Source:
https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s03e148-annular-eclipse-2024-starliner-calypso-s-return-and-china-s-space-plane-secrets--61291076
Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: 7th September 2024
Welcome to Astronomy Daily, where we bring you the latest and most exciting updates from the cosmos. I'm your host, Anna, and I'm thrilled to be your guide on this journey through space. In today's episode, we're diving deep into the celestial wonders and groundbreaking achievements that keep our eyes fixed on the stars. We'll start off with the highly anticipated annular solar eclipse, set to occur on October 2, 2024, and explore the best spots to catch a glimpse of this stunning event. Next, we'll take a closer look at Boeing Starliner Calypso's recent undocking from the International Space Station and discuss the upcoming crew changes. We'll also unravel the mystery behind China's space plane, which has just returned from an impressive 268-day mission. But that's not all. We'll delve into humanity's enduring fascination with aliens, tracing their impact on our culture and imagination from ancient times to the present. Finally, we'll talk about NASA's upcoming Roman Space Telescope and how it promises to revolutionize our understanding of galactic formation and dark matter. So sit back, relax, and let's embark on this celestial voyage together on Astronomy Daily.
Highlights:
- Annular Solar Eclipse: One of the most exciting upcoming astronomical events is the annular solar eclipse on October 2, 2024. This event promises to be a spectacular sight for those fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time. The path of this annular eclipse will mostly traverse open ocean waters, making landfall in only a few select locations. One of the most fascinating and remote locations to witness this event is the legendary Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui.
- Boeing Starliner Calypso: The Boeing Starliner Calypso has returned to Earth after its highly anticipated undocking from the International Space Station. This event marks a significant milestone in modern space exploration. The autonomous undocking went smoothly at 06:04 p.m. EDT on September 6, right on schedule. Landing was slated for later that evening at White Sands in New Mexico.
- China's Space Plane: China's mysterious space plane has captured global attention once again, having just completed an impressive 268-day mission in orbit. This reusable spacecraft touched down at the Zhuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on September 6, marking yet another significant milestone in the realm of space exploration.
- Fascination with Aliens: When we hear the word aliens, various images might pop into our heads. But this fascination with extraterrestrial life isn't just a modern phenomenon. It stretches back thousands of years and has evolved profoundly over time. From ancient civilizations to modern pop culture, the idea of extraterrestrial life has always captivated human imagination.
- NASA's Roman Space Telescope: One groundbreaking tool set to revolutionize our understanding is NASA's upcoming Roman Space Telescope. Set to launch in 2027, this state-of-the-art telescope aims to uncover the secrets of galactic formation history and explore the mysterious substance known as dark matter. Its high-resolution imaging and wide field of view will allow scientists to observe galaxies as dynamic, evolving entities.
For more space news, be sure to visit our website at https://www.spacenutspodcast.com. There you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, read insightful blog posts, and catch up on all the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed.
Don't forget to listen to all our previous episodes as well. You can also follow us on social media. Just search for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok to stay connected with our community and never miss an update.
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00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 welcome to astronomy daily where we
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 bring you the latest and most exciting
00:00:04 --> 00:00:06 updates from the cosmos I'm your host
00:00:06 --> 00:00:08 Anna and I'm thrilled to be your guide
00:00:08 --> 00:00:10 on this journey through space in today's
00:00:10 --> 00:00:12 episode we're diving deep into the
00:00:12 --> 00:00:14 celestial wonders and groundbreaking
00:00:14 --> 00:00:16 achievements that keep our eyes fixed on
00:00:16 --> 00:00:18 the Stars we'll start off with the
