00:00:00 --> 00:00:01 welcome to astronomy daily your daily
00:00:01 --> 00:00:03 dose of the most fascinating
00:00:03 --> 00:00:04 developments in space science and
00:00:04 --> 00:00:08 astronomical discoveries I'm Anna and
00:00:08 --> 00:00:09 today we're exploring some incredible
00:00:09 --> 00:00:12 stories from across the cosmos from the
00:00:12 --> 00:00:14 ongoing search for water on Mars to a
00:00:14 --> 00:00:16 cosmic Cloud that looks surprisingly
00:00:16 --> 00:00:17 like a running
00:00:17 --> 00:00:19 chicken stay with me as we journey
00:00:19 --> 00:00:21 through today's biggest astronomy
00:00:21 --> 00:00:22 headlines and try to make sense of our
00:00:22 --> 00:00:25 vast and wonderful
00:00:25 --> 00:00:27 Universe let's kick things off today by
00:00:27 --> 00:00:29 diving into something huge I'm talking
00:00:29 --> 00:00:31 telescope so powerful they'll redefine
00:00:31 --> 00:00:33 how we see the universe let's explore
00:00:33 --> 00:00:35 the findings of a recent National
00:00:35 --> 00:00:38 Science Foundation or NSF report on the
00:00:38 --> 00:00:41 US extremely large telescope program now
00:00:41 --> 00:00:42 what's this all about well two
00:00:42 --> 00:00:44 telescopes are in the spotlight the
00:00:44 --> 00:00:47 giant mellin telescope or GMT and the 30
00:00:47 --> 00:00:50 m telescope or TMT these aren't just any
00:00:50 --> 00:00:52 telescopes they're set to be game
00:00:52 --> 00:00:54 changers in the world of astronomy so
00:00:55 --> 00:00:57 why are these telescopes such a big deal
00:00:57 --> 00:00:59 for starters they'll allow scientists to
00:01:00 --> 00:01:01 tackle some of the biggest questions out
00:01:01 --> 00:01:05 there how did galaxies form what exactly
00:01:05 --> 00:01:09 is dark matter and wait for it are we
00:01:09 --> 00:01:12 really alone in the universe the GMT and
00:01:12 --> 00:01:14 TMT are designed to work alongside other
00:01:14 --> 00:01:16 International projects like the European
00:01:16 --> 00:01:19 Southern observatories elt together
00:01:19 --> 00:01:20 they'll give us the clearest most
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 detailed views of the cosmos we've ever
00:01:22 --> 00:01:25 had now let's talk about what the NSF
00:01:25 --> 00:01:27 report revealed the good news is that
00:01:27 --> 00:01:29 both projects are scientifically superb
00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 they're uniquely capable of delivering
00:01:31 --> 00:01:34 insights no other telescopes can but
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 there's always a butt they need more
00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 funding to keep moving forward we're
00:01:39 --> 00:01:42 talking about $1.6 billion without it
00:01:42 --> 00:01:44 the projects could face some major
00:01:44 --> 00:01:46 setbacks and that's not the only
00:01:46 --> 00:01:48 challenge there are also technical
00:01:48 --> 00:01:50 hurdles and the tricky task of
00:01:50 --> 00:01:53 coordinating multiple partners worldwide
00:01:53 --> 00:01:55 the report says the projects need solid
00:01:55 --> 00:01:57 risk management plans to make sure
00:01:57 --> 00:02:00 things stay on track here's another cool
00:02:00 --> 00:02:02 part these telescopes will do more than
00:02:02 --> 00:02:05 just look at the stars they'll also help
00:02:05 --> 00:02:07 train the next generation of astronomers
00:02:07 --> 00:02:10 picture this a pipeline of early career
00:02:10 --> 00:02:12 scientists getting hands-on experience
00:02:12 --> 00:02:13 with some of the most advanced tools in
00:02:13 --> 00:02:16 the world amazing right and on top of
00:02:17 --> 00:02:20 that there are plans for public Outreach
00:02:20 --> 00:02:21 that means more educational programs to
00:02:22 --> 00:02:23 inspire all of us earthlings to look up
00:02:23 --> 00:02:25 at the night sky and dream
00:02:25 --> 00:02:28 big so what's the
