00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 welcome to astronomy daily I'm excited
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 to bring you today's fascinating Roundup
00:00:04 --> 00:00:07 of space and astronomy news we've got an
00:00:07 --> 00:00:08 incredible lineup of stories that
00:00:08 --> 00:00:10 showcase just how rapidly our
00:00:10 --> 00:00:12 understanding of the cosmos continues to
00:00:12 --> 00:00:15 evolve coming up we'll dive into a
00:00:15 --> 00:00:16 breakthrough discovery about mysterious
00:00:16 --> 00:00:19 gullies on the asteroid Vesta where NASA
00:00:19 --> 00:00:20 scientists have uncovered evidence of
00:00:21 --> 00:00:23 ancient brine flows carved by meteoroid
00:00:23 --> 00:00:25 impacts we'll also look at NASA's
00:00:25 --> 00:00:26 ambitious plans for the next generation
00:00:26 --> 00:00:29 of Mars helicopters building on the
00:00:29 --> 00:00:30 remarkable success
00:00:30 --> 00:00:33 of Ingenuity in deep space communication
00:00:33 --> 00:00:35 news there's a major upgrade coming to
00:00:35 --> 00:00:37 NASA's deep space Network that will
00:00:37 --> 00:00:38 revolutionize how we stay connected with
00:00:38 --> 00:00:40 our far-flung
00:00:40 --> 00:00:42 explorers plus we'll preview some
00:00:42 --> 00:00:44 spectacular celestial events coming our
00:00:44 --> 00:00:47 way in 2025 and explore how meteor
00:00:47 --> 00:00:49 showers might help us protect Earth from
00:00:49 --> 00:00:51 potentially hazardous
00:00:51 --> 00:00:53 comets stay with us as we journey
00:00:53 --> 00:00:55 through these remarkable developments in
00:00:55 --> 00:00:57 space exploration and Discovery there's
00:00:57 --> 00:00:59 a lot to cover so let's get started with
00:01:00 --> 00:01:01 some great news from
00:01:01 --> 00:01:04 NASA scientists have made a fascinating
00:01:04 --> 00:01:05 breakthrough in understanding the
00:01:05 --> 00:01:08 mysterious gullies on the asteroid Vesta
00:01:08 --> 00:01:10 and it's all thanks to some Innovative
00:01:10 --> 00:01:13 laboratory experiments these deep
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 channels have long puzzled researchers
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 who studied images from NASA's Dawn
00:01:17 --> 00:01:19 Mission but now we have compelling
00:01:19 --> 00:01:21 evidence for how they formed the key to
00:01:21 --> 00:01:23 this discovery lies in something
00:01:23 --> 00:01:26 surprisingly familiar table salt or
00:01:26 --> 00:01:28 sodium chloride using specialized
00:01:28 --> 00:01:30 equipment to recreate Vestas extreme
00:01:30 --> 00:01:33 conditions researchers found that when
00:01:33 --> 00:01:35 meteoroids impact the asteroid surface
00:01:36 --> 00:01:38 they can trigger flows of salty water
00:01:38 --> 00:01:39 that carve these distinctive channels
00:01:39 --> 00:01:42 before freezing what makes this
00:01:42 --> 00:01:44 particularly interesting is how the salt
00:01:44 --> 00:01:46 helps the water remain liquid long
00:01:46 --> 00:01:48 enough to create these features in their
00:01:48 --> 00:01:51 experiments scientists found that while
00:01:51 --> 00:01:53 pure water froze almost instantly in
00:01:53 --> 00:01:56 vesal likee conditions Briny water could
00:01:56 --> 00:01:58 continue flowing for at least an hour
00:01:58 --> 00:02:00 this timing matches perfectly with
00:02:00 --> 00:02:02 estimates of how long it would take to
00:02:02 --> 00:02:04 form the gullies we see on vesta's
00:02:04 --> 00:02:06 Surface the research team used a
00:02:06 --> 00:02:09 specially designed chamber called Dusty
00:02:09 --> 00:02:11 the dirty under vacuum simulation test
00:02:11 --> 00:02:14 bed for Icy environments at NASA's jet
