

SpaceTime: Your Guide to Space & Astronomy
Stuart Gary
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 19, 2024 • 24min
S27E87: NASA's Speed Demon, China's Space Secrets, and Radio Vision of the Universe
Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 87, where we delve into the latest cosmic events and advancements in space exploration.**NASA's Parker Solar Probe**: NASA's Parker Solar Probe has just completed its 20th close approach to the Sun, setting a new record as the fastest man-made object ever built. Achieving perihelion at a distance of 7.26 million kilometres from the Sun's surface, the probe travelled at an astonishing 635,266 kilometres per hour. This milestone marks the midpoint of the mission's 20th solar encounter, with more close approaches planned for the future.- **China's Secretive Space Plane**: China's highly secretive reusable space plane has released another mysterious spacecraft into orbit. The experimental spacecraft, named Sheng Long or "Divine Dragon," has been in orbit for nearly 200 days on its third mission. Launched aboard a Long March 2F rocket, the space plane's activities remain shrouded in mystery, with speculation about its sub-satellite designed for proximity and recapture spy manoeuvres.- **Seeing the Universe in Radio Waves**: Back in 2016, the Murchison Widefield Array telescope in Western Australia provided a glimpse of the universe as it would appear if human eyes could see radio waves. The GLEAM survey catalogued around 300,000 galaxies, revealing the remnants of distant star explosions, galaxy collisions, and the activities of supermassive black holes. This groundbreaking research offers invaluable insights into the universe's structure and the physics of distant galaxies.00:00:00 " This is spacetime series 27, episode 87, for broadcast on 19 July 202400:00:46 " NASA's Parker solar probe just completed its 20th close approach to the sun00:05:03 " Large scale radio surveys like Gleam are extremely valuable to scientists00:10:44 " I have student looking for transient m objects in our survey00:16:27 " A new study claims modern dingoes share very little ancestry with other breeds00:18:11 " New research finds people who invest in cryptocurrency more likely to hold fringe viewsFollow our cosmic conversations on X @stuartgary, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the universe, one episode at a time.Sponsor Offer: This episode is proudly supported by NordVPN. Secure your digital journey across the cosmos with a VPN service you can trust. Find your stellar security solution at https://www.bitesz.com/nordvpnListen to SpaceTime on your favourite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.Support SpaceTime:Become a supporter of SpaceTime: https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/support/www.bitesz.com

Jul 17, 2024 • 24min
S27E86: Neutron Star Mysteries, Red Sprites from Space, and Hurricane Beryl's Fury
Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 86, where we explore the latest cosmic events and advancements in space exploration.First, new sophisticated computer models are giving scientists a glimpse inside neutron stars, revealing that these exotic objects might be made of nuclear pasta. Discover how atomic nuclei, protons, and neutrons deform into plates and strings under extreme conditions, providing new insights into the densest objects in the universe, second only to black holes.- Next, the crew aboard the International Space Station captures stunning images of red sprites, ephemeral and little-understood bolts of lightning occurring high above thunderstorm clouds. Learn about the fascinating phenomenon of sprites, blue jets, and elves, and how these transient luminous events are studied from space.- Finally, we delve into the observations of Hurricane Beryl, the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2024 season. With deadly winds and extreme storm surges, Beryl's rapid intensification was monitored by NASA and NOAA satellites, providing crucial data for early warnings and highlighting the ongoing impact of climate change on tropical cyclones.Follow our cosmic conversations on X @stuartgary, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the universe, one episode at a time.Sponsor Offer:This episode is proudly supported by NordVPN. Secure your digital journey across the cosmos with a VPN service you can trust. Find your stellar security solution at https://www.bitesz.com/nordvpn.Listen to SpaceTime on your favourite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.Support SpaceTime:Become a supporter of SpaceTime: https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/support/www.bitesz.comFor an extra special deal from our sponsor, Malwarebytes - cyber security for everyone, visit www.bitesz.com/malwarebytes. For a very limited time, you get 50% off. You really don't want to miss this. It's one we use and swear by. It just works!

