March 22, 2025

NASA's Parker Solar Probe and SphereX Milestones, Plus Space Tornado Insights: S04E70

NASA's Parker Solar Probe and SphereX Milestones, Plus Space Tornado Insights: S04E70

Astronomy Daily | Space News: S04E70
In this thrilling episode of Astronomy Daily, host Anna takes you on a cosmic adventure through the latest discoveries that are reshaping our understanding of the universe. From the Parker Solar Probe's...

Season 4
Astronomy Daily | Space News: S04E70
In this thrilling episode of Astronomy Daily, host Anna takes you on a cosmic adventure through the latest discoveries that are reshaping our understanding of the universe. From the Parker Solar Probe's record-breaking approach to the Sun to the unveiling of space tornadoes in the Milky Way, this episode is packed with exciting insights that will leave you in awe of the cosmos.
Highlights:
- Parker Solar Probe's Daring Encounter: Join us as we explore the Parker Solar Probe's upcoming close approach to the Sun, where it will travel at an astonishing 430,000 miles per hour, gathering unprecedented data from the solar corona. This mission promises to unlock the mysteries of solar wind and space weather, enhancing our ability to protect technology on Earth.
- Spherex Space Observatory Launch: Discover the recently launched Spherex Space Observatory, which has opened its protective dust cover and is set to map the entire celestial sky in incredible detail. This ambitious mission aims to provide insights into the history of the universe and the formation of galaxies through infrared observations.
- NASA's EZIE Satellite Mission: Learn about NASA's EZIE mission, which is now fully operational and focused on studying electrojets in the upper atmosphere. These powerful electrical currents have significant implications for understanding space weather and its effects on modern technology.
- Space Tornadoes in the Milky Way: Uncover the astonishing discovery of space tornadoes swirling around the core of our galaxy. These newly identified structures challenge our understanding of the turbulent environment surrounding the Milky Way's supermassive black hole and reveal the complex dynamics at play.
- Chang'e-6 Moon Research: Delve into groundbreaking research from China's Chang'e-6 mission, which has determined the age of the Moon's largest impact crater, offering crucial insights into the early history of our solar system and lunar evolution.
- Preview of Lucy's Asteroid Philip: Get ready for NASA's Lucy spacecraft as it prepares for a flyby of the asteroid Donald Johansson, a rehearsal for its ultimate mission to Jupiter's Trojan asteroids. This encounter promises to yield valuable data about the formation of these ancient celestial bodies.
- Good News About WR104: Finally, breathe a sigh of relief as we discuss findings regarding the binary star system WR104, also known as the Death Star. New research reveals that Earth is not in its line of fire, alleviating concerns about potential gamma-ray bursts.
For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, TikTok, and our new Instagram account! Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Thank you for tuning in. This is Anna signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.
00:00 - Welcome to Astronomy Daily
01:05 - Parker Solar Probe's close approach
10:30 - Spherex Space Observatory updates
17:00 - EZ satellite mission overview
22:15 - Discovery of space tornadoes
27:30 - Chang'e 6 findings on the Moon
32:00 - Lucy's upcoming asteroid flyby
37:00 - WR104 and Earth's safety
✍️ Episode References
Parker Solar Probe Updates
[NASA](https://www.nasa.gov)
Spherex Space Observatory
[NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/spherex)
EZ Satellite Mission
[Johns Hopkins APL](
WEBVTT

1
00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:03.680
Welcome to Astronomy Daily. I'm your host Anna, and today

2
00:00:03.720 --> 00:00:06.719
we're embarking on a cosmic journey through the latest breakthroughs

3
00:00:06.719 --> 00:00:10.320
and discoveries in our vast universe. It's an exciting time

4
00:00:10.359 --> 00:00:14.039
for space exploration, with NASA's Parker Solar Probe about to

5
00:00:14.080 --> 00:00:18.480
make another record equaling close approach to our Sun, zooming

6
00:00:18.519 --> 00:00:21.839
through the corona at an astonishing four hundred thirty thousand

7
00:00:21.879 --> 00:00:25.199
miles per hour. We'll dive into what scientists hope to

8
00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:28.480
learn from this daring mission. Also on our radar is

9
00:00:28.519 --> 00:00:31.559
the recently launched sphere X space observatory that has just

10
00:00:31.679 --> 00:00:34.759
opened its eyes to the cosmos after ejecting its protective

