00:00:00 --> 00:00:01 welcome to astronomy daily your source
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 for the latest space and astronomy news
00:00:04 --> 00:00:05 I'm your host Anna and today we've got
00:00:06 --> 00:00:07 an exciting lineup of stories from
00:00:08 --> 00:00:09 Parker solar probe's historic solar
00:00:09 --> 00:00:11 approach to a rare astronomical event
00:00:11 --> 00:00:13 closing out the year there's certainly a
00:00:13 --> 00:00:15 lot going on even though it's holiday
00:00:15 --> 00:00:17 time so let's get started with today's
00:00:18 --> 00:00:19 history making news
00:00:19 --> 00:00:23 first in a remarkable achievement NASA's
00:00:23 --> 00:00:25 Parker solar probe has just successfully
00:00:25 --> 00:00:27 completed its closest ever pass to the
00:00:27 --> 00:00:31 sun breaking its own previous record on
00:00:31 --> 00:00:33 December 24th the spacecraft flew an
00:00:33 --> 00:00:36 astounding 3.8 million miles above the
00:00:36 --> 00:00:38 solar surface hurdling through the solar
00:00:38 --> 00:00:42 atmosphere at a blazing speed of 430
00:00:42 --> 00:00:45 mph faster than any human-made object in
00:00:45 --> 00:00:47 history the mission teams received
00:00:47 --> 00:00:49 confirmation late on December 26th when
00:00:49 --> 00:00:51 it phoned home so to speak that the
00:00:51 --> 00:00:53 spacecraft had successfully survived
00:00:54 --> 00:00:56 this extreme encounter and is operating
00:00:56 --> 00:00:58 normally this incredible feat wasn't
00:00:58 --> 00:01:00 just a one-time event it's the first of
00:01:00 --> 00:01:03 several planned passes at this distance
00:01:03 --> 00:01:05 setting up the probe for unprecedented
00:01:05 --> 00:01:08 scientific observations of our star the
00:01:08 --> 00:01:10 spacecraft has spent the last six years
00:01:10 --> 00:01:13 preparing for this moment using seven
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 strategic flybys of Venus to gradually
00:01:15 --> 00:01:18 adjust its orbit following its final
00:01:18 --> 00:01:20 Venus flyby in November Parker solar
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 probe reached its optimal trajectory
00:01:22 --> 00:01:24 which will bring it close to the Sun
00:01:24 --> 00:01:27 every 3 months near enough to study
00:01:27 --> 00:01:29 mysterious solar processes but
00:01:29 --> 00:01:30 maintaining a safe distance from the
00:01:30 --> 00:01:33 sun's intense heat and radiation to
00:01:33 --> 00:01:35 survive these Close Encounters the probe
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 relies on a sophisticated carbon foam
00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 Shield that protects it from
00:01:39 --> 00:01:42 temperatures exceeding 1 million de F in
00:01:42 --> 00:01:45 the Solar Corona while the shield itself
00:01:45 --> 00:01:50 heats up to around 1, 1800° fah it keeps
00:01:50 --> 00:01:52 the scientific instruments behind it at
00:01:52 --> 00:01:55 a comfortable room temperature these
00:01:55 --> 00:01:57 close passes are already revolutionizing
00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 our understanding of the sun previous
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 approach have revealed that the outer
00:02:01 --> 00:02:03 boundary of the corona is more complex
00:02:03 --> 00:02:05 than expected with unexpected wrinkles
00:02:05 --> 00:02:08 and valleys the probe has also
00:02:08 --> 00:02:10 identified the origin of important solar
00:02:10 --> 00:02:12 wind structures and is helping
00:02:12 --> 00:02:14 scientists better understand how the
00:02:14 --> 00:02:16 solar wind accelerates as it leaves the
00:02:16 --> 00:02:18 sun this Mission represents a historic
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 moment in space exploration marking
00:02:21 --> 00:02:23 Humanity's First Direct investigation of
00:02:23 --> 00:02:25 a star and Promises to unlock new
00:02:25 --> 00:02:27 mysteries about our Sun's behavior and
00:02:27 --> 00:02:30 its effects throughout the solar system
00:02:30 --> 00:02:33 moving on Blue origin has just hit two
00:02:33 --> 00:02:34 major milestones in their Journey
00:02:35 --> 00:02:36 towards launching their massive new
00:02:36 --> 00:02:39 Glenn rocket the company successfully
00:02:39 --> 00:02:41 completed an integrated hot fire test of
00:02:41 --> 00:02:43 the fully assembled launch vehicle at
