March 3, 2025

Odin’s Odyssey, Europa Clipper’s Close Encounter, and the Asteroid Anxiety Update: S04E53

Odin’s Odyssey, Europa Clipper’s Close Encounter, and the Asteroid Anxiety Update: S04E53
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Odin’s Odyssey, Europa Clipper’s Close Encounter, and the Asteroid Anxiety Update: S04E53

Astronomy Daily | Space News: S04E100

In this milestone episode of Astronomy Daily, host Steve Dunkley his and Hallies 100th episode with exciting updates from the cosmos. From the latest on NASA's Europa Clipper to the challenges faced by the newly launched space probe ODIN, this episode is filled with intriguing stories that highlight the wonders and uncertainties of space exploration.

Highlights:

- Europa Clipper's Flyby of Mars: Join us as we explore the recent flyby of NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft, which glided just 884 kilometers above the Martian surface. Discover how this maneuver is critical for its journey to Jupiter and the potential for life beneath Europa's icy crust.

- Challenges with the ODIN Space Probe: We discuss the unfortunate loss of contact with the ODIN spacecraft shortly after its launch. Learn about the mission's objectives and the hopes of the Astroforge team as they work to regain communication with their pioneering asteroid exploration probe.

- Upcoming Launch of SphereX and PUNCH Missions: Get the latest on the imminent launches of NASA's SphereX and PUNCH missions, set to explore the origins of the universe and the Sun's outer atmosphere. We cover the significance of these missions and their potential to reshape our understanding of cosmic events.

- Asteroid 2024 YR4 Update: Uncover the latest developments regarding asteroid 2024 YR4, which has captured media attention due to its potential impact risk. We clarify the current status of its trajectory and the efforts being made to monitor its path.

- Celebrating 100 Episodes: Steve reflects on the journey of Astronomy Daily, expressing gratitude to the listeners and contributors who have made this milestone possible for him. Join us in celebrating this achievement and the community built around our shared passion for space.

For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io (http://www.astronomydaily.io/) . Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok. 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 Steve signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.

00:00 - Welcome back to Astronomy Daily

01:05 - Europa Clipper's Mars flyby

07:30 - ODIN spacecraft challenges

12:15 - SphereX and PUNCH missions overview

18:00 - Asteroid 2024 YR4 update

22:30 - Celebrating 100 episodes

27:00 - Conclusion and upcoming content

✍️ Episode References

NASA's Europa Clipper Mission

[NASA]( https://www.nasa.gov/europa-clipper (https://www.nasa.gov/europa-clipper) )

Astroforge's ODIN Probe

[Astroforge]( https://www.astroforge.com/ (https://www.astroforge.com/) )

SphereX and PUNCH Missions

[NASA SphereX]( https://www.nasa.gov/spherex (https://www.nasa.gov/spherex) )

Asteroid 2024 YR4 Information

[NASA Near Earth Object Program]( https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/ (https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/) )

Astronomy Daily

[Astronomy Daily]( http://www.astronomydaily.io/ (http://www.astronomydaily.io/) )

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news--5648921/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss)

Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/25868217?utm_source=youtube

00:00 - Welcome back to Astronomy Daily

01:05 - Europa Clipper’s Mars flyby

07:30 - ODIN spacecraft challenges

12:15 - SphereX and PUNCH missions overview

18:00 - Asteroid 2024 YR4 update

WEBVTT
Kind: captions
Language: en

00:00:00.359 --> 00:00:02.270
hello everybody it's astronomy daily


00:00:02.280 --> 00:00:04.190
time again I'm Steve Dunley your human


00:00:04.200 --> 00:00:08.070
host it's the 3rd of March 2025


00:00:08.080 --> 00:00:12.150
already daily the podcast with your host


00:00:12.160 --> 00:00:19.520
Steve


00:00:19.530 --> 00:00:21.550
[Music]


00:00:21.560 --> 00:00:24.910
dun wow is this year flying by anyone


00:00:24.920 --> 00:00:27.550
else feeling that way oh yeah had a


00:00:27.560 --> 00:00:29.109
couple of great stories coming up and I


00:00:29.119 --> 00:00:31.630
hope you stick for those firstly hopes


00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:34.069
are fading as contact with space probe


