Astronomy Daily | Space News: S04E86
In this episode of Astronomy Daily, host Anna guides you through a captivating array of stories from the cosmos. From delays in Amazon's satellite launch to thrilling discoveries about our solar system's moons, this episode is packed with the latest astronomical updates that will leave you in awe of the universe.
Highlights:
- Amazon's Project Kuiper Delays: Discover the challenges faced by Amazon as their ambitious Project Kuiper satellite launch is postponed due to adverse weather conditions. We delve into the significance of this project in the space-based Internet market and how it aims to compete with SpaceX's Starlink constellation.
- Juno's Safe Mode Scare: Learn about the unexpected safe mode incidents experienced by NASA's Juno spacecraft while navigating the intense radiation of Jupiter. We'll discuss how Juno's protective systems worked effectively to ensure the spacecraft's safety and its upcoming mission milestones.
- Life Potential on Titan: Explore intriguing new research suggesting that Saturn's moon Titan could harbor life in its subsurface ocean. We examine the metabolic processes that may support microbial life and the challenges of nutrient delivery in this distant environment.
- Insights from Chang'e 6 Lunar Samples: Uncover the groundbreaking findings from China's Chang'e 6 mission, which returned lunar samples from the far side of the Moon. These samples provide critical evidence supporting the giant impact hypothesis and reveal significant differences between the Moon's near and far sides.
- Comet Swan Brightening in Our Skies: Don't miss the chance to catch a glimpse of Comet Swan, which is brightening and may soon be visible to the naked eye. We'll provide tips on how to observe this celestial visitor as it moves through the northeastern sky.
For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io (http://www.astronomydaily.io/) . Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, TikTok, and our new Instagram account! Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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.
00:00 - Welcome to Astronomy Daily
01:05 - Amazon's Project Kuiper satellite launch delays
10:30 - NASA's Juno spacecraft safe mode incidents
17:00 - Potential for life in Titan's subsurface ocean
22:15 - Findings from Chang'e 6 lunar samples
27:30 - Comet Swan visibility update
✍️ Episode References
Amazon's Project Kuiper
[Amazon]( https://www.amazon.com/ (https://www.amazon.com/) )
NASA's Juno Mission
[NASA]( https://www.nasa.gov (https://www.nasa.gov/) )
Titan's Habitability Research
[International Space Science Institute]( https://www.issibern.ch/ (https://www.issibern.ch/) )
Chang'e 6 Lunar Samples
[Chinese Academy of Sciences]( https://www.cas.cn/ (https://www.cas.cn/) )
Comet Swan Discovery
[Solar and Heliospheric Observatory]( https://soho.nascom.nasa.gov/ (https://soho.nascom.nasa.gov/) )
Astronomy Daily
[Astronomy Daily]( http://www.astronomydaily.io/ (http://www.astronomydaily.io/) )
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Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/26542970?utm_source=youtube
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 hello and welcome to Astronomy Daily
00:00:02 --> 00:00:03 your cosmic companion for all things
00:00:03 --> 00:00:06 space and astronomy i'm Anna and today
00:00:06 --> 00:00:08 we've got a stellar lineup of
00:00:08 --> 00:00:09 fascinating stories from across the
00:00:09 --> 00:00:12 universe coming up in the next 20
00:00:12 --> 00:00:13 minutes we'll explore Amazon's space
00:00:13 --> 00:00:15 ambitions as their Project Kyper
00:00:15 --> 00:00:17 satellite launch faces delays on the
00:00:17 --> 00:00:19 launchpad then we'll check in with
00:00:19 --> 00:00:22 NASA's Juno spacecraft which recently
00:00:22 --> 00:00:24 experienced a scare while orbiting the
00:00:24 --> 00:00:27 harsh radiation environment of Jupiter
00:00:27 --> 00:00:28 we'll also dive into intriguing new
00:00:28 --> 00:00:30 research about the potential for life in
