Spacetime With Stuart Gary

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 135*Could Uranus Moon Miranda Have a Subsurface Ocean?A new study suggests that Uranus' moon Miranda may harbour a liquid water ocean beneath its peculiar jigsaw-like surface. The findings, published in the Planetary Science Journal, challenge existing assumptions about Miranda's history and composition, potentially placing it among the select few worlds in our solar system with environments that could support life. The study highlights the intriguing possibility of a vast ocean beneath Miranda's icy crust, kept warm by gravitational tidal forces.*NASA Discovers Weird Red Rocks with Green Spots on MarsNASA's Mars Perseverance Rover has stumbled upon strange red rocks with green spots on the Martian surface. As the rover continues its journey towards the rim of Jezero Crater, it has uncovered a new geological puzzle featuring red and green rocks. Scientists are intrigued by the green spots, which could suggest past water activity, but their exact composition remains a mystery due to

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 134*Perseverance's Uphill Struggle in Jezero CraterNASA's Mars Perseverance Rover faces challenges as it attempts to climb the steep and slippery ridgeline of Jezero Crater. Despite its previous experience with steep inclines, this mission marks the first time the rover has tackled such a challenging combination of slope and surface. Engineers are exploring new strategies, including driving backwards and zigzagging, to improve traction. The goal is to reach the crater's rim for valuable scientific exploration, with plans to study potential microbial life signs preserved in ancient rock layers.*ESA's Ramses Mission to ApophisThe European Space Agency is preparing for its Ramses mission to study the asteroid Apophis as it makes a close flyby of Earth in 2029. This rare event offers a unique opportunity to understand Apophis's composition and reaction to gravitational forces, crucial for future planetary defence strategies. The mission is modelled on the HERA spacecraft, and aims to l

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 133*Earth's Mantle: Two Distinct Domains RevealedGroundbreaking research has unveiled that the Earth's mantle is composed of two distinct and separate types of materials, forming independent African and Pacific domains. This discovery, published in Nature Geoscience, challenges previous assumptions of a chemically uniform mantle. The study highlights how these domains have been shaped by the formation and breakup of supercontinents over the past 700 million years, revealing the Earth has two chemically distinct hemispheres.*China's Ambitious Lunar PlansChina is accelerating its space ambitions, aiming to send its first taikonauts to the moon by 2030. The China Manned Space Agency plans to use its new Long March 10 rocket to transport taikonauts and a lunar lander to the moon's surface. This mission marks a significant step in China's lunar exploration, with plans to establish a joint base with Russia on the lunar surface by the early 2030s.*NASA's SpaceX Crew 8 Returns to EarthAfte

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 132*Could Betelgeuse Actually Be Two Stars?A new study raises the intriguing possibility that the red supergiant Betelgeuse may not be on the brink of supernova, as previously thought. Instead, it might be a binary star system. This revelation, reported in the Astrophysical Journal, suggests that an unseen companion star could be causing Betelgeuse's pulsing brightness, challenging the long-held belief of its impending explosion.*Richard Branson to Co-Pilot Space Perspective's First Manned Balloon FlightVirgin Group founder Richard Branson is set to co-pilot Space Perspective's first manned stratospheric balloon flight. The flight promises a gentle ascent to 100,000 feet, offering panoramic views of Earth without the high G-forces of traditional Space tourism, marking a new era in high-altitude experiences.*Australia's Ambitious Spaceport PlansDespite not launching an orbital mission in over 50 years, Australia is gearing up to expand its spaceport capabilities. Proposals for new s

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 131*Ultra High Energy Gamma Rays Detected in the Milky Way's CoreScientists have detected ultra high energy gamma rays emanating from the centre of the Milky Way. This discovery, reported in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, offers a new perspective on the violent phenomena occurring in the galactic core. Using the High Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory in Mexico, researchers measured these gamma rays at over 100 tera electron volts, providing insights into the cosmic processes involving Sagittarius A, the galaxy's central supermassive black hole.*Discovery of a Potential Triple Black Hole SystemAstronomers have identified what may be the first triple black hole system, located 8,000 light years away. This discovery could be the first direct evidence of gentle black hole formation, challenging the typical violent supernova origin theory. The system includes a central black hole, a closely orbiting star, and a far-off companion star, suggesting a more subtle formation process kn

