia de Moncho Núñez. (18:08) Os buratos negros cando coliden e se fusionan saen disparados a 5000 km/segundo. Este resultado foi publicado en "Nature Astronomy" polo grupo de ondas gravitacionais do IGFAE. Conversamos con Juan Calderón Bustillo. (41:18) Carolina Brea preséntannos a edición deste ano do Open Science Cambre. (43:05) A Unión Astronómica Internacional vén de bautizar un asteroide co nome Ferrinmoreiras na honra de Antonia Ferrín. Repasamos a traxectoria desta astrónoma pioneira da man da profesora xubilada de astronomía Josefina Ling.

Dr. Al Grauer hosts. Dr. Albert D. Grauer ( @Nmcanopus ) is an observational asteroid hunting astronomer. Dr. Grauer retired from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2006. travelersinthenight.org From September 2025. Today's 2 topics: - The Sun is our very own well behaved star. It rises and sets in our sky every day and powers and makes possible all life forms on planet Earth. A new appreciation for our Sun is growing as we learn more about other suns and their families of planets. The Trappist-1 system of 7 planets orbits a dim M type red dwarf star about 40 light years away in the constellation of Aquarius. Recently, Dr. Manasvi Lingam and Dr. Abraham Loeb of Harvard University have calculated the likelihood that planets orbiting red dwarf stars are able to possess an atmosphere conducive to life.   - Martian Trojan asteroids have stable orbits around the Sun, leading and trailing the red planet by 60 degrees, where the Sun's and Mars's gravity are balanced. For some time astronomers have considered it unlikely that these asteroids wandered in from the asteroid belt. Recently, Dr. David Polishook of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel led a group of researchers who published a paper in the journal Nature Astronomy which sets forth evidence that a group of 7 Martian Trojan Asteroids were blasted from the Martian surface when a large asteroid impacted the red planet early in the history of the solar system.    We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs.  Just visit: https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy and donate as much as you can! Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too!  Every bit helps! Thank you! ------------------------------------ Do go visit http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness! http://cosmoquest.org/Donate This show is made possible through your donations.  Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just click!) ------------------------------------ The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. http://www.psi.edu Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org.

Une équipe d'astrophysiciens vient de découvrir une éruption extrême du noyau galactique actif (AGN) J2245+3743. Sa luminosité a été multipliée par plus de 40 en 2018, puis la source a progressivement diminué depuis. L'énergie totale émise dans l'ultraviolet et le domaine visible à ce jour est de l'ordre de 1054 erg, soit la conversion complète d'environ 1 masse solaire en rayonnement électromagnétique, du jamais vu. Cette éruption est 30 fois plus puissante que la plus puissante éruption transitoire de noyau galactique actif (AGN) jamais enregistrée. L'étude est parue dans Nature Astronomy. Source An extremely luminous flare recorded from a supermassive black holeMatthew J. Graham, et al.Nature Astronomy (4 november 2025)https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-025-02699-0 Illustrations Vue d'artiste de l'éruption géante de J2245+3743 (AP) Matthew Graham

In this episode of SpaceTime, we delve into groundbreaking discoveries that could reshape our understanding of life on Mars and the cosmos beyond.Martian Ice: A Potential Reservoir for LifeA recent study suggests that Martian ice may be the most promising location to search for signs of ancient microbial life. Researchers found that biomolecules from dormant microbes degrade significantly slower in pure water ice compared to Martian soil mixtures. This discovery, published in the journal Astrobiology, raises hopes that future missions to Mars could uncover preserved organic materials in its icy regions, potentially revealing the planet's biological history.A Mysterious Dark Object in the UniverseAstronomers have identified the lowest mass dark object ever detected, with a mass about a million times that of our Sun. This enigmatic object, reported in Nature Astronomy, may offer insights into the nature of dark matter, which constitutes a significant portion of the universe's mass. The object was detected through gravitational lensing, and its small size challenges existing theories about dark matter's composition and distribution.NASA's Call for Lunar Mission BidsNASA is seeking new bids for its Artemis Moon program, aiming to foster competition among American companies to return humans to the lunar surface. With ongoing delays from SpaceX, NASA Administrator Sean Duffy emphasizes the urgency of the mission as the U.S. races against China to achieve lunar exploration milestones. The upcoming Artemis missions promise to be pivotal in establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon.November Skywatch with Jonathan Nallywww.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesAstrobiology Journalhttps://www.liebertpub.com/journals/astrobiology/1Nature Astronomyhttps://www.nature.com/natureastronomy/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.Martian Ice: A Potential Reservoir for LifeA Mysterious Dark Object in the UniverseNASA's Call for Lunar Mission Bids

