All Episodes

September 19, 2024 10 mins
Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: 19th September 2024
Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to Podcast for the latest and most exciting developments in space and Astronomy. I'm your host, Anna, and I'm thrilled to bring you another episode packed with cosmic wonders and scientific breakthroughs. Today, we've got a stellar lineup of stories that will take us from the farthest reaches of the universe to our own cosmic backyard. We'll explore record-setting jets from a distant black hole, witness a dramatic rocket launch abort, celebrate the hidden figures of NASA's past, ponder the possibility of ancient Earth sporting Saturn-like rings, and even discuss the potential for space lasers in planetary defense. So buckle up and prepare for liftoff as we embark on this cosmic journey together.
Highlights:
- Record-Setting Black Hole Jets: In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have detected the largest known jets of energy shooting from a supermassive black hole. These colossal beams extend an astonishing 23 million light years from end to end, dwarfing our entire Milky Way galaxy. The black hole responsible for this cosmic spectacle is located in a galaxy about 7.5 billion light years from Earth. These jets, nicknamed Porphyrion, are made up of subatomic particles and magnetic fields, all moving at nearly the speed of light. This discovery provides valuable insights into how black holes influence their surroundings on a truly enormous scale.
- Rocket Lab Launch Abort: Rocket Lab experienced a last-second abort during their latest mission attempt. The company's Electron Rocket was poised to lift off from New Zealand carrying five Internet of Things satellites for the French company Kinéis. However, as the countdown reached zero and the first stage engines ignited, they immediately shut down, resulting in a launch abort. Rocket Lab's team is now assessing options for the next launch attempt within their 14-day launch window.
- Honoring NASA's Hidden Figures: In a moving ceremony at the US Capitol, four trailblazing women of NASA were honored with Congressional Gold Medals for their groundbreaking contributions to space exploration. Kathryn Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, Mary Jackson, and Christine Darden, the hidden figures behind America's space race success, were finally given their well-deserved recognition. This ceremony not only celebrated these four women but also acknowledged the countless others who worked behind the scenes at NASA performing critical calculations before the advent of electronic computers.
- Ancient Earth with Rings: A new study suggests that our planet may have once sported a ring system similar to Saturn's about 466 million years ago. Researchers believe that Earth may have captured and destroyed a passing asteroid, creating a debris ring that lasted for tens of millions of years. This ring could have had a major impact on Earth's climate, potentially contributing to the Hernantean Ice Age, the coldest period Earth has experienced in the past 500 million years.
- Space Lasers for Planetary Defense: A recent study has explored the idea of deploying laser arrays in space for deflecting potentially hazardous asteroids. The concept, known as Directed Energy Systems for Targeting of Asteroids and Exploration (DE-STAR), involves creating a modular array of lasers powered by solar cells. These space-based lasers could heat the surface of incoming asteroids to about 3000 Kelvin, hot enough to alter their course. While no one is building a DE-STAR array just yet, it's crucial to start thinking about the implications and potential uses of such technology.
For more space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter and explore our constantly updating news feed. Don't forget to check out all our previous episodes on the website as well.
And if you want even more Astronomy Daily content, find us on social media. Just search for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok.
Thanks for listening, and remember to keep looking up.
Sponsor Links:
NordVPN
NordPass
Malwarebytes
Proton Mail
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--5648921/support.

Mark as Played
Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go to podcast for the
latest and most exciting developments in space and astronomy. I'm
your host, Anna, and I'm thrilled to bring you another
episode packed with cosmic wonders and scientific breakthroughs.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
Today, we've got a stellar.

Speaker 1 (00:14):
Lineup of stories that will take us from the farthest
reaches of the universe to our own cosmic backyard. We'll
explore record setting jets from a distant black hole, witness
a dramatic rocket launch abort, celebrate the hidden figures of
NASA's past, ponder the possibility of ancient Earth sporting Saturn
like rings, and even discuss the potential for space lasers

(00:35):
in planetary defense.

Speaker 2 (00:37):
So buckle up and prepare.

