Source:
https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s03e135-starliner-vs-crew-dragon-polaris-dawn-s-delay-and-chandrayaan-3-s-lunar-revelations--61123807
Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to Podcast for the latest news and discoveries in the field of space and Astronomy. I'm your host Anna, and we have some fascinating stories lined up for you today. From NASA's upcoming decision on Boeing's Starliner to the historic private spacewalk planned by SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission, we've got the latest updates that will keep you on the edge of your seat. We'll also delve into groundbreaking findings from India's Chandrayaan-3 mission, discuss the finale of ESA's Cluster mission, and explore new simulations about the chances of a collision between the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies. Stay tuned. It's going to be an exciting episode.
- **NASA's Decision on Boeing's Starliner**: NASA is gearing up to make a significant decision this Stuart regarding whether astronauts Butch Wilmore and SUNY Williams will return to Earth using Boeing's troubled Starliner spacecraft or SpaceX's reliable Crew Dragon. This announcement holds particular weight given the numerous challenges the Starliner has faced throughout its mission.
- **Polaris Dawn Mission: Historic Private Spacewalk**: SpaceX has announced a slight delay in their much-anticipated Polaris Dawn mission. Originally set to lift off on August 26, the launch is now scheduled for no earlier than August 27. This shift allows the team to complete some additional pre-flight checkouts to ensure everything is in perfect order for this groundbreaking mission.
- **Chandrayaan-3 Mission: New Lunar Discoveries**: Next up, the Pragyan rover, part of India's Chandrayaan-3 mission, has been actively exploring the moon's south pole, providing fascinating insights into our celestial neighbor. Launched last summer, the Vikram lander made a successful touchdown, allowing the Pragyan rover to embark on its scientific expedition. So far, Pragyan has been diligently collecting and analyzing soil samples, a task that has yielded data bolstering theories about the moon's fiery origins.
- **ESA's Cluster Mission Finale **: ESA's historic Cluster mission is coming to a close after an impressive 24 years of service. Launched back in 2000, the Cluster mission has provided invaluable data on Earth's magnetic environment, or magnetosphere.
- **Milky Way and Andromeda: Collision or Near Miss?**: Here's a story that could rewrite the textbooks. Astronomers have long held the belief that our home galaxy, the Milky Way, will inevitably merge with our neighboring Andromeda galaxy within the next 5 billion years. This anticipated cataclysmic event has been a staple of astronomical forecasts, predicting an eventual fusion of the two galaxies into a new elliptical supergalaxy called Milkomeda. However, new simulations present a more nuanced picture, suggesting that the likelihood of this colossal collision could be a mere 50% over the next 10 billion years.
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00:00:00 --> 00:00:00 [Music]
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 welcome to astronomy daily your go-to
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 podcast for the latest news and
00:00:04 --> 00:00:05 discoveries in the field of space and
00:00:05 --> 00:00:07 astronomy I'm your host Anna and we have
00:00:08 --> 00:00:09 some fascinating stories lined up for
00:00:09 --> 00:00:11 you today from NASA's upcoming decision
00:00:11 --> 00:00:14 on Boeing Starliner to the historic
00:00:14 --> 00:00:16 private spacewalk planned by spacex's
00:00:16 --> 00:00:18 Polaris Dawn Mission we've got the
00:00:18 --> 00:00:19 latest updates that will keep you on the
00:00:19 --> 00:00:22 edge of your seat we'll also delve into
00:00:22 --> 00:00:23 groundbreaking findings from India's
00:00:24 --> 00:00:26 chreon 3 mission discuss the finale of
00:00:26 --> 00:00:29 es cluster Mission and explore new
00:00:29 --> 00:00:31 simulations about the chances of a
00:00:31 --> 00:00:33 collision between the Milky Way and
00:00:33 --> 00:00:36 Andromeda galaxies stay tuned it's going
00:00:36 --> 00:00:37 to be an exciting
00:00:37 --> 00:00:39 episode NASA is gearing up to make a
00:00:40 --> 00:00:42 significant decision this Saturday
00:00:42 --> 00:00:43 regarding whether astronauts Butch
00:00:43 --> 00:00:45 Wilmore and Sunni Williams will return