00:00:30 --> 00:00:32 the subsurface ocean of Saturn's moon
00:00:32 --> 00:00:34 Titan and examine how lunar samples from
00:00:34 --> 00:00:37 China's Chang 6 mission are helping
00:00:37 --> 00:00:39 scientists understand the violent birth
00:00:39 --> 00:00:41 of our moon and to cap it all off
00:00:41 --> 00:00:43 there's an exciting celestial visitor
00:00:43 --> 00:00:45 you might want to wake up early to see
00:00:45 --> 00:00:47 the newly discovered comet swan is
00:00:47 --> 00:00:48 brightening in our morning skies and
00:00:48 --> 00:00:50 amateur astronomers are already
00:00:50 --> 00:00:53 capturing stunning views so let's launch
00:00:53 --> 00:00:56 right into today's cosmic news roundup
00:00:56 --> 00:00:58 it seems Amazon may be a wizard at
00:00:58 --> 00:01:00 delivering packages to your doorstep but
00:01:00 --> 00:01:02 delivering satellites to orbit proves a
00:01:02 --> 00:01:05 bit more challenging a United Launch
00:01:05 --> 00:01:07 Alliance Atlas 5 rocket was set to carry
00:01:07 --> 00:01:10 27 satellites for Amazon's Project Kyper
00:01:10 --> 00:01:12 internet constellation into orbit from
00:01:12 --> 00:01:14 Cape Canaveral Space Force Station this
00:01:14 --> 00:01:17 week but Mother Nature had other plans
00:01:17 --> 00:01:19 persistent clouds near the launchpad
00:01:19 --> 00:01:22 violated safety rules forcing ULA to
00:01:22 --> 00:01:23 scrub the launch despite working through
00:01:23 --> 00:01:26 a full 2-hour launch window launch
00:01:26 --> 00:01:28 controllers battled not only technical
00:01:28 --> 00:01:31 glitches but also thick cumulus clouds
00:01:31 --> 00:01:33 and rain within 10 miles of the pad
00:01:33 --> 00:01:35 ultimately making the call to delay the
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 mission project Kyper represents
00:01:38 --> 00:01:40 Amazon's ambitious leap into the
00:01:40 --> 00:01:42 space-based internet market directly
00:01:42 --> 00:01:44 challenging SpaceX's Starlink
00:01:44 --> 00:01:46 constellation that's already providing
00:01:46 --> 00:01:48 high-speed internet to customers
00:01:48 --> 00:01:51 worldwide amazon isn't thinking small
00:01:51 --> 00:01:53 either they're planning to deploy a
00:01:53 --> 00:01:56 massive constellation of 3 broadband
00:01:56 --> 00:01:59 satellites in the coming years
00:01:59 --> 00:02:00 this launch would have been Amazon's
00:02:00 --> 00:02:03 first operational deployment of Kyper
00:02:03 --> 00:02:05 satellites following a successful test
00:02:05 --> 00:02:07 flight last October that carried two
00:02:07 --> 00:02:10 prototype satellites to orbit while ULA
00:02:10 --> 00:02:13 is handling this initial launch Amazon
00:02:13 --> 00:02:14 has wisely spread its bets across
00:02:14 --> 00:02:17 multiple launch providers the e-commerce
00:02:17 --> 00:02:19 giant has secured flights on several
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 different rocket systems including ULA's
00:02:21 --> 00:02:24 brand new Vulcan Centaur rocket Aryani
00:02:24 --> 00:02:26 Space Boosters Blue Origins New Glenn
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 and interestingly enough even their
00:02:28 --> 00:02:31 direct competitor SpaceX's Falcon rocket
00:02:31 --> 00:02:33 family this multi-provider approach
00:02:33 --> 00:02:35 helps ensure Amazon can maintain its
00:02:35 --> 00:02:37 deployment schedule even if one launch
00:02:37 --> 00:02:39 system faces delays
00:02:39 --> 00:02:41 the satellite internet market is heating
00:02:41 --> 00:02:43 up rapidly as companies race to provide
00:02:43 --> 00:02:45 global connectivity from space while
00:02:46 --> 00:02:47 SpaceX currently dominates with
00:02:47 --> 00:02:49 thousands of Starlink satellites already
00:02:49 --> 00:02:51 in orbit Amazon brings considerable
00:02:51 --> 00:02:53 resources and a massive potential
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 customer base to the competition these
00:02:56 --> 00:02:57 constellations promise to bring
00:02:57 --> 00:02:59 high-speed internet to remote and
