Astronomy Daily: Space News Updates

Welcome to Astronomy Daily! Today we explore the new lunar space race as SpaceX shifts focus from Mars to the Moon, Europe establishes its Moonport company, and NASA continues Artemis II preparations. Plus, scientists solve the mystery behind auroras, explain Uranus's radiation anomaly from 1986, and SpaceX returns to flight after a brief stand-down.Join hosts Anna and Avery for your daily dose of space and astronomy news!---### Featured Stories**[00:00] Introduction**Your hosts Anna and Avery preview today's Moon-focused episode**[01:15] SpaceX Pivots from Mars to Moon**- Elon Musk announces strategic shift to lunar settlement- Moon city achievable in under 10 years vs 20+ for Mars- Launch windows: Moon every 10 days vs Mars every 26 months- Alignment with Trump's space policy and Artemis program- Mars plans delayed but not abandoned (5-7 year timeline)- History of Musk's changing Mars predictions**[05:30] Europe's Moonport Ambitions**- German aerospace company OHB establishes European Moonport Company- Consolidating lunar mission activities and future infrastructure- Involvement in ESA's Argonaut lander and Gateway ESPRIT module- Moon base concept developed with Munich Airport International- European funding commitments at ESA Ministerial Council- Italy leads Moon exploration funding at €284 million**[09:45] NASA Artemis II Progress Report**- Technicians replace seals after hydrogen leak detection- Tail service mast umbilical repairs and testing- Operational changes for next wet dress rehearsal- Extended countdown hold times for troubleshooting- Crew training continues: Wiseman, Glover, Koch, Hansen- March launch window still under consideration**[13:00] Aurora Power Source Discovered**- International team solves decades-old mystery- Alfvén waves act as natural particle accelerators- Analysis of Van Allen Probes and THEMIS mission data- Universal model applicable to other planets- Collaboration between HKU and UCLA researchers- Applications for Jupiter, Saturn, and exoplanet studies**[15:30] Uranus Radiation Mystery Solved**- Voyager 2's 1986 anomaly explained after 40 years- Co-rotating interaction region (CIR) supercharged radiation belts- Comparative analysis with Earth's space weather events- Southwest Research Institute breakthrough- Implications for future Uranus orbiter missions- Similar applications for Neptune studies**[18:00] SpaceX Falcon 9 Returns to Flight**- Successful Starlink launch from Vandenberg after 5-day stand-down- 25 satellites deployed to orbit (Group 17-33)- Booster 1088 completes 13th flight with successful landing- February 2nd upper stage anomaly explained- Gas bubble prevented deorbit burn- FAA clearance after corrective actions implemented- Starlink constellation exceeds 9,600 active satellites- SpaceX's 15th launch of 2026Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

## In Today's Episode:- **FAA clears Falcon 9 — Crew-12 launch set for February 11** — The four-day grounding ends after SpaceX identifies and addresses the upper stage engine ignition failure. Fourth upper stage issue in 19 months.- **NASA study: Non-biological sources can't fully explain Mars organics** — Researchers find that known non-biological processes don't account for the abundance of organic compounds discovered by Curiosity in Gale Crater. The team modelled 80 million years of cosmic radiation exposure.- **Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS flares while exiting the solar system** — NASA's SPHEREx captures the comet dramatically brightening, releasing water vapour, CO₂, methane, methanol, and organic compounds from beneath its cosmic-ray-hardened crust.- **UK proposes 30% cut to astronomy and physics research** — The deepest funding cut in a generation threatens early-career researchers and the UK's role in major international projects including the Square Kilometre Array and ESO.- **New Glenn second stage reuse debate reignites** — Blue Origin's Project Jarvis faces the question: can a reusable upper stage beat expendable manufacturing costs? Bezos calls it a "horse race."- **Fraggles land at Kennedy Space Center** — Jim Henson's beloved characters star in "Fraggle Rock: A Space-y Adventure," a new live show blending comedy, music, and NASA science.---## Links & Sources:- space.com — FAA clears Falcon 9, Crew-12 launch confirmed- science.nasa.gov — NASA study on Mars organics- space.com — SPHEREx observations of comet 3I/ATLAS- space.com — UK astronomy funding cuts- arstechnica.com — New Glenn second stage reuse debate- arstechnica.com / kennedyspacecenter.com — Fraggle Rock: A Space-y Adventure---## Connect With Us:🌐 Website: https://astronomydaily.io📱 Social: @AstroDailyPod (all platforms)⭐ Subscribe and leave a review to help other space fans find us!