00:00:45 --> 00:00:46 to Earth using Boeing's troubled
00:00:46 --> 00:00:49 Starliner spacecraft or spacex's
00:00:49 --> 00:00:51 reliable crew Dragon this announcement
00:00:51 --> 00:00:53 holds particular weight given the
00:00:53 --> 00:00:55 numerous challenges the Starliner has
00:00:55 --> 00:00:57 faced throughout its Mission the
00:00:57 --> 00:00:59 Starliner launched its first crude test
00:00:59 --> 00:01:00 flight in June
00:01:00 --> 00:01:02 a critical Milestone needed to gain
00:01:02 --> 00:01:04 NASA's approval for routine astronaut
00:01:04 --> 00:01:06 transport however what was intended to
00:01:06 --> 00:01:08 be an 8-day Mission has stretched out
00:01:08 --> 00:01:09 over several months due to technical
00:01:10 --> 00:01:12 glitches the capsule experienced leaks
00:01:12 --> 00:01:14 and Thruster failures raising serious
00:01:14 --> 00:01:16 concerns over its safety and reliability
00:01:16 --> 00:01:18 NASA administrator Bill Nelson is
00:01:18 --> 00:01:20 expected to attend the critical agency
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 level review meeting Boeing has been
00:01:22 --> 00:01:24 working tirelessly to reassure NASA that
00:01:24 --> 00:01:26 Starliner is safe presenting new test
00:01:26 --> 00:01:28 data in an attempt to validate the
00:01:28 --> 00:01:30 spacecraft's Integrity how however given
00:01:31 --> 00:01:33 the history of mishaps NASA is treading
00:01:33 --> 00:01:35 cautiously weighing Boeing's data
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 against its own stringent safety
00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 benchmarks making things even more
00:01:39 --> 00:01:40 intense for Boeing is the fact that
00:01:40 --> 00:01:43 they've incurred losses of about $1.6
00:01:43 --> 00:01:46 billion doar on the Starliner program
00:01:46 --> 00:01:48 according to security filings
00:01:48 --> 00:01:50 comparatively spacex's crew dragon has
00:01:50 --> 00:01:52 already completed several successful
00:01:52 --> 00:01:54 missions to the ISS placing Boeing in a
00:01:55 --> 00:01:57 tight spot if NASA decides to proceed
00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 with Starliner Butch Wilmore and Sunni
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 Willams could be heading home in the
00:02:01 --> 00:02:03 spacecraft within the next month opening
00:02:03 --> 00:02:05 up the ISS docking port For an upcoming
00:02:05 --> 00:02:08 SpaceX Mission if however NASA opts for
00:02:08 --> 00:02:10 the safer route the astronauts will
00:02:10 --> 00:02:12 return via spacex's crew Dragon though
00:02:12 --> 00:02:15 not until February 2025 this backup
00:02:15 --> 00:02:17 scenario would mean Starliner would
00:02:17 --> 00:02:18 attempt a return to Earth without any
00:02:18 --> 00:02:20 human occupants further delaying
00:02:20 --> 00:02:23 Boeing's Ambitions in crude space flight
00:02:23 --> 00:02:24 it's a nerve-wracking moment for
00:02:24 --> 00:02:26 everyone involved particularly for
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 Boeing as this decision could
00:02:28 --> 00:02:30 significantly impact their future in the
00:02:30 --> 00:02:33 competitive field of space exploration
00:02:33 --> 00:02:34 so stay tuned for NASA's decision this
00:02:35 --> 00:02:37 Saturday whether it's Starliner or crew
00:02:37 --> 00:02:39 Dragon the choice will not only bring
00:02:39 --> 00:02:42 home two veteran astronauts but also
00:02:42 --> 00:02:43 influence the future direction of
00:02:43 --> 00:02:45 commercial space travel in other news
00:02:45 --> 00:02:47 today SpaceX has announced a slight
00:02:47 --> 00:02:49 delay in their much anticipated Polaris
00:02:49 --> 00:02:51 Dawn Mission originally set to lift off
00:02:51 --> 00:02:53 on August 26th the launch is now
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 scheduled for no earlier than August
00:02:55 --> 00:02:57 27th this shift allows the team to
00:02:57 --> 00:02:59 complete some additional pre-flight
00:02:59 --> 00:03:01 checkouts to ensure everything is in
00:03:01 --> 00:03:03 perfect order for this groundbreaking
00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 Mission now what makes Polaris Dawn so
00:03:05 --> 00:03:07 special funded by billionaire and
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 philanthropist Jared ISAC man this
00:03:09 --> 00:03:11 mission is poised to achieve several
