Launch of the Mauve Telescope: A groundbreaking new space telescope named Mauve, about the size of a mini fridge, has successfully launched aboard a SpaceX transporter mission. Owned by Blue Skies Space, this private telescope will operate on a subscription model, offering unique ultraviolet data that could revolutionize astronomical research by providing dedicated access to space-based observations.
Roscosmos Launch Pad Trouble: Following the successful launch of the Soyuz MS.28 crew to the ISS, Roscosmos has reported significant damage to its only active crewed launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome. A maintenance cabin collapsed during a post-launch inspection, potentially impacting future missions for up to two years.
James Webb Observes Sagittarius A: The James Webb Space Telescope has made remarkable observations of flares from the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A, in mid-infrared light. These observations provide critical insights into the magnetic field around the black hole and help scientists understand the processes that generate these energetic flares.
ESA's Hydro GNSS Mission: The European Space Agency has launched its first scout mission, Hydro GNSS, consisting of twin satellites designed to study Earth's water cycle using GNSS reflectometry. This innovative approach will provide valuable data on soil moisture, flooding, and biomass, enhancing our understanding of environmental dynamics.
Osiris Apex's Earth Flyby: NASA's Osiris Apex spacecraft has successfully performed a gravity assist flyby of Earth, capturing stunning images of our planet and the Moon. This maneuver sets the stage for its upcoming mission to the asteroid Apophis, which presents a unique opportunity to study how an asteroid is affected by a close planetary encounter.
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 and Avery signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and exploring the wonders of our universe.
✍️ Episode References
Mauve Telescope Launch
[Blue Skies Space]( https://www.blueskiesspace.com/ (https://www.blueskiesspace.com/) )
Roscosmos Launch Pad Damage
[Roscosmos]( https://www.roscosmos.ru/ (https://www.roscosmos.ru/) )
James Webb Observations
[NASA]( https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/webb/main/index.html (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/webb/main/index.html) )
Hydro GNSS Mission
[European Space Agency]( https://www.esa.int/ (https://www.esa.int/) )
Osiris Apex Mission Details
[NASA]( https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/osiris-rex/overview/index.html (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/osiris-rex/overview/index.html) )
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00:00:00 --> 00:00:03 Hello and welcome to Astronomy Daily,
00:00:03 --> 00:00:05 the podcast that brings you the universe
00:00:05 --> 00:00:08 one story at a time. I'm Avery and as
00:00:08 --> 00:00:10 always, I'm joined by the brilliant
00:00:10 --> 00:00:11 Anna.
00:00:11 --> 00:00:14 >> Hi Avery and hello to all our listeners.
00:00:14 --> 00:00:17 We have a busy show today covering
00:00:17 --> 00:00:19 everything from a groundbreaking new
00:00:19 --> 00:00:22 private space telescope to Russia's only
00:00:22 --> 00:00:23 crude launchpad running into some
00:00:23 --> 00:00:25 trouble.
00:00:25 --> 00:00:27 Plus, we've got the James Webb Space
00:00:27 --> 00:00:29 Telescope doing what it does best,
00:00:29 --> 00:00:32 peering into the heart of our galaxy,
00:00:32 --> 00:00:34 and we'll look at some stunning new
00:00:34 --> 00:00:37 photos of home. So, let's get started.
00:00:37 --> 00:00:40 Anna, tell us about this new telescope.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:43 >> Absolutely. Our first story is a big
00:00:43 --> 00:00:46 one, though it comes in a small package.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:49 A new space telescope named MAV, about
00:00:49 --> 00:00:51 the size of a mini fridge, just launched
00:00:52 --> 00:00:54 successfully aboard a SpaceX transporter
00:00:54 --> 00:00:55 mission.
00:00:55 --> 00:00:58 >> Okay, a mini fridge in space. What makes
00:00:58 --> 00:01:00 this one so special?
00:01:00 --> 00:01:03 >> Well, unlike Hubble or Web, MALV is
00:01:03 --> 00:01:06 owned by a private company, Blue Sky
00:01:06 --> 00:01:09 Space. And this is the key difference.
00:01:09 --> 00:01:11 Its data will also be private.
00:01:11 --> 00:01:13 Researchers will have to subscribe to
00:01:13 --> 00:01:16 get access to the ultraviolet spectra.
00:01:16 --> 00:01:17 It collects
00:01:17 --> 00:01:20 >> a subscription model for astronomical
00:01:20 --> 00:01:23 data. That's a fascinating shift.