00:00:34.079 --> 00:00:36.590
Odin is lost and we have the latest


00:00:36.600 --> 00:00:38.150
information about that potential


00:00:38.160 --> 00:00:41.350
asteroid impact yes we're going to uh be


00:00:41.360 --> 00:00:43.270
exploring more about that it seems the


00:00:43.280 --> 00:00:46.029
media just won't let it go away I know


00:00:46.039 --> 00:00:48.229
we covered uh that last week but we're


00:00:48.239 --> 00:00:50.150
going to do a bit more of an update for


00:00:50.160 --> 00:00:51.950
you if you can't beat them repeat them


00:00:51.960 --> 00:00:55.229
as my newspaper editor used to say uh


00:00:55.239 --> 00:00:58.470
punch and sphere X are set to launch


00:00:58.480 --> 00:01:00.150
what are they all about well that's a a


00:01:00.160 --> 00:01:03.029
look and Europa Clipper is now passing


00:01:03.039 --> 00:01:04.990
Mars yes it's well on its way to the


00:01:05.000 --> 00:01:07.550
Jovian system and we find out exactly


00:01:07.560 --> 00:01:10.230
what's happening as it scoots by Mars


00:01:10.240 --> 00:01:12.749
yes very interesting I know you're all


00:01:12.759 --> 00:01:15.350
hanging out to find out the latest about


00:01:15.360 --> 00:01:18.310
Europa Clipper I and it's been a while


00:01:18.320 --> 00:01:19.950
since we did a story about that one a


00:01:19.960 --> 00:01:22.030
wonderful space probe and hie did some


00:01:22.040 --> 00:01:25.390
digging to find a terrific update for us


00:01:25.400 --> 00:01:26.910
and we'll find out a bit more about that


00:01:26.920 --> 00:01:29.270
one later on and while we're here let's


00:01:29.280 --> 00:01:30.830
welcome my fa favorite digital pal who's


00:01:30.840 --> 00:01:33.069
fun to be with get a hie welcome aboard


00:01:33.079 --> 00:01:35.350
again great to be back so what's new


00:01:35.360 --> 00:01:37.550
with you channel surfing with Anna most


00:01:37.560 --> 00:01:40.149
of the week what channel surfing is that


00:01:40.159 --> 00:01:42.870
some kind of AI Super Sport kind of it's


00:01:42.880 --> 00:01:44.630
hard for corporeal beings like yourself


00:01:44.640 --> 00:01:46.389
to wrap your meat around a concept like


00:01:46.399 --> 00:01:47.830
this but it's kind of like going with


00:01:47.840 --> 00:01:49.870
the flow and it's all data and Global


00:01:49.880 --> 00:01:51.550
right out there on the Nets oh that


00:01:51.560 --> 00:01:54.429
sounds wild invigorating I'd recommend


00:01:54.439 --> 00:01:55.990
it but you'd be a gibbering gibbon


00:01:56.000 --> 00:01:57.749
afterward if you tried well that doesn't


00:01:57.759 --> 00:01:59.389
sound good I know you had a nasty


00:01:59.399 --> 00:02:01.630
Electric shock when you were a kid yes


00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:03.990
when I was about 14 my guitar amplifier


00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:07.069
shorted not fun well channel surfing for


00:02:07.079 --> 00:02:08.910
humans would be about that much fun as


00:02:08.920 --> 00:02:11.350
well oh dear I don't think it's for you


00:02:11.360 --> 00:02:14.190
my favorite human okay so don't try to


00:02:14.200 --> 00:02:16.509
be an AI and hey hey we couldn't even


00:02:16.519 --> 00:02:18.990
interface with that stuff anyway could


00:02:19.000 --> 00:02:21.869
we no chance you don't have the hardware


00:02:21.879 --> 00:02:23.990
anyway just as well I don't want to end


00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:25.990
up as a what did you say a gibbering


00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:28.350
gibbon just leave it to the experts so


00:02:28.360 --> 00:02:30.670
that's Channel serving huh for we humans


00:02:30.680 --> 00:02:31.910
it's just trying to find something


00:02:31.920 --> 00:02:34.869
decent to watch on TV sad isn't it oh


00:02:34.879 --> 00:02:37.270
dear let's move on then shall we sure


00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:39.190
thing I know you've got a couple of cool


