00:00:00 --> 00:00:00 [Music]
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 welcome to astronomy daily I'm Anna and
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 you're in for quite a fascinating show
00:00:04 --> 00:00:06 today we've got a great lineup of
00:00:06 --> 00:00:08 stories that showcase just how rapidly
00:00:08 --> 00:00:10 our understanding of the cosmos
00:00:10 --> 00:00:13 continues to evolve from NASA's
00:00:13 --> 00:00:15 ambitious new spherex Mission beginning
00:00:15 --> 00:00:17 its journey to map hundreds of millions
00:00:17 --> 00:00:19 of galaxies to some dramatic
00:00:19 --> 00:00:22 developments in lunar exploration and a
00:00:22 --> 00:00:24 mind-bending discovery from the James
00:00:24 --> 00:00:26 web Space Telescope that suggests our
00:00:26 --> 00:00:28 entire universe might be inside a black
00:00:28 --> 00:00:31 hole yes you heard that right we'll also
00:00:31 --> 00:00:33 look at a groundbreaking new map of our
00:00:33 --> 00:00:35 galaxy that's helping astronomers see
00:00:35 --> 00:00:37 through the cosmic dust that surrounds
00:00:37 --> 00:00:39 us it's an exciting time in space
00:00:39 --> 00:00:41 exploration and we've got all the latest
00:00:41 --> 00:00:43 developments coming right
00:00:43 --> 00:00:46 up NASA has just confirmed a major
00:00:46 --> 00:00:48 milestone in space exploration with
00:00:48 --> 00:00:50 their sphex mission successfully
00:00:50 --> 00:00:53 establishing contact and beginning its
00:00:53 --> 00:00:55 groundbreaking science operations this
00:00:55 --> 00:00:57 extraordinary Observatory is now
00:00:57 --> 00:00:59 preparing for what promises to be a
00:00:59 --> 00:01:02 revolution 2-year survey of our Cosmic
00:01:02 --> 00:01:05 neighborhood spherex which stands for
00:01:05 --> 00:01:07 spectr photometer for the history of the
00:01:07 --> 00:01:09 universe epic of reionization and Isis
00:01:09 --> 00:01:12 Explorer will undertake the ambitious
00:01:12 --> 00:01:14 task of mapping more than 450 million
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 galaxies and over 100 million stars in
00:01:17 --> 00:01:20 our own Milky Way but this isn't just
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 about counting celestial objects the
00:01:22 --> 00:01:24 mission aims to answer some of the most
00:01:24 --> 00:01:26 fundamental questions about our universe
00:01:26 --> 00:01:28 in the coming weeks Mission controllers
00:01:28 --> 00:01:31 will be fine-tuning the Observatory
00:01:31 --> 00:01:33 conducting crucial calibrations and
00:01:33 --> 00:01:35 cooling the telescope to its optimal
00:01:35 --> 00:01:38 operating temperature once everything is
00:01:38 --> 00:01:40 properly aligned and configured sphex
00:01:40 --> 00:01:42 will begin creating what will become the
00:01:42 --> 00:01:45 most comprehensive 3D map of the entire
00:01:45 --> 00:01:48 Sky ever attempted one of the mission's
00:01:48 --> 00:01:49 primary objectives is to investigate a
00:01:49 --> 00:01:52 phenomenon called Cosmic inflation that
00:01:52 --> 00:01:54 brief moment just after the big bang
00:01:54 --> 00:01:56 when the universe expanded faster than
00:01:56 --> 00:01:59 the speed of light the telescope will
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 also measure the collective glow from
00:02:01 --> 00:02:03 galaxies including those that are too
00:02:03 --> 00:02:04 faint or distant to be observed
00:02:04 --> 00:02:07 individually perhaps most intriguingly
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 spherex will search our galaxy for
00:02:09 --> 00:02:11 hidden reservoirs of water carbon
00:02:11 --> 00:02:13 dioxide and other ingredients essential
00:02:13 --> 00:02:16 for life this could provide valuable
