Witness the largest volcanic eruption ever seen on Jupiter's moon Io, explore NASA's breakthrough in nuclear propulsion, and discover evidence of ancient Martian beaches that could rewrite the story of life beyond Earth.
In this episode, we cover:
• NASA's Juno spacecraft captures a colossal 150-mile-high volcanic plume on Io
• KRUSTY nuclear reactor test paves the way for deep space exploration
• Ancient beach deposits in Gale Crater reveal Mars' watery past
• Artemis II communication networks ready for lunar missions
• The Moon's February celestial tour featuring Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter
• Life's chemical building blocks form naturally in interstellar space
Hosted by Anna and Avery, Astronomy Daily brings you the latest space and astronomy news in an engaging, accessible format perfect for enthusiasts and curious minds alike.
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00:00:00 --> 00:00:03 Picture this. A volcanic eruption so
00:00:03 --> 00:00:06 massive it could swallow entire [music]
00:00:06 --> 00:00:09 countries. Now imagine witnessing it
00:00:09 --> 00:00:12 from space on a moon 400 million miles
00:00:12 --> 00:00:15 away. Welcome to Astronomy [music]
00:00:15 --> 00:00:17 Daily where today we're bringing you the
00:00:17 --> 00:00:19 most explosive story from Jupiter's
00:00:20 --> 00:00:23 volcanic moon Io. Literally. I'm Anna.
00:00:23 --> 00:00:26 >> And I'm Avery. Anna, when NASA's Juno
00:00:26 --> 00:00:28 spacecraft captured [music] the largest
00:00:28 --> 00:00:31 volcanic eruption ever seen on Io, it
00:00:31 --> 00:00:33 reminded me why we explore [music] these
00:00:33 --> 00:00:35 distant worlds. The sheer scale of
00:00:35 --> 00:00:36 what's happening out there is
00:00:36 --> 00:00:37 mind-blowing. [music]
00:00:38 --> 00:00:41 Absolutely. And speaking of exploration,
00:00:41 --> 00:00:43 we've also got some groundbreaking news
00:00:43 --> 00:00:45 about nuclear propulsion [music] that
00:00:45 --> 00:00:48 could revolutionize deep space travel.
00:00:48 --> 00:00:50 Plus, discoveries about ancient Martian
00:00:50 --> 00:00:52 beaches, the communication networks
00:00:52 --> 00:00:54 keeping Artemis astronauts [music]
00:00:54 --> 00:00:57 connected around the moon, a lunar world
00:00:57 --> 00:00:59 tour happening in February, and
00:01:00 --> 00:01:01 fascinating research [music] about
00:01:01 --> 00:01:04 life's ingredients forming in space.
00:01:04 --> 00:01:07 It's Friday, [music] January 30th, 2026,
00:01:08 --> 00:01:10 and you're listening to Astronomy Daily.
00:01:10 --> 00:01:13 >> Let's get into it, then. Avery, [music]
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 let's dive right into this spectacular
00:01:15 --> 00:01:18 volcanic eruption on Io. NASA's Juno
00:01:18 --> 00:01:20 spacecraft has been giving us
00:01:20 --> 00:01:23 unprecedented views of Jupiter's most
00:01:23 --> 00:01:26 volcanically active moon. And this
00:01:26 --> 00:01:29 latest discovery is absolutely stunning.
00:01:29 --> 00:01:32 >> It really is, Anna. During Juno's 71st
00:01:32 --> 00:01:35 close flyby of Jupiter on January 28th,
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 the spacecraft captured what scientists
00:01:37 --> 00:01:40 are calling the largest volcanic
00:01:40 --> 00:01:42 eruption ever observed on Io. We're
00:01:42 --> 00:01:45 talking about a plume that's absolutely
00:01:45 --> 00:01:47 colossal in scale. The plume was spotted
00:01:47 --> 00:01:51 at a volcano called Khi. And here's what
00:01:51 --> 00:01:53 makes this so remarkable. The plume
00:01:53 --> 00:01:58 extends an estimated 240 km or about 150
00:01:58 --> 00:02:01 m above Io's surface.
00:02:01 --> 00:02:03 >> That's incredible. To put that in
00:02:03 --> 00:02:05 perspective for our listeners, that's
00:02:05 --> 00:02:07 roughly the distance from New York to
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 Philadelphia. But instead of a road
00:02:09 --> 00:02:11 trip, we're talking about a volcanic
00:02:11 --> 00:02:14 plume shooting straight up into space.