00:02:14 --> 00:02:16 propulsion laboratory they discovered
00:02:16 --> 00:02:18 that these Briny flows develop a frozen
00:02:18 --> 00:02:21 lid on their surface much like a lava
00:02:21 --> 00:02:24 tube on Earth this Frozen layer acts as
00:02:24 --> 00:02:26 insulation protecting the flowing liquid
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 underneath and allowing it to travel
00:02:28 --> 00:02:31 further before freezing completely
00:02:31 --> 00:02:32 this discovery isn't just about solving
00:02:32 --> 00:02:35 a geological puzzle on one asteroid it
00:02:35 --> 00:02:37 contributes to our broader understanding
00:02:37 --> 00:02:39 of how liquids behave on airless worlds
00:02:39 --> 00:02:42 throughout our solar system the findings
00:02:42 --> 00:02:43 align with other research about
00:02:43 --> 00:02:45 potential mud volcanoes on Mars and icy
00:02:45 --> 00:02:48 volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Europa
00:02:48 --> 00:02:50 suggesting similar processes might be at
00:02:50 --> 00:02:52 work across different celestial
00:02:52 --> 00:02:54 bodies what's particularly exciting is
00:02:54 --> 00:02:56 how this research Builds on the original
00:02:57 --> 00:02:59 findings from NASA's Dawn Mission which
00:02:59 --> 00:03:01 first hinted at the possibility of
00:03:01 --> 00:03:04 subsurface ice on Vesta the new study
00:03:04 --> 00:03:06 not only explains how these gullies
00:03:06 --> 00:03:08 formed but also provides valuable
00:03:08 --> 00:03:11 insights into the complex interplay
00:03:11 --> 00:03:14 between impacts ice and salt in shaping
00:03:14 --> 00:03:15 the surfaces of airless worlds
00:03:15 --> 00:03:17 throughout our solar
00:03:17 --> 00:03:20 system in more NASA news today following
00:03:20 --> 00:03:23 the incredible success of Ingenuity NASA
00:03:23 --> 00:03:25 has unveiled their vision for the next
00:03:25 --> 00:03:27 generation of Martian aerial exploration
00:03:27 --> 00:03:30 the Mars Chopper this ambitious new
00:03:30 --> 00:03:31 design represents a significant Leap
00:03:31 --> 00:03:34 Forward in our capability to explore the
00:03:34 --> 00:03:37 red planet from above to appreciate just
00:03:37 --> 00:03:39 how far we've come let's recall that
00:03:39 --> 00:03:42 Ingenuity made history in April 2021 as
00:03:42 --> 00:03:44 the first aircraft to achieve powered
00:03:44 --> 00:03:47 flight on another world what started as
00:03:47 --> 00:03:50 a technology demonstration has since
00:03:50 --> 00:03:52 completed an impressive 60 flights
00:03:52 --> 00:03:54 proving that aerial exploration on Mars
00:03:54 --> 00:03:57 isn't just possible it's incredibly
00:03:57 --> 00:03:59 valuable for future missions the new
00:03:59 --> 00:04:01 Mars Chopper is dramatically larger than
00:04:01 --> 00:04:04 its predecessor roughly the size of an
00:04:04 --> 00:04:07 SUV it features an Innovative design
00:04:07 --> 00:04:09 with six raders each equipped with six
00:04:09 --> 00:04:12 blades while these blades are actually
00:04:12 --> 00:04:14 smaller than those used on Ingenuity
00:04:14 --> 00:04:15 their combined effect provides even
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 greater lift capacity this enhanced
00:04:18 --> 00:04:20 power allows the craft to carry up to 5
00:04:20 --> 00:04:23 kg of scientific equipment and travel
00:04:23 --> 00:04:26 distances of up to 3 kilm flying on Mars
00:04:26 --> 00:04:28 presents unique challenges that the
00:04:28 --> 00:04:31 design team a collaboration between the
00:04:31 --> 00:04:33 jet propulsion laboratory and Ames
00:04:33 --> 00:04:35 Research Center had to overcome the
00:04:35 --> 00:04:38 Martian atmosphere is less than 1% as
