Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S03E182
Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to Podcast for the latest in space and Astronomy news. I'm your host, Anna, and today's episode is a cosmic journey through a variety of fascinating topics that are sure to captivate and inspire.
Highlights:
- Fashion-Forward Spacesuits: Discover the collaboration between Italian luxury brand Prada and Houston-based startup Axiom Space to create the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit for NASA's upcoming Artemis III mission. This cutting-edge spacesuit combines style with functionality, designed to withstand the extreme conditions of the lunar south pole.
- Return of Vega C Rocket : Italy's Vega C rocket is set to make a comeback on December 3, marking a significant milestone for the Italian space program. This launch is eagerly anticipated by the scientific community and the space industry as it resumes its role in delivering payloads to orbit.
- Rare Comet in Australian Skies: Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is visible for the first time in 80,000 years, offering Australians a rare glimpse into the distant past. This celestial event is a reminder of the wonders that await when we look up at the night sky.
- Brown Dwarf Mystery Solved: Astronomers have cracked a nearly 30-year-old mystery surrounding the brown dwarf Gliese 229 b, revealing it as a pair of brown dwarfs locked in a cosmic dance. This discovery provides valuable insights into the nature of brown dwarfs and the boundary between stars and planets.
- Origins of Earth's Meteorites: A groundbreaking discovery traces 70% of Earth's meteorites back to three massive collisions in the main asteroid belt. This research sheds light on the origins of space rocks and helps track potentially dangerous asteroids.
- Martian Solar Eclipse: NASA's Perseverance rover captures a stunning series of photographs of a solar eclipse on Mars, showcasing the planet's moon Phobos as it partially blocks the sun's disk. These images offer a unique glimpse of Phobos and Mars's complex orbital dynamics.
- Boeing's Starliner Mission Uncertainty: NASA faces uncertainties regarding the next crewed mission of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft following issues during its first crewed test flight. The space agency is reviewing certification requirements to ensure safety and reliability for future missions.
For more space news, visit our website at astronomydaily.io (https://www.spacenutspodcast.com) . There, you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, catch up on all the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed, and listen to all our previous episodes.
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Thank you for tuning in. This is Anna signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.
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Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/23536699?utm_source=youtube
00:00:00 --> 00:00:01 welcome to astronomy daily your go-to
00:00:02 --> 00:00:03 podcast for the latest space and
00:00:03 --> 00:00:05 astronomy news I'm your host Anna and
00:00:05 --> 00:00:07 boy do we have an exciting episode for
00:00:07 --> 00:00:09 you today we're covering a wide range of
00:00:09 --> 00:00:11 fascinating topics that are sure to
00:00:11 --> 00:00:13 peque your interest from fashion forward
00:00:13 --> 00:00:15 space suits designed for NASA's upcoming
00:00:15 --> 00:00:17 moon mission to the solution of a
00:00:17 --> 00:00:19 decades old mystery surrounding a
00:00:19 --> 00:00:22 puzzling brown dwarf we've got it all
00:00:22 --> 00:00:24 we'll also be talking about a rare Comet
00:00:24 --> 00:00:26 visible in Australian Skies new insights
00:00:27 --> 00:00:29 into the origins of Earth's meteorites
00:00:29 --> 00:00:31 and even a Martian solar eclipse
00:00:31 --> 00:00:33 captured by one of our trusty Rovers but
00:00:33 --> 00:00:35 that's not all we'll also dive into the
00:00:35 --> 00:00:37 latest updates on space exploration
00:00:37 --> 00:00:39 including some uncertainty surrounding
00:00:39 --> 00:00:41 Boeing's next crude Mission so buckle up
00:00:41 --> 00:00:43 and get ready for a cosmic Journey
00:00:43 --> 00:00:45 Through the latest and greatest in space
