Orion’s Influence on Earth’s Climate, Mars’ Wet Past Revealed, and Europa Clipper’s Journey: S28E28

The Astronomy, Space and Science News Podcast

Earth's Climate Shaped by Orion, New Insights into Mars' Red Color, and NASA's Europa Clipper Mission Update

In this episode of SpaceTime, we explore a groundbreaking study suggesting that Earth's climate may have undergone significant changes around 14 million years ago due to our solar system's journey through the Orion star-forming region. Researchers propose that this passage may have compressed the heliosphere, increasing interstellar dust influx and potentially impacting Earth's climate and geological records.

Revisiting Mars' Iconic Hue

We also discuss new findings that challenge previous assumptions about why Mars is red. Recent research indicates that the planet's rusted appearance may be linked to a wetter history, with liquid water playing a crucial role in the formation of iron oxides. This revelation reshapes our understanding of Mars' habitability and environmental conditions in its ancient past.

NASA's Europa Clipper Mission

Additionally, we provide an exciting update on NASA's Europa Clipper mission, which has successfully completed a close gravity assist flyby of Mars. This maneuver not only altered the spacecraft's trajectory towards Jupiter but also allowed mission managers to test its radar instrument and thermal imager, setting the stage for its upcoming encounters with the icy moon Europa.

00:00 Space Time Series 28 Episode 28 for broadcast on 5 March 2025

00:49 Impact of the solar system's journey through Orion on Earth's climate

06:30 Details on the Radcliffe Wave and its significance

12:15 New insights into Mars' red color and history of water

18:00 Analysis of iron oxides and implications for Martian habitability

22:45 Overview of NASA's Europa Clipper mission and its flyby of Mars

27:00 The importance of gravity assists in space missions

30:15 Health implications of screen time on children's vision

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✍️ Episode References

NASA

https://www.nasa.gov (https://www.nasa.gov/)

Nature Communications

https://www.nature.com/ncomms (https://www.nature.com/ncomms)

Astronomy and Astrophysics

https://www.aanda.org/ (https://www.aanda.org/)

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