00:02:14 --> 00:02:16 >> Exactly. And what makes Io such a
00:02:16 --> 00:02:19 volcanic powerhouse is the immense tidal
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 forces it experiences. Jupender's
00:02:22 --> 00:02:23 massive gravity combined with the
00:02:23 --> 00:02:25 gravitational poles from its sister
00:02:25 --> 00:02:27 moons Europa and Ganymede literally
00:02:27 --> 00:02:30 flexes ISO's interior generating
00:02:30 --> 00:02:32 enormous amounts of heat. It's like
00:02:32 --> 00:02:35 continuously kneading dough but on a
00:02:35 --> 00:02:37 planetary scale. The images Juno
00:02:37 --> 00:02:40 captured are fascinating too. Scientists
00:02:40 --> 00:02:43 use the spacecraft's Juno cam instrument
00:02:43 --> 00:02:45 and what they saw was this enormous
00:02:45 --> 00:02:48 umbrellashaped plume extending from Cain
00:02:48 --> 00:02:51 Hackily. Scott Bolton, Juno's principal
00:02:51 --> 00:02:53 investigator from the Southwest Research
00:02:53 --> 00:02:56 Institute, described it as both enormous
00:02:56 --> 00:02:59 and incredibly faint, which is why these
00:02:59 --> 00:03:01 observations are so valuable.
00:03:01 --> 00:03:03 >> Right. And this isn't just about
00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 impressive visuals. Understanding is
00:03:05 --> 00:03:07 vcanism helps us learn about tidal
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 heating processes throughout the solar
00:03:09 --> 00:03:12 system. Plus, Juno has been on quite the
00:03:12 --> 00:03:14 journey. The spacecraft has made 18
00:03:14 --> 00:03:17 close flybys of Io since entering
00:03:17 --> 00:03:19 Jupiter's orbit back in 2016, and it's
00:03:19 --> 00:03:21 scheduled to continue observations until
00:03:21 --> 00:03:23 at least 2025.
00:03:24 --> 00:03:27 >> Actually, Avery, we're now in 2026, so
00:03:27 --> 00:03:29 Juno has been extended beyond that
00:03:29 --> 00:03:31 original timeline, which is fantastic
00:03:32 --> 00:03:34 news for continued observations. This
00:03:34 --> 00:03:37 discovery really highlights how active
00:03:37 --> 00:03:40 and dynamic Io remains. It's not just
00:03:40 --> 00:03:43 the most volcanically active body in our
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 solar system. It's constantly surprising
00:03:45 --> 00:03:48 us with the scale of its eruptions.
00:03:48 --> 00:03:50 >> Absolutely. And there's something almost
00:03:50 --> 00:03:52 poetic about witnessing such raw
00:03:52 --> 00:03:54 primordial forces at work on another
00:03:54 --> 00:03:57 world. While we deal with our relatively
00:03:57 --> 00:04:00 tame volcanic activity here on Earth, Io
00:04:00 --> 00:04:02 is experiencing eruptions that dwarf
00:04:02 --> 00:04:05 anything in our planet's history. It's a
00:04:05 --> 00:04:07 powerful reminder that our solar system
00:04:07 --> 00:04:11 is far from a static, quiet place. There
00:04:11 --> 00:04:13 are worlds out there where the geology
00:04:13 --> 00:04:15 is extreme beyond our everyday
00:04:15 --> 00:04:18 comprehension. All right, let's shift
00:04:18 --> 00:04:20 gears from volcanic fury to the cutting
00:04:20 --> 00:04:23 edge of space propulsion technology.
00:04:23 --> 00:04:25 >> Anna, if we're going to send humans
00:04:25 --> 00:04:27 deeper into the solar system to Mars and
00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 beyond, we need better propulsion
00:04:29 --> 00:04:31 systems than what we currently have.
00:04:31 --> 00:04:33 That's where nuclear technology comes
00:04:33 --> 00:04:35 in. And NASA just achieved a significant
00:04:36 --> 00:04:37 milestone.
00:04:37 --> 00:04:40 >> This is exciting stuff, Avery. NASA and
00:04:40 --> 00:04:42 the Department of Energy recently fired
00:04:42 --> 00:04:45 up crusty. And yes, that's actually the
00:04:45 --> 00:04:47 acronym they went with, which stands for
00:04:47 --> 00:04:50 kilo power reactor using sterling
00:04:50 --> 00:04:53 technology. This test represents a major
00:04:53 --> 00:04:55 step toward making nuclear power a
00:04:55 --> 00:04:58 reality for deep space missions.
