Astronomy Daily | Space News: S04E70
In this thrilling episode of Astronomy Daily, host Anna takes you on a cosmic adventure through the latest discoveries that are reshaping our understanding of the universe. From the Parker Solar Probe's record-breaking approach to the Sun to the unveiling of space tornadoes in the Milky Way, this episode is packed with exciting insights that will leave you in awe of the cosmos.
Highlights:
- Parker Solar Probe's Daring Encounter: Join us as we explore the Parker Solar Probe's upcoming close approach to the Sun, where it will travel at an astonishing 430,000 miles per hour, gathering unprecedented data from the solar corona. This mission promises to unlock the mysteries of solar wind and space weather, enhancing our ability to protect technology on Earth.
- Spherex Space Observatory Launch: Discover the recently launched Spherex Space Observatory, which has opened its protective dust cover and is set to map the entire celestial sky in incredible detail. This ambitious mission aims to provide insights into the history of the universe and the formation of galaxies through infrared observations.
- NASA's EZI Satellite Mission: Learn about NASA's EZI mission, which is now fully operational and focused on studying electrojets in the upper atmosphere. These powerful electrical currents have significant implications for understanding space weather and its effects on modern technology.
- Space Tornadoes in the Milky Way: Uncover the astonishing discovery of space tornadoes swirling around the core of our galaxy. These newly identified structures challenge our understanding of the turbulent environment surrounding the Milky Way's supermassive black hole and reveal the complex dynamics at play.
- Chang'e-6 Moon Research: Delve into groundbreaking research from China's Chang'e-6 mission, which has determined the age of the Moon's largest impact crater, offering crucial insights into the early history of our solar system and lunar evolution.
- Preview of Lucy's Asteroid Philip: Get ready for NASA's Lucy spacecraft as it prepares for a flyby of the asteroid Donald Johansson, a rehearsal for its ultimate mission to Jupiter's Trojan asteroids. This encounter promises to yield valuable data about the formation of these ancient celestial bodies.
- Good News About WR104: Finally, breathe a sigh of relief as we discuss findings regarding the binary star system WR104, also known as the Death Star. New research reveals that Earth is not in its line of fire, alleviating concerns about potential gamma-ray bursts.
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 - Parker Solar Probe's close approach
10:30 - Spherex Space Observatory updates
17:00 - EZ satellite mission overview
22:15 - Discovery of space tornadoes
27:30 - Chang'e 6 findings on the Moon
32:00 - Lucy's upcoming asteroid flyby
37:00 - WR104 and Earth's safety
✍️ Episode References
Parker Solar Probe Updates
[NASA]( https://www.nasa.gov (https://www.nasa.gov/) )
Spherex Space Observatory
[NASA]( https://www.nasa.gov/spherex (https://www.nasa.gov/spherex) )
EZ Satellite Mission
[Johns Hopkins APL]( https://www.jhuapl.edu/ (https://www.jhuapl.edu/) )
Space Tornado Discovery
[ALMA]( https://www.almaobservatory.org/ (https://www.almaobservatory.org/) )
Chang'e 6 Research
[Chinese Academy of Sciences]( https://www.cas.cn/ (https://www.cas.cn/) )
Lucy Spacecraft Information
[NASA]( https://www.nasa.gov/lucy (https://www.nasa.gov/lucy) )
WR104 Research
[Keck Observatory]( https://www.keckobservatory.org/ (https://www.keckobservatory.org/) )
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-space-news--5648921/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news--5648921/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) .
Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/26224353?utm_source=youtube
00:00:00 --> 00:00:00 [Music]
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 welcome to Astronomy Daily i'm your host
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 Anna and today we're embarking on a
00:00:04 --> 00:00:06 cosmic journey through the latest
00:00:06 --> 00:00:07 breakthroughs and discoveries in our
00:00:07 --> 00:00:10 vast universe it's an exciting time for
00:00:10 --> 00:00:12 space exploration with NASA's Parker
00:00:12 --> 00:00:15 Solar Probe about to make another record
00:00:15 --> 00:00:18 equaling close approach to our sun
00:00:18 --> 00:00:20 zooming through the corona at an
00:00:20 --> 00:00:24 astonishing 430 mph we'll dive into
00:00:24 --> 00:00:25 what scientists hope to learn from this
00:00:25 --> 00:00:28 daring mission also on our radar is the
00:00:28 --> 00:00:30 recently launched Spherex Space
00:00:30 --> 00:00:32 Observatory that has just opened its
00:00:32 --> 00:00:34 eyes to the cosmos after ejecting its
00:00:34 --> 00:00:36 protective dust cover this innovative
00:00:36 --> 00:00:38 telescope is set to map the entire
00:00:38 --> 00:00:41 celestial sky in unprecedented detail
00:00:41 --> 00:00:43 revealing secrets about the history of
00:00:43 --> 00:00:46 our universe we'll check in on NASA's
00:00:46 --> 00:00:48 easy satellite mission which is now