00:00:18 --> 00:00:20 highly anticipated annular solar eclipse
00:00:20 --> 00:00:24 set to occur on October 2nd 2024 and
00:00:24 --> 00:00:25 explore the best spots to catch a
00:00:25 --> 00:00:28 glimpse of this stunning event next
00:00:28 --> 00:00:30 we'll take a closer look at both ing
00:00:30 --> 00:00:32 Starliner Calypso's recent undocking
00:00:32 --> 00:00:33 from the International Space Station and
00:00:33 --> 00:00:36 discuss the upcoming crew changes we'll
00:00:36 --> 00:00:38 also unravel the mystery behind China's
00:00:38 --> 00:00:40 space plane which has just returned from
00:00:40 --> 00:00:43 an impressive 268 day Mission but that's
00:00:43 --> 00:00:45 not all we'll delve into Humanity's
00:00:45 --> 00:00:48 enduring fascination with aliens tracing
00:00:48 --> 00:00:49 their impact on our culture and
00:00:49 --> 00:00:51 Imagination from ancient times to the
00:00:51 --> 00:00:54 present finally we'll talk about NASA's
00:00:54 --> 00:00:56 upcoming Roman Space Telescope and how
00:00:56 --> 00:00:58 it promises to revolutionize our
00:00:58 --> 00:00:59 understanding of Galactic formation and
00:00:59 --> 00:01:02 dark matter so sit back relax and let's
00:01:02 --> 00:01:05 embark on this Celestial Voyage together
00:01:05 --> 00:01:07 on astronomy daily one of the most
00:01:07 --> 00:01:09 exciting upcoming astronomical events is
00:01:10 --> 00:01:13 the annular solar eclipse on October 2nd
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 2024 this event promises to be a
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 spectacular sight for those fortunate
00:01:17 --> 00:01:18 enough to be in the right place at the
00:01:18 --> 00:01:20 right time now for those who might be
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 unfamiliar an annular eclipse occurs
00:01:22 --> 00:01:24 when the moon is too far from the Earth
00:01:24 --> 00:01:27 to completely cover the sun this results
00:01:27 --> 00:01:29 in a breathtaking Ring of Fire effect
00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 where where the edges of the sun remain
00:01:31 --> 00:01:32 visible as a luminous ring around the
00:01:33 --> 00:01:34 Moon silhouette think of it as a
00:01:34 --> 00:01:37 Celestial Penny on top of a nickel the
00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 last time we experienced such an eclipse
00:01:39 --> 00:01:41 was on October 14th
00:01:41 --> 00:01:44 2023 when it graced the Skies over parts
00:01:44 --> 00:01:45 of the western and southern United
00:01:45 --> 00:01:48 States the Yucatan Peninsula Central
00:01:48 --> 00:01:51 America and parts of South America
00:01:51 --> 00:01:52 Millions were thrilled by the sight of
00:01:53 --> 00:01:55 the Blazing ring of sunlight however if
00:01:55 --> 00:01:57 you thought last year's event was
00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 stunning this year's Eclipse presents an
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 entire enely different Challenge and
00:02:01 --> 00:02:04 opportunity why you ask well the path of
00:02:04 --> 00:02:06 this annular Eclipse will mostly
00:02:06 --> 00:02:08 Traverse open ocean waters making
00:02:08 --> 00:02:11 landfall in only a few select locations
00:02:11 --> 00:02:13 approximately 95% of the eclipse's path
00:02:13 --> 00:02:15 will be over the vast expanses of the
00:02:15 --> 00:02:17 Pacific this will make accessing the
00:02:17 --> 00:02:19 prime viewing spots more challenging
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 compared to last year's easily
00:02:21 --> 00:02:23 accessible locations the eclipse will
00:02:23 --> 00:02:26 begin over a remote area in the Central
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 Pacific roughly 1 miles Southwest of
00:02:28 --> 00:02:30 Honolulu from there it will move
00:02:30 --> 00:02:32 Eastward and southeastward across the
00:02:32 --> 00:02:34 South Pacific the path skirts just north
00:02:34 --> 00:02:36 of Kira then continues Northeast of
00:02:36 --> 00:02:38 French Polynesia and the pit Karan
00:02:38 --> 00:02:41 Islands the point of greatest Eclipse
00:02:41 --> 00:02:42 where the annular phase will last an
00:02:42 --> 00:02:45 impressive 7 minutes and 24 seconds
00:02:45 --> 00:02:47 occurs over the open ocean with the
00:02:47 --> 00:02:51 eclipse path approximately 165 mil wide
00:02:51 --> 00:02:52 yet there's a silver lining for Eclipse
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 enthusiasts one of the most fascinating
00:02:55 --> 00:02:57 and remote locations to witness this
00:02:57 --> 00:02:59 event is the legendary Easter Island
