August 26, 2024 • 8 mins
In this episode of "Sleep from Space," we journey to the far reaches of our solar system to explore the enigmatic Kuiper Belt. Join us as we delve into the mysteries of this icy expanse, home to a multitude of celestial objects, including Pluto and countless other dwarf planets and icy bodies. Learn about the Kuiper Belt's role in our understanding of the solar system's formation and its potential for future space exploration. Get ready for an interstellar adventure as we venture beyond Pluto and into the heart of the Kuiper Belt's cosmic wonders.
Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!
Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!
We now have Merch! FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.com
Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com
Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!
Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!
We now have Merch! FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.com
Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Calarogus Shark Media. Welcome to another episode of Sleep from Space,
the podcast where we explore the vast reaches of the
cosmos in a journey towards peaceful sleep. Tonight, let your
mind wander to the edges of our Solar system as
(00:25):
we venture into the mysterious and distant Kuiper Belt. As
you settle into your bed, let the tail of this
remote region of space envelop you in a blanket of
stars and serenity. The Kuiper Belt, named after the Dutch
astronomer Gerard Kuyper, is a vast, doughnut shaped ring of
icy objects, comets and dwarf planets that lies beyond the
(00:47):
orbit of Neptune. It's a region of space that extends
from about thirty to fifty five astronomical units AU from
the Sun. One AU is the distance from the Earth
to the Sun. Imagine a place almost fifty five times
further out into the depths of space. As you close
your eyes, picture yourself embarking on a journey past the
(01:10):
giant planets beyond the orbit of Neptune, into a realm
where the Sun appears as just another bright star. Here
in the Kuiper Belt, the Solar System is quieter, more solitary,
but no less fascinating. The most well known resident of
(01:30):
the Kuiper Belt is Pluto, once considered the ninth planet
of our Solar System, discovered in nineteen thirty by Clyde Tombaugh.
Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in two thousand
and six, a decision that sparked much debate and interest
in this distant world. Pluto is a complex world, with mountains, plains, craters,
(01:51):
and even a heart shaped glacier made of nitrogen and
methane ice. Surrounding Pluto, there are countless other objects, each
with their own orbit around the Sun. As you drift
further into the Kuiper Belt, imagine the countless icy bodies
remnants from the Solar System's formation over four point five
(02:13):
billion years ago. These objects are like time capsules, preserving
the conditions of the early Solar System. They range in
size from small cometary bodies to larger objects hundreds of
kilometers in diameter. One of the most fascinating aspects of
the Kuiper Belt is its role in the history of comets.
(02:37):
Many short period comets, like the famous Halley's comet, originate
from this region. These comets are occasionally nudged by the
gravity of the outer planets, sending them on a journey
toward the Inner Solar System. As they approach the Sun,
their icy surfaces heat up, releasing gas and dust that
(03:00):
form the spectacular tails we can sometimes see from Earth.
As you nestle deeper into your pillow, let your thoughts
meander through this distant realm. The Kuiper Belt is also
home to mysterious objects called centaurs, celestial bodies that share
characteristics of both asteroids and comets, and are thought to
(03:23):
be transitioning from the Kuiper Belt toward the Inner Solar System.
In twenty fifteen, NASA's New Horizon spacecraft flew past Pluto,
offering humanity its first close up view of a Kuiper
Belt object. This mission has expanded our understanding of these
(03:45):
distant worlds, revealing complex surfaces with diverse geologies and potential
for harboring the building blocks of life. As we continue
to explore the Kuiper Belt, we uncover more about the
history and evolution of our Solar System. This distant region
(04:07):
holds clues to understanding how planets form and evolve, and
perhaps even the origins of life itself. As you settle
into the comfort of your surroundings, let's explore the distant
and enigmatic dwarf planets of the Kuiper Belt. These remote worlds,
(04:32):
nestled in the outermost reaches of our Solar System, offer
a serene backdrop for a night of peaceful slumber. Journeying
further into the Kuiper Belt, we encounter how Maya, a
dwarf planet known for its unusual elongated shape and rapid rotation.