00:03:11 --> 00:03:13 historic firsts for starters it's the
00:03:13 --> 00:03:15 first mission in history to feature a
00:03:15 --> 00:03:18 private space walk Yes you heard that
00:03:18 --> 00:03:20 right private astronauts will be taking
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 a walk in space a feat previously
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 reserved for government astronauts
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 within the confines of national space
00:03:26 --> 00:03:28 programs Isaac man himself will serve as
00:03:28 --> 00:03:31 the mission Commander a role he's not
00:03:31 --> 00:03:33 unfamiliar with his previous Mission
00:03:33 --> 00:03:36 inspiration 4 was the first all civilian
00:03:36 --> 00:03:38 mission to space and it successfully
00:03:38 --> 00:03:41 helped raise $250 million for St Jude
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 Children's Research Hospital this time
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 around the Polaris Dawn Mission aims to
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 push the boundaries of private space
00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 exploration even further the mission
00:03:49 --> 00:03:52 will start from launch complex 39a at
00:03:52 --> 00:03:54 NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida
00:03:54 --> 00:03:57 using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket the
00:03:57 --> 00:04:00 launch window opens at 3:38 a.m. Ed on
00:04:00 --> 00:04:02 August 27th and the mission will extend
00:04:02 --> 00:04:05 over 5 days 2 days into orbit the
00:04:05 --> 00:04:07 Polaris Dawn crew will conduct their
00:04:07 --> 00:04:09 historic spacewalk lasting approximately
00:04:09 --> 00:04:12 2 hours from Cabin depressurization to
00:04:12 --> 00:04:14 repressurization but that's not all this
00:04:14 --> 00:04:16 mission is just the first of three
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 planned launches under Jared ISAC man's
00:04:18 --> 00:04:20 Polaris program these missions aim to
00:04:20 --> 00:04:22 further private space exploration and
00:04:22 --> 00:04:25 scientific research future missions
00:04:25 --> 00:04:26 might even include providing maintenance
00:04:26 --> 00:04:29 and support for NASA's Legacy missions
00:04:29 --> 00:04:31 like the Hubble Space Telescope and
00:04:31 --> 00:04:32 potentially the first crude launch of
00:04:33 --> 00:04:35 spacex's Starship spacecraft so while
00:04:35 --> 00:04:37 the launch has been postponed by just a
00:04:37 --> 00:04:39 day the excitement and promise of what
00:04:39 --> 00:04:41 lies ahead for the Polaris Dawn Mission
00:04:41 --> 00:04:44 continue to soar stay tuned for more on
00:04:44 --> 00:04:45 this thrilling Endeavor in the realm of
00:04:45 --> 00:04:47 private space
00:04:47 --> 00:04:50 exploration next up the Pagan Rover part
00:04:50 --> 00:04:53 of India's chandron 3 mission has been
00:04:53 --> 00:04:55 actively exploring the moon's South Pole
00:04:55 --> 00:04:57 providing fascinating insights into our
00:04:57 --> 00:04:59 Celestial neighbor launched last summer
00:04:59 --> 00:05:01 the vicrum Lander made a successful
00:05:01 --> 00:05:03 touchdown allowing the pragian Rover to
00:05:03 --> 00:05:06 embark on its scientific Expedition so
00:05:06 --> 00:05:07 far pragian has been diligently
00:05:08 --> 00:05:10 collecting and analyzing soil samples a
00:05:10 --> 00:05:12 task that has yielded data bolstering
00:05:12 --> 00:05:14 theories about the moon's fiery Origins
00:05:14 --> 00:05:17 the Rover used its alpha particle x-ray
00:05:17 --> 00:05:19 spectrometer and impressive 23 times to
00:05:19 --> 00:05:22 probe the moon's regolith it turns out
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 all 23 samples consisted predominantly
00:05:24 --> 00:05:26 of feran anorthosite a type of rock
00:05:27 --> 00:05:29 often linked with Magma activity this
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 uniform across the sampled soil adds
00:05:31 --> 00:05:32 Credence to the theory that the moon
00:05:32 --> 00:05:35 surface was entirely molten shortly
00:05:35 --> 00:05:37 after its formation the scientific
00:05:37 --> 00:05:39 consensus suggest that a massive impact
00:05:39 --> 00:05:41 event is responsible for this intense
00:05:41 --> 00:05:43 heat more specifically the collision
00:05:43 --> 00:05:45 with a Celestial body named Thea likely
