Astronomy Daily | Space News: S04E82
In this episode of Astronomy Daily, host Anna takes you on an exhilarating journey through the latest developments in the ever-evolving world of space exploration. From groundbreaking military contracts to the thrilling adventures of space tourists, this episode is packed with cosmic insights that will ignite your curiosity about the universe.
Highlights:
- Historic Military Launch Contracts: Discover how SpaceX, ULA, and Blue Origin are sharing a monumental $13.5 billion in military launch contracts, marking a significant shift in national security space access. We delve into the implications of this landmark decision and how it reshapes the landscape of military space operations.
- Polar Orbit Space Tourism: Follow the incredible journey of four space tourists who completed a historic flight circling the globe above both poles. Experience their breathtaking views and learn about the scientific experiments they conducted during their groundbreaking mission aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
- Life Aboard the International Space Station: Get an inside look at the bustling activities aboard the ISS, where astronauts are conducting cutting-edge robotics experiments and crucial medical research. We discuss the innovative projects that are paving the way for future space missions and maintaining the station's life support systems.
- Stellar Seismology Breakthrough: Dive into the fascinating new method scientists are using to study stars through their vibrations. Learn how stellar quakes provide insights into a star's inner workings and how this research is reshaping our understanding of stellar evolution.
- Discovery of Big Wheel Galaxy: Marvel at the James Webb Space Telescope's discovery of the colossal spiral galaxy, Big Wheel, which challenges our understanding of galactic evolution. We explore its remarkable characteristics and the implications for current cosmological models.
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 - Military launch contracts overview
10:30 - Polar orbit space tourism mission
17:00 - ISS crew activities and research
22:15 - Stellar seismology discoveries
27:30 - Big Wheel galaxy discovery
✍️ Episode References
Military Launch Contracts
[Department of Defense]( https://www.defense.gov/ (https://www.defense.gov/) )
SpaceX Dragon Mission Details
[SpaceX]( https://www.spacex.com (https://www.spacex.com/) )
International Space Station Research
[NASA]( https://www.nasa.gov (https://www.nasa.gov/) )
Stellar Seismology Research
[University of New South Wales]( https://www.unsw.edu.au/ (https://www.unsw.edu.au/) )
Big Wheel Galaxy Discovery
[James Webb Space Telescope]( https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/webb/main/index.html (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/webb/main/index.html) )
Astronomy Daily
[Astronomy Daily]( http://www.astronomydaily.io/ (http://www.astronomydaily.io/) )
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-exciting-space-discoveries-and-news--5648921/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-exciting-space-discoveries-and-news--5648921/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) .
Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/26458992?utm_source=youtube
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 welcome to Astronomy Daily where we
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 bring you the latest in space and
00:00:04 --> 00:00:07 astronomy news I'm Anna and I'm thrilled
00:00:07 --> 00:00:08 to be your guide through today's cosmic
00:00:08 --> 00:00:11 journey Coming up on today's episode
00:00:11 --> 00:00:12 we'll explore some major developments
00:00:12 --> 00:00:14 spanning the entire space sector We'll
00:00:14 --> 00:00:18 look at how SpaceX ULA and Blue Origin
00:00:18 --> 00:00:21 are sharing a massive 13.5 billion in
00:00:21 --> 00:00:23 military launch contracts marking a
00:00:23 --> 00:00:25 significant shift in national security