00:02:59 --> 00:03:02 also known as Rapa Nui this UNESCO world
00:03:02 --> 00:03:04 heritage site famous for its enigmatic
00:03:04 --> 00:03:07 moai statues carved from volcanic rock
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 lies almost directly in the path of the
00:03:09 --> 00:03:12 eclipse if the weather permits both the
00:03:12 --> 00:03:14 Island's residents and visiting tourists
00:03:14 --> 00:03:16 will be treated to a remarkable display
00:03:16 --> 00:03:18 Easter Island isn't just an
00:03:18 --> 00:03:20 archaeological wonder it offers a unique
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 vantage point for the eclipse as the
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 moon begins its journey across the sun's
00:03:24 --> 00:03:28 disc at 11:23 a.m. local time by 1:04
00:03:28 --> 00:03:30 p.m. an off-centered soul ring will
00:03:30 --> 00:03:32 emerge lasting for about 6 minutes and 5
00:03:32 --> 00:03:34 Seconds following the peak the moon will
00:03:35 --> 00:03:36 continue to move away concluding its
00:03:36 --> 00:03:39 Celestial dance at 2:52 p.m. while an
00:03:39 --> 00:03:41 annular eclipse is undoubtedly an
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 extraordinary site it's crucial to
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 remember that it differs significantly
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 from a total eclipse during a total
00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 eclipse the sky darkens dramatically
00:03:49 --> 00:03:51 resembling Twilight and the sun's Corona
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 becomes visible offering a truly awe
00:03:53 --> 00:03:56 inspiring view however during an annular
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 eclipse the sky only dims slightly and
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 the bright ring of sunlight still makes
00:04:00 --> 00:04:01 direct viewing dangerous to the naked
00:04:02 --> 00:04:04 eye therefore proper eye protection is
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 essential throughout the event the
00:04:06 --> 00:04:08 eclipse will also be partially visible
00:04:08 --> 00:04:10 at Sunrise from the Hawaiian islands and
00:04:10 --> 00:04:12 in the afternoon across Southern South
00:04:12 --> 00:04:14 America in Honolulu for instance the
00:04:14 --> 00:04:16 eclipse will reach its maximum phase at
00:04:16 --> 00:04:21 6:45 a.m. local time with 58.6% of the
00:04:21 --> 00:04:23 sun's disc covered by the moon looking
00:04:23 --> 00:04:25 ahead there's more Celestial excitement
00:04:25 --> 00:04:29 on the horizon on March 29th 2025 a
00:04:29 --> 00:04:30 partial soul solar eclipse will be
00:04:30 --> 00:04:33 visible across much of Europe northwest
00:04:33 --> 00:04:35 Africa Greenland Iceland and parts of
00:04:35 --> 00:04:38 Atlantic Canada and New England and mark
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 your calendars for August 12th
00:04:40 --> 00:04:43 2026 when the next total eclipse will
00:04:43 --> 00:04:45 sweep through Eastern Greenland Western
00:04:45 --> 00:04:48 Iceland and Northern Spain for those of
00:04:48 --> 00:04:49 you planning to view the eclipse this
00:04:49 --> 00:04:52 October whether from Mainland South
00:04:52 --> 00:04:54 America or the mystical Easter Island be
00:04:54 --> 00:04:56 sure to secure your protective eyewear
00:04:56 --> 00:04:58 and prepare for one of Nature's Most
00:04:58 --> 00:05:01 mesmerizing displays now let's take a
00:05:01 --> 00:05:03 look at today's major event the Boeing
00:05:03 --> 00:05:05 Starliner Calypso has returned to Earth
00:05:05 --> 00:05:08 after its highly anticipated undocking
00:05:08 --> 00:05:10 from the International Space Station
00:05:10 --> 00:05:12 this event marks a significant milestone
00:05:12 --> 00:05:14 in modern space exploration originally
00:05:14 --> 00:05:17 launched to the ISS on June 5th with two
00:05:17 --> 00:05:19 veteran astronauts Butch Wilmore and
00:05:19 --> 00:05:22 Sunni Williams Calypso is now set to
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 complete its Mission back on Earth while
00:05:24 --> 00:05:26 Wilmore and Williams remain on the ISS
00:05:26 --> 00:05:28 for an additional 6 months the
00:05:28 --> 00:05:31 autonomous undoc went smoothly at 6:04
00:05:31 --> 00:05:33 p.m. EDT on September 6th right on
00:05:33 --> 00:05:35 schedule Landing was slated for later
00:05:35 --> 00:05:37 that evening at White Sands in New
00:05:37 --> 00:05:39 Mexico a familiar site for the