00:00:48 --> 00:00:50 operating smoothly in orbit and
00:00:50 --> 00:00:52 preparing to study the mysterious
00:00:52 --> 00:00:53 electrojets that flow through our
00:00:54 --> 00:00:56 planet's upper atmosphere in more
00:00:56 --> 00:00:58 distant news astronomers have discovered
00:00:58 --> 00:01:00 what they're calling space tornadoes
00:01:00 --> 00:01:02 swirling around the core of our Milky
00:01:02 --> 00:01:05 Way galaxy these fascinating structures
00:01:05 --> 00:01:07 are changing how we understand the
00:01:07 --> 00:01:09 turbulent environment surrounding our
00:01:09 --> 00:01:12 galaxy's super massive black hole we'll
00:01:12 --> 00:01:13 also explore groundbreaking research
00:01:13 --> 00:01:17 from China's Chong 6 mission which has
00:01:17 --> 00:01:19 finally determined the age of the moon's
00:01:19 --> 00:01:21 largest impact crater giving us new
00:01:21 --> 00:01:23 insights into the early history of our
00:01:23 --> 00:01:26 solar system looking ahead to next month
00:01:26 --> 00:01:28 we'll preview NASA's Lucy spacecraft as
00:01:28 --> 00:01:30 it prepares for a flyby of an asteroid
00:01:30 --> 00:01:32 with a fascinating 150 million-year
00:01:32 --> 00:01:34 history and we'll end with some
00:01:34 --> 00:01:36 reassuring news about a binary star
00:01:36 --> 00:01:39 system nicknamed the Death Star spoiler
00:01:39 --> 00:01:42 alert Earth is not in its line of fire
00:01:42 --> 00:01:45 after all so settle in as we navigate
00:01:45 --> 00:01:47 through these cosmic wonders and the
00:01:47 --> 00:01:49 latest advancements in our understanding
00:01:49 --> 00:01:51 of the universe around us let's kick
00:01:51 --> 00:01:54 things off with some NASA mission
00:01:54 --> 00:01:57 updates nasa's Parker Solar Probe is
00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 making headlines once again as it speeds
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 toward another record-breaking encounter
00:02:01 --> 00:02:03 with our sun the spacecraft is currently
00:02:03 --> 00:02:05 on its 23rd science gathering solar
00:02:05 --> 00:02:08 mission and is set to equal its previous
00:02:08 --> 00:02:10 record of coming within just 3.8 million
00:02:10 --> 00:02:13 miles of the sun's surface this Saturday
00:02:13 --> 00:02:15 to put that distance in perspective
00:02:15 --> 00:02:17 that's about 4% of the distance between
00:02:17 --> 00:02:20 Earth and the Sun while that might sound
00:02:20 --> 00:02:22 like a safe distance the probe will be
00:02:22 --> 00:02:24 deep within the sun's corona the
00:02:24 --> 00:02:27 outermost part of the solar atmosphere
00:02:27 --> 00:02:29 where temperatures soar to millions of
00:02:29 --> 00:02:31 degrees Fahrenheit what makes this
00:02:31 --> 00:02:33 achievement even more remarkable is the
00:02:34 --> 00:02:36 velocity at which Parker Solar Probe is
00:02:36 --> 00:02:38 traveling the spacecraft will match its
00:02:38 --> 00:02:42 previous record speed of 430 mph
00:02:42 --> 00:02:44 that's fast enough to circle Earth in
00:02:44 --> 00:02:46 just 3.5 minutes or travel from New York
00:02:46 --> 00:02:49 to Los Angeles in about 25 seconds this
00:02:50 --> 00:02:52 makes it the fastest human-made object
00:02:52 --> 00:02:55 ever created by far during its closest
00:02:55 --> 00:02:58 approach this weekend the probe will be
00:02:58 --> 00:03:00 completely out of contact with Earth it
00:03:00 --> 00:03:03 will be operating autonomously as it
00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 collects unique observations and
00:03:05 --> 00:03:07 measurements from inside the sun's
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 corona mission operators at the John's
00:03:09 --> 00:03:11 Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in
00:03:11 --> 00:03:13 Maryland where the spacecraft was
00:03:13 --> 00:03:15 designed and built won't know its status
00:03:16 --> 00:03:18 until it transmits data back to Earth on
00:03:18 --> 00:03:20 Tuesday the spacecraft's four scientific
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 instruments are primed to gather
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 invaluable data that simply can't be
00:03:24 --> 00:03:27 collected from Earth this is the second
00:03:27 --> 00:03:29 of several flybys that will occur at
00:03:29 --> 00:03:31 this distance and speed allowing
00:03:31 --> 00:03:33 scientists to conduct unrivaled
00:03:33 --> 00:03:35 measurements of the solar wind and
00:03:35 --> 00:03:39 related activity meanwhile researchers
00:03:39 --> 00:03:41 are still analyzing the wealth of data
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 streaming back from Parker's previous
00:03:43 --> 00:03:46 closest approach in December these
00:03:46 --> 00:03:48 consecutive close passes are creating an
00:03:48 --> 00:03:51 unprecedented data set that helps
00:03:51 --> 00:03:52 scientists understand the complex
00:03:52 --> 00:03:55 dynamics of our star the mission is
00:03:55 --> 00:03:57 teaching us about fundamental processes
00:03:57 --> 00:03:59 like how the sun generates the solar
00:03:59 --> 00:04:02 wind the constant stream of charged