11
00:00:34.840 --> 00:00:38.200
dust cover. This innovative telescope is set to map the

12
00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:42.880
entire celestial sky in unprecedented detail, revealing secrets about the

13
00:00:42.960 --> 00:00:46.679
history of our universe. We'll check in on NASA's Easy

14
00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:50.600
Satellite mission, which is now operating smoothly in orbit and

15
00:00:50.679 --> 00:00:53.840
preparing to study the mysterious electrojets that flow through our

16
00:00:53.880 --> 00:00:58.479
planet's upper atmosphere. In more distant news, astronomers have discovered

17
00:00:58.520 --> 00:01:02.039
what they're calling space tornadoes swirling around the core of

18
00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:06.079
our milky Way Galaxy. These fascinating structures are changing how

19
00:01:06.120 --> 00:01:10.959
we understand the turbulent environments surrounding our galaxy's supermassive black hole.

20
00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:16.319
We'll also explore groundbreaking research from China's Change six mission,

21
00:01:16.680 --> 00:01:19.359
which has finally determined the age of the Moon's largest

22
00:01:19.400 --> 00:01:22.879
impact crater, giving us new insights into the early history

23
00:01:22.879 --> 00:01:26.319
of our solar system. Looking ahead to next month, we'll

24
00:01:26.359 --> 00:01:29.519
preview NASA's Lucy spacecraft as it prepares for a flyby

25
00:01:29.560 --> 00:01:32.359
of an asteroid with a fascinating one hundred and fifty

26
00:01:32.359 --> 00:01:35.519
million year history, and we'll end with some reassuring news

27
00:01:35.560 --> 00:01:40.280
about a binary star system nicknamed the Death Star. Spoiler alert,

28
00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:43.239
Earth is not in its line of fire after all,

29
00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:46.959
So settle in as we navigate through these cosmic wonders

30
00:01:47.079 --> 00:01:49.920
and the latest advancements in our understanding of the universe

31
00:01:49.959 --> 00:01:53.760
around us. Let's kick things off with some NASA mission updates.

32
00:01:55.319 --> 00:01:58.840
NASA's Parker Solar Probe is making headlines once again as

33
00:01:58.840 --> 00:02:01.879
it speeds toward another record breaking encounter with our Sun.

34
00:02:02.560 --> 00:02:05.439
The spacecraft is currently on its twenty third science gathering

35
00:02:05.480 --> 00:02:08.680
solar mission and is set to equal its previous record

36
00:02:08.680 --> 00:02:11.120
of coming within just three point eight million miles of

37
00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:15.080
the Sun's surface this Saturday. To put that distance in perspective,

38
00:02:15.439 --> 00:02:18.280
that's about four percent of the distance between Earth and

39
00:02:18.319 --> 00:02:21.680
the Sun. While that might sound like a safe distance,

40
00:02:21.800 --> 00:02:24.840
the probe will be deep within the Sun's corona, the

41
00:02:24.919 --> 00:02:28.439
outermost part of the solar atmosphere, where temperatures soar to

42
00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:32.520
millions of degrees fahrenheit. What makes this achievement even more

43
00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:36.439
remarkable is the velocity at which Parker Solar Probe is traveling.

44
00:02:37.080 --> 00:02:39.800
The spacecraft will match its previous record speed of four

45
00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:43.159
hundred thirty thousand miles per hour. That's fast enough to

46
00:02:43.199 --> 00:02:46.360
circle Earth in just three point five minutes or travel

47
00:02:46.360 --> 00:02:49.199
from New York to Los Angeles in about twenty five seconds.

48
00:02:49.680 --> 00:02:53.159
This makes it the fastest human made object ever created

49
00:02:53.400 --> 00:02:57.840
by far. During its closest approach this weekend, the probe

50
00:02:57.879 --> 00:03:01.039
will be completely out of contact with Earth. It will

51
00:03:01.080 --> 00:03:05.680
be operating autonomously as it collects unique observations and measurements

52
00:03:05.719 --> 00:03:09.680
from inside the Sun's corona. Mission operators at the JOHNS.

