Cosmic Discoveries: Mini Moons, Laser Stars, and the Coldest Exoplanet Ever

In this episode of Astronomy Daily, join host Anna as she unveils a captivating array of astronomical discoveries and cosmic events that highlight the wonders of our universe. Prepare to be amazed by this week's fascinating stories that showcase the dynamic nature of space exploration.
Highlights:
- Discovery of Mini Moons: Explore the surprising revelation of mini moons near Earth, including the newly identified 2024 PT5. This small rocky body hints at a hidden population of lunar fragments that may have been ejected from our own moon during ancient impacts, offering unique insights into the Moon's geological history.
- Laser Guide Stars: Discover the innovative technology at the Paranal Observatory in Chile, where astronomers are using powerful lasers to create artificial stars. This cutting-edge method helps counteract atmospheric turbulence, allowing ground-based telescopes to capture images nearly as sharp as those from space.
- Coldest Exoplanet Found: Delve into the groundbreaking discovery made by the James Webb Space Telescope of WD 1856 534b, the coldest exoplanet ever observed, orbiting a white dwarf. This discovery challenges our understanding of planetary survival and evolution in the aftermath of stellar death.
- Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower: Get ready for the upcoming Eta Aquarid meteor shower, peaking on May 5th and 6th. Learn how to best observe this celestial event as Earth passes through the debris trail of Halley's Comet, with the potential to witness up to 50 meteors per hour.
- Return of Cosmos 482: Finally, hear about the anticipated return of the Soviet Union's Cosmos 482, a Venus lander that has been orbiting Earth for over five decades. This rare opportunity to examine early planetary exploration technology offers a glimpse into the ambitions of the first space age.
For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, TikTok, and our new Instagram account! 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 Anna signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.
00:00 - Today's featured stories showcase just how dynamic our universe truly is
01:03 - Scientists have discovered what appears to be a second mini moon near Earth's orbit
04:00 - Scientists at Paranal Observatory in Chile use lasers to create artificial stars
06:58 - The James Webb Space Telescope has found the first confirmed planet orbiting a dead star
10:51 - The Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks on May 6th
13:45 - The Soviet Union's Cosmos 482 spacecraft is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere
16:40 - This week's Astronomy Daily podcast features some of today's most interesting discoveries✍️ Episode References
Mini Moons Discovery
[NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/)
Laser Guide Stars
[European Southern Observatory](https://www.eso.org/)
James Webb Space Telescope
[NASA JWST](https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/webb/main/index.html)
Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower
[American Meteor Society](https://www.amsmeteors.org/)
Cosmos 482 Update
[Russian Space Agency](https://www.roscosmos.ru/)
Astronomy Daily
[Astrono