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 130*Epoch of Reionization: New Insights from WebbA groundbreaking study suggests the epoch of reionization, a pivotal era in the universe's early evolution, may have occurred 350 million years earlier than previously believed. Utilising data from the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have uncovered a greater abundance of extreme ultraviolet emitting galaxies, challenging established models. This revelation might imply that the cosmic microwave background radiation and the Lyman alpha forest should appear different, posing a conundrum for scientists and opening new avenues for understanding the universe's history.*NASA's DaVinci Mission Prepares for VenusNASA's upcoming DaVinci mission aims to explore Venus's enigmatic Alpha Regio, a mountainous region shrouded in mystery. The mission, set for the early 2030s, will delve into whether Venus once harboured oceans and continents, akin to Earth. By reanalysing old data and employing modern techniques, scientists have enhanced the

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 129*First Evidence of a Volcanic Splatocone on MarsScientists have identified what appears to be the first evidence of a volcanic splatter cone on Mars, similar to those found on Earth. This discovery, led by Ian Flynn from the University of Idaho, sheds light on the volcanic processes of the red planet. The presence of splatter cones, which form under specific conditions, provides new insights into Martian volcanology and the dynamics of volcanic eruptions.*Volcanic Moon Around a Distant Exoplanet?A new study suggests the presence of a volcanic exomoon orbiting the exoplanet WASP 49 b, located 635 light years away. The discovery is based on a sodium cloud detected near the planet, resembling the volcanic activity seen on Jupiter's moon Io. This potential exomoon could offer a new perspective on moons outside our solar system, although further observations are needed to confirm its existence.*Sun Reaches Solar MaximumThe sun has reached the solar maximum of its 11-year cycle, marki

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 128*Dating the Moon's Oldest Impact CraterScientists have pinpointed the edge of the massive South Pole-Aitken Basin, the largest and oldest known impact crater on the Moon, dating it to over 4.32 billion years old. By analysing a lunar meteorite, researchers have concluded that this impact site is around 120 million years earlier than the previously believed intense period of impact bombardment. These findings provide a clearer picture of the Moon's early impact history and have implications for understanding Earth's early conditions.*Recreating the Sound of Earth's Magnetic Polar FlipWith evidence suggesting that Earth's magnetic poles are about to flip, scientists have recreated what they believe could be the sound of this event. Earth's magnetic field, vital for life, is generated by the planet's molten outer core. The recreated soundscape provides an audio insight into the geomagnetic reversals, which occur roughly every 250,000 years, with the last flip occurring 770,000 year

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 127*SpaceX's Starship's Fifth Test Flight SuccessSpaceX's Starship has completed its fifth test flight with a spectacular feat of engineering, successfully catching the super heavy booster with mechanical chopsticks on the launch pad tower. The booster, equipped with 33 Raptor engines, returned to Earth after a successful launch from SpaceX's Starbase in Texas, showcasing the potential for rapid reuse and interplanetary missions. The test flight marks a significant step towards developing Starship for NASA's Artemis III mission, aiming for a manned moon landing in 2026.*Origins of Earth's Meteorites UncoveredA new study reveals that most meteorites reaching Earth originate from just three major asteroid breakup events. The findings, published in Astronomy and Astrophysics and Nature, identify the Karin, Koronis, and Massalia asteroid families as the sources of 70% of meteorite falls. These discoveries enhance our understanding of asteroid collisions in the main belt between Mars an

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 126*NASA's Parker Solar Probe Completes 21st Philip of the SunNASA's Parker Solar Probe has achieved its 21st close encounter with the Sun, matching its previous distance and speed records. The spacecraft swooped to within 7.26 million kilometers of the solar surface at a record speed of 635,300 km/h. This flyby sets up the probe for its final closest approaches, with its orbit shaped by a Venus gravity assist. The mission, launched in 2018, aims to study the Sun's corona and the solar wind, unraveling the mysteries of solar phenomena that impact the solar system.*Webb Space Telescope Finds Potential Missing Link to First StarsAstronomers using NASA's Webb Space Telescope have identified a galaxy with an unusual light signature that could be a missing link in galactic evolution. The galaxy, found approximately a billion years after the Big Bang, features gas outshining its stars, possibly due to massive, hot stars. This discovery offers insights into the transition from the univers

