Spacetime With Stuart Gary

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 89, where we explore the latest cosmic events and advancements in space exploration.- Titan's Tiny Waves: Astronomers have determined that the seas of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, exhibit very tiny waves, only a few millimetres high. The findings, based on data from the Cassini spacecraft, reveal tidal currents and provide fresh insights into Titan's liquid hydrocarbon seas.- Moon Caves as Future Lunar Dwellings: New research suggests that underground cave networks on the Moon could offer safe dwellings for future astronauts. Detected through NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, these caverns could provide shelter from radiation and extreme temperatures.- Increased Fire Risk on Space Missions: A new study warns of an increased risk of fire on future long-distance interplanetary space missions. The unique conditions of microgravity and lower ambient air pressure could make fires spread more quickly and burn more intensely, posing significant dangers for space travellers

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 88, where we delve into the latest cosmic events and advancements in space exploration.- **Climate Change and Earth's Rotation**: Discover how human activity is altering the planet's rotation. New studies reveal that melting ice masses in Greenland and Antarctica are causing water to flow into the world's oceans, shifting mass towards the equator and affecting Earth's rotational speed. This fascinating phenomenon is explored in depth, including its implications for future space navigation.- - **The Three-Body Problem**: We unravel the complexities of the three-body problem in celestial mechanics, a challenging conundrum that has puzzled scientists for centuries. Learn about its historical significance, recent advancements, and how it impacts our understanding of the cosmos. The discussion also touches on the popular Netflix series inspired by this mathematical challenge.- - **SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Failure**: SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket experiences a rare mid-flight failur

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 87, where we delve into the latest cosmic events and advancements in space exploration.**NASA's Parker Solar Probe**: NASA's Parker Solar Probe has just completed its 20th close approach to the Sun, setting a new record as the fastest man-made object ever built. Achieving perihelion at a distance of 7.26 million kilometres from the Sun's surface, the probe travelled at an astonishing 635,266 kilometres per hour. This milestone marks the midpoint of the mission's 20th solar encounter, with more close approaches planned for the future.- **China's Secretive Space Plane**: China's highly secretive reusable space plane has released another mysterious spacecraft into orbit. The experimental spacecraft, named Sheng Long or "Divine Dragon," has been in orbit for nearly 200 days on its third mission. Launched aboard a Long March 2F rocket, the space plane's activities remain shrouded in mystery, with speculation about its sub-satellite designed for proximity and recapture spy ma

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 86, where we explore the latest cosmic events and advancements in space exploration.First, new sophisticated computer models are giving scientists a glimpse inside neutron stars, revealing that these exotic objects might be made of nuclear pasta. Discover how atomic nuclei, protons, and neutrons deform into plates and strings under extreme conditions, providing new insights into the densest objects in the universe, second only to black holes.- Next, the crew aboard the International Space Station captures stunning images of red sprites, ephemeral and little-understood bolts of lightning occurring high above thunderstorm clouds. Learn about the fascinating phenomenon of sprites, blue jets, and elves, and how these transient luminous events are studied from space.- Finally, we delve into the observations of Hurricane Beryl, the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2024 season. With deadly winds and extreme storm surges, Beryl's rapid intensification was monitored by NASA and N

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 85, where we explore the latest cosmic events and advancements in space exploration.- First, a groundbreaking new study suggests that Mars may have always been a cold, icy world, incapable of supporting life as we know it. This research, published in Communications Earth and Environment, challenges the long-held belief that the Red Planet was once warm and wet, potentially hospitable to life. By analysing Martian soils in Gale Crater, scientists found similarities to the cold, subarctic soils of Newfoundland in Canada, raising questions about Mars' ability to support life.- Next, Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket powers into space for the first time. After a decade of development and numerous delays, the Ariane 6 has finally launched, marking a new era for the European Space Agency's heavy-lift capabilities. This maiden flight from the Kourou Spaceport in French Guiana carried 18 satellites, demonstrating the rocket's versatility and potential for increased launch capacity.-

