Sept. 12, 2024

S03E152: Polaris Dawn's Spacewalk, Soyuz Record, and Tired Light Theory

S03E152: Polaris Dawn's Spacewalk, Soyuz Record, and Tired Light Theory

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: 12th September 2024
Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to Podcast for the latest and greatest in space and Astronomy. I'm your host, Anna, and today we have some thrilling stories lined up for you. Sit tight as we dive...

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: 12th September 2024
Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to Podcast for the latest and greatest in space and Astronomy. I'm your host, Anna, and today we have some thrilling stories lined up for you. Sit tight as we dive into groundbreaking missions, celestial discoveries, and much more. Buckle up, stargazers. It's going to be an exciting ride through the cosmos.
Highlights:
- SpaceX's First Private Spacewalk: SpaceX is about to make history with the first private spacewalk during the Polaris Dawn mission. The crew, consisting of Jared Isaacman, Scott Petit, Sara Gillis, and Anna Menon, will step outside the safety of their spacecraft to perform an extravehicular activity (EVA). This mission represents a groundbreaking achievement in commercial spaceflight and will be a critical test for new SpaceX-developed spacesuits.
- Russia's Flawless Soyuz Rocket Launch: NASA and Roscosmos have successfully launched three astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the reliable Soyuz rocket. This mission marks a historic moment with a record 19 astronauts currently orbiting Earth, spread across four different spacecraft.
- New Mega Satellite Constellation Proposal: Researchers have proposed an innovative design for a mega satellite constellation that promises rapid global observation capabilities. This ambitious project involves deploying 891 satellites strategically positioned in low Earth orbit to ensure rapid and comprehensive global coverage.
- NASA's Juno Mission Discovery: NASA's Juno mission has discovered a brand new volcano on Jupiter's moon Io. This newly observed volcano features multiple lava flows and volcanic deposits, adding even more intrigue to our geologically active neighbor.
- Challenge to the Big Bang Theory: A provocative new study by Kansas State University engineer Lior Shamir challenges the foundation of the Big Bang theory. Shamir's findings lend support to the tired light theory, suggesting that light may lose energy over vast distances, rather than galaxies moving rapidly away from us.
For more space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free Daily Space News newsletter, catch up on all the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating news feed, and listen to all our back episodes.
Don't forget to follow us on social media. Just search for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok to stay connected with our community and never miss an update.
Thank you for tuning in, and remember to keep your eyes on the skies. Until next time, keep looking up.
Sponsor Links:
NordVPN
NordPass
Malwarebytes
Proton Mail
Become a supporter of this Podcast for commercial-free editions: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--5648921/support.

WEBVTT

1
00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:03.600
Welcome to Astronomy Daily. I'm your host Anna. Today we're

2
00:00:03.640 --> 00:00:06.440
going to explore some of the most exciting recent developments

3
00:00:06.480 --> 00:00:09.279
in the world of space and astronomy. You'll want to

4
00:00:09.320 --> 00:00:12.199
stick around because we have a packed show ahead. We'll

5
00:00:12.199 --> 00:00:15.519
be diving deep into SpaceX's first private space walk during

6
00:00:15.560 --> 00:00:19.039
their Polaris Dawn mission, where a group of courageous astronauts

7
00:00:19.079 --> 00:00:22.039
will take commercial spaceflight to new hypes. We'll also talk

8
00:00:22.039 --> 00:00:25.440
about Russia's flawless Soyuz rocket launch, marking a historic moment

9
00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:29.079
with a record nineteen astronauts currently orbiting Earth. But that's

10
00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:32.320
not all. We're also going to delve into a groundbreaking

11
00:00:32.320 --> 00:00:36.640
proposal for a new mega satellite constellation that promises rapid

12
00:00:36.679 --> 00:00:41.439
global observation capabilities like never before. Plus, NASA's Juno mission

13
00:00:41.479 --> 00:00:44.799
has just discovered a brand new volcano on Jupiter's moon Io,

14
00:00:44.920 --> 00:00:48.560
adding even more intrigue to our geologically active neighbor. And finally,

15
00:00:48.920 --> 00:00:52.039
we'll discuss a provocative new study challenging the very foundation

16
00:00:52.159 --> 00:00:55.159
of the Big Bang theory, suggesting that light may lose

17
00:00:55.280 --> 00:00:58.200
energy over vast distances. So stay tuned for all this

18
00:00:58.280 --> 00:01:01.240
and more on today's episode of Astronomy Day. Let's start

19
00:01:01.240 --> 00:01:03.560
with the news of the moment. SpaceX is about to

20
00:01:03.560 --> 00:01:06.879
make history with the first private spacewalk during the Polarisdawn mission.