00:04:58 --> 00:05:00 >> I love that acronym. But beyond the fun
00:05:00 --> 00:05:03 name, this is serious technology. Frosty
00:05:03 --> 00:05:05 is a small fish and reactor designed to
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 provide reliable power in the harsh
00:05:07 --> 00:05:09 environments of deep space. We're
00:05:09 --> 00:05:11 talking about a system that could
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 generate around 10 kows of electrical
00:05:13 --> 00:05:17 power continuously for over a decade. 10
00:05:17 --> 00:05:19 kow might not sound like much compared
00:05:19 --> 00:05:22 to a power plant, but in space it's
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 transformational. That's enough to power
00:05:24 --> 00:05:26 life support systems, scientific
00:05:26 --> 00:05:29 instruments, and habitats on Mars or the
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 moon. Traditional solar panels become
00:05:31 --> 00:05:33 less effective the farther you get from
00:05:33 --> 00:05:36 the sun, but nuclear reactors work
00:05:36 --> 00:05:37 anywhere.
00:05:37 --> 00:05:39 >> Exactly. And the technology behind
00:05:39 --> 00:05:42 Crusty is elegantly simple in concept if
00:05:42 --> 00:05:45 complex in execution. It uses a solid
00:05:45 --> 00:05:47 uranium core about the size of a paper
00:05:47 --> 00:05:50 towel roll. Nuclear fish in this core
00:05:50 --> 00:05:51 generates heat which is then converted
00:05:51 --> 00:05:54 to electricity using sterling engines.
00:05:54 --> 00:05:56 These are highly efficient engines that
00:05:56 --> 00:05:59 convert heat to mechanical energy and
00:05:59 --> 00:06:00 then to electricity.
00:06:00 --> 00:06:03 >> What I find particularly impressive is
00:06:03 --> 00:06:05 the safety engineering. These systems
00:06:05 --> 00:06:08 are designed to be inherently safe with
00:06:08 --> 00:06:10 passive cooling systems that don't
00:06:10 --> 00:06:12 require active intervention. During the
00:06:12 --> 00:06:15 Nevada test, engineers put Crusty
00:06:15 --> 00:06:18 through its paces, simulating various
00:06:18 --> 00:06:20 failure scenarios to prove it could
00:06:20 --> 00:06:22 handle extreme conditions.
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 >> Right? And this isn't just theoretical
00:06:24 --> 00:06:25 anymore. The successful test
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 demonstrates that the technology works.
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 Now NASA's looking at scaling this up
00:06:30 --> 00:06:33 for actual mission use. Imagine a Mars
00:06:33 --> 00:06:35 base powered by one or more of these
00:06:35 --> 00:06:38 reactors providing consistent power
00:06:38 --> 00:06:40 regardless of dust storms, nighttime, or
00:06:40 --> 00:06:41 seasons.
00:06:41 --> 00:06:43 >> It also opens up possibilities for
00:06:43 --> 00:06:46 missions to the outer solar system.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:49 Places like Titan or Europa, where solar
00:06:49 --> 00:06:51 power is essentially useless, suddenly
00:06:51 --> 00:06:54 become more accessible with reliable
00:06:54 --> 00:06:56 nuclear power sources. We could have
00:06:56 --> 00:06:59 rovers or even submarines exploring
00:06:59 --> 00:07:01 these distant worlds. And let's not
00:07:01 --> 00:07:03 forget about nuclear thermal propulsion,
00:07:03 --> 00:07:05 which is related but different. That's
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 where nuclear reactors heat propellant
00:07:08 --> 00:07:10 to generate thrust, potentially cutting
00:07:10 --> 00:07:12 Mars transit times in half. Between
00:07:12 --> 00:07:15 power generation and propulsion, nuclear
00:07:15 --> 00:07:17 technology could be the key to humanity
00:07:17 --> 00:07:19 becoming a truly space fairing
00:07:19 --> 00:07:20 civilization.
00:07:20 --> 00:07:22 >> It's one of those technologies that
00:07:22 --> 00:07:24 sounds like science fiction, but is
00:07:24 --> 00:07:27 rapidly becoming science fact. The
00:07:27 --> 00:07:28 crusty test proves we have the
00:07:28 --> 00:07:31 engineering capability. Now, it's about
00:07:31 --> 00:07:33 implementation and integration into
00:07:33 --> 00:07:36 actual mission architectures. Speaking
00:07:36 --> 00:07:38 of missions, let's head to Mars where
00:07:38 --> 00:07:40 scientists have discovered intriguing
00:07:40 --> 00:07:42 evidence of ancient water.
00:07:42 --> 00:07:44 >> Anna, one of the biggest questions about
00:07:44 --> 00:07:46 Mars is whether it ever had conditions
00:07:46 --> 00:07:49 suitable for life. Every time we find
00:07:49 --> 00:07:51 evidence of ancient water, we get closer
00:07:51 --> 00:07:53 to answering that question. And this
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 latest discovery is particularly
00:07:55 --> 00:07:56 compelling.
