Astronomy Daily: Space News Updates

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S03E169Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to source for the latest and most fascinating space and Astronomy news. I'm Anna, and I'm thrilled to be your host for today's cosmic journey. We've got an exciting lineup of stories that will take us from our nearest stellar neighbor to the far side of the moon and beyond.Highlights:- New Exoplanet Discovery: Astronomers using the European Southern Observatory's very large telescope have discovered Barnard b, a low-mass exoplanet orbiting Barnard's star, just six light years away. With an orbital period of just 3.15 Earth Daily, this planet challenges our understanding of planetary formation.- SpaceX Launch Anomaly: The US Federal Aviation Administration has mandated an investigation into an anomaly during the SpaceX Crew-9 mission. The Falcon 9's upper stage experienced an off-nominal deorbit burn, impacting future missions, including NASA's Europa Clipper.- Lunar Samples from the Far Side: Chinese scientists have analyzed samples from the Chang'e 6 mission, revealing new insights into the moon's volcanic history and geological diversity. This breakthrough offers a unique perspective on the lunar far side.- Webb Telescope's Discovery on Charon: NASA's Webb Space Telescope has detected traces of carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on Pluto's largest moon, Charon. This finding provides new insights into Charon's composition and formation.- ISSA's JUICE Mission: The ISSA's JUICE mission has captured the sharpest ever image of Earth's radiation belts during its lunar-Earth flyby. This achievement is a vital step for future observations of Jupiter.- China's New Moon Landing Spacesuit: China has unveiled a new spacesuit for its planned lunar missions by 2030. Inspired by traditional Chinese armor, this suit combines cultural heritage with advanced functionality, marking a significant milestone in their space exploration journey.For more space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, catch up on all the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed, and listen to all our back episodes.Don't forget to follow us on social media. Just search for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok.Thank you for tuning in. This is Anna signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.Sponsor Links:NordVPNMalwarebytesProton MailOld Glory - Iconic Music and Sports Fan MerchBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--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

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S03E168Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to source for the latest and most fascinating space and Astronomy news. I'm Anna, and I'm thrilled to be your host for today's cosmic journey. We've got an exciting lineup of stories that will take us from the depths of our solar system to the brushstrokes of a famous painting and even to the cutting edge of radio Astronomy.Highlights:- Revolutionary Insights into Ceres: New research suggests that Ceres, the largest object in the asteroid belt, might have once been an ancient ocean world. This revelation paints a picture of Ceres as a dirty snowball rather than a rocky body, making it an attractive target for future space missions.- Controversial Moon Origin Theory: A new study from Penn State University challenges the long-held belief that the Moon formed from a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized object. Instead, it proposes that the Moon might have been captured by Earth's gravity.- Upcoming Space Launches: Exciting missions are on the horizon, including the United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur rocket, SpaceX's Starlink mission, and the European Space Agency's Hera mission, which will study the results of NASA's double asteroid redirection test.- Van Gogh's "Starry Night" and Fluid Turbulence: Scientists have discovered that the swirling patterns in Vincent van Gogh's "The Starry Night" follow the laws of fluid turbulence, blending artistic vision with scientific accuracy.- New Discoveries about the Moon's Interior: Recent gravity measurements have revealed a potentially partially molten layer in the Moon's mantle, raising questions about its structure, origin, and evolution.- China's Expanding Radio Telescope: China is enhancing its 500-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) with 24 new movable radio telescopes, significantly boosting its resolution and detection capabilities.For more space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, catch up on all the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed, and listen to all our back episodes.Don't forget to follow us on social media. Just search for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok.Thank you for tuning in. This is Anna signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.Sponsor Links:NordVPNMalwarebytesProton MailOld Glory - Iconic Music and Sports Fan MerchBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--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