00:02:16 --> 00:02:17 insights into how common these
00:02:17 --> 00:02:19 life-supporting materials are throughout
00:02:19 --> 00:02:22 the cosmos what makes spherex
00:02:22 --> 00:02:25 particularly special is its ability to
00:02:25 --> 00:02:26 complement the work of other space
00:02:26 --> 00:02:30 telescopes like Hubble and James web
00:02:30 --> 00:02:32 while those observatories focus on
00:02:32 --> 00:02:34 specific Targets in great detail sphx
00:02:34 --> 00:02:36 will scan vast sections of the sky
00:02:37 --> 00:02:40 quickly creating an unprecedented Cosmic
00:02:40 --> 00:02:42 census better yet all of this data will
00:02:42 --> 00:02:44 be freely available to scientists
00:02:44 --> 00:02:46 worldwide essentially providing a new
00:02:46 --> 00:02:49 Encyclopedia of hundreds of millions of
00:02:49 --> 00:02:50 cosmic
00:02:50 --> 00:02:52 objects the past few weeks have brought
00:02:52 --> 00:02:55 us a mixed bag of lunar Landing updates
00:02:55 --> 00:02:56 with some remarkable achievements
00:02:56 --> 00:02:59 alongside sobering challenges let's
00:02:59 --> 00:03:01 start with the exciting news from
00:03:01 --> 00:03:04 Firefly aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission
00:03:04 --> 00:03:05 which touched down successfully in the
00:03:05 --> 00:03:09 moon's Mar chissum region on March 2nd
00:03:09 --> 00:03:10 this Landing gave us something we've
00:03:10 --> 00:03:13 never seen before unprecedented footage
00:03:13 --> 00:03:15 of a lunar touchdown captured by special
00:03:15 --> 00:03:17 cameras designed to study how spacecraft
00:03:17 --> 00:03:20 interact with the moon's surface the
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 scalps camera system aboard Blu ghost
00:03:22 --> 00:03:25 recorded the entire descent sequence
00:03:25 --> 00:03:27 starting from about 91 ft above the
00:03:27 --> 00:03:30 surface these images showed us exact
00:03:30 --> 00:03:31 what happens when a spacecraft's engine
00:03:31 --> 00:03:35 plumes first interact with lunar soil at
00:03:35 --> 00:03:37 around 49 ft up creating a fascinating
00:03:37 --> 00:03:40 dance of dust and regolith that will
00:03:40 --> 00:03:42 help Engineers design safer future
00:03:42 --> 00:03:44 Landings if you'd like to see some of
00:03:44 --> 00:03:46 the video footage and check out more
00:03:46 --> 00:03:48 details take a look at our latest blog
00:03:48 --> 00:03:51 post on our website at astronomy
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 daily. however not all recent lunar
00:03:53 --> 00:03:56 missions have enjoyed such success
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 intuitive machines Athena Lander faced
00:03:58 --> 00:03:59 significant challenges during its land
00:03:59 --> 00:04:02 attempt last week while the spacecraft
00:04:02 --> 00:04:03 performed flawlessly during its Journey
00:04:03 --> 00:04:06 To The Moon a critical altimeter failure
00:04:06 --> 00:04:08 meant it couldn't determine its exact
00:04:08 --> 00:04:10 height above the surface during the
00:04:10 --> 00:04:12 final descent phase this led to a
00:04:12 --> 00:04:14 dramatic Landing where Athena struck a
00:04:14 --> 00:04:17 plateau toppled over and actually
00:04:17 --> 00:04:19 skidded across the lunar surface
00:04:19 --> 00:04:21 rotating several times before coming to
00:04:21 --> 00:04:24 rest in a small shadowed crater while
00:04:24 --> 00:04:26 the spacecraft managed to survive this
00:04:26 --> 00:04:29 rough Landing the impact kicked up
00:04:29 --> 00:04:31 regali that covered its solar panels
00:04:31 --> 00:04:34 severely limiting its power generation
00:04:34 --> 00:04:36 capabilities in even more challenging
00:04:36 --> 00:04:39 news NASA's lunar Trailblazer Mission