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 84, where we delve into the latest cosmic discoveries and space exploration advancements.       - First, new ultra-high-resolution cosmology simulations are shaking up long-held beliefs about how supermassive black holes grow and evolve. These simulations reveal that magnetic fields play a far more significant role than previously thought, propping up and shaping the accretion discs that feed these monstrous objects. Discover how these findings are bridging the gap between large-scale cosmic phenomena and the intricate details of star formation.-- Next, we explore a proposed new NASA flagship mission to study Uranus, one of the solar system's most mysterious ice giants. This mission aims to uncover the secrets behind Uranus' unusual magnetic field, its many moons, and its rings, providing insights left unanswered since the Voyager 2 flybys nearly 50 years ago.- Finally, a Chinese rocket launches unexpectedly during a static engine test, leading to a dramatic explosion.

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 83, where we explore the latest cosmic events and advancements in space exploration. First, NASA's Webb Space Telescope has identified luminous, very red objects from the early universe, challenging conventional models of galaxy and supermassive black hole formation. These mysterious objects, dating back to 600-800 million years after the Big Bang, contain ancient stars and massive black holes, suggesting an unexpectedly rapid formation in the young universe. The findings, published in the Astrophysical Journal, reveal that these objects are galaxies more than 13 billion years old, packed with stars and supermassive black holes far larger than those in our Milky Way galaxy. Next, NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft has set a new record with 100,000 orbits around the red planet. This 23-year-old orbiter has been instrumental in mapping Mars' surface, identifying landing sites, and relaying data from rovers and landers. A recent image of Olympus Mons, the tallest volcano in th

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 82, where we explore the latest cosmic events and groundbreaking discoveries in space exploration.First, a space debris emergency aboard the International Space Station. The crew was ordered to take shelter after ground-based radar detected a large cloud of debris from a disused Russian satellite. The debris was tracked by the new Western Australian space radar station operated by LeoLabs, highlighting the growing problem of space junk and its impact on the ISS.Next, a new study reveals that Mars is hit by meteors on a daily basis. Using seismic data from NASA's Mars InSight lander, scientists have determined that between 280 and 360 meteors strike the Red Planet each year, forming impact craters greater than eight meters across. This discovery offers new insights into Martian impact rates and the planet's geological history.Finally, claims of alien technology discovered on the seafloor near Australia have been dismissed. Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb's controversial expe

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 81, where we delve into the latest discoveries and advancements in space exploration.First, new observations from NASA's Juno spacecraft reveal that Jupiter's volcanic moon Io is covered in lakes of molten lava. These findings, published in Communications Earth and Environments, provide a fuller picture of Io's extensive volcanic activity and offer new insights into the volcanic processes at work on this ancient, violent world. Io, slightly larger than Earth's moon, is the most volcanically active world in our solar system due to the gravitational forces from its neighboring Jovian moons and Jupiter itself. Juno's recent flybys have captured high-resolution infrared images showing bright rings surrounding numerous hotspots, indicating that much of Io's surface is covered in lava lakes with caldera-like features.Next, NASA's Mars Perseverance rover has crossed an ancient Martian riverbed in the Jezero Crater, reaching the Bright Angel geological site earlier than expecte

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 80, where we uncover the latest cosmic events and advancements in space exploration.First, the European Space Agency reports a rare occurrence of two large asteroids swooping past Earth within 42 hours. One of these, 2024 MK, was only discovered two weeks before its close encounter, highlighting the need for improved detection of potentially hazardous near-Earth objects (NEOs). We delve into the details of these celestial visitors and their implications for planetary defense.Next, we explore the challenges and solutions for sustaining human life on Mars. Scientists at Utah State University are working on a NASA-funded project to develop self-sustainability strategies for future Mars missions. Discover how researchers are optimizing food production and plant-based therapeutics to support long-term habitation on the Red Planet.Finally, we look at how astronauts maintain fitness in microgravity and how similar workouts can be practiced on Earth. Researchers have found inno