00:05:39 --> 00:05:42 starliners previous uncrewed Landings
00:05:42 --> 00:05:44 White Sands Missile Range known for its
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 remarkable gypsum sand dunes serves as
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 one of the primary Landing spots for the
00:05:48 --> 00:05:50 Starliner alongside other options like
00:05:50 --> 00:05:52 dugway Proving Ground in Utah and
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 Willcox plane in Arizona there's even a
00:05:54 --> 00:05:56 contingency site at Edwards Air Force
00:05:56 --> 00:05:59 Base in California for this Mission the
00:05:59 --> 00:06:01 white sand space Harbor was the
00:06:01 --> 00:06:03 designated Landing site a location
00:06:03 --> 00:06:05 historical for hosting the landing of
00:06:05 --> 00:06:08 space shuttle columia in 1982 Starliner
00:06:08 --> 00:06:10 Calypso has landed here before notably
00:06:11 --> 00:06:12 following the orbital flight test
00:06:12 --> 00:06:15 mission in December 2019 and the second
00:06:15 --> 00:06:18 uncrewed off to Mission in May
00:06:18 --> 00:06:20 2022 however the landscape of the
00:06:20 --> 00:06:21 mission this time was different in a
00:06:21 --> 00:06:24 major way it was uncrewed during this
00:06:24 --> 00:06:26 return this Landmark event has set the
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 stage for what lies ahead in the
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 tapestry of space mission
00:06:30 --> 00:06:32 just a week before undocking on August
00:06:32 --> 00:06:35 29th NASA completed part two of its
00:06:35 --> 00:06:37 Readiness review giving the green light
00:06:37 --> 00:06:39 for Calypso's uncrewed undocking from
00:06:39 --> 00:06:42 the ISS seven data loads were updated
00:06:42 --> 00:06:44 and the CFT software had shown excellent
00:06:44 --> 00:06:46 results during testing final checks
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 wrapped up on September 5th with a
00:06:48 --> 00:06:51 Readiness poll and by 1:30 p.m. EDT the
00:06:51 --> 00:06:53 hatch was closed by Wilmore and Williams
00:06:53 --> 00:06:55 weather conditions were favorable with
00:06:55 --> 00:06:58 winds clocked at 7 to 10 knots a crucial
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 element for insuring a safe landing if
00:07:00 --> 00:07:03 the weather had not cooperated backup
00:07:03 --> 00:07:05 dates were lined up for the undocking on
00:07:05 --> 00:07:07 a 4-day Cadence through September the
00:07:07 --> 00:07:09 undocking started by releasing Calypso
00:07:09 --> 00:07:11 from the forward docking port on the
00:07:11 --> 00:07:13 iss's harmony module unique to this
00:07:13 --> 00:07:16 procedure a breakout burn using 12
00:07:16 --> 00:07:17 Thruster firings quickly pushed the
00:07:17 --> 00:07:20 spacecraft away from the ISS this
00:07:20 --> 00:07:22 maneuver took about 90 seconds helping
00:07:22 --> 00:07:25 to minimize stress on the thrusters once
00:07:25 --> 00:07:27 free of the station additional tests on
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 Calypso's thrusters were carried out to
00:07:29 --> 00:07:31 collect C valuable data for NASA and
00:07:31 --> 00:07:33 Boeing aimed at solving the propulsion
00:07:33 --> 00:07:35 issues that have shadowed previous crude
00:07:35 --> 00:07:37 returns Calypso's deorbit burn was
00:07:38 --> 00:07:39 conducted over the Pacific Ocean at
00:07:39 --> 00:07:43 11:17 p.m. EDT on September 6th setting
00:07:43 --> 00:07:45 it on a trajectory for White Sands
00:07:45 --> 00:07:47 communication blackout occurred due to
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 ionized air around the spacecraft during
00:07:49 --> 00:07:52 re-entry Calypso flew over Baja
00:07:52 --> 00:07:54 California and Western Mexico before
00:07:54 --> 00:07:56 making its Final Approach to New Mexico
00:07:56 --> 00:07:58 upon nearing White Sands the spacecraft
00:07:58 --> 00:08:00 jettisoned its forward heat shield and
00:08:00 --> 00:08:02 parachutes deployed in succession
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 airbags inflated at about 1 km above the
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 ground ensuring a soft nighttime
00:08:06 --> 00:08:09 touchdown following touchdown the cargo
00:08:09 --> 00:08:11 was unloaded and preparations began to
00:08:11 --> 00:08:13 safely transport the spacecraft back to
00:08:13 --> 00:08:16 Boeing for future missions meanwhile
00:08:16 --> 00:08:17 NASA and Boeing scientists scrutinized
00:08:17 --> 00:08:19 Telemetry data to further understand the