00:00:25 --> 00:00:27 space access Then we'll follow the
00:00:27 --> 00:00:29 adventure of four space tourists who
00:00:29 --> 00:00:31 just completed a groundbreaking flight
00:00:31 --> 00:00:34 circling our planet above both poles a
00:00:34 --> 00:00:36 true first in human space flight history
00:00:36 --> 00:00:38 We'll also check in with the hardworking
00:00:38 --> 00:00:39 crew aboard the International Space
00:00:39 --> 00:00:41 Station where cutting edge robotics
00:00:41 --> 00:00:43 experiments and crucial medical research
00:00:43 --> 00:00:45 continue as they prepare to welcome new
00:00:45 --> 00:00:48 crew mates Plus we'll dive into
00:00:48 --> 00:00:51 fascinating astronomical research
00:00:51 --> 00:00:53 including how scientists are essentially
00:00:53 --> 00:00:54 listening to stars through their
00:00:54 --> 00:00:56 vibrations to understand their inner
00:00:56 --> 00:00:59 workings and a jaw-dropping discovery
00:00:59 --> 00:01:01 from the James Webb Space Telescope of
00:01:01 --> 00:01:03 an ancient galaxy that's challenging
00:01:03 --> 00:01:04 everything we thought we knew about
00:01:04 --> 00:01:07 galactic evolution So strap in as we
00:01:07 --> 00:01:09 blast off into today's cosmic news
00:01:10 --> 00:01:11 roundup
00:01:11 --> 00:01:13 The US Department of Defense has made a
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 historic move in the space sector
00:01:15 --> 00:01:19 awarding a combined 13.7 billion in
00:01:19 --> 00:01:21 launch service contracts to SpaceX
00:01:21 --> 00:01:24 United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin
00:01:24 --> 00:01:26 This landmark decision marks the first
00:01:26 --> 00:01:28 time three companies will share
00:01:28 --> 00:01:30 responsibility for launching high
00:01:30 --> 00:01:32 priority military and intelligence
00:01:32 --> 00:01:35 payloads significantly reshaping the
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 national security launch landscape
00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 SpaceX emerged as the leading contractor
00:01:39 --> 00:01:42 in this arrangement securing $5.9
00:01:42 --> 00:01:45 billion in anticipated awards ULA
00:01:45 --> 00:01:48 followed closely with $5.4 billion while
00:01:48 --> 00:01:51 Blue Origin secured nearly $2.4 billion
00:01:51 --> 00:01:54 Together these aerospace giants are
00:01:54 --> 00:01:56 expected to conduct 54 launches for the
00:01:56 --> 00:02:00 Pentagon between fiscal years 2025 and
00:02:00 --> 00:02:02
00:02:02 --> 00:02:04 General Chance Saltzman Chief of Space
00:02:04 --> 00:02:07 Operations for the US Space Force
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 emphasized the strategic importance of
00:02:09 --> 00:02:11 this investment calling it the
00:02:11 --> 00:02:13 foundation of both economic prosperity
00:02:13 --> 00:02:16 and national security These contracts
00:02:16 --> 00:02:18 fall under the national security space
00:02:18 --> 00:02:20 launch phase three-lane 2 procurement
00:02:20 --> 00:02:22 which focuses specifically on complex
00:02:22 --> 00:02:24 missions to high energy orbits with
00:02:24 --> 00:02:27 enhanced security requirements
00:02:27 --> 00:02:29 The distribution of these 54 projected
00:02:29 --> 00:02:31 missions reflects the current
00:02:31 --> 00:02:33 capabilities and trust placed in each
00:02:33 --> 00:02:36 provider SpaceX will carry out the lion
00:02:36 --> 00:02:39 share with 28 launches approximately 60%
00:02:39 --> 00:02:43 of the total ULA will handle 19 missions
00:02:43 --> 00:02:46 about 35% while Blue Origin is slated
00:02:46 --> 00:02:49 for seven launches Interestingly Blue
00:02:49 --> 00:02:51 Origin's assignments are contingent on
00:02:51 --> 00:02:54 certification of its new Glenn rocket
00:02:54 --> 00:02:56 which has flown just once so far This
00:02:56 --> 00:02:58 three provider approach represents a
00:02:58 --> 00:03:00 significant shift in the Pentagon
00:03:00 --> 00:03:02 strategy The inclusion of Blue Origin