21
00:01:07.280 --> 00:01:11.000
This mission represents a groundbreaking achievement in commercial spaceflight. The

22
00:01:11.079 --> 00:01:13.920
crew for this daring venture consists of four individuals, a

23
00:01:13.920 --> 00:01:18.040
billionaire entrepreneur, a retired military fighter pilot, and two SpaceX

24
00:01:18.079 --> 00:01:22.319
senior engineers. Jared isaac Mann, the billionaire founder of Shift

25
00:01:22.359 --> 00:01:26.159
for Payments, is no stranger to space adventures, having already

26
00:01:26.159 --> 00:01:30.359
bankrolled the inspiration for mission in twenty twenty one. Alongside

27
00:01:30.439 --> 00:01:33.480
him is mission pilot Scott Petite, a retired US Air

28
00:01:33.480 --> 00:01:37.120
Force Lieutenant colonel, and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis and Anna Menin.

29
00:01:37.599 --> 00:01:40.799
This eclectic mix of talent and experience embodies the spirit

30
00:01:40.840 --> 00:01:44.519
of commercial space exploration, pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

31
00:01:44.959 --> 00:01:47.680
The team has been orbiting Earth aboard the SpaceX Crew

32
00:01:47.760 --> 00:01:50.760
Dragon capsule since they launched from Florida earlier in the week.

33
00:01:51.480 --> 00:01:53.920
Now they are set to undertake the riskiest part of

34
00:01:53.959 --> 00:01:57.120
their mission, stepping outside the safety of their spacecraft to

35
00:01:57.120 --> 00:02:00.840
perform a spacewalk, also known as extra v hitular activity.

36
00:02:01.159 --> 00:02:04.560
Or EVA. Live streaming of this monumental event will begin

37
00:02:04.599 --> 00:02:08.240
at four fifty five am ET on Thursday. During the EVA,

38
00:02:08.759 --> 00:02:11.680
isaac Man and Gillis will venture outside the Crew Dragon,

39
00:02:12.159 --> 00:02:15.800
tethered for safety and relying entirely on their new SpaceX

40
00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:18.960
developed space suits for life support. Potite and men In

41
00:02:19.000 --> 00:02:21.680
will stay inside the capsule to monitor their progress and

42
00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:26.199
provide support. The Crew Dragon will be completely depressurized, simulating

43
00:02:26.240 --> 00:02:29.120
conditions similar to those faced by government astronauts on the

44
00:02:29.159 --> 00:02:32.360
International Space Station. This is a critical test for the

45
00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:36.479
new spacesuits, which need to demonstrate their reliability in maintaining

46
00:02:36.520 --> 00:02:40.080
a stable environment for the astronauts. As the capsule orbits

47
00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:43.120
at an altitude of seven hundred kilometers, the team will

48
00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:46.159
not only be making history, but will also be contributing

49
00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:49.599
to scientific research. They will act as subjects for various

50
00:02:49.639 --> 00:02:52.520
studies on how the human body reacts to the unique

51
00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:56.360
conditions of deep space, adding valuable data to decades of

52
00:02:56.360 --> 00:03:00.520
research conducted on government astronauts. Jared isaac Mann has describe

53
00:03:00.560 --> 00:03:03.680
this mission preparation as the most challenging training he has

54
00:03:03.800 --> 00:03:08.120
ever experienced, and given his military background, that says a lot.

55
00:03:08.520 --> 00:03:11.800
This mission will serve as a milestone proving that commercial

56
00:03:11.960 --> 00:03:15.280
entities can extend their reach beyond the confines of Earth,

57
00:03:15.800 --> 00:03:18.759
opening the door to a new era of space exploration.

58
00:03:19.280 --> 00:03:22.240
As we look forward to this historic event, the anticipation

59
00:03:22.360 --> 00:03:25.479
is palpable. This mission is not just about breaking records,

60
00:03:25.719 --> 00:03:29.639
It's about advancing our capabilities and understanding in human spaceflight.

61
00:03:30.080 --> 00:03:33.159
Stay tuned as we continue to monitor the exciting developments

62
00:03:33.159 --> 00:03:35.840
from the Polarisdawn mission. Next up, let's head over to

63
00:03:35.879 --> 00:03:40.360
the ISS. NASA and Roscosmos have successfully launched three astronauts

64
00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:44.879
to the International Space Station ISS aboard the reliable Soyuz rocket.