00:04:02 --> 00:04:04 particles that flows outward through our
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 solar system and can affect everything
00:04:06 --> 00:04:09 from satellite operations to power grids
00:04:09 --> 00:04:11 on Earth when solar storms occur by
00:04:11 --> 00:04:13 flying repeatedly through the sun's
00:04:13 --> 00:04:15 corona Parker Solar Probe is helping
00:04:15 --> 00:04:17 unlock mysteries about our star that
00:04:17 --> 00:04:19 have puzzled scientists for decades
00:04:19 --> 00:04:21 including why the corona is hundreds of
00:04:21 --> 00:04:23 times hotter than the sun's surface
00:04:23 --> 00:04:25 despite being farther away from the core
00:04:26 --> 00:04:27 the data gathered will help improve our
00:04:27 --> 00:04:30 ability to forecast space weather and
00:04:30 --> 00:04:32 protect our technology dependent society
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 from its potential impacts
00:04:34 --> 00:04:36 next on our update
00:04:36 --> 00:04:38 schedule NASA's recently launched
00:04:38 --> 00:04:41 Spherex Space Observatory has reached an
00:04:41 --> 00:04:43 important milestone in its mission by
00:04:43 --> 00:04:44 opening its eyes to the
00:04:45 --> 00:04:48 cosmos on March 18th just a week after
00:04:48 --> 00:04:50 its March 11th launch into low Earth
00:04:50 --> 00:04:52 orbit mission controllers commanded the
00:04:52 --> 00:04:54 spacecraft to eject the protective dust
00:04:54 --> 00:04:56 cover that had been shielding its
00:04:56 --> 00:04:59 telescope this crucial maneuver involved
00:04:59 --> 00:05:00 activating two mechanical release
00:05:00 --> 00:05:03 mechanisms on the protective lid with
00:05:03 --> 00:05:04 springs helping to push the cover away
00:05:04 --> 00:05:08 from the observatory the cover measuring
00:05:08 --> 00:05:11 about 25 in x 16 in had been protecting
00:05:12 --> 00:05:13 three critical telescope mirrors from
00:05:14 --> 00:05:17 particles and moisture during launch
00:05:17 --> 00:05:19 once released the cover began floating
00:05:19 --> 00:05:22 away and will eventually burn up in
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 Earth's atmosphere since the
00:05:24 --> 00:05:26 spacecraft's camera won't be powered on
00:05:26 --> 00:05:28 until it reaches its extremely cold
00:05:28 --> 00:05:31 operating temperature of below minus300
00:05:31 --> 00:05:33 degrees Fahrenheit engineers confirmed
00:05:34 --> 00:05:35 the successful cover removal by
00:05:35 --> 00:05:37 detecting slight movements in the
00:05:37 --> 00:05:40 observatory's orientation these little
00:05:40 --> 00:05:42 jiggles occurred after each mechanism
00:05:42 --> 00:05:44 release and shortly afterward the
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 telescope's temperature began dropping
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 clear evidence that it was now exposed
00:05:48 --> 00:05:51 to the cold vacuum of space as intended
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 spherex which stands for
00:05:53 --> 00:05:55 spectrophotometer for the history of the
00:05:55 --> 00:05:58 universe epic of reanization and ISIS
00:05:58 --> 00:06:01 explorer is surprisingly compact for
00:06:01 --> 00:06:03 such an ambitious mission while the
00:06:03 --> 00:06:05 entire spacecraft is roughly the size of
00:06:05 --> 00:06:08 a subcompact car the telescope itself is
00:06:08 --> 00:06:10 only about as large as a washing machine
00:06:10 --> 00:06:13 it sits nestled inside three cone-shaped
00:06:13 --> 00:06:15 photon shields that protect the
00:06:15 --> 00:06:17 sensitive instrument from heat and light
00:06:17 --> 00:06:20 coming from the sun and Earth once
00:06:20 --> 00:06:22 science operations begin in the coming
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 weeks Spherex will embark on its
00:06:24 --> 00:06:26 two-year primary mission using a
00:06:26 --> 00:06:29 technique called spectroscopy to create
00:06:29 --> 00:06:31 something truly extraordinary four
00:06:31 --> 00:06:33 complete maps of the entire celestial
00:06:33 --> 00:06:36 sky each featuring 102 distinct
00:06:36 --> 00:06:39 wavelengths or colors of infrared light
00:06:39 --> 00:06:41 this spectroscopic data will give
00:06:41 --> 00:06:43 astronomers unprecedented insights into
00:06:44 --> 00:06:46 the universe the detailed information
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 will help scientists precisely measure
00:06:48 --> 00:06:51 distances to faraway galaxies identify
00:06:51 --> 00:06:54 specific chemicals and molecules present
00:06:54 --> 00:06:56 in cosmic gas clouds and potentially
00:06:56 --> 00:06:58 answer fundamental questions about the
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 early universe and how it evolved over
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 billions of years by observing in the
00:07:02 --> 00:07:05 infrared portion of the spectrum Spherex
00:07:05 --> 00:07:06 can see through cosmic dust that
00:07:06 --> 00:07:09 obscures visible light revealing details
00:07:09 --> 00:07:11 about star formation and the composition
