SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 156
Superflares: A Century-Long Threat?
A new study warns of the potential for our Sun to unleash superflares, with the threat estimated at once per century. These massive eruptions could engulf the Earth, challenging our understanding of solar behaviour. Evidence from other sun-like stars suggests that such violent solar events may be more common than previously thought, urging caution as we continue to study these phenomena.
Binary Star Discovery Near Galactic Core
Astronomers have identified the first binary star system near Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy. This discovery, made using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, offers new insights into how stars can survive in extreme gravitational environments. The findings could pave the way for detecting planets orbiting close to this massive black hole.
NASA's Lucy Mission: Onward to Jupiter
NASA's Lucy spacecraft has completed its second close flyby of Earth, gaining a gravity assist to propel it towards Jupiter's Trojan asteroids. This manoeuvre is part of Lucy's 12-year mission to study these ancient celestial bodies, believed to be remnants from the early solar system. The spacecraft's journey promises to unlock new secrets about the formation of our planetary neighbourhood.
00:00 This is Spacetime Series 27, episode 156 for broadcast on 27th December 2024
00:48 New observations suggest our sun may be far more violent than previously thought
05:17 Astronomers detect binary star system near supermassive black hole
08:49 NASA's Lucy spacecraft makes second close flyby of the Earth
10:37 NASA's Lucy mission is heading to the Jupiter Trojans
12:26 Sea ice levels in the ocean surrounding Antarctica reach new record lows in 2023
13:52 A new study claims drinking moderate amounts of wine can ward off heart disease
15:05 There are headlines saying believing in Loch Ness monster makes you less stressed
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✍️ Episode References
NASA Lucy spacecraft
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/lucy/overview/index.html
Max Planck Institute
https://www.mpg.de/en
European Southern Observatory
https://www.eso.org/public/
Kepler space telescope
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html
Nature Communications
https://www.nature.com/ncomms/
British Medical Journal
https://www.bmj.com/
European Heart Journal
https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj
Australian Sceptics
https://www.skeptics.com.au/

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