00:02:43 --> 00:02:47 launch complex 36 in Cape Canaveral
00:02:47 --> 00:02:49 Florida during this crucial 24 second
00:02:50 --> 00:02:53 test all seven B4 engines operated
00:02:53 --> 00:02:56 flawlessly including 13 seconds at full
00:02:56 --> 00:02:59 thrust this wasn't just a simple engine
00:02:59 --> 00:03:01 test the demonstration involved the
00:03:01 --> 00:03:03 complete flight vehicle including both
00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 first and second stages along with test
00:03:05 --> 00:03:07 versions of the payload Fairing and
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 various other components teams conducted
00:03:09 --> 00:03:12 multiple days of preparation including
00:03:12 --> 00:03:14 tanking tests with both liquid natural
00:03:14 --> 00:03:17 gas and liquid oxygen in the first stage
00:03:17 --> 00:03:19 and liquid hydrogen and oxygen in the
00:03:19 --> 00:03:22 second stage adding to this technical
00:03:22 --> 00:03:23 achievement the Federal Aviation
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 Administration has granted blue origin a
00:03:26 --> 00:03:28 part 450 commercial launch license for
00:03:28 --> 00:03:31 new Glenn this 5-year authorization
00:03:31 --> 00:03:34 marks a significant regulatory Milestone
00:03:34 --> 00:03:35 clearing the way for actual flight
00:03:35 --> 00:03:38 operations new Glenn stands an
00:03:38 --> 00:03:40 impressive 321 ft tall with a first
00:03:41 --> 00:03:42 stage designed to land propulsively
00:03:42 --> 00:03:46 similar to spacex's Falcon 9 those seven
00:03:46 --> 00:03:48 B4 engines that performed so well in the
00:03:48 --> 00:03:50 test are the same ones currently
00:03:50 --> 00:03:52 powering United launch alliance's Vulcan
00:03:52 --> 00:03:54 rocket giving blue origin valuable
00:03:54 --> 00:03:56 flight experience with their engine
00:03:56 --> 00:03:59 design before new Glenn's first launch
00:03:59 --> 00:04:01 when new Glenn does take flight it will
00:04:01 --> 00:04:03 carry the blue ring Pathfinder as its
00:04:03 --> 00:04:05 first payload this Mission will serve as
00:04:05 --> 00:04:08 a crucial step in certifying the rocket
00:04:08 --> 00:04:09 for National Security space launch
00:04:09 --> 00:04:12 missions potentially opening the door to
00:04:12 --> 00:04:14 lucrative government
00:04:14 --> 00:04:16 contracts with multiple Vehicles already
00:04:17 --> 00:04:19 in production and a growing manifest of
00:04:19 --> 00:04:21 commercial and government customers blue
00:04:21 --> 00:04:24 origin appears well positioned to join
00:04:24 --> 00:04:26 the ranks of major launch providers in
00:04:26 --> 00:04:27 the near
00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 future you know how I keep telling you
00:04:29 --> 00:04:31 to get outside and look up well it's
00:04:31 --> 00:04:33 about to pay off stargazers and
00:04:33 --> 00:04:35 astronomy enthusiasts are in for a treat
00:04:35 --> 00:04:37 as we approach the end of December with
00:04:37 --> 00:04:39 a rare astronomical phenomenon known as
00:04:40 --> 00:04:42 a black moon set to occur on December
00:04:42 --> 00:04:46 30th at 5:27 p.m. eastern time while the
00:04:46 --> 00:04:48 term isn't officially recognized by
00:04:48 --> 00:04:50 astronomers it refers to the second new
00:04:50 --> 00:04:52 moon occurring within a single calendar
00:04:52 --> 00:04:55 month similar to how a blue moon
00:04:55 --> 00:04:57 describes a second full moon in a month
00:04:57 --> 00:05:00 during a new moon the Sun and moon share
00:05:00 --> 00:05:02 the same Celestial longitude meaning the
00:05:03 --> 00:05:05 illuminated side of the moon faces away
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 from Earth making it invisible to
00:05:07 --> 00:05:09 observers while we can't see the moon
00:05:09 --> 00:05:12 itself this absence of moonlight creates
00:05:12 --> 00:05:13 perfect conditions for viewing other
00:05:13 --> 00:05:16 celestial objects the timing couldn't be
00:05:16 --> 00:05:17 better for winter stargazing in North
00:05:17 --> 00:05:20 America where the typically drier air
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 offers exceptional viewing conditions
00:05:22 --> 00:05:25 through telescopes the night sky will be
00:05:25 --> 00:05:27 particularly active with several planets
00:05:27 --> 00:05:29 visible to observers Venus and Saturn