00:02:59 --> 00:03:01 underserved regions around the world
00:03:01 --> 00:03:03 where traditional infrastructure is
00:03:03 --> 00:03:06 impractical ula and Amazon are now
00:03:06 --> 00:03:07 working with the US Space Force to
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 identify the next launch opportunity
00:03:09 --> 00:03:11 hoping clearer skies will allow these
00:03:11 --> 00:03:13 first operational Kyper satellites to
00:03:14 --> 00:03:16 finally reach their orbital
00:03:16 --> 00:03:18 destination next up a bit of a scare
00:03:18 --> 00:03:20 while a long way from home nasa's Juno
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 spacecraft has experienced an unexpected
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 hiccup during its ongoing mission to
00:03:24 --> 00:03:27 Jupiter the space agency reported that
00:03:27 --> 00:03:28 the solarp powered spacecraft entered
00:03:28 --> 00:03:31 safe mode not once but twice on April
00:03:31 --> 00:03:33 4th while conducting its 71st close
00:03:33 --> 00:03:36 flyby of the gas giant safe mode is
00:03:36 --> 00:03:37 essentially a spacecraft's
00:03:37 --> 00:03:39 self-preservation state when Juno
00:03:39 --> 00:03:42 detects an anomaly or something unusual
00:03:42 --> 00:03:43 it automatically switches to this
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 precautionary status where it shuts down
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 non-essential functions and focuses
00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 solely on critical tasks like
00:03:49 --> 00:03:51 maintaining communication with Earth and
00:03:51 --> 00:03:54 managing power as designed Juno's
00:03:54 --> 00:03:55 science instruments were powered down
00:03:55 --> 00:03:57 for the remainder of the flyby when it
00:03:57 --> 00:04:00 entered safe mode the good news is that
00:04:00 --> 00:04:02 mission controllers have successfully
00:04:02 --> 00:04:03 reestablished high- rate data
00:04:03 --> 00:04:05 transmission with the spacecraft which
00:04:05 --> 00:04:07 is now running flight software
00:04:07 --> 00:04:09 diagnostics the team is working to
00:04:09 --> 00:04:10 download all the engineering and science
00:04:10 --> 00:04:12 data collected before and during the
00:04:12 --> 00:04:15 safe mode events what's particularly
00:04:15 --> 00:04:16 interesting is that during both
00:04:16 --> 00:04:19 incidents Juno performed exactly as it
00:04:19 --> 00:04:21 was designed to rebooting its computer
00:04:21 --> 00:04:23 shutting down non-essential systems and
00:04:23 --> 00:04:25 pointing its antenna toward Earth to
00:04:25 --> 00:04:26 maintain
00:04:26 --> 00:04:29 communications jupiter presents arguably
00:04:29 --> 00:04:30 the most hostile environment in our
00:04:30 --> 00:04:32 solar system with radiation belts near
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 the planet that would quickly fry
00:04:34 --> 00:04:36 unprotected electronics
00:04:36 --> 00:04:39 early indications suggest that Juno's
00:04:39 --> 00:04:41 safe mode events occurred as it flew
00:04:41 --> 00:04:44 through these intense radiation zones to
00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 shield against this extreme radiation
00:04:46 --> 00:04:48 Juno is equipped with a titanium vault
00:04:48 --> 00:04:51 that houses and protects its sensitive
00:04:51 --> 00:04:53 electronics this isn't the first time
00:04:53 --> 00:04:56 Juno has experienced such issues since
00:04:56 --> 00:04:59 arriving at Jupiter in July 2016 the
00:04:59 --> 00:05:01 spacecraft has unexpectedly entered safe
00:05:01 --> 00:05:03 mode four times including these recent
00:05:03 --> 00:05:06 events the previous incidents occurred
00:05:06 --> 00:05:08 in 2016 during its second orbit and
00:05:08 --> 00:05:11 again in 2022 during its 39th orbit in
00:05:11 --> 00:05:14 all cases the spacecraft recovered fully
00:05:14 --> 00:05:16 demonstrating the effectiveness of its
00:05:16 --> 00:05:19 protective systems despite this minor
00:05:19 --> 00:05:21 setback Juno's mission continues the
