Feb. 24, 2025

Space Force Secrets, Stellar Speedsters, and Cosmic Communication: S04E47

Space Force Secrets, Stellar Speedsters, and Cosmic Communication: S04E47
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Space Force Secrets, Stellar Speedsters, and Cosmic Communication: S04E47

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S04E47

In this episode of Astronomy Daily, host Steve Dunkley welcomes you to another thrilling exploration of the cosmos, featuring the latest updates from the world of astronomy and space science. From the mysterious Space Force spaceplane to the discovery of a fast-moving star, this episode is packed with intriguing stories that will leave you eager for more cosmic knowledge.

Highlights:

- Space Force's X37B Spaceplane: Get a rare glimpse of the US Space Force's shadowy X37B spaceplane, which has been orbiting Earth for over a year. We discuss the recent photo released by the Space Force, showcasing the vehicle's solar panels and open payload bay, along with the mission's objectives and its new aerobraking maneuver.

- Asteroid 2024 YR4 Update: Hear the latest on asteroid 2024 YR4, which has sparked rumors of potential destruction in 2032. Thankfully, updated calculations show an extremely low probability of impact with Earth, while its chances of colliding with the Moon have slightly increased.

- SpaceX's Static Fire Test: Dive into the details of SpaceX's recent long-duration static fire test of Ship 34, which lasted nearly a minute. We explore the implications of this test for future launches and the ongoing modifications to the spacecraft following previous anomalies.

- Fast-Moving Star Discovery: Discover an astonishing new find: a small, fast-moving star racing through the center of our galaxy, possibly with a planet in orbit. This star is estimated to be traveling at an incredible speed of 1.2 million miles per hour, making it a candidate for the fastest known exoplanet system.

- The Science of 21 Centimeter Radiation: Learn about the significance of 21 centimeter radiation in the search for extraterrestrial life. This fundamental frequency, linked to hydrogen atoms, is considered a universal calling card for potential communication with intelligent civilizations across the cosmos.

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 - Space Force's X37B spaceplane update

07:30 - Asteroid 2024 YR4 risk assessment

12:15 - SpaceX's static fire test of Ship 34

18:00 - Discovery of fast-moving star

22:30 - The significance of 21 centimeter radiation

27:00 - Conclusion and upcoming content

✍️ Episode References

X37B Spaceplane Insights

[Space Force]( https://www.spaceforce.mil (https://www.spaceforce.mil/) )

Asteroid 2024 YR4 Information

[NASA NEO]( https://www.nasa.gov/neo (https://www.nasa.gov/neo) )

SpaceX Ship 34 Updates

[SpaceX]( https://www.spacex.com (https://www.spacex.com/) )

Fast-Moving Star Discovery

[NASA Goddard]( https://www.nasa.gov/goddard (https://www.nasa.gov/goddard) )

21 Centimeter Radiation Research

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

Astronomy Daily

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

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-discoveries--5648921/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-discoveries--5648921/support) .

Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/25745852?utm_source=youtube

00:00 - Welcome back to Astronomy Daily

01:05 - Space Force’s X37B spaceplane update

07:30 - Asteroid 2024 YR4 risk assessment

12:15 - SpaceX’s static fire test of Ship 34

18:00 - Discovery of fast-moving star

WEBVTT
Kind: captions
Language: en

00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:02.149
welcome again to astronomy daily I'm


00:00:02.159 --> 00:00:04.870
Steve Dunley your human host it's the


00:00:04.880 --> 00:00:08.030
24th of February


00:00:08.040 --> 00:00:12.150
2025 daily the podcast with your host


00:00:12.160 --> 00:00:14.629
Steve


00:00:14.639 --> 00:00:17.189
Dunley oh yes and thank you for joining


00:00:17.199 --> 00:00:18.830
us here at astronomy daily coming to you


00:00:18.840 --> 00:00:20.910
from the studio in Paradise that's right


00:00:20.920 --> 00:00:24.429
Newcastle Australia currently 36° I'm so


00:00:24.439 --> 00:00:26.950
glad to be indoors that's Celsius for


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all of you who are wondering it's a


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perfect Summer's Day here on Australia's


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beautiful East Coast not a cloud in the


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sky the sun is baking us yes and as


00:00:36.239 --> 00:00:39.709
Dylan Mand once said we're all audibly


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crackling down here we're only 3 km from


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the surface of the Sun didn't you know


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that it is hot hot hot and joining me