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Episode S05E32 - Friday, February 6, 2026Welcome to Astronomy Daily! Join hosts Anna and Avery as they bring you the latest space and astronomy news from across the cosmos.Episode HighlightsLunar Smartphones: NASA Approves Modern Tech for SpaceNASA astronauts will finally be allowed to bring their smartphones on missions, starting with Crew-12 to the ISS next week and the Artemis II lunar flyby in March. After years of using decade-old cameras, astronauts can now spontaneously capture and share moments with iPhones and Android devices, promising unprecedented behind-the-scenes documentation of historic missions.Comet MAPS: A Potential Daylight SpectacleNewly discovered Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) could become visible to the naked eye—possibly even in broad daylight—when it passes within 120,000 km of the sun in early April. This Kreutz sungrazer was spotted farther from the sun than any previous sungrazer, suggesting it might survive its close solar encounter and put on a spectacular show.Mercury's Best Evening Show of 2026The elusive planet Mercury is currently offering its best evening viewing opportunity of the year! Shining brightly at magnitude -1.1, Mercury will reach greatest elongation on February 19th, appearing 17 degrees above the western horizon after sunset. Don't miss the stunning pairing with a crescent moon on February 18th!China Joins Space Data Center RaceChina's state-owned aerospace corporation announced ambitious plans for space-based data centers as part of their five-year expansion program. This puts China in competition with SpaceX, Axiom Space, and Google in the race to build orbital computing infrastructure powered by abundant solar energy.Dark Matter vs Black Hole: What Powers the Milky Way?Groundbreaking research suggests the Milky Way's core might be powered by a dense clump of fermionic dark matter rather than the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*. This controversial model explains both central star orbits and the galaxy's rotation curve while mimicking the black hole "shadow" captured by the Event Horizon Telescope.Jetty McJetface: The Star-Shredding PhenomenonA supermassive black hole nicknamed "Jetty McJetface" continues to astound scientists four years after shredding a star. The black hole's relativistic jet has grown 50 times brighter since 2019 and is predicted to peak in 2027, making it one of the most energetic events ever observed in the universe—over 100 trillion times more powerful than Star Wars' Death Star!Resources & LinksNASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on X (social media)Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society journalEvent Horizon Telescope CollaborationAstrophysical JournalStar Walk 2 app for comet trackingFollow Astronomy DailyWebsite: astronomydaily.ioSocial Media: @AstroDailyPod on all platformsCreditsHosted by Anna & AveryProduced by the Astronomy Daily teamSeason 5, Episode 32Keep looking up!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Astronomy Daily - S05E31: Dark Sky Victory, Jupiter Redefined, Monster SunspotVictory for dark skies as industrial plant near major observatory cancelled • NASA's Juno mission reveals Jupiter is larger and flatter than we thought • 15-Earth-wide sunspot currently facing our planet • Unusual Martian storm reveals subsurface secrets • NASA acknowledges SLS rocket sustainability challenges • How red giant stars destroy their own gas giant planetsHost Anna and Avery discuss six major space stories for Thursday, February 5th, 2026.Episode sponsored by astronomydaily.io - Your daily source for space and astronomy newsFeatured Stories:• Dark Sky Preservation: Industrial development threatening Canary Islands observatory cancelled• Jupiter Redefined: Juno mission measurements reveal true size and shape of gas giant• Solar Activity: Monster sunspot 15 Earths wide faces Earth - viewing safety tips included• Martian Meteorology: Unusual storm system reveals subsurface features of red planet• SLS Reality Check: NASA publicly addresses Space Launch System cost sustainability• Stellar Destruction: Red giants systematically destroy orbiting gas giant planetsFollow us:Website: astronomydaily.ioSocial: @AstroDailyPod (all platforms)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Welcome to Astronomy Daily, bringing you the latest space and astronomy news. I'm Anna, joined by my co-host Avery, with today's cosmic headlines for Wednesday, February 4th, 2026.Episode Highlights:🚀 ARTEMIS 2 DELAYED - NASA's historic moon mission pushed to March after hydrogen leak during wet dress rehearsal. Four astronauts await their journey around the Moon as teams address familiar technical challenges.🛰️ SPACEX UNVEILS STARGAZE - Revolutionary space traffic management system uses 30,000 star trackers to detect 30 million orbital transits daily. Free conjunction data offered to all satellite operators starting this spring.⚠️ FALCON 9 GROUNDED - SpaceX temporarily halts launches after upper stage deorbit issue. Critical Crew-12 astronaut mission scheduled for February 11th hangs in the balance.🌌 JWST'S RARE DISCOVERY - Five-way galaxy merger spotted in early universe challenges cosmic evolution models. System formed just 800 million years after Big Bang shows unexpected complexity.🌠 LOCAL VOID MYSTERY SOLVED - 50-year puzzle resolved as scientists map flat sheet of matter beyond Local Group. Milky Way fleeing massive cosmic void at 600,000 mph.⭐ RUNAWAY STARS MAPPED - Largest study reveals dual mechanisms ejecting massive stars from the galaxy. 214 O-type stellar speedsters analyzed, some exceeding 700 km/s.For more space news, visit astronomydaily.io and follow us @AstroDailyPod on all major platforms.