Astronomy AstroDailyPod - The Podcast: S03E167Welcome to Astronomy AstroDailyPod, your source for the latest Space and Astronomy news. I'm your host, Steve Dunkley, and we've got a fascinating episode for you today. Let's dive into some of the most intriguing stories from the cosmos.Highlights:- Upcoming Annular Solar Eclipse: On October 2, an annular solar eclipse will sweep across the southern hemisphere, including iconic destinations like Rapa Nui (Easter Island), southern Chile, and southern Argentina. Learn about the "ring of fire" effect and where you can best view this celestial event.- Earth's Temporary Mini Moon: A small asteroid, about the size of a school bus, will become a temporary mini moon for Earth, orbiting our planet for about two months. This rare event offers a unique opportunity for astronomers to study near-Earth objects.- Hera Mission Returns: An all-volunteer crew on a simulated trip to Mars has returned to Earth after 45 days in isolation at NASA's Johnson Space Centre. Discover how their mission contributes to our understanding of human behaviour and performance in confined, remote environments.- SpaceX Falcon Fleet Grounded: SpaceX has grounded its Falcon rocket fleet following a second stage problem during a recent launch. This suspension could impact upcoming missions, including NASA's Europa Clipper and ESA's Hera mission.- Planet Formation Study: New research reveals that planets larger than Earth struggle to form around stars with low metallicity. This study provides insights into the conditions necessary for planet formation and has implications for the search for extraterrestrial life.Short Takes:- An all-volunteer crew on a simulated Mars mission returned to Earth, providing valuable insights for future Space exploration.- SpaceX's Falcon rocket fleet is grounded due to a second stage problem, impacting upcoming missions.- A new study explores why planets larger than Earth struggle to form around low metallicity stars.For more Space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free AstroDailyPod newsletter, catch up on all the latest Space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed, and listen to all our back episodes.Don't forget to follow us on social media. Just search for #AstroDailyPod on facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok.Thank you for tuning in. This is Steve signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.Sponsor Links:NordVPNMalwarebytesProton MailOld Glory - Iconic Music and Sports Fan MerchBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--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

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S03E166Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your source for the latest space and Astronomy news. I'm your host, Anna, and we've got an exciting episode lined up for you today. We'll be exploring some fascinating developments in the world of space and Astronomy that are sure to captivate your imagination.Highlights:- Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-Atlas): Astronomers are eagerly tracking this comet, which could shine as brightly as the North Star this fall. Discovered in early C/2023.A3, it's captured the attention of both professional astronomers and space enthusiasts. If it survives its close encounter with the sun on September 27, it could rival the spectacular Comet McNaught of 2007.- ESA's Luna Facility: The European Space Agency and German Aerospace Center have unveiled Luna, a lunar analog facility near Cologne, Germany. This 700-square-meter hall filled with simulated lunar regolith will provide crucial training for future astronauts, including those in NASA's Artemis program.- NASA Artemis II Crew in Iceland: NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen have been undergoing geology field training in Iceland. This unique landscape closely resembles the lunar surface, helping the crew prepare for the challenges of lunar exploration.- China's Sea Launch of Smart Dragon-3: China successfully launched the Smart Dragon-3 rocket from a floating platform, carrying eight remote sensing satellites into sun-synchronous orbit. This sea-based launch demonstrates flexibility and could open up new possibilities for future missions.- Potential for Life on Venus: Recent research suggests that some of life's fundamental building blocks might survive in Venus's harsh environment. Scientists discovered that certain lipids can withstand exposure to concentrated sulfuric acid, challenging our assumptions about the solvents necessary for life.- Revolutionary Space Propulsion: Scientists are testing a new propulsion system known as Super Mag Drive, which could use any type of metal as fuel. This technology could allow spacecraft to refuel by harvesting minerals from asteroids or distant moons, opening up new frontiers in space exploration.For more space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, catch up on all the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed, and listen to all our back episodes.Don't forget to follow us on social media. Just search for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok.Thank you for tuning in. This is Anna signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.Sponsor Links:NordVPNMalwarebytesProton MailOld Glory - Iconic Music and Sports Fan MerchBecome 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

