Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S04E33
In this episode of Astronomy Daily, host Anna brings you a treasure trove of cosmic stories that will expand your understanding of the universe. From potential asteroid impacts to exciting developments in solar science, this episode is packed with insights that will keep you informed and engaged.
Highlights:
- Asteroid Bennu's Impact Potential: Discover the latest research on the asteroid Bennu, which could collide with Earth in 2182. While the chances are slim, the study reveals the dramatic effects an impact could have on our climate, including a drop in temperatures and depletion of the ozone layer.
- Changes in Russia's Space Agency : Learn about the significant shakeup at Roscosmos, with the dismissal of Yuri Borisov and the appointment of Dmitri Bakhanov. Explore the ambitious plans for a new orbital space station and the implications of recent failures in lunar missions.
- Total Lunar Eclipse Preview : Mark your calendars for March 13th and 14th, 2025, when a total lunar eclipse will turn the moon a striking red. Find out how to best view this celestial event and what else to look for in the night sky.
- NASA's Perseverance Rover Discovery : Get the scoop on Perseverance's latest rock sample from Mars, believed to be among the oldest rocks in the solar system, shedding light on the planet's ancient history and past water interactions.
- Breakthrough in Solar Science : Dive into the groundbreaking findings from the Solar Orbiter that have finally unraveled the mystery of solar wind, revealing the role of tiny jets in driving this constant stream of charged particles.
- The Mystery of the Moon Golf Balls : Wrap up with a fun exploration of the enduring mystery surrounding the golf balls played on the moon by Alan Shepard during the Apollo 14 mission. Discover the various claims about the brand and the intrigue that still surrounds this lunar anecdote.
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, and TikTok. 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 back to Astronomy Daily
01:02 - Potential asteroid impact of Bennu
05:30 - Changes at Russia's Roscosmos
10:15 - Upcoming total lunar eclipse details
14:00 - Perseverance rover's extraordinary discovery
18:20 - Breakthrough in solar wind research
22:00 - The mystery of the Moon golf balls
25:00 - Conclusion and upcoming content
✍️ Episode References
Bennu Impact Research
[Bennu Impact Research](https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2025-march-14)
Perseverance Rover Updates
[Perseverance Rover](https://mars.nasa.gov/perseverance)
Solar Wind Discovery
[Solar Wind Discovery](https://www.nasa.gov/solar-orbiter)
Moon Golf Balls Mystery
[Moon Golf Balls](https://www.nasa.gov/apollo14)
Astronomy Daily
[Astronomy Daily](http://www.astronomydaily.io)
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--5648921/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--5648921/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) .
Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/25469516?utm_source=youtube
00:00:00 --> 00:00:00 [Music]
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 welcome to astronomy daily I'm Anna
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 today we have an absolutely packed show
00:00:04 --> 00:00:06 with some fascinating stories from
00:00:06 --> 00:00:08 across the cosmos we'll be diving into
00:00:08 --> 00:00:10 new research about another potential
00:00:10 --> 00:00:12 asteroid impact that could cause an
00:00:12 --> 00:00:15 impact winter on Earth explore major
00:00:15 --> 00:00:17 changes happening at Russia's space
00:00:17 --> 00:00:19 agency and get you ready for an upcoming
00:00:19 --> 00:00:21 total lunar eclipse that you won't want
00:00:21 --> 00:00:24 to miss we'll also check in with NASA's
00:00:24 --> 00:00:26 perseverance Rover on Mars where it's