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Welcome to Astronomy Daily! Join hosts Anna and Avery for Tuesday, February 3rd's space news roundup. Today we're covering a critical setback in NASA's Artemis 2 wet dress rehearsal, Elon Musk's controversial vision for orbital AI data centers following SpaceX's acquisition of xAI, NASA's announcement of Axiom Mission 5 to the ISS, extraordinary solar flare activity from a volatile new sunspot, the start of NASA's IMAP mission to map our heliosphere, and exciting opportunities through ESA's Graduate Trainee Programme.Episode Highlights: - https://jobs.esa.int/• Artemis 2 wet dress rehearsal terminated at T-5:15 due to hydrogen leak• SpaceX acquires xAI with plans for million-satellite orbital data center constellation• NASA books fifth Axiom private astronaut mission for January 2027 launch• Sun unleashes 18 M-class and 3 X-class flares including X8.3 eruption• NASA's IMAP begins mapping boundaries of our solar system• ESA opens applications for 2026 Graduate Trainee Programme https://jobs.esa.int/Featured Stories:ARTEMIS 2 SETBACKNASA's critical wet dress rehearsal for the Artemis 2 mission was terminated at the T-5 minute 15 second mark due to a liquid hydrogen leak at the tail service mast umbilical interface. The launch control team worked to safe the Space Launch System rocket and drain its tanks. This rehearsal represents one of the final major tests before the historic mission that will send the first crew around the Moon in over 50 years.SPACEX ORBITAL DATA CENTERSElon Musk announced SpaceX's acquisition of xAI and unveiled plans for up to one million satellites serving as orbital data centers. The proposal addresses ground-based data center challenges including electricity demands and water cooling needs by harnessing continuous solar power in space. Industry experts express skepticism about technical feasibility and suggest the timing may relate to SpaceX's potential IPO.AXIOM MISSION 5NASA ordered a fifth private astronaut mission from Axiom Space targeting launch no earlier than January 2027. The 14-day mission continues NASA's commercial space strategy, with Axiom proposing four crew members for approval. The mission includes service exchanges with NASA acquiring cold-return capability for scientific samples while Axiom purchases consumables and cargo services.SOLAR FLARE BARRAGESunspot region 4366 produced at least 18 M-class and three X-class solar flares in 24 hours, including the year's strongest X8.3 eruption. The February 1st flare triggered R3 radio blackouts across eastern Australia and New Zealand. Scientists monitor for coronal mass ejections with possible glancing Earth impact around February 5th that could produce high-latitude auroras.IMAP MISSION STARTNASA's Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe officially began its two-year primary science mission on February 1st. The spacecraft's 10 instruments will map heliosphere boundaries and study particle energization and solar wind interactions. IMAP data feeds the I-ALiRT system providing near-real-time space weather observations to protect spacecraft and astronauts.ESA OPPORTUNITIESThe European Space Agency opened applications for its 2026 Graduate Trainee Programme for recent graduates in engineering, science, IT, and business. The one-year positions with possible second-year extension offer monthly tax-exempt salaries, travel reimbursement, installation allowances, and comprehensive benefits. Candidates can submit up to three applications through jobs.esa.int.Connect With Us:Website: astronomydaily.ioSocial Media: @AstroDailyPod on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, TumblrBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Welcome to Astronomy Daily! Join hosts Anna and Avery for today's cosmic journey through space news, featuring SpaceX's audacious plan for one million solar-powered satellites, an ancient star catalog recovered from layers of medieval text, and China's groundbreaking solar mission to the L5 point.**Episode Highlights:**🛰️ **SpaceX's Million-Satellite Vision** - SpaceX files with the FCC to launch up to one million solar-powered satellite data centers for AI, framing it as a step toward becoming a Kardashev Type II civilization⭐ **Ancient Star Map Revealed** - Scientists use X-ray technology to uncover Hipparchus's 2,000-year-old star catalog hidden under six layers of ink in a medieval manuscript☀️ **China's Solar Observatory** - The Xihe-2 probe will become the first mission to monitor solar activity from the Sun-Earth L5 point, offering five-day advance warnings of space weather events🔭 **Stellar Detective Story** - Astronomers discover WOH G64 isn't dying after all—a hidden companion star was fooling scientists about the red supergiant's fate🚀 **Time Honors Artemis 2** - Time magazine releases special commemorative cover celebrating the Artemis 2 crew ahead of humanity's return to lunar orbit🌍 **Remembering Gladys West** - Honoring the GPS pioneer and "Hidden Figure" whose mathematical work shaped navigation technology used by billions worldwide**Episode Length:** 18-20 minutes**Hosts:** Anna & Avery**Production:** Astronomy Daily Podcast, Season 5---## Connect With Us🌐 Website: astronomydaily.io  🐦 Twitter/X: @AstroDailyPod  📘 Facebook: @AstroDailyPod  📸 Instagram: @AstroDailyPod  🎵 TikTok: @AstroDailyPod  📺 YouTube: @AstroDailyPod  📱 Tumblr: @AstroDailyPod---## Story Sources- TechCrunch- Daily Galaxy- Space.com- Journal for the History of Astronomy- CGTN News- Keele University- U.S. Department of DefenseBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Join hosts Anna and Avery for Saturday's cosmic roundup! NASA's Artemis 2 wet dress rehearsal faces weather delays, pushing the historic lunar mission to April 2026. Blue Origin announces a major strategic shift, pausing space tourism for two years to focus on their Blue Moon lunar lander program. We explore million-mile-per-hour cosmic winds racing through a "magnetic superhighway" in colliding galaxies, investigate a mysterious object sending unexplained signals across the galaxy, discover why Tatooine-style planets might be more common than expected, and celebrate a groundbreaking first - the detection of ethanolamine, a molecule critical to cell membranes, in interstellar space.