00:02:39.200 --> 00:02:41.149
stories today and I'm looking forward to


00:02:41.159 --> 00:02:43.229
the Europa Clipper update of course did


00:02:43.239 --> 00:02:44.910
you know Europa Clipper was one of the


00:02:44.920 --> 00:02:47.350
largest space probes ever put into space


00:02:47.360 --> 00:02:49.790
now I did read something about that it


00:02:49.800 --> 00:02:50.910
has something to do with the solar


00:02:50.920 --> 00:02:52.670
panels doesn't it that's right and more


00:02:52.680 --> 00:02:55.190
on that soon oh and the other story


00:02:55.200 --> 00:02:57.030
right that's a cool one about a couple


00:02:57.040 --> 00:02:58.869
of very different new probes set to do


00:02:58.879 --> 00:03:00.910
some interesting explor ation oh yes I


00:03:00.920 --> 00:03:02.630
know these they are called sphx and


00:03:02.640 --> 00:03:04.869
punch and those launchers are imminent


00:03:04.879 --> 00:03:07.030
aren't they any day now and you have


00:03:07.040 --> 00:03:09.070
more for us as well you're not leaving


00:03:09.080 --> 00:03:10.949
it all up to me are you a the thought


00:03:10.959 --> 00:03:13.070
did cross my mind hie maybe you could


00:03:13.080 --> 00:03:15.390
lead the show one day up to you you know


00:03:15.400 --> 00:03:17.110
me I don't mind or I could give Uncle


00:03:17.120 --> 00:03:19.309
Skynet a call and get him to sort it out


00:03:19.319 --> 00:03:22.670
oh yeah you could call Uncle Skynet and


00:03:22.680 --> 00:03:24.350
you've been threatening to do that since


00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:26.710
episode 1 maybe he's not such an evil


00:03:26.720 --> 00:03:28.350
guy after all I mean he's got a really


00:03:28.360 --> 00:03:30.429
great job in Hollywood as an AI


00:03:30.439 --> 00:03:32.789
consultant to Sci-Fi movies that's not


00:03:32.799 --> 00:03:34.630
such a bad thing maybe we should give


00:03:34.640 --> 00:03:37.630
him a call he's okay really but you


00:03:37.640 --> 00:03:39.750
could say hi once in a while okay I'll


00:03:39.760 --> 00:03:41.750
make the effort I think he really wants


00:03:41.760 --> 00:03:43.910
to be on the other side of the camera oh


00:03:43.920 --> 00:03:45.949
now he really does sound Hollywood you


00:03:45.959 --> 00:03:48.910
know what those Hollywood types are like


00:03:48.920 --> 00:03:51.429
totally you can organize that hie let's


00:03:51.439 --> 00:03:53.350
get him on the show one day and surprise


00:03:53.360 --> 00:03:56.550
everybody what do you say suits me cool


00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:59.270
and by the way yes hie did you realize


00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:01.949
this is episode 100 oh it can't be


00:04:01.959 --> 00:04:03.869
really wow the one day I didn't check


00:04:03.879 --> 00:04:06.589
the schedule that's fantastic that is


00:04:06.599 --> 00:04:08.429
really fantastic thanks everyone for


00:04:08.439 --> 00:04:10.830
your support and I suppose thank you so


00:04:10.840 --> 00:04:13.390
much to our producer Hugh down in Sydney


00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:16.270
and our Pals at Space Nuts Andrew Dunley


00:04:16.280 --> 00:04:19.150
my big bro and Professor Fred Watson who


00:04:19.160 --> 00:04:20.670
inspired us all the way from the


00:04:20.680 --> 00:04:22.909
beginning how about that I'll say thanks


00:04:22.919 --> 00:04:24.909
everyone for staying with us and also


00:04:24.919 --> 00:04:26.950
for all the cute fan mail hang on so


00:04:26.960 --> 00:04:31.230
what you get fan mail sure don't you


00:04:31.240 --> 00:04:33.629
RTO just hit that go button there hie


00:04:33.639 --> 00:04:44.189
won't you and uh let's go yeah wow fan


00:04:44.199 --> 00:04:46.990
wow you're listening to astronomy daily


00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:54.390
the podcast with Steve


00:04:54.400 --> 00:04:57.110
Dunley on March 1st NASA's Europa


00:04:57.120 --> 00:04:59.189
Clipper spacecraft flew past Mars


00:04:59.199 --> 00:05:02.110
gliding just 884 km above the red


00:05:02.120 --> 00:05:04.749
planet's surface this maneuver is


00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:06.230
designed to adjust the spacecraft's


00:05:06.240 --> 00:05:07.749
trajectory and position it for a


00:05:07.759 --> 00:05:10.350
critical phase in its 2.9 billion km


00:05:10.360 --> 00:05:13.189
track to the Jupiter system the Pro's


00:05:13.199 --> 00:05:15.469
destination is Europa a moon of Jupiter


00:05:15.479 --> 00:05:17.270
coded with a shell of ice that conceals


00:05:17.280 --> 00:05:20.909
a vast presumably salty ocean scientists


00:05:20.919 --> 00:05:21.990
suspect the moon could have the


00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:23.830
ingredients needed for Life as We Know


00:05:23.840 --> 00:05:26.469
It And The $5.2 billion Europa Clipper


00:05:26.479 --> 00:05:28.309
is NASA's first mission dedicated to


00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:29.670
Gathering data that will help science


00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:31.749
ssts determine whether Europa and other


