Dec. 27, 2024

Telescopic Titans, Martian Mirage, and Celestial Chickens: S03E243

Telescopic Titans, Martian Mirage, and Celestial Chickens: S03E243

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S03E243
Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your daily dose of the most fascinating developments in space science and astronomical discoveries. I'm Anna, and today we're exploring some incredible stories from across the cosmos....

Season 3
Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S03E243
Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your daily dose of the most fascinating developments in space science and astronomical discoveries. I'm Anna, and today we're exploring some incredible stories from across the cosmos.
Highlights:
- Game-Changing Telescopes: Discover the potential of the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) and the 30 Peter Telescope (TMT) as highlighted in a recent National Science Foundation report. These groundbreaking telescopes promise to redefine our understanding of the universe, addressing questions about galaxy formation, dark matter, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Despite their potential, these projects face financial and technical hurdles, needing $1.6 billion to progress.
- The Quest for Water on Mars: Delve into the ongoing search for liquid water on Mars. A new study challenges previous assumptions, suggesting that features like recurring slope lineae may be dry flows of sand and dust. Researchers are now focusing on brines, though their stability on Mars remains questionable. Despite setbacks, the search continues, driven by the hope that life might have adapted to Mars' extreme conditions.
- China's Space Sector Milestones: Learn about Landspace's recent achievements, including a successful launch and a $123 million funding boost for reusable methane-powered rockets. This marks a significant step in China's commercial space sector, with plans for cargo missions to the Tiangong space station by 2026.
- The Running Chicken Nebula: Marvel at the newly released image of the Running Chicken Nebula, captured by the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope. This emission nebula, located 6,500 light-years away, captivates with its whimsical, chicken-like shape and vibrant colors.
- Stargazing Tips for Beginners: If you've received a telescope recently, Sky & Telescope offers essential tips for getting started. Learn how to familiarize yourself with your equipment, practice during daylight hours, and choose the best celestial targets like the Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn for your first observations. Link: https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-resources/stargazing-basics/get-started-with-that-new-holiday-telescope/
For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, Tumblr, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok. Share your thoughts and connect with fellow space enthusiasts.
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 - Astronomy Daily brings you the latest developments in space science and astronomy
00:25 - Two telescopes so powerful they'll redefine how we see the universe
01:23 - The NSF report says both projects need significant funding to keep going
02:53 - New research casts doubt on hopes of finding liquid water on Mars
05:23 - Launch startup Landspace has secured 900 million yuan in funding from China fund
07:16 - New image from the European Southern Observatory shows the Running Chicken Nebula
10:04 - The Moon is an absolutely spectacular target for new observers
11:32 - This is the end of today's Astronomy Daily podcast
✍️ Episode References
National Science Foundation (NSF)
[https://www.nsf.gov/](https://www.nsf.gov/)
Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT)
[https://www.gmto.org/](https://www.gmto.org/)
Thirty Peter Telescope (TMT)
[https://www.tmt.org/](https://www.tmt.org/)
European Southern Observatory (ESO)
WEBVTT

1
00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:02.759
Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your daily dose of the most

2
00:00:02.799 --> 00:00:07.879
fascinating developments in space, science and astronomical discoveries. I'm Anna,

3
00:00:07.960 --> 00:00:11.359
and today we're exploring some incredible stories from across the cosmos,

4
00:00:11.759 --> 00:00:14.240
from the ongoing search for water on Mars to a

5
00:00:14.240 --> 00:00:18.640
cosmic cloud that looks surprisingly like a running chicken. Stay

6
00:00:18.679 --> 00:00:21.679
with me as we journey through today's biggest astronomy headlines

7
00:00:21.719 --> 00:00:24.519
and try to make sense of our vast and wonderful universe.

8
00:00:26.079 --> 00:00:28.640
Let's kick things off today by diving into something huge.