00:00:45 --> 00:00:46 and astronomy
00:00:46 --> 00:00:49 news first up today just because you're
00:00:49 --> 00:00:50 going to the Moon doesn't mean you can't
00:00:50 --> 00:00:52 be fashionable in an exciting
00:00:52 --> 00:00:55 collaboration Italian luxury brand Prada
00:00:55 --> 00:00:56 has joined forces with Houston based
00:00:56 --> 00:00:59 startup axium space to create a Cutting
00:00:59 --> 00:01:01 Edge space suit for NASA's upcoming
00:01:01 --> 00:01:03 Artemis 3 mission to the moon this
00:01:03 --> 00:01:06 Mission planned for 2026 will Mark the
00:01:06 --> 00:01:08 first astronaut moon landing since
00:01:08 --> 00:01:09 Apollo 17 in
00:01:09 --> 00:01:12 1972 the new spacit known as the axium
00:01:12 --> 00:01:15 extravehicular mobility unit or axu was
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 recently unveiled at the international
00:01:17 --> 00:01:20 astronautical Congress in Milan while it
00:01:20 --> 00:01:21 maintains The Familiar bulky white
00:01:21 --> 00:01:23 appearance we've come to associate with
00:01:23 --> 00:01:25 space suits It Now features added red
00:01:25 --> 00:01:27 trim and gray patches on the knees and
00:01:27 --> 00:01:30 elbows giving it a subtle yet stylish
00:01:30 --> 00:01:32 update but don't let it Sleek look fool
00:01:32 --> 00:01:34 you this suit is all about function it's
00:01:35 --> 00:01:36 been designed to withstand the extreme
00:01:36 --> 00:01:38 temperatures at the lunar South Pole
00:01:38 --> 00:01:40 including the ability to endure the
00:01:40 --> 00:01:42 coldest temperatures in permanently
00:01:42 --> 00:01:44 shadowed regions for at least 2 hours
00:01:44 --> 00:01:46 the suit will also allow astronauts to
00:01:46 --> 00:01:49 perform space walks for up to 8 hours
00:01:49 --> 00:01:51 showcasing its impressive endurance
00:01:51 --> 00:01:54 capabilities the axim muu has already
00:01:54 --> 00:01:56 undergone extensive testing including
00:01:56 --> 00:01:57 underwater simulations to mimic the
00:01:57 --> 00:02:00 lunar environment as it nears it final
00:02:00 --> 00:02:02 development stage both Prada and axium
00:02:02 --> 00:02:04 space Express pride in their
00:02:04 --> 00:02:06 collaborative effort highlighting how
00:02:06 --> 00:02:08 the combination of their diverse skills
00:02:08 --> 00:02:10 has led to this Innovative
00:02:10 --> 00:02:12 design next up some space news from
00:02:12 --> 00:02:14 Europe in exciting news for space
00:02:14 --> 00:02:16 enthusiasts Italy's Vegas C rocket is
00:02:17 --> 00:02:19 gearing up for a comeback after facing
00:02:19 --> 00:02:20 some setbacks the rocket is now
00:02:20 --> 00:02:22 scheduled to return to active duty on
00:02:22 --> 00:02:24 December 3rd this launch will Mark a
00:02:24 --> 00:02:25 significant milestone for the Italian
00:02:25 --> 00:02:28 space program as the Vegas SE resumes
00:02:28 --> 00:02:30 its role in delivering payloads to orbit
00:02:30 --> 00:02:32 the return to flight is eagerly
00:02:32 --> 00:02:34 anticipated by the scientific community
00:02:34 --> 00:02:36 and space industry alike as it
00:02:36 --> 00:02:38 represents another step forward in
00:02:38 --> 00:02:40 Europe's space
00:02:40 --> 00:02:42 capabilities now one for the Aussies
00:02:42 --> 00:02:44 amongst our listeners stargazers in
00:02:44 --> 00:02:46 Australia get ready for a truly
00:02:46 --> 00:02:49 spectacular site Comet
00:02:49 --> 00:02:53 c223 A3 also known as suchin Shan Atlas
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 is gracing our skies for the first time
00:02:55 --> 00:02:58 in a staggering 880 years this
00:02:58 --> 00:03:00 Celestial Wanderer has already been
00:03:00 --> 00:03:02 turning heads in the Northern Hemisphere
00:03:02 --> 00:03:04 and now it's Australia's turn to witness
00:03:04 --> 00:03:06 this rare Cosmic event this comet is not
00:03:06 --> 00:03:09 just any ordinary Space Rock it's a time
00:03:09 --> 00:03:10 capsule from the very formation of our
00:03:10 --> 00:03:13 solar system offering us a glimpse into
00:03:13 --> 00:03:16 the distant past measuring about 3.2 km
00:03:16 --> 00:03:20 across c2023 A3 hailes from the
00:03:20 --> 00:03:24 mysterious ort Cloud a vast shell of icy
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 objects surrounding our solar system
