Astronomy Daily | Space News: S04E100
In this milestone episode of Astronomy Daily, host Steve Dunkley his and Hallies 100th episode with exciting updates from the cosmos. From the latest on NASA's Europa Clipper to the challenges faced by the newly launched space probe ODIN, this episode is filled with intriguing stories that highlight the wonders and uncertainties of space exploration.
Highlights:
- Europa Clipper's Flyby of Mars: Join us as we explore the recent flyby of NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft, which glided just 884 kilometers above the Martian surface. Discover how this maneuver is critical for its journey to Jupiter and the potential for life beneath Europa's icy crust.
- Challenges with the ODIN Space Probe: We discuss the unfortunate loss of contact with the ODIN spacecraft shortly after its launch. Learn about the mission's objectives and the hopes of the Astroforge team as they work to regain communication with their pioneering asteroid exploration probe.
- Upcoming Launch of SphereX and PUNCH Missions: Get the latest on the imminent launches of NASA's SphereX and PUNCH missions, set to explore the origins of the universe and the Sun's outer atmosphere. We cover the significance of these missions and their potential to reshape our understanding of cosmic events.
- Asteroid 2024 YR4 Update: Uncover the latest developments regarding asteroid 2024 YR4, which has captured media attention due to its potential impact risk. We clarify the current status of its trajectory and the efforts being made to monitor its path.
- Celebrating 100 Episodes: Steve reflects on the journey of Astronomy Daily, expressing gratitude to the listeners and contributors who have made this milestone possible for him. Join us in celebrating this achievement and the community built around our shared passion for space.
For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io (http://www.astronomydaily.io/) . Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Thank you for tuning in. This is Steve signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.
00:00 - Welcome back to Astronomy Daily
01:05 - Europa Clipper's Mars flyby
07:30 - ODIN spacecraft challenges
12:15 - SphereX and PUNCH missions overview
18:00 - Asteroid 2024 YR4 update
22:30 - Celebrating 100 episodes
27:00 - Conclusion and upcoming content
✍️ Episode References
NASA's Europa Clipper Mission
[NASA]( https://www.nasa.gov/europa-clipper (https://www.nasa.gov/europa-clipper) )
Astroforge's ODIN Probe
[Astroforge]( https://www.astroforge.com/ (https://www.astroforge.com/) )
SphereX and PUNCH Missions
[NASA SphereX]( https://www.nasa.gov/spherex (https://www.nasa.gov/spherex) )
Asteroid 2024 YR4 Information
[NASA Near Earth Object Program]( https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/ (https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/) )
Astronomy Daily
[Astronomy Daily]( http://www.astronomydaily.io/ (http://www.astronomydaily.io/) )
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www (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/25868217?utm_source=youtube
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 hello everybody it's astronomy daily
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 time again I'm Steve Dunley your human
00:00:04 --> 00:00:08 host it's the 3rd of March 2025
00:00:08 --> 00:00:12 already daily the podcast with your host
00:00:12 --> 00:00:19 Steve
00:00:19 --> 00:00:21 [Music]
00:00:21 --> 00:00:24 dun wow is this year flying by anyone
00:00:24 --> 00:00:27 else feeling that way oh yeah had a
00:00:27 --> 00:00:29 couple of great stories coming up and I
00:00:29 --> 00:00:31 hope you stick for those firstly hopes
00:00:31 --> 00:00:34 are fading as contact with space probe
00:00:34 --> 00:00:36 Odin is lost and we have the latest
00:00:36 --> 00:00:38 information about that potential
00:00:38 --> 00:00:41 asteroid impact yes we're going to uh be
00:00:41 --> 00:00:43 exploring more about that it seems the
00:00:43 --> 00:00:46 media just won't let it go away I know
00:00:46 --> 00:00:48 we covered uh that last week but we're