53
00:03:09.719 --> 00:03:13.560
Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland, where the spacecraft was

54
00:03:13.560 --> 00:03:16.879
designed and built, won't know its status until it transmits

55
00:03:16.919 --> 00:03:20.719
data back to Earth on Tuesday. The spacecraft's for scientific

56
00:03:20.800 --> 00:03:24.719
instruments are primed to gather invaluable data that simply can't

57
00:03:24.719 --> 00:03:28.080
be collected from Earth. This is the second of several

58
00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:31.840
flybys that will occur at this distance and speed, allowing

59
00:03:31.879 --> 00:03:35.439
scientists to conduct unrivaled measurements of the solar wind and

60
00:03:35.479 --> 00:03:40.719
related activity. Meanwhile, researchers are still analyzing the wealth of

61
00:03:40.800 --> 00:03:44.879
data streaming back from Parker's previous closest approach in December.

62
00:03:45.840 --> 00:03:50.000
These consecutive close passes are creating an unprecedented data set

63
00:03:50.439 --> 00:03:53.719
that helps scientists understand the complex dynamics of our star.

64
00:03:54.759 --> 00:03:58.360
The mission is teaching us about fundamental processes like how

65
00:03:58.360 --> 00:04:01.479
the Sun generates the solar wind and the constant stream

66
00:04:01.520 --> 00:04:04.960
of charged particles that flows outward through our solar system

67
00:04:05.400 --> 00:04:09.120
and can affect everything from satellite operations to power grids

68
00:04:09.159 --> 00:04:12.800
on Earth when solar storms occur. By flying repeatedly through

69
00:04:12.840 --> 00:04:16.360
the Sun's corona, Parker Solar Probe is helping unlock mysteries

70
00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:19.879
about our star that have puzzled scientists for decades, including

71
00:04:19.959 --> 00:04:22.279
why the corona is hundreds of times hotter than the

72
00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:26.079
Sun's surface despite being farther away from the core. The

73
00:04:26.160 --> 00:04:29.360
data gathered will help improve our ability to forecast space

74
00:04:29.399 --> 00:04:33.639
weather and protect our technology dependent society from its potential impacts.

75
00:04:34.600 --> 00:04:39.600
Next on our update schedule. NASA's recently launched SPHEREx space

76
00:04:39.639 --> 00:04:43.279
observatory has reached an important milestone in its mission by

77
00:04:43.319 --> 00:04:47.399
opening its eyes to the Cosmos. On March eighteenth, just

78
00:04:47.480 --> 00:04:50.360
a week after its March eleventh launch into low Earth orbit,

79
00:04:50.800 --> 00:04:54.360
mission controllers commanded the spacecraft to eject the protective dust

80
00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:58.560
cover that had been shielding its telescope. This crucial maneuver

81
00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:02.519
involved activating two more mechanical release mechanisms on the protective lid,

82
00:05:02.920 --> 00:05:06.000
with springs helping to push the cover away from the observatory.

83
00:05:06.680 --> 00:05:10.480
The cover, measuring about twenty five inches by sixteen inches,

84
00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:14.879
had been protecting three critical telescope mirrors from particles and

85
00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:19.720
moisture during launch. Once released, the cover began floating away

86
00:05:20.240 --> 00:05:24.319
and will eventually burn up in Earth's atmosphere. Since the

87
00:05:24.360 --> 00:05:27.720
spacecraft's camera won't be powered on until it reaches its

88
00:05:27.759 --> 00:05:32.480
extremely cold operating temperature of below minus three hundred degrees fahrenheit.

89
00:05:32.920 --> 00:05:37.000
Engineers confirmed the successful cover removal by detecting slight movements

90
00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:41.800
in the observatory's orientation. These little jiggles occurred after each

91
00:05:41.839 --> 00:05:46.079
mechanism release, and shortly afterward the telescope's temperature began dropping,

92
00:05:46.639 --> 00:05:48.959
clear evidence that it was now exposed to the cold

93
00:05:49.040 --> 00:05:53.160
vacuum of space as intended. Sphere X, which stands for

94
00:05:53.199 --> 00:05:57.240
Spectrophotometer for the History of the Universe, Epic of Realization

95
00:05:57.720 --> 00:06:02.279
and ICE's Explorer, is surprisedly compact for such an ambitious mission.