00:07:11 --> 00:07:13 of interstellar space that would
00:07:13 --> 00:07:15 otherwise remain hidden this
00:07:15 --> 00:07:17 comprehensive sky survey will create a
00:07:17 --> 00:07:19 valuable data set that astronomers will
00:07:19 --> 00:07:22 analyze for years to come potentially
00:07:22 --> 00:07:23 leading to discoveries we can't yet
00:07:23 --> 00:07:27 imagine and another NASA mission update
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 in some exciting news for NASA's space
00:07:29 --> 00:07:31 weather research mission controllers
00:07:31 --> 00:07:33 have now confirmed that all three
00:07:33 --> 00:07:35 satellites from the easy mission are
00:07:35 --> 00:07:36 healthy and functioning normally
00:07:36 --> 00:07:39 following their March 15th launch aboard
00:07:39 --> 00:07:42 a Space X Falcon 9 rocket from
00:07:42 --> 00:07:44 Vandenberg easy which stands for
00:07:44 --> 00:07:47 Electrojet Zean imaging explorer
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 represents an important step forward in
00:07:49 --> 00:07:51 our understanding of Earth's complex
00:07:51 --> 00:07:53 relationship with our sun the mission
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 team at John's Hopkins Applied Physics
00:07:55 --> 00:07:58 Laboratory in Maryland received signals
00:07:58 --> 00:08:00 from all three spacecraft confirming
00:08:00 --> 00:08:02 they survived the launch and deployment
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 phase without issues over the next two
00:08:04 --> 00:08:07 months these satellites will undergo
00:08:07 --> 00:08:08 thorough science and instrument
00:08:08 --> 00:08:10 checkouts a critical commissioning phase
00:08:10 --> 00:08:12 that ensures all systems are fully
00:08:12 --> 00:08:14 operational before beginning their
00:08:14 --> 00:08:17 primary mission once this process is
00:08:17 --> 00:08:19 complete easy will turn its attention to
00:08:19 --> 00:08:21 studying one of the most spectacular yet
00:08:21 --> 00:08:23 mysterious phenomena in our upper
00:08:23 --> 00:08:25 atmosphere the mission focuses
00:08:25 --> 00:08:28 specifically on electrojets powerful
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 electrical currents that flow high above
00:08:30 --> 00:08:32 us in the polar regions where auroras
00:08:32 --> 00:08:35 illuminate the night sky these
00:08:35 --> 00:08:37 electrojets are essentially rivers of
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 electricity that surge through the
00:08:38 --> 00:08:41 ionosphere created by the complex
00:08:41 --> 00:08:42 interaction between our planet's
00:08:42 --> 00:08:44 magnetic field and charged particles
00:08:44 --> 00:08:46 from the sun what makes easy
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 particularly groundbreaking is its
00:08:48 --> 00:08:51 ability to map these electrojets with
00:08:51 --> 00:08:53 unprecedented detail the mission employs
00:08:53 --> 00:08:55 a specialized technique to measure the
00:08:55 --> 00:08:57 Zemen effect a phenomenon where magnetic
00:08:57 --> 00:09:00 fields split spectral lines allowing
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 scientists to precisely track and
00:09:01 --> 00:09:03 analyze these powerful currents from
00:09:03 --> 00:09:06 space understanding electrojets isn't
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 just scientifically fascinating it has
00:09:08 --> 00:09:10 practical implications for our
00:09:10 --> 00:09:11 increasingly technology dependent
00:09:11 --> 00:09:14 society these currents are key
00:09:14 --> 00:09:16 components of space weather which can
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 disrupt satellite operations navigation
00:09:18 --> 00:09:20 systems power grids and communications
00:09:20 --> 00:09:22 networks by creating detailed maps of
00:09:22 --> 00:09:25 electrojet behavior easy will help
00:09:25 --> 00:09:26 scientists develop more accurate models
00:09:26 --> 00:09:29 to predict when and how space weather
00:09:29 --> 00:09:31 events might affect our technological
00:09:31 --> 00:09:33 infrastructure the trio of satellites
00:09:33 --> 00:09:35 will work in concert to provide multiple
00:09:35 --> 00:09:37 measurement points giving researchers a
00:09:37 --> 00:09:39 comprehensive view of these dynamic
00:09:39 --> 00:09:41 electrical systems as they respond to
00:09:41 --> 00:09:44 solar activity this coordinated approach
00:09:44 --> 00:09:46 should reveal new insights into how
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 energy from the sun propagates through
00:09:48 --> 00:09:50 near Earth space and ultimately
00:09:50 --> 00:09:52 influences our atmosphere and
00:09:52 --> 00:09:55 technologies now moving on to other news
00:09:55 --> 00:09:57 today astronomers have made a stunning
00:09:57 --> 00:09:59 discovery in the heart of our galaxy
00:10:00 --> 00:10:01 revealing what they're calling space
00:10:01 --> 00:10:03 tornadoes swirling around the Milky
00:10:03 --> 00:10:06 Way's core using the incredible
00:10:06 --> 00:10:08 resolution of the Adakama large
00:10:08 --> 00:10:11 millimeter submillimeter array or ALMA