In this episode of SpaceTime, we dive into the fascinating findings from Saturn's icy moon Enceladus, discuss delays in the Dream Chaser spaceplane's launch schedule, and celebrate NASA's breakthroughs in laser communications for deep space missions.Enceladus: Unveiling Complex ChemistryRecent discoveries reported in the journal Nature Astronomy reveal that Saturn's moon Enceladus is spewing complex organic molecules from its subsurface ocean. Data collected by the Cassini spacecraft during its mission has unveiled fresh insights into the chemical reactions occurring in this hidden ocean. The presence of organic molecules, including precursors for amino acids, raises the possibility that Enceladus may have once harboured conditions suitable for life. This episode explores how these findings could inform future missions aimed at further investigating Enceladus and its potential habitability.Dream Chaser Spaceplane: A Delay in LaunchSierra Space has announced that their Dream Chaser spaceplane's first free flight demonstration has been pushed back to late 2026. Originally designed as a manned spacecraft, Dream Chaser will now serve as a cargo transport for NASA's Commercial Resupply Services, delivering supplies to the International Space Station. The episode discusses the spaceplane's unique design, its cargo capabilities, and the future of its missions, including plans for a fully operational crewed version.Nasa's Optical Deep Space Laser Communications SuccessNASA's new Optical Deep Space Laser Communications project has surpassed all technical goals, paving the way for high-speed communications for future crewed missions to Mars. The technology, which successfully transmitted data over vast distances, demonstrated data rates comparable to broadband Internet services. This breakthrough enables faster communication for astronauts and could revolutionise data transmission in deep space. Tune in to learn more about the technology behind this ambitious project and its implications for future space exploration.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesNature Astronomyhttps://www.nature.com/natureastronomyNASA Dream Chaserhttps://www.nasa.gov/dreamchaserNASA Optical Deep Space Laser Communicationshttps://www.nasa.gov/lasercomBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.Enceladus: Unveiling Complex ChemistryDream Chaser Spaceplane: A Delay in LaunchNASA's Optical Deep Space Laser Communications Success(00:00) The Dream Chaser spaceplane set for another delay(00:48) Scientists have discovered new complex organic molecules spewing from Saturn's Enceladus(09:41) NASA says new optical Deep Space Laser communications project has exceeded all technical goals(17:29) Around a quarter of all press releases in the United States are probably AI generated(19:23) Companies failing to secure AI agents is causing security risks, warns expert(20:27) Gary Stuart says AI agents can be hacked and should be treated like humans

Encelade, lune de Saturne, éjecte continuellement d'importantes quantités de particules de glace dans l'espace, provenant de son océan souterrain. Des chercheurs ont analysé chimiquement des particules fraîchement émises provenant directement de l'océan souterrain d'Encelade. grâce à des données de la sonde Cassini. Ils ont pu détecter des intermédiaires de molécules organiques potentiellement pertinentes sur le plan biologique, découvertes pour la première fois dans des particules de glace provenant d'un océan extérieur à la Terre. L'étude est publiée dans Nature Astronomy. Source Detection of organic compounds in freshly ejected ice grains from Enceladus's oceanNozair Khawaja et al.Nature Astronomy (1 october 2025)https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-025-02655-y Illustrations Encelade est ici directement au-dessus des anneaux, à droite de l'image. (NASA / JPL / Space Science Institute) Cartographie des molécules organiques détectées dans le panache d'Encelade et lien entre elles (celles en noir n'ont pas (encore) été détectées (Nozair Khawaja et al.) Exemple de spectre de masse de composés de type ester/alcènes mesurés par le CDA de Cassini et reconstitution des molécules correspondantes (Nozair Khawaja et al.) Nozair Khawaja

We are honored to meet Jenni Häkkinen, a fabulous PhD candidate from Finland who has been working with an amazing small team who have done a very big thing. They have turned science on its head with their new paper in Nature Astronomy that changes our understanding of the fate of the Andromeda Galaxy and our very own Milky Way Galaxy. Enjoy!