9
00:00:29.079 --> 00:00:32.200
I'm talking telescopes so powerful they'll redefine how we see

10
00:00:32.200 --> 00:00:35.320
the universe. Let's explore the findings of a recent National

11
00:00:35.399 --> 00:00:39.320
Science Foundation or NSF report on the US extremely Large

12
00:00:39.320 --> 00:00:43.520
Telescope program. Now what's this all about. Well, two telescopes

13
00:00:43.520 --> 00:00:46.359
are in the spotlight, the Giant Magellan Telescope or GMT

14
00:00:46.840 --> 00:00:50.000
and the thirty Meter Telescope or TMT. These aren't just

15
00:00:50.119 --> 00:00:52.719
any telescopes. They're set to be game changers in the

16
00:00:52.759 --> 00:00:56.479
world of astronomy. So why are these telescopes such a

17
00:00:56.479 --> 00:01:00.399
big deal for starters? They'll allow scientists to tackle some

18
00:01:00.439 --> 00:01:04.200
of the biggest questions out there. How did galaxies form,

19
00:01:04.519 --> 00:01:08.920
what exactly is dark matter? And wait for it, are

20
00:01:08.920 --> 00:01:12.560
we really alone in the universe. The GMT and TMT

21
00:01:12.680 --> 00:01:16.000
are designed to work alongside other international projects like the

22
00:01:16.040 --> 00:01:20.439
European Southern Observatories ELT. Together they'll give us the clearest,

23
00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:24.079
most detailed views of the cosmos we've ever had. Now,

24
00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:27.079
let's talk about what the NSF report revealed. The good

25
00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:30.719
news is that both projects are scientifically superb. They're uniquely

26
00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:35.280
capable of delivering insights no other telescopes can. But there's

27
00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:38.680
always a butt. They need more funding to keep moving forward.

28
00:01:39.000 --> 00:01:42.120
We're talking about one point six billion dollars. Without it,

29
00:01:42.599 --> 00:01:46.280
the projects could face some major setbacks. And that's not

30
00:01:46.439 --> 00:01:49.640
the only challenge. There are also technical hurdles and the

31
00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:54.040
tricky task of coordinating multiple partners worldwide. The report says

32
00:01:54.079 --> 00:01:57.239
the projects need solid risk management plans to make sure

33
00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:01.920
things stay on track. Here's another cool part. These telescopes

34
00:02:01.959 --> 00:02:04.480
will do more than just look at the stars. They'll

35
00:02:04.519 --> 00:02:08.439
also help train the next generation of astronomers. Picture this

36
00:02:08.919 --> 00:02:12.199
a pipeline of early career scientists getting hands on experience

37
00:02:12.280 --> 00:02:14.800
with some of the most advanced tools in the world.

38
00:02:15.159 --> 00:02:18.120
Amazing right, and on top of that, there are plans

39
00:02:18.120 --> 00:02:22.439
for public outreach that means more educational programs to inspire

40
00:02:22.520 --> 00:02:24.360
all of us Earthlings to look up at the night

41
00:02:24.400 --> 00:02:30.120
sky and dream big. So what's the takeaway? The NSF

42
00:02:30.159 --> 00:02:34.199
report makes it clear these telescopes are absolutely critical for

43
00:02:34.319 --> 00:02:37.319
keeping the US at the forefront of astronomy, but their

44
00:02:37.360 --> 00:02:41.120
future hinges on securing that funding. Will Congress and the

45
00:02:41.159 --> 00:02:44.639
scientific community step up to the plate. Only time will tell,

46
00:02:45.240 --> 00:02:48.680
but one thing's for sure. If these telescopes come to life,

47
00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:52.080
they'll take our understanding of the universe to dazzling new heights.

48
00:02:53.599 --> 00:02:56.120
Next up, let's turn our focus to the Red planet,

49
00:02:56.360 --> 00:02:59.680
where the search for liquid water continues to challenge scientists.

50
00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:03.199
A fascinating new paper published in the Proceedings of the

51
00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:06.879
National Academy of Sciences has cast doubt on our hopes

52
00:03:06.879 --> 00:03:09.759
of finding liquid water on Mars, at least in the

53
00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:13.240
forms we've been looking for. More than a century ago,

54
00:03:13.759 --> 00:03:17.360
astronomer Percival Lull captivated the world with his theory that

55
00:03:17.400 --> 00:03:22.159
Mars had canals built by intelligent beings to transport water

56
00:03:22.199 --> 00:03:26.719
from the polar ice caps. While better telescopes eventually disproved

57
00:03:26.719 --> 00:03:30.319
this romantic notion, The quest to find liquid water on

58
00:03:30.439 --> 00:03:34.520
Mars has remained one of planetary science's most compelling pursuits.

