Episodios

  • Goodbye, Star Traveller: 3I/ATLAS Bids Farewell at Jupiter

    Goodbye, Star Traveller: 3I/ATLAS Bids Farewell at Jupiter
    Mar 16 2026

    In today's episode of Astronomy Daily, Anna and Avery cover six remarkable stories spanning an interstellar farewell, a stunning pre-dawn sky show, a potential new Martian mineral, ghost particles from long-dead stars, a revolutionary new framework for detecting alien life, and the astonishing possibility of habitable moons drifting starless through the galaxy. Stories Covered in S05E64 1. 3I/ATLAS: The Interstellar Comet's Jupiter Farewell: Today marks the closest approach of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS to Jupiter before it leaves our solar system forever. New ALMA data reveals the comet carries extraordinary levels of methanol — a chemical fingerprint from another solar system entirely. 2. Mercury, Mars & the Moon: Tonight and tomorrow morning, Mercury and Mars gather close to a crescent Moon in the pre-dawn sky. Southern Hemisphere observers have the best view. This week also brings the March equinox (March 20) and heightened aurora activity. 3. A New Mineral on Mars?: Scientists may have discovered a previously unknown mineral hidden in Mars's ancient sulfate deposits. Found by combining laboratory experiments with orbital spectroscopy, the potential discovery could shed new light on Mars's ancient watery past. 4. Ghost Particles from Dead Stars: Japan's upgraded Super-Kamiokande detector may detect the Diffuse Supernova Neutrino Background for the first time in 2026 — a faint signal from every supernova across cosmic history, including stars that exploded before Earth was born. 5. Life, But Not As We Know It: A new framework called Assembly Theory, published today in Universe Today, offers a way to detect alien life that bears no resemblance to life on Earth. Rather than searching for specific biosignature gases, it asks how complex the atmospheric chemistry is — and is designed for the upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory. 6. Starless Moons: Moons orbiting free-floating planets — worlds ejected from their home solar systems — could sustain liquid water oceans for up to 4.3 billion years, powered by tidal heating and insulated by hydrogen atmospheres. No star required. Astronomy Daily is part of the Bitesz.com Podcast Network. New episodes every weekday. Website: astronomydaily.io Twitter/X: @AstroDailyPod Instagram: @AstroDailyPod TikTok: @AstroDailyPod

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    16 m
  • Magnetar Birth and Lunar Bombardment: Cosmic Revelations Unveiled

    Magnetar Birth and Lunar Bombardment: Cosmic Revelations Unveiled
    Mar 16 2026

    SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 32 *The birth of a magnetar seen for the first time Astronomers have for the first time seen the birth of a magnetar — a highly magnetized, spinning neutron star. *Rewriting the textbooks on the history of the Moon A new study claims the lunar near and far sides experienced similar levels of asteroid and meteor bombardment, despite the very different appearances of the two. *Spectacular fireball light up the skies of Europe The European Space Agency is analysing a spectacular fireball which lit up the skies over Europe last week dropping debris all along its trajectory. *The Science Report Study shows little science showing cannabis can help people with mental health conditions. Australia’s digital ID scheme moves to phase II forcing some adults to adopt it. The weird ancient crocodile that walked on two legs. Skeptics guide to predicting the end of the world.

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    Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/32215998?utm_source=youtube
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    22 m
  • Stellar Evolutions, Dark Energy Mysteries & Your Questions Answered | Space Nuts: Astronomy...

    Stellar Evolutions, Dark Energy Mysteries & Your Questions Answered | Space Nuts: Astronomy...
    Mar 16 2026

    Cosmic Q&A: Red Giants, Accretion Disks, and Dark Energy

    In this captivating Q&A episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson tackle a variety of listener questions that span the cosmos. From the fate of our Sun as it becomes a red giant to the mysteries of dark energy, this episode is a treasure trove of astronomical insights and engaging discussions.