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S03E165Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your source for the latest space and Astronomy news. I'm your host, Anna, and in today's episode, we'll be covering several exciting stories from across the cosmos.Highlights:- First Rocky Planet Orbiting a White Dwarf: Astronomers have discovered the first rocky planet orbiting a white dwarf star, located about 4200 light years away. This frozen world, nearly twice the mass of Earth, survived the death and expansion of its host star, raising intriguing questions about Earth's future as our sun ages.- ISS Crew Changes: Two Russian cosmonauts, Oleg Konenenko and Nigel Chubb, returned to Earth after a record-breaking 374 Daily in space, providing valuable data on long-duration spaceflight effects. NASA is gearing up for more crew rotations, with the SpaceX Crew-9 mission set to launch soon. - Potential Resumption of Spacewalks: NASA is working to resolve technical issues with spacesuits, aiming to resume spacewalks from the US segment of the ISS. These extravehicular activities are crucial for maintenance and upgrades.- SpaceX Crew-9 Mission: Scheduled to launch on Saturday, September 28, at 1:17 PM Eastern from Cape Canaveral, this mission will carry NASA astronaut Nick Haig and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov to the ISS. Register as a virtual guest for exclusive resources and updates. To register as an invited guest, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nasas-spacex-crew-9-launch-registration-881980135327?aff=feature- Hubble's Unexpected Discovery: The Hubble Space Telescope revealed that a supermassive black hole's jet is causing nearby stars to erupt more frequently. This finding challenges our understanding of black hole jets and their interactions with surrounding stars.- First Discovery from the NEID Earth Twin Survey: Astronomers announced the discovery of HD 86728 b, a planet nine times the mass of Earth, orbiting a star 49 light years away. This showcases the precision of new instruments and brings us closer to finding Earth-like planets.- Dark Matter Interactions: A new study suggests that dark matter may interact with regular matter in ways beyond gravity. Observations of ultra-faint dwarf galaxies hint at a more complex relationship, potentially opening new avenues for detecting dark matter.For more space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, catch up on all the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed, and listen to all our back episodes.Don't forget to follow us on social media. Just search for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok.Thank you for tuning in. This is Anna signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.Sponsor Links:NordVPNMalwarebytesProton MailOld Glory - Iconic Music and Sports Fan MerchBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--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

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S03E164Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your source for the latest space and Astronomy news. I'm your host, Anna, and today we have an exciting lineup of stories that span from Earth's orbit to distant galaxies. Buckle up and get ready for a thrilling journey through the cosmos.Highlights:- Spaceflight Radiation Exposure: During NASA's Artemis I mission, scientists gathered crucial data on radiation exposure using mannequins and advanced sensors. Findings show that enhanced radiation shielding areas provided up to four times more protection, validating spacecraft design for future missions.- Low Gravity Effects on Heart Cells: Researchers sent human bioengineered heart tissue samples to the ISS. The results revealed significant weakening and disruptions in normal rhythmic beating patterns, highlighting potential health risks for astronauts on extended missions.- SETI's Search for Alien Technology: In an unprecedented study, scientists used the Murchison Widefield Array to observe 2800 galaxies, searching for technosignatures. While no definitive evidence was found, this research opens new possibilities for future SETI efforts.- Milky Way's Unique Characteristics: The SAGA survey studied 101 satellite systems similar to our Milky Way, revealing that the number of satellite galaxies varies widely. Our galaxy's relatively low satellite count, despite having the Large Magellanic Cloud, hints at a unique history.- Mars's Missing Atmosphere: New research suggests Mars's atmosphere may have been absorbed by minerals in Martian clays over billions of years. This theory offers a potential explanation for Mars's transformation and raises the possibility of utilizing trapped methane for future missions.For more space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, catch up on all the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed, and listen to all our back episodes.Don't forget to follow us on social media. Just search for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok.Thank you for tuning in. This is Anna signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.Sponsor Links:NordVPNNordPassMalwarebytesProton MailOld Glory - Iconic Music and Sports Fan MerchBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--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