**Episode Keywords:** Artemis 2, NASA, Blue Origin, New Shepard, space tourism, lunar lander, cosmic winds, galaxy merger, IC 1623, mysterious signals, radio astronomy, circumbinary planets, binary stars, ethanolamine, astrobiology, interstellar molecules, space exploration, Kennedy Space Center**Detailed Chapter Markers:**- [00:00] Introduction & Episode Overview- [02:15] NASA Artemis 2 Wet Dress Rehearsal Delay- [06:45] Blue Origin Pauses Space Tourism for Lunar Ambitions- [11:20] Million-MPH Cosmic Winds in Magnetic Superhighway- [16:30] Mysterious Object Sending Unexplained Galactic Signals- [21:15] Tatooine Planets More Common Than Expected- [26:00] Life-Critical Molecule Detected in Interstellar Space- [30:45] Episode Wrap-Up & ClosingBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Witness the largest volcanic eruption ever seen on Jupiter's moon Io, explore NASA's breakthrough in nuclear propulsion, and discover evidence of ancient Martian beaches that could rewrite the story of life beyond Earth.In this episode, we cover:• NASA's Juno spacecraft captures a colossal 150-mile-high volcanic plume on Io• KRUSTY nuclear reactor test paves the way for deep space exploration• Ancient beach deposits in Gale Crater reveal Mars' watery past• Artemis II communication networks ready for lunar missions• The Moon's February celestial tour featuring Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter• Life's chemical building blocks form naturally in interstellar spaceHosted by Anna and Avery, Astronomy Daily brings you the latest space and astronomy news in an engaging, accessible format perfect for enthusiasts and curious minds alike.**Links & Resources:**Visit astronomydaily.io for full articles, transcripts, and sourcesFollow us @AstroDailyPod on social mediaWatch on YouTubeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Join hosts Anna and Avery for an exciting journey through today's most compelling space stories. We explore Mercury's surprising geological activity, NASA's TESS satellite recovery, a frigid Earth-like exoplanet discovery, an accelerated ISS crew launch, runaway black holes tearing through space, and the scientific opportunities of a potential lunar asteroid impact in 2032.### Episode Highlights**Mercury's Hidden Activity**New research reveals that Mercury, long considered geologically dead, is still actively losing volatile materials from its interior. Using AI analysis of 100,000 MESSENGER images, scientists have mapped 400 bright slope streaks that indicate ongoing geological processes. The BepiColombo mission will provide unprecedented new data when it arrives at Mercury.**TESS Satellite Recovery**NASA's planet-hunting TESS satellite recently entered safe mode after a command error caused solar panel misalignment. The spacecraft successfully recovered, demonstrating the importance of built-in safeguards. NASA is reviewing procedures to prevent future incidents.**Ice-Cold Earth Twin**Astronomers have discovered HD 137010 b, an Earth-like exoplanet 146 light-years away that could be as cold as minus 90°F. Despite frigid temperatures, it orbits within its star's habitable zone, offering insights into the diversity of potentially habitable worlds.**Crew-12 Launch Advanced**SpaceX and NASA have moved up the Crew-12 launch to February 11, four days earlier than planned, to provide relief for the three-person skeleton crew managing the ISS after the first-ever medical evacuation from the station.**Runaway Black Holes Confirmed**The James Webb Space Telescope has confirmed the first runaway supermassive black hole, ejected from its galaxy and leaving a 200,000 light-year trail of newborn stars. Traveling at 1,600 km/s, this discovery validates 50-year-old theoretical predictions.**Moon Impact Opportunity**Asteroid 2024 YR4 has a 4% chance of striking the Moon on December 22, 2032. While posing risks to satellites and Earth, such an impact would provide unprecedented scientific data on lunar geology, create spectacular meteor displays, and deliver free lunar samples to Earth.