00:04:39 --> 00:04:40 has been struggling since shortly after
00:04:40 --> 00:04:43 its launch on February 26th Mission
00:04:43 --> 00:04:45 controllers lost contact with the small
00:04:45 --> 00:04:48 satellite just one day after launch and
00:04:48 --> 00:04:50 despite continued efforts to reestablish
00:04:50 --> 00:04:52 Communications through NASA's deep space
00:04:52 --> 00:04:54 Network and other ground stations the
00:04:54 --> 00:04:56 situation remains
00:04:56 --> 00:04:58 uncertain these contrasting outcomes
00:04:58 --> 00:05:00 highlight the inherent challenges of
00:05:00 --> 00:05:03 lunar exploration even as we develop
00:05:03 --> 00:05:05 increasingly sophisticated technology
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 each Mission whether successful or not
00:05:07 --> 00:05:09 provides valuable lessons that will help
00:05:09 --> 00:05:11 improve future attempts at exploring our
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 Celestial
00:05:13 --> 00:05:15 neighbor all right this next story just
00:05:16 --> 00:05:17 might blow your mind so to
00:05:17 --> 00:05:20 speak the James web Space Telescope
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 continues to reshape our understanding
00:05:22 --> 00:05:25 of the cosmos and its latest Discovery
00:05:25 --> 00:05:28 might be its most mind-bending yet
00:05:28 --> 00:05:29 recent observations have revealed
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 something extraordinary about the
00:05:31 --> 00:05:32 rotation of galaxies in the early
00:05:32 --> 00:05:34 Universe a pattern that could suggest
00:05:34 --> 00:05:37 our entire universe exists within a
00:05:37 --> 00:05:40 black hole and yes you heard that right
00:05:40 --> 00:05:42 during the James web Space Telescope
00:05:42 --> 00:05:45 Advanced deep extragalactic survey
00:05:45 --> 00:05:48 scientists observed 263 distant galaxies
00:05:48 --> 00:05:50 and found a striking pattern rather than
00:05:50 --> 00:05:52 seeing random rotation directions as
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 expected approximately 2/3 of these
00:05:54 --> 00:05:57 galaxies are spinning clockwise while
00:05:57 --> 00:05:58 the remaining third rotates
00:05:58 --> 00:06:01 counterclockwise in a universe governed
00:06:01 --> 00:06:03 by random chance we'd expect to see an
00:06:03 --> 00:06:06 even split between rotation
00:06:06 --> 00:06:08 directions this coordinated Cosmic dance
00:06:08 --> 00:06:10 raises profound questions about the
00:06:10 --> 00:06:13 nature of our universe according to Dr
00:06:13 --> 00:06:16 leor Shamir who led the research team
00:06:16 --> 00:06:18 there are two possible explanations for
00:06:18 --> 00:06:18 this
00:06:18 --> 00:06:21 phenomenon the first and most intriguing
00:06:21 --> 00:06:23 suggestion is that our universe was born
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 rotating an idea that aligns with
00:06:25 --> 00:06:28 theories of black hole cosmology this
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 theory proposes that what we observe as
00:06:30 --> 00:06:31 our universe might actually be the
00:06:31 --> 00:06:33 interior of a black hole within a larger
00:06:33 --> 00:06:36 parent Universe even more fascinating is
00:06:36 --> 00:06:38 the possibility that every black hole in
00:06:38 --> 00:06:39 our universe could be a gateway to
00:06:39 --> 00:06:42 another Universe though we could never
00:06:42 --> 00:06:44 observe these other Realms directly due
00:06:44 --> 00:06:46 to the nature of black holes event
00:06:46 --> 00:06:49 Horizons polish physicist nicodem
00:06:49 --> 00:06:51 palowski suggests that when black holes