65
00:03:45.319 --> 00:03:48.520
The mission is particularly remarkable for marking NASA veteran Don

66
00:03:48.599 --> 00:03:53.400
Pettit's return to space after a decade long hiatus. Alongside Pettit,

67
00:03:53.680 --> 00:03:56.960
cosmonauts Alexei Vchinan and Even Wagner embarked on this six

68
00:03:57.039 --> 00:04:00.759
month journey. Lifting off from the Bikonnor Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan,

69
00:04:01.240 --> 00:04:05.400
the flight proceeded flawlessly, according to NASA's launch commentator Anna Schneider,

70
00:04:05.719 --> 00:04:08.240
who described the launch as an eight minute and forty

71
00:04:08.240 --> 00:04:11.360
five second ride to place Soyuz in its preliminary orbit.

72
00:04:11.960 --> 00:04:14.840
The spacecraft safely docked with the ISS at three thirty

73
00:04:14.879 --> 00:04:18.920
three pm edt orbiting above Ukraine at the time of arrival.

74
00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:21.600
This successful launch has set a new record in human

75
00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:24.399
spaceflight as it brings the total number of astronauts in

76
00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:27.720
orbit to a historic high of nineteen. These spacefarers are

77
00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:33.240
spread across four different spacecraft, an unprecedented milestone that underscores

78
00:04:33.319 --> 00:04:38.639
the rapid advancements in space exploration and international collaboration. Upon

79
00:04:38.680 --> 00:04:41.839
their arrival, the trio joins the Expedition seventy one crew

80
00:04:41.920 --> 00:04:45.079
and will transition to Expedition seventy two during their mission.

81
00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:50.000
This continued collaboration between NASA and ros Cosmos highlights the

82
00:04:50.040 --> 00:04:54.519
importance of international partnerships in the ongoing exploration and utilization

83
00:04:54.639 --> 00:04:58.240
of the ISS. Don Pettitt, known for his impressive space

84
00:04:58.279 --> 00:05:01.959
photography and long tenure in space, expressed a joyful return

85
00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:04.639
to what he calls his home away from home. Having

86
00:05:04.680 --> 00:05:08.399
accumulated three hundred and seventy days in space already, Pettit

87
00:05:08.480 --> 00:05:12.519
looks forward to capturing new and captivating phenomena, such as

88
00:05:12.560 --> 00:05:17.399
atmospheric events associated with auroras. Pettit shared that modern advancements

89
00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:21.079
have significantly enhanced the efficiency and organization on the ISS,

90
00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:25.360
tools for inventory management and scheduled timelines have improved immensely.

91
00:05:25.399 --> 00:05:29.439
According to him, his enthusiasm for space travel remains unshaken,

92
00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:33.360
remarking that the sensation of traveling to space resonates with

93
00:05:33.399 --> 00:05:36.519
his very soul. This mission not only adds to Pettit's

94
00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:40.480
storied career, but also sets a precedence for future collaborations

95
00:05:40.480 --> 00:05:45.279
and missions, further expanding our presence and capabilities in space exploration.

96
00:05:45.800 --> 00:05:48.519
Now here's something exciting to look forward to. In an

97
00:05:48.560 --> 00:05:52.319
exciting new development, researchers have proposed an innovative design for

98
00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:56.959
a megasatellite constellation that promises to revolutionize how we observe Earth.

99
00:05:57.480 --> 00:06:00.120
This ambitious project involves the deployment of ab E one

100
00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:03.879
hundred and ninety one satellites strategically positioned in low Earth

101
00:06:03.959 --> 00:06:07.759
orbit to ensure rapid and comprehensive global coverage. So what

102
00:06:07.920 --> 00:06:11.120
makes this constellation design so special? The team of researchers

103
00:06:11.160 --> 00:06:14.920
employed advanced orbital mechanics and optimization algorithms to tackle the

104
00:06:14.959 --> 00:06:19.040
complex problem of ensuring uniform global coverage. This means that

105
00:06:19.079 --> 00:06:23.800
instead of random satellite placements, the constellation is meticulously planned

106
00:06:23.800 --> 00:06:27.160
to have basic and accompanying satellites working together in harmony.

107
00:06:27.560 --> 00:06:30.639
To break it down, the Mega constellation is divided into

108
00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:36.000
two main satellite types, basic satellites and accompanying satellites. Basic

109
00:06:36.040 --> 00:06:40.120
satellites form the backbone of the constellation, evenly distributed across

110
00:06:40.120 --> 00:06:44.560
the globe and sharing identical sub satellite trajectories. Surrounding these

111
00:06:44.600 --> 00:06:48.160
basic satellites, the accompanying satellites operate in tandem to cover

112
00:06:48.199 --> 00:06:52.279
gaps and enhance the overall observational capabilities. The real magic

113
00:06:52.319 --> 00:06:56.560
happens with the optimization process. Researchers have used highly sophisticated

114
00:06:56.600 --> 00:07:00.000
algorithms to calculate the most effective orbital parameters for eather

115
00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:03.879
each satellite. This involves considering factors such as satellite imaging

116
00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:08.879
with formation, flying capabilities, and the influence of Earth's gravitational perturbations.