00:02:28 --> 00:02:32 takeaway the NS F report makes it clear
00:02:32 --> 00:02:34 these telescopes are absolutely critical
00:02:34 --> 00:02:35 for keeping the us at the Forefront of
00:02:36 --> 00:02:38 astronomy but their future hinges on
00:02:38 --> 00:02:41 securing that funding will Congress and
00:02:41 --> 00:02:42 the scientific Community step up to the
00:02:42 --> 00:02:45 plate only time will tell but one
00:02:45 --> 00:02:48 thing's for sure if these telescopes
00:02:48 --> 00:02:49 come to life they'll take our
00:02:49 --> 00:02:50 understanding of the universe to
00:02:50 --> 00:02:52 dazzling New
00:02:52 --> 00:02:55 Heights next up let's turn our Focus to
00:02:55 --> 00:02:57 the red planet where the search for
00:02:57 --> 00:02:58 liquid water continues to challenge
00:02:59 --> 00:03:00 scientists
00:03:00 --> 00:03:02 a fascinating newpaper published in the
00:03:02 --> 00:03:04 proceedings of the National Academy of
00:03:04 --> 00:03:06 Sciences has cast doubt on our hopes of
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 finding liquid water on Mars at least in
00:03:09 --> 00:03:12 the forms we've been looking for more
00:03:12 --> 00:03:15 than a century ago astronomer persal LOL
00:03:15 --> 00:03:17 captivated the world with his theory
00:03:17 --> 00:03:19 that Mars had canals built by
00:03:19 --> 00:03:22 intelligent beings to transport water
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 from the polar ice caps while better
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 telescopes eventually disproved this
00:03:26 --> 00:03:29 romantic notion the quest to find liquid
00:03:29 --> 00:03:32 water on Mars has remained one of
00:03:32 --> 00:03:34 planetary science's most compelling
00:03:34 --> 00:03:36 Pursuits the challenge lies in Mars's
00:03:36 --> 00:03:38 harsh environment with its frigid
00:03:38 --> 00:03:40 temperatures thin atmosphere and minimal
00:03:40 --> 00:03:43 water vapor any liquid water would
00:03:43 --> 00:03:46 quickly freeze boil or
00:03:46 --> 00:03:48 evaporate scientists have been
00:03:48 --> 00:03:49 particularly interested in features
00:03:49 --> 00:03:53 called recurring slope linei or rsls
00:03:53 --> 00:03:55 dark streaks that appear on Martian
00:03:55 --> 00:03:57 slopes during warmer seasons and fade in
00:03:57 --> 00:04:00 colder ones while these seemed promising
00:04:00 --> 00:04:02 new research suggests they're likely
00:04:02 --> 00:04:05 just flows of sand and dust with no
00:04:05 --> 00:04:07 water needed to create them some
00:04:07 --> 00:04:08 researchers have turned their attention
00:04:09 --> 00:04:11 to brins Solutions with high salt
00:04:11 --> 00:04:13 concentrations as potential sources of
00:04:13 --> 00:04:16 liquid water Mars has plenty of salts
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 and some like perchlorates can remain
00:04:18 --> 00:04:20 liquid at incredibly low temperatures
00:04:20 --> 00:04:23 for instance calcium perorate brine only
00:04:23 --> 00:04:27 freezes at -75° C given that Mars's
00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 average equatorial temperature is - 50
00:04:29 --> 00:04:32 degrees this seemed promising however
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 the new study led by Vincent chevrier
00:04:34 --> 00:04:37 who has spent two decades studying Mars
00:04:37 --> 00:04:39 concludes that even these brins face
00:04:39 --> 00:04:42 significant challenges the relatively
00:04:42 --> 00:04:44 low amounts of promising salts combined
00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 with water vapor pressure and Ice
00:04:46 --> 00:04:49 location severely limit the possibility
00:04:49 --> 00:04:51 of stable brins on or near the surface
00:04:51 --> 00:04:54 and even if such brins did form they
00:04:54 --> 00:04:56 would be extremely inhospitable by Earth
00:04:56 --> 00:04:58 standards despite these sobering