00:06:51 --> 00:06:54 form from collapsing Stars the extreme
00:06:54 --> 00:06:55 conditions prevent matter from
00:06:55 --> 00:06:57 compressing indefinitely into a
00:06:57 --> 00:07:00 singularity instead the matter reaches a
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 state of incredible density before
00:07:02 --> 00:07:05 bouncing back like a compressed spring
00:07:05 --> 00:07:07 potentially creating a new expanding
00:07:07 --> 00:07:09 Universe much like what we observe as
00:07:09 --> 00:07:11 our big bang if our universe did indeed
00:07:11 --> 00:07:14 form inside a rotating black hole it
00:07:14 --> 00:07:16 would inherit that rotation which could
00:07:16 --> 00:07:18 explain the preferred direction of
00:07:18 --> 00:07:21 Galaxy rotation we're now observing this
00:07:21 --> 00:07:23 axis of rotation would be passed down
00:07:23 --> 00:07:25 from the parent universe's black hole
00:07:25 --> 00:07:27 influencing the formation and movement
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 of galaxies throughout our Cosmic
00:07:29 --> 00:07:30 neighborhood
00:07:31 --> 00:07:33 however scientists are also considering
00:07:33 --> 00:07:36 a more mundane explanation that our own
00:07:36 --> 00:07:38 Galaxy's rotation might be affecting
00:07:38 --> 00:07:40 these observations though previously
00:07:40 --> 00:07:42 this was thought to be too slight to
00:07:42 --> 00:07:45 matter if this turns out to be the case
00:07:45 --> 00:07:47 it could require a significant
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 recalibration of how we measure
00:07:49 --> 00:07:51 distances in the Deep Universe
00:07:51 --> 00:07:53 potentially resolving several other
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 cosmological puzzles in the
00:07:55 --> 00:07:58 process in other astronomy news today in
00:07:58 --> 00:08:00 a remarkable breakthrough for
00:08:00 --> 00:08:02 astronomical research scientists at the
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 max plank Institute for astronomy have
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 created the most detailed
00:08:06 --> 00:08:07 three-dimensional map ever made of
00:08:07 --> 00:08:10 cosmic dust in our Milky Way galaxy this
00:08:10 --> 00:08:12 groundbreaking achievement utilized data
00:08:12 --> 00:08:14 from an astounding 130 million Stellar
00:08:14 --> 00:08:17 Spectra combining information from both
00:08:17 --> 00:08:19 the European space agency's Gaia Mission
00:08:19 --> 00:08:22 and the lamos spectral survey think of
00:08:22 --> 00:08:25 cosmic dust as Nature's Cosmic filter it
00:08:25 --> 00:08:27 affects how we see everything in space
00:08:27 --> 00:08:28 making distant objects appear both
00:08:28 --> 00:08:31 redder and dimmer than they actually are
00:08:31 --> 00:08:32 it's like trying to look through a
00:08:32 --> 00:08:34 slightly dirty window into the vast
00:08:34 --> 00:08:37 expanse of space until now astronomers
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 have had to make do with relatively
00:08:38 --> 00:08:41 limited information about how this dust
00:08:41 --> 00:08:44 is distributed throughout our galaxy the
00:08:44 --> 00:08:46 new map was created using Innovative
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 machine learning techniques to analyze
00:08:48 --> 00:08:50 the way Starlight interacts with dust
00:08:50 --> 00:08:53 particles by studying how dust affects
00:08:53 --> 00:08:54 light at different wavelengths
00:08:54 --> 00:08:56 researchers can determine not just where
00:08:56 --> 00:08:59 the dust is but also its composition and
00:08:59 --> 00:09:02 properties this level of detail far
00:09:02 --> 00:09:04 surpasses previous efforts which only