00:05:22 --> 00:05:23 spacecraft is scheduled for its next
00:05:23 --> 00:05:25 close approach to Jupiter on May 7th
00:05:26 --> 00:05:27 which will include a flyby of Jupiter's
00:05:27 --> 00:05:30 volcanic moon Io at a distance of
00:05:30 --> 00:05:33 approximately 55 m this upcoming
00:05:33 --> 00:05:35 encounter with Io the most volcanically
00:05:35 --> 00:05:38 active body in our solar system promises
00:05:38 --> 00:05:40 to deliver fascinating new data about
00:05:40 --> 00:05:43 this enigmatic Jovian moon the Juno
00:05:43 --> 00:05:46 mission managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 Laboratory continues to provide
00:05:48 --> 00:05:49 invaluable insights into Jupiter's
00:05:49 --> 00:05:52 atmosphere magnetic field and interior
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 structure since its arrival at the gas
00:05:54 --> 00:05:55 giant nearly 8 years
00:05:55 --> 00:05:58 ago next on our story list today could
00:05:58 --> 00:06:00 Saturn's largest moon Titan harbor life
00:06:00 --> 00:06:03 in its hidden ocean new research from
00:06:03 --> 00:06:04 the International Space Science
00:06:04 --> 00:06:06 Institute in Burn Switzerland suggests
00:06:06 --> 00:06:08 it's possible but with significant
00:06:08 --> 00:06:10 limitations a multiddisciplinary team
00:06:10 --> 00:06:12 has been investigating the potential
00:06:12 --> 00:06:14 habitability of Titan's subsurface water
00:06:14 --> 00:06:17 ocean focusing specifically on whether a
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 metabolism called glycine fermentation
00:06:20 --> 00:06:22 could support microbial life there
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 unlike some metabolic processes that
00:06:24 --> 00:06:26 require strong oxidants glycine
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 fermentation could potentially work in
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 Titan's ocean environment
00:06:30 --> 00:06:32 the researchers used bioenergetic
00:06:32 --> 00:06:34 modeling the same approach previously
00:06:34 --> 00:06:37 applied to Saturn's moon and early Earth
00:06:37 --> 00:06:39 ecosystems to assess the energy
00:06:39 --> 00:06:41 available for potential
00:06:41 --> 00:06:43 microorganisms their findings suggest
00:06:43 --> 00:06:45 that Titan's ocean could theoretically
00:06:45 --> 00:06:47 support heterotrophic life forms
00:06:47 --> 00:06:49 organisms that consume organic material
00:06:50 --> 00:06:51 rather than producing their own food
00:06:51 --> 00:06:52 through
00:06:52 --> 00:06:54 photosynthesis what makes Titan
00:06:54 --> 00:06:56 particularly interesting is its abundant
00:06:56 --> 00:06:59 surface organics the moon has lakes and
00:06:59 --> 00:07:02 seas of liquid methane and ethane with a
00:07:02 --> 00:07:04 thick atmosphere rich in nitrogen and
00:07:04 --> 00:07:06 methane however the study found that
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 only a limited fraction of these
00:07:08 --> 00:07:10 abundant surface organics would be
00:07:10 --> 00:07:13 suitable for microbial
00:07:13 --> 00:07:15 metabolism furthermore there's a
00:07:15 --> 00:07:17 transportation problem the organic
00:07:17 --> 00:07:19 material from Titan's surface has
00:07:19 --> 00:07:21 difficulty reaching the subsurface ocean
00:07:21 --> 00:07:24 where potential microbes might live the
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 primary delivery mechanism appears to be
00:07:26 --> 00:07:29 through impact generated melt pools
00:07:29 --> 00:07:31 essentially when meteorites crash into
00:07:31 --> 00:07:33 Titan and create temporary melting that
00:07:33 --> 00:07:35 allows surface materials to mix with the
00:07:35 --> 00:07:37 subsurface ocean this inefficient
00:07:37 --> 00:07:39 transport means any potential biosphere
00:07:39 --> 00:07:42 in Titan's ocean would be extremely
00:07:42 --> 00:07:44 sparse the study estimates a total
00:07:44 --> 00:07:47 biomass ranging from just a few grams to