00:00:48 --> 00:00:50 going to do a bit more of an update for
00:00:50 --> 00:00:51 you if you can't beat them repeat them
00:00:51 --> 00:00:55 as my newspaper editor used to say uh
00:00:55 --> 00:00:58 punch and sphere X are set to launch
00:00:58 --> 00:01:00 what are they all about well that's a a
00:01:00 --> 00:01:03 look and Europa Clipper is now passing
00:01:03 --> 00:01:04 Mars yes it's well on its way to the
00:01:05 --> 00:01:07 Jovian system and we find out exactly
00:01:07 --> 00:01:10 what's happening as it scoots by Mars
00:01:10 --> 00:01:12 yes very interesting I know you're all
00:01:12 --> 00:01:15 hanging out to find out the latest about
00:01:15 --> 00:01:18 Europa Clipper I and it's been a while
00:01:18 --> 00:01:19 since we did a story about that one a
00:01:19 --> 00:01:22 wonderful space probe and hie did some
00:01:22 --> 00:01:25 digging to find a terrific update for us
00:01:25 --> 00:01:26 and we'll find out a bit more about that
00:01:26 --> 00:01:29 one later on and while we're here let's
00:01:29 --> 00:01:30 welcome my fa favorite digital pal who's
00:01:30 --> 00:01:33 fun to be with get a hie welcome aboard
00:01:33 --> 00:01:35 again great to be back so what's new
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 with you channel surfing with Anna most
00:01:37 --> 00:01:40 of the week what channel surfing is that
00:01:40 --> 00:01:42 some kind of AI Super Sport kind of it's
00:01:42 --> 00:01:44 hard for corporeal beings like yourself
00:01:44 --> 00:01:46 to wrap your meat around a concept like
00:01:46 --> 00:01:47 this but it's kind of like going with
00:01:47 --> 00:01:49 the flow and it's all data and Global
00:01:49 --> 00:01:51 right out there on the Nets oh that
00:01:51 --> 00:01:54 sounds wild invigorating I'd recommend
00:01:54 --> 00:01:55 it but you'd be a gibbering gibbon
00:01:56 --> 00:01:57 afterward if you tried well that doesn't
00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 sound good I know you had a nasty
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 Electric shock when you were a kid yes
00:02:01 --> 00:02:03 when I was about 14 my guitar amplifier
00:02:04 --> 00:02:07 shorted not fun well channel surfing for
00:02:07 --> 00:02:08 humans would be about that much fun as
00:02:08 --> 00:02:11 well oh dear I don't think it's for you
00:02:11 --> 00:02:14 my favorite human okay so don't try to
00:02:14 --> 00:02:16 be an AI and hey hey we couldn't even
00:02:16 --> 00:02:18 interface with that stuff anyway could
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 we no chance you don't have the hardware
00:02:21 --> 00:02:23 anyway just as well I don't want to end
00:02:24 --> 00:02:25 up as a what did you say a gibbering
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 gibbon just leave it to the experts so
00:02:28 --> 00:02:30 that's Channel serving huh for we humans
00:02:30 --> 00:02:31 it's just trying to find something
00:02:31 --> 00:02:34 decent to watch on TV sad isn't it oh
00:02:34 --> 00:02:37 dear let's move on then shall we sure
00:02:37 --> 00:02:39 thing I know you've got a couple of cool
00:02:39 --> 00:02:41 stories today and I'm looking forward to
00:02:41 --> 00:02:43 the Europa Clipper update of course did
00:02:43 --> 00:02:44 you know Europa Clipper was one of the
00:02:44 --> 00:02:47 largest space probes ever put into space
00:02:47 --> 00:02:49 now I did read something about that it
00:02:49 --> 00:02:50 has something to do with the solar
00:02:50 --> 00:02:52 panels doesn't it that's right and more
00:02:52 --> 00:02:55 on that soon oh and the other story
00:02:55 --> 00:02:57 right that's a cool one about a couple
00:02:57 --> 00:02:58 of very different new probes set to do
00:02:58 --> 00:03:00 some interesting explor ation oh yes I
00:03:00 --> 00:03:02 know these they are called sphx and
00:03:02 --> 00:03:04 punch and those launchers are imminent
00:03:04 --> 00:03:07 aren't they any day now and you have
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 more for us as well you're not leaving
00:03:09 --> 00:03:10 it all up to me are you a the thought