Martian Trojan asteroids have stable orbits around the Sun, leading and trailing the red planet by 60 degrees, where the Sun's and Mars's gravity are balanced. For some time astronomers have considered it unlikely that these asteroids wandered in from the asteroid belt. Recently, Dr. David Polishook of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel led a group of researchers who published a paper in the journal Nature Astronomy which sets forth evidence that a group of 7 Martian Trojan Asteroids were blasted from the Martian surface when a large asteroid impacted the red planet early in the history of the solar system. The impact more than 4 billion years or so ago which blasted loose a mile diameter chunk of Mars and gave it a speed of the more than the 3 mi/s required to escape the red planet gives us an insight into the level of violence which occurred before our solar system came into it's present relatively calm state.

This episode of SpaceTime is brought to you with the support of Incognai - when your online privacy matters, Incogni's the service you need. Check out our special discount deal by visiting www.incogni.com/stuartgaryIn this episode of SpaceTime, we delve into groundbreaking discoveries that reveal the impact of human activity on Earth, explore a new celestial body beyond Pluto, and prepare for Japan's upcoming Martian moon mission.Human Development and Earth's Polar ShiftA recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters has confirmed that human development has caused a significant shift in Earth's spin axis. By constructing nearly 7,000 dams between 1835 and 2011, humans have redistributed the planet's mass, resulting in a total pole shift of about 1.13 meters. Lead author Natasha Valencic explains how this shift not only affects Earth's rotation but also contributes to a global drop in sea levels. The findings underscore the importance of considering water impoundment in future sea level rise calculations.Discovery of a World Beyond PlutoAstronomers have identified a small celestial object, designated 2023 KQ14, located beyond Pluto, potentially challenging the existence of the elusive Planet Nine. This discovery, detailed in Nature Astronomy, suggests that the outer solar system is more diverse than previously thought. With a stable orbit for over 4.5 billion years, 2023 KQ14's peculiar trajectory raises questions about the formation and evolution of distant solar system bodies, as well as the dynamics of gravitational influences in this remote region.Japan's Martian Moon Sample Return MissionJapan's aerospace exploration agency JAXA is set to launch the Martian Moons Exploration Mission (MMX) in 2026. This ambitious mission aims to land on Phobos, collect samples, and return them to Earth by 2031. The spacecraft will also conduct a flyby of Deimos while gathering crucial data to determine the origins of Mars' moons. With advanced scientific instruments onboard, the mission seeks to unravel the mysteries surrounding these small, potato-shaped moons and their relationship to the Red Planet's history.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesGeophysical Research Lettershttps://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/19448007Nature Astronomyhttps://www.nature.com/natureastronomy/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-space-astronomy--2458531/support.

The Andromeda galaxy lies just beyond (...OK, about 2.5 million light-years beyond) our galaxy, the Milky Way. For the past hundred years or so, scientists thought these galaxies existed in a long-term dance of doom — destined to crash into one another and combine into one big galactic soup. But today on the show, Regina and computational astrophysicist Arpit Arora explain why a recent paper out in the journal Nature Astronomy suggests this cosmic game of bumper cars may never come to a head at all. Interested in more space episodes? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Australia is known for its unusual animal life, from koalas to kangaroos. But once upon a time, the Australian landscape had even weirder fauna, like Palorchestes azael, a marsupial with immense claws and a small trunk. There was Protemnodon mamkurra, a massive, slow-moving, kangaroo-like creature. And Zygomaturus trilobus, a wombat the size of a hippo. They're all extinct now, and researchers are trying to figure out why. Host Flora Lichtman talks with researcher Carli Peters about ZooMS, a technique that allows researchers to use collagen from ancient bone fragments to identify species, offering clues to those ancient extinction events. Peters recently described using the technique in the journal Frontiers in Mammal Science.And, a recent study in the journal Nature Astronomy hints that our own Milky Way galaxy may not be doomed to collide with Andromeda after all. Till Sawala, an astrophysicist at the University of Helsinki, joins Flora to talk about the finding.Guests: Dr. Carli Peters is a postdoctoral researcher at the Interdisciplinary Center for Archaeology and the Evolution of Human Behavior at the University of Algarve in Faro, Portugal.Dr. Till Sawala is an astrophysicist at the University of Helsinki.Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