00:05:45 --> 00:05:47 resulted in vast quantities of Earth's
00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 crust being launched into space this
00:05:50 --> 00:05:51 material eventually coalesced to form
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 the moon explaining why moon rocks are
00:05:54 --> 00:05:56 so chemically similar to those found on
00:05:56 --> 00:05:58 Earth as the pragian Rover continues its
00:05:58 --> 00:06:00 Mission each each new piece of data
00:06:00 --> 00:06:02 provides more depth to our understanding
00:06:02 --> 00:06:05 of the moon's geological history the
00:06:05 --> 00:06:07 findings not only enhance our knowledge
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 of lunar conditions but also contribute
00:06:09 --> 00:06:11 valuable information that aids future
00:06:11 --> 00:06:13 lunar missions with the chandrian 3
00:06:14 --> 00:06:16 mission solidifying India's position as
00:06:16 --> 00:06:18 a key player in space exploration the
00:06:18 --> 00:06:20 work done by pragun May pave the way for
00:06:20 --> 00:06:23 even more ambitious lunar Endeavors as
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 geologists and planetary scientists
00:06:25 --> 00:06:27 analyze this new data we can look
00:06:27 --> 00:06:29 forward to unraveling more Mysteries of
00:06:29 --> 00:06:31 the Moon Moon helping us better
00:06:31 --> 00:06:33 understand the dynamic processes that
00:06:33 --> 00:06:34 shaped our solar
00:06:34 --> 00:06:37 system issa's historic cluster mission
00:06:37 --> 00:06:38 is coming to a close after an impressive
00:06:38 --> 00:06:41 24 years of service launched back in
00:06:41 --> 00:06:44 2000 the cluster Mission has provided
00:06:44 --> 00:06:46 invaluable data on Earth's magnetic
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 environment or magnetosphere this
00:06:48 --> 00:06:50 powerful magnetic Shield is crucial for
00:06:50 --> 00:06:52 life on Earth as it protects us from the
00:06:52 --> 00:06:54 Relentless barrage of particles from the
00:06:54 --> 00:06:57 Sun known as the solar wind one of the
00:06:57 --> 00:06:59 mission's significant contributions is
00:06:59 --> 00:07:01 enhancing our understanding of space
00:07:01 --> 00:07:04 weather which refers to the impact solar
00:07:04 --> 00:07:06 wind has on our planet although the
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 magnetosphere deflects most of the solar
00:07:08 --> 00:07:11 wind some of it still penetrates causing
00:07:11 --> 00:07:13 phenomena like the northern and southern
00:07:13 --> 00:07:15 lights and occasionally disrupting power
00:07:15 --> 00:07:18 supplies radio communications and
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 satellites before cluster space weather
00:07:20 --> 00:07:22 was a bit of a mystery but thanks to its
00:07:22 --> 00:07:24 extensive observations we have a much
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 clearer picture of these solar
00:07:26 --> 00:07:28 interactions now as the mission comes
00:07:28 --> 00:07:31 full circle EA is planning an Innovative
00:07:31 --> 00:07:33 and eco-friendly end for the four
00:07:33 --> 00:07:34 satellites that make up the cluster
00:07:34 --> 00:07:39 Mission Rumba salsa Samba and Tango the
00:07:39 --> 00:07:42 first of these salsa is set to re-enter
00:07:42 --> 00:07:44 Earth's atmosphere in a controlled
00:07:44 --> 00:07:47 manner on September 8th 2024 over the
00:07:47 --> 00:07:50 South Pacific Ocean's uninhabited area
00:07:50 --> 00:07:52 this targeted re-entry is a pioneering
00:07:52 --> 00:07:55 effort by Esa to ensure a clean and safe
00:07:55 --> 00:07:57 conclusion to the mission setting a new
00:07:57 --> 00:07:58 standard for sustainable space
00:07:58 --> 00:08:00 exploration
00:08:00 --> 00:08:02 the choice to direct Salsa's descent so
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 precisely is part of EA's broader
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 efforts to mitigate the growing problem
00:08:06 --> 00:08:09 of space debris without intervention the
00:08:09 --> 00:08:10 satellites would eventually re-enter the
00:08:10 --> 00:08:13 atmosphere unpredictably possibly over
00:08:13 --> 00:08:15 more populated areas thus contributing
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 to space junk by controlling the
00:08:17 --> 00:08:20 re-entry Esa aims to minimize this risk
00:08:20 --> 00:08:22 and prevent the cluster mission's end