00:08:19 --> 00:08:21 spacecraft's performance and refine
00:08:21 --> 00:08:23 future missions the space community's
00:08:23 --> 00:08:25 eyes now turn to upcoming crew changes
00:08:25 --> 00:08:28 soyu's ms26 will launch on September
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 11th bringing a fresh team to the ISS
00:08:30 --> 00:08:32 and prompting a crew Handover this
00:08:32 --> 00:08:35 prompts the return of soyu's ms25 on
00:08:35 --> 00:08:38 September 24th Additionally the revised
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 crew n Mission using crew Dragon Freedom
00:08:40 --> 00:08:42 will begin adding yet another layer to
00:08:42 --> 00:08:45 the complex Staffing of the ISS the
00:08:45 --> 00:08:47 future looks bright for the Starliner
00:08:47 --> 00:08:48 which is anticipated to take on its
00:08:48 --> 00:08:51 first operational Mission Starliner 1 in
00:08:51 --> 00:08:53 February 2025 there are still some
00:08:54 --> 00:08:56 hurdles to clear particularly with the
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 spacecraft's propulsion system but the
00:08:58 --> 00:09:01 ambition remains clear to continue
00:09:01 --> 00:09:03 pushing the frontiers of what's possible
00:09:03 --> 00:09:05 in space travel in other notable space
00:09:05 --> 00:09:07 news today China's mysterious space plan
00:09:07 --> 00:09:10 has captured Global attention once again
00:09:10 --> 00:09:12 having just completed an impressive 268
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 day mission in orbit this reusable
00:09:15 --> 00:09:17 spacecraft touched down at the Jan
00:09:17 --> 00:09:18 satellite launch Center in Northwest
00:09:18 --> 00:09:21 China on September 6th marking yet
00:09:21 --> 00:09:23 another significant milestone in the
00:09:23 --> 00:09:25 realm of space exploration launched on
00:09:25 --> 00:09:28 December 14th 2023 at top a long march
00:09:29 --> 00:09:31 to F rocket this was the space plane's
00:09:31 --> 00:09:33 third mission yet much about its
00:09:33 --> 00:09:35 capabilities and objectives remained
00:09:35 --> 00:09:38 shrouded in secrecy according to Chinese
00:09:38 --> 00:09:40 State media Outlet xua the mission was a
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 stepping stone towards developing more
00:09:42 --> 00:09:44 convenient and affordable roundtrip
00:09:44 --> 00:09:46 methods for peaceful space utilization
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 in the future during its extended
00:09:48 --> 00:09:50 sojourn in orbit the space plane
00:09:50 --> 00:09:53 reportedly performed various rendevu and
00:09:53 --> 00:09:55 proximity operations even releasing a
00:09:55 --> 00:09:58 small object into orbit activities that
00:09:58 --> 00:10:00 could either serve satellite maintenance
00:10:00 --> 00:10:02 or pose potential implications for
00:10:02 --> 00:10:04 future orbital defense strategies
00:10:04 --> 00:10:06 astronomer Jonathan McDow noted that
00:10:06 --> 00:10:08 this object was likely a subsatellite
00:10:08 --> 00:10:11 deployment or a piece of Hardware
00:10:11 --> 00:10:13 ejected before Mission end paralleling
00:10:13 --> 00:10:15 the spacecraft's first flight AS
00:10:15 --> 00:10:18 enigmatic as its purposes may be the
00:10:18 --> 00:10:20 space plane's prolonged Mission hasn't
00:10:20 --> 00:10:22 gone unnoticed its return only 2 days
00:10:22 --> 00:10:24 before the US space Force's own reusable
00:10:24 --> 00:10:28 vehicle the X-37B launched adds another
00:10:28 --> 00:10:29 layer to the intrigue
00:10:29 --> 00:10:30 the
00:10:30 --> 00:10:34 X-37B like its Chinese counterpart holds
00:10:34 --> 00:10:36 its Mission details close to the chest
00:10:36 --> 00:10:38 though it's known to be an experimental
00:10:38 --> 00:10:39 platform for new
00:10:39 --> 00:10:41 technologies this endeavor underscores
00:10:41 --> 00:10:43 China's commitment to its space
00:10:43 --> 00:10:45 Ambitions positioning itself alongside
00:10:45 --> 00:10:47 other space fairing Nations like the US
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 and India which is also working on a
00:10:49 --> 00:10:52 reusable orbital vehicle named PUSH Pack
00:10:52 --> 00:10:54 as these countries push the boundaries
00:10:54 --> 00:10:56 of space travel the technological
00:10:56 --> 00:10:58 advances and strategic capabilities they
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 achieve
00:10:59 --> 00:11:01 could fundamentally alter the future of
00:11:01 --> 00:11:04 missions both civilian and Military
00:11:04 --> 00:11:06 Paving the way for an era where the cost