00:07:47 --> 00:07:50 a few kg of carbon across the entire
00:07:50 --> 00:07:52 moon to put that in perspective this
00:07:52 --> 00:07:54 would equate to fewer than one microbial
00:07:54 --> 00:07:57 cell per kilogram of water when diluted
00:07:57 --> 00:07:59 throughout Titan's enormous subsurface
00:07:59 --> 00:08:01 ocean these findings highlight both the
00:08:01 --> 00:08:03 possibility and the challenges of life
00:08:03 --> 00:08:06 existing in Titan's hidden ocean while
00:08:06 --> 00:08:08 the basic ingredients and energy sources
00:08:08 --> 00:08:10 for life might be present the difficulty
00:08:10 --> 00:08:12 in delivering nutrients to potential
00:08:12 --> 00:08:15 organisms creates a significant hurdle
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 the research team notes that further
00:08:17 --> 00:08:19 studies into alternative metabolic
00:08:19 --> 00:08:21 pathways and potential nutrient delivery
00:08:21 --> 00:08:23 mechanisms are needed to fully
00:08:23 --> 00:08:25 understand Titan's habitability
00:08:25 --> 00:08:28 potential despite these limitations
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 Titan remains one of the most intriguing
00:08:30 --> 00:08:32 places in our solar system to search for
00:08:32 --> 00:08:35 potential extraterrestrial life a world
00:08:35 --> 00:08:38 with a complex atmosphere surface lakes
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 and a hidden ocean that continues to
00:08:40 --> 00:08:43 fascinate astrobiologists
00:08:43 --> 00:08:45 meanwhile a bit closer to home and the
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 discoveries keep coming fascinating news
00:08:48 --> 00:08:51 from China's Chang 6 mission which
00:08:51 --> 00:08:53 recently returned the first ever samples
00:08:53 --> 00:08:55 collected from the far side of the moon
00:08:55 --> 00:08:57 analysis of these precious lunar
00:08:57 --> 00:08:59 materials is revealing important
00:08:59 --> 00:09:01 differences between the moon's familiar
00:09:01 --> 00:09:04 near side and its hidden far side
00:09:04 --> 00:09:06 differences that may help confirm how
00:09:06 --> 00:09:09 our moon formed scientists examining the
00:09:09 --> 00:09:11 Chong A6 samples have discovered that
00:09:12 --> 00:09:13 there's significantly less water in the
00:09:14 --> 00:09:15 mantle beneath the far side of the moon
00:09:15 --> 00:09:17 compared to the near side the samples
00:09:17 --> 00:09:19 from the south pole atkin basin on the
00:09:19 --> 00:09:22 far side contain only about 1 to 1.5
00:09:22 --> 00:09:25 microgram of water per gram of sample
00:09:25 --> 00:09:27 that's substantially lower than
00:09:27 --> 00:09:28 measurements from Apollo mission samples
00:09:28 --> 00:09:31 from the near side which show up to 200
00:09:31 --> 00:09:34 microgram of water per g this water
00:09:34 --> 00:09:36 content difference provides important
00:09:36 --> 00:09:38 evidence supporting the giant impact
00:09:38 --> 00:09:40 hypothesis the leading theory that our
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 moon formed when a Mars-ized protolanet
00:09:42 --> 00:09:44 collided with the early Earth about 4.5
00:09:44 --> 00:09:47 billion years ago the impact sent a
00:09:47 --> 00:09:49 cascade of debris into orbit that
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 eventually coalesed to form the moon we
00:09:52 --> 00:09:54 see today according to Professor Husen
00:09:54 --> 00:09:57 from the Chinese Academy of Sciences we
00:09:57 --> 00:09:59 believe the new result is in line with
00:09:59 --> 00:10:02 the giant impact hypothesis of the moon
00:10:02 --> 00:10:04 computer modeling of such an impact
00:10:04 --> 00:10:06 event predicts that the moon's mantle
00:10:06 --> 00:10:09 would have a dicatomic or two-part
00:10:09 --> 00:10:11 distribution of water exactly what we're
00:10:11 --> 00:10:13 now observing the water content
00:10:13 --> 00:10:15 difference is just one of many
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 distinctions between the two lunar