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S03E163Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your source for the latest space and Astronomy news. I'm your host, Anna, and today we'll be covering a range of exciting topics, from SpaceX's ambitious Mars plans to new discoveries about our galaxy's magnetic halo. Strap in for a cosmic journey as we explore the frontiers of space exploration and scientific discovery.Highlights:- SpaceX's Mars Missions: Elon Musk has announced that SpaceX aims to launch approximately five uncrewed starship missions to Mars within the next two years. These missions align with the upcoming Earth-Mars transfer window and will be crucial in determining the timeline for future crewed expeditions. If successful, the first crewed missions could launch in as little as four years.- FAA Fine Against SpaceX: The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a $633,000 fine against SpaceX for violating agency rules. This has sparked a debate about safety practices in the private space industry. FAA administrator Mike Whitaker emphasized the need for rigorous safety management systems, while SpaceX disputes the claims, asserting their commitment to safety.- Milky Way's Magnetic Halo: Scientists have discovered a magnetic halo surrounding our Milky Way galaxy, stretching 16,000 light years beyond the galactic plane. This finding, led by the National Institute for Astrophysics, reveals magnetized structures connected to the Eroceta bubbles and provides new insights into galactic growth processes.- SpaceX Crew-9 Mission Delay: The Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station has been delayed due to Tropical Storm Helene. Originally planned for Thursday, the launch is now tentatively set for Stuart at 1:17 PM Eastern. Preparations continue, with safety remaining the top priority.- ESA's Draco Mission: The European Space Agency is preparing for the Draco mission, aimed at understanding the final moments of a satellite's life during reentry. This mission will collect crucial data on temperature, pressure, and strain, enhancing future satellite designs and space debris mitigation strategies.- WASP-107b Atmospheric Discovery: Using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have observed an east-west asymmetry in the atmosphere of the exoplanet WASP-107b. This discovery is crucial for understanding the climate and atmospheric dynamics of worlds beyond our solar system.For more space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, catch up on all the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed, and listen to all our back episodes.Don't forget to follow us on social media. Just search for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok.Thank you for tuning in. This is Anna signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.Sponsor Links:NordVPNNordPassMalwarebytesProton MailOld Glory - Iconic Music and Sports Fan MerchBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--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

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S03E162Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your source for the latest space and Astronomy news. I'm your host, Anna. And we've got an exciting lineup of stories for you today. From innovative methods to protect our planet from potential asteroid impacts to groundbreaking discoveries on the surface of Mars, we'll be exploring the cutting edge of space exploration and research. We'll also be catching up with astronauts returning from the International Space Station, looking ahead to upcoming missions, and even delving into some cosmic history that might have affected Earth's climate millions of years ago. Strap in and get ready for a journey across the solar system and beyond as we bring you up to speed on the most fascinating developments in Astronomy and space science.Highlights:- Asteroid Deflection with X-rays: In a groundbreaking development, scientists have proposed a new method to protect our planet from potential asteroid impacts. A recent study published in Nature Physics suggests that powerful x-rays could be an effective way to divert asteroids on collision courses with Earth. Researchers from Sandia National Laboratories in the USA conducted lab-based experiments firing x-ray pulses at small rock samples, mimicking the effects of x-rays generated by nuclear explosions in space. This method could potentially steer asteroids up to 4 km in diameter away from Earth, offering a faster and more cost-effective alternative to other proposed strategies.