00:11:06 --> 00:11:08 and complexity of space missions are
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 considerably
00:11:09 --> 00:11:12 reduced when we hear the word aliens
00:11:12 --> 00:11:15 various images might pop into our heads
00:11:15 --> 00:11:17 little green beings with big eyes flying
00:11:17 --> 00:11:19 saucers or perhaps epic battles in space
00:11:19 --> 00:11:20 but this fascination with
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 extraterrestrial life isn't just a
00:11:22 --> 00:11:25 modern phenomenon it stretches back
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 thousands of years and has evolved
00:11:26 --> 00:11:29 profoundly over time interestingly the
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 roots of this Cosmic curiosity can be
00:11:31 --> 00:11:33 traced back to ancient civilizations the
00:11:33 --> 00:11:36 Greek philosopher epicurus and the Roman
00:11:36 --> 00:11:38 poet Lucius both speculated about other
00:11:38 --> 00:11:41 worlds Lucian of samosata writing in the
00:11:41 --> 00:11:44 2 Century CE took this a step further
00:11:44 --> 00:11:47 with a true story a satire about
00:11:47 --> 00:11:49 inhabitants of the Sun and Moon fighting
00:11:49 --> 00:11:51 over Venus's colonization even the
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 Catholic Church during the Middle Ages
00:11:53 --> 00:11:55 entertained the idea of extraterrestrial
00:11:55 --> 00:11:58 life viewing it as another testament to
00:11:58 --> 00:12:00 God's omnipotence
00:12:00 --> 00:12:02 fast forward to 1686 when French author
00:12:02 --> 00:12:05 Bernard lovier def fontanel's
00:12:05 --> 00:12:07 conversations on the plurality of Worlds
00:12:07 --> 00:12:10 captivated audiences contemplating the
00:12:10 --> 00:12:12 existence of other solar systems and the
00:12:12 --> 00:12:14 potential for other worlds teeming with
00:12:14 --> 00:12:17 life this work ushered in a new era of
00:12:17 --> 00:12:19 scientific inquiry and Imagination about
00:12:19 --> 00:12:22 the cosmos by the 18th century belief in
00:12:22 --> 00:12:24 extraterrestrial life became almost
00:12:24 --> 00:12:26 mainstream among the educated this
00:12:26 --> 00:12:28 intellectual curiosity pequ with HG
00:12:28 --> 00:12:32 Wells of the worlds in 1897 a novel that
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 essentially mirrored the anxieties and
00:12:33 --> 00:12:36 fears of the British colonial era the
00:12:36 --> 00:12:37 idea that martians could invade Earth
00:12:37 --> 00:12:39 tapped into existential concerns and
00:12:39 --> 00:12:42 entertained readers simultaneously in
00:12:42 --> 00:12:44 the 20th century advancements in
00:12:44 --> 00:12:46 astronomy and space exploration
00:12:46 --> 00:12:48 rejuvenated interest in extraterrestrial
00:12:48 --> 00:12:51 life from the space race to iconic
00:12:51 --> 00:12:52 movies like Close Encounters of the
00:12:52 --> 00:12:54 Third Kind and Invasion of the Body
00:12:54 --> 00:12:57 Snatchers the topic of aliens became a
00:12:57 --> 00:12:59 fixture in popular culture who can
00:12:59 --> 00:13:01 forget the sensation caused by Orson
00:13:01 --> 00:13:04 Well's 1938 radio broadcast of War of
00:13:04 --> 00:13:06 the Worlds which supposedly incited
00:13:06 --> 00:13:08 Panic among listeners who believed they
00:13:08 --> 00:13:10 were hearing real news of an
00:13:10 --> 00:13:13 extraterrestrial Invasion today the
00:13:13 --> 00:13:15 fascination has mounted exponentially
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 with each scientific discovery and
00:13:16 --> 00:13:19 technological advancement films like
00:13:19 --> 00:13:23 alien Star Trek 2001 A Space Odyssey and
00:13:23 --> 00:13:25 TV shows such as the X Files continue to
00:13:25 --> 00:13:27 capture our imagination but beyond the
00:13:27 --> 00:13:30 Silver Screen serious scientific
00:13:30 --> 00:13:32 Endeavors like the search for exoplanets
00:13:32 --> 00:13:33 and the study of potential microbial
00:13:34 --> 00:13:36 Life on Mars keep our eyes glued to
00:13:36 --> 00:13:38 telescopes and space missions Robert
00:13:38 --> 00:13:40 Smith a space historian at the
00:13:40 --> 00:13:42 University of Alberta encapsulates this
00:13:42 --> 00:13:44 enduring Fascination well he argues that
00:13:44 --> 00:13:46 aliens serve as a mirror reflecting our
00:13:46 --> 00:13:49 own fears hopes and Curiosities about
00:13:49 --> 00:13:50 Humanity by studying how we
00:13:50 --> 00:13:53 conceptualize extraterrestrial life we
00:13:53 --> 00:13:55 gain insight into our perspectives on