    Episode Highlights:

    - The Fate of Our Sun: Jeff from Arkansas asks about the implications of the Sun swelling into a red giant in approximately 5 billion years. Andrew and Fred explain the process and its potential effects on the outer planets, addressing concerns about rogue planets and gravitational influences.

    - Understanding Accretion Disks: Blue from London inquires about the apparent high-speed motion of material in accretion disks around black holes despite gravitational time dilation. The hosts clarify the dynamics at play and the distances involved in these cosmic phenomena.

    - Expanding Universe Mysteries: Julian from Canada poses questions about the expansion of the universe and its acceleration. Andrew and Fred dive into the complexities of dark energy and the Hubble constant, shedding light on current theories and ongoing research.

    - Dark Energy and the Multiverse: Peter from Sandy Kaye explores the possibility of unseen matter in the universe affecting expansion and whether other universes could influence ours. The discussion delves into speculative theories and the nature of gravity.

    For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. (https://www.spacenutspodcast.com/) Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, Instagram, and more. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favorite platform.

    If you’d like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit spacenutspodcast.com/about (https://www.spacenutspodcast.com/about) .

    Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.

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    Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/32214243?utm_source=youtube
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    28 m
  • The Sun’s Great Galactic Road Trip, China’s Moon Museum & a Pi Day Planet

    The Sun’s Great Galactic Road Trip, China’s Moon Museum & a Pi Day Planet
    Mar 14 2026
    Episode: S05E63 | Date: Saturday, 14 March 2026 Hosted by Anna & Avery | Astronomy Daily Podcast Network — Bitesz.com From galactic migrations to Pi Day planets, Episode 63 covers six stories that span the breadth of the solar system and beyond. Our Sun turns out to have hitched a ride outward from the Milky Way's interior billions of years ago — and brought thousands of stellar companions with it. China has named a leading candidate for its first crewed Moon landing. Russia is dusting off the legacy of the legendary Soviet Venera programme with an ambitious 2036 return to Venus. NASA's nuclear-powered Titan drone is now being physically built. China's Mars sample return mission is constructing actual spacecraft. And in honour of Pi Day, we visit the exoplanet whose year lasts almost exactly 3.14 days. Story 1: The Sun Was Part of a Galactic Migration of Solar Twins A new study in Astronomy & Astrophysics by researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan has built the largest-ever catalogue of solar twins — 6,594 Sun-like stars. Using ESA's Gaia satellite, they found a clustering of stars aged 4–6 billion years, suggesting the Sun migrated outward from the Milky Way's inner regions billions of years ago, possibly when the galactic bar was still forming and its 'corotation barrier' was weak enough to allow mass stellar movement. This migration may have placed Earth in a calmer, more life-friendly region of the Galaxy. • Journal: Astronomy & Astrophysics (March 2026) • Lead researchers: Daisuke Taniguchi (Tokyo Metropolitan University) & Takuji Tsujimoto (NAOJ) • Data source: ESA Gaia satellite — catalogue of ~2 billion stars • Key finding: Sun likely formed ~10,000 light-years closer to the Galactic Centre than its current position Story 2: China Eyes Rimae Bode for Its First Crewed Moon Landing A study published in Nature Astronomy (9 March 2026) proposes Rimae Bode — a volcanic region near Sinus Aestuum on the lunar near side — as a prime candidate for China's first crewed lunar landing, targeted for 2030. The site contains five distinct terrain types including pyroclastic deposits, mare basalts, rille systems and highland material. Researcher Jun Huang (China University of Geosciences, Wuhan) described it as a 'geological museum.' Four specific landing spots within the region have been proposed. • Journal: Nature Astronomy (March 2026) • Lead researcher: Jun Huang, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan • Site: Rimae Bode, near Sinus Aestuum, lunar near side • Oldest volcanic activity in region: ~3.2–3.7 billion years ago • China's crewed lunar landing target: 2030 Story 3: Russia Plans Venera-D Mission to Venus in 2036 Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov confirmed on 10 March 2026 that Russia plans to launch the Venera-D mission — comprising a lander, atmospheric balloon, and orbiter — to Venus in 2036. The mission would extend the legacy of the Soviet Venera programme (1961–1983), which remains the only national programme to have successfully landed on Venus. Scientific goals include searching for microbial life in Venus's clouds and studying the planet's atmosphere. • Mission: Venera-D (lander + balloon + orbiter) • Planned launch: 2036 • Agency: Roscosmos • Heritage: Soviet Venera programme — 16 missions, 1961–1983 • Science goal: Search for biosignatures in Venusian cloud layers (48–60 km altitude) • Source: TASS, citing Razvedchik Journal interview with Denis Manturov Story 4: NASA Begins Building Dragonfly — Nuclear-Powered Drone for Titan NASA and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) officially began integration and testing of the Dragonfly rotorcraft on 10 March 2026. The car-sized, nuclear-powered octocopter is designed to fly across the surface of Saturn's moon Titan, targeting a 2028 launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy and arriving at Titan in 2034. It will explore diverse terrain including organic dunes and the Selk impact crater, studying prebiotic chemistry relevant to the origins of life. • Mission: Dragonfly | Agency: NASA / Johns Hopkins APL • Launch: No earlier than summer 2028 (SpaceX Falcon Heavy) • Arrival: Titan, 2034 | Mission duration: ~3.3 years • Power: Radioisotope thermoelectric generator (nuclear) • Range: 108 miles (175 km) across Titan's surface • Quote: "This milestone essentially marks the birth of our flight system." — Elizabeth Turtle, PI Story 5: China's Tianwen-3 Mars Sample Return Enters Construction Phase China's Tianwen-3 mission chief designer Liu Jizhong announced on 12 March 2026 that the mission has achieved key technology breakthroughs and is entering flight model development — building the actual spacecraft. Two Long March 5 rockets will launch in late 2028, carrying a lander/ascent vehicle and an orbiter/return spacecraft respectively. The goal is to return at least 500 grams of Martian samples to Earth by ...
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    18 m
  • Artemis II Gets Its Launch Date: April 1 | Magnetar Born | Planets Collide | S05E62