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 125*Discovery of the Most Distant Spiral GalaxyAstronomers have identified the most distant spiral galaxy ever seen, named REBELS 25. This galaxy, observed as it was 13.1 billion years ago, challenges current models of galaxy formation with its orderly spiral structure, despite being from an era when the universe was just 700 million years old. The discovery, made using the ALMA radio telescope in Chile, offers new insights into the early universe and the evolution of galaxies.*Record-Breaking Mantle Rock RecoveryScientists have achieved a groundbreaking recovery of rocks from Earth's mantle, the planet's largest component. The 1268-meter-long section of mantle rock, retrieved from the Atlantic's mid-ocean ridge, provides new insights into the mantle's role in Earth's geological processes. The findings, published in Science, reveal unexpected levels of melting and composition, offering clues to the origins of life and volcanic activity.*Launch of ESA's Hera Asteroid MissionThe Euro

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 124*Galaxies: Bigger Than We Ever ImaginedRecent findings suggest that galaxies are far larger than previously thought, with gaseous halos extending much further into intergalactic space. This study, published in Nature Astronomy, focuses on the circumgalactic medium of a starburst galaxy 270 million light-years away. These halos, accounting for about 70% of a galaxy's mass excluding dark matter, may already be interacting with neighboring galaxies like Andromeda and the Milky Way. The research offers fresh insights into galaxy evolution, gas cycling, and the cosmic web.*Ancient Microbes Found in Billion-Year-Old RocksScientists have discovered living microbes in 2 billion-year-old rocks from South Africa's Bushveld Igneous Complex. This groundbreaking find, published in Microbial Ecology, represents the oldest known living microorganisms. The study utilized advanced imaging techniques to confirm the microbes were native to the ancient rock, offering a glimpse into early life on Ea

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 123*Discovery of a New Region within the Earth's CoreScientists have uncovered a doughnut-shaped region within Earth's molten liquid outer core, located at low latitudes parallel to the equator. This torus-like zone was detected due to seismic waves travelling slower through this area compared to the rest of the liquid outer core. The discovery, published in Science Advances, suggests that this region could be several hundred kilometres thick and contains a high concentration of light chemical elements, which may be affecting the seismic wave speeds. The findings provide new insights into the Earth's magnetic field and its potential future changes.*Fresh Questions about the True Origins of the Earth's MoonA new hypothesis challenges the widely accepted giant impact theory of the Moon's formation. The study proposes that the Moon was captured during a close encounter between the young Earth and a separate terrestrial binary planetary system. This theory could explain the Moon's curr

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 122*The Sun's Most Powerful Solar Flare in Over a DecadeThe Sun has unleashed its most powerful solar flare in more than a decade, with a spectacular X9.1 class event. This massive solar flare, part of a pair that erupted just two days apart, was detected by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. The event sparked strong G3 class geomagnetic storms, causing auroral activity to reach mid-latitudes and triggering deep shortwave radio blackouts. Solar flares, like this one, can have significant impacts on Earth's atmosphere, communications, and power grids.*Ceres: A Former Ocean World?New research suggests that the dwarf planet Ceres may have once been an ocean world. The study, published in Nature Astronomy, indicates that Ceres has a dirty icy crust, suggesting a past filled with muddy oceans. Computer simulations reveal that the crust may contain up to 90% ice, challenging previous assumptions of a drier Ceres. The findings are based on data from NASA’s Dawn mission, which observed sur

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 121*A New Planet Discovered Orbiting Barnard's StarAstronomers have discovered a new exoplanet orbiting Barnard's Star, the closest single star to the Sun. This newly found planet, Barnard b, has about half the mass of Earth and completes an orbit around its host star every three Earth days. Located 5.96 light-years away, Barnard's Star is a small red dwarf in the constellation Ophiuchus. The discovery was made using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope and has sparked interest due to its low mass and proximity to its star. The study also hints at the existence of three more potential exoplanets in the system, although additional observations are needed for confirmation.*ESA's Hera Mission LaunchThe European Space Agency's Hera mission is set to launch, aimed at exploring the aftermath of NASA's DART mission impact on the asteroid Dimorphos. The mission will provide detailed analysis of the impact site and the asteroid's composition, mass, and structural changes