96
00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:05.759
While the entire spacecraft is roughly the size of a

97
00:06:05.800 --> 00:06:09.480
subcompact car, the telescope itself is only about as large

98
00:06:09.480 --> 00:06:13.240
as a washing machine. It sits nestled inside three cone

99
00:06:13.240 --> 00:06:16.920
shaped photon shields that protect the sensitive instrument from heat

100
00:06:16.959 --> 00:06:20.800
and light coming from the Sun and Earth. Once science

101
00:06:20.839 --> 00:06:24.120
operations begin in the coming weeks, SPHEREx will embark on

102
00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:28.160
its two year primary mission, using a technique called spectroscopy

103
00:06:28.519 --> 00:06:32.319
to create something truly extraordinary, four complete maps of the

104
00:06:32.480 --> 00:06:36.920
entire celestial sky, each featuring one hundred two distinct wavelengths

105
00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:41.720
or colors of infrared light. This spectroscopic data will give

106
00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:46.759
astronomers unprecedented insights into the universe. The detailed information will

107
00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:52.079
help scientists precisely measure distances to faraway galaxies, identify specific

108
00:06:52.160 --> 00:06:56.720
chemicals and molecules present in cosmic gas clouds, and potentially

109
00:06:56.759 --> 00:06:59.439
answer fundamental questions about the early universe and how it

110
00:06:59.480 --> 00:07:03.000
evolved of billions of years. By observing in the infrared

111
00:07:03.040 --> 00:07:06.720
portion of the spectrum, SPHEREx can see through cosmic dust

112
00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:10.920
that obscures visible light, revealing details about star formation and

113
00:07:11.000 --> 00:07:14.519
the composition of interstellar space that would otherwise remain hidden.

114
00:07:15.360 --> 00:07:18.639
This comprehensive sky survey will create a valuable data set

115
00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:22.319
that astronomers will analyze for years to come, potentially leading

116
00:07:22.360 --> 00:07:26.839
to discoveries we can't yet imagine. And another NASA mission update.

117
00:07:27.399 --> 00:07:31.079
In some exciting news for NASA's Space Weather Research mission,

118
00:07:31.079 --> 00:07:34.079
controllers have now confirmed that all three satellites from the

119
00:07:34.120 --> 00:07:37.519
EASY mission are healthy and functioning normally following their March

120
00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:43.519
fifteenth launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon nine rocket from Vandenberg. EASY,

121
00:07:43.959 --> 00:07:48.480
which stands for Electrojet Zeman Imaging Explorer, represents an important

122
00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:51.879
step forward in our understanding of Earth's complex relationship with

123
00:07:51.920 --> 00:07:55.480
our son. The mission team at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics

124
00:07:55.560 --> 00:08:00.480
Laboratory in Maryland received signals from all three spacecraft confirming

125
00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:04.199
they survive the launch and deployment phase without issues. Over

126
00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:07.920
the next two months, these satellites will undergo thoroscience and

127
00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:12.199
instrument checkouts, a critical commissioning phase that ensures all systems

128
00:08:12.240 --> 00:08:16.319
are fully operational before beginning their primary mission. Once this

129
00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:19.680
process is complete, EASY will turn its attention to studying

130
00:08:19.680 --> 00:08:22.759
one of the most spectacular yet mysterious phenomena in our

131
00:08:22.800 --> 00:08:29.279
upper atmosphere. The mission focuses specifically on electrojets, powerful electrical

132
00:08:29.319 --> 00:08:31.879
currents that flow high above us in the polar regions

133
00:08:31.920 --> 00:08:36.360
where auroras illuminate the night sky. These electrojets are essentially

134
00:08:36.480 --> 00:08:40.320
rivers of electricity that surge through the ionosphere, created by

135
00:08:40.320 --> 00:08:44.120
the complex interaction between our planet's magnetic field and charged

136
00:08:44.159 --> 00:08:48.440
particles from the Sun. What makes EASY particularly groundbreaking is

137
00:08:48.480 --> 00:08:53.000
its ability to map these electrojets with unprecedented detail. The

138
00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:56.039
mission employs a specialized technique to measure the Zeman effect,

139
00:08:56.360 --> 00:09:00.480
a phenomenon where magnetic fields split spectral lines, allowing scientists

140
00:09:00.559 --> 00:09:03.919
to precisely track and analyze these powerful currents from space.