    Artemis II Gets Its Launch Date: April 1 | Magnetar Born | Planets Collide | S05E62
    Mar 13 2026
    It’s a bumper Friday edition of Astronomy Daily. NASA gives Artemis II the official green light to launch on April 1st, marking the first crewed lunar mission in over 53 years. Astronomers witness the birth of a magnetar for the very first time, confirming a decade-old theory and demonstrating Einstein’s general relativity in a supernova. A star 11,000 light-years away shows evidence of two planets catastrophically colliding in real time. A bus-sized asteroid buzzed past Earth last night closer than the Moon, discovered just five days ago. A fast solar wind stream from a coronal hole could bring auroras to higher latitudes tonight. And scientists may have identified the source of the most energetic neutrino ever recorded. Story 1: Artemis II — Green Light for April 1 Launch NASA completed its Flight Readiness Review on 12 March 2026, with all mission teams voting unanimously ‘go’ for launch. The Space Launch System and Orion capsule will roll out to Launch Complex 39B on 19 March, with the primary launch window opening on 1 April at 6:24pm ET. Backup windows exist on 2–6 April and 30 April. The crew of four — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — will fly a 10-day figure-eight loop around the Moon. It will be the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in December 1972. The previously planned Moon landing on Artemis III has been moved to Artemis IV, though NASA’s 2028 goal for a lunar landing remains unchanged. • NASA Artemis II Mission Page: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/ • CNN coverage of FRR outcome: https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/12/science/nasa-artemis-2-launch-date-risk-assessment Story 2: First-Ever Observed Birth of a Magnetar Astronomers have for the first time directly observed the birth of a magnetar — a highly magnetized, rapidly spinning neutron star — confirming it as the power source behind some of the universe’s brightest stellar explosions. The discovery, published in Nature on 11 March 2026, centres on superluminous supernova SN 2024afav, located approximately one billion light-years from Earth. Graduate student Joseph Farah at UC Santa Barbara, working with Las Cumbres Observatory’s global telescope network, detected a distinctive ‘chirp’ pattern in the supernova’s fading light — four oscillations with shortening intervals. This pattern is explained by a wobbling accretion disc around the newborn magnetar, driven by Lense-Thirring precession — a general relativistic effect. The finding confirms a 2010 theory by UC Berkeley physicist Dan Kasen, and marks the first time general relativity has been required to explain supernova mechanics. • Berkeley News: https://news.berkeley.edu/2026/03/11/astronomers-capture-birth-of-a-magnetar-confirming-link-to-some-of-universes-brightest-exploding-stars/ • Space.com: https://www.space.com/astronomy/stars/astronomers-witness-colossal-supernova-explosion-create-one-of-the-most-magnetic-stars-in-the-universe-for-the-first-time Story 3: Two Planets Caught Colliding 11,000 Light-Years Away Researchers at the University of Washington have published evidence of a catastrophic planetary collision observed in real time around star Gaia20ehk, located approximately 11,000 light-years from Earth near the constellation Puppis. The star began flickering erratically from 2016, before its light output went ‘completely bonkers’ around 2021 — the signature of a massive debris cloud from two colliding worlds passing in front of the star. The debris orbits at roughly one astronomical unit from the star — the same as Earth’s distance from the Sun — and may eventually coalesce into new planetary bodies resembling an Earth-Moon system. The paper was published 11 March in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. • University of Washington: https://www.washington.edu/news/2026/03/11/uw-astronomers-spot-planet-collision-evidence/ • ScienceDaily: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260311213429.htm Story 4: Asteroid 2026 EG1 Flies Past Earth A bus-sized asteroid designated 2026 EG1 made its closest approach to Earth at 11:27pm EDT on 12 March 2026, passing just 197,466 miles away — closer than the Moon. Estimated at 32–72 feet (10–22 metres) across and travelling at over 21,500 mph, it posed no threat. Notably, the asteroid was only discovered on 8 March — five days before its flyby — highlighting the ongoing challenge of detecting small near-Earth objects with short warning times. NASA’s Vera Rubin Observatory has already catalogued over 2,000 previously unknown solar system bodies since beginning operations. • Space.com: https://www.space.com/stargazing/bus-sized-asteroid-will-fly-past-earth-tonight-mere-days-after-being-discovered-heres-what-to-expect-march-12-2026 Story 5: Solar Wind & Aurora Alert A fast-moving stream of solar wind from a large coronal hole on the Sun is expected to reach Earth on 13 March 2026, potentially triggering...
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    18 m
  • Earth’s Energy Imbalance and Solar Secrets