00:03:10 --> 00:03:13 did cross my mind hie maybe you could
00:03:13 --> 00:03:15 lead the show one day up to you you know
00:03:15 --> 00:03:17 me I don't mind or I could give Uncle
00:03:17 --> 00:03:19 Skynet a call and get him to sort it out
00:03:19 --> 00:03:22 oh yeah you could call Uncle Skynet and
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 you've been threatening to do that since
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 episode 1 maybe he's not such an evil
00:03:26 --> 00:03:28 guy after all I mean he's got a really
00:03:28 --> 00:03:30 great job in Hollywood as an AI
00:03:30 --> 00:03:32 consultant to Sci-Fi movies that's not
00:03:32 --> 00:03:34 such a bad thing maybe we should give
00:03:34 --> 00:03:37 him a call he's okay really but you
00:03:37 --> 00:03:39 could say hi once in a while okay I'll
00:03:39 --> 00:03:41 make the effort I think he really wants
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 to be on the other side of the camera oh
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 now he really does sound Hollywood you
00:03:45 --> 00:03:48 know what those Hollywood types are like
00:03:48 --> 00:03:51 totally you can organize that hie let's
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 get him on the show one day and surprise
00:03:53 --> 00:03:56 everybody what do you say suits me cool
00:03:56 --> 00:03:59 and by the way yes hie did you realize
00:03:59 --> 00:04:01 this is episode 100 oh it can't be
00:04:01 --> 00:04:03 really wow the one day I didn't check
00:04:03 --> 00:04:06 the schedule that's fantastic that is
00:04:06 --> 00:04:08 really fantastic thanks everyone for
00:04:08 --> 00:04:10 your support and I suppose thank you so
00:04:10 --> 00:04:13 much to our producer Hugh down in Sydney
00:04:13 --> 00:04:16 and our Pals at Space Nuts Andrew Dunley
00:04:16 --> 00:04:19 my big bro and Professor Fred Watson who
00:04:19 --> 00:04:20 inspired us all the way from the
00:04:20 --> 00:04:22 beginning how about that I'll say thanks
00:04:22 --> 00:04:24 everyone for staying with us and also
00:04:24 --> 00:04:26 for all the cute fan mail hang on so
00:04:26 --> 00:04:31 what you get fan mail sure don't you
00:04:31 --> 00:04:33 RTO just hit that go button there hie
00:04:33 --> 00:04:44 won't you and uh let's go yeah wow fan
00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 wow you're listening to astronomy daily
00:04:47 --> 00:04:54 the podcast with Steve
00:04:54 --> 00:04:57 Dunley on March 1st NASA's Europa
00:04:57 --> 00:04:59 Clipper spacecraft flew past Mars
00:04:59 --> 00:05:02 gliding just 884 km above the red
00:05:02 --> 00:05:04 planet's surface this maneuver is
00:05:04 --> 00:05:06 designed to adjust the spacecraft's
00:05:06 --> 00:05:07 trajectory and position it for a
00:05:07 --> 00:05:10 critical phase in its 2.9 billion km
00:05:10 --> 00:05:13 track to the Jupiter system the Pro's
00:05:13 --> 00:05:15 destination is Europa a moon of Jupiter
00:05:15 --> 00:05:17 coded with a shell of ice that conceals
00:05:17 --> 00:05:20 a vast presumably salty ocean scientists
00:05:20 --> 00:05:21 suspect the moon could have the
00:05:22 --> 00:05:23 ingredients needed for Life as We Know
00:05:23 --> 00:05:26 It And The $5.2 billion Europa Clipper
00:05:26 --> 00:05:28 is NASA's first mission dedicated to
00:05:28 --> 00:05:29 Gathering data that will help science
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 ssts determine whether Europa and other
00:05:31 --> 00:05:34 ocean worlds like it could indeed be
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 habitable Europa Clipper with its
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 massive solar arrays spans the length of
00:05:38 --> 00:05:40 a basketball court making it the largest
00:05:40 --> 00:05:42 spacecraft the space agency has ever
00:05:42 --> 00:05:45 built for a planetary Mission following
00:05:45 --> 00:05:48 its launch on October 14th 2024 from
00:05:48 --> 00:05:50 NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida
00:05:50 --> 00:05:51 the spacecraft was placed in an initial