Sponsor Details:This episode is brought to you with the support of Insta360 - the leaders in 360 degree video. To check out the range and grab your special SpaceTime bonus, visit store.insta360.com and use the coupon code SpaceTime at checkout.In this episode of SpaceTime, we delve into groundbreaking advancements in our understanding of gravity, the intriguing thermal characteristics of the Moon, and the discovery of white dwarf pulsars.A New Theory of GravityScientists have proposed a revolutionary new theory of gravity that brings us closer to the long-sought theory of everything. This quantum theory of gravity aims to unify gravity with the fundamental forces of nature, offering potential solutions to some of the most profound questions in physics, including the nature of dark matter and dark energy. We explore the implications of this theory and how it could reshape our understanding of the universe's origins and the behavior of black holes.The Moon's Hot SideRecent findings suggest that the Moon's near side is significantly hotter than its far side, with temperatures reaching up to 170 degrees Celsius higher. This research, based on data from NASA's GRAIL mission, reveals how geological differences between the lunar sides could be attributed to thermal variations in the Moon's mantle. We discuss the potential for these methods to enhance our understanding of other celestial bodies, including Mars and the moons of Jupiter and Saturn.White Dwarf Pulsars: A Stellar DiscoveryAstronomers have made a remarkable discovery of a white dwarf star that emits radio pulses, challenging the notion that only neutron stars can produce such signals. This discovery, reported in Nature Astronomy, opens up new avenues for understanding pulsar mechanisms and their sources across the Milky Way. We examine the significance of this finding and what it means for our knowledge of stellar evolution.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesReports on Progress in Physicshttps://iopscience.iop.org/journal/0034-4885Naturehttps://www.nature.com/nature/Nature Astronomyhttps://www.nature.com/natureastronomy/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-space-astronomy--2458531/support.00:00 This is Space Time Series 28, Episode 65 for broadcast on 30 May 202501:00 New theory of gravity12:15 The Moon's thermal characteristics22:30 Discovery of white dwarf pulsars30:00 Skywatch: June night skies and the Taurids meteor shower

In a recent paper published in Nature Astronomy entitled “Surveys of the scientific community on the existence of extraterrestrial life”  Dr. Peter Vickers and his team of 10 co-authors report the results  of their survey of the lead authors for the past 10 years in the top three astro-biological journals.  These researchers sought to measure if their sample group of scientists thought it likely that 1) simple life,  and/or 2 ) life more complex than terrestrial bacteria, and/or 3) Intelligent life comparable or superior to human beings exists outside of Earth.

Sponsor Links:NordVPN - For the special SpaceTime NordVPN deal with extra free months, a huge discount and 30 day money back guarantee visit www.nordvpn.com/stuartgaryInsta360 X5 Camera. To bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code "spacetime", available for the first 30 standard package purchases only.This episode of SpaceTime dives deep into the cosmos, revealing groundbreaking insights into the origins of heavy elements and the geological history of Mars.First, we explore a revolutionary study that uncovers how giant exploding stars produce uranium and other heavy elements. Researchers are now investigating gamma-ray burst jets and the surrounding cocoon formed by collapsed stars. This new framework suggests that high-energy photons can dissolve stellar material into neutrons, leading to the creation of heavy elements through a rapid neutron capture process. We discuss the implications of these findings and how they challenge long-held beliefs about nucleosynthesis in the universe.Shattering Beliefs About Asteroid VestaNext, we turn our attention to the asteroid Vesta, where a recent study published in Nature Astronomy reveals that its interior structure is far more uniform than previously thought. This discovery has led scientists to reconsider Vesta's identity, proposing that it may simply be a large asteroid rather than a protoplanet. We examine the research that challenges decades of assumptions about Vesta's formation and its role in understanding the early solar system.Did It Rain or Snow on Ancient Mars?Finally, we investigate the ancient climate of Mars, with a new study suggesting that geological formations on the planet were shaped by heavy precipitation, indicating a warmer and wetter past. This research utilizes computer simulations to analyze how rain and snow may have contributed to the development of Martian valleys and channels. We discuss the significance of these findings and their implications for our understanding of Mars's climatic history.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesAstrophysical Journalhttps://iopscience.iop.org/journal/0004-637XNature Astronomyhttps://www.nature.com/natureastronomy/Journal of Geophysical Research Planetshttps://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/21699356Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-space-astronomy--2458531/support.00:00 New study provides clues explaining how exploding stars produce uranium and other heavy elements06:21 New study suggests giant asteroid Vesta is really just a big asteroid15:19 New study suggests heavy precipitation likely fed valleys on ancient Mars19:49 A new study warns that microplastic pollution could compromise ocean carbon22:17 More than 31,000 passwords belonging to Australian banks have been stolen24:47 Space Time is available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through bitesz.com