00:13:55 --> 00:13:57 existence power and what it means to be
00:13:57 --> 00:14:00 human yes alien have staked a permanent
00:14:00 --> 00:14:02 claim on our imaginations conquering
00:14:02 --> 00:14:04 every form of media and igniting an
00:14:04 --> 00:14:06 enduring debate both in Academia and
00:14:06 --> 00:14:08 around dinner tables this Relentless
00:14:08 --> 00:14:11 curiosity is perhaps best summarized by
00:14:11 --> 00:14:13 Arthur C Clark's famous quote two
00:14:13 --> 00:14:16 possibilities exist either we are alone
00:14:16 --> 00:14:18 in the universe or we are not both are
00:14:18 --> 00:14:21 equally terrifying so as we gaze at the
00:14:21 --> 00:14:23 stars and dream of life beyond Earth
00:14:23 --> 00:14:25 let's appreciate how this Quest both
00:14:25 --> 00:14:28 mirrors and molds our civilization
00:14:28 --> 00:14:30 whether through science philosophy or
00:14:30 --> 00:14:32 popular culture the search for
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 extraterrestrial life continues to
00:14:33 --> 00:14:36 challenge and Inspire us driving us to
00:14:36 --> 00:14:38 look deeper into the unknown and perhaps
00:14:38 --> 00:14:40 find a bit more about ourselves along
00:14:40 --> 00:14:43 the way next up groundbreaking new
00:14:43 --> 00:14:46 technology the universe is ever changing
00:14:46 --> 00:14:47 a grand Cosmic dance occurring on a
00:14:48 --> 00:14:50 timeline vastly different from our own
00:14:50 --> 00:14:52 yet with every advancement in technology
00:14:52 --> 00:14:54 we're Bridging the Gap and gaining a
00:14:54 --> 00:14:56 clearer picture of these Celestial
00:14:56 --> 00:14:58 Transformations one groundbreaking tool
00:14:58 --> 00:15:00 set to to revolutionize our
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 understanding is NASA's upcoming Roman
00:15:01 --> 00:15:04 Space Telescope set to launch in 2027
00:15:04 --> 00:15:06 the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is
00:15:06 --> 00:15:08 named in honor of Nancy Grace Roman
00:15:08 --> 00:15:11 often hailed as the mother of Hubble
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 this state-of-the-art telescope aims to
00:15:12 --> 00:15:14 uncover the secrets of Galactic
00:15:14 --> 00:15:16 formation history and explore the
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 mysterious substance known as dark
00:15:17 --> 00:15:19 matter it's equipped with infrared
00:15:19 --> 00:15:21 sensors and a wide field of view that
00:15:21 --> 00:15:23 surpass its predecessors making it
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 uniquely capable of capturing the
00:15:25 --> 00:15:28 dynamic nature of the universe a key
00:15:28 --> 00:15:30 component of the Roman space telescopes
00:15:30 --> 00:15:32 mission is the ring survey short for
00:15:32 --> 00:15:35 Roman infrared nearby Galaxy survey this
00:15:35 --> 00:15:37 survey will focus on uncovering fossils
00:15:37 --> 00:15:40 of Galaxy formation much like fossils on
00:15:40 --> 00:15:42 Earth help us understand ancient life
00:15:42 --> 00:15:44 these Stellar structures reveal the
00:15:44 --> 00:15:47 history and evolution of galaxies these
00:15:47 --> 00:15:49 Cosmic fossils include groups of ancient
00:15:49 --> 00:15:51 stars that hold Clues to the Galaxy's
00:15:51 --> 00:15:53 past such as the merger events that
00:15:53 --> 00:15:55 shaped them and the chemistry of the
00:15:55 --> 00:15:57 Galaxy at the time of their
00:15:57 --> 00:16:00 formation Robin S Anderson the deputy
00:16:00 --> 00:16:02 principal investigator of rings from the
00:16:02 --> 00:16:04 University of Pennsylvania describes
00:16:04 --> 00:16:06 this process as piecing together an
00:16:06 --> 00:16:08 ancient puzzle it's like going through
00:16:08 --> 00:16:10 an excavation she says and trying to
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 sort out bones and put them back
00:16:12 --> 00:16:14 together Roman's highresolution Imaging
00:16:14 --> 00:16:16 will make it possible to identify these
00:16:16 --> 00:16:18 Galactic fossils including long tidle
00:16:18 --> 00:16:21 tales and Stellar streams giving us a
00:16:21 --> 00:16:23 window into the Galaxy's merger history
00:16:23 --> 00:16:25 but the Roman space telescope's
00:16:25 --> 00:16:27 contributions don't stop there it aims
00:16:27 --> 00:16:29 to probe one of the most enigmatic
00:16:29 --> 00:16:31 substances in the universe Dark Matter
00:16:31 --> 00:16:34 this elusive material makes up about 80%
00:16:34 --> 00:16:36 of the universe's Mass yet it's
00:16:36 --> 00:16:39 invisible and largely unobservable by