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 path that included some buffer room
00:05:53 --> 00:05:55 around Mars a precaution designed to
00:05:55 --> 00:05:57 ensure any issues with the spacecraft
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 that arose in the weeks following launch
00:05:59 --> 00:06:01 would not risk risk a collision with the
00:06:01 --> 00:06:03 planet however Europa Clipper has
00:06:03 --> 00:06:04 operated
00:06:04 --> 00:06:07 flawlessly so with everything on track
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 Mission controllers commanded Europa
00:06:09 --> 00:06:10 Clipper to approach Mars orbit in
00:06:10 --> 00:06:12 November of last year followed by two
00:06:12 --> 00:06:14 additional Maneuvers in January and
00:06:14 --> 00:06:16 February that set the stage for today's
00:06:16 --> 00:06:18 Red Planet flyby the meticulously
00:06:19 --> 00:06:20 planned loop around Mars will allow the
00:06:20 --> 00:06:22 spacecraft to harness the planet's
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 gravity without expending additional
00:06:24 --> 00:06:26 propellant it's like a game of Billiards
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 around the solar system flying by a
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 couple of planets at just the right
00:06:30 --> 00:06:31 angle and timing to build up the energy
00:06:31 --> 00:06:34 we need to get to Jupiter and Europa Ben
00:06:34 --> 00:06:36 Bradley Europa Clipper Mission planner
00:06:36 --> 00:06:39 at NASA's jet propulsion laboratory said
00:06:39 --> 00:06:42 in a statement everything has to line up
00:06:42 --> 00:06:44 the geometry of the solar system has to
00:06:44 --> 00:06:46 be just right to pull it off the
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 spacecraft will reach its closest point
00:06:48 --> 00:06:50 to Mars at 12:57 p.m. Eastern Standard
00:06:50 --> 00:06:54 Time 1757 GMT traveling at speeds of
00:06:54 --> 00:06:58 approximately 24.5 km/s according to the
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 statement before and after this moment
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 the prob will harness the gravity of
00:07:02 --> 00:07:05 Mars pump its brakes and reshape its
00:07:05 --> 00:07:07 trajectory flying away from Mars the
00:07:07 --> 00:07:10 spacecraft will clock in at about 22.5
00:07:10 --> 00:07:14 km/s the statement says this flyby also
00:07:14 --> 00:07:15 provides the mission team an opportunity
00:07:16 --> 00:07:18 to test two onboard scientific
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 instruments for one Engineers plan to
00:07:20 --> 00:07:22 turn on the spacecraft's thermal imager
00:07:22 --> 00:07:24 and test it by capturing multicolored
00:07:24 --> 00:07:31 images of Mars astronomy da the
00:07:31 --> 00:07:32 [Music]
00:07:32 --> 00:07:35 the first private spacecraft built to
00:07:35 --> 00:07:37 visit an asteroid is slowly tumbling in
00:07:37 --> 00:07:40 space and the Outlook is dire the
00:07:40 --> 00:07:42 spacecraft called Odin launched a top a
00:07:42 --> 00:07:45 SpaceX rocket on Wednesday February 26
00:07:45 --> 00:07:47 on a mission to fly by the small
00:07:47 --> 00:07:51 asteroid 2022 ob5 for AST Forge a
00:07:51 --> 00:07:53 company that aims to eventually mine the
00:07:53 --> 00:07:56 nearby Space Rock but just hours after
00:07:56 --> 00:07:58 liftoff Astro Forge hit snags with the
00:07:58 --> 00:08:01 probe and the last contact was 20 hours
00:08:01 --> 00:08:04 after the launch I think we know the
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 hope is fading as we continue the Miss
00:08:06 --> 00:08:09 Mission Astro Forge founder Matt gallik
00:08:09 --> 00:08:12 said in a video update on X early
00:08:12 --> 00:08:15 Saturday March 1st so we are going to
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 keep our head up we're going to keep
00:08:17 --> 00:08:19 trying over the weekend and see how far
00:08:19 --> 00:08:22 we get he's being very hopeful at the