    Earth’s Energy Imbalance and Solar Secrets
    Mar 13 2026

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    SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 31 *Planet Earth’s balance is shifting A new study claims planet Earth’s balance is shifting with the Northern Hemisphere absorbing significantly more solar energy than the Southern Hemisphere -- a shift that could reshape global weather patterns. *A unique insight into the Sun’s inner life Astronomers discover that the Sun’s internal structure changes from one solar cycle minimum to the next. *Landsat 9: More than just a picture For over 50 years, the Landsat program has provided the longest continuous satellite record of Earth's land surface from space. *The Science Report New warnings about the bleak future for Victoria’s critically endangered Brush-tailed rock-wallabies. Study shows teens who use cannabis are more likely to develop psychiatric disorders. Research shows bird watchers develop denser attention and perception-related areas in their brains. Skeptics guide to Elon Musk’s opinion on UFOs https://spacetimewithstuartgary.com (https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/ (https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/) This week’s guests include: Professor Michele Trenti from the University of Melbourne Artemis II astronaut Christina Cook Artemis II astronaut Jeremy Hanson Orion and Artemis systems food lab manager Ashua Ook NASA Artemis flight controller Wyatt Mckinley And our regular guests: Alex Zaharov-Reutt from techadvice.life Tim Mendham from Australian Skeptics And senior science writer and Sky and Telescope magazine contributor Jonathan Nally 🌏 Get Our Exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ www.bitesz.com/nordvpn (http://www.bitesz.com/nordvpn) . The discounts and bonuses are incredible! And it’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! ✌

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    22 m
  • Asteroids, Comets & the Latest from the DART Mission: A Cosmic Update | Space Nuts: Astronomy...