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 dense as Earth's requiring specially
00:04:40 --> 00:04:42 engineered rotor systems to generate
00:04:42 --> 00:04:44 sufficient lift they also had to account
00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 for the planet's notorious dust storms
00:04:46 --> 00:04:48 incorporating protective features to
00:04:48 --> 00:04:51 Shield the Craft's delicate mechanisms
00:04:51 --> 00:04:52 this new vehicle isn't just about
00:04:52 --> 00:04:54 improved performance it's about
00:04:54 --> 00:04:57 expanding our exploration capabilities
00:04:57 --> 00:04:59 while Ingenuity proved the concept the
00:04:59 --> 00:05:01 Mars Chopper is designed to be a true
00:05:01 --> 00:05:04 scientific platform its payload capacity
00:05:04 --> 00:05:06 means it can carry sophisticated Imaging
00:05:06 --> 00:05:09 equipment and Analysis tools enabling it
00:05:09 --> 00:05:11 to conduct detailed surveys and
00:05:11 --> 00:05:14 scientific investigations from the air
00:05:14 --> 00:05:16 this aerial perspective will be
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 invaluable for supporting both robotic
00:05:18 --> 00:05:21 and future human missions on Mars
00:05:21 --> 00:05:23 looking Beyond Mars this technology
00:05:23 --> 00:05:26 could revolutionize how we explore other
00:05:26 --> 00:05:28 worlds with atmospheres the lessons
00:05:28 --> 00:05:30 learned from developing operating these
00:05:30 --> 00:05:32 aircraft will be crucial for Designing
00:05:32 --> 00:05:34 similar vehicles to explore places like
00:05:34 --> 00:05:37 Titan Saturn's largest moon where the
00:05:38 --> 00:05:39 dense atmosphere could make aerial
00:05:39 --> 00:05:42 exploration particularly
00:05:42 --> 00:05:44 effective and in more news from the
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 agency NASA has achieved a major
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 milestone in enhancing our deep space
00:05:48 --> 00:05:51 communication capabilities with the
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 installation of a massive new antenna at
00:05:53 --> 00:05:55 the Goldstone deep space Communications
00:05:55 --> 00:05:56 complex in
00:05:56 --> 00:06:00 California deep space station 23 as it's
00:06:00 --> 00:06:02 officially known represents a
00:06:02 --> 00:06:04 significant upgrade to NASA's deep space
00:06:04 --> 00:06:07 Network the vital communication system
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 that keeps us connected with spacecraft
00:06:09 --> 00:06:10 exploring the furthest reaches of our
00:06:10 --> 00:06:13 solar system and beyond the centerpiece
00:06:13 --> 00:06:15 of this new installation is its
00:06:15 --> 00:06:19 impressive 133 ton reflector dish
00:06:19 --> 00:06:22 measuring 112 ft across the construction
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 process was a remarkable feat of
00:06:24 --> 00:06:26 engineering requiring precise alignment
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 of 40 bolt holes as the massive
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 structure was carefully lowered onto its
00:06:30 --> 00:06:32 65 ft High support
00:06:32 --> 00:06:35 platform engineers then added a 16 1/2
00:06:36 --> 00:06:38 ton quadripod structure featuring a
00:06:38 --> 00:06:40 curved subreflector that will help
00:06:40 --> 00:06:42 direct radio signals from deep space to
00:06:42 --> 00:06:45 the antenna's receivers when it becomes
00:06:45 --> 00:06:48 operational in 2026 deep space station
00:06:48 --> 00:06:51 23 will join an elite network of 15
00:06:51 --> 00:06:54 antennas worldwide supporting missions