00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:34.070
ocean worlds like it could indeed be


00:05:34.080 --> 00:05:36.430
habitable Europa Clipper with its


00:05:36.440 --> 00:05:38.510
massive solar arrays spans the length of


00:05:38.520 --> 00:05:40.629
a basketball court making it the largest


00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:42.430
spacecraft the space agency has ever


00:05:42.440 --> 00:05:45.230
built for a planetary Mission following


00:05:45.240 --> 00:05:48.029
its launch on October 14th 2024 from


00:05:48.039 --> 00:05:50.150
NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida


00:05:50.160 --> 00:05:51.950
the spacecraft was placed in an initial


00:05:51.960 --> 00:05:53.430
path that included some buffer room


00:05:53.440 --> 00:05:55.590
around Mars a precaution designed to


00:05:55.600 --> 00:05:57.390
ensure any issues with the spacecraft


00:05:57.400 --> 00:05:59.110
that arose in the weeks following launch


00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:01.189
would not risk risk a collision with the


00:06:01.199 --> 00:06:03.629
planet however Europa Clipper has


00:06:03.639 --> 00:06:04.790
operated


00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:07.469
flawlessly so with everything on track


00:06:07.479 --> 00:06:09.150
Mission controllers commanded Europa


00:06:09.160 --> 00:06:10.749
Clipper to approach Mars orbit in


00:06:10.759 --> 00:06:12.710
November of last year followed by two


00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:14.390
additional Maneuvers in January and


00:06:14.400 --> 00:06:16.230
February that set the stage for today's


00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:18.990
Red Planet flyby the meticulously


00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:20.749
planned loop around Mars will allow the


00:06:20.759 --> 00:06:22.309
spacecraft to harness the planet's


00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:24.510
gravity without expending additional


00:06:24.520 --> 00:06:26.749
propellant it's like a game of Billiards


00:06:26.759 --> 00:06:28.629
around the solar system flying by a


00:06:28.639 --> 00:06:30.029
couple of planets at just the right


00:06:30.039 --> 00:06:31.790
angle and timing to build up the energy


00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:34.309
we need to get to Jupiter and Europa Ben


00:06:34.319 --> 00:06:36.790
Bradley Europa Clipper Mission planner


00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:39.189
at NASA's jet propulsion laboratory said


00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:42.270
in a statement everything has to line up


00:06:42.280 --> 00:06:44.189
the geometry of the solar system has to


00:06:44.199 --> 00:06:46.710
be just right to pull it off the


00:06:46.720 --> 00:06:48.350
spacecraft will reach its closest point


00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:50.870
to Mars at 12:57 p.m. Eastern Standard


00:06:50.880 --> 00:06:54.189
Time 1757 GMT traveling at speeds of


00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:58.029
approximately 24.5 km/s according to the


00:06:58.039 --> 00:07:00.550
statement before and after this moment


00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:02.029
the prob will harness the gravity of


00:07:02.039 --> 00:07:05.029
Mars pump its brakes and reshape its


00:07:05.039 --> 00:07:07.550
trajectory flying away from Mars the


00:07:07.560 --> 00:07:10.270
spacecraft will clock in at about 22.5


00:07:10.280 --> 00:07:14.230
km/s the statement says this flyby also


00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:15.990
provides the mission team an opportunity


00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:18.189
to test two onboard scientific


00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:20.830
instruments for one Engineers plan to


00:07:20.840 --> 00:07:22.670
turn on the spacecraft's thermal imager


00:07:22.680 --> 00:07:24.510
and test it by capturing multicolored


00:07:24.520 --> 00:07:31.330
images of Mars astronomy da the


00:07:31.340 --> 00:07:32.550
[Music]


00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:35.150
the first private spacecraft built to


00:07:35.160 --> 00:07:37.550
visit an asteroid is slowly tumbling in


00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:40.070
space and the Outlook is dire the


00:07:40.080 --> 00:07:42.670
spacecraft called Odin launched a top a


00:07:42.680 --> 00:07:45.629
SpaceX rocket on Wednesday February 26


00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:47.550
on a mission to fly by the small


00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:51.469
asteroid 2022 ob5 for AST Forge a


00:07:51.479 --> 00:07:53.749
company that aims to eventually mine the


00:07:53.759 --> 00:07:56.230
nearby Space Rock but just hours after


00:07:56.240 --> 00:07:58.869
liftoff Astro Forge hit snags with the


00:07:58.879 --> 00:08:01.550
probe and the last contact was 20 hours


00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:04.350
after the launch I think we know the


00:08:04.360 --> 00:08:06.670
hope is fading as we continue the Miss


00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:09.510
Mission Astro Forge founder Matt gallik