- NASA Astronauts Return: In a triumphant return from the cosmos, NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson and her two crewmates have safely touched down on Earth after an incredible 184-day journey in space. The Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft made a picture-perfect landing on the steppes of Kazakhstan. Cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko set an all-time record with a cumulative 1011 Daily in space across five missions. This mission exemplifies ongoing international cooperation in space exploration.- SpaceX Crew-9 Mission: NASA and SpaceX are gearing up for an exciting milestone in their ongoing partnership. The Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station is set to launch this Thursday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Featuring booster B085 on its second flight, the Falcon 9 rocket will carry the Crew Dragon spacecraft named Freedom. NASA's Tyler Nick Haig and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov will be the only two astronauts on board. Weather permitting, liftoff is targeted for 02:05 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday.- Perseverance Rover's Martian Discovery: NASA's Perseverance rover has made an intriguing discovery on Mars, spotting a rock nicknamed Freya Castle with striking black and white stripes. This rock's texture is completely different from anything previously observed in Jezero Crater, suggesting it may have rolled down from a higher location. This discovery could provide new information about Mars' geological history and processes.- MAVEN's Decade of Exploration: NASA's MAVEN spacecraft has reached an incredible milestone, celebrating a decade of exploration in Mars' upper atmosphere. MAVEN has revealed how solar storms increase atmospheric erosion, transforming Mars from a potentially habitable world to the cold, arid planet we see today. The spacecraft has also identified a new type of aurora on Mars and provided invaluable insights into Mars' climate history.- Earth's Journey Through Interstellar Clouds: Researchers have calculated that Earth and our entire solar system may have passed through two dense interstellar clouds approximately two and seven million years ago. These cosmic encounters could have compressed our heliosphere, exposing Earth more directly to the interstellar medium and potentially altering our planet's climate. Such events could have led to an increase in hydrogen levels and the formation of global noctilucent clouds, possibly plunging Earth into an ice age.For more space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, catch up on all the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed, and listen to all our back episodes.Don't forget to follow us on social media, too. Just search for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok to stay connected with us between episodes.Thank you so much for tuning in today. Keep your eyes on the stars, and we'll see you next time on Astronomy Daily.Sponsor Links:NordVPNNordPassMalwarebytesProton MailOld Glory - Iconic Music and Sports Fan MerchBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--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

Astronomy AstroDailyPod - The Podcast: 23rd September 2024Welcome to another episode of Astronomy AstroDailyPod, your ultimate source for the latest Space and Astronomy news. I'm your host, Steve Dunkley, and today we have a fascinating lineup of stories from the Astronomy AstroDailyPod newsletter. From insights into Jupiter's Great Red Spot and moonquakes, to China's latest satellite launch and discoveries at the edge of the solar system, we've got it all covered. Let's dive in!Highlights:- Jupiter's Great Red Spot: A new study suggests that Jupiter's iconic Great Red Spot, visible for at least 190 years, is not the same one observed by astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini in 1665. The current spot likely formed from an instability in Jupiter's atmospheric winds, creating a persistent atmospheric cell. This research, published in Geophysical Research Letters, used historical observations and numerical models to explore the longevity and nature of this massive atmospheric vortex.- China's Satellite Launch: China successfully launched two new satellites as part of its Buddy navigation satellite system. Carried by a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, these satellites are equipped with upgraded atomic clock systems and new inter-satellite data links. The Buddy network, China's largest civilian satellite system, now has over 50 active satellites, providing global positioning and navigation services.- Moonquakes and Lunar Exploration: As NASA prepares for more missions to the lunar surface, new research indicates that potential landing sites at the moon's south pole might be susceptible to quakes and landslides. The study, based on data from Apollo-era seismometers, highlights the need for lunar design criteria to address these seismic hazards. The findings could influence the planning and construction of habitats and infrastructure on the moon.- Kuiper Belt Discoveries: NASA's New Horizons Kuiper Belt search Timms reports the detection of an unexpected population of distant bodies in the Kuiper Belt, stretching almost 90 times as far from the sun as Earth. This discovery suggests that the Kuiper Belt may be larger than previously thought or that there is a second Kuiper Belt beyond the one discovered in the 1990s. The findings could challenge current models of the solar system's formation.