Astronomy Daily: Space News Updates Runaway Black Hole Confirmed, Mercury Still Active & 2032 Moon Impact Risk
Jan 29, 2026
20:16
Join hosts Anna and Avery for an exciting journey through today's most compelling space stories. We explore Mercury's surprising geological activity, NASA's TESS satellite recovery, a frigid Earth-like exoplanet discovery, an accelerated ISS crew launch, runaway black holes tearing through space, and the scientific opportunities of a potential lunar asteroid impact in 2032.
### Episode Highlights
**Mercury's Hidden Activity**
New research reveals that Mercury, long considered geologically dead, is still actively losing volatile materials from its interior. Using AI analysis of 100,000 MESSENGER images, scientists have mapped 400 bright slope streaks that indicate ongoing geological processes. The BepiColombo mission will provide unprecedented new data when it arrives at Mercury.
**TESS Satellite Recovery**
NASA's planet-hunting TESS satellite recently entered safe mode after a command error caused solar panel misalignment. The spacecraft successfully recovered, demonstrating the importance of built-in safeguards. NASA is reviewing procedures to prevent future incidents.
**Ice-Cold Earth Twin**
Astronomers have discovered HD 137010 b, an Earth-like exoplanet 146 light-years away that could be as cold as minus 90°F. Despite frigid temperatures, it orbits within its star's habitable zone, offering insights into the diversity of potentially habitable worlds.
**Crew-12 Launch Advanced**
SpaceX and NASA have moved up the Crew-12 launch to February 11, four days earlier than planned, to provide relief for the three-person skeleton crew managing the ISS after the first-ever medical evacuation from the station.
**Runaway Black Holes Confirmed**
The James Webb Space Telescope has confirmed the first runaway supermassive black hole, ejected from its galaxy and leaving a 200,000 light-year trail of newborn stars. Traveling at 1,600 km/s, this discovery validates 50-year-old theoretical predictions.
**Moon Impact Opportunity**
Asteroid 2024 YR4 has a 4% chance of striking the Moon on December 22, 2032. While posing risks to satellites and Earth, such an impact would provide unprecedented scientific data on lunar geology, create spectacular meteor displays, and deliver free lunar samples to Earth.
### Featured Stories
1. **Mercury Still Geologically Active** - University of Bern researchers discover 400 bright streaks indicating ongoing volatile loss (Source: Space Daily)
2. **TESS Satellite Command Error** - NASA's exoplanet hunter recovers from safe mode after solar panel misalignment (Source: Daily Galaxy)
3. **Frigid Earth-Like Planet Discovery** - HD 137010 b joins the search for Earth's twin despite extreme cold (Source: Daily Galaxy)
4. **ISS Crew-12 Launch Moved Up** - February 11 launch provides relief after historic medical evacuation (Source: Space.com)
5. **First Confirmed Runaway Black Hole** - JWST observations validate theoretical predictions with stunning stellar trail (Source: Phys.org/Science Sources)
6. **Asteroid 2024 YR4 Lunar Impact** - 4% chance creates scientific opportunity and satellite risk in 2032 (Source: Universe Today)
### Hosts
Anna and Avery
### Links & Resources
- Website: astronomydaily.io
- Social Media: @AstroDailyPod (X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube)
- Subscribe for daily space news and updates
Become 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 Here
This episode includes AI-generated content.
### Episode Highlights
**Mercury's Hidden Activity**
New research reveals that Mercury, long considered geologically dead, is still actively losing volatile materials from its interior. Using AI analysis of 100,000 MESSENGER images, scientists have mapped 400 bright slope streaks that indicate ongoing geological processes. The BepiColombo mission will provide unprecedented new data when it arrives at Mercury.
**TESS Satellite Recovery**
NASA's planet-hunting TESS satellite recently entered safe mode after a command error caused solar panel misalignment. The spacecraft successfully recovered, demonstrating the importance of built-in safeguards. NASA is reviewing procedures to prevent future incidents.
**Ice-Cold Earth Twin**
Astronomers have discovered HD 137010 b, an Earth-like exoplanet 146 light-years away that could be as cold as minus 90°F. Despite frigid temperatures, it orbits within its star's habitable zone, offering insights into the diversity of potentially habitable worlds.
**Crew-12 Launch Advanced**
SpaceX and NASA have moved up the Crew-12 launch to February 11, four days earlier than planned, to provide relief for the three-person skeleton crew managing the ISS after the first-ever medical evacuation from the station.
**Runaway Black Holes Confirmed**
The James Webb Space Telescope has confirmed the first runaway supermassive black hole, ejected from its galaxy and leaving a 200,000 light-year trail of newborn stars. Traveling at 1,600 km/s, this discovery validates 50-year-old theoretical predictions.
**Moon Impact Opportunity**
Asteroid 2024 YR4 has a 4% chance of striking the Moon on December 22, 2032. While posing risks to satellites and Earth, such an impact would provide unprecedented scientific data on lunar geology, create spectacular meteor displays, and deliver free lunar samples to Earth.
### Featured Stories
1. **Mercury Still Geologically Active** - University of Bern researchers discover 400 bright streaks indicating ongoing volatile loss (Source: Space Daily)
2. **TESS Satellite Command Error** - NASA's exoplanet hunter recovers from safe mode after solar panel misalignment (Source: Daily Galaxy)
3. **Frigid Earth-Like Planet Discovery** - HD 137010 b joins the search for Earth's twin despite extreme cold (Source: Daily Galaxy)
4. **ISS Crew-12 Launch Moved Up** - February 11 launch provides relief after historic medical evacuation (Source: Space.com)
5. **First Confirmed Runaway Black Hole** - JWST observations validate theoretical predictions with stunning stellar trail (Source: Phys.org/Science Sources)
6. **Asteroid 2024 YR4 Lunar Impact** - 4% chance creates scientific opportunity and satellite risk in 2032 (Source: Universe Today)
### Hosts
Anna and Avery
### Links & Resources
- Website: astronomydaily.io
- Social Media: @AstroDailyPod (X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube)
- Subscribe for daily space news and updates
Become 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 Here
This episode includes AI-generated content.