Speaker 1 (00:38):
For liftoff as we embark on this cosmic journey together,
Let's dive into the fascinating world of space science and
exploration on this episode of Astronomy Daily. In a groundbreaking discovery,
astronomers have detected the largest known jets of energy shooting
from a super massive black hole. These colossal beams extend
an astonishing twenty three million light years from end to end,

(00:59):
dwarfing our in higher Milky Way galaxy. The black hole
responsible for this cosmic spectacle is located in a galaxy
about seven point five billion light years from Earth. To
put that in perspective, we're observing an event that occurred
when the universe was less than.

Speaker 2 (01:13):
Half its current age.

Speaker 1 (01:14):
These jets, nicknamed Porphyrion after a giant from Greek mythology,
are truly massive. They're about thirty percent longer than the
previous record holder, making them the most extensive structures of
their kind ever observed.

Speaker 2 (01:27):
But what exactly are these jets.

Speaker 1 (01:29):
They're made up of subatomic particles electrons and positrons, along
with magnetic fields, all moving at nearly the speed of light.
These particles are ejected from the area around the black
hole as it devours nearby matter like gas, dust, and
even entire stars. The energy output of these jets is
mind boggling. Scientists estimate its equivalent to the energy released

(01:50):
by trillions of stars like our Sun, or the amount
produced when entire galaxy clusters collide. This discovery isn't just
about breaking records, though, it provides valuable insights into how
black holes influence their surroundings on a truly enormous scale.
These jets can heat up interstellar gas, potentially affecting star
formation across vast regions of space. They might even play

(02:11):
a role in distributing energy and magnetic fields throughout the
cosmic web, the large scale structure of the universe. The
observation was made possible by LOFAR, a network of radio
antennas primarily based in the Netherlands. This cutting edge technology
allows astronomers to peer deeper into the universe and uncover
phenomena that push the boundaries of our understanding of cosmic processes.

(02:36):
As we continue to explore the depths of space, discoveries
like Porphyrion remind us of the immense power and influence
of supermassive black holes in shaping our universe. In space
launch news, rocket Lab experienced a last second abort during
their latest mission attempt. The company's Electron rocket was poised
to lift off from New Zealand carrying five Internet of

(02:56):
Things satellites for the French company QNIE. However, as the
countdown reached zero and the first stage engines ignited, they
immediately shut down, resulting in a launch abort. Rocket Lab
has named this mission Keyness Killed the radiot Star a
playful nod to the payload and a classic song title.
This would have been their second launch for Canais, following
a successful five satellite deployment in June. The aboard occurred

(03:20):
at the precise moment of the instantaneous launch window, leaving
no opportunity for a same day retry. Rocket Lab's team
is now assessing options for the next launch attempt within
their fourteen day launch window. This mission is part of
a larger contract between rocket Lab and Kineis, which aims
to deploy a total of twenty five satellites using the Electron,
a small but capable rocket standing at fifty nine feet tall.

(03:43):
Despite this setback, rocket Lab maintains an impressive track record
with fifty two orbital missions to date, including ten successful
launches in twenty twenty four alone. Now a story about
recognition that many would consider long overdue. In a moving
ceremony at the US Capitol, four trailblazing women of NASA
were honoured with Congressional Gold Medals for their groundbreaking contributions

(04:05):
to space exploration. Catherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and
Christine Darden. The hidden figures behind America's space race success
were finally given their well deserved recognition. The event, held
in Emancipation Hall, brought together lawmakers, NASA officials, and family
members of these remarkable women. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson highlighted

(04:27):
how their pioneering work laid the foundation for today's achievements
in space. These African American mathematicians and engineers played crucial
roles in NASA's early spaceflight programs, from calculating flight trajectories
to becoming the agency's first black female supervisor and engineer.
Their stories, largely unknown for decades, were brought to light
by Margo Lee Shutterley's book Hidden Figures and the subsequent

(04:48):
film adaptation. The ceremony not only celebrated these four women,
but also acknowledged the countless others who worked behind the
scenes at NASA performing critical calculations before the advent of
electronic computers. This Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest
civilian honors in the United States, serves as a testament
to their enduring legacy and the impact they've had on

(05:09):
generations of scientists and engineers. It's a powerful reminder of
the importance of diversity in scientific advancement, and a long
overdue recognition of these hidden figures who helped shape America's
space program. Now, let's turn our attention to a fascinating
piece of research that's shaking up our understanding of Earth's
ancient past. A new study suggests that our planet may

(05:29):
have once sported a ring system similar to Saturn's about
four hundred and sixty six million years ago. This isn't
just idle speculation. It's based on some intriguing evidence from
twenty one crater sites around the world.