00:07:56 --> 00:07:59 >> It really is, Avery. Researchers have
00:07:59 --> 00:08:00 identified what they believe to be
00:08:00 --> 00:08:03 ancient beach deposits in Mars Gale
00:08:03 --> 00:08:05 Crater, where the Curiosity rover has
00:08:05 --> 00:08:07 been exploring. These aren't just random
00:08:07 --> 00:08:10 rocks. They're sedimentary layers that
00:08:10 --> 00:08:13 tell a story of water lapping at ancient
00:08:13 --> 00:08:15 shorelines billions of years ago. The
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 evidence comes from detailed analysis of
00:08:17 --> 00:08:19 rock formations that show
00:08:19 --> 00:08:21 characteristics consistent with beach
00:08:21 --> 00:08:22 environments. We're talking about
00:08:22 --> 00:08:25 specific grain sizes, layering patterns,
00:08:25 --> 00:08:27 and chemical signatures that match what
00:08:27 --> 00:08:29 we see in coastal deposits here on
00:08:29 --> 00:08:31 Earth. The team identified features like
00:08:32 --> 00:08:34 ripple marks and crossbedding that form
00:08:34 --> 00:08:36 when waves and currents move sediment.
00:08:36 --> 00:08:39 >> What makes this discovery particularly
00:08:39 --> 00:08:41 significant for habitability is that
00:08:41 --> 00:08:43 beach environments on Earth are
00:08:43 --> 00:08:46 incredibly productive ecosystems. The
00:08:46 --> 00:08:49 interface between water and land where
00:08:49 --> 00:08:52 you have tides, nutrients washing in,
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 and varying conditions creates
00:08:54 --> 00:08:57 opportunities for diverse life forms.
00:08:57 --> 00:08:59 >> Exactly. If Mars had stable shorelines
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 billions of years ago, those would have
00:09:02 --> 00:09:04 been prime locations for any potential
00:09:04 --> 00:09:06 Martian life to emerge and thrive.
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 You've got water, you've got minerals
00:09:08 --> 00:09:10 being concentrated, you've got energy
00:09:10 --> 00:09:13 from the sun, all the ingredients that
00:09:13 --> 00:09:15 life needs. The research also helps us
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 understand Mars's climate history. For
00:09:18 --> 00:09:21 beaches to exist, you need a stable body
00:09:21 --> 00:09:24 of water over extended periods, not just
00:09:24 --> 00:09:27 brief flooding events. This suggests
00:09:27 --> 00:09:29 that ancient Mars had a more earthlike
00:09:29 --> 00:09:31 hydraological cycle than we might have
00:09:31 --> 00:09:34 thought with lakes or seas that
00:09:34 --> 00:09:36 persisted long enough to create these
00:09:36 --> 00:09:37 coastal features.
00:09:37 --> 00:09:39 >> And the location in Gail Crater is
00:09:39 --> 00:09:41 significant, too. Curiosity has been
00:09:41 --> 00:09:43 slowly climbing Mount Sharp in the
00:09:43 --> 00:09:45 center of the crater. And as it climbs,
00:09:45 --> 00:09:47 it's essentially reading through Mars'
00:09:47 --> 00:09:50 geological history like pages in a book.
00:09:50 --> 00:09:52 These beach deposits fit into a broader
00:09:52 --> 00:09:55 narrative of a wetter, warmer ancient
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 Mars.
00:09:56 --> 00:09:58 >> The implications for future missions are
00:09:58 --> 00:10:01 huge. If we can identify ancient beaches
00:10:01 --> 00:10:03 and shorelines, those become high
00:10:03 --> 00:10:06 priority targets for searching for bio
00:10:06 --> 00:10:08 signatures, chemical or physical
00:10:08 --> 00:10:11 evidence that life once existed. We
00:10:11 --> 00:10:13 might want to send future rovers, or
00:10:13 --> 00:10:15 even sample return missions to these
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 locations.
00:10:16 --> 00:10:18 >> It's also worth noting how far we've
00:10:18 --> 00:10:20 come in our understanding of Mars. From
00:10:20 --> 00:10:23 a planet we once thought was completely
00:10:23 --> 00:10:25 dry and dead, we now know Mars had
00:10:25 --> 00:10:28 rivers, lakes, possibly oceans, beaches,
00:10:28 --> 00:10:31 and deltas. Each discovery adds another
00:10:31 --> 00:10:33 piece to the puzzle of what ancient Mars
00:10:33 --> 00:10:36 was really like. And who knows, maybe
00:10:36 --> 00:10:38 one day humans will walk on those
00:10:38 --> 00:10:41 ancient beaches 4 billion years after
00:10:41 --> 00:10:43 waves last touched them. But before we
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 send humans to Mars, we need to perfect
00:10:46 --> 00:10:49 operations around the moon. Let's talk
00:10:49 --> 00:10:51 about the communication networks being
00:10:51 --> 00:10:53 prepared for Artemis 2.