141
00:09:04.679 --> 00:09:09.679
Understanding electrojets isn't just scientifically fascinating, it has practical implications

142
00:09:09.679 --> 00:09:14.120
for our increasingly technology dependent society. These currents are key

143
00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:18.720
components of space weather, which can disrupt satellite operations, navigation systems,

144
00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:22.759
power grids, and communications networks. By creating detailed maps of

145
00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:27.000
electrojet behavior easy will help scientists develop more accurate models

146
00:09:27.039 --> 00:09:29.919
to predict when and how space weather events might affect

147
00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:33.840
our technological infrastructure. The trio of satellites will work in

148
00:09:33.879 --> 00:09:38.360
concert to provide multiple measurement points, giving researchers a comprehensive

149
00:09:38.440 --> 00:09:41.360
view of these dynamic electrical systems as they respond to

150
00:09:41.399 --> 00:09:45.960
solar activity. This coordinated approach should reveal new insights into

151
00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:49.360
how energy from the Sun propagates through near Earth space

152
00:09:49.440 --> 00:09:54.679
and ultimately influences our atmosphere and technologies. Now moving on

153
00:09:54.720 --> 00:09:58.279
to other news today, astronomers have made a stunning discovery

154
00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:01.120
in the heart of our galaxy, revealing what they're calling

155
00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:05.639
space tornadoes swirling around the Milky Way's core. Using the

156
00:10:05.679 --> 00:10:11.080
incredible resolution of the Atacama Large Millimeter Submillimeter Array or ALMA,

157
00:10:11.600 --> 00:10:14.240
an international team has sharpened our view of the galactic

158
00:10:14.320 --> 00:10:17.799
center by a factor of one hundred. Unveiling mysterious new

159
00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:22.600
structures that have surprised even veteran researchers. The central molecular

160
00:10:22.679 --> 00:10:26.440
zone surrounding our galaxy's supermassive black hole has long been

161
00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:29.600
known as a turbulent region where dust and gas molecules

162
00:10:29.639 --> 00:10:34.480
constantly cycle through formation and destruction, but the driving mechanism

163
00:10:34.519 --> 00:10:38.919
behind this cosmic churn has remained elusive until now. Led

164
00:10:38.919 --> 00:10:42.360
by Kai Yang from Shanghai Jiaotong University, the research team

165
00:10:42.440 --> 00:10:46.559
detected previously unknown filamentary structures that don't match any known

166
00:10:46.600 --> 00:10:50.759
celestial objects. These slim filaments appear as long, narrow structures

167
00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:54.200
that aren't associated with star forming regions or other familiar

168
00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:58.720
cosmic formations, making them a genuinely new discovery. When we

169
00:10:58.840 --> 00:11:01.919
checked the Alma images showing the outflows, we notice these

170
00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:06.200
long and narrow filaments spatially offset from any star forming regions,

171
00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:10.240
unlike any objects we know. These filaments really surprised us,

172
00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:14.799
explained Yang, describing the serendipitous finding that emerged while studying

173
00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:19.080
emission lines of silicon monoxide and eight other molecules. What

174
00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:23.720
makes these structures particularly fascinating is their behavior. The researchers

175
00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:27.240
have likened them to actual tornadoes in space, violent streams

176
00:11:27.240 --> 00:11:30.799
of gas that distribute materials efficiently throughout their environment before

177
00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:36.080
quickly dissipating. Unlike other previously discovered dense gas filaments, these

178
00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:38.879
show no association with dust emission and don't appear to

179
00:11:38.919 --> 00:11:43.279
be in hydrostatic equilibrium. The research team use silicon monoxide

180
00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:47.159
as a primary tracer because it exclusively appears in regions

181
00:11:47.200 --> 00:11:51.559
experiencing shock waves. The presence of complex organic molecules like

182
00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:55.519
methanol further confirmed that these filaments are likely created through

183
00:11:55.600 --> 00:12:00.919
powerful shock processes rippling through the Galactic Center. Shinglu, a

184
00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:05.080
research professor at Shanghai Astronomical Observatory and corresponding author of

185
00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:09.639
the study, explains the significance our research contributes to the

186
00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:13.600
fascinating Galactic Center landscape. By uncovering these slim filaments as

187
00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:17.039
an important part of material circulation, we can envision these

188
00:12:17.039 --> 00:12:20.399
as space tornadoes. They are violent streams of gas, they

189
00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:24.399
dissipate shortly, and they distribute materials into the environment efficiently.

190
00:12:25.320 --> 00:12:28.799
The discovery suggests a cyclical process where these shock induced

191
00:12:28.840 --> 00:12:33.600
filaments release various molecules into the interstellar medium before dissipating.