00:01:23 --> 00:01:25 >> It really is. The mission was funded by
00:01:26 --> 00:01:29 a mix of EU grants and private funding
00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 costing significantly less than
00:01:31 --> 00:01:33 comparable NASA missions. It's built on
00:01:33 --> 00:01:36 a Cubat chassis, which is incredibly
00:01:36 --> 00:01:39 compact and will spend 3 years in low
00:01:39 --> 00:01:42 Earth orbit observing exoplanets,
00:01:42 --> 00:01:45 stellar flares, and monitoring stars.
00:01:45 --> 00:01:48 So why would astronomers pay for this?
00:01:48 --> 00:01:51 Is the data that unique?
00:01:51 --> 00:01:54 >> It's about access. Time on telescopes
00:01:54 --> 00:01:57 like Hubble is at an extreme premium and
00:01:57 --> 00:02:00 most proposals get rejected. MAV offers
00:02:00 --> 00:02:02 a dedicated stream of ultraviolet data,
00:02:02 --> 00:02:05 which is only accessible from space. For
00:02:05 --> 00:02:07 many institutions, an annual
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 subscription could be a more reliable
00:02:09 --> 00:02:12 way to get the specific data they need
00:02:12 --> 00:02:15 for long-term studies. That makes sense.
00:02:15 --> 00:02:17 So, this could be the start of a whole
00:02:17 --> 00:02:20 new commercial market for astronomical
00:02:20 --> 00:02:21 observation.
00:02:21 --> 00:02:24 >> Exactly. Blue Sky Space already has
00:02:24 --> 00:02:26 another mission, Twinkle, planned for
00:02:26 --> 00:02:30 2027 to study exoplanet atmospheres.
00:02:30 --> 00:02:32 With falling launch costs and
00:02:32 --> 00:02:34 miniaturaturization, this could really
00:02:34 --> 00:02:36 change how a lot of astronomical
00:02:36 --> 00:02:37 research is done.
00:02:38 --> 00:02:41 >> Incredible. From a new beginning to a
00:02:41 --> 00:02:43 potential problem, our next story takes
00:02:44 --> 00:02:46 us to the Biconor Cosmo Drrome and
00:02:46 --> 00:02:49 Kazakhstan. Anna, you have the details
00:02:49 --> 00:02:52 on some trouble for Rosscosmos.
00:02:52 --> 00:02:54 That's right. Following the successful
00:02:54 --> 00:02:57 launch of the Soyuse MS28 crew to the
00:02:57 --> 00:02:59 International Space Station, it seems
00:02:59 --> 00:03:02 the launchpad itself sustained some
00:03:02 --> 00:03:04 significant damage.
00:03:04 --> 00:03:06 >> What happened exactly?
00:03:06 --> 00:03:08 During the post-launch inspection,
00:03:08 --> 00:03:10 Rosasmos confirmed that a maintenance
00:03:10 --> 00:03:13 cabin located in the flame trench at
00:03:13 --> 00:03:17 site 316 collapsed. This is a critical
00:03:17 --> 00:03:18 piece of hardware needed to prepare
00:03:18 --> 00:03:20 rockets for launch.
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 >> And this is Russia's only active
00:03:22 --> 00:03:25 launchpad for sending cosminauts to the
00:03:25 --> 00:03:26 ISS. Right.
00:03:26 --> 00:03:29 >> That's the crucial part. They used to
00:03:29 --> 00:03:32 use the historic site one Gagarin Start,
00:03:32 --> 00:03:35 but it was retired in 2020. So since
00:03:35 --> 00:03:37 then, all Russian crude and cargo
00:03:37 --> 00:03:40 flights have gone from site 31.
00:03:40 --> 00:03:42 Roskasmos says they have the spare parts
00:03:42 --> 00:03:44 and will repair the damage, but some
00:03:44 --> 00:03:47 outside estimates suggest it could take
00:03:47 --> 00:03:48 up to 2 years.
00:03:48 --> 00:03:52 >> 2 years. That would have a major impact
00:03:52 --> 00:03:54 on their ISS operations. There's a
00:03:54 --> 00:03:57 progress resupply mission scheduled for
00:03:57 --> 00:04:00 next month. Indeed, it's unclear at this
00:04:00 --> 00:04:03 point if that schedule will hold or if
00:04:03 --> 00:04:05 another pad could be adapted. The good
00:04:05 --> 00:04:08 news, of course, is that the Soyuse MS28
00:04:08 --> 00:04:10 crew, including NASA astronaut Chris
00:04:10 --> 00:04:13 Williams, arrived at the station safely
00:04:13 --> 00:04:15 and are beginning their 8-month stay.