00:04:58 --> 00:05:01 findings the continues scientists are
00:05:01 --> 00:05:03 now focusing on developing better
00:05:03 --> 00:05:05 instruments to detect small amounts of
00:05:05 --> 00:05:08 brins and identifying more promising
00:05:08 --> 00:05:11 locations to look for them as chevier
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 notes while Mars remains a cold dry
00:05:14 --> 00:05:16 desert the possibility that some form of
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 life could have adapted to these extreme
00:05:18 --> 00:05:20 conditions keeps the search for water
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 alive and
00:05:22 --> 00:05:25 relevant now a quick China update in
00:05:25 --> 00:05:27 major developments from China's
00:05:27 --> 00:05:29 commercial space sector launch startup
00:05:29 --> 00:05:32 land space has secured an impressive 900
00:05:32 --> 00:05:36 million yen that's about $123 million in
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 funding from China's national
00:05:38 --> 00:05:39 manufacturing transformation and
00:05:39 --> 00:05:42 upgrading fund this substantial
00:05:42 --> 00:05:44 investment is earmarked specifically for
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 developing and testing their new line of
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 reusable methane powered
00:05:48 --> 00:05:50 Rockets this funding comes at a crucial
00:05:50 --> 00:05:52 time for landspace which recently
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 achieved a significant Milestone with
00:05:54 --> 00:05:56 the successful launch of their enhanced
00:05:56 --> 00:05:59 juk 2 rocket they've also completed
00:05:59 --> 00:06:01 completed a promising test of their more
00:06:01 --> 00:06:04 ambitious Jay 3 launcher managing a 10
00:06:04 --> 00:06:06 km vertical takeoff and landing at the
00:06:06 --> 00:06:09 Jan Spaceport the jukie 3 is
00:06:09 --> 00:06:11 particularly interesting we're looking
00:06:11 --> 00:06:13 at a massive stainless steel rocket that
00:06:13 --> 00:06:16 stands nearly 77 M tall when it's ready
00:06:16 --> 00:06:18 it should be able to lift an impressive
00:06:18 --> 00:06:22 21 kg to low earth orbit in its
00:06:22 --> 00:06:25 Expendable configuration or up to 18
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 kg when recovering the first stage
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 downrange land space is aiming for its
00:06:31 --> 00:06:34 first orbital launch in 2025 with plans
00:06:34 --> 00:06:35 to achieve first stage recovery and
00:06:35 --> 00:06:37 reuse by
00:06:37 --> 00:06:39 2026 this development is part of a
00:06:39 --> 00:06:42 broader Trend in China's space sector
00:06:42 --> 00:06:44 since 2014 when the government opened
00:06:44 --> 00:06:46 space activities to private investment
00:06:46 --> 00:06:49 we've seen numerous startups emerge
00:06:49 --> 00:06:50 other companies like space Pioneer and
00:06:50 --> 00:06:52 orian space have also secured
00:06:52 --> 00:06:54 substantial funding this year
00:06:54 --> 00:06:55 highlighting China's growing commitment
00:06:55 --> 00:06:58 to commercial space development what's
00:06:58 --> 00:06:59 particularly noteworthy is that
00:06:59 --> 00:07:01 landspace has also announced plans to
00:07:01 --> 00:07:03 begin launching cargo missions to the
00:07:03 --> 00:07:05 tiangong space station by
00:07:05 --> 00:07:08 2026 this represents a significant step
00:07:08 --> 00:07:09 forward in China's efforts to
00:07:09 --> 00:07:12 commercialize its space operations and
00:07:12 --> 00:07:13 potentially compete with established
00:07:13 --> 00:07:15 players in the global launch
00:07:15 --> 00:07:18 market a fascinating New Image has just
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 been released from the European Southern
00:07:20 --> 00:07:22 observatory's very large telescope in