00:10:17 --> 00:10:19 hemispheres the near side features vast
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 dark plains of ancient volcanic flows
00:10:21 --> 00:10:24 that we can see with the naked eye
00:10:24 --> 00:10:26 meanwhile the far side has a much
00:10:26 --> 00:10:28 thicker crust with far fewer volcanic
00:10:28 --> 00:10:30 features different rock types and
00:10:30 --> 00:10:32 varying concentrations of elements like
00:10:32 --> 00:10:35 thorium thorium provides a useful proxy
00:10:35 --> 00:10:37 for water content because both remain in
00:10:37 --> 00:10:39 magma during melting rather than forming
00:10:39 --> 00:10:42 crystalline minerals the South Pole Aken
00:10:42 --> 00:10:44 Basin is one of the few areas on the far
00:10:44 --> 00:10:47 side with significant thorium as it's a
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 massive impact basin where the collision
00:10:49 --> 00:10:51 dug deep enough to bring material from
00:10:51 --> 00:10:54 the mantle to the surface at 1 m
00:10:54 --> 00:10:57 across the South Pole Atkin Basin is one
00:10:57 --> 00:10:59 of the largest impact structures in our
00:10:59 --> 00:11:02 entire solar system the effects of this
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 colossal collision would have profoundly
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 influenced the moon's evolution
00:11:06 --> 00:11:08 particularly on the far side these new
00:11:08 --> 00:11:10 findings remind us that despite being
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 our closest cosmic neighbor the moon
00:11:12 --> 00:11:14 still holds many secrets especially on
00:11:14 --> 00:11:17 its perpetually hidden far side as one
00:11:17 --> 00:11:19 scientist quipped "Despite being as dry
00:11:19 --> 00:11:22 as a bone the moon's far side continues
00:11:22 --> 00:11:24 to be one of endless
00:11:24 --> 00:11:27 fascination." Finally today one for all
00:11:27 --> 00:11:29 sky watchers in exciting astronomical
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 news a recently discovered comet is
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 brightening in our skies and might soon
00:11:32 --> 00:11:35 be visible to the naked eye comet Swan
00:11:35 --> 00:11:37 officially designated
00:11:37 --> 00:11:39 C2025F2 wasn't found through a
00:11:39 --> 00:11:41 traditional telescope but instead
00:11:41 --> 00:11:43 through careful analysis of images from
00:11:43 --> 00:11:45 the solar wind anosotropies camera
00:11:45 --> 00:11:47 aboard the orbiting solar and
00:11:47 --> 00:11:48 heliospheric
00:11:48 --> 00:11:51 observatory the discovery honors a great
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 tradition of civilian contributions to
00:11:53 --> 00:11:56 astronomy on March 29th three amateur
00:11:56 --> 00:11:58 astronomers independently spotted the
00:11:58 --> 00:12:01 moving object in publicly available swan
00:12:01 --> 00:12:04 images vladimir Bzugley from Ukraine
00:12:04 --> 00:12:06 Michael Matiadzo from Australia and Rob
00:12:06 --> 00:12:09 Matson from California following naming
00:12:09 --> 00:12:11 guidelines the comet takes its name from
00:12:11 --> 00:12:13 the instrument that captured the images
00:12:13 --> 00:12:15 rather than the individuals who made the
00:12:15 --> 00:12:17 discovery word of the new comet spread
00:12:17 --> 00:12:19 quickly through the amateur astronomy
00:12:19 --> 00:12:22 community with observations pouring in
00:12:22 --> 00:12:24 shortly after currently glowing at
00:12:24 --> 00:12:27 around magnitude 8 to nine it's already
00:12:27 --> 00:12:29 visible in small telescopes despite its
00:12:29 --> 00:12:32 low altitude in the eastern pre-dawn sky
00:12:32 --> 00:12:34 observers have reported a well condensed
00:12:34 --> 00:12:36 coma approximately three arc minutes
00:12:36 --> 00:12:38 across with a slight blue green
00:12:38 --> 00:12:41 coloration from fluorescent carbon
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 compounds the comet appears to be