00:08:22 --> 00:08:24 from adding to the existing space debris
00:08:24 --> 00:08:26 cluster wasn't initially designed to
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 last this long or to end in such a
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 meticulously planned way originally it
00:08:31 --> 00:08:32 was envisioned as a 2-year mission to
00:08:32 --> 00:08:35 study the sun earth interaction however
00:08:35 --> 00:08:37 due to its groundbreaking discoveries
00:08:37 --> 00:08:39 and ongoing scientific relevance the
00:08:39 --> 00:08:42 mission was extended several times
00:08:42 --> 00:08:44 Salsa's controlled re-entry will mark an
00:08:44 --> 00:08:46 end to its science operations but it
00:08:46 --> 00:08:47 won't be the only cluster satellite
00:08:47 --> 00:08:49 making this final Journey the remaining
00:08:49 --> 00:08:53 three satellites Roomba Samba and Tango
00:08:53 --> 00:08:55 will also be maneuvered for similar
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 targeted re-entries over the coming
00:08:56 --> 00:08:59 years this phased approach will help
00:08:59 --> 00:09:00 reduce the risk of collisions with other
00:09:00 --> 00:09:03 satellites or the Earth itself isa's
00:09:03 --> 00:09:04 commitment to a sustainable space
00:09:04 --> 00:09:06 environment is not only about cleaning
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 up after its missions but also about
00:09:08 --> 00:09:10 using these moments as learning
00:09:10 --> 00:09:12 opportunities watching how these
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 satellites break up as they re-enter the
00:09:14 --> 00:09:17 atmosphere provides valuable data that
00:09:17 --> 00:09:19 can help future missions be even more
00:09:19 --> 00:09:21 efficient and less likely to contribute
00:09:21 --> 00:09:23 to space debris as we bid farewell to
00:09:23 --> 00:09:25 this trailblazing Mission EA is already
00:09:25 --> 00:09:27 looking ahead the next big project on
00:09:27 --> 00:09:29 the horizon is the solar wind
00:09:29 --> 00:09:31 magnetosphere ionosphere link Explorer
00:09:31 --> 00:09:34 or smile this new mission in
00:09:34 --> 00:09:36 collaboration with the Chinese Academy
00:09:36 --> 00:09:38 of Sciences aims to build on cluster's
00:09:38 --> 00:09:40 Legacy and delve even deeper into the
00:09:41 --> 00:09:43 mysteries of Earth's magnetosphere so
00:09:43 --> 00:09:46 while the cluster mission may be ending
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 its impact will resonate for years to
00:09:48 --> 00:09:50 come not only in the scientific data it
00:09:50 --> 00:09:53 has gathered but also in the sustainable
00:09:53 --> 00:09:55 practices it has pioneered here's to
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 cluster's incredible journey and the
00:09:56 --> 00:09:58 bright future of space exploration it
00:09:58 --> 00:10:01 has helped p the way for now here's a
00:10:01 --> 00:10:03 story that could rewrite the textbooks
00:10:03 --> 00:10:05 astronomers have long held the belief
00:10:05 --> 00:10:08 that our home galaxy The Milky Way will
00:10:08 --> 00:10:09 inevitably merge with our neighboring
00:10:09 --> 00:10:12 Andromeda galaxy within the next 5
00:10:12 --> 00:10:14 billion years this anticipated
00:10:14 --> 00:10:16 cataclysmic event has been a staple of
00:10:16 --> 00:10:19 astronomical forecasts predicting an
00:10:19 --> 00:10:21 eventual Fusion of the two galaxies into
00:10:21 --> 00:10:24 a new elliptical Super Galaxy called
00:10:24 --> 00:10:27 Mila however new simulations present a
00:10:27 --> 00:10:29 more nuanced picture suggesting that the
00:10:29 --> 00:10:32 likelihood of this colossal Collision
00:10:32 --> 00:10:34 could be a mere 50% over the next 10
00:10:34 --> 00:10:37 billion years situated approximately 2.5
00:10:37 --> 00:10:39 million light years from Earth the
00:10:39 --> 00:10:43 Andromeda galaxy or Messier 31 is the
00:10:43 --> 00:10:45 closest large galaxy to the Milky Way
00:10:45 --> 00:10:48 early predictions dating back to 1912
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 based on the motion of Andromeda
00:10:49 --> 00:10:52 deciphered from its emitted light
00:10:52 --> 00:10:53 indicated that the Galaxy is hurdling
00:10:53 --> 00:10:56 toward the Milky Way at a speed of 68
00:10:56 --> 00:11:00 m/s 110 km/ second second later studies
00:11:00 --> 00:11:02 fortified the theory of an impending