Jul 15, 2024 • 35min
S27E85: Mars' Icy Past, Ariane 6's Debut, and Starliner Stuck in Space
Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 85, where we explore the latest cosmic events and advancements in space exploration.- First, a groundbreaking new study suggests that Mars may have always been a cold, icy world, incapable of supporting life as we know it. This research, published in Communications Earth and Environment, challenges the long-held belief that the Red Planet was once warm and wet, potentially hospitable to life. By analysing Martian soils in Gale Crater, scientists found similarities to the cold, subarctic soils of Newfoundland in Canada, raising questions about Mars' ability to support life.- Next, Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket powers into space for the first time. After a decade of development and numerous delays, the Ariane 6 has finally launched, marking a new era for the European Space Agency's heavy-lift capabilities. This maiden flight from the Kourou Spaceport in French Guiana carried 18 satellites, demonstrating the rocket's versatility and potential for increased launch capacity.- Finally, the crew of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft remains aboard the International Space Station, but NASA insists they are not marooned. Despite experiencing thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, the crew is confident in their return home. NASA and Boeing are working diligently to resolve the issues, with a potential return date set for late July.- Follow our cosmic conversations on X @stuartgary, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the universe, one episode at a time.- Sponsor Offer:This episode is proudly supported by NordVPN. Secure your digital journey across the cosmos with a VPN service you can trust. Find your stellar security solution at https://www.bitesz.com/nordvpn.- Listen to SpaceTime on your favourite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.Support SpaceTime:www.bitesz.com

Jul 12, 2024 • 25min
S27E84: Black Hole Simulations, Uranus Mission, and Chinese Rocket Mishap
Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 84, where we delve into the latest cosmic discoveries and space exploration advancements. - First, new ultra-high-resolution cosmology simulations are shaking up long-held beliefs about how supermassive black holes grow and evolve. These simulations reveal that magnetic fields play a far more significant role than previously thought, propping up and shaping the accretion discs that feed these monstrous objects. Discover how these findings are bridging the gap between large-scale cosmic phenomena and the intricate details of star formation.-- Next, we explore a proposed new NASA flagship mission to study Uranus, one of the solar system's most mysterious ice giants. This mission aims to uncover the secrets behind Uranus' unusual magnetic field, its many moons, and its rings, providing insights left unanswered since the Voyager 2 flybys nearly 50 years ago.- Finally, a Chinese rocket launches unexpectedly during a static engine test, leading to a dramatic explosion. Learn about the mishap and its implications for the commercial space company Space Pioneer.Follow our cosmic conversations on X @stuartgary, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the universe, one episode at a time.Sponsor OfferThis episode is proudly supported by NordVPN. Secure your digital journey across the cosmos with a password manager you can trust. Find your stellar security solution at https://www.bitesz.com/nordvpn.Listen to SpaceTime on your favourite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.Support SpaceTimeBecome a supporter of SpaceTime: https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/support/www.bitesz.comFor an extra special deal from our sponsor, Malwarebytes - cyber security for everyone, visit www.bitesz.com/malwarebytes ....but be quick. For a very limited time you get 50% off. You really don't want to miss this. It's one we use and swear by. It just works!

Jul 10, 2024 • 26min
S27E83: Ancient Galaxies Surprise, Mars Odyssey's Record, and SpaceX's ISS Mission
Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 83, where we explore the latest cosmic events and advancements in space exploration. First, NASA's Webb Space Telescope has identified luminous, very red objects from the early universe, challenging conventional models of galaxy and supermassive black hole formation. These mysterious objects, dating back to 600-800 million years after the Big Bang, contain ancient stars and massive black holes, suggesting an unexpectedly rapid formation in the young universe. The findings, published in the Astrophysical Journal, reveal that these objects are galaxies more than 13 billion years old, packed with stars and supermassive black holes far larger than those in our Milky Way galaxy. Next, NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft has set a new record with 100,000 orbits around the red planet. This 23-year-old orbiter has been instrumental in mapping Mars' surface, identifying landing sites, and relaying data from rovers and landers. A recent image of Olympus Mons, the tallest volcano in the solar system, offers stunning new insights into the Martian atmosphere, showcasing layers of dust and water ice clouds.Finally, SpaceX has been selected to deorbit and destroy the International Space Station (ISS) in 2030. The ISS, launched in 1998, has provided humanity's first permanent habitation in space. SpaceX will develop a specialised orbital tug to lower the ISS in a controlled re-entry, ensuring most of it burns up in the atmosphere, with remnants splashing down in the remote Point Nemo.Sponsor Offer: This episode is proudly supported by Malwarebytes....online security at it's most effective. Secure your digital journey across the cosmos with a service you can trust to find and crush all the 'nasties'. Find your stellar security solution at https://www.bitesz.com/malwarebytes...and note....for a very limited time you get Malwarebytes for 50% off!Listen to SpaceTime on your favourite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.Support SpaceTime: Become a supporter of SpaceTime: https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/support/www.bitesz.com