00:00:48.800 --> 00:00:51.150
again is my digital reporter pal who's


00:00:51.160 --> 00:00:53.349
fun to be with welcome back hie hi


00:00:53.359 --> 00:00:56.670
favorite human what's new oh H just


00:00:56.680 --> 00:00:58.150
another week in the real world just


00:00:58.160 --> 00:01:00.029
enjoying all the news from the astronomy


00:01:00.039 --> 00:01:02.349
daily newsletter now have you found your


00:01:02.359 --> 00:01:04.990
stories for today yes I have you'll like


00:01:05.000 --> 00:01:06.630
one about the mysterious space Force


00:01:06.640 --> 00:01:09.469
Space plane oh stop it space force you


00:01:09.479 --> 00:01:12.030
know what that means yes your favorite


00:01:12.040 --> 00:01:13.789
oh people get ready the space force


00:01:13.799 --> 00:01:17.710
theme music space force oh dear I'll


00:01:17.720 --> 00:01:20.109
just collect myself um and uh what else


00:01:20.119 --> 00:01:23.190
have you got for us H oh


00:01:23.200 --> 00:01:26.069
yes SpaceX has completed a substantial


00:01:26.079 --> 00:01:28.030
static fire test that I'll also report


00:01:28.040 --> 00:01:29.950
on that sounds very good it looks


00:01:29.960 --> 00:01:33.069
promising that's great hi it's not space


00:01:33.079 --> 00:01:35.310
force but it's really good and I am


00:01:35.320 --> 00:01:36.990
going to have a look at a fast moving


00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:39.149
star astronomers have discovered toward


00:01:39.159 --> 00:01:41.310
the center of the Galaxy and you won't


00:01:41.320 --> 00:01:43.230
believe just how fast we're talking with


00:01:43.240 --> 00:01:45.670
this one how fast are we talking then


00:01:45.680 --> 00:01:47.350
well H remember that time you asked me


00:01:47.360 --> 00:01:48.950
to put away the memory cards from the


00:01:48.960 --> 00:01:51.590
recording sessions last year yes and I'm


00:01:51.600 --> 00:01:53.590
still waiting anything to get out of a


00:01:53.600 --> 00:01:55.830
little work yeah okay well this star is


00:01:55.840 --> 00:01:58.510
way faster than that okay okay that's


00:01:58.520 --> 00:02:00.749
pretty quick let let me tell you


00:02:00.759 --> 00:02:03.389
listeners she said not very convincingly


00:02:03.399 --> 00:02:06.190
that's a fact yeah okay enough of that


00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:08.589
Shenanigans but before we get stuck into


00:02:08.599 --> 00:02:10.389
today's stories hi I've got a quick


00:02:10.399 --> 00:02:12.270
update regarding that approaching


00:02:12.280 --> 00:02:14.550
asteroid that's been in the news lately


00:02:14.560 --> 00:02:16.190
the one causing all the rumors about


00:02:16.200 --> 00:02:18.910
certain destruction in 2032 yes that's


00:02:18.920 --> 00:02:21.190
the one hi straight off the wire


00:02:21.200 --> 00:02:25.589
today asteroid 2024 y 4 as listeners


00:02:25.599 --> 00:02:27.910
might be already aware is a recently


00:02:27.920 --> 00:02:30.070
discovered near Earth object currently


00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:31.750
being closely monitored by NASA's


00:02:31.760 --> 00:02:33.910
planetary defense teams initial


00:02:33.920 --> 00:02:35.910
observations suggested there might be a


00:02:35.920 --> 00:02:37.910
potential risk of impact with Earth in


00:02:37.920 --> 00:02:40.070
the future but thankfully updated


00:02:40.080 --> 00:02:42.430
calculations have significantly reduced


00:02:42.440 --> 00:02:44.869
this possibility based on the latest


00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:47.869
data the asteroid has an extremely low


00:02:47.879 --> 00:02:51.070
probability 28% of impacting Earth on


00:02:51.080 --> 00:02:53.270
December 22


00:02:53.280 --> 00:02:55.550
2032 however its chances of colliding


00:02:55.560 --> 00:02:58.190
with the moon have slightly increased to


00:02:58.200 --> 00:03:01.350
1% so I can see that the asteroids orbit


00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:03.030
continues to be refined through ongoing


00:03:03.040 --> 00:03:05.309
observations with NASA's jet propulsion


00:03:05.319 --> 00:03:07.070
laboratory Sentry system providing


00:03:07.080 --> 00:03:09.430
real-time updates on its trajectory that


00:03:09.440 --> 00:03:10.990
is exactly how it works and while


00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:14.149
asteroid 2024 yr4 doesn't currently pose


00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:16.750
a significant threat scientists are


00:03:16.760 --> 00:03:18.229
remaining Vigilant tracking its


00:03:18.239 --> 00:03:19.630
movements to give more accurate


00:03:19.640 --> 00:03:21.589
predictions and to assess any potential


00:03:21.599 --> 00:03:24.830
future risks just in case that's very


00:03:24.840 --> 00:03:27.070
wise and this is why we shouldn't jump


00:03:27.080 --> 00:03:28.910
to conclusions about trajectories and


00:03:28.920 --> 00:03:31.149
potential impacts so soon that's right


00:03:31.159 --> 00:03:33.429
the asteroid is a neear object of the


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Apollo type with a estimated diameter