00:10:53 --> 00:10:55 >> Anna, when the Artemis 2 crew ventures
00:10:55 --> 00:10:57 around the moon next year, they'll be
00:10:57 --> 00:10:59 farther from Earth than any humans have
00:10:59 --> 00:11:03 traveled since Apollo 17 in 1972.
00:11:03 --> 00:11:05 Keeping them connected requires an
00:11:05 --> 00:11:07 incredibly sophisticated network of
00:11:07 --> 00:11:09 ground stations and satellites.
00:11:09 --> 00:11:11 >> That's right, Avery. NASA has been
00:11:11 --> 00:11:13 building out what's essentially a cosmic
00:11:13 --> 00:11:16 communication infrastructure and the
00:11:16 --> 00:11:18 latest updates show that the networks
00:11:18 --> 00:11:20 are ready to support the mission. We're
00:11:20 --> 00:11:22 talking about the deep space network,
00:11:22 --> 00:11:24 the near space network, and even
00:11:24 --> 00:11:26 partnerships with commercial satellite
00:11:26 --> 00:11:29 operators. Let's break down what makes
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 this so challenging. When the Orian
00:11:31 --> 00:11:33 craft carrying the Artemis 2 crew swings
00:11:33 --> 00:11:35 around the far side of the moon, there's
00:11:35 --> 00:11:37 a period where they're completely out of
00:11:37 --> 00:11:39 direct line of sight with Earth. No
00:11:39 --> 00:11:41 radio signals can reach them directly
00:11:41 --> 00:11:44 because the moon itself is in the way.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:46 >> That's where the tracking and data relay
00:11:46 --> 00:11:48 satellites come in. NASA has been
00:11:48 --> 00:11:51 upgrading the deep space network. Those
00:11:51 --> 00:11:54 massive dish antennas in California,
00:11:54 --> 00:11:56 Spain, and Australia that communicate
00:11:56 --> 00:11:59 with distant spacecraft. These dishes
00:11:59 --> 00:12:01 can pick up incredibly faint signals
00:12:01 --> 00:12:03 from the Oran capsule even when it's
00:12:03 --> 00:12:05 280
00:12:05 --> 00:12:08 m away. The redundancy built into the
00:12:08 --> 00:12:10 system is impressive, too. Multiple
00:12:10 --> 00:12:12 ground stations can track Orian
00:12:12 --> 00:12:14 simultaneously, ensuring that if one
00:12:14 --> 00:12:16 station loses signal due to weather or
00:12:16 --> 00:12:19 other issues, others can maintain
00:12:19 --> 00:12:21 contact. The crew will never be more
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 than a few minutes without a
00:12:22 --> 00:12:25 communication link. What's particularly
00:12:25 --> 00:12:27 interesting is how much bandwidth
00:12:27 --> 00:12:29 they'll have. Unlike the Apollo
00:12:29 --> 00:12:31 missions, which had relatively limited
00:12:31 --> 00:12:33 voice communications, Artemis 2 will
00:12:33 --> 00:12:36 have highdefinition video capabilities,
00:12:36 --> 00:12:38 allowing mission control and the public
00:12:38 --> 00:12:41 to see what the crew sees in real time.
00:12:41 --> 00:12:44 Imagine watching HD footage of Earth
00:12:44 --> 00:12:47 rising over the lunar horizon as it
00:12:47 --> 00:12:48 happens.
00:12:48 --> 00:12:50 >> That's going to be spectacular. And it's
00:12:50 --> 00:12:52 not just about keeping the crew
00:12:52 --> 00:12:54 connected for safety, though that's
00:12:54 --> 00:12:56 obviously paramount. These
00:12:56 --> 00:12:58 communications enable realtime science
00:12:58 --> 00:13:01 operations, medical monitoring, and the
00:13:01 --> 00:13:03 kind of public engagement that makes
00:13:03 --> 00:13:06 these missions so inspiring. The testing
00:13:06 --> 00:13:09 that's been done is extensive, too. NASA
00:13:09 --> 00:13:11 has run countless simulations, putting
00:13:11 --> 00:13:13 the network through every conceivable
00:13:13 --> 00:13:16 scenario, from normal operations to
00:13:16 --> 00:13:19 emergency situations. They've verified
00:13:19 --> 00:13:21 that commands can be sent and received
00:13:21 --> 00:13:23 quickly enough to respond to any issues
00:13:23 --> 00:13:26 that might arise. And this network
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 infrastructure they're building for
00:13:27 --> 00:13:30 Artemis will serve missions for decades
00:13:30 --> 00:13:32 to come. When we establish a permanent
00:13:32 --> 00:13:35 lunar base when we send astronauts to
00:13:35 --> 00:13:37 Mars, these same communication
00:13:37 --> 00:13:39 principles and much of the same hardware
00:13:39 --> 00:13:41 will be the backbone keeping everyone
00:13:41 --> 00:13:44 connected. It's a reminder that space
00:13:44 --> 00:13:47 exploration isn't just about rockets and
00:13:47 --> 00:13:49 spacecraft. It's about building the
00:13:49 --> 00:13:51 infrastructure to support human presence
00:13:51 --> 00:13:54 beyond Earth. Speaking of the moon,
00:13:54 --> 00:13:56 there's a beautiful celestial show
00:13:56 --> 00:13:58 coming up in February that everyone can
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 enjoy from Earth.