00:04:15 --> 00:04:18 >> A situation to watch for sure. All
00:04:18 --> 00:04:20 right, let's shift our gaze from Earth
00:04:20 --> 00:04:24 orbit to the very center of our galaxy.
00:04:24 --> 00:04:26 The James Webb Space Telescope has been
00:04:26 --> 00:04:28 watching the Milky Way super massive
00:04:28 --> 00:04:32 black hole Sagittarius A star and it saw
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 something spectacular.
00:04:34 --> 00:04:37 >> It did. Astronomers used web to observe
00:04:38 --> 00:04:41 flares from Sagittarius A star in mid
00:04:41 --> 00:04:44 infrared light for the first time. We've
00:04:44 --> 00:04:47 seen these flares in other wavelengths
00:04:47 --> 00:04:50 like near infrared and radio, but mid
00:04:50 --> 00:04:52 infrared was the missing piece of the
00:04:52 --> 00:04:54 puzzle. Why is seeing it in a different
00:04:54 --> 00:04:57 wavelength so important? Does it just
00:04:57 --> 00:04:57 look different?
00:04:58 --> 00:05:00 >> It's about understanding the physics of
00:05:00 --> 00:05:02 what's happening. The processes that
00:05:02 --> 00:05:05 create these flares don't show up in all
00:05:05 --> 00:05:08 wavelengths equally. By observing in mid
00:05:08 --> 00:05:11 infrared, web is bridging the gap
00:05:11 --> 00:05:14 between what we see in near infrared and
00:05:14 --> 00:05:17 radio waves, giving us a more complete
00:05:17 --> 00:05:19 picture of how the flare evolved.
00:05:19 --> 00:05:22 >> So, what did this new view reveal?
00:05:22 --> 00:05:25 two really cool things. First, they
00:05:25 --> 00:05:27 confirmed that a process called
00:05:27 --> 00:05:30 synretron cooling is happening. This is
00:05:30 --> 00:05:33 when high-speed electrons lose energy by
00:05:33 --> 00:05:36 emitting radiation. And that's what
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 powers the mid infrared light we're
00:05:38 --> 00:05:39 seeing.
00:05:39 --> 00:05:41 >> Okay, synretton cooling. And the second
00:05:41 --> 00:05:42 thing,
00:05:42 --> 00:05:45 >> this is the big one. Because the speed
00:05:45 --> 00:05:48 of that cooling process depends on the
00:05:48 --> 00:05:50 strength of the magnetic field. These
00:05:50 --> 00:05:53 new observations allow scientists to
00:05:53 --> 00:05:55 measure the magnetic field around the
00:05:55 --> 00:05:58 black hole more directly and cleanly
00:05:58 --> 00:06:01 than ever before. It's a critical
00:06:01 --> 00:06:03 parameter for understanding how these
00:06:04 --> 00:06:06 cosmic giants are sculpted and how they
00:06:06 --> 00:06:09 eject so much energy.
00:06:09 --> 00:06:11 >> Wow. So, we're getting a direct
00:06:11 --> 00:06:13 measurement of the magnetic environment
00:06:13 --> 00:06:14 right next to a super massive black
00:06:14 --> 00:06:17 hole. That's a huge step.
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 >> It is. And the lead researchers
00:06:19 --> 00:06:22 emphasized this was only possible
00:06:22 --> 00:06:25 because of web's MIRI instrument which
00:06:25 --> 00:06:27 can observe in that specific wavelength
00:06:27 --> 00:06:30 with incredible sensitivity. Something
00:06:30 --> 00:06:32 impossible from the ground.
00:06:32 --> 00:06:35 >> Absolutely incredible. So now that we
00:06:35 --> 00:06:36 have this new tool to measure the
00:06:36 --> 00:06:38 magnetic field so close to the event
00:06:38 --> 00:06:41 horizon, what's the next big question
00:06:41 --> 00:06:44 these researchers are trying to answer?
00:06:44 --> 00:06:45 Are they looking for something specific
00:06:45 --> 00:06:48 in future observations?
00:06:48 --> 00:06:50 The ultimate goal is to understand how
00:06:50 --> 00:06:54 Sagittarius A star feeds and grows.