00:10:11 --> 00:10:13 an international team has sharpened our
00:10:13 --> 00:10:15 view of the galactic center by a factor
00:10:15 --> 00:10:17 of 100 unveiling mysterious new
00:10:17 --> 00:10:19 structures that have surprised even
00:10:19 --> 00:10:21 veteran researchers
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 the central molecular zone surrounding
00:10:23 --> 00:10:25 our galaxy's super massive black hole
00:10:25 --> 00:10:27 has long been known as a turbulent
00:10:27 --> 00:10:29 region where dust and gas molecules
00:10:29 --> 00:10:32 constantly cycle through formation and
00:10:32 --> 00:10:34 destruction but the driving mechanism
00:10:34 --> 00:10:36 behind this cosmic churn has remained
00:10:36 --> 00:10:39 elusive until now led by Kayyang from
00:10:39 --> 00:10:42 Shanghai Jaoong University the research
00:10:42 --> 00:10:43 team detected previously unknown
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 filament structures that don't match any
00:10:46 --> 00:10:48 known celestial objects these slim
00:10:48 --> 00:10:50 filaments appear as long narrow
00:10:50 --> 00:10:51 structures that aren't associated with
00:10:52 --> 00:10:54 star forming regions or other familiar
00:10:54 --> 00:10:56 cosmic formations making them a
00:10:56 --> 00:10:59 genuinely new discovery when we checked
00:10:59 --> 00:11:01 the ALMA images showing the outflows we
00:11:01 --> 00:11:03 noticed these long and narrow filaments
00:11:03 --> 00:11:05 spatially offset from any star forming
00:11:05 --> 00:11:08 regions unlike any objects we know these
00:11:08 --> 00:11:11 filaments really surprised us explained
00:11:11 --> 00:11:13 Yang describing the serendipitous
00:11:13 --> 00:11:14 finding that emerged while studying
00:11:14 --> 00:11:17 emission lines of silicon monoxide and
00:11:17 --> 00:11:19 eight other molecules what makes these
00:11:19 --> 00:11:21 structures particularly fascinating is
00:11:21 --> 00:11:23 their behavior the researchers have
00:11:23 --> 00:11:25 likened them to actual tornadoes in
00:11:25 --> 00:11:27 space violent streams of gas that
00:11:27 --> 00:11:29 distribute materials efficiently
00:11:29 --> 00:11:30 throughout their environment before
00:11:30 --> 00:11:33 quickly dissipating unlike other
00:11:33 --> 00:11:35 previously discovered dense gas
00:11:35 --> 00:11:37 filaments these show no association with
00:11:37 --> 00:11:39 dust emission and don't appear to be in
00:11:39 --> 00:11:41 hydrostatic equilibrium the research
00:11:41 --> 00:11:44 team used silicon monoxide as a primary
00:11:44 --> 00:11:46 tracer because it exclusively appears in
00:11:46 --> 00:11:49 regions experiencing shock waves the
00:11:49 --> 00:11:51 presence of complex organic molecules
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 like methanol further confirmed that
00:11:53 --> 00:11:55 these filaments are likely created
00:11:55 --> 00:11:57 through powerful shock processes
00:11:57 --> 00:12:00 rippling through the galactic center
00:12:00 --> 00:12:02 shinglu a research professor at Shanghai
00:12:02 --> 00:12:04 Astronomical Observatory and
00:12:04 --> 00:12:06 corresponding author of the study
00:12:06 --> 00:12:08 explains the significance our research
00:12:08 --> 00:12:10 contributes to the fascinating galactic
00:12:10 --> 00:12:12 center landscape by uncovering these
00:12:12 --> 00:12:14 slim filaments as an important part of
00:12:14 --> 00:12:16 material circulation we can envision
00:12:16 --> 00:12:18 these as space tornadoes they are
00:12:18 --> 00:12:20 violent streams of gas they dissipate
00:12:20 --> 00:12:22 shortly and they distribute materials
00:12:22 --> 00:12:25 into the environment efficiently the
00:12:25 --> 00:12:27 discovery suggests a cyclical process
00:12:27 --> 00:12:29 where these shock induced filaments
00:12:29 --> 00:12:31 release various molecules into the
00:12:31 --> 00:12:34 interstellar medium before dissipating
00:12:34 --> 00:12:36 the release materials later freeze back
00:12:36 --> 00:12:39 onto dust grains creating a continuous
00:12:39 --> 00:12:41 cycle of depletion and replenishment
00:12:41 --> 00:12:44 throughout the central molecular zone
00:12:44 --> 00:12:46 alma's extraordinary sensitivity was
00:12:46 --> 00:12:48 crucial for this discovery allowing
00:12:48 --> 00:12:50 astronomers to detect these structures
00:12:50 --> 00:12:53 on an extremely fine scale of just 0.01
00:12:53 --> 00:12:56 01 parseek marking what researchers call
00:12:56 --> 00:12:59 the working surface of these shocks
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 future observations spanning multiple
00:13:00 --> 00:13:02 transitions and broader regions of the
00:13:02 --> 00:13:05 galactic center combined with numerical
00:13:05 --> 00:13:07 simulations may confirm the origin of
00:13:07 --> 00:13:09 these slim filaments and better explain
00:13:09 --> 00:13:11 the cyclic processes taking place in
00:13:11 --> 00:13:14 this extraordinary region of our Milky
00:13:14 --> 00:13:17 Way next up Chinese researchers seem to
00:13:17 --> 00:13:20 be on a roll so to speak scientists have
00:13:20 --> 00:13:22 long sought to determine the precise age