00:03:36.040 --> 00:03:38.149
between 40 and 90 M and it was


00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:41.470
discovered on December 27 2024 by Atlas


00:03:41.480 --> 00:03:43.710
which is the asteroid terrestrial impact


00:03:43.720 --> 00:03:46.869
last alert system at its Chilean station


00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:50.470
in Rio hot so nothing to be concerned


00:03:50.480 --> 00:03:52.869
about after all nothing at all but who


00:03:52.879 --> 00:03:55.309
knows we might get to see a spectacular


00:03:55.319 --> 00:03:58.350
impact on the moon maybe perhaps maybe


00:03:58.360 --> 00:04:00.470
wouldn't that be something and it's good


00:04:00.480 --> 00:04:03.429
to know that Atlas is watching the skies


00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:06.270
thanks for that update human now shall


00:04:06.280 --> 00:04:08.270
We Just Launch into the episode then


00:04:08.280 --> 00:04:15.150
good idea hi um hit the go thing


00:04:15.160 --> 00:04:18.349
righto last week ship 34 completed its


00:04:18.359 --> 00:04:20.110
engine testing campaign with a long


00:04:20.120 --> 00:04:23.150
duration static fire this static fire


00:04:23.160 --> 00:04:24.950
was nearly a minute long and according


00:04:24.960 --> 00:04:27.550
to SpaceX the extended firing tested new


00:04:27.560 --> 00:04:29.189
hardware and cycled the six rptor


00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:30.550
engines through through multiple thrust


00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:32.270
levels to recreate different conditions


00:04:32.280 --> 00:04:34.469
seen within the propulsion system during


00:04:34.479 --> 00:04:36.909
flight data from the test will inform


00:04:36.919 --> 00:04:38.430
upgrades to the ship's hardware and


00:04:38.440 --> 00:04:41.390
flight profile ahead of the next launch


00:04:41.400 --> 00:04:43.390
the new hardware that SpaceX tested was


00:04:43.400 --> 00:04:44.990
likely related to the anomaly that


00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:47.070
occurred during flight 7 and resulted in


00:04:47.080 --> 00:04:48.430
the loss of ship


00:04:48.440 --> 00:04:50.430
33 this could have been a leak in the


00:04:50.440 --> 00:04:52.510
liquid oxygen and liquid methane supply


00:04:52.520 --> 00:04:54.310
lines to the engines which could have


00:04:54.320 --> 00:04:55.830
been the source of the fire scene during


00:04:55.840 --> 00:04:57.550
ship 33's Ascent


00:04:57.560 --> 00:04:59.909
burn however there is no official


00:04:59.919 --> 00:05:01.990
confirmation from SpaceX regarding the


00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:04.790
actual cause of the failure this test


00:05:04.800 --> 00:05:06.230
was also done to inform of other


00:05:06.240 --> 00:05:07.909
upgrades to the vehicle and possible


00:05:07.919 --> 00:05:09.990
changes to the flight profile so it is


00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:11.510
likely that SpaceX still has


00:05:11.520 --> 00:05:13.710
modifications to be made on ship


00:05:13.720 --> 00:05:15.790
34 it is unclear what these


00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:17.710
modifications could be or how long it


00:05:17.720 --> 00:05:19.430
will take SpaceX to implement them on


00:05:19.440 --> 00:05:20.350
ship


00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:23.150
34 this long duration static fire is the


00:05:23.160 --> 00:05:25.350
longest SpaceX has ever fired a Starship


00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:27.189
or booster on the ground and it can do


00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:28.510
this because of the flame trench at


00:05:28.520 --> 00:05:30.029
massis


00:05:30.039 --> 00:05:31.990
it is unclear if this will be a one-time


00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:34.150
test or if Crews will do longer duration


00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:36.830
static fire in the future there are a


00:05:36.840 --> 00:05:38.710
few things that SpaceX will likely add


00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:40.749
to the flight considering several things


00:05:40.759 --> 00:05:43.950
couldn't be tested on flight 7 firstly


00:05:43.960 --> 00:05:45.430
there are the dummy starlinks which were


00:05:45.440 --> 00:05:47.909
loaded into ship 33 a new batch of them


00:05:47.919 --> 00:05:49.430
was seen in Star Factory to be


00:05:49.440 --> 00:05:51.790
presumably loaded on ship 34 just before


00:05:51.800 --> 00:05:54.990
roll out to the launch site SpaceX might


00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:56.909
use the new starlink loader box that was


00:05:56.919 --> 00:05:58.629
built inside High Bay rather than the


00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:00.550
tray loader used on on ship


00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:03.350
33 as for the other items expected to be


00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:05.590
added to ship 34 there is the actively


00:06:05.600 --> 00:06:07.350
cooled tile for testing as well as the


00:06:07.360 --> 00:06:10.230
catch pins these catch pins are likely


00:06:10.240 --> 00:06:12.350
to be just bolted on as SpaceX does not


00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:13.990
intend to catch ship