00:06:54 --> 00:06:56 like perseverance on Mars the Voyager
00:06:56 --> 00:06:58 probes at the edge of our solar system
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 and upcoming Ventures like the Europa
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 Clipper this expansion couldn't come at
00:07:02 --> 00:07:05 a more crucial time as NASA's deep space
00:07:05 --> 00:07:07 missions continue to multiply from
00:07:07 --> 00:07:09 robotic explorers to human missions
00:07:09 --> 00:07:11 returning to the moon and eventually
00:07:11 --> 00:07:15 heading to Mars the deep space Network
00:07:15 --> 00:07:17 currently supports over 40 missions
00:07:17 --> 00:07:19 serving as Humanity's primary link to
00:07:20 --> 00:07:21 our mechanical explorers traversing the
00:07:22 --> 00:07:24 solar system whether it's receiving
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 stunning images from the James web Space
00:07:26 --> 00:07:28 Telescope guiding Rovers across the
00:07:28 --> 00:07:31 Martian lands ape or maintaining contact
00:07:31 --> 00:07:33 with the most distant human-made objects
00:07:33 --> 00:07:36 in existence this communication network
00:07:36 --> 00:07:39 is absolutely essential to our continued
00:07:39 --> 00:07:41 exploration of space this upgrade
00:07:42 --> 00:07:43 represents more than just improved
00:07:43 --> 00:07:45 Hardware it's an investment in our
00:07:45 --> 00:07:48 future as a space fairing
00:07:48 --> 00:07:50 civilization as we push the boundaries
00:07:50 --> 00:07:52 of exploration further into our solar
00:07:52 --> 00:07:55 system and beyond having robust reliable
00:07:55 --> 00:07:56 communication infrastructure becomes
00:07:56 --> 00:07:59 increasingly critical deep space station
00:07:59 --> 00:08:02 23 ures will be ready to support the
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 next generation of missions maintaining
00:08:04 --> 00:08:05 our connection with spacecraft and
00:08:06 --> 00:08:07 astronauts as they Venture deeper into
00:08:07 --> 00:08:09 the cosmic
00:08:09 --> 00:08:11 Frontier space enthusiasts have an
00:08:11 --> 00:08:14 exciting year ahead in 2025 with
00:08:14 --> 00:08:16 numerous celestial events set to light
00:08:16 --> 00:08:17 up our
00:08:17 --> 00:08:19 skies let's start with what January has
00:08:19 --> 00:08:22 in store for us the year kicks off with
00:08:22 --> 00:08:24 the quadrant meteor shower on January
00:08:24 --> 00:08:28 3rd promising up to 120 shooting stars
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 per hour and the possibility of
00:08:30 --> 00:08:31 spectacular
00:08:31 --> 00:08:34 Fireballs just a few days later we'll
00:08:34 --> 00:08:36 witness Mars being occulted by the wolf
00:08:36 --> 00:08:40 moon on January 13th followed by Mars
00:08:40 --> 00:08:42 reaching opposition on January 15th
00:08:43 --> 00:08:44 making it particularly bright and
00:08:44 --> 00:08:47 visible all night long moving into
00:08:47 --> 00:08:49 February Venus will steal the show on
00:08:49 --> 00:08:50 the 19th when it reaches its brightest
00:08:51 --> 00:08:53 point of the Year through a telescope
00:08:53 --> 00:08:55 you'll be able to watch Venus transform
00:08:55 --> 00:08:58 from half lit to just 133% lit between
00:08:58 --> 00:09:00 January and February uary a fascinating
00:09:01 --> 00:09:02 demonstration of planetary phases
00:09:02 --> 00:09:05 visible from Earth one of the year's
00:09:05 --> 00:09:07 most unique events occurs on March 29th
00:09:08 --> 00:09:09 when parts of North America will
00:09:09 --> 00:09:11 experience what's being called The
00:09:11 --> 00:09:14 Devil's horns solar eclipse this partial