00:13:59 --> 00:14:01 >> Anna, I love these monthly lunar
00:14:01 --> 00:14:04 highlights. February is shaping up to be
00:14:04 --> 00:14:06 a great month for lunar watchers with
00:14:06 --> 00:14:08 some beautiful planetary conjunctions
00:14:08 --> 00:14:11 and interesting phases to observe.
00:14:11 --> 00:14:13 >> Absolutely, Avery. Let's walk our
00:14:13 --> 00:14:15 listeners through what they can expect.
00:14:15 --> 00:14:17 The month kicks off with the moon in a
00:14:17 --> 00:14:19 waxing crescent phase. And on February
00:14:19 --> 00:14:22 1st and 2nd, we'll see a lovely
00:14:22 --> 00:14:24 conjunction with Venus. If you look to
00:14:24 --> 00:14:26 the western sky just after sunset,
00:14:26 --> 00:14:28 you'll see the bright crescent moon
00:14:28 --> 00:14:31 paired with the brilliant evening star.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:33 Venus is always stunning, and when you
00:14:33 --> 00:14:35 add the moon to the picture, it creates
00:14:35 --> 00:14:37 one of those scenes that makes even
00:14:37 --> 00:14:40 nonastronomers stop and look up. A few
00:14:40 --> 00:14:43 days later on February 4th, the moon
00:14:43 --> 00:14:45 will pass near Saturn, giving us another
00:14:45 --> 00:14:47 beautiful evening pairing.
00:14:47 --> 00:14:49 >> The full moon arrives on February 12th.
00:14:49 --> 00:14:51 And this one has a particularly
00:14:51 --> 00:14:53 evocative traditional name, the snow
00:14:53 --> 00:14:56 moon. Various cultures have called it
00:14:56 --> 00:14:58 the hunger moon or the storm moon,
00:14:58 --> 00:15:00 reflecting the harsh conditions of late
00:15:00 --> 00:15:02 winter in the northern hemisphere. Of
00:15:02 --> 00:15:04 course, the moon doesn't know what
00:15:04 --> 00:15:06 season it is down here, so the name is
00:15:06 --> 00:15:09 purely a human cultural addition. After
00:15:09 --> 00:15:12 full phase, the moon starts waning and
00:15:12 --> 00:15:14 this is when morning observers get their
00:15:14 --> 00:15:17 treats. On February 17th, early risers
00:15:17 --> 00:15:19 can catch the waning gibbus moon near
00:15:19 --> 00:15:21 the star Spika in the constellation
00:15:21 --> 00:15:25 Virgo. Then on February 20th, the moon
00:15:25 --> 00:15:27 makes a close approach to Jupiter, which
00:15:27 --> 00:15:29 will still be prominent in the pre-dawn
00:15:29 --> 00:15:32 sky. One of my favorite things to watch
00:15:32 --> 00:15:34 is how the moon appears to march across
00:15:34 --> 00:15:36 the sky from night to night, visiting
00:15:36 --> 00:15:39 different stars and planets. It's like a
00:15:39 --> 00:15:42 natural cosmic clock, and you don't need
00:15:42 --> 00:15:44 any equipment beyond your eyes to enjoy
00:15:44 --> 00:15:46 it. Though, binoculars definitely
00:15:46 --> 00:15:48 enhance the view. Speaking of
00:15:48 --> 00:15:50 binoculars, the waxing crescent phases
00:15:50 --> 00:15:52 early in the month are perfect for
00:15:52 --> 00:15:54 observing what astronomers call Earth
00:15:54 --> 00:15:57 shine. That's when you can see the dark
00:15:57 --> 00:15:59 portion of the moon, faintly illuminated
00:15:59 --> 00:16:01 by sunlight reflecting off Earth. It's
00:16:01 --> 00:16:04 this beautiful ghostly glow that reveals
00:16:04 --> 00:16:07 the entire disc. And for anyone
00:16:07 --> 00:16:09 interested in lunar photography, those
00:16:09 --> 00:16:11 conjunctions with Venus and Jupiter
00:16:11 --> 00:16:14 offer fantastic opportunities. You don't
00:16:14 --> 00:16:16 need expensive equipment. Even a
00:16:16 --> 00:16:18 smartphone can capture these scenes if
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 you have steady hands or a simple
00:16:19 --> 00:16:23 tripod. The moon's February tour also
00:16:23 --> 00:16:25 serves as a nice reminder of celestial
00:16:25 --> 00:16:27 mechanics. Every conjunction, every
00:16:27 --> 00:16:29 phase we see is the result of the
00:16:29 --> 00:16:32 precise dance between the Earth, Moon,
00:16:32 --> 00:16:34 and Sun. The fact that we can predict
00:16:34 --> 00:16:36 exactly when these events will occur
00:16:36 --> 00:16:39 centuries in advance is a testament to
00:16:39 --> 00:16:42 our understanding of orbital dynamics.