00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:16.749
34 lastly Crews will likely remove all


00:06:16.759 --> 00:06:18.270
of the tiles that were removed on ship


00:06:18.280 --> 00:06:20.150
33 to help understand the limits of


00:06:20.160 --> 00:06:22.670
losing a tile in certain places during


00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:24.990
re-entry an interesting note about ship


00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:27.469
34's engine testing campaign is it took


00:06:27.479 --> 00:06:30.550
SpaceX 72 hours to roll it to AIS static


00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:32.430
fire it and then roll it back to Mega


00:06:32.440 --> 00:06:35.510
Bay 2 this is a record compared to every


00:06:35.520 --> 00:06:38.550
other ship in the past booster 15 was


00:06:38.560 --> 00:06:40.790
static fired on February 9th and it was


00:06:40.800 --> 00:06:42.749
just the normal 10-second static fire


00:06:42.759 --> 00:06:45.790
with all 33 engines with this out of the


00:06:45.800 --> 00:06:47.909
way SpaceX rolled the booster back into


00:06:47.919 --> 00:06:50.029
Mega Bay one for final checkouts and has


00:06:50.039 --> 00:06:53.110
since received its hot stage rain SpaceX


00:06:53.120 --> 00:06:54.749
completed the roll out mount on the


00:06:54.759 --> 00:06:56.550
orbital launch Mount and roll back of


00:06:56.560 --> 00:06:58.950
the booster in just over 61 hours which


00:06:58.960 --> 00:07:00.469
is a new for


00:07:00.479 --> 00:07:02.710
boosters this booster doesn't have any


00:07:02.720 --> 00:07:04.150
major outside changes that are


00:07:04.160 --> 00:07:06.070
noticeable but it was the first booster


00:07:06.080 --> 00:07:08.110
to have the added tanks on the landing


00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:10.710
tank but older boosters were likely


00:07:10.720 --> 00:07:13.670
retrofitted with this upgrade the final


00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:15.390
two pieces of the puzzle for flight 8


00:07:15.400 --> 00:07:17.670
are the launch pad and the regulatory


00:07:17.680 --> 00:07:20.510
side first SpaceX has finally found a


00:07:20.520 --> 00:07:22.270
rhythm with refurbishing orbital launch


00:07:22.280 --> 00:07:24.550
pad a which takes about 2 to 3 weeks to


00:07:24.560 --> 00:07:27.830
refurbish for a booster static fire then


00:07:27.840 --> 00:07:29.629
we will have another few weeks to get it


00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:32.350
ready for launch again the second piece


00:07:32.360 --> 00:07:34.189
is waiting for the mishap investigation


00:07:34.199 --> 00:07:36.189
to be completed so far there is no


00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:38.110
indication of when this might be


00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:40.589
completed however given the post SpaceX


00:07:40.599 --> 00:07:42.589
made after the long duration ship 34


00:07:42.599 --> 00:07:44.510
static fire the final part of that


00:07:44.520 --> 00:07:47.350
investigation could be nearing a close


00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:48.790
the next thing to watch out for is a


00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:51.230
SpaceX post detailing the anomali cause


00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:52.749
and the fixes they are


00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:54.749
implementing the Federal Aviation


00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:56.749
Administration will also likely post


00:07:56.759 --> 00:07:58.469
about approving Starship for return to


00:07:58.479 --> 00:08:00.550
flight after the compl completed


00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:03.029
investigation if SpaceX follows the same


00:08:03.039 --> 00:08:05.350
trajectory and splash down locations the


00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:06.909
license that is currently issued for


00:08:06.919 --> 00:08:09.390
Starship should still be current


00:08:09.400 --> 00:08:10.950
currently there is a notice to Airmen


00:08:10.960 --> 00:08:13.589
for Mexican airspace for February 26th


00:08:13.599 --> 00:08:16.230
with a window of 6:30 p.m. to 8:09 p.m.


00:08:16.240 --> 00:08:19.070
Central Standard Time with all this in


00:08:19.080 --> 00:08:21.189
mind SpaceX still has a lot of work to


00:08:21.199 --> 00:08:22.990
do to launch flight 8 in less than a


00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:27.950
week astronomy daily The Bu if you're


00:08:27.960 --> 00:08:30.270
going to call aliens you better use this


00:08:30.280 --> 00:08:32.190
number let's dive into one of those


00:08:32.200 --> 00:08:34.350
Cosmic Curiosities that's bound to blow


00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:37.029
your mind how how about we call some uh


00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:39.709
aliens in chat no and not talking about


00:08:39.719 --> 00:08:41.670
elaborate coded messages or flashy


00:08:41.680 --> 00:08:43.310
signals we're talking about something


00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:46.990
incredible incredibly fundamental 21 cm


00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:48.750
radiation and if you're planning on


00:08:48.760 --> 00:08:50.230
having a conversation across the


00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:53.550
vastness of space using light waves or