How Maya completes a spin on its axis in less
(04:55):
than four hours, one of the fastest rotations of any
known large object in the Solar System. This rapid spinning
likely contributes to its odd shape, resembling a flattened rugby ball.
How Maya is also unique for its ring system, a
rare feature for a dwarf planet, and its two moons,
Hiyaka and Namaka. Next, let's drift towards Machimake, another dwarf
(05:20):
planet in the Kuiper Belt. Discovered in two thousand and five.
It is the third largest known object in the Kuiper Belt.
It's named after the Rapanui, god of fertility. The surface
is covered with a layer of frozen methane, giving it
a bright appearance. Little is known about its atmosphere, but
observations suggest that it may have a thin layer of ethane,
(05:41):
methane and nitrogen. Our final destination is airis one of
the most massive known dwarf planets in our Solar System,
discovered in two thousand and five. Eires's discovery prompted the
reclassification of Pluto, as Aris was initially thought to be
(06:01):
larger than Pluto. Aris is accompanied by a small moon
named Dysnomia and orbits the Sun at a much greater
distance than Pluto, taking about five hundred and fifty seven
years to complete one orbit. Aris's surface is icy and
reflects more sunlight than Pluto, suggesting a surface covered in
a thin layer of frozen atmosphere during its distant approach
(06:24):
to the Sun. As you envision these distant, icy worlds,
let their serene and silent nature calm your mind. These
dwarf planets, each with their unique characteristics and mysteries, are
like silent guardians at the edge of our Solar System,
(06:46):
orbiting in the cold, quiet expanse of space. Imagine the
slow dance of these distant objects around the Sun, a
ballet that unfolds over century, is far removed from the
hustle and bustle of our daily lives. The calmness of
the Kuiper Belt, with its dwarf planets and other celestial bodies,
(07:09):
offers a peaceful respite from the world. As you drift
off to sleep, let the wonders of the Kuiper Belt
fill your dreams. Picture the serene, icy landscapes of Pluto,
(07:34):
the rapid spin of Homea, and the distant orbit of Eris.
These celestial bodies, far from our own planet, are a
reminder of the vastness and beauty of the universe. Good Night,
and may your journey through the night be as peaceful
and undisturbed as the orbit of the dwarf planets in
the tranquil Kuiper Belt.
Calarogus Shark Media. Welcome to another episode of Sleep from Space,
the podcast where we explore the vast reaches of the
cosmos in a journey towards peaceful sleep. Tonight, let your
mind wander to the edges of our Solar system as
(00:25):
we venture into the mysterious and distant Kuiper Belt. As
you settle into your bed, let the tail of this
remote region of space envelop you in a blanket of
stars and serenity. The Kuiper Belt, named after the Dutch
astronomer Gerard Kuyper, is a vast, doughnut shaped ring of
icy objects, comets and dwarf planets that lies beyond the
(00:47):
orbit of Neptune. It's a region of space that extends
from about thirty to fifty five astronomical units AU from
the Sun. One AU is the distance from the Earth
to the Sun. Imagine a place almost fifty five times
further out into the depths of space. As you close
your eyes, picture yourself embarking on a journey past the
(01:10):
giant planets beyond the orbit of Neptune, into a realm
where the Sun appears as just another bright star. Here
in the Kuiper Belt, the Solar System is quieter, more solitary,
but no less fascinating. The most well known resident of
(01:30):
the Kuiper Belt is Pluto, once considered the ninth planet
of our Solar System, discovered in nineteen thirty by Clyde Tombaugh.
Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in two thousand
and six, a decision that sparked much debate and interest
in this distant world. Pluto is a complex world, with mountains, plains, craters,
(01:51):
and even a heart shaped glacier made of nitrogen and
methane ice. Surrounding Pluto, there are countless other objects, each
with their own orbit around the Sun. As you drift
further into the Kuiper Belt, imagine the countless icy bodies
remnants from the Solar System's formation over four point five
(02:13):
billion years ago. These objects are like time capsules, preserving
the conditions of the early Solar System. They range in
size from small cometary bodies to larger objects hundreds of
kilometers in diameter. One of the most fascinating aspects of
the Kuiper Belt is its role in the history of comets.