00:11:02 --> 00:11:05 head-on collision leading to An Elegant
00:11:05 --> 00:11:08 Cosmic dance culminating in a merger but
00:11:08 --> 00:11:10 just how certain is this fate recent
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 work led by astronomer till saala of the
00:11:12 --> 00:11:14 University of Helsinki in Finland has
00:11:14 --> 00:11:16 upended the conventional narrative
00:11:16 --> 00:11:18 utilizing the latest and most precise
00:11:18 --> 00:11:20 data from the Gaia and Hubble space
00:11:20 --> 00:11:23 telescopes saala and his team integrated
00:11:23 --> 00:11:26 the gravitational influences of nearby
00:11:26 --> 00:11:29 smaller galaxies into their simulations
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 these previously overlooked factors
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 drastically alter the gravitational
00:11:32 --> 00:11:34 Dynamics between the Milky Way and
00:11:34 --> 00:11:36 Andromeda resulting in a coin flip
00:11:36 --> 00:11:38 scenario for a collision over the next
00:11:38 --> 00:11:40 10 billion years the addition of the
00:11:40 --> 00:11:44 triangulum Galaxy m33 the third largest
00:11:44 --> 00:11:46 member of our Galactic neighborhood into
00:11:46 --> 00:11:48 the simulation increased the chances of
00:11:49 --> 00:11:51 emerger conversely incorporating the
00:11:51 --> 00:11:52 large melanic cloud and its
00:11:53 --> 00:11:54 perpendicular orbit to the Milky Way
00:11:54 --> 00:11:56 Andromeda system decreased the
00:11:56 --> 00:11:58 likelihood of a collision adding another
00:11:58 --> 00:12:01 layer of complexity to the scenario
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 should the galaxies avoid a direct
00:12:02 --> 00:12:05 Collision they might still pass close
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 enough to disrupt each other's outer
00:12:06 --> 00:12:09 regions flinging Stellar material into
00:12:09 --> 00:12:11 Intergalactic space such M connections
00:12:11 --> 00:12:13 could result in a radically different
00:12:13 --> 00:12:15 evolutionary path for both galaxies
00:12:15 --> 00:12:17 although the prospect of a devoid
00:12:17 --> 00:12:19 Collision might Breathe new life into
00:12:19 --> 00:12:21 our Galaxy's Future IT remains a
00:12:21 --> 00:12:23 compelling half and half probability if
00:12:23 --> 00:12:25 the Milky Way and Andromeda do Collide
00:12:25 --> 00:12:27 billions of years from now astronomers
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 surmise that the event will be
00:12:29 --> 00:12:31 relatively calm despite its astronomical
00:12:31 --> 00:12:34 scale the vast distances between stars
00:12:34 --> 00:12:36 mean they will largely pass by each
00:12:36 --> 00:12:38 other without direct collisions though
00:12:38 --> 00:12:40 gravitational interactions will reshape
00:12:40 --> 00:12:42 both galaxies our solar system for
00:12:42 --> 00:12:44 example might get flung into a distant
00:12:44 --> 00:12:47 Galactic arm the Stars will leave behind
00:12:47 --> 00:12:49 magnificent trails and gas clouds will
00:12:49 --> 00:12:51 merge to ignite bursts of new star
00:12:51 --> 00:12:54 formation regardless of the eventual
00:12:54 --> 00:12:56 outcome the visualization of a cosmic
00:12:56 --> 00:12:58 ballet unfolding on such an immense
00:12:58 --> 00:13:01 scale captivates the imagination
00:13:01 --> 00:13:03 fortunately for us any imaginable chaos
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 will unfold over billions of years far
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 beyond the life expectancy of our sun
00:13:06 --> 00:13:09 and more intimately our planet as we
00:13:09 --> 00:13:11 await more data from missions like Gaia
00:13:11 --> 00:13:13 which continues to refine our
00:13:13 --> 00:13:15 understanding of Galactic motions and
00:13:15 --> 00:13:17 masses we're reminded once more of the
00:13:17 --> 00:13:20 everchanging nature of our universe
00:13:20 --> 00:13:22 whether Milam forms or the Milky Way
00:13:22 --> 00:13:24 dances independent of Andromeda one
00:13:24 --> 00:13:26 thing's for sure the cosmos will
00:13:26 --> 00:13:31 continue to surprise and amaze us
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 that's all for today's episode of
00:13:32 --> 00:13:35 astronomy daily I'm Anna and thanks so
00:13:35 --> 00:13:37 much for joining us on this Cosmic
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00:14:12 --> 00:14:28 [Music]