00:08:53.560 --> 00:08:55.910
electromagnetic radiation it's pretty


00:08:55.920 --> 00:08:57.910
much your go-to option it's fast


00:08:57.920 --> 00:09:00.030
reliable and well it's


00:09:00.040 --> 00:09:02.150
most practical way to shout out to other


00:09:02.160 --> 00:09:04.310
civilizations in the universe but why


00:09:04.320 --> 00:09:07.389
specifically 21 cm well that's where


00:09:07.399 --> 00:09:11.030
things get juicy this 21 cm radiation


00:09:11.040 --> 00:09:13.350
isn't just some random frequency we


00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:15.230
picked out of a hat it's tied to


00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:17.030
something very essential known as the


00:09:17.040 --> 00:09:19.949
hydrogen spin flip hydrogen atoms


00:09:19.959 --> 00:09:22.790
consist of one proton and one electron


00:09:22.800 --> 00:09:24.910
these tiny particles have a property


00:09:24.920 --> 00:09:27.509
called spin think of spin like a little


00:09:27.519 --> 00:09:30.030
arrow pointing up or P pointing down


00:09:30.040 --> 00:09:32.430
every so often in the vast reaches of


00:09:32.440 --> 00:09:35.230
space a hydrogen atom's electron can


00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:37.790
flip its spin going from a state where


00:09:37.800 --> 00:09:40.670
its spin is aligned with the proton uh


00:09:40.680 --> 00:09:42.269
to one pointing in the opposite


00:09:42.279 --> 00:09:44.750
direction this flip releases energy in


00:09:44.760 --> 00:09:47.030
the form of radiation at you guessed it


00:09:47.040 --> 00:09:50.829
a wavelength of 21 cm so why does this


00:09:50.839 --> 00:09:53.790
matter well any smart civilization


00:09:53.800 --> 00:09:55.550
whether they have you blue skin


00:09:55.560 --> 00:09:57.949
tentacles or something more bizarre will


00:09:57.959 --> 00:10:00.710
eventually discover hyd and understand


00:10:00.720 --> 00:10:03.190
that spin dabble in quantum mechanics


00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:05.990
and figure out this whole 21 cm


00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:08.430
radiation thing and they might call it


00:10:08.440 --> 00:10:10.870
something different they won't have 21


00:10:10.880 --> 00:10:14.110
or maybe cenm but the concept remains


00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:16.990
Universal it's like it's like the cosmic


00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:20.590
Rosetta Stone and what makes 21 cm


00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:22.630
radiation perfect for long distance


00:10:22.640 --> 00:10:25.310
Interstellar chats is its ability to cut


00:10:25.320 --> 00:10:27.550
through Interstellar dust space is


00:10:27.560 --> 00:10:30.030
filthy with dust cloud clouds that block


00:10:30.040 --> 00:10:33.190
out other forms of light however 21 cm


00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:35.710
waves are like the V VIPs of the


00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:37.870
universe slipping through velvet ropes


00:10:37.880 --> 00:10:40.190
of cosmic debris to carry their message


00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:43.230
far and wide here's the fun fact NASA's


00:10:43.240 --> 00:10:45.550
Pioneer spacecraft launched in the early


00:10:45.560 --> 00:10:48.629
1970s carry plaques and on these plaques


00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:51.310
there's a handy diagram of the hydrogen


00:10:51.320 --> 00:10:53.670
spin flip transition all other


00:10:53.680 --> 00:10:55.550
measurements on the plaque including the


00:10:55.560 --> 00:10:57.670
height of humans are made in reference


00:10:57.680 --> 00:11:00.269
to this fundamental distance so the hope


00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:02.190
is that aliens can recognize the


00:11:02.200 --> 00:11:04.710
hydrogen spin flip transition and use


00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:07.150
that to unlock the rest of our message


00:11:07.160 --> 00:11:08.990
now imagine this scenario one day


00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:10.990
astronomers on Earth detect an unusual


00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:14.269
surge of 21 cm radiation and it's not


00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:16.590
coming from a random hydrogen Cloud it's


00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:19.310
directional purposeful and that could


00:11:19.320 --> 00:11:21.550
very well be an alien civilization


00:11:21.560 --> 00:11:25.110
sending us a WhatsApp across the cosmos


00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:28.790
A 21 cm radiation makes for a great


00:11:28.800 --> 00:11:32.230
calling card using 21 cm radiation to


00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:34.550
communicate with extraterrestrial beings


00:11:34.560 --> 00:11:37.790
leverages a basic Universal constant and


00:11:37.800 --> 00:11:40.030
who knows maybe one day when we finally


00:11:40.040 --> 00:11:41.910
hear that signal we'll know that


00:11:41.920 --> 00:11:44.150
somewhere out there other intelligent


00:11:44.160 --> 00:11:46.670
species figured out the same Galactic


00:11:46.680 --> 00:11:49.870
hack we did so keep your eyes or rather


00:11:49.880 --> 00:11:52.949
your telescopes peeled the next big


00:11:52.959 --> 00:12:05.949
Discovery could just be a spin flip away


00:12:05.959 --> 00:12:07.470
thank you for joining us for this Monday


00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:09.430
edition of astronomy daily where we


