S02E14: Sky-Watching Delights // Earth's Shifting Axis // Space Force Collaboration // Air Taxi Simulators

Welcome to Astronomy Daily for June 19, 2023. In today's episode, Hallie and Steve discuss various topics in astronomy. They start by mentioning the upcoming sky-watching events in the Northern Hemisphere, including the alignment of several planets, the moon, and Gemini. They provide details on where and when to observe these celestial phenomena. Next, they delve into a concerning study that reveals the impact of groundwater pumping on Earth's axis of spin. The displacement of a significant amount of water has caused a change in the planet's rotational pole. This finding raises questions about the long-term effects on climate change and seasonal weather patterns. Moving on, they highlight Space Force's efforts to partner with private companies and acquire new technologies through the newly opened office called Cosmic. This office aims to strengthen relationships between Space Force and the private sector to maintain space superiority and counter emerging threats. The hosts discuss the significance of this collaboration and the transition towards constellations of smaller, more expendable satellites. Lastly, they mention NASA's research on air taxi transportation and the development of a custom virtual reality flight simulator. This simulator aims to study passengers' physiological responses to various stimuli during air taxi flights. The data collected will help shape the design of electric air taxis and optimize passenger comfort. The episode concludes with a friendly farewell and reminders to tune in to upcoming episodes of Astronomy Daily and Space Nuts, their parent podcast. Listeners are encouraged to share their sky photographs and engage with the growing astronomy community. Overall, this episode covers a range of topics, including sky-watching events, the impact of groundwater pumping on Earth's axis, Space Force's collaboration with private companies, and NASA's research on air taxis.
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