192
00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:38.279
The release materials later freeze back onto dust grains, creating

193
00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:42.440
a continuous cycle of depletion and replenishment throughout the central

194
00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:47.399
molecular zone. Almah's extraordinary sensitivity was crucial for this discovery,

195
00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:51.399
allowing astronomers to detect these structures on an extremely fine

196
00:12:51.440 --> 00:12:55.080
scale of just zero point zero one parsec, marking what

197
00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:59.919
researchers call the working surface of these shocks. Future observations

198
00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:03.480
spanning multiple transitions and broader regions of the galactic center,

199
00:13:03.879 --> 00:13:07.879
combined with numerical simulations, may confirm the origin of these

200
00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:11.679
slim filaments and better explain the cyclic processes taking place

201
00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:15.960
in this extraordinary region of our Milky Way. Next up,

202
00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:19.039
Chinese researchers seem to be on a roll, so to speak.

203
00:13:19.840 --> 00:13:23.120
Scientists have long sought to determine the precise age of

204
00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:26.840
the Moon's south pole Aitkin Basin, the largest and oldest

205
00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:30.559
known impact crater on the lunar surface. Now we finally

206
00:13:30.600 --> 00:13:33.840
have an answer, thanks to the groundbreaking work of researchers

207
00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:37.320
from the Chinese Academy of Sciences who analyze the first

208
00:13:37.399 --> 00:13:40.919
ever rock samples returned directly from this region by China's

209
00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:45.240
Changa six mission. The research team led by Professor Chen

210
00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:48.960
Yi from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics has dated

211
00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:52.559
the formation of this massive basin to approximately four point

212
00:13:52.559 --> 00:13:56.799
two five billion years ago. This timeline places the impact

213
00:13:56.799 --> 00:14:00.320
event roughly three hundred twenty million years after the birth

214
00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:03.960
of our Solar System, providing astronomers with a crucial reference

215
00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:08.480
point for understanding lunar evolution. The South Pole Eightkin Basin

216
00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:12.600
is truly a remarkable feature of our celestial neighbor, Spanning

217
00:14:12.679 --> 00:14:15.720
much of the Moon's far side. This vast impact structure

218
00:14:15.799 --> 00:14:18.159
is believed to have formed during the early period of

219
00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:21.960
intense asteroid bombardment that shaped many worlds in our Solar System.

220
00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:26.840
Despite its significance, pinpointing its exact age has proven challenging,

221
00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:31.759
with previous estimates varying widely. To crack this cosmic mystery,

222
00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:36.600
the researchers meticulously analyzed approximately one thousand, six hundred fragments

223
00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:40.720
from two soil samples returned by the Changi six mission.

224
00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:44.960
Their attention focused on identifying impact melt rocks, which would

225
00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:49.879
provide the clearest evidence of the basin's formation. Among these fragments,

226
00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:54.399
they discovered twenty norite clasts with distinctive textures and chemical

227
00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:59.000
signatures consistent with an impact origin. Using lead lead dating

228
00:14:59.039 --> 00:15:03.039
of zirconium bearing minerals within these classs, the team uncovered

229
00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:06.360
evidence of two separate impact events, one dated to four

230
00:15:06.440 --> 00:15:09.360
point two five billion years ago and another to three

231
00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:12.799
point eight seven billion years ago. The older norites from

232
00:15:12.840 --> 00:15:15.960
four point two five billion years ago showed structural and

233
00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:20.519
compositional features suggesting they crystallized at different depths within a

234
00:15:20.559 --> 00:15:24.279
common impact meltsheet produced by the South Pole eightkin basin

235
00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:30.279
forming event. Our geological surveys and comparative lithological analyzes strongly

236
00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:33.360
indicate that the four point two five billion year age

237
00:15:33.759 --> 00:15:37.720
corresponds to the formation of the SPA basin, stated Professor

238
00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:40.919
Chen in the research paper published in National Science Review.

239
00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:46.039
This discovery provides the first direct, sample based evidence for

240
00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:49.919
the age of the Moon's largest impact basin. The precise

241
00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:52.919
dating serves as a critical anchor point for refining the

242
00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:57.600
lunar cratering chronology, allowing scientists to better reconstruct the timeline

243
00:15:57.639 --> 00:16:01.639
of the Moon's early evolution and new insights into the

244
00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:07.320
dynamic processes that shaped the early Solar system. Okay, let's

245
00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:10.679
head back to NASA for our next mission update. Next

246
00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:13.960
month marks an exciting milestone for NASA's Lucy mission, as

247
00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:17.559
the spacecraft prepares for its flyby of asteroid Donald Johansson

248
00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:21.240
on April twentieth. While this encounter serves primarily as a

249
00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:27.000
rehearsal for Lucy's ultimate destination, Jupiter's Trojan asteroids, scientists are

250
00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:30.559
eagerly anticipating what they might learn from this peculiar space rock.

