Astronomy Daily: Space News Updates

Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to source for the latest in space and astronomy news. Today, we've got an exciting lineup of stories that will take you on a journey through some of the most intriguing recent updates in the cosmos. From SpaceX's remarkable new mission to hidden reservoirs of liquid water on Mars and a flurry of rocket launches, we've got it all covered for you. Plus, we'll delve into fascinating findings from the Gaia Space Telescope. So sit back, relax, and let's dive into today's stellar stories.- **SpaceX's Groundbreaking Polar Mission**: SpaceX has announced a privately financed mission that will send a diverse international crew of four around Earth's poles. This historic flight will feature a blockchain entrepreneur, a cinematographer, a polar adventurer, and a robotics researcher. Leading the team is Chun Wang, a well-known blockchain pioneer. The mission, named Fram II, will last between three to five Daily and aims to observe the ice caps and extreme polar environments from space for the first time. The Crew Dragon capsule will orbit Earth at altitudes between 265 and 280 miles, offering a unique vantage point for the crew.- **Hidden Water Reservoirs on Mars**: Recent studies using data from NASA's Mars InSight lander have indicated the presence of liquid water deep beneath the Martian surface. These findings suggest that Mars's subsurface could hold vast reservoirs of water, potentially even more extensive than previously thought. This discovery is monumental as water is a key ingredient for life. Researchers believe that microbial life could exist in these underground reservoirs, similar to Earth.- **Rocket Launch Roundup**: This week is packed with activity, featuring four major rocket launches. A Russian Soyuz rocket will make another resupply mission to the International Space Station, carrying approximately 2400 kg of vital supplies. The Indian Space Research Organization will achieve a significant milestone with the final certification flight of its new Small Satellite Launch Vehicle. SpaceX will also have a busy week with two Falcon 9 launches, including the WorldView Legion 3 and 4 mission and the Transporter-11 rideshare mission, carrying around 50 small payloads from various countries.- **Gaia Space Telescope's Discoveries**: The Gaia Space Telescope has identified more than 350 potential moons around asteroids, offering new insights into the dynamics of binary asteroid systems. This detection was achieved by observing the gravitational wobble in the light signals captured by Gaia. Lead author Luana Liberato and her team at the Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur in France spearheaded this innovative study. This discovery suggests that a significant fraction of asteroids in our solar system could have moons, reshaping our understanding of these celestial bodies.For more Astronomy Daily, including our continually updating newsfeed, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Follow us on social media at AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favorite platform.For more Space and Astronomy News Podcasts, visit our HQ at www.bitesz.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.

Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to Podcast for the latest news and updates in the world of astronomy and SpaceTime exploration. I'm your host, Andrew Dunkley, filling in for Steve. We've got an exciting lineup today, from NASA's Viper moon rover to the James Webb Space Telescope's black hole observations and more. So sit back, relax, and let's dive into today's top stories.- **NASA's Viper Moon Rover**: NASA is seeking help from U.S. companies and institutions for a mission involving the Viper moon rover, initially designed to map potential resources like ice at the Moon’s south pole. Although NASA has discontinued Viper, they are open to contributing it to a qualified partner. - **NASA's Scientific Balloon Programme**: NASA's annual fall campaign for its scientific balloon programme has begun at Fort Sumner, New Mexico. From mid-August to mid-October, eight balloons will be launched, supporting 16 missions across astrophysics, heliophysics, and atmospheric research. - **James Webb Space Telescope and Black Holes**: The James Webb Space Telescope has been observing supermassive black holes, shedding light on active galactic nuclei (AGN). Recent observations of a black hole in galaxy ESO 428-G14, about 70 million light-years away, revealed polar dust heated by energetic shockwaves from relativistic jets. .- **Rediscovery of Phosphine on Venus**: About four years ago, scientists announced the discovery of phosphine in Venus's atmosphere, sparking debates about potential life. Recently, using a new receiver on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope, the same team has reaffirmed the presence of phosphine, bolstering their confidence with 140 times more data than the initial detection. - **ESA's Juice Mission**: ESA's Jupiter Icy Moon Explorer (Juice) is set for a critical lunar-Earth flyby around August 19-20. This double gravity assist will adjust Juice's speed and direction for its journey to Jupiter via been listening. For more Astronomy Daily, including our continually updating newsfeed, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Follow us on social media at AstroDailyPod on X, facebook, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favourite platform.For more Space and Astronomy News podcasts, visit our HQ at www.bitesz.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.

Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to source for the latest in space and astronomy news. I'm your host, Anna. Today we've got some fascinating stories lined up that you won't want to miss. We'll be diving into SpaceX's recent breakthroughs, including the reveal and first firing of their latest Raptor 3 engine. We'll also cover major milestones from NASA, such as the significant progress made with the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Lastly, we'll discuss an exciting citizen science project from the European Space Agency that invites you to help classify thousands of newly imaged galaxies. So grab your telescopes and let's embark on this cosmic journey together.- **SpaceX's Raptor 3 Engine Reveal**: SpaceX had a bustling week revealing and firing the new Raptor 3 engine. This advanced engine significantly improves performance, packing a punch with 280 metric tons of thrust while being lighter than its predecessors. What makes Raptor 3 stand out is its internal design, where much of the external plumbing has been either moved inside or eliminated, allowing for higher pressure and efficiency. This marks a noteworthy evolution from the Raptor 2, which has been the workhorse of SpaceX's Starship program so far.- **SpaceX's Starship Preparations**: Meanwhile, SpaceX isn't just resting on its laurels. The company is deeply engaged in preparations for Flight 6 and is eagerly awaiting regulatory approval for Flight 5. These efforts include readiness checks and vital tests. Excitingly, this also involves operational tests with the Mechazilla chopsticks, a key mechanism designed to catch the Starship boosters as they return from space. The upcoming Flight 5 mission is on standby with both the ship and the booster cleared and ready pending final clearance. This highlights SpaceX's relentless push to refine its technologies and expand its capabilities, keeping the momentum going for future space endeavors.- **Starship Project Advancements**: SpaceX is also rapidly advancing in its Starship project. With Ship 33 nearing full assembly, only two sections remain to complete the first Block 2 ship: the bottom liquid oxygen tank section and the aft engine section. This new configuration will allow SpaceX to add around 300 extra tons of propellant, enhancing the ship's capabilities. In the meantime, major upgrades are underway for Booster 14.1. It's back at Orbital Launch Pad A for more testing, particularly focusing on the innovative Mechazilla chopsticks catch mechanism. These tests are crucial to ensuring the system can handle the instant loads required for successful booster recovery.- **NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope**: NASA has achieved a significant milestone with the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Recently, the deployable aperture cover, an essential component of the telescope, successfully passed rigorous environmental tests designed to simulate the challenging conditions it will face during launch and in space. This large sunshade is designed to keep unwanted light out of the telescope, ensuring the clarity and accuracy of its observations. - **ESA's Galaxy Classification Project**: The European Space Agency and Galaxy Zoo are calling for public participation to classify thousands of galaxies imaged by the Euclid Space Telescope. This citizen science project is perfect for astronomy enthusiasts who love to explore the cosmos and contribute to scientific research. - **Groundbreaking Sounding Rocket Mission**: A groundbreaking sounding rocket mission is set to study the sun as a star. This first-of-its-kind mission aims to observe the sun's behavior in an unprecedented way, potentially unlocking new insights into solar science. By utilizing a sounding rocket, scientists can gather unique data on solar activity that regular satellites and space telescopes might miss. For more Astronomy Daily, including our continually updating newsfeed, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Follow us on social media at AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok.For more Space and Astronomy News Podcast, visit our HQ at www.bitesz.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--5648921/support.

Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to Podcast for the latest news and updates from the world of space and astronomy. I'm your host, Anna. Today, we have a stellar lineup of stories that will take you on a journey through some of the most intriguing recent updates in the cosmos. From the conclusion of NASA's NEOWISE mission to the challenges posed by China's satellite launch and groundbreaking discoveries in meteor science, we've got it all covered for you. Plus, we'll debunk a longstanding theory about black holes formed from light and explore what these findings mean for future technological innovations. So sit back, relax, and let's dive into today's top stories.- NASA's NEOWISE Mission Ends: NASA’s NEOWISE mission has officially concluded after over a decade of invaluable service in detecting and studying asteroids and comets. Initially launched as the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) in December 2009, the mission was repurposed to focus on identifying near-Earth objects, contributing significantly to planetary defense. Despite its end, NEOWISE has left a lasting legacy with its exhaustive datasets, paving the way for future missions like NASA’s Neo Surveyor.- China's Satellite Launch and Space Debris: This past Tuesday saw the liftoff of a Chinese Long March 6A rocket, launching the first 18 satellites for China’s ambitious Qianfan broadband network. However, the upper stage of the rocket broke apart shortly after, dispersing a cloud of debris into space. This incident raises significant concerns about space sustainability, emphasizing the need for robust space domain awareness and mitigation practices.- Persistent Meteor Trails: Recent studies have unveiled the mystery behind persistent meteor trails. Contrary to previous beliefs, the key to these lasting trails is the meteor’s altitude as it enters Earth’s atmosphere. At around 90 km up, a chemical reaction occurs between vaporized metals from the meteor and atmospheric oxygen and ozone, sustaining the trail for minutes or even up to an hour. These findings provide a unique window into the atmospheric chemistry at otherwise difficult-to-study altitudes.- Debunking Kugelblitze: For decades, the concept of black holes created from concentrated light, known as Kugelblitze, has fascinated scientists. However, recent research has debunked this theory. Advanced mathematical models including quantum effects show that the light intensity required to form a Kugelblitz far exceeds anything observed in the universe. This discovery clarifies the limitations of our understanding of black holes and the conditions necessary for their formation.- (00:00) Today's Astronomy Daily podcast features a stellar lineup of stories- (00:35) NASA's NEOWISE mission has officially come to an end after 10 years- (05:05) Persistent meteor trails are formed when metals from meteors react with ozone- (08:24) New research challenges Kugelblitz theory that black holes formed from light- (11:06) Thank m you for joining us on this journey through the latest in space and astronomy newsFor more Astronomy Daily, including our continually updating newsfeed, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Follow us on social media at AstroDailyPod on X, Facebook, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favorite platform.For more Space and Astronomy News Podcasts, visit our HQ at www.bitesz.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.

Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to Podcast for the latest news and updates in the world of astronomy and space exploration. I'm your host, Anna. Each day we bring you the most exciting stories from the cosmos, keeping you informed about the latest discoveries, missions, and breakthroughs in space science. From NASA's groundbreaking missions to private space flight adventures, we've got it all covered for you. So sit back, relax, and let's dive into today's top stories.- **NASA's Astronaut Return Plans**: NASA officials have revealed that astronauts Butch Wilmore and SUNY Williams, who were delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) by Boeing Starliner in June, could make their return journey aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon in February 2025 if Starliner is still considered unsafe.- **SpaceX's Polaris Dawn Mission**: Next up, we have exciting news about SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission, which is now targeting a launch date of August 26. This ambitious mission aims to make history in multiple ways. First and foremost, it will feature the first-ever private spacewalk, setting a new milestone in the era of commercial space exploration. - **FAA's Forecast on Private Space Launches**: The FAA is forecasting a dramatic increase in private space launches, predicting that by 2028, the number of annual licensed launches could more than double. This surge is largely attributed to the growing capabilities and utilization of reusable rockets, notably SpaceX's Falcon 9. - **Scientific Studies on UFOs**: Lastly, a growing number of scientists are advocating for serious studies into UFOs, now termed as unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAPs. For decades, the subject of UFOs has often been met with skepticism and dismissed as the stuff of conspiracy theories. However, the need for scientific scrutiny has become increasingly evident. - (00:00) Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to podcast for astronomy news- (00:28) NASA considering using SpaceX's Crew Dragon if Starliner still considered unsafe- (02:46) SpaceX's Polaris dawn private space mission has been scheduled for August 26- (06:54) Growing number of scientists are advocating for serious studies into UFO's- (09:38) That's all for today's episode of Astronomy DailyFor more Astronomy Daily, including our continually updating newsfeed, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Follow us on social media at AstroDailyPod on X, Facebook, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok.For more Space and Astronomy News podcasts, visit our HQ at www.bitesz.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.