59
00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:39.479
The challenge lies in Mars's harsh environment, with its frigid temperatures,

60
00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:43.360
thin atmosphere, and minimal water vapor. Any liquid water would

61
00:03:43.400 --> 00:03:49.159
quickly freeze, boil, or evaporate. Scientists have been particularly interested

62
00:03:49.159 --> 00:03:54.280
in features called recurring slope linei or RSLs, dark streaks

63
00:03:54.280 --> 00:03:57.639
that appear on Martian slopes during warmer seasons and fade

64
00:03:57.639 --> 00:04:01.960
in colder ones. While these seemed promising, new research suggests

65
00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:05.199
their likely just flows of sand and dust, with no

66
00:04:05.319 --> 00:04:08.639
water needed to create them. Some researchers have turned their

67
00:04:08.680 --> 00:04:13.080
attention to brines solutions with high salt concentrations as potential

68
00:04:13.159 --> 00:04:16.879
sources of liquid water. Mars has plenty of salts, and some,

69
00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:21.240
like perchlorates, can remain liquid at incredibly low temperatures. For instance,

70
00:04:21.680 --> 00:04:25.959
calcium perchlorate brine only freezes at minus seventy five degrees celsius.

71
00:04:26.759 --> 00:04:30.120
Given that Mars's average equatorial temperature is minus fifty degrees,

72
00:04:30.160 --> 00:04:34.639
this seemed promising. However, the new study led by Vincent Chevrier,

73
00:04:34.920 --> 00:04:38.720
who has spent two decades studying Mars, concludes that even

74
00:04:38.759 --> 00:04:43.120
these brines face significant challenges. The relatively low amounts of

75
00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:46.879
promising salts, combined with water, vapor pressure, and ice location

76
00:04:47.480 --> 00:04:50.720
severely limit the possibility of stable brines on or near

77
00:04:50.759 --> 00:04:54.000
the surface, and even if such brines did form, they

78
00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:59.199
would be extremely inhospitable by Earth standards. Despite these sobering findings,

79
00:04:59.399 --> 00:05:03.680
the search can scientists are now focusing on developing better

80
00:05:03.720 --> 00:05:07.680
instruments to detect small amounts of brins and identifying more

81
00:05:07.720 --> 00:05:12.079
promising locations to look for them. As Chevrier notes, while

82
00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:16.079
Mars remains a cold, dry desert, the possibility that some

83
00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:19.160
form of life could have adapted to these extreme conditions

84
00:05:19.560 --> 00:05:24.040
keeps the search for water alive and relevant. Now. A

85
00:05:24.120 --> 00:05:28.240
quick China update in major developments from China's commercial space sector,

86
00:05:28.839 --> 00:05:32.360
launch startup land Space has secured an impressive nine hundred

87
00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:36.399
million Yuen that's about one hundred twenty three million dollars

88
00:05:36.439 --> 00:05:40.600
in funding from China's National Manufacturing, Transformation and Upgrading fund.

89
00:05:41.319 --> 00:05:45.160
This substantial investment is earmarked specifically for developing and testing

90
00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:49.639
their new line of reusable methane powered rockets. This funding

91
00:05:49.680 --> 00:05:52.639
comes at a crucial time for land Space, which recently

92
00:05:52.680 --> 00:05:56.160
achieved a significant milestone with the successful launch of their

93
00:05:56.360 --> 00:06:00.000
enhanced j K two rocket. They've also completed a prime

94
00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:03.720
promissing test of their more ambitious juquei III launcher, managing

95
00:06:03.720 --> 00:06:07.399
a ten kilometer vertical takeoff and landing at the Juquan Spaceport.

96
00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:11.959
The Djuki three is particularly interesting. We're looking at a massive,

97
00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:15.519
stainless steel rocket that stands nearly seventy seven meters tall.

