Galactic Influences and Supermoons: Exploring Earth's Crust and Taikonaut Trials
(00:00:00) Galactic Influences and Supermoons: Exploring Earth's Crust and Taikonaut Trials
(00:00:42) Earth's geology written in the stars
(00:10:30) Taikonauts stranded in space following space junk impact
(00:12:38) Biggest Supermoon of the year
(00:14:59) The Science Report
(00:17:20) Skeptics guide to jogging big foots
In this episode of SpaceTime, we delve into fascinating intersections of geology and astronomy that could reshape our understanding of Earth's history and the cosmos.Earth's Geology Written in the StarsA groundbreaking study reveals a compelling connection between the structure of our Milky Way galaxy and the evolution of Earth's crust. Researchers from Curtin University have found that meteorite impacts, influenced by the solar system's journey through the galaxy, have played a significant role in shaping our planet's geology. The episode explores how ancient zircon crystals are providing a unique archive of Earth's interactions with the galaxy, suggesting that astrophysical processes may have directly influenced the continents beneath our feet and the conditions that made life possible.Taikonaut Stranded in SpaceIn a dramatic turn of events, three Chinese taikonauts are stranded in orbit after their Shenzhou 20 spacecraft was struck by suspected space junk just hours before their scheduled return to Earth. This segment discusses the implications of the impact, the ongoing assessments by mission managers, and the potential need for a replacement capsule to ensure the crew's safe return. The episode also reflects on past incidents involving space debris and the measures taken to protect the Tiangong Space Station.The Biggest Supermoon of the YearSkywatchers around the globe were treated to the biggest supermoon of the year, appearing 7% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon. This segment explains the science behind the phenomenon, including the moon's elliptical orbit and its impact on tides. We also discuss how the term "supermoon" became popularised and the frequency of such lunar events, with several more supermoons on the horizon.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesPhysical Reviewhttps://journals.aps.org/pr/Naturehttps://www.nature.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.Earth's Geology Written in the StarsTaikonaut Stranded in SpaceThe Biggest Supermoon of the YearEarth's Geology Written in the StarsTaikonaut Stranded in SpaceThe Biggest Supermoon of the Year
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Phosphine Mysteries and Lunar Returns: Unveiling Secrets of Wolf 1130C and the Moon
In this episode of SpaceTime, we explore remarkable discoveries and hypotheses that could redefine our understanding of planetary atmospheres and our journey back to the Moon.Phosphine Discovery in Brian Dwarf Wolf 1130CFor the first time, astronomers have detected phosphine in the atmosphere of the brown dwarf Wolf 1130C, raising intriguing questions about its presence and the chemistry of such celestial bodies. This discovery, reported in the journal Science, highlights the significance of phosphorus as a potential biosignature for life and challenges previous theories regarding the abundance of phosphine in other brown dwarfs and gas giants. The episode delves into the implications of this finding and what it means for our understanding of phosphorus chemistry in the universe.A New Hypothesis for Planetary Water FormationA groundbreaking hypothesis suggests that some planets may produce water during their formation through reactions between rocks and hydrogen under extreme pressure. This new perspective, discussed in the journal Nature, could explain the presence of liquid water on exoplanets located close to their host stars, challenging traditional views of water's origins. The episode examines the laboratory experiments that led to this hypothesis and its potential impact on our understanding of planetary habitability.Preparing for Humanity's Return to the MoonAs NASA gears up for the Artemis 2 mission, which aims to send humans around the Moon, we discuss the significance of returning to the lunar south pole. This area is believed to contain more water than any other region on the Moon, making it a crucial target for future exploration. The episode highlights the advancements in technology and international collaboration that will pave the way for a sustained human presence on the Moon, furthering our exploration of the solar system.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesSciencehttps://www.sciencemag.org/Naturehttps://www.nature.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.Phosphine Discovery in Brian Dwarf Wolf 1130CA New Hypothesis for Planetary Water FormationPreparing for Humanity's Return to the Moon