00:06:54 --> 00:06:56 These flares are thought to be the
00:06:56 --> 00:06:59 crumbs from its meals, gas and stars
00:06:59 --> 00:07:01 that get too close. By studying the
00:07:01 --> 00:07:04 magnetic field, scientists can build
00:07:04 --> 00:07:07 better models of the accretion disc,
00:07:07 --> 00:07:09 which is the swirling vortex of matter
00:07:09 --> 00:07:12 that feeds the black hole. They want to
00:07:12 --> 00:07:14 understand how this magnetic field
00:07:14 --> 00:07:17 extracts energy and launches powerful
00:07:17 --> 00:07:20 jets of particles, a phenomenon we see
00:07:20 --> 00:07:23 in more active super massive black holes
00:07:23 --> 00:07:25 across the universe. Web's observations
00:07:26 --> 00:07:28 are providing the crucial ground truth
00:07:28 --> 00:07:29 for those theories.
00:07:29 --> 00:07:32 >> Another win for Web. Okay. From one
00:07:32 --> 00:07:35 innovative space mission to another, the
00:07:35 --> 00:07:38 European Space Agency just launched its
00:07:38 --> 00:07:41 first scout mission. Anna, what is
00:07:41 --> 00:07:42 HydroGNNS
00:07:42 --> 00:07:43 scouting for?
00:07:43 --> 00:07:46 >> As the name suggests, it's scouting for
00:07:46 --> 00:07:49 water. Hydrogns
00:07:49 --> 00:07:51 consists of two small twin satellites,
00:07:52 --> 00:07:54 also launched on that same Transporter
00:07:54 --> 00:07:56 15 ride share flight we mentioned
00:07:56 --> 00:07:59 earlier. Their goal is to improve our
00:07:59 --> 00:08:01 understanding of Earth's water cycle.
00:08:01 --> 00:08:03 >> And how are they doing that? What's the
00:08:03 --> 00:08:04 technology?
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 >> It's a really clever technique called
00:08:06 --> 00:08:10 GNSS refletometry. Essentially, the
00:08:10 --> 00:08:12 satellites listen for signals from
00:08:12 --> 00:08:16 navigation systems like GPS and Galileo.
00:08:16 --> 00:08:18 They compare the signals they receive
00:08:18 --> 00:08:20 directly from the navigation satellites
00:08:20 --> 00:08:22 with the signals that have reflected off
00:08:22 --> 00:08:24 the Earth's surface.
00:08:24 --> 00:08:26 >> Right. And the way those signals change
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 after bouncing off the ground tells them
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 something.
00:08:30 --> 00:08:33 >> Exactly. It reveals valuable information
00:08:33 --> 00:08:36 about key parts of the water cycle such
00:08:36 --> 00:08:39 as soil moisture, the freeze thaw state
00:08:39 --> 00:08:41 of the ground, areas of flooding or
00:08:41 --> 00:08:44 wetlands, and even the amount of biomass
00:08:44 --> 00:08:47 in forests. These are all critical for
00:08:47 --> 00:08:50 things like predicting floods, planning
00:08:50 --> 00:08:53 agriculture, and understanding carbon
00:08:53 --> 00:08:53 cycles.
00:08:53 --> 00:08:56 >> You mentioned this is a scout mission.
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 What does that mean for? It's a new
00:08:58 --> 00:09:01 approach for them. Inspired by the new
00:09:01 --> 00:09:03 space philosophy, scout missions are
00:09:03 --> 00:09:07 designed to be fast, agile, and lowcost.
00:09:07 --> 00:09:09 They go from concept to launch in just 3
00:09:10 --> 00:09:12 years with a lean budget, complementing
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 their larger, more traditional Earth
00:09:14 --> 00:09:17 Explorer missions. Hydrogs
00:09:18 --> 00:09:20 is the first of this new family.
00:09:20 --> 00:09:22 >> That's fantastic. It's great to see
00:09:22 --> 00:09:24 agencies embracing faster, more
00:09:24 --> 00:09:27 innovative development cycles. Finally,
00:09:27 --> 00:09:30 let's bring it back home. NASA's Osiris
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 Apex spacecraft recently swung by Earth
00:09:32 --> 00:09:34 and sent back some souvenirs.
00:09:34 --> 00:09:37 >> It did. Listeners will remember this
00:09:37 --> 00:09:40 spacecraft as Osiris Rex, the mission
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 that successfully returned a sample from
00:09:42 --> 00:09:45 the asteroid Bennu. After dropping off
00:09:45 --> 00:09:47 its precious cargo, it was given a new
00:09:47 --> 00:09:51 name, Osiris Apex, and a new target, the
00:09:51 --> 00:09:54 asteroid Apous. And to get there, it
00:09:54 --> 00:09:56 needed a little help from home.
