SpaceTime with Stuart Gary

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

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

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

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 77, where we explore the latest cosmic discoveries and advancements in space exploration.First, astronomers have discovered the earliest known pair of quasars in the process of merging. Reported in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, this discovery represents the earliest known merger of supermassive black holes, occurring just 900 million years after the Big Bang. This period, known as the cosmic dawn, is crucial for understanding the formation of the first stars and galaxies and the epoch of reionization.Next, NASA's Mars Perseverance rover has discovered oddly textured, popcorn-like rocks in a formation known as Bright Angel. These rocks suggest the presence of groundwater in Mars' past, and mission managers plan to conduct detailed exploration to uncover their origins.Finally, new insights into the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*, have been presented at the 244th meeting of the American Astronomical Society. Using decades of x-ray data, astronomers have uncovered previously undetected flares and echoes, providing valuable information about the black hole's environment and past activity.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

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 76, where we delve into the latest groundbreaking discoveries in planetary science and astronomy.First, scientists have uncovered evidence that fresh water existed on Earth about 4 billion years ago, pushing back the timeframe for the potential emergence of life by 500 million years. This discovery, based on zircon crystal analysis from the Jack Hills formation in Western Australia, challenges the long-held belief that Earth was entirely covered by oceans at that time. The study's findings suggest that fresh water and land masses existed much earlier, setting the stage for life to flourish.Next, new research indicates that the rotation of Earth's inner core has slowed down compared to the planet's surface. This discovery, reported in the journal Nature, shows that the inner core began to decelerate around 2010, moving slower than the Earth's mantle and crust for the first time in decades. The implications of this change are still being explored, but it may ultimately affect the length of the day.Finally, a new study suggests that Earth's encounter with dense interstellar clouds 2 million years ago may have significantly altered the planet's climate. The research, published in Nature Astronomy, posits that these clouds could have compressed the heliosphere, exposing Earth to increased levels of cosmic rays and altering its climatic conditions.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

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 75, where we explore the latest cosmic events and scientific advancements shaping our understanding of the universe.First, we delve into how Mars lit up during last month's spectacular solar storm. These solar events provided astronomers with unprecedented data, revealing the impact of solar flares and coronal mass ejections on the Red Planet. We discuss the implications for future human missions to Mars and the potential radiation exposure astronauts might face.Next, unexpected differences have been discovered in the thickness of the Milky Way galaxy's disk. New observations reveal that the inner part of the disk is only half as thick as the outer part, challenging our understanding of the galaxy's structure and evolution.Finally, scientists have developed a new atlas dealing with space health, covering the broad-ranging molecular changes and DNA damage experienced during spaceflight. This research is crucial for preparing for long-term lunar and Martian 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 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

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 74, where we explore the latest cosmic discoveries and advancements in space exploration.First, astronomers have discovered water frost on the solar system's tallest volcanoes, including Olympus Mons on Mars. This groundbreaking find challenges existing ideas about the red planet's climate dynamics and suggests the presence of water frost near the Martian equator for the first time. The study, led by Domus Valentinus, reveals that this frost is incredibly thin, likely only 100th of a millimeter thick, and consists of at least 150,000 tons of water that cycles between the surface and the atmosphere during the cold seasons.Next, we delve into the European Space Agency's Proba-3 mission, which aims to study the sun's outer atmosphere or corona. This innovative mission involves two spacecraft flying in formation to create an artificial solar eclipse, allowing for sustained study of the sun's faint coronal atmosphere. The mission will launch aboard an Indian PSLV rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre and will demonstrate the precise positioning of two orbiting platforms.Finally, Virgin Galactic has successfully completed its final space tourism flight before a two-year pause to upgrade its fleet. The Galactic 7 mission carried two pilots and two passengers to the edge of space, marking the end of operations for VSS Unity. The company will now focus on developing its next-generation Delta-class space planes, which are expected to enter commercial operations in 2026.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

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 73, where we delve into the latest cosmic discoveries and advancements shaping our understanding of the universe.First, astronomers have developed a new theory of dark matter to explain the mysterious dwarf galaxy Crater 2. Despite its proximity at 383,000 light-years from Earth and its large size—making it the fourth largest satellite galaxy orbiting the Milky Way—Crater 2 has a surprisingly low surface brightness and velocity dispersion. This has led scientists to propose the self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) theory, which may better account for the galaxy's unusual properties.Next, new research dismisses the idea of a lake under the Martian south polar ice cap. Instead, it suggests that the bright radar reflections previously interpreted as liquid water are likely due to resolution interference between radio waves. This finding, based on computer simulations, challenges the notion of subsurface liquid water on Mars.Finally, we highlight the development of a new daytime optical telescope, the Huntsman, which allows astronomers to observe celestial objects even when the sun is high overhead. This groundbreaking instrument, located at Siding Spring Observatory, uses an array of camera lenses designed for ultra-sensitive night sky observations but can also accurately measure stars and satellites during daylight.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.For more sponsor offers visit: https://www.bitesz.com/sponsors/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/

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 72, where we uncover the latest cosmic discoveries and scientific advancements.First, astronomers have discovered that a tiny moonlet orbiting the main belt asteroid Dinkinesh is actually two little moons melded together. Known as contact binaries, these moonlets could provide fresh insights into the complex processes behind planetary formation and evolution. We delve into the details of this fascinating discovery made by NASA's Lucy spacecraft.Next, we discuss the possibility of an underground ocean on Saturn's moon Mimas. Scientists speculate that as Mimas's orbital eccentricity decreased, its icy shell may have melted and thinned, leading to the formation of a subsurface ocean. This finding could have significant implications for our understanding of the Saturnian system.Finally, we highlight NASA's launch of its second pre-fire satellite into orbit aboard Rocket Lab's Electron rocket. These satellites are designed to study how much heat the Arctic and Antarctic are radiating out into space and how that's influencing global climates. We explore the mission's objectives and potential impact on climate science.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

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 71, where we delve into the latest cosmic events and technological advancements reshaping our understanding of the universe.First, we discuss NASA's announcement that the Hubble Space Telescope will begin winding back its science programme due to ongoing issues with its gyroscopes. This decision marks a significant transition for the historic observatory, which has revolutionised astronomical discovery since its launch in 1990.Next, we cover the long-awaited launch of Boeing's Starliner, which has finally taken a crew to the International Space Station. This milestone paves the way for Starliner to join SpaceX's Dragon in transporting crews to the orbiting outpost under NASA's commercial crew programme.Finally, we highlight NASA's OSIRIS Apex spacecraft's survival after a close encounter with the sun. This mission is essential for its upcoming rendezvous with the asteroid Apophis in 2029.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:If you'd like to support SpaceTime and access early release episodes, commercial-free...then look for us on Patreon or Supercast. Links on our website at spacetimewithstuart.comhttps://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/support/www.bitesz.com