### Featured Stories1. **Mercury Still Geologically Active** - University of Bern researchers discover 400 bright streaks indicating ongoing volatile loss (Source: Space Daily)2. **TESS Satellite Command Error** - NASA's exoplanet hunter recovers from safe mode after solar panel misalignment (Source: Daily Galaxy)3. **Frigid Earth-Like Planet Discovery** - HD 137010 b joins the search for Earth's twin despite extreme cold (Source: Daily Galaxy)4. **ISS Crew-12 Launch Moved Up** - February 11 launch provides relief after historic medical evacuation (Source: Space.com)5. **First Confirmed Runaway Black Hole** - JWST observations validate theoretical predictions with stunning stellar trail (Source: Phys.org/Science Sources)6. **Asteroid 2024 YR4 Lunar Impact** - 4% chance creates scientific opportunity and satellite risk in 2032 (Source: Universe Today)### HostsAnna and Avery### Links & Resources- Website: astronomydaily.io- Social Media: @AstroDailyPod (X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube)- Subscribe for daily space news and updatesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

## Today's Headlines:🛰️ **NOAA Solar Observatory Reaches L1**  NOAA's Space Weather Follow-On satellite successfully arrived at Lagrange point 1 on January 21st, establishing the first component of a future constellation designed to provide early warning of solar storms and coronal mass ejections. The satellite offers 15-60 minutes advance notice of space weather events that could impact Earth's infrastructure.🚀 **Challenger Disaster: 40 Years Later**  Marking four decades since the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy, we examine how unseasonably cold weather and O-ring failures led to the loss of seven crew members. The disaster fundamentally changed NASA's safety culture and decision-making processes, lessons that continue to influence spaceflight today.🤖 **AI Uncovers Cosmic Treasures in Hubble Archive**  Advanced artificial intelligence algorithms have identified hundreds of previously undetected gravitational lenses in Hubble Space Telescope data. These discoveries include rare Einstein rings and exotic lensing configurations that provide windows into the early universe and dark matter distribution.☄️ **Venus's Potential Meteor Shower**  Astronomers predict Venus may experience a significant meteor shower in July 2026 from debris of asteroid 2002 VT37. The event offers a rare opportunity to study how meteor showers interact with Venus's dense carbon dioxide atmosphere.🌌 **Stellar Fireworks at the Galactic Center**  New observations reveal intense stellar activity near Sagittarius A*, our galaxy's supermassive black hole, including star formation, supernovae, and tidal disruption events in one of the most extreme environments in the Milky Way.📡 **Watch Artemis 2 Rocket Live**  NASA has launched a 24-hour livestream of the Artemis 2 Space Launch System rocket on Launch Pad 39B as crews prepare for the first crewed lunar mission since 1972, currently targeting April 2026.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrVnsO_rdew#### Resources & Links:- Story Sources: SpaceNews, Spectrum Local News, NASA Science, Space.com, Universe Today- Website: astronomydaily.io- Social Media: @AstroDailyPod (all platforms)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Welcome to Astronomy Daily! Join hosts Anna and Avery as they explore today's most fascinating space and astronomy stories.IN THIS EPISODE:🌌 NASA's Dark Matter MapNASA's James Webb Space Telescope has created one of the most detailed dark matter maps ever produced, revealing the invisible scaffolding of the universe in unprecedented detail. Scientists mapped nearly 800,000 galaxies, showing how dark matter and regular matter have grown together throughout cosmic history - and how dark matter's influence may have been essential for creating the conditions necessary for life on Earth.🚀 Weekly Launch RoundupA busy week in orbital spaceflight with multiple missions planned from Florida, California, and New Zealand. SpaceX prepares to launch GPS III SV09 named after fallen Challenger astronaut Ellison Onizuka, while Rocket Lab readies its "Bridging the Swarm" mission carrying South Korea's NeonSat-1A satellite. Plus updates on multiple Starlink flights and possible Chinese launches.🌙 Artemis II's Far Side AdventureThe Artemis II crew - Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Hammock Koch, and Jeremy Hansen - are training to become the first humans to see parts of the Moon never before observed by human eyes. Learn about their planned three-hour observation session focusing on Mare Orientale and other hidden lunar features, and how their geology training in Iceland is preparing them for this historic mission.🪐 Jupiter's Hidden DepthsNASA's Juno spacecraft continues to revolutionize our understanding of Jupiter, revealing that the planet's iconic cloud bands extend 1,900 miles below the surface. Discover recent findings about Jupiter's diluted core, mysterious green lightning flashes, and the remarkably persistent polar cyclones that form octagonal and pentagonal patterns at the planet's poles.☀️ Antarctica's Exclusive EclipseOnly about 16 people might witness one of 2026's most spectacular celestial events - a "ring of fire" annular solar eclipse crossing Antarctica on February 17th. Find out about the two research stations in the path of totality, the extreme conditions observers will face, and where else partial views of the eclipse will be visible.