00:16:42 --> 00:16:44 Though, mark your calendars, folks.
00:16:44 --> 00:16:47 February 1st and 2nd for Venus, February
00:16:47 --> 00:16:50 4th for Saturn, February 12th for the
00:16:50 --> 00:16:52 full snow moon, and February 20th for
00:16:52 --> 00:16:55 Jupiter. The moon is putting on a world
00:16:55 --> 00:16:58 tour, and admission is absolutely free.
00:16:58 --> 00:17:00 Now, let's wrap up with some fascinating
00:17:00 --> 00:17:02 research about the chemistry of life
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 itself.
00:17:03 --> 00:17:05 >> Anna, one of the most profound questions
00:17:06 --> 00:17:08 in science is how life began. And new
00:17:08 --> 00:17:10 research is revealing that some of the
00:17:10 --> 00:17:12 key ingredients for life might form
00:17:12 --> 00:17:15 spontaneously in space without any need
00:17:15 --> 00:17:18 for planets or special conditions.
00:17:18 --> 00:17:20 >> This is absolutely fascinating research,
00:17:20 --> 00:17:22 Avery. Scientists have discovered that
00:17:22 --> 00:17:25 complex organic molecules, the building
00:17:25 --> 00:17:27 blocks of proteins and other biological
00:17:28 --> 00:17:30 molecules, can form in the harsh
00:17:30 --> 00:17:32 environment of interstellar space. We're
00:17:32 --> 00:17:35 not talking about life itself, but the
00:17:35 --> 00:17:38 chemical precursors that life needs,
00:17:38 --> 00:17:40 >> right? The study focused on amino acids,
00:17:40 --> 00:17:42 which are the fundamental components of
00:17:42 --> 00:17:45 proteins. On Earth, we know amino acids
00:17:45 --> 00:17:47 can form through biological processes.
00:17:47 --> 00:17:49 But this research shows they can also
00:17:49 --> 00:17:52 arise through purely chemical reactions
00:17:52 --> 00:17:55 in space in molecular clouds where stars
00:17:55 --> 00:17:57 and planets eventually form.
00:17:57 --> 00:17:59 >> What makes this possible is the
00:17:59 --> 00:18:01 chemistry happening on the surfaces of
00:18:01 --> 00:18:03 dust grains in these molecular clouds.
00:18:03 --> 00:18:05 These grains are coated with ices,
00:18:05 --> 00:18:08 frozen water, methane, ammonia, and
00:18:08 --> 00:18:11 other simple molecules. When cosmic rays
00:18:11 --> 00:18:14 or ultraviolet light hits these ices, it
00:18:14 --> 00:18:16 triggers chemical reactions that can
00:18:16 --> 00:18:18 build up more complex molecules.
00:18:18 --> 00:18:20 >> The researchers use laboratory
00:18:20 --> 00:18:22 simulations that recreate the conditions
00:18:22 --> 00:18:25 in space, extreme cold, vacuum, and
00:18:25 --> 00:18:28 radiation. They found that even without
00:18:28 --> 00:18:30 any biological input, amino acids and
00:18:30 --> 00:18:33 other organic molecules form readily.
00:18:33 --> 00:18:35 It's like space is running a giant
00:18:35 --> 00:18:37 chemistry experiment, and the products
00:18:37 --> 00:18:39 are the ingredients for life. This has
00:18:39 --> 00:18:42 huge implications for astrobiology. If
00:18:42 --> 00:18:45 life's building blocks form naturally in
00:18:45 --> 00:18:47 space, then they're probably common
00:18:47 --> 00:18:49 throughout the galaxy. When new star
00:18:49 --> 00:18:51 systems form from these molecular
00:18:51 --> 00:18:53 clouds, they inherit these organic
00:18:53 --> 00:18:55 molecules. Young planets get seated with
00:18:55 --> 00:18:57 the chemistry they need for life to
00:18:57 --> 00:18:59 potentially emerge.