00:03:26 --> 00:03:28 what makes this visitor so special is
00:03:28 --> 00:03:31 its Rarity the last time it passed by
00:03:31 --> 00:03:33 Earth our planet was still in the grip
00:03:33 --> 00:03:35 of the Ice Age with mammoths and
00:03:35 --> 00:03:38 saber-tooth cats roaming the land it's
00:03:38 --> 00:03:40 mind-boggling to think about the changes
00:03:40 --> 00:03:42 our world has undergone since its last
00:03:42 --> 00:03:45 visit for the best view keep your eyes
00:03:45 --> 00:03:46 on the western Horizon during early
00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 evening the bright planet Venus can
00:03:49 --> 00:03:51 serve as a helpful reference point while
00:03:51 --> 00:03:54 visible to the naked eye binoculars or a
00:03:54 --> 00:03:56 small telescope will give you an even
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 better look at this Cosmic traveler and
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 its characteristic Tales
00:04:00 --> 00:04:02 don't miss this once in a-lifetime
00:04:02 --> 00:04:04 opportunity to see a piece of our solar
00:04:04 --> 00:04:08 systems ancient history comment see
00:04:08 --> 00:04:11 2023 A3 is a reminder of the Wonders
00:04:11 --> 00:04:12 that await us when we look up at the
00:04:12 --> 00:04:13 night
00:04:13 --> 00:04:16 sky next an ongoing mystery is solved in
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 a fascinating breakthrough astronomers
00:04:18 --> 00:04:20 have finally cracked a nearly
00:04:20 --> 00:04:21 30-year-old mystery surrounding the
00:04:21 --> 00:04:23 brown dwarf glea
00:04:23 --> 00:04:25 229b it turns out what we thought was a
00:04:26 --> 00:04:28 single celestial object is actually a
00:04:28 --> 00:04:30 pair of brown dwarfs locked locked in a
00:04:30 --> 00:04:32 cosmic dance Brown dwarfs for those
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 unfamiliar are fascinating objects that
00:04:34 --> 00:04:36 straddle the line between planets and
00:04:36 --> 00:04:38 stars they're more massive than planets
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 but not quite Hefty enough to sustain
00:04:40 --> 00:04:42 the nuclear fusion that powers stars
00:04:42 --> 00:04:43 gisa
00:04:43 --> 00:04:46 229b discovered back in 1995 has long
00:04:46 --> 00:04:48 been considered the poster child for
00:04:48 --> 00:04:50 brown dwarfs and has been the subject of
00:04:50 --> 00:04:53 numerous studies however something
00:04:53 --> 00:04:55 always seemed off about glea
00:04:55 --> 00:04:58 229b given its apparent Mass it should
00:04:58 --> 00:05:00 have been much brighter than observed D
00:05:00 --> 00:05:02 this discrepancy has puzzled scientists
00:05:02 --> 00:05:04 for decades until now using Advanced
00:05:04 --> 00:05:06 instruments at the very large telescope
00:05:06 --> 00:05:08 in Chile researchers have revealed that
00:05:08 --> 00:05:09 glea
00:05:09 --> 00:05:12 229b is actually two separate Brown
00:05:12 --> 00:05:15 dwarfs these Cosmic twins now dubbed
00:05:15 --> 00:05:19 gisa 229 ba and glea 229 BB are roughly
00:05:19 --> 00:05:22 38 and 34 times the mass of Jupiter
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 respectively they orbit each other every
00:05:24 --> 00:05:27 12 days far too close for previous
00:05:27 --> 00:05:28 observations to distinguish them as
00:05:28 --> 00:05:30 separate objects
00:05:30 --> 00:05:32 this discovery not only solves the
00:05:32 --> 00:05:34 long-standing brightness puzzle but also
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 provides valuable insights into the
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 nature of brown dwarfs and the fuzzy
00:05:38 --> 00:05:41 boundary between stars and planets it's
00:05:41 --> 00:05:44 a reminder that in astronomy as in life
00:05:44 --> 00:05:45 things aren't always what they seem at
00:05:46 --> 00:05:47 first
00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 glance scientists have recently made a
00:05:49 --> 00:05:50 groundbreaking discovery about the
00:05:50 --> 00:05:52 origins of meteorites that have fallen
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 to Earth it turns out that a whopping
00:05:54 --> 00:05:57 70% of the 70 meteorites found on
