00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 welcome to astronomy daily your source
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 for the latest space in astronomy news
00:00:04 --> 00:00:05 I'm your host Anna and we've got an
00:00:05 --> 00:00:08 exciting lineup of stories for you today
00:00:08 --> 00:00:09 from groundbreaking rocket launches to
00:00:09 --> 00:00:12 mindbending discoveries in the depths of
00:00:12 --> 00:00:14 space we'll be covering the most recent
00:00:14 --> 00:00:16 developments in space exploration and
00:00:16 --> 00:00:18 astronomical research we'll dive into
00:00:18 --> 00:00:20 United launch alliance's latest Vulcan
00:00:20 --> 00:00:23 rocket flight explore A peculiar Galaxy
00:00:23 --> 00:00:25 captured by the Hubble Space Telescope
00:00:25 --> 00:00:27 and preview blue Origins upcoming
00:00:27 --> 00:00:30 spacecraft debut we'll also discuss a
00:00:30 --> 00:00:32 record-breaking triple star system
00:00:32 --> 00:00:34 examine surprising findings from the
00:00:34 --> 00:00:37 James web Space Telescope about early
00:00:37 --> 00:00:39 galaxies and catch up with NASA's Parker
00:00:39 --> 00:00:41 solar probe as it continues its close
00:00:42 --> 00:00:44 encounters with our sun so buckle up and
00:00:44 --> 00:00:45 get ready for a journey through the
00:00:45 --> 00:00:47 cosmos as we explore these fascinating
00:00:47 --> 00:00:49 stories from the world of astronomy and
00:00:49 --> 00:00:50 space
00:00:50 --> 00:00:53 science United launch alliance's second
00:00:53 --> 00:00:54 Vulcan rocket flight took off last
00:00:54 --> 00:00:56 Friday marking a crucial test in the
00:00:57 --> 00:00:58 company's efforts to certify the new
00:00:58 --> 00:01:00 launcher for high priority National
00:01:00 --> 00:01:02 Security missions while the rocket
00:01:02 --> 00:01:04 successfully reached orbit the flight
00:01:04 --> 00:01:06 wasn't without drama one of the two
00:01:06 --> 00:01:08 solid propellants strap on boosters
00:01:08 --> 00:01:11 experienced an anomaly during the ascent
00:01:11 --> 00:01:13 about 37 seconds after liftoff observers
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 noticed a shower of Sparks and what
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 appeared to be debris falling away from
00:01:17 --> 00:01:19 the right side booster the issu seemed
00:01:19 --> 00:01:21 to originate near the nozzle at the base
00:01:21 --> 00:01:23 of the booster causing a noticeable
00:01:23 --> 00:01:26 change in the exhaust Plum's shape
00:01:26 --> 00:01:28 despite the setback the Vulcan continued
00:01:28 --> 00:01:30 its climb to space demonstrating
00:01:30 --> 00:01:32 impressive resilience the core stages
00:01:32 --> 00:01:34 two blue origin built B4 engines each
00:01:34 --> 00:01:38 generating 550 lbs of thrust carried
00:01:38 --> 00:01:40 on with the mission after the first
00:01:40 --> 00:01:42 stage separation the Centaur upper stage
00:01:42 --> 00:01:44 took over completing two Burns to
00:01:44 --> 00:01:46 demonstrate its ability to restart in
00:01:46 --> 00:01:49 space a key requirement for complex
00:01:49 --> 00:01:50 military payload
00:01:50 --> 00:01:53 trajectories Ula CEO Tor Bruno
00:01:53 --> 00:01:55 acknowledged the booster anomaly but
00:01:55 --> 00:01:57 emphasized that the overall trajectory
00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 remained nominal throughout the flight
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 the company plans to investigate the
00:02:01 --> 00:02:02 issue thoroughly once the mission is
00:02:02 --> 00:02:05 complete this flight was the second of
00:02:05 --> 00:02:07 two certification test flights needed
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 before the Vulcan can carry high
00:02:09 --> 00:02:11 priority payloads for the US space force
00:02:11 --> 00:02:13 and National reconnaissance office the
00:02:13 --> 00:02:15 impact of the booster anomaly on the
00:02:15 --> 00:02:17 certification process remains uncertain
00:02:18 --> 00:02:19 but it's clear that Ula will need to