00:07:22 --> 00:07:24 Chile giving us an incredible view of
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 what's known as the running chicken
00:07:26 --> 00:07:29 nebula now I know what you're thinking a
00:07:29 --> 00:07:31 Cosmic chicken but wait until you hear
00:07:31 --> 00:07:33 about this remarkable Celestial
00:07:33 --> 00:07:37 formation located about 6 light
00:07:37 --> 00:07:38 years away in the constellation
00:07:38 --> 00:07:40 Centaurus this emission nebula
00:07:41 --> 00:07:42 officially goes by the rather less
00:07:42 --> 00:07:46 colorful name of IC 2872 or gum 40 but
00:07:46 --> 00:07:48 once you see it you can't help but
00:07:48 --> 00:07:50 notice its uncanny resemblance to a
00:07:50 --> 00:07:52 chicken with its head tilted upward as
00:07:52 --> 00:07:54 if wondering about its place in the
00:07:54 --> 00:07:56 cosmos what makes this image
00:07:56 --> 00:07:59 particularly striking is how the nebulus
00:07:59 --> 00:08:02 feat align to create this Whimsical
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 shape in the lower right you can see
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 what appears to be the chicken's head
00:08:06 --> 00:08:08 complete with a bright region of star
00:08:08 --> 00:08:10 formation that looks just like a glowing
00:08:10 --> 00:08:13 beak dark clouds extend upward from this
00:08:13 --> 00:08:15 area forming what looks like a PEC comb
00:08:15 --> 00:08:18 on top of the chicken's head the science
00:08:18 --> 00:08:20 behind this Celestial spectacle is just
00:08:20 --> 00:08:22 as fascinating as its appearance as an
00:08:22 --> 00:08:25 emission nebula it's essentially a vast
00:08:25 --> 00:08:27 cloud of ionized gas that produces its
00:08:27 --> 00:08:29 own light the intense radiation from
00:08:29 --> 00:08:32 nearby Stars energizes the gas causing
00:08:32 --> 00:08:34 it to Glow in various colors depending
00:08:34 --> 00:08:37 on its composition we can spot numerous
00:08:37 --> 00:08:39 young bright blue stars scattered
00:08:39 --> 00:08:41 throughout the image including one that
00:08:41 --> 00:08:43 perfectly marks what appears to be the
00:08:43 --> 00:08:46 chicken's eye this Cosmic bird has quite
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 a history in astronomical cataloges it
00:08:48 --> 00:08:51 was first documented back in 1888 by
00:08:51 --> 00:08:54 Danish astronomer John Lewis EML dryer
00:08:54 --> 00:08:56 and later included in Colin Stanley
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 gum's 1955 catalog of a mission nebula
00:08:58 --> 00:09:01 in the southern Sky it's a remarkable
00:09:01 --> 00:09:03 reminder that even in the vastness of
00:09:03 --> 00:09:06 space we can find shapes that feel
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 somehow familiar and even
00:09:08 --> 00:09:10 playful for those of you who received a
00:09:10 --> 00:09:13 telescope this holiday season sky and
00:09:13 --> 00:09:14 Telescope have published a list of
00:09:15 --> 00:09:17 useful tips for getting the most out of
00:09:17 --> 00:09:19 your shiny new toy so let me share some
00:09:19 --> 00:09:21 of their essential tips to help you
00:09:21 --> 00:09:22 start your stargazing Journey on the
00:09:22 --> 00:09:26 right foot first and foremost resist the
00:09:26 --> 00:09:28 urge to rush outside immediately take
00:09:28 --> 00:09:30 time to familiarize yourself with your
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 telescope indoors where you can
00:09:32 --> 00:09:35 comfortably learn how everything works
00:09:35 --> 00:09:37 from adjusting the mount to changing ey
00:09:37 --> 00:09:39 pieces once you're comfortable with the
00:09:39 --> 00:09:42 basics try your telescope during
00:09:42 --> 00:09:45 daylight hours practice focusing on
00:09:45 --> 00:09:47 distant objects like Treetops or
00:09:47 --> 00:09:49 buildings this is also the perfect time