Sponsor Details:Insta360 X5 Camera. To bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code "spacetime", available for the first 30 standard package purchases only.This episode of SpaceTime explores fascinating new discoveries and urgent updates from the cosmos.First, astronomers have identified a vast molecular gas and dust cloud named Eos, located just 300 light years away from Earth. This remarkable finding, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, marks the first detection of a molecular cloud using far ultraviolet emissions of molecular hydrogen. Eos, which is composed primarily of hydrogen, presents unique opportunities for studying the interstellar medium and the processes of star formation. We discuss the implications of this discovery and how it could reshape our understanding of molecular clouds across the galaxy.Jupiter's Polar Cyclones Under the MicroscopeNext, we delve into the latest revelations from NASA's Juno mission, which is providing new insights into Jupiter's ferocious polar cyclones and the volcanic activity on its moon Io. With fresh observations, scientists are uncovering the dynamics of Jupiter's atmosphere and the subsurface temperature profile of Io, shedding light on the gas giant's extreme weather patterns and the moon's geological activity.Out of Control Russian SpacecraftFinally, we discuss the impending re-entry of the Venera 8 spacecraft, a remnant of the Soviet era, which is expected to crash back to Earth on May 10. Launched in 1972, this spacecraft has been tumbling in low Earth orbit for over five decades. We examine the risks associated with its uncontrolled descent and the potential impact it may have upon re-entry.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesNature Astronomyhttps://www.nature.com/natureastronomy/NASA Juno Missionhttps://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/juno/main/index.htmlBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-space-astronomy--2458531/support.00:00 This is space Time Series 28, episode 54 for broadcast on the 5th May, 202500:48 Astronomers have discovered a vast invisible molecular, gas and dust cloud near Earth12:40 Two key experiments are needed to help us understand the origin of Jupiter15:42 A failed Soviet spacecraft designed to land on Venus is about to crash on Earth19:00 New study claims people who use cannabis have higher risk of heart attack21:12 New study claims ghost lanterns in South Carolina may be caused by earthquakes