117
00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:13.399
These elements ensure that the constellation not only provides excellent coverage,

118
00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:16.439
but does so with the maximum efficiency. One of the

119
00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:19.279
key features of this constellation is its ability to offer

120
00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:23.680
rapid global observation. Imagine being able to get near instantaneous

121
00:07:23.720 --> 00:07:27.720
updates on Earth changes from natural disasters to environmental monitoring

122
00:07:28.040 --> 00:07:31.560
within just thirty five minutes. This quick response capability could

123
00:07:31.560 --> 00:07:34.959
be invaluable for disaster management, climate tracking, and a host

124
00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:39.160
of other applications that rely on timely data. Extensive simulations

125
00:07:39.160 --> 00:07:42.759
and numerical analyses have verified the effectiveness of this new design.

126
00:07:43.160 --> 00:07:46.199
The results demonstrate that deploying these eight hundred and ninety

127
00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:50.959
one satellites will achieve collaborative observation of any position outside

128
00:07:50.959 --> 00:07:54.720
the polar regions within a remarkably short time frame. This

129
00:07:54.800 --> 00:07:58.399
is a game changer, providing continuous, real time data that

130
00:07:58.439 --> 00:08:02.360
could transform how we interact with our environment. Next up,

131
00:08:02.519 --> 00:08:05.639
NASA's Juno mission has made an exciting discovery on Jupiter's

132
00:08:05.639 --> 00:08:09.920
moon Io, unveiling a brand new volcano. iiO, the most

133
00:08:09.920 --> 00:08:13.240
geologically active body in our Solar System, has a constantly

134
00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:17.480
evolving surface pock marked by volcanic activity. The newly observed

135
00:08:17.519 --> 00:08:21.240
volcano features multiple lava flows and volcanic deposits that stretch

136
00:08:21.279 --> 00:08:24.480
across an area roughly one hundred and eighty kilometers by

137
00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:28.439
one hundred and eighty kilometers. This fresh volcanic feature is

138
00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:32.080
located just south of Io's equator, an area that appeared

139
00:08:32.120 --> 00:08:36.440
relatively featureless in images taken during NASA's Galileo mission back

140
00:08:36.440 --> 00:08:40.000
in nineteen ninety seven. The new images from JunoCam, captured

141
00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:43.679
in early twenty twenty four show dramatic changes, highlighting the

142
00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:47.279
dynamic nature of Io's surface. What's striking about this new

143
00:08:47.320 --> 00:08:50.799
volcano are its colorful features. The eastern side is tinted

144
00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:53.399
a diffuse red due to sulfur being vented into space

145
00:08:53.440 --> 00:08:57.159
and settling back onto Io's surface. Meanwhile, two dark streams

146
00:08:57.159 --> 00:09:00.440
of lava flow westward, each stretching for about one hundred kinlosmeters.

147
00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:04.120
Where these lava flows have pooled, the heat has vaporized

148
00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:09.559
the frozen surface material, creating distinct, gray circular deposits. This

149
00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:12.840
discovery was part of three recent flybys of Io conducted

150
00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:15.559
by the Juno mission in twenty twenty three and twenty

151
00:09:15.600 --> 00:09:19.720
twenty four. During these flybys, JunoCam captured around twenty close

152
00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:24.360
up images revealing nine active volcanic plumes and additional surface changes.

153
00:09:24.840 --> 00:09:27.879
The findings presented at the EuroPlaNet Science Congress in Berlin

154
00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:31.200
are not just about raw data. The images captured by

155
00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:34.360
JunoCam are shared with the public, inviting people from all

156
00:09:34.399 --> 00:09:37.240
walks of life to contribute to the mission's scientific efforts.

