Saturday Mar 22, 2025

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe and SphereX Milestones, Plus Space Tornado Insights: S04E70

Astronomy Daily | Space News: S04E70

In this thrilling episode of Astronomy Daily, host Anna takes you on a cosmic adventure through the latest discoveries that are reshaping our understanding of the universe. From the Parker Solar Probe's record-breaking approach to the Sun to the unveiling of space tornadoes in the Milky Way, this episode is packed with exciting insights that will leave you in awe of the cosmos.

Highlights:

- Parker Solar Probe's Daring Encounter: Join us as we explore the Parker Solar Probe's upcoming close approach to the Sun, where it will travel at an astonishing 430,000 miles per hour, gathering unprecedented data from the solar corona. This mission promises to unlock the mysteries of solar wind and space weather, enhancing our ability to protect technology on Earth.

- Spherex Space Observatory Launch: Discover the recently launched Spherex Space Observatory, which has opened its protective dust cover and is set to map the entire celestial sky in incredible detail. This ambitious mission aims to provide insights into the history of the universe and the formation of galaxies through infrared observations.

- NASA's EZI Satellite Mission: Learn about NASA's EZI mission, which is now fully operational and focused on studying electrojets in the upper atmosphere. These powerful electrical currents have significant implications for understanding space weather and its effects on modern technology.

- Space Tornadoes in the Milky Way: Uncover the astonishing discovery of space tornadoes swirling around the core of our galaxy. These newly identified structures challenge our understanding of the turbulent environment surrounding the Milky Way's supermassive black hole and reveal the complex dynamics at play.

- Chang'e-6 Moon Research: Delve into groundbreaking research from China's Chang'e-6 mission, which has determined the age of the Moon's largest impact crater, offering crucial insights into the early history of our solar system and lunar evolution.

- Preview of Lucy's Asteroid Philip: Get ready for NASA's Lucy spacecraft as it prepares for a flyby of the asteroid Donald Johansson, a rehearsal for its ultimate mission to Jupiter's Trojan asteroids. This encounter promises to yield valuable data about the formation of these ancient celestial bodies.

- Good News About WR104: Finally, breathe a sigh of relief as we discuss findings regarding the binary star system WR104, also known as the Death Star. New research reveals that Earth is not in its line of fire, alleviating concerns about potential gamma-ray bursts.

For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io (http://www.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 - Welcome to Astronomy Daily

01:05 - Parker Solar Probe's close approach

10:30 - Spherex Space Observatory updates

17:00 - EZ satellite mission overview

22:15 - Discovery of space tornadoes

27:30 - Chang'e 6 findings on the Moon

32:00 - Lucy's upcoming asteroid flyby

37:00 - WR104 and Earth's safety

✍️ Episode References

Parker Solar Probe Updates

[NASA]( https://www.nasa.gov (https://www.nasa.gov/) )