00:03:02 --> 00:03:04 introduces more competition into a
00:03:04 --> 00:03:06 market that SpaceX has dominated since
00:03:06 --> 00:03:09 the previous round of contracts in 2020
00:03:09 --> 00:03:11 Despite New Glenn not yet being
00:03:11 --> 00:03:13 certified for national security missions
00:03:13 --> 00:03:15 Space Force officials have expressed
00:03:15 --> 00:03:16 confidence that the rocket will be ready
00:03:16 --> 00:03:19 by the time Blue Origins assignments
00:03:19 --> 00:03:21 begin The phase 3 acquisition strategy
00:03:21 --> 00:03:23 employs a dual lane approach to ensure
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 diversification Lane one targets less
00:03:26 --> 00:03:29 riskaverse commercial-like missions
00:03:29 --> 00:03:31 while lane two focuses on highstakes
00:03:31 --> 00:03:32 missions demanding elevated performance
00:03:32 --> 00:03:35 and security standards Under these
00:03:35 --> 00:03:38 contracts all three companies must meet
00:03:38 --> 00:03:40 stringent mission assurance requirements
00:03:40 --> 00:03:42 and participate in joint integration
00:03:42 --> 00:03:44 efforts with government teams This
00:03:44 --> 00:03:46 development builds on the Pentagon's
00:03:46 --> 00:03:48 ongoing efforts to eliminate dependence
00:03:48 --> 00:03:51 on Russian-made rocket engines while
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 fostering a competitive domestic launch
00:03:53 --> 00:03:55 market capable of meeting evolving space
00:03:55 --> 00:03:57 requirements The first round of mission
00:03:57 --> 00:04:00 assignments under these new contracts
00:04:00 --> 00:04:02 will be announced later this year with
00:04:02 --> 00:04:04 launches expected to take place from
00:04:04 --> 00:04:07 fiscal year 2027 through
00:04:07 --> 00:04:09 2032 Next let's get a wrap on the major
00:04:09 --> 00:04:11 story of the week In a remarkable
00:04:11 --> 00:04:13 achievement for commercial space flight
00:04:13 --> 00:04:15 four space tourists have safely returned
00:04:15 --> 00:04:17 to Earth after completing a
00:04:17 --> 00:04:19 groundbreaking orbital journey circling
00:04:19 --> 00:04:21 the globe above the North and South
00:04:21 --> 00:04:23 Poles This historic mission which
00:04:23 --> 00:04:25 concluded with a Pacific Ocean
00:04:25 --> 00:04:27 splashdown this past Friday marks both
00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 the first human space flight to traverse
00:04:29 --> 00:04:31 this unique polar route and the first
00:04:31 --> 00:04:33 Pacific splashdown for a crude
00:04:33 --> 00:04:35 spacecraft in five decades Bitcoin
00:04:35 --> 00:04:37 entrepreneur Chun Wong privately
00:04:37 --> 00:04:39 chartered the SpaceX Dragon capsule for
00:04:39 --> 00:04:41 this extraordinary adventure though he
00:04:41 --> 00:04:43 declined to reveal the price tag for the
00:04:43 --> 00:04:46 3.5day journey Wong carefully selected
00:04:46 --> 00:04:48 his three fellow travelers Norwegian
00:04:48 --> 00:04:50 filmmaker Janica Mickelson German
00:04:50 --> 00:04:53 robotics researcher Rebea Roga and
00:04:53 --> 00:04:55 Australian polar guide Eric Phillips
00:04:55 --> 00:04:57 Together they experienced views of our
00:04:58 --> 00:04:59 planet that no human had witnessed
00:04:59 --> 00:05:02 before from this orbital perspective The
00:05:02 --> 00:05:03 Cruz Dragon capsule featured a
00:05:04 --> 00:05:06 specialized domed window providing
00:05:06 --> 00:05:09 breathtaking 360° views of Earth's polar
00:05:09 --> 00:05:12 regions and everything in between Roga
00:05:12 --> 00:05:14 described the polar landscapes as epic
00:05:14 --> 00:05:16 and likened them to another kind of
00:05:16 --> 00:05:19 desert that extends endlessly across the
00:05:19 --> 00:05:22 horizon Meanwhile Mickelson documented
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 the journey extensively bringing along
00:05:24 --> 00:05:26 professional camera equipment to capture
00:05:26 --> 00:05:29 their unprecedented vantage point The
