S03E35: China's Successful Launch & The Optical Odyssey of Psyche

WEBVTT

1
00:00:04.160 --> 00:00:09.199
Welcome to Astronomy Daily, the podcast
where we dive deep into the cosmos with

2
00:00:09.279 --> 00:00:13.880
the latest news and discoveries from the
universe. Get ready for a journey through

3
00:00:13.919 --> 00:00:19.120
space as we cover exciting updates in
the world of astronomy, from crucial missions

4
00:00:19.199 --> 00:00:25.239
to ambitious explorations, groundbreaking research,
and or inspiring celestial events. We bring

5
00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:30.760
the universe closer to you. Whether
you're an avid stargazer or a seasoned astrophysicist,

6
00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:34.320
there's something here for everyone who looks
up at the night sky with wonder

7
00:00:35.119 --> 00:00:44.000
So buckle up as we embark on
this astronomical adventure together. Exits the Astronomy

8
00:00:44.079 --> 00:00:50.560
Dani Podcast. In the latest chapter
of China's Grand Visions for space exploration,

9
00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:57.359
the Shenzo eighteen mission heralds yet another
successful endeavor with the precision of a cosmic

10
00:00:57.439 --> 00:01:02.799
ballet. The Shenzo eighteen spacecraft,
bearing three astronauts, gently docked with the

11
00:01:02.840 --> 00:01:07.920
Tiangong Space Station earlier today. A
testament to China's growing capabilities above our atmosphere,

12
00:01:08.640 --> 00:01:14.640
this event is not just another orbiting
dance. It represents a significant step

13
00:01:14.680 --> 00:01:19.200
toward Beijing's bold aspirations to send humans
to the Moon by twenty thirty. The

14
00:01:19.319 --> 00:01:23.359
journey began with the roar of a
long march to f rocket, cutting through

15
00:01:23.359 --> 00:01:30.760
the stillness of Djukwan's night sky.
On board veterans and novices alike Ye Guangfu,

16
00:01:30.079 --> 00:01:36.799
an experienced fighter pilot and astronaut,
alongside space newcomers Li Kong and Lie

17
00:01:36.799 --> 00:01:41.879
Guangsu. As the trio of taikernots
settled into their new orbital home for a

18
00:01:41.920 --> 00:01:46.760
six month stint, their mission became
clear. To push the boundaries of scientific

19
00:01:46.879 --> 00:01:52.680
understanding in microgravity. They will dabble
in space botanicals, attempting to master the

20
00:01:52.799 --> 00:01:57.560
art of aquaculture in null gravity,
with hopes of future harvests that might delight

21
00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:01.480
astronauts with the fresh bounty of sea
life. Flies and mice will join in

22
00:02:01.519 --> 00:02:07.799
this space odyssey, participants in experiments
that could unveil secrets to sustaining life amidst

23
00:02:07.840 --> 00:02:13.080
the stars. This mission is more
than a stay at the heavenly Palace Tiangong.

24
00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:16.719
It's a stepping stone to the lunar
surface and potentially the construction of a

25
00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:22.479
moon base. The Chiangong Station,
a symbol of pride and pinnacle of achievement

26
00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:28.639
for China's space dream continues to defy
Earth's gravity and international boundaries. Operated by

27
00:02:28.639 --> 00:02:32.960
a triumvirate of human prowess, its
existence represents a powerful declaration of China's role

28
00:02:34.120 --> 00:02:39.319
in the future of spacefaring civilization.
Each docking maneuver, every scientific experiment,

29
00:02:39.439 --> 00:02:44.719
and the day to day life on
the station brings humanity closer to the celestial

30
00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:51.560
bodies that have been gazing down upon
us since time immemorial. In a leap

31
00:02:51.599 --> 00:02:57.439
toward the future of space communication,
NASA's Deep Space Optical Communications Project, embarked

32
00:02:57.479 --> 00:03:04.039
aboard the Psyche spacecraft is read finding
what is possible beyond Earth's atmosphere this cutting

33
00:03:04.120 --> 00:03:09.560
edge technology. Although a demonstration has
successfully transmitted a copy of engineering data across

34
00:03:09.560 --> 00:03:15.080
a staggering one hundred and forty million
miles that's one point five times the distance

35
00:03:15.120 --> 00:03:21.479
between Earth and our Sun. This
milestone is a vivid illustration of the potential

36
00:03:21.560 --> 00:03:27.479
for optical communication systems, which can
send and receive information with unprecedented speed and

37
00:03:27.560 --> 00:03:32.520
bandwidth, far exceeding the capabilities of
present radio frequency systems. Just imagine with