00:09:14 --> 00:09:16 eclipse will be particularly striking at
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 Sunrise especially for viewers in
00:09:18 --> 00:09:20 Atlantic Canada Quebec and Maine where
00:09:20 --> 00:09:22 two separate solar horns will appear to
00:09:22 --> 00:09:25 rise from the Eastern Horizon the spring
00:09:25 --> 00:09:27 and summer bring us several excellent
00:09:27 --> 00:09:28 meteor
00:09:28 --> 00:09:31 showers the leids Peak on April 21st and
00:09:31 --> 00:09:35 22 under favorable Dark Skies followed
00:09:35 --> 00:09:38 by the ITA aquarids in early May July
00:09:38 --> 00:09:40 20th offers a beautiful sight when a
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 crescent moon visits the ples star
00:09:42 --> 00:09:45 cluster and August 12th brings us a rare
00:09:45 --> 00:09:47 conjunction of Venus and Jupiter the two
00:09:47 --> 00:09:49 brightest planets will appear to nearly
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 touch in the pre-dawn sky the Autumn
00:09:51 --> 00:09:54 season doesn't disappoint either Saturn
00:09:54 --> 00:09:57 reaches opposition on September 21st
00:09:57 --> 00:09:58 though its famous Rings will be harder
00:09:59 --> 00:10:01 to spot than usual as they'll be Edge on
00:10:01 --> 00:10:04 to Earth November 5th will feature the
00:10:04 --> 00:10:07 most impressive super moon since 2019
00:10:07 --> 00:10:09 appearing notably larger and brighter
00:10:09 --> 00:10:11 than usual especially at
00:10:11 --> 00:10:13 moonrise the year rounds out with
00:10:13 --> 00:10:16 several meteor showers under Dark Skies
00:10:16 --> 00:10:19 including the draconids in October and
00:10:19 --> 00:10:22 the leonids in mid November while the
00:10:22 --> 00:10:24 leonids won't produce their famous storm
00:10:24 --> 00:10:27 this year that's not due until 2032
00:10:27 --> 00:10:29 observers can still expect about 15
00:10:29 --> 00:10:32 meteors per hour during Peak activity
00:10:32 --> 00:10:34 remember while many of these events are
00:10:34 --> 00:10:36 visible to the naked eye having a pair
00:10:36 --> 00:10:38 of binoculars or a small telescope will
00:10:38 --> 00:10:40 greatly enhance your viewing experience
00:10:40 --> 00:10:43 and always try to find a dark location
00:10:43 --> 00:10:45 away from city lights for the best views
00:10:45 --> 00:10:47 of meteor
00:10:47 --> 00:10:50 showers finally today in a fascinating
00:10:50 --> 00:10:52 development for planetary defense
00:10:52 --> 00:10:53 scientists have discovered a new way to
00:10:54 --> 00:10:56 track potentially dangerous comets by
00:10:56 --> 00:10:58 studying meteor showers this Innovative
00:10:59 --> 00:10:59 approach
00:10:59 --> 00:11:02 developed by a team led by Samantha hgar
00:11:02 --> 00:11:04 at Northern Arizona University could
00:11:04 --> 00:11:06 provide crucial early warnings about
00:11:06 --> 00:11:10 comets that might pose a threat to Earth
00:11:10 --> 00:11:11 while comets have long captured
00:11:11 --> 00:11:14 Humanity's imagination and sparked
00:11:14 --> 00:11:16 scientific curiosity their unpredictable
00:11:16 --> 00:11:19 nature especially those with long period
00:11:19 --> 00:11:22 orbits exceeding 200 years has been a
00:11:22 --> 00:11:24 persistent challenge for astronomers
00:11:24 --> 00:11:26 these icy Wanderers of the solar system
00:11:26 --> 00:11:28 could theoretically approach Earth
00:11:28 --> 00:11:30 undetected and until it's too late to
00:11:30 --> 00:11:32 respond though the probability of such
00:11:32 --> 00:11:35 an event remains extremely low the new
00:11:35 --> 00:11:37 detection method focuses on analyzing
00:11:37 --> 00:11:39 meteor shower data to trace the paths of