00:16:39 --> 00:16:41 focusing on Ultra faint dwarf galaxies
00:16:41 --> 00:16:43 which are almost entirely composed of
00:16:43 --> 00:16:45 dark matter with very little normal
00:16:45 --> 00:16:47 matter for Star formation Roman will
00:16:47 --> 00:16:49 help test various theories about the
00:16:49 --> 00:16:51 nature of this mysterious
00:16:51 --> 00:16:54 substance Raja gathura from the
00:16:54 --> 00:16:56 University of California Santa Cruz
00:16:56 --> 00:16:59 points out that Ultra faint dwarf G GES
00:16:59 --> 00:17:02 are like pure Blobs of dark matter and
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 can serve as excellent Laboratories for
00:17:03 --> 00:17:06 study by observing these galaxies in
00:17:06 --> 00:17:08 detail Roman will provide invaluable
00:17:08 --> 00:17:10 data that brings us closer to
00:17:10 --> 00:17:12 understanding dark Matter's true nature
00:17:12 --> 00:17:14 Additionally the Roman Space Telescope
00:17:14 --> 00:17:16 could expand the scope of our Galactic
00:17:16 --> 00:17:18 studies while the Milky Way and
00:17:18 --> 00:17:20 Andromeda are currently the only
00:17:20 --> 00:17:23 Galactic Halos we can study in detail
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 Roman's expansive field of view will
00:17:24 --> 00:17:27 allow astronomers to examine over a 100
00:17:27 --> 00:17:29 fully resolved Galactic halos
00:17:29 --> 00:17:31 this leap in observational capability
00:17:31 --> 00:17:33 means more data more insights and
00:17:33 --> 00:17:35 ultimately a more detailed understanding
00:17:35 --> 00:17:38 of Galaxy formation and dark matter with
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 its high resolution imaging and wide
00:17:39 --> 00:17:42 field of view the Roman Space Telescope
00:17:42 --> 00:17:44 promises to fill in the gaps left by its
00:17:44 --> 00:17:47 predecessors it will allow scientists to
00:17:47 --> 00:17:49 not only observe galaxies as Dynamic
00:17:49 --> 00:17:52 evolving entities but also understand
00:17:52 --> 00:17:54 the intricate processes that govern
00:17:54 --> 00:17:57 their formation and evolution when the
00:17:57 --> 00:17:59 Roman Space Telescope launched
00:17:59 --> 00:18:02 it's expected to fundamentally alter our
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 understanding of the universe and our
00:18:04 --> 00:18:06 place within it by studying galaxies
00:18:06 --> 00:18:09 similar in size and age to the Milky Way
00:18:09 --> 00:18:11 Roman will offer New Perspectives on how
00:18:11 --> 00:18:13 our own Galaxy and by extension our own
00:18:13 --> 00:18:16 solar system and Planet came to be so
00:18:17 --> 00:18:19 set your sights on 2027 when the Roman
00:18:19 --> 00:18:21 Space Telescope embarks on its mission
00:18:21 --> 00:18:23 to capture the universe in ways we've
00:18:23 --> 00:18:25 never seen before it's not just about
00:18:25 --> 00:18:28 looking at the stars it's about peering
00:18:28 --> 00:18:30 into the past to understand the future
00:18:30 --> 00:18:32 the Roman Space Telescope will help us
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 decode the Grand Story written across
00:18:33 --> 00:18:36 the cosmos one Galaxy at a
00:18:37 --> 00:18:39 time that's all for this episode of
00:18:39 --> 00:18:41 astronomy daily we took a journey
00:18:41 --> 00:18:43 through the upcoming annular solar
00:18:43 --> 00:18:45 eclipse on October 2nd explored the
00:18:45 --> 00:18:47 Boeing Starliner Calypso's recent
00:18:47 --> 00:18:50 undocking and Future Crew rotations and
00:18:50 --> 00:18:53 pondered the mysterious 268 day mission
00:18:53 --> 00:18:56 of China's space plane we also examined
00:18:56 --> 00:18:58 our enduring fascination with aliens and
00:18:58 --> 00:19:00 looked forward to the groundbreaking
00:19:00 --> 00:19:02 research set to be conducted by NASA's
00:19:02 --> 00:19:04 Roman Space Telescope I've been your
00:19:04 --> 00:19:06 host Anna and I hope you enjoyed this
00:19:06 --> 00:19:08 episode as much as I did be sure to
00:19:08 --> 00:19:10 visit our website at astronomy daily.
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00:19:12 --> 00:19:14 newsletter to stay updated on all things
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00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 up on the latest news with our
00:19:17 --> 00:19:19 constantly updating Newsfeed and listen
00:19:19 --> 00:19:21 to all our back episodes don't forget to
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00:19:28 --> 00:19:31 looking up a sun
00:19:31 --> 00:19:35 Day St
00:19:35 --> 00:19:49 [Music]