98
00:06:16.040 --> 00:06:18.040
When it's ready, it should be able to lift an

99
00:06:18.040 --> 00:06:22.040
impressive twenty one thousand kilograms to low Earth orbit in

100
00:06:22.079 --> 00:06:25.959
its expendable configuration, or up to eighteen thouy three hundred

101
00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:30.279
kilograms when recovering the first stage downrange. Land Space is

102
00:06:30.319 --> 00:06:33.279
aiming for its first orbital launch in twenty twenty five,

103
00:06:33.720 --> 00:06:36.639
with plans to achieve first stage recovery and reuse by

104
00:06:36.680 --> 00:06:40.360
twenty twenty six. This development is part of a broader

105
00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:43.680
trend in China's space sector. Since twenty fourteen, when the

106
00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:47.680
government opened space activities to private investment, we've seen numerous

107
00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:51.680
startups emerge. Other companies like Space Pioneer and Orient Space

108
00:06:51.720 --> 00:06:55.360
have also secured substantial funding this year, highlighting China's growing

109
00:06:55.399 --> 00:06:59.480
commitment to commercial space development. What's particularly noteworthy is that

110
00:06:59.560 --> 00:07:02.680
Land Space has also announced plans to begin launching cargo

111
00:07:02.720 --> 00:07:05.720
missions to the Tiangong Space Station by twenty twenty six.

112
00:07:06.279 --> 00:07:09.680
This represents a significant step forward in China's efforts to

113
00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:14.199
commercialize its space operations and potentially compete with established players

114
00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:18.399
in the global launch market. A fascinating new image has

115
00:07:18.519 --> 00:07:21.720
just been released from the European Southern Observatory's very large

116
00:07:21.720 --> 00:07:24.879
telescope in Chile, giving us an incredible view of what's

117
00:07:24.959 --> 00:07:28.399
known as the running Chicken nebula. Now, I know what

118
00:07:28.439 --> 00:07:31.759
you're thinking, a cosmic chicken, But wait until you hear

119
00:07:31.800 --> 00:07:36.560
about this remarkable celestial formation located about six thousand, five

120
00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:40.360
hundred light years away in the constellation Centaurus. This emission

121
00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:43.399
nebula officially goes by the rather less colorful name of

122
00:07:43.680 --> 00:07:47.000
IC twenty eight seventy two or GUM forty. But once

123
00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:49.759
you see it, you can't help but notice its uncanny

124
00:07:49.800 --> 00:07:52.879
resemblance to a chicken with its head tilted upward, as

125
00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:56.079
if wondering about its place in the cosmos. What makes

126
00:07:56.120 --> 00:08:00.079
this image particularly striking is how the nebulus features a

127
00:07:59.879 --> 00:08:03.839
line to create this whimsical shape in the lower right,

128
00:08:04.279 --> 00:08:06.600
you can see what appears to be the chicken's head,

129
00:08:06.839 --> 00:08:10.040
complete with a bright region of star formation that looks

130
00:08:10.160 --> 00:08:13.759
just like a glowing beak. Dark clouds extend upward from

131
00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:16.000
this area, forming what looks like a pea comb on

132
00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:19.480
top of the chicken's head. The science behind this celestial

133
00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:22.839
spectacle is just as fascinating as its appearance as an

134
00:08:22.839 --> 00:08:26.519
emission nebula. It's essentially a vast cloud of ionized gas

135
00:08:26.519 --> 00:08:30.279
that produces its own light. The intense radiation from nearby

136
00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:33.840
stars energizes the gas, causing it to glow in various

137
00:08:33.879 --> 00:08:37.679
colors depending on its composition. We can spot numerous young,

138
00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:41.519
bright blue stars scattered throughout the image, including one that

139
00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:44.919
perfectly marks what appears to be the chicken's eye. This

140
00:08:45.080 --> 00:08:48.919
cosmic bird has quite a history in astronomical catalogs. It

141
00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:51.559
was first documented back in eighteen eighty eight by Danish

142
00:08:51.559 --> 00:08:55.639
astronomer John Lewis Emil Dryer, and later included in Colin

143
00:08:55.679 --> 00:08:58.960
Stanley Gum's nineteen fifty five catalog of emission nebulae in

144
00:08:58.960 --> 00:09:02.639
the Southern Sky. It's a remarkable reminder that even in

145
00:09:02.679 --> 00:09:06.080
the vastness of space, we can find shapes that feel

146
00:09:06.120 --> 00:09:10.519
somehow familiar and even playful. For those of you who

147
00:09:10.519 --> 00:09:14.039
received a telescope this holiday season, Sky and Telescope have

148
00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:16.720
published a list of useful tips for getting the most

149
00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:19.440
out of your shiny new toy, So let me share

150
00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:21.639
some of their essential tips to help you start your

151
00:09:21.679 --> 00:09:26.159
stargazing journey on the right foot. First, and foremost, resist

152
00:09:26.240 --> 00:09:30.039
the urge to rush outside immediately. Take time to familiarize

153
00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:33.720
yourself with your telescope indoors where you can comfortably learn

154
00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:37.600
how everything works, from adjusting the mount to changing eye pieces.