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 journey wasn't without its challenges
00:05:31 --> 00:05:34 All four passengers experienced space
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 motion sickness after reaching orbit
00:05:36 --> 00:05:39 According to Wang's social media updates
00:05:39 --> 00:05:41 however by the second day they had
00:05:41 --> 00:05:43 adjusted to the weightless environment
00:05:43 --> 00:05:45 and eagerly opened the window cover
00:05:45 --> 00:05:47 right above the South Pole to take in
00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 the extraordinary view Beyond
00:05:50 --> 00:05:51 sightseeing the crew conducted
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 meaningful scientific work during their
00:05:53 --> 00:05:56 brief mission They performed the first
00:05:56 --> 00:05:58 medical X-rays in space as part of a
00:05:58 --> 00:06:00 test procedure and completed two dozen
00:06:00 --> 00:06:02 additional science experiments The
00:06:02 --> 00:06:05 mission was named FRAM 2 after the
00:06:05 --> 00:06:07 Norwegian sailing ship that carried
00:06:07 --> 00:06:08 explorers to the polar regions more than
00:06:08 --> 00:06:11 a century ago In a touching tribute a
00:06:11 --> 00:06:13 fragment of the original ship's wooden
00:06:13 --> 00:06:15 deck accompanied the crew to space E
00:06:16 --> 00:06:17 SpaceX noted that this mission also
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 marked a shift in their operational
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 approach as they've decided to switch
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 future splashdown sites from Florida to
00:06:24 --> 00:06:27 the Pacific Ocean for safety reasons
00:06:27 --> 00:06:29 This ensures that any surviving pieces
00:06:29 --> 00:06:31 of the trunk section which is jettisoned
00:06:31 --> 00:06:33 near the end of flight will fall
00:06:33 --> 00:06:36 harmlessly into the ocean Historically
00:06:36 --> 00:06:39 significant the last space travelers to
00:06:39 --> 00:06:41 return from orbit to the Pacific were
00:06:41 --> 00:06:44 the three NASA astronauts from the 1975
00:06:44 --> 00:06:47 Apollo Soyuse mission This pioneering
00:06:48 --> 00:06:50 polar orbit journey represents another
00:06:50 --> 00:06:52 significant milestone in the rapidly
00:06:52 --> 00:06:54 evolving landscape of commercial space
00:06:54 --> 00:06:57 tourism demonstrating the expanding
00:06:57 --> 00:07:00 capabilities and unique experiences now
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 becoming available beyond traditional
00:07:02 --> 00:07:05 government space programs
00:07:05 --> 00:07:06 Have you ever wondered what they do on
00:07:06 --> 00:07:09 the ISS from day to day Well I'll tell
00:07:09 --> 00:07:11 you It's been a bustling week aboard the
00:07:11 --> 00:07:14 International Space Station as the
00:07:14 --> 00:07:17 Expedition 72 crew balances cutting edge
00:07:17 --> 00:07:19 research with preparation for upcoming
00:07:19 --> 00:07:22 crew changes The orbital laboratory
00:07:22 --> 00:07:24 continues to serve as humanity's premier
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 microgravity research platform with
00:07:26 --> 00:07:28 activities spanning from robotics to
00:07:28 --> 00:07:32 human physiology studies NASA astronauts
00:07:32 --> 00:07:34 Don Pettit and Jaxa's Takuya Onishi
00:07:34 --> 00:07:36 collaborated on an innovative robotics
00:07:36 --> 00:07:39 experiment using the station's Astrob
00:07:39 --> 00:07:41 free-flying robots These cube- shaped
00:07:42 --> 00:07:43 autonomous devices equipped with
00:07:43 --> 00:07:45 tentacle-like grippers featuring gecko
00:07:45 --> 00:07:48 inspired adhesive pads were tested on
00:07:48 --> 00:07:50 their ability to detect maneuver toward
00:07:50 --> 00:07:53 and capture objects in microgravity The
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 technology demonstrates promising