(02:37):
Many short period comets, like the famous Halley's comet, originate
from this region. These comets are occasionally nudged by the
gravity of the outer planets, sending them on a journey
toward the Inner Solar System. As they approach the Sun,
their icy surfaces heat up, releasing gas and dust that
(03:00):
form the spectacular tails we can sometimes see from Earth.
As you nestle deeper into your pillow, let your thoughts
meander through this distant realm. The Kuiper Belt is also
home to mysterious objects called centaurs, celestial bodies that share
characteristics of both asteroids and comets, and are thought to
(03:23):
be transitioning from the Kuiper Belt toward the Inner Solar System.
In twenty fifteen, NASA's New Horizon spacecraft flew past Pluto,
offering humanity its first close up view of a Kuiper
Belt object. This mission has expanded our understanding of these
(03:45):
distant worlds, revealing complex surfaces with diverse geologies and potential
for harboring the building blocks of life. As we continue
to explore the Kuiper Belt, we uncover more about the
history and evolution of our Solar System. This distant region
(04:07):
holds clues to understanding how planets form and evolve, and
perhaps even the origins of life itself. As you settle
into the comfort of your surroundings, let's explore the distant
and enigmatic dwarf planets of the Kuiper Belt. These remote worlds,
(04:32):
nestled in the outermost reaches of our Solar System, offer
a serene backdrop for a night of peaceful slumber. Journeying
further into the Kuiper Belt, we encounter how Maya, a
dwarf planet known for its unusual elongated shape and rapid rotation.
How Maya completes a spin on its axis in less
(04:55):
than four hours, one of the fastest rotations of any
known large object in the Solar System. This rapid spinning
likely contributes to its odd shape, resembling a flattened rugby ball.
How Maya is also unique for its ring system, a
rare feature for a dwarf planet, and its two moons,
Hiyaka and Namaka. Next, let's drift towards Machimake, another dwarf
(05:20):
planet in the Kuiper Belt. Discovered in two thousand and five.
It is the third largest known object in the Kuiper Belt.
It's named after the Rapanui, god of fertility. The surface
is covered with a layer of frozen methane, giving it
a bright appearance. Little is known about its atmosphere, but
observations suggest that it may have a thin layer of ethane,
(05:41):
methane and nitrogen. Our final destination is airis one of
the most massive known dwarf planets in our Solar System,
discovered in two thousand and five. Eires's discovery prompted the
reclassification of Pluto, as Aris was initially thought to be
(06:01):
larger than Pluto. Aris is accompanied by a small moon
named Dysnomia and orbits the Sun at a much greater
distance than Pluto, taking about five hundred and fifty seven
years to complete one orbit. Aris's surface is icy and
reflects more sunlight than Pluto, suggesting a surface covered in
a thin layer of frozen atmosphere during its distant approach
(06:24):
to the Sun. As you envision these distant, icy worlds,
let their serene and silent nature calm your mind. These
dwarf planets, each with their unique characteristics and mysteries, are
like silent guardians at the edge of our Solar System,
(06:46):
orbiting in the cold, quiet expanse of space. Imagine the
slow dance of these distant objects around the Sun, a
ballet that unfolds over century, is far removed from the
hustle and bustle of our daily lives. The calmness of
the Kuiper Belt, with its dwarf planets and other celestial bodies,
(07:09):
offers a peaceful respite from the world. As you drift
off to sleep, let the wonders of the Kuiper Belt
fill your dreams. Picture the serene, icy landscapes of Pluto,
(07:34):
the rapid spin of Homea, and the distant orbit of Eris.
These celestial bodies, far from our own planet, are a
reminder of the vastness and beauty of the universe. Good Night,
and may your journey through the night be as peaceful
and undisturbed as the orbit of the dwarf planets in
the tranquil Kuiper Belt.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.