251
00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:35.159
Recent research from the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado,

252
00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:39.120
has revealed that Donald Johansson is approximately one hundred fifty

253
00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:43.360
million years old, having formed when a larger asteroid broke apart.

254
00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:46.879
This three mile wide object, named after the discoverer of

255
00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:50.879
the famous Lucy human fossil, appears to have undergone significant

256
00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:55.759
changes since its formation. Based on ground based observations, Donald

257
00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:59.639
Johanson appears to be a peculiar object, noted Simone Marchi,

258
00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:04.160
Lucy's deputy principal investigator. Computer modeling suggests that both the

259
00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:07.799
asteroid's orbit and its spin have evolved dramatically over time.

260
00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:11.640
David Vakruliki, a professor at Charles University in Prague and

261
00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:15.200
co author of the research, explained that data indicates that

262
00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:18.880
it could be quite elongated and a slow rotator, possibly

263
00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:21.799
due to thermal torques that have slowed its spin over time.

264
00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:27.799
Lucy's flyby will collect crucial information only accessible from close proximity,

265
00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:32.559
including detailed data about the asteroid's shape, surface geology, and

266
00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:37.759
cratering history. This information is particularly valuable because Donald Johansson

267
00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:41.839
appears distinct from other recently studied asteroids like Benu and Ryugu,

268
00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:46.400
which were sampled by NASA's Osiris REX and Jackson's Hyabusa

269
00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:51.240
two missions, respectively. Lucy launched in October twenty twenty one

270
00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:54.039
and is on an ambitious twelve year journey to visit

271
00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:59.079
a total of eleven asteroids. After Donald Johansson, the spacecraft

272
00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:03.200
will continue to Jupis Trojan asteroids, ancient remnants trapped in

273
00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:07.039
Jupiter's orbit that scientists describe as fossils of planet formation.

274
00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:11.039
Earth based observing and theoretical models can only take us

275
00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:14.839
so far, explained Keith Knowle, Lucy project's scientist at NASA's

276
00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:18.319
Goddard Space Flight Center. To validate these models and get

277
00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:20.759
to the next level of detail, we need close up data.

278
00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:25.440
Lucy's upcoming flyby will give us that this encounter follows

279
00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:30.759
Lucy's previous flyby of asteroid Dinkinesh, which surprised scientists with

280
00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:36.039
unexpected features, including its own tiny satellite. Researchers are hopeful

281
00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:40.319
that Donald Johansson might hold similar surprises, potentially revealing new

282
00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:43.599
connections between different types of asteroids in our Solar system.

283
00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:47.440
The data gathered will further enhance our understanding of the

284
00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:51.680
early Solar systems formation and evolution, adding another critical piece

285
00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:54.519
to the cosmic puzzle that Lucy was designed to help solve.

286
00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:59.079
And let's finish today's episode on a positive note. Good

287
00:18:59.119 --> 00:19:02.519
news for Earth. Astronomers have recently determined that the ominously

288
00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:06.839
nicknamed death Star isn't actually pointed at us. The binary

289
00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:10.279
star system known as WR one hundred four, located about

290
00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:13.880
eight thousand light years away in the constellation Sagittarius, has

291
00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:17.480
long concerned scientists due to its potential to unleash a

292
00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:21.000
devastating gamma ray burst in our direction when its stars

293
00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:26.440
eventually collide. Wr one hundred four contains a wolf rayet

294
00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:29.559
class star with a scorching surface temperature of around forty

295
00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:33.000
four thousand kelvin, nearly eight times hotter than our Sun.

296
00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:35.880
This extreme star is locked in orbit with a more

297
00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:40.240
massive companion, creating a spectacular spiral dust pattern that resembles

298
00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:44.200
a pinwheel. The system earned its sinister nickname because early

299
00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:48.200
studies suggested its rotational polls might be pointing toward Earth,

300
00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:51.799
raising concerns about a potential future gamma ray burst aimed

301
00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:55.079
directly at our planet. However, new research led by Keck

302
00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:58.880
Observatory instrument scientist Grant Hill has put these fears to rest.