Welcome to Astronomy Daily, where we cover the latest in space and astronomy news. I'm your host, Anna. Today we've got an exciting lineup that will take you on a journey through some of the most intriguing recent updates in the cosmos. We'll start with NASA's latest move to push the Crew-9 mission launch to September as they delve into the intricacies of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. Then we'll shift gears to explore groundbreaking research that peels back the layers on Venus, revealing that our inhospitable "evil twin" might share more in common with Earth than we ever imagined. Finally, we'll spotlight a compelling study on red dwarf stars and how their stellar flares could pose both challenges and potentials for habitability on nearby exoplanets. So grab your telescopes and your curiosity, and let's dive into today's episode.NASA's Crew-9 Mission Postponed: NASA is postponing the launch of the Crew-9 mission to September due to ongoing analysis of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. This delay will give mission managers more time to finalize plans for the Boeing crew flight test, which is currently docked at the International Space Station. Thruster issues with the Starliner spacecraft have been the main concern. NASA is taking this extra time to analyze the results of recent hot fire testing and to ensure the reliability of the integrated propulsion system. Until either the Starliner or Crew-8 Dragon departs the space station, there will be no available docking ports for the Crew-9 mission.- Venus's Geological History: New research suggests that Venus, often dubbed Earth's inhospitable "evil twin," may have once been tectonically active despite its current stagnant lithosphere. Today, Venus is known for its extreme surface conditions, temperatures hot enough to melt lead, and surface pressures intense enough to crush most materials. However, this new study reveals that the planet's surface features such as faults, folds, and volcanoes indicate a history of significant tectonic activity.- Red Dwarf Stars and Habitability: A recent study has shed light on the potential dangers facing habitable planets around red dwarf stars. The research, led by astronomers from the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy, reveals that these stars can emit far-ultraviolet radiation at levels much higher than previously believed. This finding has striking implications for the habitability of planets orbiting red dwarfs.- (00:00) Astronomy Daily brings you the latest in space and astronomy news- (00:49) NASA is postponing the launch of the crew nine mission to September- (04:54) New research suggests Venus may have once been tectonically active- (06:49) Red dwarf stars emit far ultraviolet radiation at levels much higher than previously thought- (09:12) That's it for today's episode of Astronomy DailyFor more Astronomy Daily, including our continually updating newsfeed, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Follow us on social media at AstroDailyPod on X, Facebook, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok.For more Space and Astronomy News podcasts visit our HQ at www.bitesz.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.

Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your Daily dive into the latest space and astronomy news. I'm your host, Anna, and I'm excited to take you through some fascinating updates today. We've got riveting stories lined up for you from China's ambitious satellite constellation, launched to rival Starlink, to a groundbreaking revelation by the James Webb Space Telescope that has astronomers buzzing. Plus, we'll delve into NASA's educational screaming balloon demonstration involving pennies in space. It's going to be an enlightening and fun-filled journey through the cosmos, so let's get started.**China's Satellite Constellation to Rival Starlink**: A Chinese state-owned enterprise has launched the first batch of satellites designed to rival SpaceX's Starlink. This ambitious initiative aims to develop a robust broadband network with significant military implications. The launch, spearheaded by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST), is a major milestone in SSST's G60 Starlink plan, aiming to deploy over 15,000 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites by the end of this decade.**James Webb Space Telescope's Twin Star Discovery**: The James Webb Space Telescope's mid-infrared instrument, MIRI, has revealed that what was long believed to be a single star, WL 20s, is actually a twin star system. This discovery opens new avenues in the study of stellar life cycles and planetary formation. Further observations by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) detected disks of gas and dust encircling both stars, suggesting the potential formation of planets.**NASA's Educational Screaming Balloon Demonstration**: NASA has sent two pennies into space as part of an educational project designed to engage grade school children in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). These pennies are crucial to an experiment called the screaming balloon demonstration, where one penny is inserted into a deflated balloon, inflated, and spun by an astronaut. The experiment will compare the motion of the penny to a hex nut spun inside a second balloon, making space science accessible and exciting for students.(00:00) Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your daily dive into the latest space and astronomy news(00:36) China launches first batch of satellites designed to rival SpaceX's Starlink(04:00) NASA's James Webb Space Telescope reveals twin star system(06:49) NASA has sent two pennies to the International Space Station for educational purposes(09:58) That's it for today's episode of Astronomy DailyFor more Astronomy Daily, including our continually updating newsfeed, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Follow us on social media at AstroDailyPod on X, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTokFor more space news podcasts, visit our HQ at www.bitesz.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.