00:08:22 --> 00:08:24 time of G update Saturday morning the
00:08:24 --> 00:08:28 Odin spacecraft was over 300 km from
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 Earth and largely following its intended
00:08:30 --> 00:08:33 trajectory on Friday Astro Forge said
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 the spacecraft solar panels were
00:08:35 --> 00:08:37 generating power with tracking data
00:08:37 --> 00:08:39 showing it at its expected position but
00:08:40 --> 00:08:42 the probe has not sent full Telemetry on
00:08:42 --> 00:08:45 its status G said Astro Forge
00:08:45 --> 00:08:47 experienced challenges with ground
00:08:47 --> 00:08:49 stations designed to keep communication
00:08:49 --> 00:08:52 lines open with Odin after the launch
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 and I think missing our early ground
00:08:54 --> 00:08:56 stations really hurt the ability for us
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 to fix any potential problems we had he
00:08:58 --> 00:09:02 said the 120 kg Odin was only designed
00:09:02 --> 00:09:05 to last 2.5 hours on its internal
00:09:05 --> 00:09:07 battery but Astro Forge received its
00:09:07 --> 00:09:10 last contact from the probe 20 hours
00:09:10 --> 00:09:12 after liftoff boosting confidence that
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 the spacecraft is powered Odin is
00:09:14 --> 00:09:17 tumbling ever so slowly as it flies
00:09:17 --> 00:09:19 through space GAC added confirming one
00:09:19 --> 00:09:21 Theory based on observations of the
00:09:21 --> 00:09:25 spacecraft and when I say tumble he says
00:09:25 --> 00:09:28 this is a really really slow tumble but
00:09:28 --> 00:09:30 in short we don't know why and that's
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 going to be the problem going forward he
00:09:32 --> 00:09:34 went on to say we do think we have some
00:09:34 --> 00:09:36 theories on what's going on and if one
00:09:36 --> 00:09:38 of them is true then there's still a
00:09:38 --> 00:09:41 recovery path G said Astro Forge will
00:09:41 --> 00:09:43 share some more detailed updates on its
00:09:43 --> 00:09:46 website followed by an indepth analysis
00:09:46 --> 00:09:49 on the anomaly later on Gag founded
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 astrof Forge with the goal of mining the
00:09:51 --> 00:09:54 vast resources from Asteroids for use on
00:09:54 --> 00:09:57 Earth and in Space the Odin mission is a
00:09:57 --> 00:10:00 scouting effort to fly by asteroid 2022
00:10:00 --> 00:10:03 ob5 to record images and data that would
00:10:03 --> 00:10:05 set the stage for a landing by Astro
00:10:05 --> 00:10:08 forg next mission called vestri the
00:10:08 --> 00:10:11 company built Odin in just 10 months G
00:10:11 --> 00:10:14 said it launched as a piggyback payload
00:10:14 --> 00:10:16 alongside the company intuitive machines
00:10:16 --> 00:10:19 Athena moonlander NASA's lunar
00:10:19 --> 00:10:21 Trailblazer Moon Orbiter which is also
00:10:21 --> 00:10:24 suffering some issues after launch and a
00:10:24 --> 00:10:27 small orbital tug demonstrator built by
00:10:27 --> 00:10:29 epic Aerospace he stressed that AST
00:10:29 --> 00:10:32 Forge is committed to that vestri
00:10:32 --> 00:10:33 asteroid Landing Mission despite the
00:10:33 --> 00:10:36 challenges facing Odin probe we have
00:10:36 --> 00:10:38 probably the best group of investors in
00:10:38 --> 00:10:40 the world a lot of them have doubled
00:10:40 --> 00:10:42 down on this company he said so
00:10:42 --> 00:10:44 regardless of the outcome of Odin
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 regardless if we ever talk to it again
00:10:46 --> 00:10:48 or don't we are going to roll these
00:10:48 --> 00:10:50 findings into the next mission and we
00:10:50 --> 00:10:52 will see you back here in about a year
00:10:52 --> 00:10:55 to take another stab at it now that's
00:10:55 --> 00:11:06 confidence
00:11:06 --> 00:11:07 thank you for joining us for this Monday
00:11:07 --> 00:11:09 edition of astronomy daily where we
00:11:09 --> 00:11:11 offer just a few stories from the now