- NASA's Lunar Navigation Challenge: NASA is seeking innovative solutions to help Artemis astronauts navigate the lunar south pole. The Lunar Navigation Challenge invites individuals and teams to design a low-tech backup navigational device for astronauts and creative solutions for mapping the bottom of Shackleton Crater. The challenge aims to address the unique orienteering difficulties posed by the lunar south pole's extreme light and shadows.For more Space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free AstroDailyPod newsletter and explore our constantly updating news feed. Don't forget to check out all our previous episodes on the website as well.And if you want even more Astronomy AstroDailyPod content, find us on social media. Just search for #AstroDailyPod on facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok.Thanks for listening, and remember to keep looking up.Sponsor Links:NordVPNNordPassMalwarebytesProton MailOld Glory - Iconic Music & Sports Fand MerchBecome 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

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: 21st September 2024Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to source for the latest space and Astronomy news. I'm your host, Anna, and today we have an episode packed with groundbreaking stories. From India's ambitious new space projects and SpaceX's plans to catch Starship, to exciting discoveries about water on the moon, groundbreaking observations from a new X-ray telescope, and concerns about satellite interference with radio Astronomy. Let's dive right in!Highlights:- India's Space Ambitions: India has greenlit an ambitious slate of space projects, allocating a substantial $2.7 billion to push the boundaries of its space capabilities. At the forefront is the Chandrayaan IV mission, a bold lunar sample return effort targeting the moon's south pole. Equally exciting is the Shukrayan mission, India's first Venus orbiter, now targeted for 2028. Perhaps most ambitious is the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), India's first space station module, slated for launch by the end of 2028 with full operational status expected by 2035. These projects highlight India's growing expertise and determination to become a key player in the global space arena.- SpaceX's Starship Catching Plans: SpaceX is gearing up for another groundbreaking achievement with its upcoming Starship test flight. The company plans to catch the massive Super Heavy first stage booster using the chopstick arms of the launch tower at their Starbase facility in Texas. This ambitious maneuver, if successful, would take rocket reusability to the next level, dramatically reducing turnaround time between flights. Regulatory reviews have delayed the launch, but the FAA is expected to complete its assessment by late November.- Chinese Reusable Rocket Technology: Chinese private space companies, Deep Blue Aerospace and Landspace, are making significant strides in developing reusable rocket technology. Both firms have conducted impressive high-altitude hop tests with their prototype vehicles, aiming to develop fully reusable orbital launchers. These tests represent significant progress for China's commercial space sector, working towards cost-effective reusable launch capabilities.- Abundant Water on the Moon: New research reveals that water is far more abundant on the moon than previously thought. Data from NASA's Moon Mineralogy Mapper shows that water and hydroxyl molecules are widespread across the lunar surface, not just confined to the poles. This discovery opens up possibilities for more flexible mission planning and could reduce the need to transport water from Earth, making long-term lunar missions more sustainable.- XRISM's Groundbreaking Observations: Japan's X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) has unveiled its first results, capturing stunning observations of a supermassive black hole in galaxy NGC 4151 and a supernova remnant in the Large Magellanic Cloud. These observations are revolutionizing our understanding of the X-ray universe, with over 3000 proposals submitted for future studies.- Satellite Interference with Radio Astronomy: New research reveals that SpaceX's second-generation V2 mini Starlink satellites are emitting up to 32 times more radio waves than their predecessors, posing a significant threat to radio Astronomy. This underscores the urgent need for dialogue between the Astronomy community and satellite companies to find solutions that allow both Internet access and scientific research to coexist.For more space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, catch up on all the latest stories with our constantly updating newsfeed, and listen to all our past episodes.Don't forget to follow us on social media. Just search for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok.Thank you for tuning in. This is Anna signing off. Until next time, keep looking up.Sponsor Links:NordVPNNordPassMalwarebytesProton MailOld Glory - Iconic Music & Sports Fan Merch 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