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Stellar Giants and Cosmic Mysteries: The Most Massive Black Hole Merger Yet
In this episode of SpaceTime, we dive into groundbreaking astronomical discoveries that challenge our understanding of the universe.The Most Massive Stellar Black Hole Merger Ever ObservedAstronomers have detected the most massive stellar black hole merger to date, cataloged as GW23 1123, which resulted in a black hole with a staggering mass of 225 times that of our Sun. This episode discusses the implications of this merger, observed by the LIGO Virgo Collaboration, and how it pushes the boundaries of current theories on black hole formation. The rapid spinning of the resulting black hole raises intriguing questions about the processes that lead to such massive objects in the cosmos.Unraveling the Mystery of Dark MatterCan radio telescopes and NASA's IMAP mission provide answers to the enigma of dark matter? New research suggests that during the cosmic dark ages, dark matter clumped together, pulling in hydrogen gas that emitted powerful radio waves. This segment explores how these signals could potentially illuminate the properties of dark matter, which remains one of the biggest mysteries in astrophysics.Navigating the Heliosphere with IMAPNASA's Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) is on a mission to study the heliosphere, the protective bubble created by the solar wind. As it travels towards its operational position, IMAP will provide unprecedented insights into the interactions between the solar wind and interstellar space, enhancing our understanding of space weather and its effects on our planet and future space exploration.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesNature Astronomyhttps://www.nature.com/natureastronomy/Proceedings of the National Academy of Scienceshttps://www.pnas.org/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.The Most Massive Stellar Black Hole Merger Ever ObservedUnraveling the Mystery of Dark MatterNavigating the Heliosphere with IMAP
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Interstellar Comet 3I Atlas and Hidden Ice: Unraveling Mysteries of Water and Galaxies
In this episode of SpaceTime, we explore a trio of intriguing astronomical phenomena that are reshaping our understanding of the cosmos.Interstellar Comet 3I Atlas: A Close EncounterInterstellar comet 3I Atlas has reached its perihelion, passing closest to the Sun without any signs of alien life forms, despite wild media speculation. This episode discusses how the comet maintained its expected trajectory and velocity, while also revealing groundbreaking findings from NASA's Swift Space Telescope, which detected ultraviolet signatures of water from the comet, providing new insights into the chemistry of interstellar objects and their potential to harbour the building blocks of life.A Colossal Gas Bridge Between Dwarf GalaxiesAstronomers have discovered a massive bridge of neutral hydrogen gas linking two dwarf galaxies, NGC 4532 and DDO 137, located approximately 53 million light years away. This remarkable structure spans an astonishing 185,000 light years and is accompanied by a vast tail of gas extending 1 million light years. The findings shed light on how galaxies interact and evolve, particularly in dense environments like the Virgo Cluster, and offer crucial insights into the dynamics of galactic gas and star formation.Volcanic Eruptions and Hidden Ice on MarsA new study suggests that explosive volcanic eruptions on ancient Mars may have transported water ice to the equatorial regions of the Red Planet. Using computer modelling, researchers propose that water vapour released during these eruptions could have frozen in the Martian atmosphere, leading to the accumulation of significant ice deposits. This discovery could have profound implications for future human exploration of Mars, as it raises questions about the availability of water resources in unexpected locations.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesAstrophysical Journal Lettershttps://iopscience.iop.org/journal/2041-8205Nature Communicationshttps://www.nature.com/naturecommunications/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.Interstellar Comet 3I Atlas: A Close EncounterA Colossal Gas Bridge Between Dwarf GalaxiesVolcanic Eruptions and Hidden Ice on Mars
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Martian Ice and Cosmic Shadows: Unveiling Life and Dark Matter Mysteries
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
Join host Stuart Gary for weekly explorations into Astronomy, Space, and Science News, featuring insights from 19 years on Australian Public Radio and industry experts.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.
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