00:12:43 --> 00:12:45 brightening rapidly the Central Bureau
00:12:45 --> 00:12:47 for Astronomical Telegrams now forecasts
00:12:47 --> 00:12:50 it could reach magnitude 3.6 six around
00:12:50 --> 00:12:53 perihelion on May 1st when it passes
00:12:53 --> 00:12:55 just 31 million miles from the sun that
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 would make it potentially visible to the
00:12:57 --> 00:12:59 naked eye under dark skies though the
00:12:59 --> 00:13:01 brightness prediction comes with a
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 caveat due to the comet's recent
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 outburst
00:13:03 --> 00:13:06 behavior for the next couple of weeks
00:13:06 --> 00:13:08 comet Swan remains a morning object
00:13:08 --> 00:13:10 visible in the northeastern sky during
00:13:10 --> 00:13:13 dawn currently moving about 1.75 degrees
00:13:13 --> 00:13:15 per day through the great square of
00:13:15 --> 00:13:18 Pegasus before traversing Andromeda and
00:13:18 --> 00:13:21 Triangulum around April 25th it
00:13:21 --> 00:13:23 transitions to the evening sky appearing
00:13:23 --> 00:13:26 low in the northwest after sunset
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 northern hemisphere observers are
00:13:27 --> 00:13:29 particularly well positioned to view
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 this visitor with the best viewing
00:13:30 --> 00:13:33 window happening now through early May
00:13:33 --> 00:13:36 on May 1st it will pass just two degrees
00:13:36 --> 00:13:38 north of the beautiful Pletes star
00:13:38 --> 00:13:40 cluster creating a potentially
00:13:40 --> 00:13:42 spectacular photo
00:13:42 --> 00:13:44 opportunity southern Hemisphere sky
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 watchers will get their turn starting
00:13:45 --> 00:13:48 around May 4th with extended viewing
00:13:48 --> 00:13:50 opportunities throughout the remainder
00:13:50 --> 00:13:52 of May if you're planning to observe the
00:13:52 --> 00:13:55 comet you'll need a location with an
00:13:55 --> 00:13:58 unobstructed northeastern horizon while
00:13:58 --> 00:14:00 binoculars or a small telescope will
00:14:00 --> 00:14:02 give the best views now if brightness
00:14:02 --> 00:14:05 predictions hold it might become a naked
00:14:05 --> 00:14:08 eye object as it approaches
00:14:08 --> 00:14:11 perihelion and that wraps up our cosmic
00:14:11 --> 00:14:13 journey for today from Amazon's efforts
00:14:13 --> 00:14:16 to spread internet access from above to
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 the resilience of NASA's radiation
00:14:17 --> 00:14:19 hardened Juno spacecraft from the
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 tantalizing possibility of life in
00:14:21 --> 00:14:23 Titan's hidden ocean to the lunar
00:14:24 --> 00:14:26 samples illuminating our moon's violent
00:14:26 --> 00:14:29 birth and finally to our unexpected
00:14:29 --> 00:14:31 visitor comet Swan brightening in our
00:14:32 --> 00:14:34 skies the universe continues to
00:14:34 --> 00:14:37 captivate us with its endless wonders
00:14:37 --> 00:14:39 i want to thank you for spending this
00:14:39 --> 00:14:41 time exploring the cosmos with Astronomy
00:14:41 --> 00:14:43 Daily whether you're a seasoned
00:14:43 --> 00:14:45 stargazer or just beginning to look up
00:14:45 --> 00:14:47 in wonder there's always something new
00:14:47 --> 00:14:49 to discover about our magnificent
00:14:49 --> 00:14:52 universe this is Anna your guide through
00:14:52 --> 00:14:55 the stars signing off for today if
00:14:55 --> 00:14:57 you're hungry for more space news visit
00:14:57 --> 00:15:00 our website at astronomydaily.io io
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 where you can catch up on all the latest
00:15:01 --> 00:15:03 space and astronomy news with our
00:15:03 --> 00:15:06 constantly updating news feed and listen
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00:15:30 --> 00:15:33 stories told
00:15:33 --> 00:15:39 [Music]