Podcast Archives - Page 17 of 84

Carbon Molecules on Mars Open New Mystery

Jan 20, 2022 | Astrobiology, Cosmology, Curiosity, Daily Space, Mars, Neutron Stars / Pulsars, Rockets, Space History, Spacecraft, SpaceX, Starlink, Stars, Supermassive Black Holes, White Dwarfs

NASA’s Curiosity rover has discovered carbon isotopes on Mars which are usually caused by the degradation of biological methane, leading scientists to examine other potential reasons for the molecules. Plus, more Starlink satellites, their impact on observing, and This Week in Rocket History.

Milky Way’s Stellar Streams Highlight Dark Matter

Jan 19, 2022 | Daily Space, Dark Matter, Earth, Globular Cluster, Guest Interview, Milky Way, Rockets, Space China

Recent observations of twelve different stellar streams around the Milky Way have revealed the effects of dark matter, similar to how lights on a Christmas tree reveal the shape of the tree in dark. Plus, globular clusters, volcanoes, and an interview with Dr. Cathy Olkin from the Southwest Research Institute’s Lucy mission.

Another Possible Exomoon Discovered

Jan 17, 2022 | Daily Space, Exoplanets, JWST, Mars, Rockets, Sky Watching, Space History, Spacecraft, SpaceX, Stars, Virgin Orbit, White Dwarfs

Researchers have potentially found a Neptune-sized exomoon orbiting a Jupiter-sized planet in a system with a Sun-like star, making it the second such potential exomoon discovered to date. Plus, rocket launches, This Week in Rocket History, and What’s Up.

China Lander Detects Water on the Moon

Jan 12, 2022 | Cosmology, Daily Space, Galaxies, JWST, Milky Way, Moon, Supermassive Black Holes, Supernovae, Very Large Array

China’s Chang’e-5 lunar lander has made the first in situ detection of water on the Moon, using reflectance spectroscopy from the surface of our natural satellite. Plus, all the news from the AAS virtual press conferences, including black holes and galaxies.

Over 70 Free-Floating Planets Discovered in Region of Milky Way

Jan 8, 2022 | Active Galaxies, Astrobiology, Daily Space, Exoplanets, Nebulae, Observatories, Rockets, SpaceX, Star Forming Region, Starlink, Supernovae, Venus

Scientists examined over 80,000 images from large telescopes and their sensitive instruments and found over 70 free-floating planets with the possibility for even more. Plus, a red giant supernova, new images of the Flame Nebula, and a review of Netflix’s “Don’t Look Up”.

JWST and the 30 Days of Terror

Jan 7, 2022 | Cassini, Daily Space, Earth, Globular Cluster, JWST, Our Solar System, Physics, Saturn, Sky Watching, Stars, Supernovae

With the successful launch of the JWST, the focus turns to the complicated process of unfurling the sunshield and unfolding the mirror. We’ll look at just where NASA is in the process and how much farther we have to go before first light. Plus, Earth and supernovae, and in this week’s What’s Up, we look forward to 2022’s astronomy events.