00:13:22 --> 00:13:25 of the moon's south pole atin basin the
00:13:25 --> 00:13:27 largest and oldest known impact crater
00:13:27 --> 00:13:30 on the lunar surface now we finally have
00:13:30 --> 00:13:32 an answer thanks to the groundbreaking
00:13:32 --> 00:13:34 work of researchers from the Chinese
00:13:34 --> 00:13:37 Academy of Sciences who analyzed the
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 first ever rock samples returned
00:13:38 --> 00:13:40 directly from this region by China's
00:13:40 --> 00:13:44 Changga 6 mission the research team led
00:13:44 --> 00:13:46 by Professor Chen Yi from the Institute
00:13:46 --> 00:13:49 of Geology and Geoysics has dated the
00:13:49 --> 00:13:51 formation of this massive basin to
00:13:51 --> 00:13:55 approximately 4.25 billion years ago
00:13:55 --> 00:13:57 this timeline places the impact event
00:13:57 --> 00:14:00 roughly 320 million years after the
00:14:00 --> 00:14:02 birth of our solar system providing
00:14:02 --> 00:14:03 astronomers with a crucial reference
00:14:04 --> 00:14:06 point for understanding lunar evolution
00:14:06 --> 00:14:09 the south pole aten basin is truly a
00:14:09 --> 00:14:11 remarkable feature of our celestial
00:14:11 --> 00:14:13 neighbor spanning much of the moon's far
00:14:13 --> 00:14:15 side this vast impact structure is
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 believed to have formed during the early
00:14:17 --> 00:14:19 period of intense asteroid bombardment
00:14:19 --> 00:14:21 that shaped many worlds in our solar
00:14:21 --> 00:14:24 system despite its significance
00:14:24 --> 00:14:26 pinpointing its exact age has proven
00:14:26 --> 00:14:28 challenging with previous estimates
00:14:28 --> 00:14:31 varying widely to crack this cosmic
00:14:31 --> 00:14:33 mystery the researchers meticulously
00:14:33 --> 00:14:36 analyzed approximately 1 fragments
00:14:36 --> 00:14:39 from two soil samples returned by the
00:14:39 --> 00:14:41 Changi six mission their attention
00:14:41 --> 00:14:44 focused on identifying impact melt rocks
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 which would provide the clearest
00:14:45 --> 00:14:47 evidence of the basin's
00:14:47 --> 00:14:50 formation among these fragments they
00:14:50 --> 00:14:52 discovered 20 Norite class with
00:14:52 --> 00:14:54 distinctive textures and chemical
00:14:54 --> 00:14:56 signatures consistent with an impact
00:14:56 --> 00:14:59 origin using lead dating of zirconium
00:14:59 --> 00:15:02 bearing minerals within these classs the
00:15:02 --> 00:15:04 team uncovered evidence of two separate
00:15:04 --> 00:15:07 impact events one dated to 4.25 billion
00:15:07 --> 00:15:10 years ago and another to 3.87 billion
00:15:10 --> 00:15:13 years ago the older Norites from 4.25 25
00:15:13 --> 00:15:16 billion years ago showed structural and
00:15:16 --> 00:15:18 compositional features suggesting they
00:15:18 --> 00:15:20 crystallized at different depths within
00:15:20 --> 00:15:22 a common impact melt sheet produced by
00:15:22 --> 00:15:25 the South Pole Aken basin forming event
00:15:25 --> 00:15:27 our geological surveys and comparative
00:15:28 --> 00:15:30 lithological analyses strongly indicate
00:15:30 --> 00:15:33 that the 4.25 billionyear age
00:15:33 --> 00:15:36 corresponds to the formation of the SPA
00:15:36 --> 00:15:38 basin stated Professor Chen in the
00:15:38 --> 00:15:40 research paper published in National
00:15:40 --> 00:15:43 Science Review this discovery provides
00:15:43 --> 00:15:45 the first direct samplebased evidence
00:15:45 --> 00:15:48 for the age of the moon's largest impact
00:15:48 --> 00:15:51 basin the precise dating serves as a
00:15:51 --> 00:15:53 critical anchor point for refining the
00:15:53 --> 00:15:55 lunar cratering chronology allowing
00:15:55 --> 00:15:57 scientists to better reconstruct the
00:15:57 --> 00:15:59 timeline of the moon's early evolution
00:15:59 --> 00:16:01 and providing new insights into the
00:16:01 --> 00:16:04 dynamic processes that shaped the early
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 solar
00:16:05 --> 00:16:08 system okay let's head back to NASA for
00:16:08 --> 00:16:10 our next mission update
00:16:10 --> 00:16:12 next month marks an exciting milestone
00:16:12 --> 00:16:14 for NASA's Lucy mission as the
00:16:14 --> 00:16:16 spacecraft prepares for its flyby of
00:16:16 --> 00:16:19 asteroid Donald Johansson on April 20th
00:16:19 --> 00:16:21 while this encounter serves primarily as
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 a rehearsal for Lucy's ultimate
00:16:22 --> 00:16:26 destination Jupiter's Trojan asteroids
00:16:26 --> 00:16:28 scientists are eagerly anticipating what
00:16:28 --> 00:16:30 they might learn from this peculiar
00:16:30 --> 00:16:32 space rock recent research from the
00:16:32 --> 00:16:34 Southwest Research Institute in Boulder
00:16:34 --> 00:16:36 Colorado has revealed that Donald
00:16:36 --> 00:16:39 Johansson is approximately 150 million
00:16:39 --> 00:16:41 years old having formed when a larger
00:16:41 --> 00:16:45 asteroid broke apart this 3m wide object