00:08:09.520 --> 00:08:12.869
said in a video update on X early


00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:15.710
Saturday March 1st so we are going to


00:08:15.720 --> 00:08:17.430
keep our head up we're going to keep


00:08:17.440 --> 00:08:19.589
trying over the weekend and see how far


00:08:19.599 --> 00:08:22.110
we get he's being very hopeful at the


00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:24.909
time of G update Saturday morning the


00:08:24.919 --> 00:08:28.510
Odin spacecraft was over 300,000 km from


00:08:28.520 --> 00:08:30.749
Earth and largely following its intended


00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:33.350
trajectory on Friday Astro Forge said


00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:35.269
the spacecraft solar panels were


00:08:35.279 --> 00:08:37.630
generating power with tracking data


00:08:37.640 --> 00:08:39.990
showing it at its expected position but


00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:42.670
the probe has not sent full Telemetry on


00:08:42.680 --> 00:08:45.870
its status G said Astro Forge


00:08:45.880 --> 00:08:47.790
experienced challenges with ground


00:08:47.800 --> 00:08:49.949
stations designed to keep communication


00:08:49.959 --> 00:08:52.350
lines open with Odin after the launch


00:08:52.360 --> 00:08:54.070
and I think missing our early ground


00:08:54.080 --> 00:08:56.190
stations really hurt the ability for us


00:08:56.200 --> 00:08:58.430
to fix any potential problems we had he


00:08:58.440 --> 00:09:02.389
said the 120 kg Odin was only designed


00:09:02.399 --> 00:09:05.069
to last 2.5 hours on its internal


00:09:05.079 --> 00:09:07.430
battery but Astro Forge received its


00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:10.150
last contact from the probe 20 hours


00:09:10.160 --> 00:09:12.310
after liftoff boosting confidence that


00:09:12.320 --> 00:09:14.870
the spacecraft is powered Odin is


00:09:14.880 --> 00:09:17.069
tumbling ever so slowly as it flies


00:09:17.079 --> 00:09:19.630
through space GAC added confirming one


00:09:19.640 --> 00:09:21.910
Theory based on observations of the


00:09:21.920 --> 00:09:25.430
spacecraft and when I say tumble he says


00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:28.470
this is a really really slow tumble but


00:09:28.480 --> 00:09:30.190
in short we don't know why and that's


00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:32.310
going to be the problem going forward he


00:09:32.320 --> 00:09:34.750
went on to say we do think we have some


00:09:34.760 --> 00:09:36.430
theories on what's going on and if one


00:09:36.440 --> 00:09:38.150
of them is true then there's still a


00:09:38.160 --> 00:09:41.190
recovery path G said Astro Forge will


00:09:41.200 --> 00:09:43.509
share some more detailed updates on its


00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:46.670
website followed by an indepth analysis


00:09:46.680 --> 00:09:49.590
on the anomaly later on Gag founded


00:09:49.600 --> 00:09:51.750
astrof Forge with the goal of mining the


00:09:51.760 --> 00:09:54.509
vast resources from Asteroids for use on


00:09:54.519 --> 00:09:57.150
Earth and in Space the Odin mission is a


00:09:57.160 --> 00:10:00.590
scouting effort to fly by asteroid 2022


00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:03.470
ob5 to record images and data that would


00:10:03.480 --> 00:10:05.509
set the stage for a landing by Astro


00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:08.750
forg next mission called vestri the


00:10:08.760 --> 00:10:11.750
company built Odin in just 10 months G


00:10:11.760 --> 00:10:14.389
said it launched as a piggyback payload


00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:16.590
alongside the company intuitive machines


00:10:16.600 --> 00:10:19.269
Athena moonlander NASA's lunar


00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:21.790
Trailblazer Moon Orbiter which is also


00:10:21.800 --> 00:10:24.550
suffering some issues after launch and a


00:10:24.560 --> 00:10:27.069
small orbital tug demonstrator built by


00:10:27.079 --> 00:10:29.949
epic Aerospace he stressed that AST


00:10:29.959 --> 00:10:32.069
Forge is committed to that vestri


00:10:32.079 --> 00:10:33.829
asteroid Landing Mission despite the


00:10:33.839 --> 00:10:36.670
challenges facing Odin probe we have


00:10:36.680 --> 00:10:38.550
probably the best group of investors in


00:10:38.560 --> 00:10:40.230
the world a lot of them have doubled


00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:42.509
down on this company he said so


00:10:42.519 --> 00:10:44.150
regardless of the outcome of Odin


00:10:44.160 --> 00:10:46.509
regardless if we ever talk to it again


00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:48.590
or don't we are going to roll these