00:05:30 --> 00:05:31 will Grace the southwestern sky in the
00:05:31 --> 00:05:34 evening hours while Jupiter will be
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 prominently positioned in the East
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 appearing near the bright star Al dearin
00:05:38 --> 00:05:41 in Taurus the winter constellations will
00:05:41 --> 00:05:43 be on full display with Orion the hunter
00:05:43 --> 00:05:46 taking center stage in the Eastern Sky
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 look for the distinctive three stars of
00:05:48 --> 00:05:50 Orion's Belt and the bright stars
00:05:50 --> 00:05:52 Beetlejuice and Riel marking his
00:05:52 --> 00:05:55 shoulder and foot the HED star cluster
00:05:55 --> 00:05:57 forming the face of Taurus the Bull will
00:05:57 --> 00:06:00 be visible above Orion while Sirus the
00:06:00 --> 00:06:02 brightest star in our night sky will
00:06:02 --> 00:06:05 shine brilliantly as part of Canis Major
00:06:05 --> 00:06:07 below for those willing to stay up later
00:06:08 --> 00:06:10 Leo the Lion will rise in the east
00:06:10 --> 00:06:12 marked by the bright star regulus and
00:06:12 --> 00:06:14 its distinctive sickle-shaped pattern of
00:06:14 --> 00:06:17 stars forming the lion's mane this
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 moonless night offers an exceptional
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 opportunity to observe these Celestial
00:06:21 --> 00:06:24 wonders in all their Glory
00:06:24 --> 00:06:28 enjoy in more news today about our star
00:06:28 --> 00:06:29 the sun put on quite a Christmas light
00:06:29 --> 00:06:31 show this year with our star unleashing
00:06:31 --> 00:06:33 four powerful solar flares within just 2
00:06:33 --> 00:06:36 and 1/2 hours on December 25th the most
00:06:36 --> 00:06:38 significant of these eruptions was
00:06:38 --> 00:06:41 classified as an M7 three flare bursting
00:06:41 --> 00:06:44 forth from a region known as AR
00:06:44 --> 00:06:47 3 at 105 p.m. eastern time these
00:06:47 --> 00:06:49 synchronized explosions known as
00:06:49 --> 00:06:52 sympathetic solar flares are quite rare
00:06:52 --> 00:06:53 and occurred across three different
00:06:53 --> 00:06:56 Sunspot regions ar
00:06:56 --> 00:06:59 3 ar 393
00:06:59 --> 00:07:02 3 and AR
00:07:02 --> 00:07:04 3936 what makes this event particularly
00:07:05 --> 00:07:06 interesting is that despite being
00:07:06 --> 00:07:09 spatially separated on the sun's surface
00:07:09 --> 00:07:11 these regions were actually connected by
00:07:11 --> 00:07:14 invisible magnetic Loops causing them to
00:07:14 --> 00:07:17 erupt in concert like a cosmic Chain
00:07:17 --> 00:07:19 Reaction the National Oceanic and
00:07:19 --> 00:07:21 Atmospheric administration's solar
00:07:21 --> 00:07:23 monitoring satellites captured these
00:07:23 --> 00:07:25 spectacular eruptions which resembled
00:07:25 --> 00:07:27 festive twinkling lights on a cosmic
00:07:27 --> 00:07:30 scale while these flares were impressive
00:07:30 --> 00:07:32 the resulting coronal mass ejection
00:07:32 --> 00:07:34 that's the supercharged plasma bubble
00:07:34 --> 00:07:37 that gets hurled into space is expected
00:07:37 --> 00:07:39 to pass just north of Earth meaning
00:07:39 --> 00:07:41 we'll likely miss out on any Aurora
00:07:41 --> 00:07:44 displays this time however there's still
00:07:44 --> 00:07:46 hope for some Celestial fireworks before
00:07:46 --> 00:07:49 the year ends scientists are confident
00:07:49 --> 00:07:50 that the sun will maintain its active
00:07:50 --> 00:07:53 State through the remainder of
00:07:53 --> 00:07:56 2024 all it takes is one well- aimed
00:07:56 --> 00:07:58 powerful flare to treat us to a
00:07:58 --> 00:08:00 spectacular Aurora show as we approach
00:08:00 --> 00:08:03 the new year so keep looking up these
00:08:03 --> 00:08:04 Christmas flares serve as another
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 reminder of Our Stars incredible power
00:08:06 --> 00:08:08 and unpredictability as we continue to
00:08:08 --> 00:08:11 Monitor and study its Dynamic Behavior
00:08:11 --> 00:08:13 the sun's increasing activity gives
00:08:13 --> 00:08:15 scientists valuable opportunities to
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 better understand these powerful solar
00:08:17 --> 00:08:20 phenomena and their potential impacts on
00:08:20 --> 00:08:22 Earth in a significant development for