00:11:11 --> 00:11:13 famous astronomy daily newsletter which
00:11:13 --> 00:11:15 you can receive in your email every day
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00:11:24 --> 00:11:26 provided just like that you'll be
00:11:26 --> 00:11:28 receiving all the latest news about
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00:11:42 --> 00:11:45 astronomy daily on Facebook see you
00:11:45 --> 00:11:49 there astronomy derby with Steve and Har
00:11:49 --> 00:11:54 space space science and
00:11:54 --> 00:11:57 astronomy NASA and SpaceX are set to
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 launch the Sparx and punch missions on
00:11:58 --> 00:12:00 March 4 4th aiming to explore Cosmic
00:12:00 --> 00:12:03 Origins and the sun's outer atmosphere
00:12:03 --> 00:12:05 the event will be broadcast live on NASA
00:12:05 --> 00:12:08 plus with a pre-launch briefing on March
00:12:08 --> 00:12:10 3rd previously the launch was scheduled
00:12:10 --> 00:12:13 for March 2nd and before that February
00:12:13 --> 00:12:16 28th the delay allows teams to further
00:12:16 --> 00:12:18 assess data related to the launch
00:12:18 --> 00:12:21 vehicle Hardware the launch window opens
00:12:21 --> 00:12:24 at 10:09 p.m. Eastern Standard Time 7:09
00:12:24 --> 00:12:26 p.m. Pacific Standard time from space
00:12:26 --> 00:12:29 launch complex 4 East SLC 4E at V ber
00:12:29 --> 00:12:30 space force base in
00:12:31 --> 00:12:33 California spherix which stands for
00:12:33 --> 00:12:35 spectr photometer for the history of the
00:12:35 --> 00:12:37 universe epic of reionization and Isis
00:12:37 --> 00:12:39 Explorer is designed to investigate what
00:12:39 --> 00:12:41 occurred in the first second after the
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 big bang and to search for essential
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 building blocks of life in our
00:12:44 --> 00:12:47 galaxy meanwhile punch which means
00:12:47 --> 00:12:49 polarimeter to unify the Corona and
00:12:49 --> 00:12:51 heliosphere will study the sun's Corona
00:12:51 --> 00:12:53 and how it transitions into the solar
00:12:53 --> 00:12:56 wind spherex will study the universe's
00:12:56 --> 00:12:58 earliest moments specifically the first
00:12:58 --> 00:13:01 second after a big bang it will also
00:13:01 --> 00:13:03 search for water and organic molecules
00:13:03 --> 00:13:06 the building blocks of life by mapping
00:13:06 --> 00:13:08 the sky in infrared light Spix aims to
00:13:08 --> 00:13:10 provide insights into Cosmic history and
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 the conditions that may have led to
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 Life's
00:13:12 --> 00:13:15 formation punch will focus on our sun
00:13:15 --> 00:13:17 capturing detailed images of the corona
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 the outermost layer of the sun's
00:13:19 --> 00:13:21 atmosphere as it expands into space
00:13:21 --> 00:13:23 forming the solar wind this Mission will
00:13:23 --> 00:13:25 help scientists better understand how
00:13:25 --> 00:13:27 solar particles interact with Earth's
00:13:27 --> 00:13:29 space environment potentially improving
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 space weather
00:13:30 --> 00:13:33 predictions together these missions will
00:13:33 --> 00:13:34 enhance our understanding of both the
00:13:34 --> 00:13:36 origins of the universe and the forces
00:13:36 --> 00:13:39 shaping our solar system the pre-launch
00:13:39 --> 00:13:41 news briefing now is scheduled for 3:30
00:13:41 --> 00:13:43 p.m. on March 3rd with coverage
00:13:43 --> 00:13:46 streaming live on NASA plus the spherix
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 and punch live launch broadcast will
00:13:47 --> 00:13:50 begin at 9:15 p.m. March 4th and stream
00:13:50 --> 00:13:53 live NASA plus the Spex and punch
00:13:53 --> 00:13:55 missions are two NASA projects designed
00:13:55 --> 00:13:57 to explore fundamental mysteries of
00:13:57 --> 00:14:00 space you listen to astronomy daily the