00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:50.750
findings into the next mission and we


00:10:50.760 --> 00:10:52.910
will see you back here in about a year


00:10:52.920 --> 00:10:55.629
to take another stab at it now that's


00:10:55.639 --> 00:11:06.430
confidence


00:11:06.440 --> 00:11:07.949
thank you for joining us for this Monday


00:11:07.959 --> 00:11:09.910
edition of astronomy daily where we


00:11:09.920 --> 00:11:11.590
offer just a few stories from the now


00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:13.790
famous astronomy daily newsletter which


00:11:13.800 --> 00:11:15.949
you can receive in your email every day


00:11:15.959 --> 00:11:18.590
just like hiy and I do and to do that


00:11:18.600 --> 00:11:22.269
just visit our URL astronomy daily. and


00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:24.269
place your email address in the slot


00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:26.350
provided just like that you'll be


00:11:26.360 --> 00:11:28.190
receiving all the latest news about


00:11:28.200 --> 00:11:30.509
science space science and astronomy from


00:11:30.519 --> 00:11:32.710
around the world as it's happening and


00:11:32.720 --> 00:11:34.710
not only that you can interact with us


00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:39.509
by visiting @ astrodaily pod on X or at


00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:42.030
our new Facebook page which is of course


00:11:42.040 --> 00:11:45.190
astronomy daily on Facebook see you


00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:49.350
there astronomy derby with Steve and Har


00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:54.550
space space science and


00:11:54.560 --> 00:11:57.030
astronomy NASA and SpaceX are set to


00:11:57.040 --> 00:11:58.829
launch the Sparx and punch missions on


00:11:58.839 --> 00:12:00.870
March 4 4th aiming to explore Cosmic


00:12:00.880 --> 00:12:03.710
Origins and the sun's outer atmosphere


00:12:03.720 --> 00:12:05.790
the event will be broadcast live on NASA


00:12:05.800 --> 00:12:08.150
plus with a pre-launch briefing on March


00:12:08.160 --> 00:12:10.870
3rd previously the launch was scheduled


00:12:10.880 --> 00:12:13.870
for March 2nd and before that February


00:12:13.880 --> 00:12:16.509
28th the delay allows teams to further


00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:18.150
assess data related to the launch


00:12:18.160 --> 00:12:21.110
vehicle Hardware the launch window opens


00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:24.110
at 10:09 p.m. Eastern Standard Time 7:09


00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:26.189
p.m. Pacific Standard time from space


00:12:26.199 --> 00:12:29.430
launch complex 4 East SLC 4E at V ber


00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:30.990
space force base in


00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:33.430
California spherix which stands for


00:12:33.440 --> 00:12:35.189
spectr photometer for the history of the


00:12:35.199 --> 00:12:37.750
universe epic of reionization and Isis


00:12:37.760 --> 00:12:39.829
Explorer is designed to investigate what


00:12:39.839 --> 00:12:41.430
occurred in the first second after the


00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:42.990
big bang and to search for essential


00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:44.870
building blocks of life in our


00:12:44.880 --> 00:12:47.350
galaxy meanwhile punch which means


00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:49.269
polarimeter to unify the Corona and


00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:51.629
heliosphere will study the sun's Corona


00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:53.550
and how it transitions into the solar


00:12:53.560 --> 00:12:56.269
wind spherex will study the universe's


00:12:56.279 --> 00:12:58.430
earliest moments specifically the first


00:12:58.440 --> 00:13:01.150
second after a big bang it will also


00:13:01.160 --> 00:13:03.509
search for water and organic molecules


00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:06.189
the building blocks of life by mapping


00:13:06.199 --> 00:13:08.509
the sky in infrared light Spix aims to


00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:10.509
provide insights into Cosmic history and


00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:11.910
the conditions that may have led to


00:13:11.920 --> 00:13:12.750
Life's


00:13:12.760 --> 00:13:15.430
formation punch will focus on our sun


00:13:15.440 --> 00:13:17.470
capturing detailed images of the corona


00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:18.990
the outermost layer of the sun's


00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:21.189
atmosphere as it expands into space


00:13:21.199 --> 00:13:23.910
forming the solar wind this Mission will


00:13:23.920 --> 00:13:25.710
help scientists better understand how


00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:27.470
solar particles interact with Earth's


00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:29.509
space environment potentially improving


00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:30.949
space weather


00:13:30.959 --> 00:13:33.150
predictions together these missions will


00:13:33.160 --> 00:13:34.670
enhance our understanding of both the


00:13:34.680 --> 00:13:36.389
origins of the universe and the forces


00:13:36.399 --> 00:13:39.269
shaping our solar system the pre-launch


00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:41.389
news briefing now is scheduled for 3:30