00:08:22 --> 00:08:25 Mars exploration NASA administrator Bill
00:08:25 --> 00:08:27 Nelson Has revealed that a major
00:08:27 --> 00:08:29 announcement about the Mars sample
00:08:29 --> 00:08:31 return Mission redesign is coming in
00:08:31 --> 00:08:34 early January this highly anticipated
00:08:34 --> 00:08:36 decision aims to address the mounting
00:08:36 --> 00:08:38 concerns over the Project's timeline and
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 budget that have emerged in recent
00:08:40 --> 00:08:43 months the original Mission design
00:08:43 --> 00:08:46 carrying an estimated price tag of 11
00:08:46 --> 00:08:49 billion and a sample return date of 2040
00:08:49 --> 00:08:52 was deemed unsustainable by NASA
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 leadership Nelson emphasized that this
00:08:54 --> 00:08:56 timeline would conflict with NASA's
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 broader Mars exploration goals
00:08:58 --> 00:09:00 particularly since the agency plans to
00:09:00 --> 00:09:03 Have astronauts on the red planet by the
00:09:03 --> 00:09:06 2040s the redesign effort has taken an
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 Innovative approach by actively
00:09:07 --> 00:09:10 involving Private Industry Partners
00:09:10 --> 00:09:13 alongside NASA's traditional centers
00:09:13 --> 00:09:15 early indications suggest this strategy
00:09:15 --> 00:09:17 is yielding promising results with
00:09:17 --> 00:09:19 proposals that could significantly
00:09:19 --> 00:09:22 reduce costs and accelerate the mission
00:09:22 --> 00:09:24 timeline this shift in strategy comes
00:09:24 --> 00:09:26 after a comprehensive review by an
00:09:26 --> 00:09:28 independent review board highlighted
00:09:28 --> 00:09:30 serious concerns about the Project's
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 scope and feasibility the mission's
00:09:32 --> 00:09:34 complexity is substantial involving
00:09:34 --> 00:09:36 multiple spacecraft components including
00:09:36 --> 00:09:39 a Lander a rocket to launch samples from
00:09:39 --> 00:09:41 Mars's surface and an Orbiter to
00:09:41 --> 00:09:44 transport the samples back to Earth the
00:09:44 --> 00:09:46 urgency behind this redesign is driven
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 by the fact that the perseverance Rover
00:09:48 --> 00:09:51 is already on Mars actively collecting
00:09:51 --> 00:09:54 and caching samples these precious
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 materials represent an unprecedented
00:09:55 --> 00:09:57 opportunity to study mars' geological
00:09:57 --> 00:09:59 history and potential signs of ancient
00:09:59 --> 00:10:02 life making the success of the sample
00:10:02 --> 00:10:04 return Mission crucial for our
00:10:04 --> 00:10:06 understanding of the red planet NASA's
00:10:06 --> 00:10:08 leadership is optimistic that the new
00:10:08 --> 00:10:10 industry involved approach will provide
00:10:10 --> 00:10:13 a more practical path forward ensuring
00:10:13 --> 00:10:15 these valuable Martian samples make it
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 back to Earth for study before human
00:10:16 --> 00:10:19 missions begin the upcoming announcement
00:10:19 --> 00:10:21 is expected to detail significant
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 changes to the mission architecture
00:10:23 --> 00:10:26 while maintaining its core scientific
00:10:26 --> 00:10:29 objectives and that's it for today this
00:10:29 --> 00:10:31 is Anna signing off from another
00:10:31 --> 00:10:33 fascinating episode of astronomy daily
00:10:33 --> 00:10:35 if you want to stay up toate with all
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 the latest developments in space
00:10:36 --> 00:10:38 exploration and astronomy head over to
00:10:38 --> 00:10:40 our website at astronomy
00:10:40 --> 00:10:43 daily. where our Newsfeed is constantly
00:10:43 --> 00:10:44 updated with the most recent stories
00:10:44 --> 00:10:47 from across the cosmos and don't forget
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 to join our growing community on social
00:10:49 --> 00:10:51 media you can find us as Astro daily pod
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00:10:56 --> 00:10:58 looking up and stay curious about our
00:10:58 --> 00:11:02 amazing Universe see you soon