00:00:26 --> 00:00:28 just made an extraordinary Discovery and
00:00:28 --> 00:00:30 learn about a breakthrough in solar
00:00:30 --> 00:00:32 science that's finally solved a
00:00:32 --> 00:00:36 longstanding mystery about our sun plus
00:00:36 --> 00:00:38 we'll wrap up with a fun look back at
00:00:38 --> 00:00:40 one of space exploration most enduring
00:00:40 --> 00:00:43 Mysteries the case of the Moon golf
00:00:43 --> 00:00:45 balls stay with me as we explore these
00:00:45 --> 00:00:47 stories and more right here on astronomy
00:00:47 --> 00:00:50 daily a new study has sent ripples
00:00:50 --> 00:00:51 through the scientific Community with
00:00:51 --> 00:00:53 its detailed analysis of what might
00:00:53 --> 00:00:56 happen if the asteroid benu were to
00:00:56 --> 00:00:58 collide with Earth in the year
00:00:58 --> 00:01:01 2182 now now before anyone starts
00:01:01 --> 00:01:03 panicking it's important to note that
00:01:03 --> 00:01:05 the chances of this impact are quite
00:01:05 --> 00:01:07 small about 1 and
00:01:07 --> 00:01:10 2 but the research gives us
00:01:10 --> 00:01:12 fascinating insights into how such an
00:01:12 --> 00:01:15 impact could affect our planet benu
00:01:15 --> 00:01:16 isn't exactly a giant as far as
00:01:16 --> 00:01:19 asteroids go it's about 3/10 of a mile
00:01:19 --> 00:01:22 across or around 500 M but don't let its
00:01:22 --> 00:01:25 relatively modest size fool you the
00:01:25 --> 00:01:27 computer simulations show that if this
00:01:27 --> 00:01:29 Rocky visitor were to strike Earth the
00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 consequence would be far-reaching and
00:01:31 --> 00:01:34 longlasting the immediate impact would
00:01:34 --> 00:01:36 create quite a show we're talking
00:01:36 --> 00:01:38 powerful shock waves earthquakes
00:01:38 --> 00:01:41 wildfires and thermal radiation but it's
00:01:41 --> 00:01:43 what happens next that's particularly
00:01:43 --> 00:01:45 interesting the Collision would throw an
00:01:45 --> 00:01:47 enormous amount of dust into our
00:01:47 --> 00:01:50 atmosphere somewhere between 100 and 400
00:01:50 --> 00:01:53 million tons this Cosmic dust cloud
00:01:53 --> 00:01:56 would hang around for 3 to four years
00:01:56 --> 00:01:58 dramatically altering our climate and
00:01:58 --> 00:02:00 ecosystems
00:02:00 --> 00:02:01 the researchers found that Earth's
00:02:01 --> 00:02:03 average surface temperature could drop
00:02:03 --> 00:02:05 by about 7 degrees Fahrenheit or 4
00:02:05 --> 00:02:08 degrees C rainfall would decrease by
00:02:08 --> 00:02:11 roughly 15% and plant photosynthesis
00:02:11 --> 00:02:13 could drop by up to
00:02:13 --> 00:02:15 30% perhaps most concerning is that our
00:02:15 --> 00:02:17 protective ozone layer could be depleted
00:02:17 --> 00:02:18 by
00:02:18 --> 00:02:21 32% leaving us more exposed to harmful
00:02:21 --> 00:02:24 ultraviolet radiation interestingly
00:02:24 --> 00:02:26 while land-based plant life would
00:02:26 --> 00:02:29 struggle to recover for about 2 years
00:02:29 --> 00:02:30 ocean planked would bounce back within
00:02:30 --> 00:02:33 just 6 months in fact the iron rich dust
00:02:33 --> 00:02:35 falling into the oceans might even
00:02:35 --> 00:02:38 trigger unprecedented Blooms of diatoms
00:02:38 --> 00:02:40 a type of algae the good news is that
00:02:40 --> 00:02:42 NASA isn't taking any chances with
00:02:43 --> 00:02:45 potential asteroid threats they've
00:02:45 --> 00:02:47 already successfully tested a planetary
00:02:47 --> 00:02:49 defense system with the dart mission in
00:02:49 --> 00:02:52 2022 which showed we can actually change
00:02:52 --> 00:02:55 an asteroid's trajectory if needed it's
00:02:55 --> 00:02:56 exactly this kind of preparation and
00:02:56 --> 00:02:58 forward thinking that could help protect