    Asteroids, Comets & the Latest from the DART Mission: A Cosmic Update | Space Nuts: Astronomy...
    Mar 13 2026

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    Asteroid Updates, DART Mission Insights, and the Chris Case of 3I ATLAS

    In this exciting episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson delve into the fascinating world of comets and asteroids. From the latest updates on asteroid 2024 YR4's potential impact with the Moon to groundbreaking findings from the DART mission, this episode is packed with cosmic discoveries and intriguing discussions.

    Episode Highlights:

    - Asteroid 2024 YR4 Update: The hosts discuss the recent observations made using the James Webb Space Telescope, which have ruled out the possibility of asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting the Moon in 2032. They explore the significance of these findings and the implications for future lunar missions.

    - DART Mission Success: Andrew and Fred revisit the DART mission, highlighting how the impact on the asteroid moon Dimorphos not only changed its orbit but also altered the orbit of the entire Didymos system around the Sun. This marks a historic achievement in planetary defense and asteroid science.

    - The Mystery of 3I ATLAS: The episode concludes with a discussion on comet 3I ATLAS, which has been found to have an unusual chemical composition, particularly a high ratio of methanol to hydrogen cyanide. The hosts ponder what this could mean for our understanding of other solar systems and the chemistry of celestial bodies.

    For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. (https://www.spacenutspodcast.com/) Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, Instagram, and more. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favorite platform.

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    Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.

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    Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/32168323?utm_source=youtube
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    36 m
  • Tipsy Comet: Interstellar Visitor Loaded With Alcohol

    Tipsy Comet: Interstellar Visitor Loaded With Alcohol
    Mar 12 2026

    In today's episode of Astronomy Daily — S05E61, Thursday 12 March 2026 — Anna and Avery cover six of the biggest stories in space and astronomy from the past 24 hours. Stories in this episode: • 3I/ATLAS, our third confirmed interstellar visitor, has been found to be extraordinarily rich in methanol — a type of alcohol — with ALMA observations revealing methanol-to-hydrogen cyanide ratios far beyond almost any known solar system comet. The findings offer a chemical fingerprint of a distant planetary system, and the comet makes its closest pass to Jupiter on March 16. • Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket successfully returned to flight on March 11, completing its seventh mission — 'Stairway to Seven' — after an 11-month stand-down following two mishaps in 2025. The mission also validated key Block II upgrade systems ahead of the next-generation rocket's debut on Flight 8. • NASA held its Artemis II Flight Readiness Review today at Kennedy Space Center, a critical milestone ahead of a potential April launch. The SLS/Orion stack is being prepared for its second rollout after a helium flow issue was repaired in the Vehicle Assembly Building. • A landmark helioseismology study from the University of Birmingham and Yale, drawing on 40 years of data from the Birmingham Solar-Oscillations Network, reveals that the Sun's internal structure shifts measurably between solar cycle minima — with implications for space weather forecasting. • NASA's Van Allen Probe A reentered Earth's atmosphere on March 11, eight years earlier than expected, with the current active solar cycle responsible for accelerating its orbital decay. Most of the 600kg spacecraft burned up over the eastern Pacific. • Astronomers using ESO's Very Large Telescope have discovered a third gas cloud — G2t — orbiting Sagittarius A*, the Milky Way's central supermassive black hole. Its near-identical orbit to the previously known G1 and G2 clouds suggests all three likely originated from the same binary star system. Find full episodes, transcripts and more at astronomydaily.io. Follow us @AstroDailyPod on all major platforms.

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    17 m