🛸 Starship V3 UpdateSpaceX's upgraded Starship rocket test has been rescheduled for mid-March following a November explosion during testing. Learn about the new capabilities of Starship V3, including plans to launch next-generation Starlink satellites and dock with other Starships in orbit - plus how Blue Origin's New Glenn is emerging as competition in the heavy-lift market.EPISODE LINKS:• NASA Dark Matter Discovery: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-reveals-new-details-about-dark-matters-influence-on-universe/• Launch Schedule Details: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/01/launch-roundup-012626/• Artemis II Far Side Views: https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/artemis-first-humans-see-hidden-side-moon/• Antarctica Eclipse Information: https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/2026-ring-of-fire-eclipse/• Starship Development Update: https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/26/spacex-eyes-mid-march-for-first-test-of-upgraded-starship-rocket/CONNECT WITH US:🌐 Website: astronomydaily.io📱 Twitter/X: @AstroDailyPod📷 Instagram: @AstroDailyPod📘 Facebook: @AstroDailyPodBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

# Astronomy Daily - S05E22## Monday, January 26, 2026Welcome to Astronomy Daily! Join hosts Anna and Avery as they explore the latest developments in space and astronomy, from ambitious plans to terraform Mars to stunning new views of dying stars.### Episode Highlights**Mars Terraforming Gets Serious**Scientists unveil a comprehensive blueprint for transforming Mars into a habitable world. Discover the three-phase plan using Martian resources, engineered nanoparticles, and hardy microorganisms that could warm the Red Planet by 30°C and eventually create breathable air. But should we terraform Mars at all?**Harvesting Water from Mars' Atmosphere**While underground ice remains the primary water source for future Mars missions, researchers reveal how atmospheric moisture could provide a crucial backup. Learn about the innovative technologies that could make Mars settlements more self-sufficient.**Chandra's Cosmic Catalog Milestone**NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has now cataloged over 1.3 million X-ray detections across the sky. We explore this treasure trove of data spanning 22 years of observations, including a stunning view of the Galactic Center with over 3,300 sources in just 60 light-years.**Earthquake Sensors Track Space Debris**Ingenious new research shows how seismic monitoring networks can track dangerous falling satellites in near real-time. Discover how scientists reconstructed the trajectory and breakup of China's Shenzhou-15 module using earthquake sensors.**Water Worlds or Lava Planets?**Shocking new findings suggest 98% of planets we thought were ocean-bearing "hycean worlds" might actually be molten rock. Learn about the Solidification Shoreline model that's rewriting our understanding of sub-Neptune exoplanets.**Webb Captures a Dying Star's Beauty**The James Webb Space Telescope reveals the Helix Nebula in unprecedented detail, showing us the eventual fate of our own Sun. Witness stellar recycling in action as a dying star distributes the building blocks of future worlds.### Links & Resources- Research on Mars terraforming strategies- Advances in Space Research journal study on atmospheric water harvesting- Chandra Source Catalog: cxc.cfa.harvard.edu/csc/- Science journal publication on seismic debris tracking- arXiv preprint on sub-Neptune exoplanet composition- Webb Space Telescope Helix Nebula observationsFor more space news and daily episodes, visit astronomydaily.ioFollow us on social media @AstroDailyPod---*Astronomy Daily: Your daily dose of space and astronomy news*Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Rocket Lab's "Hungry Hippos" arrive at Wallops Island despite tank test setback, NASA enlists global volunteers to track Artemis II, ancient lunar impact explains Moon's asymmetry, affordable space memorials launching in 2027, massive exomoon challenges definitions, and an 11th-century monk may have discovered Halley's Comet first.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:🚀 Rocket Lab's Neutron program reaches major milestone as innovative "Hungry Hippo" reusable fairings arrive at Wallops Island after month-long sea journey from New Zealand, though first-stage tank ruptures during qualification testing at Maryland facility🌕 NASA selects 34 volunteers from 14 countries to track Artemis II mission around the Moon, expanding from 10 participants during Artemis I and representing government agencies, commercial companies, universities, and amateur radio enthusiasts🌑 China's Chang'e 6 lunar samples reveal unusual potassium isotope ratios in South Pole-Aitken Basin rocks, providing evidence that the giant impact 4.2 billion years ago fundamentally altered the Moon's chemistry and explains why the far side has so few maria⭐ Space Beyond startup plans to send 1,000 people's ashes to orbit for just $249 using CubeSat technology on SpaceX rideshare mission in October 2027, founded by former Blue Origin engineer Ryan Mitchell🪐 Astronomers detect potential exomoon around HD 206893 B that may be 40% the mass of Jupiter, so massive it could force redefinition of what constitutes a moon versus binary companion system☄️ New research reveals 11th-century English monk Eilmer of Malmesbury recognized Halley's Comet's periodicity centuries before Edmond Halley, calling into question the comet's namesakeLINKS & RESOURCES:• Rocket Lab Neutron development: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/01/hungry-hippos-test-tanks-neutron/• NASA Artemis II tracking participants: https://www.nasa.gov/technology/space-comms/nasa-selects-participants-to-track-artemis-ii-mission/• Chang'e 6 lunar impact study: https://www.space.com/astronomy/moon/a-colossal-asteroid-may-have-warped-the-moon-from-the-inside-out• Space Beyond memorial service: https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/23/this-startup-will-send-1000-peoples-ashes-to-space-affordably-in-2027/• Massive exomoon discovery: https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/alien-moon-massive-redefine-what-a-moon-is/• Halley's Comet historical research: https://phys.org/news/2026-01-halley-comet-wrongly-11th-century.htmlFOLLOW ASTRONOMY DAILY:🌐 Website: astronomydaily.io🐦 X/Twitter: @AstroDailyPod📘 Facebook: @AstroDailyPod📷 Instagram: @AstroDailyPod🎵 TikTok: @AstroDailyPod📺 YouTube: @AstroDailyPod📱 Tumblr: @AstroDailyPodBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Welcome to Astronomy Daily! Today we explore NASA's inspiring collection of historic keepsakes heading to the Moon on Artemis II, including fabric from the 1903 Wright Flyer. We examine an urgent warning about orbital debris—the CRASH Clock shows catastrophic collision could occur in just 5.5 days if satellites lose maneuvering capability. New analysis of Apollo lunar samples challenges our understanding of where Earth's water came from. Irish researchers solve the mystery of how supermassive black holes grew so quickly in the early universe. Plus, Blue Origin schedules its third New Glenn launch with a reused booster, and NASA's AI tool ExoMiner++ identifies 7,000 new exoplanet candidates in TESS data.Hosts: Anna & AveryEpisode: S05E20Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Welcome to Astronomy Daily! In today's episode, we explore Blue Origin's ambitious new TeraWave satellite internet network offering speeds up to 6Tbps, discuss the first-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station, and celebrate Buzz Aldrin's 96th birthday as the oldest living astronaut. We also dive into exciting science from Saturn's moon Enceladus, surprising plasma wave discoveries at Mercury, and groundbreaking Solar Orbiter observations revealing how magnetic avalanches power solar flares.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:• Blue Origin announces TeraWave: A new satellite network with 6Tbps speeds for enterprise and government customers• Historic ISS evacuation: Crew-11 returns early in NASA's first medical evacuation from space• Buzz Aldrin celebrates 96th birthday as Artemis II crew prepares for lunar journey• Scientists develop new method to analyze Enceladus plumes for ocean habitability• BepiColombo discovers Mercury shares plasma wave behavior with Earth• Solar Orbiter reveals magnetic avalanches trigger solar flaresSTORY TIMESTAMPS:[00:00] Introduction[01:15] Blue Origin's TeraWave Satellite Network[05:42] ISS Medical Evacuation - Crew-11's Historic Return[10:28] Buzz Aldrin's 96th Birthday & Artemis II Connections[14:35] Enceladus Plumes May Hold Clues to Ocean Habitability[18:20] Mercury and Earth Share Plasma Wave Behavior[22:10] Solar Orbiter Discovers Magnetic Avalanches Power Flares[26:45] OutroLINKS & RESOURCES:• Blue Origin TeraWave: https://www.blueorigin.com/terawave• NASA Crew-11 Mission Information: https://www.nasa.gov/• Artemis II Mission Details: https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-ii• BepiColombo Mission: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo• Solar Orbiter Mission: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter• Astronomy Daily Website: https://astronomydaily.ioCREDITS:Hosted by Anna and AveryProduced by Astronomy DailyEpisode S05E19 - January 22, 2026SUBSCRIBE & CONNECT:Never miss an episode! Subscribe to Astronomy Daily on your favorite podcast platform and visit astronomydaily.io for more space news, articles, and community discussions.Follow us on social media for daily updates and bonus content!#AstronomyDaily #SpaceNews #BlueOrigin #NASA #ISS #BuzzAldrin #ArtemisII #Enceladus #Mercury #SolarOrbiter #SpaceExplorationBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Stunning northern lights dazzle the world after a severe G4 geomagnetic storm, legendary NASA astronaut Suni Williams retires after 27 years, and China executes a dramatic space rescue. Plus, Blue Origin's next tourist launch and groundbreaking telescope observations!In today's episode of Astronomy Daily, hosts Anna and Avery bring you the latest space and astronomy news:🌌 SEVERE GEOMAGNETIC STORM UPDATE - Follow-up to yesterday's prediction as the CME slams into Earth, triggering spectacular auroras visible from New Mexico to China. We've got photos and the science behind the G4-level storm.👩‍🚀 SUNI WILLIAMS RETIRES - After 27 years and 608 days in space, NASA astronaut Suni Williams hangs up her spacesuit. We celebrate her incredible achievements including 9 spacewalks and command of the ISS.🚀 CHINA'S SHENZHOU-20 RESCUE - An incredible story of emergency response in orbit as China safely returns a damaged capsule after a suspected space debris impact. Three overlapping missions showcase impressive operational capability.🔵 BLUE ORIGIN NS-38 LAUNCH - Six space tourists prepare for Thursday's suborbital flight aboard New Shepard, including Blue Origin's own director of launch operations.☀️ NASA'S SUNRISE MISSION - Six toaster-sized satellites pass crucial tests and move closer to launch. They'll work together as one giant radio telescope to track dangerous solar eruptions.