38
00:03:32.639 --> 00:03:38.840
this new laser based technology, we
could receive intricate scientific data and even high

39
00:03:38.919 --> 00:03:44.280
definition imagery from the depths of space
at rates comparable to our terrestrial broadband Internet

40
00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:49.000
speeds. This is not just impressive, it opens the door to more profound

41
00:03:49.080 --> 00:03:53.560
scientific insight and the tantalizing prospect of
streaming video from other planets. As the

42
00:03:53.599 --> 00:04:00.840
Psyche spacecraft continues its journey through the
asteroid belt, the laser communications demo highlights

43
00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:04.680
the realities of tomorrow, signaling a
time when human missions set foot on Mars

44
00:04:05.000 --> 00:04:10.800
and other celestial bodies can stay connected
to us back on Earth with fewer delays

45
00:04:10.840 --> 00:04:15.919
and richer information. Truly, this
is a pivotal stride in our quest to

46
00:04:15.040 --> 00:04:19.759
unravel the mysteries of the cosmos and
share those discoveries in real time with the

47
00:04:19.920 --> 00:04:27.959
entire world. Black Holes these enigmatic
titans of space, a topic that has

48
00:04:28.120 --> 00:04:32.480
enticed astrophysicists and laymen alike. Today, we unravel some of their mysteries,

49
00:04:32.639 --> 00:04:38.639
particularly those surrounding the powerful jets they
eject. For over a century, the

50
00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:43.160
paradox of black holes, objects so
dense not even light can escape, yet

51
00:04:43.199 --> 00:04:48.160
capable of emitting potent jets out into
the cosmos, has puzzled scientists. These

52
00:04:48.240 --> 00:04:53.439
jets travel at nearly the speed of
light, and some stretch farther than entire

53
00:04:53.480 --> 00:04:59.759
galaxies. Two prevailing models have sought
to explain this phenomenon, the BZ jet

54
00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:03.959
model and the disc jet model.
The bzjet model suggests that these cosmic cannons

55
00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:09.800
are powered by the black hole's own
spin energy harvested via magnetic field lines tethered

56
00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:14.160
to the event horizon. On the
other hand, the disc jet model argues

57
00:05:14.199 --> 00:05:18.319
that energy is drawn from the accretion
disc that swirling maelstrom of ionis said gas

58
00:05:18.600 --> 00:05:24.560
circling the black hole as gravitational well, it was the supermassive black hole at

59
00:05:24.600 --> 00:05:28.639
the heart of galaxy M eighty seven
that became the focus of a groundbreaking study.

60
00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:32.959
An international team took the predictions of
both these models to task, comparing

61
00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:39.920
them against actual telescopic observations made by
the event horizon telescope. Their findings,

62
00:05:40.920 --> 00:05:46.480
the bzjet model's predictions aligned remarkably well
with the observed jet, its width,

63
00:05:46.839 --> 00:05:53.480
length, even the characteristic limb brightening, all reconciled with the observations, pointing

64
00:05:53.519 --> 00:05:59.000
to the bzjet model as the plausible
mechanism driving these astonishing structures. This insight

65
00:05:59.160 --> 00:06:02.839
not only advanced our theoretical physics,
but it also shapes our vision for future

66
00:06:02.839 --> 00:06:10.079
space explorations as we peer deeper into
the universe. Understanding the forces that govern

67
00:06:10.160 --> 00:06:15.560
these black hole jets could one day
illuminate pathways to harness energy beyond anything currently

68
00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:23.839
imaginable, a prospect that indeed gets
the imagination racing cleared for launch and ready

69
00:06:23.839 --> 00:06:28.399
to write a new chapter in space
travel. NASA's elite astronauts have touched down

70
00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:33.399
at the historic Kennedy Space Center,
signaling the imminent departure of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.

71
00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:38.920
It's a site rekindling memories of the
storage Shuttle era, with a fleet

72
00:06:38.959 --> 00:06:42.920
of T thirty eight jets carving through
the skies their hold carrying experts of the

73
00:06:42.959 --> 00:06:48.079
Cosmos. Butch Wilmore and Sunny Williams, commanding and piloting this mission, are

74
00:06:48.120 --> 00:06:53.600
set to steer the crew flight test
to the International Space Station. With the

75
00:06:53.639 --> 00:06:58.079
Shuttle program in our rear view,
this test marks a significant pivot point,

76
00:06:58.439 --> 00:07:02.879
a testament to the Burgeonings synchrony between
NASA and commercial partners like Boeing. The