Jul 8, 2024 • 33min
S27E82: Space Station's Debris Emergency, Daily Meteor Strikes on Mars, and Alien Tech Dismissed
Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 82, where we explore the latest cosmic events and groundbreaking discoveries in space exploration.First, a space debris emergency aboard the International Space Station. The crew was ordered to take shelter after ground-based radar detected a large cloud of debris from a disused Russian satellite. The debris was tracked by the new Western Australian space radar station operated by LeoLabs, highlighting the growing problem of space junk and its impact on the ISS.Next, a new study reveals that Mars is hit by meteors on a daily basis. Using seismic data from NASA's Mars InSight lander, scientists have determined that between 280 and 360 meteors strike the Red Planet each year, forming impact craters greater than eight meters across. This discovery offers new insights into Martian impact rates and the planet's geological history.Finally, claims of alien technology discovered on the seafloor near Australia have been dismissed. Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb's controversial expedition retrieved tiny iron spheres, but further analysis showed no evidence of interstellar origin. The scientific community remains skeptical, emphasizing the need for extraordinary evidence to support extraordinary claims.Follow our cosmic conversations on X @stuartgary, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the universe, one episode at a time.Sponsor Offer:This episode is proudly supported by NordVPN. Secure your digital journey across the cosmos with a VPN service you can trust. Find your stellar security solution at https://www.bitesz.com/nordvpn.Listen to SpaceTime on your favourite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.comwww.bitesz.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.

Jul 5, 2024 • 42min
S27E81: Jupiter's Lava Lakes, Mars Rover's Ancient Riverbed, and Space Tourism Health Risks
Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 81, where we delve into the latest discoveries and advancements in space exploration.First, new observations from NASA's Juno spacecraft reveal that Jupiter's volcanic moon Io is covered in lakes of molten lava. These findings, published in Communications Earth and Environments, provide a fuller picture of Io's extensive volcanic activity and offer new insights into the volcanic processes at work on this ancient, violent world. Io, slightly larger than Earth's moon, is the most volcanically active world in our solar system due to the gravitational forces from its neighboring Jovian moons and Jupiter itself. Juno's recent flybys have captured high-resolution infrared images showing bright rings surrounding numerous hotspots, indicating that much of Io's surface is covered in lava lakes with caldera-like features.Next, NASA's Mars Perseverance rover has crossed an ancient Martian riverbed in the Jezero Crater, reaching the Bright Angel geological site earlier than expected. This route provided a treasure trove of geological features, including rocks with diverse textures and compositions. Perseverance's exploration of this ancient river channel offers new clues about Mars' geological history and the processes that shaped its surface.Finally, we examine whether space tourism is healthy. New research published in the Journal of the Frontiers of Physiology warns that wealthy, unhealthy individuals venturing into space may face increased health risks, such as pulmonary edema, due to the effects of microgravity on the heart. The study suggests that future space tourists might need to send a digital twin of themselves into virtual space to test their bodies' responses before embarking on the real journey.July Skywatch: What to look for in the night skies throughtout the the month of July with Sky & Telescopes Jonathan Nally.Follow our cosmic conversations on X @stuartgary, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the universe, one episode at a time.Sponsor OfferThis episode is proudly supported by NordVPN. Secure your digital journey across the cosmos with a VPN service you can trust. Find your stellar security solution at https://www.bitesz.com/nordvpn.Listen to SpaceTime on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.Support SpaceTimeBecome a supporter of SpaceTime: https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/support/www.bitesz.com