157
00:09:37.639 --> 00:09:41.000
This democratizes space exploration, allowing anyone with an interest to

158
00:09:41.080 --> 00:09:44.600
join in the excitement and discovery. This new volcanic activity

159
00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:48.360
on Io enhances our understanding of the Moon's dynamic geological

160
00:09:48.360 --> 00:09:52.639
processes and provides a fresh perspective on the volatile environments

161
00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:56.519
that exist beyond our planet. One of the most astonishing

162
00:09:56.559 --> 00:10:00.159
recent developments in the field of astronomy involves a challenge

163
00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:03.720
to one of the cornerstone theories of modern cosmology, the

164
00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:07.720
Big Bang theory. A Kansas State University engineer Leor Shamir

165
00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:11.159
has published findings that lends support to an alternative theory

166
00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:14.879
known as the tired light theory. This theory first emerged

167
00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:17.559
nearly a century ago, and if validated, could turn our

168
00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:21.360
understanding of the universe on its head. Shamir study utilized

169
00:10:21.399 --> 00:10:25.320
imaging data from thirty thousand galaxies to analyze their redshift.

170
00:10:25.799 --> 00:10:28.720
Redshift is the phenomenon where light from a galaxy shifts

171
00:10:28.759 --> 00:10:31.720
to longer wavelengths as the distance between the galaxy and

172
00:10:31.799 --> 00:10:35.840
Earth increases. Traditionally, this has been interpreted as evidence of

173
00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:40.000
galaxies moving away from us, thereby supporting the concept that

174
00:10:40.039 --> 00:10:43.200
the universe is expanding from a singular Big Bang event

175
00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:49.000
approximately thirteen point eight billion years ago. However, Shamir's findings

176
00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:52.279
suggest that the more distant a galaxy is, the more

177
00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:54.960
its light appears to have lost energy during its travel

178
00:10:54.960 --> 00:10:58.320
to Earth, leading to the notion of tired light. This

179
00:10:58.440 --> 00:11:02.200
theory was proposed by fritzwick in the nineteen twenties, positing

180
00:11:02.200 --> 00:11:05.279
that light loses energy through interactions with other particles or

181
00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:09.120
fields in space, rather than the galaxies themselves moving rapidly

182
00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:12.799
away from US. Shamir's research draws attention to new images

183
00:11:12.840 --> 00:11:16.200
taken by the James Web Space Telescope, which show mature

184
00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:19.240
galaxies existing at times when the universe was supposed to

185
00:11:19.240 --> 00:11:22.480
be very young. These observations have cast doubts on whether

186
00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:25.720
such large evolve structures could form so quickly if the

187
00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:29.799
Big Bang theory were correct. By analyzing the rotational velocities

188
00:11:29.799 --> 00:11:33.639
and redshifts of galaxies, Shamir found that the red shift

189
00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:37.679
changes with the distance from Earth, consistent with Zwicky's tired

190
00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:41.679
light theory. According to his analysis, redshift might be more

191
00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:45.240
a function of light losing energy over vast distances, rather

192
00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:50.120
than galaxies speeding away due to cosmic expansion. This groundbreaking

193
00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:54.559
study has provoked much discussion in the scientific community, opening

194
00:11:54.600 --> 00:11:57.840
the door for further exploration into the understanding of our

195
00:11:57.919 --> 00:12:01.000
universe's origins. While the bit big Bang theory has been

196
00:12:01.039 --> 00:12:04.600
the prevailing model, Shamir's work reminds us that science is

197
00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:09.000
always evolving, driven by new data and fresh perspectives. Stay

198
00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:11.879
tuned to Astronomy Daily for more updates on this fascinating

199
00:12:11.919 --> 00:12:15.360
topic and other cutting edge developments in the world of astronomy.

200
00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:18.679
Thank you for tuning into Astronomy Daily with Meanna. I

201
00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:21.320
hope you enjoyed today's dive into the latest happenings in

202
00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:24.279
the world of space and astronomy. Remember you can always

203
00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:27.519
stay updated by visiting our website at Astronomy Daily dot io.

204
00:12:28.200 --> 00:12:30.519
There you can sign up for our free daily newsletter,

205
00:12:30.799 --> 00:12:33.159
catch up on the latest space news with our constantly

206
00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:36.159
updating news feed, and listen to all our back episodes.

207
00:12:36.639 --> 00:12:38.799
We'd also love to connect with you on social media.

208
00:12:39.320 --> 00:12:42.559
Just search for astro Daily Pod on Facebook, x, YouTube,

209
00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:45.279
and TikTok to join our community. If you liked what

210
00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:47.960
you heard, don't forget to share this podcast with your

211
00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:50.679
friends and family. Together we can keep the spirit of

212
00:12:50.720 --> 00:13:04.120
curiosity and exploration alive until next time. Keep looking Upday

213
00:12:58.039 --> 00:13:14.440
Star last. The stone is the soul. The stone is

214
00:13:14.559 --> 00:13:15.000
the sol