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 our planet can be traced back to just
00:05:59 --> 00:06:01 three massive collisions in the main
00:06:01 --> 00:06:03 asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter
00:06:03 --> 00:06:07 these Cosmic smash-ups occurred 5.8 7.5
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 and 40 million years ago creating three
00:06:09 --> 00:06:11 young asteroid families known as Karen
00:06:11 --> 00:06:14 coronis and masalia each of these
00:06:14 --> 00:06:16 families formed when asteroids at least
00:06:16 --> 00:06:19 30 km across were destroyed sending
00:06:19 --> 00:06:20 countless fragments hurdling through
00:06:20 --> 00:06:23 space what's particularly fascinating is
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 that these findings have solved a
00:06:25 --> 00:06:27 longstanding mystery about the two most
00:06:27 --> 00:06:30 common types of meteorites H condres and
00:06:30 --> 00:06:33 L condres the masalia family alone
00:06:33 --> 00:06:37 accounts for 37% of meteorites including
00:06:37 --> 00:06:39 many l condres from a collision 40
00:06:39 --> 00:06:42 million years ago this research not only
00:06:42 --> 00:06:44 sheds light on the origins of the space
00:06:44 --> 00:06:46 rocks we find on Earth but also helps us
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 track potentially dangerous asteroids
00:06:48 --> 00:06:50 that could pose a threat to our planet
00:06:51 --> 00:06:52 it's a reminder of how interconnected
00:06:52 --> 00:06:54 our solar system is and how events
00:06:54 --> 00:06:56 millions of miles away and millions of
00:06:56 --> 00:06:58 years ago continue to impact us
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 today seems everyone's looking skywards
00:07:00 --> 00:07:03 at the moment even on Mars in an
00:07:03 --> 00:07:05 exciting development from the red planet
00:07:05 --> 00:07:07 NASA's perseverance Rover has captured a
00:07:07 --> 00:07:08 stunning series of photographs
00:07:08 --> 00:07:11 showcasing a solar eclipse on Mars on
00:07:11 --> 00:07:13 September 30th the Rover's left Mass
00:07:13 --> 00:07:15 camz camera turned Skyward to capture
00:07:15 --> 00:07:18 the planet's Moon Phobos as it partially
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 blocked the sun's disc these images
00:07:20 --> 00:07:22 offer a unique glimpse of Phobos
00:07:22 --> 00:07:24 revealing its distinctive potato likee
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 shape unlike our spherical Moon Phobos
00:07:26 --> 00:07:28 is an irregularly shaped Celestial body
00:07:28 --> 00:07:32 measuring rough L 17 M by 14 M by 11 Mi
00:07:32 --> 00:07:34 it's a swift mover orbiting Mars at an
00:07:34 --> 00:07:37 incredibly close distance of just 3
00:07:37 --> 00:07:39 miles and completing three orbits in a
00:07:39 --> 00:07:41 single Martian day this isn't the first
00:07:41 --> 00:07:43 time perseverance has captured such an
00:07:43 --> 00:07:46 event the Rover also photographed Phobos
00:07:46 --> 00:07:49 transiting the sun in April 2022 and
00:07:49 --> 00:07:52 February 2024 in fact perseverance is
00:07:52 --> 00:07:54 carrying on a proud tradition started by
00:07:54 --> 00:07:56 its predecessors NASA's spirit and
00:07:56 --> 00:07:58 opportunity Rovers first observed phobo
00:07:58 --> 00:08:01 solar Transit back in 2004 while
00:08:01 --> 00:08:03 curiosity made history by recording the
00:08:03 --> 00:08:05 first video of one in
00:08:05 --> 00:08:07 2019 these observations aren't just for
00:08:07 --> 00:08:09 show they help scientists better
00:08:09 --> 00:08:12 understand Mars's moons and the planet's
00:08:12 --> 00:08:14 complex orbital Dynamics it's a reminder
00:08:14 --> 00:08:16 that our robotic explorers on Mars are
00:08:16 --> 00:08:18 not only searching for signs of ancient
00:08:18 --> 00:08:20 life but also acting as interplanetary
00:08:20 --> 00:08:23 astronomers giving us a new perspective
00:08:23 --> 00:08:25 on celestial events from another
00:08:25 --> 00:08:28 world now an update to an ongoing story
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 NASA is still grapping with uncertainty
00:08:30 --> 00:08:31 regarding the next crude mission of
00:08:31 --> 00:08:34 Boeing Starliner spacecraft this comes