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 120*Planet Earth Just Got a Second MoonPlanet Earth has temporarily acquired a second moon, a tiny near-Earth asteroid named 2024 PTS. Captured by Earth's gravitational field on September 29, this 10-metre wide Space rock will remain in orbit until November 25, making it one of only five known mini moons. Discovered by the Atlas asteroid terrestrial impact last alert system, 2024 PTS belongs to the Arjuna asteroid group and is too small to be seen with the naked eye but can be observed through a telescope.*Mars' Missing Atmosphere Could Be in Its CrustA new study suggests Mars' missing atmosphere could be hiding in plain sight within the planet's crust. The research, published in the journal Science Advances, posits that ancient water on Mars may have reacted with the planet's ultramafic igneous rocks to form smectite clays, trapping carbon dioxide and converting it into methane. This process could account for up to 80% of Mars' initial atmosphere, providing a potential future ener

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 119*Australian Crater Offers Fresh Insights into Earth's HistoryScientists have uncovered a potential 600-kilometre-wide crater in Australia's outback, which could revolutionise our understanding of Earth's geological past. This discovery, presented at the 37th International Geological Congress in South Korea, suggests the existence of Mapix, a massive Cambrian-Precambrian impact structure. The crater's unique characteristics could provide new insights into the geological and biological evolution of our planet. The study's authors have found significant geological evidence, including pseudotachylite breccia and shock minerals like lonsdaleite, supporting the age, size, and location of this impact structure.*Perseverance Rover Discovers Striped Rock on MarsNASA's Mars Perseverance rover has spotted an unusual black and white striped rock on the Red Planet. The discovery was made during the rover's exploration of the outer rim of Jezero Crater. The rock, named Freya Castle, has a str

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 118*Dark Matter May Be Experiencing Forces Beyond GravityA groundbreaking new study suggests that dark matter, the elusive substance making up 85% of the universe's matter, may interact through forces other than gravity. Using observations from the Hubble Space Telescope, researchers have found that dark matter particles might experience additional forces, providing crucial new insights into their nature. The findings challenge the long-held collisionless cold dark matter model, opening new avenues for understanding the universe's most perplexing component.*Rare Naked Eye Comet Visible from EarthSkywatchers have a unique opportunity to witness the rare comet C/2023 A3 (Shushani Atlas) with the naked eye. Discovered by the Purple Mountain Observatory and the Atlas system, this comet is currently visible just before sunrise near the eastern horizon. On an 80,000-year journey from the Oort cloud, it is expected to become even brighter after passing close to the Sun, potentially reachi

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 117*The Biggest Black Hole Jets Ever SeenAstronomers have detected the largest pair of black hole jets ever observed, stretching an astounding 23 million light years. Named Porphyron, this jet megastructure dates back to when the universe was just 6.3 billion years old. The discovery, published in the journal Nature, suggests that these colossal jets had a significant impact on galaxy formation during the universe's early epochs.*NASA's Europa Clipper Mission Ready for LaunchAll systems are go for next month's launch of NASA's Europa Clipper mission, set to study the oceans of Jupiter's ice moon, Europa. The spacecraft will be launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket and will undertake a series of 49 close flybys to determine if Europa's subsurface ocean could be habitable.*Iran Tests Another Nuclear Capable MissileIn defiance of United Nations resolutions, Iran has tested a new medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The launch of the Karam 100 mis

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 116*Discovery of More Black Holes Than Expected in the Early UniverseA new study using the Hubble Space Telescope has uncovered a significantly higher number of supermassive black holes in the early universe than previously anticipated. Published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, the findings could revolutionise our understanding of how these ancient black holes formed shortly after the Big Bang. Astronomers, including Alice Young from Stockholm University, suggest that these massive black holes might have originated from the collapse of massive gas clouds or through rapid mergers of smaller stellar-mass black holes.*New Volcano Spotted on Jupiter's Moon IoAstronomers have discovered a new volcano on Io, one of Jupiter's moons, using the Junocam instrument aboard NASA's Juno mission. Io, the most geologically active object in the solar system, boasts over 400 active volcanoes. The newly discovered volcano, located just south of Io's equator, was identified in the first close-up