Astronauts' Vision Crisis, South Korea's Lunar Leap, and the Cosmic Promises of the Roman Telescope

Unexpected Vision Changes in Space: Explore the startling phenomenon affecting approximately 70% of astronauts on long-duration missions, known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS). This episode delves into how microgravity impacts vision, leading to permanent changes, and the ongoing research by NASA to develop countermeasures to protect astronauts' eyesight during future missions, including to Mars.

- South Korea's Lunar Ambitions: Discover South Korea's ambitious plans to establish a lunar base by 2045, as outlined by the Korea Aerospace Administration. We discuss the nation's roadmap for lunar exploration, including the development of homegrown landing technology and resource utilisation, alongside their previous successes with the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter.

- The Nancy Chris Roman Telescope: Get excited about NASA's upcoming Nancy Chris Roman Telescope, set to launch no later than May 2027. This episode reveals how Roman could uncover tens of thousands of cosmic explosions, including supernovas and black hole events, while providing insights into dark energy and the evolution of stars.

- Alternate Apollo 11 Landing Sites: Take a fascinating journey back to the Apollo 11 mission, exploring the potential alternate landing sites that could have been chosen for humanity's first steps on the Moon. Learn about the rigorous selection process and the implications of these sites, offering a compelling glimpse into the meticulous planning behind this historic achievement.

For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTube Music, TikTok, and our new Instagram account! Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Thank you for tuning in. This is Anna signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.