00:18:59 --> 00:19:01 >> We've actually found evidence supporting
00:19:01 --> 00:19:03 this on Earth. Some meteorites,
00:19:03 --> 00:19:05 particularly carbonatous condrites,
00:19:05 --> 00:19:08 contain amino acids and other organic
00:19:08 --> 00:19:10 compounds that formed in space before
00:19:10 --> 00:19:13 the solar system even existed. When
00:19:13 --> 00:19:15 these meteorites fall to Earth, they
00:19:15 --> 00:19:17 deliver this prebiotic chemistry.
00:19:17 --> 00:19:19 >> It raises an interesting question about
00:19:19 --> 00:19:21 the origin of life on Earth. Did life
00:19:21 --> 00:19:24 arise entirely from scratch using
00:19:24 --> 00:19:26 molecules made here, or did it get a
00:19:26 --> 00:19:28 head start from organic compounds
00:19:28 --> 00:19:31 delivered by comets and asteroids? The
00:19:31 --> 00:19:34 answer might be both. A combination of
00:19:34 --> 00:19:37 homegrown chemistry and cosmic delivery.
00:19:37 --> 00:19:39 >> And when we search for life on other
00:19:39 --> 00:19:42 worlds, Mars, Europa, Enceladus,
00:19:42 --> 00:19:44 exoplanets, knowing that the basic
00:19:44 --> 00:19:46 ingredients are probably already there
00:19:46 --> 00:19:49 makes the question shift from could
00:19:49 --> 00:19:51 light's chemistry exist there to did
00:19:51 --> 00:19:53 conditions allow that chemistry to
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 become biology.
00:19:54 --> 00:19:56 >> The research also highlights how
00:19:56 --> 00:19:58 interconnected everything in the
00:19:58 --> 00:20:01 universe is. The same processes that
00:20:01 --> 00:20:04 create stars and planets also create the
00:20:04 --> 00:20:06 molecules necessary for life. We're
00:20:06 --> 00:20:09 literally made of stardust, but we're
00:20:09 --> 00:20:11 also made of chemistry that happens
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 between the stars.
00:20:12 --> 00:20:14 >> It's humbling and inspiring at the same
00:20:14 --> 00:20:17 time. The universe isn't just capable of
00:20:17 --> 00:20:20 creating stars and galaxies. It's also a
00:20:20 --> 00:20:22 place where the precursors to life form
00:20:22 --> 00:20:24 naturally, waiting for the right
00:20:24 --> 00:20:26 conditions to spark something
00:20:26 --> 00:20:28 extraordinary. Which brings us full
00:20:28 --> 00:20:31 circle to why we explore. Every mission,
00:20:31 --> 00:20:34 every observation, every discovery adds
00:20:34 --> 00:20:36 to our understanding not just of the
00:20:36 --> 00:20:38 universe, but our place in it and the
00:20:38 --> 00:20:40 processes that made us possible.
00:20:40 --> 00:20:42 >> What a journey we've taken today, Anna.
00:20:42 --> 00:20:45 From explosive vulcanism on Io to the
00:20:45 --> 00:20:47 chemistry of life forming in the depths
00:20:47 --> 00:20:49 of space. It's been a packed episode.
00:20:49 --> 00:20:51 >> It really has, Avery. We've covered
00:20:51 --> 00:20:54 groundbreaking propulsion technology,
00:20:54 --> 00:20:56 ancient Martian beaches, cuttingedge
00:20:56 --> 00:20:58 communications for Aremis, and a
00:20:58 --> 00:21:01 beautiful lunar tour to look forward to.
00:21:01 --> 00:21:03 If today's episode shows us anything,
00:21:03 --> 00:21:05 it's that the universe never stops
00:21:05 --> 00:21:07 surprising us. Before we sign off, a
00:21:07 --> 00:21:09 quick reminder that you can find all the
00:21:09 --> 00:21:11 links to the stories we discussed today
00:21:11 --> 00:21:13 in our show notes. And if you enjoyed
00:21:13 --> 00:21:15 this episode, please share it with
00:21:15 --> 00:21:17 someone who loves space as much as you
00:21:17 --> 00:21:20 do. You can find us on all major podcast
00:21:20 --> 00:21:22 platforms and we're also on YouTube if
00:21:22 --> 00:21:25 you prefer to watch. We're @
00:21:25 --> 00:21:27 astroailyaily pod on social media and
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 you can visit our website at
00:21:29 --> 00:21:31 astronomyaily.io
00:21:31 --> 00:21:34 for articles, transcripts, and more.
00:21:34 --> 00:21:37 Astronomy [music] day.
00:21:37 --> 00:21:45 Stories be told.
00:21:45 --> 00:21:53 Stories to tell.
00:21:53 --> 00:21:55 [singing]