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 79, where we uncover the latest groundbreaking developments in space exploration and astronomy.First, astronomers have discovered ancient star clusters in a galaxy dating back to near the dawn of time. These clusters, detected using gravitational lensing and the powerful near-infrared camera aboard the Webb Space Telescope, represent the earliest evidence of how the first stars and galaxies formed. The findings, published in Nature, suggest these clusters could be the seeds for the very first globular star clusters.Next, China has successfully completed its historic Chang'e-6 mission, returning samples from the far side of the moon. The mission, which targeted the moon's South Pole-Aitken Basin, has brought back 1,935.3 grams of lunar regolith. These samples are expected to provide new insights into the geological differences between the near and far sides of the moon.Finally, Rocket Lab celebrates a milestone with the successful launch of its 50th Electron rocket. This

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 78, where we delve into the latest discoveries and missions in the vast expanse of space.First, the European Space Agency's Euclid Space Telescope has discovered seven more rogue planets in the darkness of interstellar space. These gas giants, each with at least four times the mass of Jupiter, were detected in the direction of the Orion Nebula. The study also confirmed the existence of dozens of other previously detected rogue planets, including four binaries. These lonely worlds, flung out of their original star systems, wander unbound through space, presenting a fascinating prospect for future research.Next, mission managers have announced that the European Space Agency's upcoming Hera mission will utilize a Mars flyby next March to study the Martian moon Demos. This maneuver will provide the necessary velocity to reach the Didymos binary asteroid system. Hera, together with cubesats Juventus and Milani, will closely examine the impact of NASA's DART spacecraft on Dim

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 77, where we explore the latest cosmic discoveries and advancements in space exploration.First, astronomers have discovered the earliest known pair of quasars in the process of merging. Reported in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, this discovery represents the earliest known merger of supermassive black holes, occurring just 900 million years after the Big Bang. This period, known as the cosmic dawn, is crucial for understanding the formation of the first stars and galaxies and the epoch of reionization.Next, NASA's Mars Perseverance rover has discovered oddly textured, popcorn-like rocks in a formation known as Bright Angel. These rocks suggest the presence of groundwater in Mars' past, and mission managers plan to conduct detailed exploration to uncover their origins.Finally, new insights into the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*, have been presented at the 244th meeting of the American Astronomical Society. Using decades of x-ray data, astronomer

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 76, where we delve into the latest groundbreaking discoveries in planetary science and astronomy.First, scientists have uncovered evidence that fresh water existed on Earth about 4 billion years ago, pushing back the timeframe for the potential emergence of life by 500 million years. This discovery, based on zircon crystal analysis from the Jack Hills formation in Western Australia, challenges the long-held belief that Earth was entirely covered by oceans at that time. The study's findings suggest that fresh water and land masses existed much earlier, setting the stage for life to flourish.Next, new research indicates that the rotation of Earth's inner core has slowed down compared to the planet's surface. This discovery, reported in the journal Nature, shows that the inner core began to decelerate around 2010, moving slower than the Earth's mantle and crust for the first time in decades. The implications of this change are still being explored, but it may ultimately af

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 75, where we explore the latest cosmic events and scientific advancements shaping our understanding of the universe.First, we delve into how Mars lit up during last month's spectacular solar storm. These solar events provided astronomers with unprecedented data, revealing the impact of solar flares and coronal mass ejections on the Red Planet. We discuss the implications for future human missions to Mars and the potential radiation exposure astronauts might face.Next, unexpected differences have been discovered in the thickness of the Milky Way galaxy's disk. New observations reveal that the inner part of the disk is only half as thick as the outer part, challenging our understanding of the galaxy's structure and evolution.Finally, scientists have developed a new atlas dealing with space health, covering the broad-ranging molecular changes and DNA damage experienced during spaceflight. This research is crucial for preparing for long-term lunar and Martian missions.Follo