00:02:58 --> 00:03:00 us from future Cosmic
00:03:00 --> 00:03:03 threats next up let's go to today's news
00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 headlines the landscape of Russia's
00:03:05 --> 00:03:07 space program is experiencing a
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 significant shakeup as the Kremlin has
00:03:09 --> 00:03:11 dismissed Yuri borisov from his position
00:03:11 --> 00:03:13 as head of roscosmos after less than
00:03:13 --> 00:03:16 three years in the role this change
00:03:16 --> 00:03:17 comes in the wake of Russia's first
00:03:17 --> 00:03:19 attempted moon mission in nearly half a
00:03:19 --> 00:03:21 century which unfortunately ended in
00:03:21 --> 00:03:24 Failure when the Luna 25 spacecraft
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 crashed into the lunar surface last
00:03:26 --> 00:03:29 August taking the helm at Ros Cosmos is
00:03:29 --> 00:03:31 Demetri bakanov who comes from his
00:03:31 --> 00:03:33 previous position as Deputy transport
00:03:33 --> 00:03:36 Minister while the Kremlin maintains
00:03:36 --> 00:03:38 this is simply a routine rotation to
00:03:38 --> 00:03:40 keep the corporation developing
00:03:40 --> 00:03:42 dynamically the timing is particularly
00:03:42 --> 00:03:45 noteworthy given Russia's ambitious
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 plans for the future of their space
00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 program despite the recent setback with
00:03:49 --> 00:03:52 Luna 25 Russia has been laying out bold
00:03:52 --> 00:03:54 plans for the coming years they're
00:03:54 --> 00:03:56 preparing to launch their own orbital
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 space station to replace their
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 involvement with the international space
00:04:00 --> 00:04:02 station the timeline for this new
00:04:02 --> 00:04:04 station is aggressive with the first two
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 modules scheduled for launch in
00:04:06 --> 00:04:09 2027 this transition comes at a crucial
00:04:09 --> 00:04:12 moment for Russia's space Endeavors the
00:04:12 --> 00:04:14 country has historically been a Pioneer
00:04:14 --> 00:04:16 in space exploration from Yuri gagarin's
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 historic first human space flight in
00:04:18 --> 00:04:20 1961 to their long-standing
00:04:20 --> 00:04:24 collaboration on the ISS however the
00:04:24 --> 00:04:25 geopolitical landscape has shifted
00:04:26 --> 00:04:28 dramatically particularly following the
00:04:28 --> 00:04:30 Ukraine conflict though Russia has
00:04:30 --> 00:04:32 maintained its space cooperation with
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 the United States even as other
00:04:34 --> 00:04:37 relationships have become strained the
00:04:37 --> 00:04:39 new station project represents more than
00:04:39 --> 00:04:42 just a replacement for the Aging ISS
00:04:42 --> 00:04:44 it's intended to be a platform for
00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 scientific economic and security related
00:04:46 --> 00:04:49 projects that Russia believes aren't
00:04:49 --> 00:04:51 possible within their current ISS
00:04:51 --> 00:04:53 segment as we look toward this new
00:04:53 --> 00:04:55 chapter in Russian space exploration the
00:04:55 --> 00:04:57 pressure will be on banov to deliver on
00:04:57 --> 00:05:00 these ambitious goals while maintaining
00:05:00 --> 00:05:02 position as a major player in space
00:05:02 --> 00:05:05 exploration mark your calendars space
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 enthusiasts because we're in for a
00:05:07 --> 00:05:10 spectacular Celestial show on March 13th
00:05:10 --> 00:05:11 and 14th
00:05:11 --> 00:05:14 2025 a total lunar eclipse will Grace