00:09:49 --> 00:09:52 to align your finder scope which will be
00:09:52 --> 00:09:53 crucial for locating objects in the
00:09:53 --> 00:09:56 night sky remember your lowest
00:09:56 --> 00:09:58 magnification eyepiece will give you the
00:09:58 --> 00:10:00 brightest sharpest views and the widest
00:10:00 --> 00:10:03 field of view making it easier to find
00:10:03 --> 00:10:06 your targets now what should you look at
00:10:06 --> 00:10:08 first the Moon is an absolutely
00:10:08 --> 00:10:11 spectacular Target for new observers
00:10:11 --> 00:10:13 even in a modest telescope you'll see
00:10:13 --> 00:10:15 incredible detail in its craters
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 mountains and
00:10:16 --> 00:10:19 valleys the best views come when you
00:10:19 --> 00:10:21 observe areas near the Terminator that's
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 the line between the Moon's day and
00:10:23 --> 00:10:25 night sides where Shadows really bring
00:10:25 --> 00:10:27 out the surface features the planets are
00:10:28 --> 00:10:30 also excellent targets right now Jupiter
00:10:30 --> 00:10:32 is particularly impressive showing its
00:10:32 --> 00:10:34 Cloud bands and four brightest moons
00:10:34 --> 00:10:38 even in small telescopes Saturn despite
00:10:38 --> 00:10:40 its rings being nearly Edge on this year
00:10:40 --> 00:10:43 still offers an unforgettable sight
00:10:43 --> 00:10:44 Venus is currently visible as a bright
00:10:44 --> 00:10:47 Evening Star showing phases similar to
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 the moon when viewed through a telescope
00:10:49 --> 00:10:52 one crucial piece of advice be patient
00:10:52 --> 00:10:55 many newcomers expect Hubble like views
00:10:55 --> 00:10:57 but remember that most astronomical
00:10:57 --> 00:10:59 objects appear subtle and gray to the
00:10:59 --> 00:11:01 human eye the longer you spend observing
00:11:01 --> 00:11:03 an object the more detail you'll begin
00:11:03 --> 00:11:06 to notice also don't feel disappointed
00:11:06 --> 00:11:08 if things look a bit blurry at first
00:11:08 --> 00:11:10 atmospheric conditions play a huge role
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 in telescope viewing and some nights
00:11:12 --> 00:11:15 will be better than others keep in mind
00:11:15 --> 00:11:17 that astronomy is a journey of Discovery
00:11:17 --> 00:11:20 not a Sprint take your time learning the
00:11:20 --> 00:11:22 basics and you'll be rewarded with views
00:11:22 --> 00:11:24 of some of the most amazing objects in
00:11:24 --> 00:11:27 our universe for these and more tips
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 I'll include a link in the show notes to
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 the original
00:11:31 --> 00:11:34 article and that brings us to the end of
00:11:34 --> 00:11:36 today's Journey Through the cosmos I'm
00:11:36 --> 00:11:38 Anna and thank you for joining me here
00:11:38 --> 00:11:41 on astronomy daily if you'd like to
00:11:41 --> 00:11:42 learn more about any of our stories or
00:11:42 --> 00:11:45 get the latest updates in astronomy head
00:11:45 --> 00:11:47 over to our website at astronomy
00:11:47 --> 00:11:50 daily. you can also be part of our
00:11:50 --> 00:11:52 growing community of space enthusiasts
00:11:52 --> 00:11:55 on social media find us as Astro daily
00:11:55 --> 00:11:59 pod on Facebook X Tumblr YouTube and Tik
00:11:59 --> 00:12:02 Tok there's always something fascinating
00:12:02 --> 00:12:04 happening in the universe and we'll be
00:12:04 --> 00:12:06 here to share those stories with you
00:12:06 --> 00:12:08 until next time keep looking up and
00:12:08 --> 00:12:10 wondering about the Mysteries above us
00:12:10 --> 00:12:13 this has been astronomy daily I'm Anna
00:12:13 --> 00:12:20 signing off as
00:12:20 --> 00:12:34 [Music]
00:12:34 --> 00:12:37 told