00:07:55 --> 00:07:57 applications for future satellite
00:07:57 --> 00:07:59 servicing and space debris removal
00:07:59 --> 00:08:01 critical capabilities as we work towards
00:08:01 --> 00:08:04 sustainable space operations Meanwhile
00:08:04 --> 00:08:05 the unique environment of space
00:08:05 --> 00:08:07 continues providing valuable insights
00:08:07 --> 00:08:10 into human health NASA flight engineer
00:08:10 --> 00:08:12 Nicole Ayes conducted exercise
00:08:12 --> 00:08:14 physiology research pedaling on a
00:08:14 --> 00:08:16 specialized cycle while connected to
00:08:16 --> 00:08:18 sensors and breathing equipment The data
00:08:18 --> 00:08:20 collected helps scientists understand
00:08:20 --> 00:08:23 how the cardiovascular system adapts to
00:08:23 --> 00:08:24 weightlessness and guides the
00:08:24 --> 00:08:26 development of more effective exercise
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 protocols for longduration space
00:08:28 --> 00:08:31 missions Another fascinating experiment
00:08:31 --> 00:08:33 involved Onishi wearing a specialized
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 thigh cuff designed to alter fluid
00:08:35 --> 00:08:38 distribution in the body This research
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 tackles one of spaceflight's persistent
00:08:40 --> 00:08:42 medical challenges the fluid shift
00:08:42 --> 00:08:45 toward the head that can cause increased
00:08:45 --> 00:08:47 pressure in the eyes and brain Ayes
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 assisted by using ultrasound equipment
00:08:49 --> 00:08:52 to measure blood flow in Onishi's legs
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 Evaluating the cuff's effectiveness
00:08:54 --> 00:08:56 Maintaining the station's complex life
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 support systems remains a priority
00:08:58 --> 00:09:00 Ayers's Pettit and NASA's Anne Mlan
00:09:00 --> 00:09:02 performed critical space suit
00:09:02 --> 00:09:03 maintenance in the Quest airlock
00:09:04 --> 00:09:06 checking for oxygen leaks replacing
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 electronic components and servicing life
00:09:08 --> 00:09:10 support gear These routine but essential
00:09:10 --> 00:09:12 tasks ensure the suits remain ready for
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 emergency situations or scheduled spacew
00:09:14 --> 00:09:18 walks On the Russian segment cosminauts
00:09:18 --> 00:09:20 focused on environmental monitoring
00:09:20 --> 00:09:23 Roscosmos flight engineer Evan Vagner
00:09:23 --> 00:09:25 collected microbial samples from various
00:09:25 --> 00:09:27 station surfaces to better understand
00:09:27 --> 00:09:30 how microorganisms adapt to spaceflight
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 conditions Research crucial for
00:09:32 --> 00:09:34 maintaining crew health during future
00:09:34 --> 00:09:36 longduration missions Fellow cosminaut
00:09:36 --> 00:09:39 Kierill Pescov measured carbon dioxide
00:09:39 --> 00:09:41 levels and performed maintenance on
00:09:41 --> 00:09:43 communications equipment As the current
00:09:43 --> 00:09:45 crew continues their orbital work a
00:09:45 --> 00:09:47 fresh trio of space fairers is making
00:09:47 --> 00:09:50 final preparations for launch NASA
00:09:50 --> 00:09:52 astronaut Johnny Kim and Rosscosmos
00:09:52 --> 00:09:55 cosminauts Sergey Riakov and Alexander
00:09:55 --> 00:09:57 Zubritzky are scheduled to lift off
00:09:57 --> 00:10:00 aboard the Soyuse MS27 spacecraft on
00:10:00 --> 00:10:02 April 8th from the Biconor Cosmodrome in
00:10:03 --> 00:10:05 Kazakhstan Following a three-hour
00:10:05 --> 00:10:06 journey to catch up with the station
00:10:06 --> 00:10:09 they'll dock to the Prashall module and
00:10:09 --> 00:10:12 begin an eight-month scientific mission
00:10:12 --> 00:10:14 Meanwhile station commander Alexi
00:10:14 --> 00:10:17 Ovchenin is readying the Soyuse MS26
00:10:17 --> 00:10:19 spacecraft for its return journey on