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 74, where we explore the latest cosmic discoveries and advancements in space exploration.First, astronomers have discovered water frost on the solar system's tallest volcanoes, including Olympus Mons on Mars. This groundbreaking find challenges existing ideas about the red planet's climate dynamics and suggests the presence of water frost near the Martian equator for the first time. The study, led by Domus Valentinus, reveals that this frost is incredibly thin, likely only 100th of a millimeter thick, and consists of at least 150,000 tons of water that cycles between the surface and the atmosphere during the cold seasons.Next, we delve into the European Space Agency's Proba-3 mission, which aims to study the sun's outer atmosphere or corona. This innovative mission involves two spacecraft flying in formation to create an artificial solar eclipse, allowing for sustained study of the sun's faint coronal atmosphere. The mission will launch aboard an Indian PSLV rocket from

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 73, where we delve into the latest cosmic discoveries and advancements shaping our understanding of the universe.First, astronomers have developed a new theory of dark matter to explain the mysterious dwarf galaxy Crater 2. Despite its proximity at 383,000 light-years from Earth and its large size—making it the fourth largest satellite galaxy orbiting the Milky Way—Crater 2 has a surprisingly low surface brightness and velocity dispersion. This has led scientists to propose the self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) theory, which may better account for the galaxy's unusual properties.Next, new research dismisses the idea of a lake under the Martian south polar ice cap. Instead, it suggests that the bright radar reflections previously interpreted as liquid water are likely due to resolution interference between radio waves. This finding, based on computer simulations, challenges the notion of subsurface liquid water on Mars.Finally, we highlight the development of a new day

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 72, where we uncover the latest cosmic discoveries and scientific advancements.First, astronomers have discovered that a tiny moonlet orbiting the main belt asteroid Dinkinesh is actually two little moons melded together. Known as contact binaries, these moonlets could provide fresh insights into the complex processes behind planetary formation and evolution. We delve into the details of this fascinating discovery made by NASA's Lucy spacecraft.Next, we discuss the possibility of an underground ocean on Saturn's moon Mimas. Scientists speculate that as Mimas's orbital eccentricity decreased, its icy shell may have melted and thinned, leading to the formation of a subsurface ocean. This finding could have significant implications for our understanding of the Saturnian system.Finally, we highlight NASA's launch of its second pre-fire satellite into orbit aboard Rocket Lab's Electron rocket. These satellites are designed to study how much heat the Arctic and Antarctic are

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 71, where we delve into the latest cosmic events and technological advancements reshaping our understanding of the universe.First, we discuss NASA's announcement that the Hubble Space Telescope will begin winding back its science programme due to ongoing issues with its gyroscopes. This decision marks a significant transition for the historic observatory, which has revolutionised astronomical discovery since its launch in 1990.Next, we cover the long-awaited launch of Boeing's Starliner, which has finally taken a crew to the International Space Station. This milestone paves the way for Starliner to join SpaceX's Dragon in transporting crews to the orbiting outpost under NASA's commercial crew programme.Finally, we highlight NASA's OSIRIS Apex spacecraft's survival after a close encounter with the sun. This mission is essential for its upcoming rendezvous with the asteroid Apophis in 2029.Follow our cosmic conversations on X @stuartgary, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 70, where we delve into the latest cosmic events and groundbreaking discoveries shaping our understanding of the universe.First, we explore SpaceX's Starship, the world's largest and most powerful rocket, which has successfully completed its fourth test flight. This historic mission is a significant step towards developing a colonial transport ship capable of carrying 100 people or 150 tonnes of supplies to the moon, Mars, and beyond. We dive into the details of the launch, the hot staging manoeuvre, and the successful splashdown.Next, we discuss China's latest lunar lander, which has successfully touched down on the far side of the moon. This mission aims to collect samples from the lunar South Pole's Aitken basin, providing valuable insights into the moon's formation and evolution.Finally, we highlight the arrival of three new Australian-built satellites in Japan, destined for launch to the International Space Station. These satellites are part of Curtin University's