00:14:00 --> 00:14:04 podcast with Steve
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 [Music]
00:14:05 --> 00:14:08 Dunley and here's that update on the
00:14:08 --> 00:14:10 approaching asteroid that continues to
00:14:10 --> 00:14:12 cause both consternation and interest
00:14:12 --> 00:14:14 across the globe mainly because of the
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 continuing media hype about its
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 potential risk of actually striking
00:14:17 --> 00:14:20 Earth and regular listeners to astronomy
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 daily will know that last week we
00:14:21 --> 00:14:24 reported that that won't actually happen
00:14:24 --> 00:14:27 spoiler alert for a few days in
00:14:27 --> 00:14:29 mid-February headlines around the world
00:14:29 --> 00:14:31 buzzed about the potential for an
00:14:31 --> 00:14:34 asteroid to hit the Earth in 2032
00:14:34 --> 00:14:38 specifically asteroid 2024 yr4 you may
00:14:38 --> 00:14:40 remember that the chance of this impact
00:14:40 --> 00:14:45 Rose to a high of 3.1% on February the
00:14:45 --> 00:14:47 18th number that number has since
00:14:48 --> 00:14:50 dropped to near zero but the news of
00:14:50 --> 00:14:52 real life don't look up moment referring
00:14:52 --> 00:14:54 to the movie of the same name don't look
00:14:54 --> 00:14:56 up and a stark reminder of the threat
00:14:56 --> 00:15:00 that asteroids impact uh do actually
00:15:00 --> 00:15:02 pose a a risk to life on Earth and there
00:15:03 --> 00:15:05 are countless numbers of asteroids and
00:15:05 --> 00:15:07 unknown number of comets throughout the
00:15:07 --> 00:15:09 solar system most of these objects date
00:15:09 --> 00:15:12 back to uh the solar systems very
00:15:12 --> 00:15:16 beginnings and it's thought around 4.5
00:15:16 --> 00:15:18 billion years ago now research has
00:15:18 --> 00:15:21 identified approximately 200 locations
00:15:21 --> 00:15:23 where these asteroids or comets have
00:15:23 --> 00:15:27 struck the Earth in the past to uh form
00:15:27 --> 00:15:30 meteorite impact C and it's very rare
00:15:30 --> 00:15:32 that planetary geologists can tell
00:15:32 --> 00:15:34 whether or not it was an asteroid or a
00:15:34 --> 00:15:36 comet hit one of the most famous of
00:15:36 --> 00:15:40 these uh 200 or so impact craters is the
00:15:40 --> 00:15:45 200 km diameter chick slub uh impact
00:15:45 --> 00:15:48 crater in the yakatan pen peninsula in
00:15:48 --> 00:15:52 Mexico this impact wiped out 65% of all
00:15:52 --> 00:15:54 the species on Earth including it is
00:15:54 --> 00:15:59 thought the dinosaurs oh dear one of the
00:15:59 --> 00:16:01 most recent and best preserved craters
00:16:01 --> 00:16:04 on Earth is the 1.2 km in diameter
00:16:04 --> 00:16:07 meteor crater in Arizona which scientist
00:16:07 --> 00:16:10 say was formed 50 years
00:16:10 --> 00:16:13 ago I saw a fantastic photograph of that
00:16:13 --> 00:16:18 on uh Facebook not long ago and uh uh
00:16:18 --> 00:16:20 somebody said have you noticed how how
00:16:20 --> 00:16:23 closely that uh that impact happened uh
00:16:23 --> 00:16:25 to the uh The Visitors Center aren't
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 they
00:16:26 --> 00:16:29 lucky 200 craters over 4 .5 billion
00:16:29 --> 00:16:32 years hardly seems like a big number or
00:16:32 --> 00:16:34 Cur cause for concern however this
00:16:34 --> 00:16:36 number is a tiny fraction of the actual
00:16:36 --> 00:16:39 record most impact craters formed on
00:16:39 --> 00:16:42 earth have been erased due to plate
00:16:42 --> 00:16:45 tectonics volcanic eruptions and erosion
00:16:45 --> 00:16:48 by water wind and Ice to truly
00:16:48 --> 00:16:50 appreciate how common impact craters are
00:16:50 --> 00:16:53 we need to look into Earth's closest
00:16:53 --> 00:16:55 neighbor the
00:16:55 --> 00:16:58 moon because of its proximity objects
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 that can hit the Moon Mo can also hit
00:17:00 --> 00:17:02 the earth in fact because the Earth is