77
00:07:02.959 --> 00:07:09.720
trajectory is set no earlier than May
sixth, The pair will undertake perhaps their

78
00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:15.319
most momentous journey with the star Liner
marking its first ballet with the stars ferrying

79
00:07:15.399 --> 00:07:20.079
humans. This crew flight test isn't
merely a technical exercise. It's an embodiment

80
00:07:20.120 --> 00:07:26.079
of human tenacity, a demonstration of
trust in the technology that will propel our

81
00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:30.920
aspirations skyward. As they don their
suits and run through the rehearsals, the

82
00:07:31.000 --> 00:07:35.680
crew stands on the precipice of tomorrow, engines primed, spirits high, and

83
00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:43.199
eyes ever skyward, poised for a
seamless dance with space's boundless expanse. We

84
00:07:43.279 --> 00:07:46.879
are on the threshold of a new
era where commercial vessels become the workhourses of

85
00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:50.879
low Earth orbit ventures, and as
the star Liner prepares to stitch its trail

86
00:07:50.920 --> 00:07:56.120
across the stars, it carries with
it the potential for an integrated space faring

87
00:07:56.160 --> 00:08:05.120
future. The Astronomy Day, in
a remarkable nod to the wonders of space

88
00:08:05.160 --> 00:08:09.800
exploration and the creativity it inspires,
Lego is set to launch the imaginations of

89
00:08:09.879 --> 00:08:16.000
space enthusiasts worldwide with the unveiling of
two new sets that are genuinely out of

90
00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:20.560
this world. First, the Apollo
era meets modern engineering in the Lego Icon's

91
00:08:20.759 --> 00:08:26.959
NASA Artemis Space Launch System Master builders
and space officionados alike can revel in the

92
00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:33.399
construction of a detailed scale model of
NASA's flagship rocket, poised to take humans

93
00:08:33.440 --> 00:08:39.320
back to the Moon and perhaps one
day beyond. This intricate three thousand,

94
00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:43.679
six hundred and one piece set brings
to life the towering might of the SLS,

95
00:08:43.159 --> 00:08:48.080
complete with its launch platform and towering
support tower. The attention to detail

96
00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:52.480
extends to the Orion spacecraft as it
sits ready to carry astronauts into the new

97
00:08:52.559 --> 00:08:58.320
era of lunar exploration. It's not
just a model, it's a tribute to

98
00:08:58.360 --> 00:09:01.559
the pinnacle of human ingenuity in rocket
science, all for the hands on enjoyment

99
00:09:01.600 --> 00:09:07.799
of those captivated by the final Frontier. The second of these stellar sets whisks

100
00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:11.799
you away from lunar aspirations to the
heart of our home galaxy. The Lego

101
00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:18.000
art the Milky Way Galaxy set is
a mesmerizing feast of color and contemplation.

102
00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:22.320
Across its three thousand and ninety one
pieces, you're not just piecing together a

103
00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:28.240
galaxy. You're mapping the very stars
and nebulae that have been the subjects of

104
00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:33.759
wonder and scientific pursuit for centuries.
Each brick brings you closer to the vastness

105
00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:37.799
of the cosmos, making the unreachable
touchable, the immense personalized, and the

106
00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:43.360
cosmic beautifully expressive. So, whether
you're reliving the heyday of space exploration or

107
00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:48.960
navigating the cosmos from the comfort of
your home, these new lego sets promise

108
00:09:48.039 --> 00:09:52.159
to connect the child in each of
us with the infinite possibilities that lie among

109
00:09:52.200 --> 00:10:01.399
the stars. Thank you for joining
us on Astronomy Daily the Podcast. It

110
00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:07.320
has been a spectacular journey through the
cosmos today, filled with groundbreaking news and

111
00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:11.639
cosmic discoveries. Remember, your odyssey
into the stars doesn't have to end here.

112
00:10:13.279 --> 00:10:16.080
Dive deeper into the wonders of the
universe by visiting our website at Astronomy

113
00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:22.120
Daily dot io. There you'll find
even more news, in depth articles and

114
00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:24.960
resources to fuel your love of space. And don't forget to connect with us

115
00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:30.879
on social media. Follow us on
x formerly known as Twitter at astro Daily

116
00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:35.720
Pod, where we continue the conversation
and share daily updates on all things astronomical.

117
00:10:37.080 --> 00:10:39.600
Until next time. This is Charlie
saying, keep your eyes on the

118
00:10:39.639 --> 00:11:03.440
skies and keep exploring the infinite expanse
of space. Star So is the troll