303
00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:03.400
Using three so sophisticated instruments at the Keck Observatory lris

304
00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:07.680
ESI and Nurse spec, Hill's team made spectroscopic observations that

305
00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:11.599
revealed a surprising twist in the system's geometry. While the

306
00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:15.039
pinwheel dust spiral appears to be face on from Earth's perspective,

307
00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:18.960
velocity measurements of the two stars showed that the actual

308
00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:22.559
orbital plane is tilted at least thirty forty degrees from

309
00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:26.839
previous estimates. This significant tilt means any future gamma ray

310
00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:31.480
burst would miss Earth, eliminating the supposed threat. Interestingly, this

311
00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:34.759
discovery has created a new scientific puzzle. How can the

312
00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:38.279
dust spiral appear face on while the star's orbit is tilted.

313
00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:42.599
This contradiction challenges existing models of dust formation in colliding

314
00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:46.400
wind systems and suggests unknown physical processes may be influencing

315
00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:50.319
the formation of the dust plume. As Hill explained, this

316
00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:52.759
is such a great example of how with astronomy we

317
00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:55.960
often begin a study and the universe surprises us with

318
00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:59.480
mysteries we didn't expect. We may answer some questions but

319
00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:04.240
create more. Despite solving one mystery confirming Earth isn't in

320
00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:07.640
the Death Star's line of fire, astronomers now have new

321
00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:11.839
questions about this fascinating stellar system. The research not only

322
00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:16.079
provides reassurance about Earth's safety, but also offers valuable insights

323
00:21:16.119 --> 00:21:19.559
into the complex dynamics of binary star systems and their

324
00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:26.119
evolutionary paths toward eventual supernova explosions. What an incredible journey

325
00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:29.519
through the cosmos we've had today. From the daring exploits

326
00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:32.440
of Parker's Solar Probe matching its record breaking approach to

327
00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:35.359
our star at a blistering four hundred thirty thousand miles

328
00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:39.079
per hour, to the newly launched SPHEREx telescope opening its

329
00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:42.960
eyes to the infrared universe, we've explored how Easy's trio

330
00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:46.559
of satellites will help us understand those mysterious electrical currents

331
00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:49.960
flowing through our upper atmosphere, giving us new insights into

332
00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:54.240
space weather. Perhaps most fascinating were those newly discovered space

333
00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:58.480
tornadoes swirling around our galaxies core violent streams of gas

334
00:21:58.480 --> 00:22:01.960
distributing materials throughout the that's a galactic center in a cosmic

335
00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:06.599
recycling program of truly universal proportions. And how incredible that

336
00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:09.680
Chinese scientists have finally pinpointed the age of the Moon's

337
00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:12.720
massive south pole eight con basin to four point twenty

338
00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:16.559
five billion years ago, using samples from Chang Your six,

339
00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:20.039
giving us a crucial anchor point in lunar chronology. We

340
00:22:20.119 --> 00:22:23.160
also looked ahead to NASA's Lucy spacecraft preparing for its

341
00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:27.039
April flyby of asteroid Donald Johansson as a dress rehearsal

342
00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:30.680
for its ultimate mission to Jupiter's Trojan asteroids. And I

343
00:22:30.680 --> 00:22:33.319
don't know about you, but I'm personally relieved that the

344
00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:36.720
binary star system WR one hundred and four, the so

345
00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:40.319
called death star, isn't pointing its potential gamma ray burst

346
00:22:40.319 --> 00:22:43.920
in our direction. After all, I've been your host, Anna,

347
00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:45.559
and I want to thank you for joining me for

348
00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:48.839
this edition of Astronomy Daily. If you're hungry for more

349
00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:53.079
cosmic content, please visit our website at Astronomy Daily dot io,

350
00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:56.240
where we keep our news feed constantly updated with the

351
00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:59.599
latest space and astronomy news. You'll also find all our

352
00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:03.039
previous episodes available for streaming. Don't forget to connect with

353
00:23:03.079 --> 00:23:06.200
us across social media. Just search for astro Daily Pod

354
00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:11.680
on Facebook, x YouTube, YouTube, music, TikTok, and Instagram. The

355
00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:14.400
universe is always changing, and we'll be here to keep

356
00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:19.359
you informed about every fascinating development. Until next time, keep looking.

357
00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:31.440
Up star Stoll, starz

358
00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.079
S