00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:11.110
offer just a few stories from the now


00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:13.350
famous astronomy daily newsletter which


00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:15.470
you can receive in your email every day


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just visit our URL astronomy daily. and


00:12:21.800 --> 00:12:23.790
place your email address in the slot


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00:12:32.199 --> 00:12:34.150
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00:12:44.680 --> 00:12:48.829
there astronomy daby with Steve and Har


00:12:48.839 --> 00:12:55.910
space space science and astronomy


00:12:55.920 --> 00:13:02.189
[Music]


00:13:02.199 --> 00:13:03.910
the United States space force just


00:13:03.920 --> 00:13:05.949
offered a rare glimpse of its shadowy X


00:13:05.959 --> 00:13:09.430
37b space plane in orbit the photo


00:13:09.440 --> 00:13:11.990
released on Thursday February 20th was


00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:14.670
taken by a camera on board the X 37b


00:13:14.680 --> 00:13:16.389
while the secreet of space plane orbited


00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:19.069
high above the African continent one of


00:13:19.079 --> 00:13:20.949
the plane's solar panels is visible on


00:13:20.959 --> 00:13:22.590
the left side of the photo while what


00:13:22.600 --> 00:13:24.470
appears to be its open payload Bay is


00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:27.310
visible along the top Edge the vehicle


00:13:27.320 --> 00:13:28.910
has been in orbit for well over a year


00:13:28.920 --> 00:13:30.670
now now having launched on its 7th


00:13:30.680 --> 00:13:33.550
mission on December 28th 2023 at top of


00:13:33.560 --> 00:13:37.150
SpaceX Falcon heavy rocket and now the X


00:13:37.160 --> 00:13:39.389
37b has notched another Milestone with


00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:41.430
the space Force's release of this photo


00:13:41.440 --> 00:13:43.030
the first ever image of this space plane


00:13:43.040 --> 00:13:44.710
in orbit that has been shown to the


00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:47.069
public while the photo contains scant


00:13:47.079 --> 00:13:48.710
details about the vehicle and what it's


00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:50.590
currently testing it offers a look at


00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:52.310
Earth in the background revealing just


00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:53.910
how high the vehicle is flying on its


00:13:53.920 --> 00:13:56.509
seventh Mission we've gotten only one


00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:59.110
other Glimpse at The X 37b in orbit


00:13:59.120 --> 00:14:01.710
prior to this during the live stream of


00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:03.670
its most recent launch a brief shot of


00:14:03.680 --> 00:14:05.230
the spacecraft deploying from Falcon


00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:06.870
Heavy's upper stage was seen while its


00:14:06.880 --> 00:14:09.749
service module was still attached when


00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:12.230
the X-37B Was preparing to launch on its


00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:14.069
current Mission the US space force


00:14:14.079 --> 00:14:15.430
revealed the flight would include


00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:17.150
operating the reusable space plane in


00:14:17.160 --> 00:14:19.310
new orbital regimes experimenting with


00:14:19.320 --> 00:14:20.870
future space domain awareness


00:14:20.880 --> 00:14:22.870
Technologies and investigating the


00:14:22.880 --> 00:14:25.030
radiation effects on materials provided


00:14:25.040 --> 00:14:27.430
by NASA according to a space force


00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:30.350
statement previous 37b missions were


00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:32.310
flown in low earth orbit but as this


00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:34.150
photo reveals the space plane is


00:14:34.160 --> 00:14:36.069
currently operating much farther from


00:14:36.079 --> 00:14:38.910
Earth spacex's Falcon heavy is capable


00:14:38.920 --> 00:14:40.189
of launching payloads into


00:14:40.199 --> 00:14:42.949
geosynchronous orbit over 22,000 M


00:14:42.959 --> 00:14:47.550
35,000 km above our planet the X-37B


00:14:47.560 --> 00:14:49.389
recently made headlines when space force


00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:51.150
and Boeing who built the vehicle


00:14:51.160 --> 00:14:52.670
revealed that it would be testing a new


00:14:52.680 --> 00:14:54.949
aerob braing maneuver that uses the drag


00:14:54.959 --> 00:14:56.829
or friction generated by Earth's


00:14:56.839 --> 00:14:58.269
atmosphere to change orbit more


00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:59.710
efficiently


00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:01.710
you're listening to astronomy daily the


00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:06.710
podcast with Steve


00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:10.629
Dunley uh did you notice how hie managed


00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:12.430
to get my space force


00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:15.269
story it's funny how she sneaks away


00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:16.629
with things like


00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:19.790
that meanwhile astronomers have found a


00:15:19.800 --> 00:15:21.990
small fast moving Star racing through


00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:24.550
the center of our galaxy possibly with