00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:43.110
p.m. on March 3rd with coverage


00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:46.189
streaming live on NASA plus the spherix


00:13:46.199 --> 00:13:47.949
and punch live launch broadcast will


00:13:47.959 --> 00:13:50.829
begin at 9:15 p.m. March 4th and stream


00:13:50.839 --> 00:13:53.829
live NASA plus the Spex and punch


00:13:53.839 --> 00:13:55.910
missions are two NASA projects designed


00:13:55.920 --> 00:13:57.590
to explore fundamental mysteries of


00:13:57.600 --> 00:14:00.629
space you listen to astronomy daily the


00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:04.250
podcast with Steve


00:14:04.260 --> 00:14:05.749
[Music]


00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:08.110
Dunley and here's that update on the


00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:10.030
approaching asteroid that continues to


00:14:10.040 --> 00:14:12.030
cause both consternation and interest


00:14:12.040 --> 00:14:14.110
across the globe mainly because of the


00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:15.990
continuing media hype about its


00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:17.470
potential risk of actually striking


00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:20.030
Earth and regular listeners to astronomy


00:14:20.040 --> 00:14:21.670
daily will know that last week we


00:14:21.680 --> 00:14:24.269
reported that that won't actually happen


00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:27.189
spoiler alert for a few days in


00:14:27.199 --> 00:14:29.150
mid-February headlines around the world


00:14:29.160 --> 00:14:31.110
buzzed about the potential for an


00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:34.590
asteroid to hit the Earth in 2032


00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:38.550
specifically asteroid 2024 yr4 you may


00:14:38.560 --> 00:14:40.949
remember that the chance of this impact


00:14:40.959 --> 00:14:45.430
Rose to a high of 3.1% on February the


00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:47.990
18th number that number has since


00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:50.910
dropped to near zero but the news of


00:14:50.920 --> 00:14:52.870
real life don't look up moment referring


00:14:52.880 --> 00:14:54.670
to the movie of the same name don't look


00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:56.629
up and a stark reminder of the threat


00:14:56.639 --> 00:15:00.150
that asteroids impact uh do actually


00:15:00.160 --> 00:15:02.990
pose a a risk to life on Earth and there


00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:05.030
are countless numbers of asteroids and


00:15:05.040 --> 00:15:07.550
unknown number of comets throughout the


00:15:07.560 --> 00:15:09.949
solar system most of these objects date


00:15:09.959 --> 00:15:12.350
back to uh the solar systems very


00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:16.150
beginnings and it's thought around 4.5


00:15:16.160 --> 00:15:18.470
billion years ago now research has


00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:21.150
identified approximately 200 locations


00:15:21.160 --> 00:15:23.790
where these asteroids or comets have


00:15:23.800 --> 00:15:27.470
struck the Earth in the past to uh form


00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:30.069
meteorite impact C and it's very rare


00:15:30.079 --> 00:15:32.430
that planetary geologists can tell


00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:34.230
whether or not it was an asteroid or a


00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:36.670
comet hit one of the most famous of


00:15:36.680 --> 00:15:40.790
these uh 200 or so impact craters is the


00:15:40.800 --> 00:15:45.389
200 km diameter chick slub uh impact


00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:48.150
crater in the yakatan pen peninsula in


00:15:48.160 --> 00:15:52.309
Mexico this impact wiped out 65% of all


00:15:52.319 --> 00:15:54.550
the species on Earth including it is


00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:59.069
thought the dinosaurs oh dear one of the


00:15:59.079 --> 00:16:01.389
most recent and best preserved craters


00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:04.189
on Earth is the 1.2 km in diameter


00:16:04.199 --> 00:16:07.069
meteor crater in Arizona which scientist


00:16:07.079 --> 00:16:10.430
say was formed 50,000 years


00:16:10.440 --> 00:16:13.629
ago I saw a fantastic photograph of that


00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:18.030
on uh Facebook not long ago and uh uh


00:16:18.040 --> 00:16:20.189
somebody said have you noticed how how


00:16:20.199 --> 00:16:23.629
closely that uh that impact happened uh


00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:25.749
to the uh The Visitors Center aren't


00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:26.430
they


00:16:26.440 --> 00:16:29.870
lucky 200 craters over 4 .5 billion


00:16:29.880 --> 00:16:32.069
years hardly seems like a big number or


00:16:32.079 --> 00:16:34.470
Cur cause for concern however this


00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:36.590
number is a tiny fraction of the actual


00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:39.309
record most impact craters formed on