What makes three very different conservation projects so successful? These experts say it's getting the community involved. And, archaeologists make a case for tracking and preserving artifacts left on Mars to chronicle humans' first attempts at interplanetary exploration.Meet 3 Leaders Addressing Local Conservation ProblemsWhile 2024 saw a lot of governments and institutions falling short on climate goals, there were also smaller, localized efforts making a big difference for the environment.To understand more about the creative ways that people are protecting nature, Science Friday began a newsletter series called “Tiny Nature Triumphs.” It highlights small conservation projects that have helped scientists and communities alike—and inspired people to get involved in solutions in their own backyard.SciFri Digital Producer Emma Gometz sits down with leaders on three projects featured in “Tiny Nature Triumphs”—Claire Lane, an urban ecologist and leader on the Hamilton County Invasive Species Trade In Program; Jake Rose, co-founder of Chronolog; and Shaun Preston, yardmaster at Camp Small. They discuss how their programs address local conservation problems, and how to get involved.A New Argument For Preserving ‘Space Junk' Left On MarsOver the past 60 years or so of space exploration, humans have left some things behind: bits of satellites, moon buggies, Mars rovers, even human excrement. It's all part of the countless bits of human-made material that some people have dubbed “space junk.”But what if, many, many years from now, archeologists wanted to trace the chronology of space exploration by examining the items we left in our wake? A new paper in the journal Nature Astronomy argues just this, that artifacts should be considered heritage, rather than trash.Lead author Dr. Justin Holcomb, assistant research professor at the University of Kansas, joins Ira to discuss shifting our mindset on “space junk.”Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the 2000-year-old device which transformed our understanding of astronomy in ancient Greece. In 1900 a group of sponge divers found the wreck of a ship off the coast of the Greek island of Antikythera. Among the items salvaged was a corroded bronze object, the purpose of which was not at first clear. It turned out to be one of the most important discoveries in marine archaeology. Over time, researchers worked out that it was some kind of astronomical analogue computer, the only one to survive from this period as bronze objects were so often melted down for other uses. In recent decades, detailed examination of the Antikythera Mechanism using the latest scientific techniques indicates that it is a particularly intricate tool for showing the positions of planets, the sun and moon, with a complexity and precision not surpassed for over a thousand years.With Mike Edmunds Emeritus Professor of Astrophysics at Cardiff UniversityJo Marchant Science journalist and author of 'Decoding the Heavens' on the Antikythera MechanismAnd Liba Taub Professor Emerita in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge and Visiting Scholar at the Deutsches Museum, MunichProducer: Simon Tillotson In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio ProductionReading list:Derek de Solla Price, Gears from the Greeks: The Antikythera Mechanism (American Philosophical Society Press, 1974)M. G. Edmunds, ‘The Antikythera mechanism and the mechanical universe' (Contemp. Phys. 55, 2014) M.G. Edmunds, 'The Mechanical Universe' (Astronomy & Geophysics, 64, 2023)James Evans and J. Lennart Berggren, Geminos's Introduction to the Phenomena: A Translation and Study of a Hellenistic Survey of Astronomy (Princeton University Press, 2006)T. Freeth et al., ‘Calendars with Olympiad display and eclipse prediction on the Antikythera mechanism' (Nature 454, 2008)Alexander Jones, A Portable Cosmos: Revealing the Antikythera Mechanism, Scientific Wonder of the Ancient World (Oxford University Press, 2017)Jo Marchant, Decoding the Heavens: Solving the Mystery of the World's First Computer (Windmill Books, 2009)J.H. Seiradakis and M.G. Edmunds, ‘Our current knowledge of the Antikythera Mechanism' (Nature Astronomy 2, 2018)Liba Taub, Ancient Greek and Roman Science: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2022)

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the 2000-year-old device which transformed our understanding of astronomy in ancient Greece. In 1900 a group of sponge divers found the wreck of a ship off the coast of the Greek island of Antikythera. Among the items salvaged was a corroded bronze object, the purpose of which was not at first clear. It turned out to be one of the most important discoveries in marine archaeology. Over time, researchers worked out that it was some kind of astronomical analogue computer, the only one to survive from this period as bronze objects were so often melted down for other uses. In recent decades, detailed examination of the Antikythera Mechanism using the latest scientific techniques indicates that it is a particularly intricate tool for showing the positions of planets, the sun and moon, with a complexity and precision not surpassed for over a thousand years.With Mike Edmunds Emeritus Professor of Astrophysics at Cardiff UniversityJo Marchant Science journalist and author of 'Decoding the Heavens' on the Antikythera MechanismAnd Liba Taub Professor Emerita in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge and Visiting Scholar at the Deutsches Museum, MunichProducer: Simon Tillotson In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio ProductionReading list:Derek de Solla Price, Gears from the Greeks: The Antikythera Mechanism (American Philosophical Society Press, 1974)M. G. Edmunds, ‘The Antikythera mechanism and the mechanical universe' (Contemp. Phys. 55, 2014) M.G. Edmunds, 'The Mechanical Universe' (Astronomy & Geophysics, 64, 2023)James Evans and J. Lennart Berggren, Geminos's Introduction to the Phenomena: A Translation and Study of a Hellenistic Survey of Astronomy (Princeton University Press, 2006)T. Freeth et al., ‘Calendars with Olympiad display and eclipse prediction on the Antikythera mechanism' (Nature 454, 2008)Alexander Jones, A Portable Cosmos: Revealing the Antikythera Mechanism, Scientific Wonder of the Ancient World (Oxford University Press, 2017)Jo Marchant, Decoding the Heavens: Solving the Mystery of the World's First Computer (Windmill Books, 2009)J.H. Seiradakis and M.G. Edmunds, ‘Our current knowledge of the Antikythera Mechanism' (Nature Astronomy 2, 2018)Liba Taub, Ancient Greek and Roman Science: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2022)