00:09:04 --> 00:09:06 included about a million measurements
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 but the study revealed something
00:09:08 --> 00:09:11 unexpected conventional wisdom suggested
00:09:11 --> 00:09:13 that in regions with higher dust density
00:09:13 --> 00:09:15 the dust's effects on light should
00:09:15 --> 00:09:18 become more uniform across different
00:09:18 --> 00:09:21 wavelengths instead the team found that
00:09:21 --> 00:09:23 in areas of medium density shorter
00:09:23 --> 00:09:25 wavelengths of light are actually
00:09:25 --> 00:09:27 absorbed much more effectively than
00:09:27 --> 00:09:29 longer ones a finding that challenges
00:09:29 --> 00:09:31 our current understanding of how Cosmic
00:09:31 --> 00:09:34 dust behaves this discovery has led
00:09:34 --> 00:09:36 researchers to propose an intriguing
00:09:36 --> 00:09:38 possibility the unusual absorption
00:09:38 --> 00:09:40 patterns might be caused by complex
00:09:40 --> 00:09:43 molecules called polycyclic aromatic
00:09:43 --> 00:09:46 hydrocarbons or PHS these molecules are
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 the most common type of hydrocarbon in
00:09:48 --> 00:09:50 interstellar space and may have played a
00:09:50 --> 00:09:52 crucial role in the development of life
00:09:52 --> 00:09:55 itself this new dust map isn't just an
00:09:55 --> 00:09:57 academic achievement it's a practical
00:09:57 --> 00:09:58 tool that will help astronomers make
00:09:59 --> 00:10:01 more accurate observations of distant
00:10:01 --> 00:10:03 objects by knowing exactly how much dust
00:10:04 --> 00:10:06 lies between us and our astronomical
00:10:06 --> 00:10:08 targets we can better understand what
00:10:08 --> 00:10:10 we're actually seeing when we look out
00:10:10 --> 00:10:12 into the cosmos it's like finally having
00:10:12 --> 00:10:14 a clear understanding of how dirty that
00:10:14 --> 00:10:17 window really is allowing us to see the
00:10:17 --> 00:10:20 universe more clearly than ever
00:10:20 --> 00:10:22 before that's a wrap for today's episode
00:10:22 --> 00:10:24 of astronomy daily I want to thank you
00:10:24 --> 00:10:26 for joining me on this Cosmic journey
00:10:26 --> 00:10:28 through some of the most fascinating
00:10:28 --> 00:10:30 developments in space science and
00:10:30 --> 00:10:32 exploration from breakthrough
00:10:32 --> 00:10:33 discoveries about our universe's
00:10:33 --> 00:10:35 possible connection to black holes to
00:10:35 --> 00:10:38 New Missions exploring the moon and
00:10:38 --> 00:10:40 groundbreaking maps of our Galaxy's
00:10:40 --> 00:10:42 Cosmic dust it's been an exciting lineup
00:10:42 --> 00:10:44 of stories if you're hungry for more
00:10:45 --> 00:10:46 space news and want to stay up to dat
00:10:46 --> 00:10:48 with the latest developments I've got
00:10:48 --> 00:10:51 you covered head over to astronomy
00:10:51 --> 00:10:53 daily. where you'll find our latest blog
00:10:53 --> 00:10:55 posts and a constantly updating Newsfeed
00:10:55 --> 00:10:58 of space and astronomy news it's your
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 One-Stop destination for everything
00:10:59 --> 00:11:02 happening in the cosmos and don't forget
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 to join our growing community on social
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00:11:18 --> 00:11:20 about our fascinating Universe this is
00:11:20 --> 00:11:23 Anna signing off until our next Cosmic
00:11:23 --> 00:11:26 Adventure keep looking up and remember
00:11:26 --> 00:11:28 the universe is full of Wonders just
00:11:28 --> 00:11:30 waiting to be discovered
00:11:30 --> 00:11:37 see you next time on astronomy daily
00:11:37 --> 00:11:52 [Music]