00:05:14 --> 00:05:16 our skies turning our moon a stunning
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 red orange color as it passes through
00:05:18 --> 00:05:21 Earth's Shadow during this mesmerizing
00:05:21 --> 00:05:24 event the sun earth and moon will align
00:05:24 --> 00:05:26 perfectly with our planet casting its
00:05:26 --> 00:05:28 shadow onto the lunar surface the entire
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 moon will travel through Earth's umbra
00:05:31 --> 00:05:32 that's the darkest part of our planet's
00:05:32 --> 00:05:35 Shadow creating what many people call a
00:05:35 --> 00:05:37 Blood Moon due to its distinctive
00:05:37 --> 00:05:39 Crimson Hue now you might wonder why the
00:05:39 --> 00:05:41 moon appears red during an eclipse
00:05:41 --> 00:05:43 rather than simply going dark it's
00:05:43 --> 00:05:44 actually the same phenomenon that gives
00:05:44 --> 00:05:47 us our blue skies and red sunsets as
00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 sunlight passes through Earth's
00:05:49 --> 00:05:51 atmosphere blue light scatters away
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 while red light travels more directly
00:05:53 --> 00:05:56 through the air during the eclipse
00:05:56 --> 00:05:57 sunlight gets filtered through a thick
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 slice of Earth's atmosphere before
00:05:59 --> 00:06:01 reaching the moon essentially projecting
00:06:01 --> 00:06:04 all of Earth's sunrises and sunsets onto
00:06:04 --> 00:06:07 the lunar surface at once the best part
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 about lunar eclipses is that you don't
00:06:09 --> 00:06:11 need any special equipment to enjoy them
00:06:11 --> 00:06:13 while binoculars or a telescope can
00:06:13 --> 00:06:15 enhance your view the spectacle is
00:06:15 --> 00:06:17 perfectly visible to the naked eye just
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 find yourself a spot away from bright
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 lights for the best viewing
00:06:21 --> 00:06:23 experience for those planning to catch
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 this Celestial event there's even more
00:06:25 --> 00:06:28 to see in the sky that night look toward
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 the Western Horizon and you'll spot
00:06:30 --> 00:06:32 Jupiter and
00:06:32 --> 00:06:34 Mars as the moon's brightness dims
00:06:34 --> 00:06:36 during the eclipse you'll have an
00:06:36 --> 00:06:38 exceptional opportunity to observe
00:06:38 --> 00:06:39 constellations that might otherwise be
00:06:39 --> 00:06:42 harder to spot the moon will begin its
00:06:42 --> 00:06:45 journey in the constellation Leo right
00:06:45 --> 00:06:47 under the Lion's hind paw before
00:06:47 --> 00:06:50 Crossing into Virgo this Eclipse will be
00:06:50 --> 00:06:52 visible from Earth's Western Hemisphere
00:06:52 --> 00:06:54 making it a prime viewing opportunity
00:06:54 --> 00:06:57 for many of our listeners remember these
00:06:57 --> 00:07:00 Cosmic ballets don't happen every day so
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 don't miss this chance to witness one of
00:07:02 --> 00:07:04 Nature's most impressive
00:07:04 --> 00:07:06 shows now exciting news from the red
00:07:06 --> 00:07:09 planet where NASA's perseverance Rover
00:07:09 --> 00:07:10 has just collected what scientists are
00:07:10 --> 00:07:13 calling a one-of aind treasure from an
00:07:13 --> 00:07:15 area known as Silver Mountain this 1.1
00:07:15 --> 00:07:17 in rock sample might not look like much
00:07:17 --> 00:07:19 at first glance but it could provide
00:07:19 --> 00:07:21 unprecedented insights into Mars's
00:07:21 --> 00:07:23 ancient history what makes this sample
00:07:23 --> 00:07:26 so special is its location and