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 address any concerns before moving
00:02:21 --> 00:02:24 forward with National Security launches
00:02:24 --> 00:02:26 the Vulcan represents the future of Ula
00:02:26 --> 00:02:29 set to replace both the retired Delta 4
00:02:29 --> 00:02:31 and the soon to be phased out Atlas 5
00:02:31 --> 00:02:34 Rockets with over 70 missions already
00:02:34 --> 00:02:36 booked before its first flight the
00:02:36 --> 00:02:38 stakes are high for Ula to resolve any
00:02:38 --> 00:02:40 issues quickly and maintain customer
00:02:40 --> 00:02:42 confidence in the new launch
00:02:42 --> 00:02:45 system now let's turn our attention to a
00:02:45 --> 00:02:47 fascinating discovery made by the Hubble
00:02:47 --> 00:02:49 Space Telescope the venerable
00:02:49 --> 00:02:51 Observatory has captured an image of a
00:02:51 --> 00:02:53 galaxy that's breaking the mold when it
00:02:53 --> 00:02:56 comes to classification located about 54
00:02:56 --> 00:02:58 million light years away in the Virgo
00:02:58 --> 00:03:02 Galaxy cluster and NGC
00:03:02 --> 00:03:04 4 is what astronomers call A
00:03:04 --> 00:03:07 peculiar Galaxy at first glance it
00:03:07 --> 00:03:08 appears to have characteristics of both
00:03:08 --> 00:03:11 elliptical and spiral galaxies making it
00:03:11 --> 00:03:14 a real Cosmic Oddball NGC
00:03:14 --> 00:03:17 4 has a smooth looking armless disc
00:03:17 --> 00:03:20 that's nearly devoid of star formation
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 similar to an elliptical galaxy however
00:03:22 --> 00:03:23 its Stellar population is still
00:03:23 --> 00:03:26 relatively young and new stars are
00:03:26 --> 00:03:28 actively forming in its core this gives
00:03:28 --> 00:03:32 NGC 4,6 94 a markedly different Stellar
00:03:32 --> 00:03:35 profile from a classic elliptical galaxy
00:03:35 --> 00:03:37 what's even more intriguing is the
00:03:37 --> 00:03:39 chaotic structure of dust visible in the
00:03:39 --> 00:03:41 Hubble image this indicates some kind of
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 disturbance in the Galaxy's past as it
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 turns out NGC
00:03:45 --> 00:03:48 4694 has undergone a violent collision
00:03:48 --> 00:03:51 with a nearby dwarf Galaxy VCC
00:03:51 --> 00:03:55 2062 this Cosmic crash has left NGC
00:03:55 --> 00:03:57 4694 accreting gas from its smaller
00:03:57 --> 00:04:00 neighbor fueling its unique
00:04:00 --> 00:04:04 characteristics astronomers classify NGC
00:04:04 --> 00:04:08 4694 as a lenticular Galaxy a type that
00:04:08 --> 00:04:10 lacks the distinct spiral arms but still
00:04:10 --> 00:04:12 has a central bulge and dis these
00:04:12 --> 00:04:14 Galactic oddballs are crucial for
00:04:14 --> 00:04:16 understanding how galaxies evolve over
00:04:16 --> 00:04:19 time the discovery of NGC
00:04:19 --> 00:04:21 4694 reminds us that the universe is
00:04:21 --> 00:04:24 full of surprises and not everything
00:04:24 --> 00:04:26 fits neatly into our predefined
00:04:26 --> 00:04:28 categories by studying these peculiar
00:04:28 --> 00:04:30 galaxies astronomers can gain valuable
00:04:30 --> 00:04:33 insights into the complex processes that
00:04:33 --> 00:04:34 shape our Cosmic
00:04:34 --> 00:04:36 neighborhood let's get an update now
00:04:36 --> 00:04:38 from Blue origin who've been far from
00:04:38 --> 00:04:41 taking things easy blue origin the
00:04:41 --> 00:04:42 Aerospace company founded by Amazon's
00:04:42 --> 00:04:44 Jeff Bezos is gearing up for an exciting
00:04:44 --> 00:04:47 Milestone this Monday October 7th
00:04:47 --> 00:04:48 they're set to debut a brand new
00:04:48 --> 00:04:51 spacecraft on their NS 27 Mission this
00:04:51 --> 00:04:53 uncrewed flight will Mark the first
00:04:53 --> 00:04:55 launch for this particular new Shepherd
00:04:55 --> 00:04:57 vehicle the mission is scheduled to lift
00:04:57 --> 00:04:59 off from Blue Origins West Texas site
00:04:59 --> 00:05:01 during a window that opens at 9:00 a.m.