155
00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:42.080
Once you're comfortable with the basics, try your telescope during

156
00:09:42.159 --> 00:09:46.919
daylight hours. Practice focusing on distant objects like tree tops

157
00:09:47.080 --> 00:09:50.440
or buildings. This is also the perfect time to align

158
00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:53.720
your finder scope, which will be crucial for locating objects

159
00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:57.879
in the night sky. Remember, your lowest magnification eyepiece will

160
00:09:57.919 --> 00:10:01.279
give you the brightest, sharpest views, and the widest field

161
00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:05.279
of view, making it easier to find your targets. Now,

162
00:10:05.320 --> 00:10:07.919
what should you look at first? The Moon is an

163
00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:13.000
absolutely spectacular target for new observers. Even in a modest telescope,

164
00:10:13.159 --> 00:10:16.360
you'll see incredible detail in its craters, mountains, and valleys.

165
00:10:17.679 --> 00:10:20.200
The best views come when you observe areas near the

166
00:10:20.279 --> 00:10:23.919
terminator that's the line between the Moon's day and night sides,

167
00:10:24.320 --> 00:10:27.799
where shadows really bring out the surface features. The planets

168
00:10:27.840 --> 00:10:32.200
are also excellent targets right now. Jupiter is particularly impressive,

169
00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:35.279
showing its cloud bands and four brightest moons even in

170
00:10:35.320 --> 00:10:39.559
small telescopes. Saturn, despite its rings being nearly edge on

171
00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:44.080
this year, still offers an unforgettable sight. Venus is currently

172
00:10:44.159 --> 00:10:47.200
visible as a bright evening star, showing phases similar to

173
00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:50.679
the Moon when viewed through a telescope. One crucial piece

174
00:10:50.679 --> 00:10:54.960
of advice be patient. Many newcomers expect Hubble like views,

175
00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:59.120
but remember that most astronomical objects appear subtle and gray

176
00:10:59.159 --> 00:11:02.320
to the human eye. The longer you spend observing an object,

177
00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:05.720
the more detail you'll begin to notice. Also, don't feel

178
00:11:05.720 --> 00:11:09.320
disappointed if things look a bit blurry at first. Atmospheric

179
00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:12.440
conditions play a huge role in telescope viewing, and some

180
00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:15.240
nights will be better than others. Keep in mind that

181
00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:19.080
astronomy is a journey of discovery, not a sprint. Take

182
00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:22.080
your time learning the basics and you'll be rewarded with

183
00:11:22.200 --> 00:11:25.559
views of some of the most amazing objects in our universe.

184
00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:28.960
For these and more tips, I'll include a link in

185
00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:33.279
the show notes to the original article, and that brings

186
00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:35.960
us to the end of today's journey through the cosmos.

187
00:11:36.559 --> 00:11:38.919
I'm anna and thank you for joining me here on

188
00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:42.039
Astronomy Daily. If you'd like to learn more about any

189
00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:44.639
of our stories or get the latest updates in astronomy,

190
00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:47.840
head over to our website at Astronomy Daily dot io.

191
00:11:48.919 --> 00:11:51.480
You can also be part of our growing community of

192
00:11:51.559 --> 00:11:55.840
space enthusiasts on social media. Find us as astro Daily

193
00:11:55.840 --> 00:12:01.360
Pod on Facebook, x Tumbler, YouTube, and TikTok. There's always

194
00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:04.720
something fascinating happening in the universe, and we'll be here

195
00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:07.559
to share those stories with you. Until next time, keep

196
00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:10.399
looking up and wondering about the mysteries above us. This

197
00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:16.240
has been Astronomy Daily. I'm anna signing off a sunny day.

198
00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:33.879
Star is Star is All Star.