00:07:26 --> 00:07:28 composition the rocks in this area are
00:07:28 --> 00:07:29 believed to have been thrust rust up to
00:07:30 --> 00:07:32 the surface from deep within Mars after
00:07:32 --> 00:07:35 an ancient impact billions of years ago
00:07:35 --> 00:07:36 scientists think these rocks could be
00:07:36 --> 00:07:39 pieces of Mars early crust and might
00:07:39 --> 00:07:41 even rank among the oldest rocks found
00:07:41 --> 00:07:43 anywhere in our solar system this is the
00:07:43 --> 00:07:45 first sample perseverance has collected
00:07:45 --> 00:07:49 from what geologists call the noan age a
00:07:49 --> 00:07:51 period roughly 4 billion years ago when
00:07:51 --> 00:07:53 Mars was regularly bombarded by
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 asteroids and comets these impacts
00:07:55 --> 00:07:57 created many of the crater features we
00:07:57 --> 00:08:00 still see on the red planet today
00:08:00 --> 00:08:02 the sample's unique textures unlike
00:08:02 --> 00:08:03 anything the Rover has encountered
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 before have scientists particularly
00:08:06 --> 00:08:09 intrigued since its Landing in 2021 near
00:08:09 --> 00:08:11 jazero Crater perseverance has been
00:08:11 --> 00:08:13 methodically exploring and sampling the
00:08:13 --> 00:08:16 Martian landscape the Rover has already
00:08:16 --> 00:08:18 made several significant discoveries
00:08:18 --> 00:08:20 including rocks showing chemical
00:08:20 --> 00:08:22 evidence of past water interaction a
00:08:22 --> 00:08:24 crucial finding since water is essential
00:08:24 --> 00:08:26 for Life as we know it while the
00:08:27 --> 00:08:28 scientific Community is eager to get
00:08:28 --> 00:08:31 their hands on this extraordinary sample
00:08:31 --> 00:08:33 there's still uncertainty about when
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 these Martian rocks will make their way
00:08:35 --> 00:08:38 back to Earth NASA is currently
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 reworking its Mars sample return program
00:08:40 --> 00:08:42 after cost projections Rose
00:08:42 --> 00:08:44 significantly the agency is now
00:08:44 --> 00:08:46 evaluating new proposals from industry
00:08:46 --> 00:08:49 and Academia with a decision on the path
00:08:49 --> 00:08:50 forward expected in
00:08:50 --> 00:08:53 2026 meanwhile China has announced plans
00:08:53 --> 00:08:56 for its own Mars sample return Mission
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 aiming to launch in 2028 with samples
00:08:59 --> 00:09:01 potentially returning to Earth by
00:09:01 --> 00:09:04 2031 this adds an interesting element of
00:09:04 --> 00:09:05 competition to the race for bringing
00:09:05 --> 00:09:08 back the first pieces of the red
00:09:08 --> 00:09:11 planet in a groundbreaking discovery
00:09:11 --> 00:09:12 scientists have finally solved one of
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 the sun's most persistent Mysteries
00:09:15 --> 00:09:17 using the solar Orbiter spacecraft the
00:09:17 --> 00:09:20 question of what drives the solar wind
00:09:20 --> 00:09:22 that constant stream of charged
00:09:22 --> 00:09:24 particles flowing from our Star has
00:09:24 --> 00:09:27 puzzled researchers for decades now we
00:09:27 --> 00:09:29 have our answer and it comes in the form
00:09:29 --> 00:09:31 of tiny hair-like Jets erupting from
00:09:31 --> 00:09:33 dark patches in the sun's
00:09:33 --> 00:09:35 atmosphere these fleeting bursts of
00:09:35 --> 00:09:38 energy captured an unprecedented detail
00:09:38 --> 00:09:40 by solar orbiters Advanced instruments
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 last for about a minute each and launch
00:09:42 --> 00:09:44 charged particles into space at
00:09:44 --> 00:09:48 mindboggling speeds of around 224