00:05:01 --> 00:05:03 eastern time while no humans will be on
00:05:04 --> 00:05:06 board the capsule will carry 12 research
00:05:06 --> 00:05:08 payloads including new navigation
00:05:08 --> 00:05:11 systems for both new Shepard and blue
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 Origins larger new Glenn rocket this new
00:05:13 --> 00:05:15 vehicle features some notable upgrades
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 blue origin says it includes technology
00:05:18 --> 00:05:20 improvements to enhance performance and
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 reusability as well as an updated
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 exterior design the company also
00:05:24 --> 00:05:26 mentions that it has accommodations for
00:05:26 --> 00:05:29 payloads on the booster itself the NS 27
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 represents an important step for blue
00:05:31 --> 00:05:32 Origins commercial space flight
00:05:33 --> 00:05:35 Ambitions it's the second human rated
00:05:35 --> 00:05:37 new Shepard vehicle which should allow
00:05:37 --> 00:05:38 the company to increase its flight
00:05:39 --> 00:05:41 capacity and better meet growing
00:05:41 --> 00:05:43 customer demand for suborbital space
00:05:43 --> 00:05:45 tourism and research flights if
00:05:45 --> 00:05:47 successful this launch will pave the way
00:05:47 --> 00:05:50 for blue origin to expand its operations
00:05:50 --> 00:05:51 and potentially increase the frequency
00:05:51 --> 00:05:54 of its crude flights in the future it's
00:05:54 --> 00:05:56 a clear sign that the company is pushing
00:05:56 --> 00:05:57 forward in the competitive commercial
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 space industry
00:05:59 --> 00:06:02 moving on now to a NASA Mission update
00:06:02 --> 00:06:04 NASA's exoplanet hunting spacecraft the
00:06:04 --> 00:06:07 transiting exoplanet survey satellite or
00:06:07 --> 00:06:10 Tess has made a groundbreaking discovery
00:06:10 --> 00:06:11 that's pushing the boundaries of what we
00:06:11 --> 00:06:14 thought possible in Stellar systems
00:06:14 --> 00:06:15 scientists have spotted a
00:06:15 --> 00:06:17 record-breaking triple star system
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 that's so tightly packed it could fit
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 comfortably between our sun and its
00:06:21 --> 00:06:23 closest planet Mercury this extrordinary
00:06:23 --> 00:06:29 system known as tick 2900
00:06:29 --> 00:06:31 the constellation signus it consists of
00:06:31 --> 00:06:33 twin stars that orbit each other every
00:06:33 --> 00:06:36 1.8 Earth days with a third star
00:06:36 --> 00:06:39 circling this pair every 25 days to put
00:06:39 --> 00:06:41 this in perspective the previous record
00:06:41 --> 00:06:43 holder for the Titus three star system
00:06:43 --> 00:06:46 had an outer orbit of 33 days set back
00:06:46 --> 00:06:47 in
00:06:47 --> 00:06:49 1956 what makes this discovery even more
00:06:49 --> 00:06:51 remarkable is the stability of the
00:06:51 --> 00:06:53 system the stars orbit in nearly the
00:06:53 --> 00:06:55 same plane which helps maintain their
00:06:55 --> 00:06:57 gravitational balance however this
00:06:57 --> 00:07:00 delicate dance won't last forever in a
00:07:00 --> 00:07:01 few million years the twin stars at the
00:07:01 --> 00:07:03 heart of the system will expand and
00:07:03 --> 00:07:06 eventually merge triggering a massive
00:07:06 --> 00:07:09 Supernova explosion this finding isn't
00:07:09 --> 00:07:10 just a cosmic curiosity it has
00:07:10 --> 00:07:12 significant implications for our
00:07:12 --> 00:07:14 understanding of star formation and
00:07:14 --> 00:07:16 evolution the compact nature of the
00:07:16 --> 00:07:19 system suggests that these Stars likely
00:07:19 --> 00:07:21 form together from the same process
00:07:21 --> 00:07:23 challenging our models of how multiple
00:07:23 --> 00:07:25 star systems come into being the