00:10:19 --> 00:10:21 April 19th when he'll bring Vagner and
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 Pettit back to Earth after their
00:10:23 --> 00:10:25 extended stay in orbit This carefully
00:10:25 --> 00:10:27 choreographed crew rotation ensures
00:10:27 --> 00:10:29 continuous human presence aboard our
00:10:29 --> 00:10:31 outpost in space maintaining the
00:10:31 --> 00:10:33 unbroken chain of occupation that now
00:10:33 --> 00:10:35 extends beyond two
00:10:35 --> 00:10:38 decades Next up today stars don't just
00:10:38 --> 00:10:41 shine they hum with hidden vibrations
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 that could unlock secrets about their
00:10:42 --> 00:10:44 inner workings Scientists have
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 discovered a fascinating new method to
00:10:46 --> 00:10:48 study what they call stellar quakes
00:10:48 --> 00:10:50 which are ripples of gas on a star
00:10:50 --> 00:10:52 surface that offer tantalizing clues
00:10:52 --> 00:10:55 about what lies beneath These stellar
00:10:55 --> 00:10:57 quakes function remarkably similarly to
00:10:57 --> 00:10:59 earthquakes here on our planet When hot
00:10:59 --> 00:11:02 gas rises cools and sinks in a churning
00:11:02 --> 00:11:05 cycle within a stars convective envelope
00:11:05 --> 00:11:07 the turbulent outer layer it creates
00:11:07 --> 00:11:09 vibrations that propagate throughout the
00:11:09 --> 00:11:12 entire stellar body By detecting subtle
00:11:12 --> 00:11:14 variations in a stars brightness
00:11:14 --> 00:11:16 astronomers can identify these acoustic
00:11:16 --> 00:11:17 oscillations
00:11:17 --> 00:11:19 Stellar quakes happen in most stars that
00:11:19 --> 00:11:21 have a bubbling outer layer like a pot
00:11:21 --> 00:11:24 of boiling water explains Claudia Reyes
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 who conducted the research at the
00:11:25 --> 00:11:27 University of New South Wales These
00:11:27 --> 00:11:29 bubbles of hot gas rise and burst at the
00:11:30 --> 00:11:31 surface sending ripples through the
00:11:31 --> 00:11:34 entire star Just as each musical
00:11:34 --> 00:11:36 instrument produces its own distinctive
00:11:36 --> 00:11:39 sound each star vibrates with unique
00:11:39 --> 00:11:41 resonant frequencies determined by its
00:11:41 --> 00:11:43 internal structure and physical
00:11:43 --> 00:11:46 properties Larger stars produce deeper
00:11:46 --> 00:11:48 slower vibrations while smaller stars
00:11:48 --> 00:11:51 vibrate at higher pitches By analyzing
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 specific aspects of these vibrations
00:11:53 --> 00:11:55 such as what scientists call small
00:11:55 --> 00:11:57 frequency spacing researchers can
00:11:57 --> 00:12:00 estimate a stars hydrogen fuel reserves
00:12:00 --> 00:12:02 essentially determining how far along it
00:12:02 --> 00:12:04 is in its life cycle The research team
00:12:04 --> 00:12:06 focused on measuring stellar quakes in
00:12:06 --> 00:12:10 27 stars from Messier 67 an open cluster
00:12:10 --> 00:12:13 containing over 500 stars with an age
00:12:13 --> 00:12:16 similar to our sun This cluster offered
00:12:16 --> 00:12:18 an ideal laboratory since it contains
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 many stars at different evolutionary
00:12:20 --> 00:12:22 stages but with similar chemical
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 compositions
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 What made their findings particularly
00:12:25 --> 00:12:28 exciting was the discovery of a stalling
00:12:28 --> 00:12:30 frequency a point where a stars
00:12:30 --> 00:12:32 vibrations stop changing and repeat the
00:12:32 --> 00:12:35 same note This stalling correlates with
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 the lower boundary of the stars
00:12:36 --> 00:12:38 convective envelope providing
00:12:38 --> 00:12:40 astronomers with a powerful new