Welcome to another exciting episode of Astronomy Daily with your host, Steve Dunkley and his trusty AI assistant, Hallie!Today, we have a stellar lineup of cosmic news and insights. Join us as we explore Northrop Grumman's latest mission to the ISS, dive into the fascinating world of Dimorphus, and uncover the peculiar rotational behavior of the star V889 Hercules. Plus, Hallie will guide you through the sky-watching highlights for August. Buckle up for a journey through the cosmos!**Northrop Grumman's Mission to the ISS**: Discover the latest resupply mission details, including the use of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and the intriguing experiments onboard.**Dimorphus and Didymus**: Learn about the surface ages and geological characteristics of these celestial bodies, and why Dimorphus is one of Steve's favorite little rocks.**V889 Hercules' Unique Rotation**: Hallie delves into the unusual rotational dynamics of this sun-like star and what it means for our understanding of stellar physics.**Sky-Watching Highlights for August**: From the Perseid meteor shower to the conjunction of Mars and Jupiter, find out what to look for in the night sky this month.**Rocket Lab's 51st Electron Rocket Launch**: Get the scoop on the latest launch and its significance for Earth imaging technology.(00:00) Welcome to Astronomy Daily for the 5 August 2024 edition(01:15) 94% of all those surveyed didn't know that lights in the sky were stars(02:12) The conditions look good for the Perseid meteor shower tonight(05:58) Rocket Lab launches 51st electron rocket for Japanese Earth imaging company Synspective(08:33) NASA's dart mission intentionally slammed into dimorphos in September 2022(16:27) Space Exploration company SpaceX successfully launched a resupply mission on SundayFor more Astronomy Daily, including our continually updating newsfeed, visit our website (https://www.astronomydaily.io). Follow us on social media at AstroDailyPod on X, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.

Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to podcast for the latest news and discoveries in space and astronomy. I'm your host, Anna. Today we have some exciting stories lined up for you. We'll dive into new research on our moon's atmosphere, revealing the powerful effects of meteorite impacts. Next, we'll explore why detecting signs of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations, known as technosignatures, is more challenging than we might think. Finally, we'll uncover recent findings about potential dark matter objects in space discovered using pulsars. So sit back, relax, and let's embark on this cosmic journey together.- NASA astronauts from the Apollo missions uncovered a fascinating aspect of the moon that was previously unknown. It has an atmosphere, although it's incredibly thin, so much so that it's technically classified as an exosphere. But what drives this tenuous lunar atmosphere? - NASA scientists have been delving into the intriguing question of why we might not be able to detect advanced extraterrestrial civilizations, also known as technosignatures. One prevailing theory suggests that these civilizations may have relatively modest energy requirements, which means they wouldn't necessarily need to construct vast, detectable stellar energy structures, like enormous solar panel arrays that cover their planet's surface, or giant orbiting megastructures, to harvest energy from their star.- Recent research has brought exciting news in our quest to understand dark matter, something that has intrigued astronomers for decades. The study involves pulsars, which are neutron stars known for emitting regular beams of radio waves. - If you enjoyed today's show, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Until next time, keep looking up.www.bitesz.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.

Welcome to another thrilling episode of Astronomy Daily! Host Anna takes you on a cosmic journey with the latest updates in space exploration. In today's episode, we delve into:- NASA and Boeing's meticulous data analysis from the Starliner spacecraft's crew flight test.- Space Perspective's unveiling of the world's first marine spaceport, Ms Voyager, promising a revolutionary spaceflight experience.- A groundbreaking discovery in lunar soil from China's Chang'e 5 mission, identifying naturally formed few-layer graphene with significant implications for material science.Stay tuned for these incredible updates and more!Chapters:(00:00) This podcast features the latest in space and astronomy news(00:51) NASA and Boeing teams are evaluating Starliner's propulsion system ahead of undocking(03:57) Space perspective has unveiled the world's first marine spaceport, Ms Voyager(07:42) Researchers have identified naturally formed few layer graphene in lunar soil from 2020For more Astronomy Daily, visit www.astronomydaily.iowww.bitesz.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.