00:07:25 --> 00:07:27 discovery was made possible through a
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 combination of test data machine
00:07:29 --> 00:07:31 learning algorithms and the Keen eyes of
00:07:31 --> 00:07:34 Citizen scientists it highlights the
00:07:34 --> 00:07:35 power of collaborative efforts between
00:07:35 --> 00:07:37 professional astronomers and amateur
00:07:37 --> 00:07:39 enthusiasts in pushing the boundaries of
00:07:39 --> 00:07:42 astronomical research looking ahead
00:07:42 --> 00:07:44 NASA's upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space
00:07:44 --> 00:07:48 Telescope set to launch in 2027 promises
00:07:48 --> 00:07:50 to reveal even more of these tightly
00:07:50 --> 00:07:53 packed star systems with its Superior
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 resolution Roman could potentially help
00:07:55 --> 00:07:57 us discover systems with even shorter
00:07:57 --> 00:07:59 orbits or perhaps even more stars
00:07:59 --> 00:08:01 crammed into a single system this
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 record-breaking triple star system
00:08:04 --> 00:08:05 serves as a reminder that the Universe
00:08:06 --> 00:08:08 still has plenty of surprises in store
00:08:08 --> 00:08:10 for us continually challenging and
00:08:10 --> 00:08:12 expanding our understanding of the
00:08:13 --> 00:08:15 cosmos speaking of discoveries here's
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 another one from an old friend the James
00:08:17 --> 00:08:19 web Space Telescope continues to Astound
00:08:19 --> 00:08:21 scientists with its groundbreaking
00:08:21 --> 00:08:23 discoveries recent observations have
00:08:23 --> 00:08:25 unveiled surprisingly bright and mature
00:08:25 --> 00:08:27 galaxies in the early Universe
00:08:27 --> 00:08:29 challenging our existing models of
00:08:29 --> 00:08:31 galaxy formation and cosmology these
00:08:31 --> 00:08:34 ancient galaxies observed just 300
00:08:34 --> 00:08:36 million years after the big bang are far
00:08:36 --> 00:08:38 more luminous than scientists
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 anticipated their brightness suggests
00:08:40 --> 00:08:42 they contain more stars in mass than
00:08:42 --> 00:08:43 previously thought possible for such
00:08:43 --> 00:08:46 young Cosmic objects what's even more
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 intriguing is that many of these early
00:08:48 --> 00:08:51 galaxies show signs of actively growing
00:08:51 --> 00:08:53 black holes at their centers another
00:08:53 --> 00:08:56 indication of their unexpectedly rapid
00:08:56 --> 00:08:57 maturation these findings have left
00:08:58 --> 00:08:59 astronomers scratching their heads
00:08:59 --> 00:09:01 how could these Galaxies have formed so
00:09:01 --> 00:09:03 quickly and become so bright in such a
00:09:03 --> 00:09:05 short time after the universe's birth
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 it's a puzzle that's forcing us to
00:09:07 --> 00:09:09 reconsider our understanding of early
00:09:09 --> 00:09:12 Galaxy Evolution some scientists propose
00:09:12 --> 00:09:13 that star formation in the early
00:09:13 --> 00:09:16 universe may have been more intense or
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 bursty than we previously believed
00:09:18 --> 00:09:20 others suggest factors like lower
00:09:20 --> 00:09:22 amounts of Galactic dust or a different
00:09:22 --> 00:09:24 distribution of star masses could
00:09:24 --> 00:09:26 explain the unexpected brightness but
00:09:26 --> 00:09:27 these observations aren't just
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 challenging our ideas about Galaxy
00:09:29 --> 00:09:31 formation they're also prompting some
00:09:31 --> 00:09:33 researchers to consider modifications to
00:09:33 --> 00:09:36 our broader cosmological theories some
00:09:36 --> 00:09:38 have even suggested that these findings
00:09:38 --> 00:09:40 might require us to reconsider the age
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 of the universe itself however it's