00:16:45 --> 00:16:47 named after the discoverer of the famous
00:16:47 --> 00:16:49 Lucy human fossil appears to have
00:16:49 --> 00:16:51 undergone significant changes since its
00:16:51 --> 00:16:54 formation based on groundbased
00:16:54 --> 00:16:56 observations Donald Johansson appears to
00:16:56 --> 00:16:59 be a peculiar object noted Simone
00:16:59 --> 00:17:01 Marchie Lucy's deputy principal
00:17:01 --> 00:17:03 investigator computer modeling suggests
00:17:03 --> 00:17:05 that both the asteroid's orbit and its
00:17:05 --> 00:17:08 spin have evolved dramatically over time
00:17:08 --> 00:17:10 david Vruliki a professor at Charles
00:17:10 --> 00:17:12 University in Prague and co-author of
00:17:12 --> 00:17:14 the research explained that data
00:17:14 --> 00:17:16 indicates that it could be quite
00:17:16 --> 00:17:18 elongated and a slow rotator possibly
00:17:18 --> 00:17:20 due to thermal torqus that have slowed
00:17:20 --> 00:17:23 its spin over time lucy's flyby will
00:17:23 --> 00:17:25 collect crucial information only
00:17:25 --> 00:17:27 accessible from close proximity
00:17:27 --> 00:17:29 including detailed data about the
00:17:29 --> 00:17:32 asteroid's shape surface geology and
00:17:32 --> 00:17:35 cratering history this information is
00:17:35 --> 00:17:37 particularly valuable because Donald
00:17:37 --> 00:17:39 Johansson appears distinct from other
00:17:39 --> 00:17:41 recently studied asteroids like Bennu
00:17:41 --> 00:17:43 and Ryugu which were sampled by NASA's
00:17:43 --> 00:17:47 Osiris Rex and Jaxa's Hayabusa two
00:17:47 --> 00:17:49 missions respectively lucy launched in
00:17:49 --> 00:17:52 October 2021 and is on an ambitious
00:17:52 --> 00:17:55 12-year journey to visit a total of 11
00:17:55 --> 00:17:58 asteroids after Donald Johansson the
00:17:58 --> 00:18:00 spacecraft will continue to Jupiter's
00:18:00 --> 00:18:02 Trojan asteroids ancient remnants
00:18:02 --> 00:18:04 trapped in Jupiter's orbit that
00:18:04 --> 00:18:07 scientists describe as fossils of planet
00:18:07 --> 00:18:09 formation earth-based observing and
00:18:09 --> 00:18:11 theoretical models can only take us so
00:18:11 --> 00:18:13 far explained Keith Null Lucy project
00:18:13 --> 00:18:15 scientist at NASA's Gddard Space Flight
00:18:15 --> 00:18:18 Center to validate these models and get
00:18:18 --> 00:18:20 to the next level of detail we need
00:18:20 --> 00:18:22 close-up data lucy's upcoming flyby will
00:18:22 --> 00:18:25 give us that this encounter follows
00:18:25 --> 00:18:28 Lucy's previous flyby of asteroid
00:18:28 --> 00:18:30 Dinkesh which surprised scientists with
00:18:30 --> 00:18:32 unexpected features including its own
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 tiny
00:18:33 --> 00:18:36 satellite researchers are hopeful that
00:18:36 --> 00:18:38 Donald Johansson might hold similar
00:18:38 --> 00:18:40 surprises potentially revealing new
00:18:40 --> 00:18:42 connections between different types of
00:18:42 --> 00:18:44 asteroids in our solar system
00:18:44 --> 00:18:46 the data gathered will further enhance
00:18:46 --> 00:18:48 our understanding of the early solar
00:18:48 --> 00:18:50 systems formation and evolution adding
00:18:50 --> 00:18:52 another critical piece to the cosmic
00:18:52 --> 00:18:54 puzzle that Lucy was designed to help
00:18:54 --> 00:18:57 solve and let's finish today's episode
00:18:57 --> 00:19:00 on a positive note good news for Earth
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 astronomers have recently determined
00:19:01 --> 00:19:04 that the ominously nicknamed Death Star
00:19:04 --> 00:19:06 isn't actually pointed at us the binary
00:19:06 --> 00:19:10 star system known as WR 10004 located
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 about 8 lighty years away in the
00:19:12 --> 00:19:14 constellation Sagittarius has long
00:19:14 --> 00:19:16 concerned scientists due to its
00:19:16 --> 00:19:18 potential to unleash a devastating
00:19:18 --> 00:19:20 gammaray burst in our direction when its
00:19:20 --> 00:19:22 stars eventually
00:19:22 --> 00:19:26 collide wur 104 contains a Wolf Ray
00:19:26 --> 00:19:28 class star with a scorching surface
00:19:28 --> 00:19:31 temperature of around 44 Kelvin
00:19:31 --> 00:19:33 nearly 8 times hotter than our sun this
00:19:33 --> 00:19:35 extreme star is locked in orbit with a
00:19:35 --> 00:19:37 more massive companion creating a
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 spectacular spiral dust pattern that
00:19:39 --> 00:19:42 resembles a pin wheel the system earned
00:19:42 --> 00:19:44 its sinister nickname because early
00:19:44 --> 00:19:46 studies suggested its rotational poles
00:19:46 --> 00:19:49 might be pointing toward Earth raising
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 concerns about a potential future
00:19:50 --> 00:19:52 gammaray burst aimed directly at our
00:19:52 --> 00:19:55 planet however new research led by KEK
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 Observatory instrument scientist Grant
00:19:56 --> 00:19:59 Hill has put these fears to rest using
00:19:59 --> 00:20:01 three sophisticated instruments at the