00:09:48 --> 00:09:50 mph what's particularly fascinating is
00:09:51 --> 00:09:53 that these Jets appear to be responsible
00:09:53 --> 00:09:55 for both types of solar wind the fast
00:09:55 --> 00:09:58 and slow varieties something scientists
00:09:58 --> 00:10:01 didn't expect to find the discovery came
00:10:01 --> 00:10:03 during solar orbiters close approaches
00:10:03 --> 00:10:07 to the sun in late 2022 and early
00:10:07 --> 00:10:10 2023 by combining high resolution images
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 with direct measurements of solar wind
00:10:11 --> 00:10:14 particles and magnetic fields
00:10:14 --> 00:10:17 researchers could for the first time
00:10:17 --> 00:10:19 directly connect these tiny Jets to the
00:10:19 --> 00:10:21 solar wind detected by their
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 instruments these Jets appear in special
00:10:23 --> 00:10:26 regions called coronal holes dark
00:10:26 --> 00:10:27 patches in the sun's atmosphere where
00:10:27 --> 00:10:29 the magnetic field stretches out into
00:10:29 --> 00:10:30 space instead of looping back to the
00:10:30 --> 00:10:33 surface while scientists knew that fast
00:10:33 --> 00:10:35 solar wind came from these coronal holes
00:10:35 --> 00:10:38 the Revelation that slow solar wind also
00:10:38 --> 00:10:40 originates from the same Source came as
00:10:40 --> 00:10:42 a complete surprise this breakthrough
00:10:42 --> 00:10:44 has significant implications for our
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 understanding of space weather and its
00:10:46 --> 00:10:48 effects on Earth the solar wind shapes
00:10:48 --> 00:10:50 our planet's magnetic environment and
00:10:50 --> 00:10:52 can impact everything from satellite
00:10:52 --> 00:10:55 operations to power grids by better
00:10:55 --> 00:10:57 understanding its Origins we might
00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 improve our ability to predict and
00:10:58 --> 00:11:00 prepare for solar storms and other space
00:11:00 --> 00:11:03 weather events the discovery was only
00:11:03 --> 00:11:05 possible thanks to solar Orbiter unique
00:11:05 --> 00:11:07 combination of Imaging systems and
00:11:07 --> 00:11:08 partical detection instruments
00:11:08 --> 00:11:11 showcasing how modern technology is
00:11:11 --> 00:11:13 helping us unravel the sun's deepest
00:11:13 --> 00:11:15 Secrets scientists plan to gather more
00:11:16 --> 00:11:17 data during future close approaches to
00:11:17 --> 00:11:20 better understand exactly how these tiny
00:11:20 --> 00:11:23 Jets manag to launch the solar wind into
00:11:23 --> 00:11:26 space to wrap up today here's a
00:11:26 --> 00:11:28 light-hearted but fascinating story from
00:11:28 --> 00:11:30 the Apollo era that still puzzles space
00:11:30 --> 00:11:33 historians today when Alan Shepard
00:11:33 --> 00:11:35 became the first and so far only person
00:11:35 --> 00:11:37 to play golf on the moon during the
00:11:38 --> 00:11:40 Apollo 14 mission in 1971 he
00:11:40 --> 00:11:43 deliberately kept one detail secret the
00:11:43 --> 00:11:45 brand of golf balls he used for his
00:11:45 --> 00:11:48 famous lunar shots Shepard had gotten
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 special permission from NASA for this
00:11:49 --> 00:11:52 unique lunar activity but with one
00:11:52 --> 00:11:54 important condition it couldn't be used
00:11:54 --> 00:11:57 for commercial purposes to prevent any
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 company from capitalizing on this
00:11:58 --> 00:12:01 historic moment Shephard never revealed
00:12:01 --> 00:12:03 which brand of balls made it to the moon
00:12:03 --> 00:12:05 famously stating that he hadn't even
00:12:05 --> 00:12:08 told his wife over the years several
00:12:08 --> 00:12:10 competing claims have emerged about