00:08:34 --> 00:08:35 in the wake of issues that arose during
00:08:36 --> 00:08:37 its first crude test flight earlier this
00:08:37 --> 00:08:39 year the space agency is currently in
00:08:40 --> 00:08:41 the process of reviewing the
00:08:41 --> 00:08:43 certification requirements for Starliner
00:08:43 --> 00:08:45 a crucial step before giving the green
00:08:45 --> 00:08:48 light for future missions the potential
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 next crude mission to the International
00:08:49 --> 00:08:53 Space Station initially slated for 2025
00:08:53 --> 00:08:55 is now up in the air NASA officials have
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 stated that the timeline will be
00:08:57 --> 00:08:59 determined once they have a better grasp
00:08:59 --> 00:09:01 on both Boeing's path to system
00:09:01 --> 00:09:03 certification this thorough review is
00:09:03 --> 00:09:05 essential to ensure the safety and
00:09:05 --> 00:09:07 reliability of the spacecraft for future
00:09:07 --> 00:09:09 astronaut transport the first crude test
00:09:09 --> 00:09:12 flight known as crew flight test or CFT
00:09:12 --> 00:09:15 launched successfully on June 5th
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 however problems arose during the
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 docking procedure with the ISS on June
00:09:19 --> 00:09:21 6th five out of 28 thrusters in the
00:09:21 --> 00:09:23 capsule's reaction control system
00:09:23 --> 00:09:25 experienced issues causing a delay in
00:09:25 --> 00:09:28 the docking process while the astronauts
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 ultimately arrived safe at the space
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 station these unexpected hurdles have
00:09:32 --> 00:09:34 prompted NASA to take a closer look at
00:09:34 --> 00:09:37 Starliner systems as a result of these
00:09:37 --> 00:09:40 ongoing evaluations NASA has had to make
00:09:40 --> 00:09:41 some adjustments to its crude flight
00:09:41 --> 00:09:44 schedule the two CFT astronauts Butch
00:09:44 --> 00:09:46 Wilmore and Sun Williams who are
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 currently aboard the ISS have been
00:09:48 --> 00:09:50 reassigned to return to Earth on a
00:09:50 --> 00:09:53 SpaceX crew Dragon capsule in February
00:09:53 --> 00:09:56 2025 NASA emphasizes that they're
00:09:56 --> 00:09:58 committed to providing more information
00:09:58 --> 00:09:59 as it becomes available
00:09:59 --> 00:10:01 the agency is working diligently with
00:10:01 --> 00:10:03 Boeing to address these challenges and
00:10:03 --> 00:10:05 ensure that Starliner meets all
00:10:05 --> 00:10:06 necessary safety and performance
00:10:06 --> 00:10:09 standards before its next crude mission
00:10:09 --> 00:10:11 for now the space Community watches and
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 waits as NASA and Boeing continue their
00:10:13 --> 00:10:15 rigorous review
00:10:15 --> 00:10:17 process and that brings us to the end of
00:10:17 --> 00:10:19 today's Journey Through the cosmos from
00:10:19 --> 00:10:21 cuttingedge space suits to ancient
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 comets we've covered quite a bit of
00:10:23 --> 00:10:26 ground or should I say space I hope
00:10:26 --> 00:10:27 you've enjoyed this Interstellar
00:10:27 --> 00:10:29 Adventure as much as I have before we
00:10:29 --> 00:10:31 sign off I want to remind you that the
00:10:31 --> 00:10:33 universe is always changing and there's
00:10:33 --> 00:10:35 always more to discover if you're hungry
00:10:35 --> 00:10:37 for more space news and want to stay up
00:10:37 --> 00:10:39 to date with the latest astronomical
00:10:39 --> 00:10:41 happenings head over to our website at
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00:11:22 --> 00:11:24 questions you might have remember the
00:11:24 --> 00:11:26 sky is not the limit it's just the
00:11:26 --> 00:11:29 beginning keep looking up stay curious
00:11:29 --> 00:11:30 and I'll catch you next time for another
00:11:30 --> 00:11:33 exciting episode of astronomy daily this
00:11:33 --> 00:11:35 is Anna signing off and wishing you
00:11:35 --> 00:11:42 clear skies and bright stars
00:11:42 --> 00:11:57 [Music]