Jul 3, 2024 • 27min
S27E80: Asteroids' Close Calls, Mars Colonization Plans, and Space Workouts on Earth
Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 80, where we uncover the latest cosmic events and advancements in space exploration.First, the European Space Agency reports a rare occurrence of two large asteroids swooping past Earth within 42 hours. One of these, 2024 MK, was only discovered two weeks before its close encounter, highlighting the need for improved detection of potentially hazardous near-Earth objects (NEOs). We delve into the details of these celestial visitors and their implications for planetary defense.Next, we explore the challenges and solutions for sustaining human life on Mars. Scientists at Utah State University are working on a NASA-funded project to develop self-sustainability strategies for future Mars missions. Discover how researchers are optimizing food production and plant-based therapeutics to support long-term habitation on the Red Planet.Finally, we look at how astronauts maintain fitness in microgravity and how similar workouts can be practiced on Earth. Researchers have found innovative ways to recreate Earth-like forces using centrifugal force, providing insights into maintaining physical health during space missions.Follow our cosmic conversations on X @stuartgary, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the universe, one episode at a time.Sponsor Offer: This episode is proudly supported by NordPass. Secure your digital journey across the cosmos with a password manager you can trust. Find your stellar security solution at https://www.bitesz.com/nordpass.Listen to SpaceTime on your favourite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.Support SpaceTime: Become a supporter of SpaceTime: https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/support/www.bitesz.com

Jul 1, 2024 • 33min
S27E79: First Stars and Galaxies, China's Lunar Sample Return, and Rocket Lab's 50th Launch
Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 79, where we uncover the latest groundbreaking developments in space exploration and astronomy.First, astronomers have discovered ancient star clusters in a galaxy dating back to near the dawn of time. These clusters, detected using gravitational lensing and the powerful near-infrared camera aboard the Webb Space Telescope, represent the earliest evidence of how the first stars and galaxies formed. The findings, published in Nature, suggest these clusters could be the seeds for the very first globular star clusters.Next, China has successfully completed its historic Chang'e-6 mission, returning samples from the far side of the moon. The mission, which targeted the moon's South Pole-Aitken Basin, has brought back 1,935.3 grams of lunar regolith. These samples are expected to provide new insights into the geological differences between the near and far sides of the moon.Finally, Rocket Lab celebrates a milestone with the successful launch of its 50th Electron rocket. This mission, named "No Time to Lose," deployed five satellites for the French Internet of Things company Kineis, marking a significant achievement in the company's rapid evolution.Follow our cosmic conversations on X @stuartgary, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the universe, one episode at a time.Sponsor OfferThis episode is proudly supported by NordPass. Secure your digital journey across the cosmos with a password manager you can trust. Find your stellar security solution at https://www.bitesz.com/nordpass.Listen to SpaceTime on your favourite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.Support SpaceTimeBecome a supporter of SpaceTime: https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/support/www.bitesz.com

Jun 28, 2024 • 28min
S27E78: Unveiling Rogue Planets, Hera's Demos Flyby, and Voyager 1's Science Reboot
Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 78, where we delve into the latest discoveries and missions in the vast expanse of space.First, the European Space Agency's Euclid Space Telescope has discovered seven more rogue planets in the darkness of interstellar space. These gas giants, each with at least four times the mass of Jupiter, were detected in the direction of the Orion Nebula. The study also confirmed the existence of dozens of other previously detected rogue planets, including four binaries. These lonely worlds, flung out of their original star systems, wander unbound through space, presenting a fascinating prospect for future research.Next, mission managers have announced that the European Space Agency's upcoming Hera mission will utilize a Mars flyby next March to study the Martian moon Demos. This maneuver will provide the necessary velocity to reach the Didymos binary asteroid system. Hera, together with cubesats Juventus and Milani, will closely examine the impact of NASA's DART spacecraft on Dimorphos, gathering essential data on its composition and structure.Finally, NASA's Voyager 1 is back, returning science data from all four of its instruments after overcoming a major technical failure. The spacecraft, the most distant man-made object in existence, had lost normal communications but is now once again providing valuable insights into interstellar space.Follow our cosmic conversations on X @stuartgary, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the universe, one episode at a time.Sponsor OfferThis episode is proudly supported by NordPass. Secure your digital journey across the cosmos with a password manager you can trust. Find your stellar security solution at https://www.bitesz.com/nordpass.Listen to SpaceTime on your favourite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.Support SpaceTimeBecome a supporter of SpaceTime: https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/support/www.bitesz.com