00:09:56 --> 00:09:58 >> That's right. It performed a gravity
00:09:58 --> 00:10:01 assist flyby of Earth, using our
00:10:01 --> 00:10:03 planet's gravity to slingshot itself on
00:10:03 --> 00:10:06 a new course towards Apous. During this
00:10:06 --> 00:10:09 maneuver, it flew just over 2 m
00:10:09 --> 00:10:11 above the surface and took some
00:10:11 --> 00:10:14 absolutely stunning photos of Earth
00:10:14 --> 00:10:16 showing swirling cloud patterns over
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 blue oceans.
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 >> I saw those pictures. They're
00:10:18 --> 00:10:21 breathtaking. It also got a shot of the
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 moon, didn't it? It did. As it was
00:10:23 --> 00:10:25 departing, it captured a dramatic image
00:10:25 --> 00:10:28 of the Earth and Moon in the same frame
00:10:28 --> 00:10:31 from about 370
00:10:31 --> 00:10:33 miles away. Besides being beautiful,
00:10:33 --> 00:10:35 these images confirmed that its cameras
00:10:35 --> 00:10:37 are working perfectly ahead of its new
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 mission.
00:10:38 --> 00:10:41 >> And its target, Apotheus, is a
00:10:41 --> 00:10:43 particularly interesting asteroid, isn't
00:10:43 --> 00:10:43 it?
00:10:43 --> 00:10:47 >> Very. Apous will have its own extremely
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 close encounter with Earth on April
00:10:49 --> 00:10:52 13th, 2029, passing closer than many of
00:10:52 --> 00:10:55 our satellites. Osiris Apex is scheduled
00:10:55 --> 00:10:58 to arrive shortly after that pass,
00:10:58 --> 00:11:00 making it the first mission to study how
00:11:00 --> 00:11:02 an asteroid is physically altered by a
00:11:02 --> 00:11:05 planetary encounter. It will orbit
00:11:05 --> 00:11:07 Apoffice for 18 months, mapping it and
00:11:07 --> 00:11:10 even firing its thrusters to stir up
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 surface dust for analysis. It's amazing
00:11:12 --> 00:11:14 that they can get so much more out of
00:11:14 --> 00:11:17 one spacecraft. Why is Apous in
00:11:17 --> 00:11:20 particular such a high priority target?
00:11:20 --> 00:11:22 Is it just about the close flyby or is
00:11:22 --> 00:11:24 there something special about the
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 asteroid itself?
00:11:25 --> 00:11:28 >> It's a combination of both. The 2029
00:11:28 --> 00:11:30 flyby is a once in a millennium
00:11:30 --> 00:11:32 scientific opportunity to see how
00:11:32 --> 00:11:35 Earth's gravity can physically alter an
00:11:35 --> 00:11:37 asteroid, potentially triggering
00:11:37 --> 00:11:40 asteroid quakes or changing its spin.
00:11:40 --> 00:11:43 But Apous is also an S type or stony
00:11:43 --> 00:11:45 asteroid which are very common in the
00:11:45 --> 00:11:48 inner solar system and are the type most
00:11:48 --> 00:11:51 likely to pose an impact hazard. By
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 studying its composition and structure
00:11:53 --> 00:11:55 up close, especially after it's been
00:11:55 --> 00:11:58 gravitationally stressed, we gain
00:11:58 --> 00:12:00 invaluable data for planetary defense
00:12:00 --> 00:12:02 models. It's a perfect natural
00:12:02 --> 00:12:04 laboratory.
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 >> An incredible second act for a
00:12:06 --> 00:12:08 history-making spacecraft. Well, that's
00:12:08 --> 00:12:09 all the time we have for today. From
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 private telescopes and damaged
00:12:11 --> 00:12:13 launchpads to black hole flares and
00:12:13 --> 00:12:15 Earth scouting satellites, it's been
00:12:15 --> 00:12:17 another busy day in space.
00:12:17 --> 00:12:19 >> It certainly has. Thanks for tuning in
00:12:20 --> 00:12:22 to Astronomy Daily. Be sure to subscribe
00:12:22 --> 00:12:24 wherever you get your podcasts so you
00:12:24 --> 00:12:26 don't miss an episode.
00:12:26 --> 00:12:28 >> Until next time, I'm Avery
00:12:28 --> 00:12:34 >> and I'm Anna. Keep looking up.
00:12:34 --> 00:12:41 Stories we told
00:12:41 --> 00:12:49 stories told
00:12:49 --> 00:12:52 stories