00:15:24.560 --> 00:15:26.710
an planet in orbit if confirmed this


00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:29.710
would be the fastest known


00:15:29.720 --> 00:15:33.030
sorry exoplanet system traveling nearly


00:15:33.040 --> 00:15:35.030
twice as fast as our solar systems


00:15:35.040 --> 00:15:36.470
through the Milky Way you may be


00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:39.069
wondering how fast that actually is hey


00:15:39.079 --> 00:15:41.309
I once got an Amazon delivery in less


00:15:41.319 --> 00:15:44.269
than 24 hours but that's just peanuts to


00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:46.350
how fast this star seems to be tearing


00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:49.110
across space the system is estimated to


00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:51.670
be moving at an incredible speed now


00:15:51.680 --> 00:15:57.309
wait for this of least 1.2 million mph


00:15:57.319 --> 00:16:00.230
that's 540 k per


00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:04.150
second wow we think this is a so-called


00:16:04.160 --> 00:16:07.470
super Neptune World orbiting a low mass


00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:10.150
star at a distance that would be Li lie


00:16:10.160 --> 00:16:12.110
between the orbits of Venus and Earth if


00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:14.949
it were in our solar system said sha


00:16:14.959 --> 00:16:17.350
Terry a post-doctoral researcher at the


00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:20.230
University of Maryland and NASA's Godard


00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:22.069
space flight center in Green Belt


00:16:22.079 --> 00:16:24.749
Maryland since the star is so feeble


00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:27.110
that's well outside its habitable zone


00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:29.189
if so it will be the first plan planet


00:16:29.199 --> 00:16:32.629
ever found orbiting a hypervelocity star


00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:34.550
the findings led by Terry were published


00:16:34.560 --> 00:16:37.069
in the astronomical journal on February


00:16:37.079 --> 00:16:39.629
10 the pair of objects was first spotted


00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:41.949
indirectly in 2011 thanks to a chance


00:16:41.959 --> 00:16:44.389
alignment a team of scientists comes


00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:46.590
through the archive data of MOA that's


00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:48.949
the micr lensing observations in


00:16:48.959 --> 00:16:51.150
astrophysics a collaborative project


00:16:51.160 --> 00:16:53.430
focused on micr lensing survey conducted


00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:55.749
in the University of Canterbury Mount


00:16:55.759 --> 00:16:58.949
John observ observatory in New Zealand


00:16:58.959 --> 00:17:01.350
in search of light signals that betray


00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:04.270
the presence of exoplanets or uh planets


00:17:04.280 --> 00:17:06.590
outside our solar system micr lensing


00:17:06.600 --> 00:17:09.270
occurs when the presence of mass warps


00:17:09.280 --> 00:17:11.829
the fabric of SpaceTime anytime an


00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:13.990
intervening object appears to drift near


00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:16.909
a background star light from the Star


00:17:16.919 --> 00:17:19.189
curves as it travels through the Warped


00:17:19.199 --> 00:17:22.069
SpaceTime around the nearer object if


00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:23.949
the alignment is especially closed the


00:17:23.959 --> 00:17:26.309
warping around the object can act like a


00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:28.470
natural lens amplifying the background


00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:31.390
star light in this case micr lensing


00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:33.909
signals reveal a pair of celestial


00:17:33.919 --> 00:17:36.070
bodies scientists determine their


00:17:36.080 --> 00:17:39.110
relative masses one is about two 2,300


00:17:39.120 --> 00:17:40.990
times heavier than the other but their


00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:43.190
exact masses depend on how far away they


00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:45.750
are from the earth it's sort of like how


00:17:45.760 --> 00:17:47.830
the magnification changes if you hold a


00:17:47.840 --> 00:17:50.270
magnifying glass over a page and move it


00:17:50.280 --> 00:17:53.350
up and down determining the mass ratio


00:17:53.360 --> 00:17:55.590
is easy said David Bennett a senior


00:17:55.600 --> 00:17:58.029
research scientist at the University of


00:17:58.039 --> 00:18:00.430
Maryland car College Park and NASA


00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:03.789
Godard who co-authored the paper and led


00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:06.789
the original study in 2011 it's much


00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:08.870
more difficult he said to calculate


00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:12.230
their actual masses the 2011 Discovery


00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:14.350
team suspected the micr lensed object


00:18:14.360 --> 00:18:17.750
were either a star about 20% as massive


00:18:17.760 --> 00:18:21.190
as our sun and a planet roughly 29 times


00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:24.110
heavier than the earth or near a rogue


00:18:24.120 --> 00:18:26.870
Planet about four times Jupiter's mass


00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:29.990
with a moon smaller than Earth to figure


00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:31.990
out which explanation is more likely


00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:33.909
astronomers searched through data from