00:09:42 --> 00:09:44 important to note that before we start
00:09:44 --> 00:09:47 rewriting our cosmology textbooks we
00:09:47 --> 00:09:49 need a more detailed understanding of
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 the physical processes at work in these
00:09:51 --> 00:09:53 early galaxies as we continue to gather
00:09:53 --> 00:09:56 data and refine our models we may find
00:09:56 --> 00:09:58 explanations that fit within our current
00:09:58 --> 00:10:00 framework of understanding
00:10:00 --> 00:10:02 what's clear is that the James web Space
00:10:02 --> 00:10:04 Telescope is living up to its promise of
00:10:04 --> 00:10:06 revolutionizing our view of the early
00:10:06 --> 00:10:09 universe as WE peer further back in time
00:10:09 --> 00:10:11 we're sure to encounter more surprises
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 that will push the boundaries of our
00:10:12 --> 00:10:14 knowledge and Spark new questions about
00:10:14 --> 00:10:16 the
00:10:16 --> 00:10:18 cosmos and finally today another NASA
00:10:18 --> 00:10:20 record-breaking update NASA's Parker
00:10:20 --> 00:10:22 solar probe has once again pushed the
00:10:22 --> 00:10:24 boundaries of solar Exploration with its
00:10:24 --> 00:10:27 latest close encounter with our star on
00:10:27 --> 00:10:29 September 30th the probe completed it
00:10:29 --> 00:10:31 its 21st close approach to the sun
00:10:31 --> 00:10:33 matching its own impressive distance
00:10:33 --> 00:10:35 record by coming within just 4.51
00:10:36 --> 00:10:38 million miles of the solar surface
00:10:38 --> 00:10:40 during this close approach or parhelion
00:10:40 --> 00:10:42 the spacecraft reached speeds of nearly
00:10:42 --> 00:10:46 395 mph as it raced around the Sun
00:10:46 --> 00:10:49 this mindboggling velocity is about 180
00:10:49 --> 00:10:51 times faster than the speed of a typical
00:10:51 --> 00:10:54 commercial airliner but the Parker solar
00:10:54 --> 00:10:56 probe isn't done breaking records yet
00:10:56 --> 00:10:58 after a fly by of Venus in November
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 which will use the planet gravity to
00:11:00 --> 00:11:02 adjust the probe's trajectory it will
00:11:02 --> 00:11:04 make an even closer approach to the sun
00:11:04 --> 00:11:06 on December 24th this upcoming encounter
00:11:07 --> 00:11:08 will bring the spacecraft within a mere
00:11:08 --> 00:11:12 3.8 million miles of the solar surface
00:11:12 --> 00:11:15 traveling at speeds around 430 m per
00:11:15 --> 00:11:18 hour these Incredibly Close passes allow
00:11:18 --> 00:11:20 scientists to gather unprecedented data
00:11:20 --> 00:11:22 about the sun's atmosphere magnetic
00:11:22 --> 00:11:24 fields and the solar wind The
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 information collected by the Parker
00:11:26 --> 00:11:28 solar probe is helping us better
00:11:28 --> 00:11:30 understand our star and its effects on
00:11:30 --> 00:11:32 Space weather which can impact
00:11:32 --> 00:11:35 technology both in orbit and on
00:11:35 --> 00:11:37 Earth and that brings us to the end of
00:11:37 --> 00:11:40 today's Journey Through the cosmos from
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 record-breaking star systems to
00:11:41 --> 00:11:44 mysterious early galaxies the universe
00:11:44 --> 00:11:47 never fails to amaze and Inspire us I'm
00:11:47 --> 00:11:48 Anna and I hope you've enjoyed this
00:11:49 --> 00:11:51 episode of astronomy daily if you're
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 hungry for more space news be sure to
00:11:53 --> 00:11:55 check out our website at astronomy
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00:12:17 --> 00:12:19 day thanks for tuning in and remember
00:12:19 --> 00:12:22 keep looking up because the sky is never
00:12:22 --> 00:12:24 the limit until next time this is Anna
00:12:24 --> 00:12:28 for astronomy daily signing
00:12:28 --> 00:12:36 off St is
00:12:36 --> 00:12:39 told St
00:12:39 --> 00:12:46 [Music]