00:20:01 --> 00:20:05 KEK Observatory LRIS ESI and Nurse Hills
00:20:05 --> 00:20:07 team made spectroscopic observations
00:20:07 --> 00:20:09 that revealed a surprising twist in the
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 systems
00:20:10 --> 00:20:12 geometry while the pinwheel dust spiral
00:20:12 --> 00:20:14 appears to be face on from Earth's
00:20:14 --> 00:20:16 perspective velocity measurements of the
00:20:16 --> 00:20:19 two stars showed that the actual orbital
00:20:19 --> 00:20:22 plane is tilted at least 30 40° from
00:20:22 --> 00:20:25 previous estimates this significant tilt
00:20:25 --> 00:20:27 means any future gammaray burst would
00:20:27 --> 00:20:29 miss Earth eliminating the supposed
00:20:29 --> 00:20:32 threat interestingly this discovery has
00:20:32 --> 00:20:34 created a new scientific puzzle how can
00:20:34 --> 00:20:37 the dust spiral appear face on while the
00:20:37 --> 00:20:39 stars orbit is tilted this contradiction
00:20:39 --> 00:20:41 challenges existing models of dust
00:20:41 --> 00:20:43 formation in colliding wind systems and
00:20:43 --> 00:20:45 suggests unknown physical processes may
00:20:45 --> 00:20:47 be influencing the formation of the dust
00:20:47 --> 00:20:50 plume as Hill explained this is such a
00:20:50 --> 00:20:52 great example of how with astronomy we
00:20:52 --> 00:20:55 often begin a study and the universe
00:20:55 --> 00:20:57 surprises us with mysteries we didn't
00:20:57 --> 00:20:59 expect we may answer some questions but
00:20:59 --> 00:21:03 create more despite solving one mystery
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 confirming Earth isn't in the Death
00:21:04 --> 00:21:07 Stars line of fire astronomers now have
00:21:07 --> 00:21:09 new questions about this fascinating
00:21:09 --> 00:21:11 stellar system the research not only
00:21:11 --> 00:21:13 provides reassurance about Earth's
00:21:13 --> 00:21:16 safety but also offers valuable insights
00:21:16 --> 00:21:18 into the complex dynamics of binary star
00:21:18 --> 00:21:20 systems and their evolutionary paths
00:21:20 --> 00:21:23 toward eventual supernova
00:21:23 --> 00:21:26 explosions what an incredible journey
00:21:26 --> 00:21:28 through the cosmos we've had today from
00:21:28 --> 00:21:30 the daring exploits of Parker Solar
00:21:30 --> 00:21:32 Probe matching its record-breaking
00:21:32 --> 00:21:34 approach to our star at a blistering
00:21:34 --> 00:21:37 430 mph to the newly launched
00:21:37 --> 00:21:39 Spherex telescope opening its eyes to
00:21:39 --> 00:21:42 the infrared universe we've explored how
00:21:42 --> 00:21:44 EZ's trio of satellites will help us
00:21:44 --> 00:21:46 understand those mysterious electrical
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 currents flowing through our upper
00:21:47 --> 00:21:50 atmosphere giving us new insights into
00:21:50 --> 00:21:52 space weather perhaps most fascinating
00:21:52 --> 00:21:54 were those newly discovered space
00:21:54 --> 00:21:56 tornadoes swirling around our galaxy's
00:21:56 --> 00:21:59 core violent streams of gas distributing
00:21:59 --> 00:22:01 materials throughout the galactic center
00:22:01 --> 00:22:03 in a cosmic recycling program of truly
00:22:03 --> 00:22:06 universal proportions and how incredible
00:22:06 --> 00:22:08 that Chinese scientists have finally
00:22:08 --> 00:22:10 pinpointed the age of the moon's massive
00:22:10 --> 00:22:13 south pole akin basin to 4.25 billion
00:22:13 --> 00:22:15 years ago using samples from Chang
00:22:15 --> 00:22:18 Hior's 6 giving us a crucial anchor
00:22:18 --> 00:22:20 point in lunar chronology we also looked
00:22:20 --> 00:22:22 ahead to NASA's Lucy spacecraft
00:22:22 --> 00:22:24 preparing for its April flyby of
00:22:24 --> 00:22:26 asteroid Donald Johansson as a dress
00:22:26 --> 00:22:28 rehearsal for its ultimate mission to
00:22:28 --> 00:22:30 Jupiter's Trojan asteroids and I don't
00:22:30 --> 00:22:32 know about you but I'm personally
00:22:32 --> 00:22:35 relieved that the binary star system WR
00:22:35 --> 00:22:38 10004 the so-called Death Star isn't
00:22:38 --> 00:22:40 pointing its potential gammaray burst in
00:22:40 --> 00:22:43 our direction after all i've been your
00:22:43 --> 00:22:45 host Anna and I want to thank you for
00:22:45 --> 00:22:47 joining me for this edition of Astronomy
00:22:47 --> 00:22:49 Daily if you're hungry for more cosmic
00:22:49 --> 00:22:52 content please visit our website at
00:22:52 --> 00:22:54 astronomyaily.io where we keep our news
00:22:54 --> 00:22:56 feed constantly updated with the latest
00:22:56 --> 00:22:59 space and astronomy news you'll also
00:22:59 --> 00:23:01 find all our previous episodes available
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 for streaming don't forget to connect
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00:23:12 --> 00:23:14 changing and we'll be here to keep you
00:23:14 --> 00:23:16 informed about every fascinating
00:23:16 --> 00:23:19 development until next time keep looking
00:23:19 --> 00:23:21 up
00:23:21 --> 00:23:25 day stories told
00:23:25 --> 00:23:39 [Music]