🪐 ALMA REVEALS TEENAGE PLANETS - The most detailed images ever of 24 debris disks show planetary systems in their awkward teenage years, revealing the violent phase our solar system once experienced.Visit astronomydaily.io for more space news and follow us on social media @AstroDailyPodBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

The Sun's latest outburst arrived ahead of schedule! A powerful X1.9 solar flare and massive CME triggered severe G4 geomagnetic storms on January 19th, bringing spectacular auroras as far south as Alabama. Hosts Anna and Avery break down what happened and what to expect.Also in today's episode: China successfully tests the Long March 12B reusable rocket, giving us a preview of their next-gen launch capabilities. We get an exclusive look at the Xuntian space telescope set to launch in 2027, which could rival Hubble with 300x the field of view. Plus, stunning new Hubble images reveal how baby stars carve out cosmic homes in the Orion Molecular Cloud.We'll run through this week's packed launch schedule featuring SpaceX, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, and China, and explore groundbreaking research showing how hidden magma oceans might protect rocky exoplanets from deadly radiation.**Episode Highlights:**• BREAKING: Severe G4 solar storm strikes Earth early - aurora forecast through Jan 20• China's Long March 12B reusable rocket passes critical static fire test• Xuntian telescope preview: China's answer to Hubble launches 2027• Hubble reveals protostar jets and cavities in Orion Molecular Cloud• 7 launches from 6 sites this week: Your complete guide• Basal magma oceans could generate protective magnetic fields on super-Earths**Topics Covered:**Space Weather, Solar Flares, CMEs, Geomagnetic Storms, Auroras, Reusable Rockets, Chinese Space Program, Space Telescopes, Star Formation, Orbital Launches, Exoplanets, Planetary Magnetism, AstrobiologyVisit us at astronomydaily.io for more space and astronomy news!Follow us on social media: @AstroDailyPod on all major platforms#SpaceWeather #SolarStorm #Aurora #NorthernLights #SpaceX #China #SpaceTelescope #Exoplanets #Astronomy #SpaceNewsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Join hosts Anna and Avery for today's essential space and astronomy news roundup! 🚀NASA's Artemis II rocket completes its journey to Launch Pad 39B, bringing humanity one step closer to returning to the Moon. We bid farewell to Japan's remarkable Akatsuki Venus orbiter after a decade of groundbreaking discoveries. China's FAST telescope solves a ten-year mystery about fast radio bursts, revealing they come from binary star systems. Plus, we preview the incredible space science missions launching in 2026, discuss the devastating loss of Spain's brand-new military satellite to a tiny space particle, and explore new findings showing that dwarf galaxies host more active black holes than previously thought.**Featured Stories:**• NASA's Artemis II reaches the launch pad for wet dress rehearsal• Japan's Akatsuki mission ends after 15 years and extraordinary Venus discoveries  • China's Sky Eye telescope cracks the fast radio burst mystery• 2026 space science preview: Moon, Mars, and telescope missions ahead• Spanish military satellite suffers catastrophic damage from millimeter-sized debris• New census reveals surprising black hole activity in dwarf galaxiesVisit astronomydaily.io for full articles, images, and more space news!#Astronomy #Space #NASA #ArtemisII #Venus #Akatsuki #FastRadioBursts #FAST #Mars #SpaceScience #BlackHoles #SpaceDebrisBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

NASA attempts to contact the silent MAVEN Mars orbiter after 40 days—but prospects look grim. Plus: the first-ever ISS medical evacuation succeeds, Europe debuts its powerful Ariane 64, scientists crack asteroid defense secrets, China releases lunar timekeeping software, and Hubble reveals where planets are born. Your daily space news for January 15, 2026.### Extended Episode Description (for podcast websites/apps)After more than a month of silence, NASA is making what may be its final attempt to contact the MAVEN Mars orbiter. Mission leaders are pessimistic, but the veteran spacecraft has surprised them before. We break down what happened, what's at stake, and what MAVEN's potential loss means for Mars exploration.On a brighter note, the SpaceX Crew-11 astronauts have safely returned to Houston following the first-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station—a historic operation that went flawlessly. We explore how NASA executed this unprecedented mission.Europe's taking a major step forward with the announcement that the first Ariane 64 rocket will launch February 12th. This four-booster beast can carry more than double the payload of its predecessor, and its debut mission will deploy 32 satellites for Amazon's Kuiper constellation.Scientists using CERN's particle accelerators have discovered that iron-rich asteroids are tougher than we thought—and they actually get stronger under stress. This surprising finding could reshape how we approach planetary defense.China has released the world's first practical software for keeping time on the Moon. It sounds like science fiction, but lunar timekeeping is becoming essential as multiple nations prepare for sustained lunar operations.And after 35 years in orbit, the Hubble Space Telescope is still delivering stunning science, with a new gallery of images showing protoplanetary disks where planets are being born around young stars.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.