00:12:40 --> 00:12:42 diagnostic tool to estimate stellar
00:12:42 --> 00:12:45 masses and ages with improved precision
00:12:45 --> 00:12:47 Stars are like fossil records that carry
00:12:47 --> 00:12:48 information about the environments in
00:12:48 --> 00:12:51 which they formed noted Reyes By
00:12:51 --> 00:12:53 studying them astronomers can piece
00:12:53 --> 00:12:56 together the story of our galaxy This
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 breakthrough in stellar seismology
00:12:57 --> 00:12:59 promises to enhance our understanding of
00:12:59 --> 00:13:02 stellar evolution and galactic history
00:13:02 --> 00:13:04 By decoding the subtle music of the
00:13:04 --> 00:13:06 stars scientists are developing a more
00:13:06 --> 00:13:08 accurate cosmic timeline and gaining
00:13:08 --> 00:13:11 insights into the fundamental processes
00:13:11 --> 00:13:14 that drive stellar life cycles including
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 what might eventually happen to our own
00:13:15 --> 00:13:17 son
00:13:17 --> 00:13:19 Finally today let's check in with an old
00:13:19 --> 00:13:21 friend The James Webb Space Telescope
00:13:21 --> 00:13:23 has made another groundbreaking
00:13:23 --> 00:13:25 discovery uncovering a colossal spiral
00:13:25 --> 00:13:27 galaxy that's challenging our
00:13:27 --> 00:13:29 understanding of galactic evolution
00:13:29 --> 00:13:32 Nicknamed Big Wheel this enormous galaxy
00:13:32 --> 00:13:35 existed just 2 billion years after the
00:13:35 --> 00:13:37 Big Bang during what should have been
00:13:37 --> 00:13:39 the cosmic equivalent of childhood for
00:13:39 --> 00:13:41 most galaxies
00:13:41 --> 00:13:43 The discovery comes from astronomers at
00:13:43 --> 00:13:45 the University of Milano Bikoka who
00:13:45 --> 00:13:47 found Big Wheel near a quazar an
00:13:47 --> 00:13:49 extremely powerful and active super
00:13:49 --> 00:13:53 massive black hole Located a staggering
00:13:53 --> 00:13:55 11.7 billion light-years away this
00:13:55 --> 00:13:57 ancient galaxy earned its nickname from
00:13:57 --> 00:13:59 both its impressive size and remarkably
00:14:00 --> 00:14:02 fast rotation What makes Big Wheel so
00:14:02 --> 00:14:05 extraordinary is its scale and maturity
00:14:05 --> 00:14:07 It's approximately five times more
00:14:07 --> 00:14:09 massive than our own Milky Way and
00:14:09 --> 00:14:12 stretches across 100 lightyear Using
00:14:12 --> 00:14:14 the telescope's near infrared
00:14:14 --> 00:14:16 spectrograph researchers confirmed that
00:14:16 --> 00:14:18 Big Wheel is a fully formed rotating
00:14:18 --> 00:14:20 disc with characteristics typically
00:14:20 --> 00:14:22 found only in much more developed
00:14:22 --> 00:14:24 galaxies The galaxy's rotation curve
00:14:24 --> 00:14:26 shows a pattern consistent with mature
00:14:26 --> 00:14:29 spiral galaxies we observe today Its
00:14:29 --> 00:14:31 velocity increases as you move outward
00:14:31 --> 00:14:34 from the center reaching several hundred
00:14:34 --> 00:14:36 miles remarkably similar to galaxies
00:14:36 --> 00:14:39 that have had billions more years to
00:14:39 --> 00:14:41 develop This suggests that despite its
00:14:41 --> 00:14:44 youth Big Wheel was already behaving
00:14:44 --> 00:14:47 like a fully mature galaxy during an era
00:14:47 --> 00:14:49 when most galaxies were expected to be
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 small and in their earliest
00:14:50 --> 00:14:53 developmental stages This galaxy is
00:14:53 --> 00:14:55 spectacular for being among the largest
00:14:55 --> 00:14:58 spiral galaxies ever found which is
00:14:58 --> 00:15:00 unprecedented for this early era of the
00:15:00 --> 00:15:02 universe explains Charles Stidle the
00:15:02 --> 00:15:04 study's lead author and astronomy
00:15:04 --> 00:15:07 professor at Caltech So how did Big
00:15:07 --> 00:15:10 Wheel form so quickly One clue may lie
00:15:10 --> 00:15:12 in its cosmic neighborhood The galaxy