Speaker 2 (05:41):
Here's the story.

Speaker 1 (05:42):
Researchers believe that Earth may have captured and destroyed a
passing asteroid, creating a debris ring that lasted for tens
of millions of years. This event potentially occurred during the
Ordovician period, a time when our planet experienced a significant
increase in asteroid impacts. The team, led by Andy Tompkins
from Monash University used computer models to map out where

(06:04):
these craters were when they first formed. Interestingly, all the
craters were found within thirty degrees of the equator. This
pattern is consistent with what we'd expect from a debris
ring orbiting Earth, as such rings typically form above a
planet's equator. Now, you might be wondering about the implications
of such a ring system, while the researchers suggest it
could have had a major impact on Earth's climate. Because

(06:26):
Earth's axis is tilted relative to its orbit around the Sun,
this ring would have cast a shadow over parts of
our planet's surface. This could have contributed to global cooling,
potentially playing a role in the Hernantean Ice Age, the
coldest period Earth has experienced in the past five hundred
million years. Of course, as with all groundbreaking research, more

(06:46):
evidence is needed to confirm this hypothesis, but it's an
exciting possibility that gives us a new perspective on Earth's
dynamic history. Who knows what other surprises our planet might
be hiding in its geological record. Now, let's talk about
an intriguing concept that might sound like it's straight out
of science fiction, using powerful lasers in space for planetary defense.

(07:06):
A recent study has explored the idea of deploying laser
arrays in space, primarily for deflecting potentially hazardous asteroids. The concept,
known as DSTAR, which stands for Directed Energy Systems for
Targeting of Asteroids and Exploration, involves creating a modular array
of lasers powered by solar cells. These space based lasers
could heat the surface of incoming asteroids to about three

(07:29):
thousand kelvin, hot enough to melt or vaporize their constituents
and alter their course. Additionally, such a system could potentially
be used to propel spacecraft. However, with great power comes
great responsibility. The destructive potential of these laser arrays raises
concerns about their possible use as weapons. To address this,
researchers suggest deploying them at safe distances from Earth, where

(07:51):
they pose no threat to our planet. The size and
power of the laser array would determine its safe minimum
distance from Earth. Smaller arrays could pretend be positioned at
lagrange points between the Earth and Sun, while larger, more
powerful arrays would need to be placed much further out
in the Solar System, possibly beyond the asteroid belt or

(08:12):
even Jupiter's orbit. One challenge is balancing the laser's power
with available solar energy, which decreases the further the array
is from the Sun. Engineers would need to consider this
trade off when designing and positioning these systems.

Speaker 2 (08:26):
While no one is building a.

Speaker 1 (08:27):
D star array just yet, it's crucial to start thinking
about the implications and potential uses of such technology. As
we continue to explore space and seek ways to protect
our planet, concepts like space based lasers may become increasingly
relevant in our discussions about planetary defense and space exploration.
And that wraps up today's episode of Astronomy Daily. We've

(08:49):
covered some truly fascinating developments in space science and exploration,
from the record setting jets blasting out of a distant
black hole to the potential for space lasers to protect
our planet. The universe continues to amaze and challenge us.
We also celebrated the long overdue recognition of the hidden
figures who played such a crucial role in NASA's early achievements,

(09:10):
and explored the intriguing possibility that Earth once had its
own ring system. I'm Anna, and I've been your host
for this cosmic journey. If you're hungry for more space
news and want to stay up to date with the
latest discoveries, be sure to visit our website at Astronomydaily
dot io. There you can sign up for our free
daily newsletter and explore our constantly updating news feed. Don't

(09:31):
forget to check out all our previous episodes on the
website as well, and if you want even more Astronomy
Daily content, find us on social media. Just search for
astro Daily Pod on Facebook, x YouTube, and TikTok.

Speaker 2 (09:43):
Thanks for listening and remember to keep looking up.

Speaker 3 (09:45):
Saiday Star Star story is ConTroll
Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.