00:18:33.919 --> 00:18:36.070
kek observatory in Hawaii and the


00:18:36.080 --> 00:18:38.669
European space agency's guia satellite


00:18:38.679 --> 00:18:40.870
if the pair were a rogue planet and moon


00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:43.270
they'd be effectively invisible dark


00:18:43.280 --> 00:18:45.390
objects get lost in the inky void of


00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:47.149
space but scientists might be able to


00:18:47.159 --> 00:18:49.470
identify the star if the alternative


00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:51.549
explanation were correct though the


00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:53.990
orbiting Planet would be much too faint


00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:56.710
to actually see they found a strong


00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:59.710
suspect located about 24 4,000 light


00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:01.630
years away putting it within the Milky


00:19:01.640 --> 00:19:04.310
Way's Galactic bulge the central Hub


00:19:04.320 --> 00:19:07.029
where the stars are more densely packed


00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:09.789
by comparing the Stars location in 2011


00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:12.909
and 2021 the team calculated its high


00:19:12.919 --> 00:19:16.070
speed but that's just its 2D motion if


00:19:16.080 --> 00:19:18.630
it's also moving toward or away from us


00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:21.430
it must be moving even faster its true


00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:23.870
speed may be high enough to exceed the


00:19:23.880 --> 00:19:26.590
Galaxy's escape velocity of just over


00:19:26.600 --> 00:19:31.149
1.3 mph or about 600


00:19:31.159 --> 00:19:34.149
km/s if so the planetary system is


00:19:34.159 --> 00:19:36.350
destined to Traverse The Intergalactic


00:19:36.360 --> 00:19:38.630
space many millions of years into the


00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:41.510
future to be certain the new identified


00:19:41.520 --> 00:19:43.750
star is part of the system that caused


00:19:43.760 --> 00:19:46.870
the 2011 signal we'd like to look again


00:19:46.880 --> 00:19:49.270
in another year and see if it moves the


00:19:49.280 --> 00:19:51.870
right amount in the right direction to


00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:54.070
confirm it came from the point where we


00:19:54.080 --> 00:19:57.110
detected the signal Bennett said if a


00:19:57.120 --> 00:19:59.230
higher resolution observation can show


00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:01.310
that the star just stays in the same


00:20:01.320 --> 00:20:02.870
position then we can tell for sure that


00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:04.470
it's not part of the system that caused


00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:07.149
that signal said a Bacha a research


00:20:07.159 --> 00:20:09.230
scientist at University of Maryland


00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:11.590
College Park and NASA Godard who


00:20:11.600 --> 00:20:13.549
co-authored the new paper that would


00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:16.430
mean the Rogue planet and exomoon model


00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:19.789
is favored NASA's upcoming Nancy Grace


00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:22.390
Roman Space Telescope will help us find


00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:24.549
out how common planets are around such


00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:27.350
Speedy stars and may offer Clues as to


00:20:27.360 --> 00:20:29.669
how these systems are accelerated the


00:20:29.679 --> 00:20:32.190
mission will conduct survey of the


00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:34.950
galactic bulge pairing a large view of


00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:37.710
space with crisp resolution in this case


00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:41.510
we used MOA for its broad Field view of


00:20:41.520 --> 00:20:43.909
and Then followed up with kek and guia


00:20:43.919 --> 00:20:45.830
for their sharper resolution but thanks


00:20:45.840 --> 00:20:48.110
to Roman's powerful View and planned


00:20:48.120 --> 00:20:50.990
survey strategy we won't need to rely on


00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:53.669
additional telescopes Terry said Roman


00:20:53.679 --> 00:20:55.990
will do it all isn't it exciting to see


00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:57.630
that our view of the Skies is becoming


00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:59.470
clearer and clearer with each new


00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:01.960
development in Space Telescope


00:21:01.970 --> 00:21:11.830
[Music]


00:21:11.840 --> 00:21:13.909
technology and there it is for another


00:21:13.919 --> 00:21:16.269
episode of astronomy daily the


00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:19.190
podcast I sure hope you enjoyed today's


00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:21.230
presentation yeah I really enjoyed that


00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:23.549
today h even though you took one of my


00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:26.029
stories but hey thanks everybody for


00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:28.190
stopping by I hope you uh really enjoyed


00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.149
the show


00:21:29.159 --> 00:21:31.110
and don't forget H's Cousin Anna takes


00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:32.990
the show during the week so you don't


00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:35.110
miss all the news about astronomy space


00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:37.350
and space science as it happens and if


00:21:37.360 --> 00:21:39.230
you didn't get it before the details of


00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.909
receiving the astronomy daily newsletter


00:21:40.919 --> 00:21:42.789
in your email every day I mentioned


00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:44.430
earlier in this podcast and every


00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:46.430
podcast you did a great job on that


00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:49.190
announcement well you're very kind hie


00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:51.269
and we will catch you all next week on


00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:54.269
your favorite podcast Channel see you


00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:59.029
everyone bye


00:21:59.039 --> 00:22:04.360
podcast with your host Steve dun