00:15:12 --> 00:15:14 resides in an extraordinarily dense
00:15:14 --> 00:15:16 region of space where galaxy
00:15:16 --> 00:15:18 concentrations are more than 10 times
00:15:18 --> 00:15:21 higher than the cosmic average This
00:15:21 --> 00:15:23 crowded environment may have provided
00:15:23 --> 00:15:25 ideal conditions for accelerated growth
00:15:25 --> 00:15:27 through efficient gas accretion and
00:15:27 --> 00:15:29 frequent mergers with other gas-rich
00:15:29 --> 00:15:32 galaxies We think this may open the door
00:15:32 --> 00:15:34 to understanding how some galaxies were
00:15:34 --> 00:15:36 able to bypass the usual slow process of
00:15:36 --> 00:15:39 star formation and grow to enormous
00:15:39 --> 00:15:42 sizes in the early universe Notes study
00:15:42 --> 00:15:45 co-author Sebastiano Canalupo Big
00:15:45 --> 00:15:47 Wheel's existence presents a significant
00:15:47 --> 00:15:50 challenge to current cosmological models
00:15:50 --> 00:15:52 which don't predict galaxies of this
00:15:52 --> 00:15:54 size and mass so early in the universe's
00:15:54 --> 00:15:57 history The discovery suggests that
00:15:57 --> 00:15:59 under certain conditions galaxy
00:15:59 --> 00:16:01 formation might not be the gradual
00:16:01 --> 00:16:04 process scientists previously thought
00:16:04 --> 00:16:06 Instead some galaxies may experience
00:16:06 --> 00:16:08 dramatic growth spurts in environments
00:16:08 --> 00:16:10 rich with the necessary building
00:16:10 --> 00:16:13 materials As astronomers continue
00:16:13 --> 00:16:15 studying this cosmic outlier they may
00:16:15 --> 00:16:17 need to adjust their models to account
00:16:17 --> 00:16:19 for these accelerated development
00:16:19 --> 00:16:22 pathways Big Wheel stands as a testament
00:16:22 --> 00:16:24 to the universe's ability to surprise us
00:16:24 --> 00:16:26 even as our observational capabilities
00:16:26 --> 00:16:30 reach unprecedented levels of
00:16:30 --> 00:16:32 sophistication And that wraps up today's
00:16:32 --> 00:16:35 episode of Astronomy Daily From SpaceX
00:16:35 --> 00:16:37 securing military launch contracts to
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 groundbreaking space tourism over the
00:16:38 --> 00:16:40 poles From cutting edge robotics
00:16:40 --> 00:16:43 research on the ISS to the discovery of
00:16:43 --> 00:16:45 stellar quakes helping us understand
00:16:45 --> 00:16:48 stars and finally to the astonishing big
00:16:48 --> 00:16:50 wheel galaxy challenging our
00:16:50 --> 00:16:53 understanding of cosmic evolution The
00:16:53 --> 00:16:55 universe continues to amaze and surprise
00:16:55 --> 00:16:58 us I hope these stories have sparked
00:16:58 --> 00:17:00 your curiosity about the vastness above
00:17:00 --> 00:17:02 us and the incredible scientific
00:17:02 --> 00:17:04 endeavors working to understand it
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 There's always something new to discover
00:17:05 --> 00:17:08 in the cosmos and we'll be here to bring
00:17:08 --> 00:17:10 those discoveries right to you I'm Anna
00:17:10 --> 00:17:12 and it's been my pleasure being your
00:17:12 --> 00:17:15 host today If you enjoyed this episode I
00:17:15 --> 00:17:17 invite you to visit our website at
00:17:17 --> 00:17:19 astronomydaily.io where you can sign up
00:17:19 --> 00:17:21 for our free daily newsletter While
00:17:21 --> 00:17:23 you're there you can catch up on all the
00:17:24 --> 00:17:26 latest space and astronomy news with our
00:17:26 --> 00:17:28 constantly updating news feed and listen
00:17:28 --> 00:17:30 to all our back episodes We'd love to
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00:17:38 --> 00:17:40 tuning in today and remember to keep
00:17:40 --> 00:17:42 looking up The universe is an endless
00:17:42 --> 00:17:45 source of wonder Until next time this is
00:17:45 --> 00:17:49 Astronomy Daily
00:17:49 --> 00:17:56 Stories
00:17:56 --> 00:17:59 told stories
00:17:59 --> 00:18:04 [Music]
00:18:04 --> 00:18:07 told stories