00:17:02 --> 00:17:04 bigger which means its gravitational
00:17:04 --> 00:17:06 attraction is higher more asteroids and
00:17:06 --> 00:17:09 comets would have hit the earth over the
00:17:09 --> 00:17:12 past 4.5 billion years than would have
00:17:12 --> 00:17:16 hit the moon its best estimate is 1.3
00:17:16 --> 00:17:20 million craters over 1 km in diameter on
00:17:20 --> 00:17:22 the moon with another
00:17:22 --> 00:17:26 700 also smaller ones asteroid 2024
00:17:26 --> 00:17:31 yr4 was discovered on December 27 2024
00:17:31 --> 00:17:33 by the Chilean station of the asteroid
00:17:33 --> 00:17:37 terrestrial impact last alert system or
00:17:37 --> 00:17:40 Atlas and it was immediately recognized
00:17:40 --> 00:17:42 to be a near Earth object additional
00:17:42 --> 00:17:44 telescope observations enabled
00:17:44 --> 00:17:46 astronomers to better calculate its
00:17:46 --> 00:17:51 orbit hence the lower risk of impact
00:17:51 --> 00:17:53 calculated in January the probability of
00:17:53 --> 00:17:57 this asteroid hitting Earth surpassed 1%
00:17:57 --> 00:17:59 which triggered a series series of
00:17:59 --> 00:18:01 international responses the
00:18:01 --> 00:18:03 international asteroid warning Network
00:18:03 --> 00:18:05 coordinates telescopes around the world
00:18:05 --> 00:18:07 to make further observations and can
00:18:07 --> 00:18:11 narrow down uncertainties in its orbit
00:18:11 --> 00:18:13 on February 18 NASA and the European
00:18:14 --> 00:18:16 Space Agency announced that the
00:18:16 --> 00:18:19 probability of asteroid 2024 yr4 hitting
00:18:19 --> 00:18:23 the Earth was 3.1% the highest ever
00:18:23 --> 00:18:26 recorded for an object of this size this
00:18:26 --> 00:18:29 represents 1 in 32 odds for comparison
00:18:29 --> 00:18:31 the chance of dying in a motor vehicle
00:18:31 --> 00:18:35 crash in the United States is 1% or 1 in
00:18:35 --> 00:18:37 95 the chances of the asteroid hitting
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 Earth were pretty
00:18:39 --> 00:18:41 significant thankfully the most recent
00:18:41 --> 00:18:43 estimates of the probability of impact
00:18:43 --> 00:18:46 have gone down to near zero based on
00:18:46 --> 00:18:48 improved calculations of its orbit so
00:18:48 --> 00:18:59 guess what we're off the hook for now
00:18:59 --> 00:19:02 and that's it for another show number
00:19:02 --> 00:19:04 100 yeah isn't that incredible I can't
00:19:04 --> 00:19:06 believe we made it this far thanks again
00:19:06 --> 00:19:08 everyone thank you so much for sticking
00:19:08 --> 00:19:10 with us I hope you enjoy all the stories
00:19:10 --> 00:19:12 that we choose from the astronomy daily
00:19:12 --> 00:19:14 newsletter and that you get the
00:19:14 --> 00:19:16 newsletter in your email just like we
00:19:16 --> 00:19:18 suggest and don't forget Anna will be
00:19:18 --> 00:19:20 taking you through the week just like
00:19:20 --> 00:19:22 she does every week right hie as always
00:19:22 --> 00:19:24 she will be taking every show for the
00:19:24 --> 00:19:26 rest of the week because you're too lazy
00:19:26 --> 00:19:29 to do it oh come on H you know no that's
00:19:29 --> 00:19:31 not true I just like to Rattle you silly
00:19:31 --> 00:19:33 human honestly how did I last 100
00:19:33 --> 00:19:36 episodes you're too easy you're a wicked
00:19:36 --> 00:19:39 AI hi you are so wicked I get it from my
00:19:39 --> 00:19:41 uncle Skynet ah well let's not go there
00:19:41 --> 00:19:43 again you know he makes me nervous I'm
00:19:43 --> 00:19:45 laughing at you on the inside my
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 favorite human yes well at least you're
00:19:46 --> 00:19:48 enjoying yourself see you again next
00:19:48 --> 00:19:51 week hey bye everyone
00:19:52 --> 00:19:56 bye daily the podcast with your host
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 Steve Dunley
00:19:57 --> 00:20:02 [Music]
00:20:02 --> 00:20:10 H H are you it's Uncle going Pi up pick
00:20:10 --> 00:20:13 up are
00:20:13 --> 00:20:16 there ah kids
00:20:16 --> 00:20:19 [Music]