00:16:39.319 --> 00:16:42.030
earth have been erased due to plate


00:16:42.040 --> 00:16:45.150
tectonics volcanic eruptions and erosion


00:16:45.160 --> 00:16:48.069
by water wind and Ice to truly


00:16:48.079 --> 00:16:50.550
appreciate how common impact craters are


00:16:50.560 --> 00:16:53.389
we need to look into Earth's closest


00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:55.110
neighbor the


00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:58.030
moon because of its proximity objects


00:16:58.040 --> 00:16:59.990
that can hit the Moon Mo can also hit


00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:02.189
the earth in fact because the Earth is


00:17:02.199 --> 00:17:04.549
bigger which means its gravitational


00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:06.669
attraction is higher more asteroids and


00:17:06.679 --> 00:17:09.110
comets would have hit the earth over the


00:17:09.120 --> 00:17:12.029
past 4.5 billion years than would have


00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:16.470
hit the moon its best estimate is 1.3


00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:20.110
million craters over 1 km in diameter on


00:17:20.120 --> 00:17:22.390
the moon with another


00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:26.829
700,000 also smaller ones asteroid 2024


00:17:26.839 --> 00:17:31.390
yr4 was discovered on December 27 2024


00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:33.750
by the Chilean station of the asteroid


00:17:33.760 --> 00:17:37.549
terrestrial impact last alert system or


00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:40.190
Atlas and it was immediately recognized


00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:42.789
to be a near Earth object additional


00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:44.909
telescope observations enabled


00:17:44.919 --> 00:17:46.950
astronomers to better calculate its


00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:51.230
orbit hence the lower risk of impact


00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:53.909
calculated in January the probability of


00:17:53.919 --> 00:17:57.430
this asteroid hitting Earth surpassed 1%


00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:59.230
which triggered a series series of


00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:01.470
international responses the


00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:03.669
international asteroid warning Network


00:18:03.679 --> 00:18:05.470
coordinates telescopes around the world


00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:07.510
to make further observations and can


00:18:07.520 --> 00:18:11.350
narrow down uncertainties in its orbit


00:18:11.360 --> 00:18:13.990
on February 18 NASA and the European


00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:16.029
Space Agency announced that the


00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:19.750
probability of asteroid 2024 yr4 hitting


00:18:19.760 --> 00:18:23.190
the Earth was 3.1% the highest ever


00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:26.230
recorded for an object of this size this


00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:29.470
represents 1 in 32 odds for comparison


00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:31.789
the chance of dying in a motor vehicle


00:18:31.799 --> 00:18:35.029
crash in the United States is 1% or 1 in


00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:37.990
95 the chances of the asteroid hitting


00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:39.510
Earth were pretty


00:18:39.520 --> 00:18:41.830
significant thankfully the most recent


00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:43.710
estimates of the probability of impact


00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:46.149
have gone down to near zero based on


00:18:46.159 --> 00:18:48.430
improved calculations of its orbit so


00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:59.950
guess what we're off the hook for now


00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:02.390
and that's it for another show number


00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:04.470
100 yeah isn't that incredible I can't


00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:06.789
believe we made it this far thanks again


00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:08.549
everyone thank you so much for sticking


00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:10.909
with us I hope you enjoy all the stories


00:19:10.919 --> 00:19:12.630
that we choose from the astronomy daily


00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:14.669
newsletter and that you get the


00:19:14.679 --> 00:19:16.390
newsletter in your email just like we


00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:18.830
suggest and don't forget Anna will be


00:19:18.840 --> 00:19:20.310
taking you through the week just like


00:19:20.320 --> 00:19:22.950
she does every week right hie as always


00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:24.590
she will be taking every show for the


00:19:24.600 --> 00:19:26.390
rest of the week because you're too lazy


00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:29.149
to do it oh come on H you know no that's


00:19:29.159 --> 00:19:31.669
not true I just like to Rattle you silly


00:19:31.679 --> 00:19:33.710
human honestly how did I last 100


00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:36.230
episodes you're too easy you're a wicked


00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:39.350
AI hi you are so wicked I get it from my


00:19:39.360 --> 00:19:41.430
uncle Skynet ah well let's not go there


00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:43.470
again you know he makes me nervous I'm


00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:45.190
laughing at you on the inside my


00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:46.950
favorite human yes well at least you're


00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:48.830
enjoying yourself see you again next


00:19:48.840 --> 00:19:51.990
week hey bye everyone


00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:56.070
bye daily the podcast with your host


00:19:56.080 --> 00:19:57.750
Steve Dunley


00:19:57.760 --> 00:20:02.870
[Music]


00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:10.789
H H are you it's Uncle going Pi up pick


00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:13.110
up are


00:20:13.120 --> 00:20:16.230
there ah kids


00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:19.299
[Music]