00:11:39 --> 00:11:42 parent comets when Earth passes through
00:11:42 --> 00:11:44 the debris Trail left behind by a comet
00:11:44 --> 00:11:46 we experience these spectacular meteor
00:11:46 --> 00:11:49 showers by studying 17 different meteor
00:11:49 --> 00:11:51 showers associated with long period
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 comets researchers have developed a
00:11:53 --> 00:11:55 model that can calculate where these
00:11:55 --> 00:11:57 parent comets should be in space what
00:11:57 --> 00:11:59 makes this approach particularly
00:11:59 --> 00:12:02 valuable is its accuracy in predicting
00:12:02 --> 00:12:04 Comet locations including their
00:12:04 --> 00:12:06 direction and speed of
00:12:06 --> 00:12:08 travel rather than scanning the entire
00:12:08 --> 00:12:10 Sky hoping to spot a potentially
00:12:10 --> 00:12:13 hazardous Comet astronomers can now
00:12:13 --> 00:12:15 Focus their search on specific areas
00:12:15 --> 00:12:17 where these objects are most likely to
00:12:17 --> 00:12:20 be found the implications for planetary
00:12:20 --> 00:12:23 defense are significant early detection
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 of any comet on a collision course with
00:12:24 --> 00:12:26 Earth would provide valuable time to
00:12:26 --> 00:12:28 develop and Implement response
00:12:28 --> 00:12:30 strategies
00:12:30 --> 00:12:31 while there's currently no known threat
00:12:31 --> 00:12:34 from any Comet This research represents
00:12:34 --> 00:12:35 an important step forward in our
00:12:36 --> 00:12:38 planetary defense capabilities think of
00:12:38 --> 00:12:41 it as using Nature's Own warning system
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 meteor showers serve as Celestial
00:12:43 --> 00:12:45 breadcrumbs leading us back to their
00:12:45 --> 00:12:47 source and helping us better understand
00:12:47 --> 00:12:49 and prepare for any potential future
00:12:49 --> 00:12:51 impacts while the next Major Impact
00:12:51 --> 00:12:54 event might be millions of years away
00:12:54 --> 00:12:56 this new detection method adds another
00:12:56 --> 00:12:58 crucial tool to Humanity's planetary
00:12:58 --> 00:13:00 defense
00:13:00 --> 00:13:02 Arsenal and that wraps up another
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 fascinating episode of astronomy daily
00:13:05 --> 00:13:07 from the mysterious gullies on Vesta to
00:13:07 --> 00:13:10 NASA's exciting new Mars helicopter the
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 expansion of our deep space
00:13:12 --> 00:13:14 communication capabilities and a preview
00:13:14 --> 00:13:16 of next year's spectacular Sky shows
00:13:16 --> 00:13:18 we've covered quite a journey through
00:13:18 --> 00:13:20 space today thank you for joining me I'm
00:13:20 --> 00:13:22 Anna and I've had a wonderful time
00:13:22 --> 00:13:23 sharing these incredible stories from
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 across the cosmos with you if you're
00:13:26 --> 00:13:28 hungry for more space news you can find
00:13:28 --> 00:13:31 us at ason omy daily. where we're
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 constantly updating our Newsfeed with
00:13:32 --> 00:13:34 the latest developments in space and
00:13:34 --> 00:13:36 astronomy and don't forget to join our
00:13:36 --> 00:13:39 growing community on social media you
00:13:39 --> 00:13:41 can find us as Astro daily pod on
00:13:41 --> 00:13:45 Facebook X Tumblr YouTube YouTube music
00:13:45 --> 00:13:48 and Tik Tok until next time keep looking
00:13:48 --> 00:13:50 up and stay curious about the Wonders
00:13:50 --> 00:14:02 above us
00:14:02 --> 00:14:04 the St is the
00:14:04 --> 00:14:11 [Music]