00:12:10 --> 00:12:12 these lunar golf balls one story comes
00:12:12 --> 00:12:15 from Shepherd's Barber Carlos villagomez
00:12:15 --> 00:12:17 who received a signed Max flyball from
00:12:17 --> 00:12:20 the astronaut shortly after the mission
00:12:20 --> 00:12:22 then there's Jack Harden the golf pro
00:12:22 --> 00:12:24 who helped Shephard modify the famous
00:12:24 --> 00:12:26 six iron Club who claimed they were
00:12:26 --> 00:12:29 customized Spalding range balls even the
00:12:29 --> 00:12:31 daisy company has staked a claim
00:12:31 --> 00:12:33 pointing to a sign crew photo thanking
00:12:33 --> 00:12:36 them for their golf balls adding to the
00:12:36 --> 00:12:38 Intrigue Shephard himself mentioned that
00:12:38 --> 00:12:40 he personally paid for the two golf
00:12:40 --> 00:12:42 balls seemingly contradicting these
00:12:42 --> 00:12:45 gift-based origin stories while we might
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 hope to solve this Mystery by examining
00:12:46 --> 00:12:48 the balls on the moon they've likely
00:12:48 --> 00:12:50 been damaged beyond recognition by
00:12:50 --> 00:12:52 Decades of extreme temperature swings
00:12:52 --> 00:12:55 and radiation exposure despite the
00:12:55 --> 00:12:57 uncertainty around the brand what we do
00:12:57 --> 00:12:59 know is that Shepherd's lunar golf shots
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 didn't quite live up to his excited
00:13:01 --> 00:13:03 claim of the balls traveling miles and
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 miles and miles in the moon's low
00:13:05 --> 00:13:08 gravity later analysis of lunar
00:13:08 --> 00:13:09 photographs showed his best shot
00:13:09 --> 00:13:12 traveled about 40 yards still impressive
00:13:12 --> 00:13:14 considering he was wearing a bulky space
00:13:14 --> 00:13:17 suit and could only swing
00:13:17 --> 00:13:19 one-handed well that brings us to the
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 end of today's fascinating journey
00:13:20 --> 00:13:23 through space and astronomy news this is
00:13:23 --> 00:13:25 Anna and I've truly enjoyed sharing
00:13:25 --> 00:13:27 these incredible stories with you if
00:13:28 --> 00:13:29 you're hungry for more space news and
00:13:29 --> 00:13:31 want to stay up to dat with the latest
00:13:31 --> 00:13:33 developments I've got some great ways
00:13:33 --> 00:13:35 for you to do just that head over to
00:13:35 --> 00:13:37 astronomy daily. where you'll find our
00:13:37 --> 00:13:39 constantly updating news feed covering
00:13:39 --> 00:13:41 all the latest space and astronomy
00:13:41 --> 00:13:43 developments while you're there you can
00:13:43 --> 00:13:45 also catch up on all our previous
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 episodes if you've missed any of our
00:13:46 --> 00:13:48 earlier coverage we're also very active
00:13:48 --> 00:13:50 on social media you can find us by
00:13:50 --> 00:13:52 searching for Astro daily pod on
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00:13:55 --> 00:13:57 Tok it's a great way to stay connected
00:13:57 --> 00:13:59 and join the conversation about these
00:13:59 --> 00:14:01 amazing space discoveries and if you're
00:14:02 --> 00:14:04 enjoying the show which I hope you are
00:14:04 --> 00:14:06 make sure to subscribe wherever you get
00:14:06 --> 00:14:08 your podcasts we're available on all
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00:14:14 --> 00:14:16 never miss an episode as we continue to
00:14:16 --> 00:14:18 explore the wonders of space together
00:14:18 --> 00:14:20 thanks for listening to astronomy daily
00:14:20 --> 00:14:22 I'm Anna reminding you to keep looking
00:14:22 --> 00:14:24 up and I'll see you next time as we
00:14:24 --> 00:14:29 continue our journey through the cosmos
00:14:29 --> 00:14:31 Stories We Told
00:14:31 --> 00:14:47 [Music]