Wednesday Mar 12, 2025

SphereX Soars, Meteor Misunderstanding, and the Blood Moon Beckons: S04E61

Astronomy Daily | Space News: S04E61

In this episode of Astronomy Daily, host Anna brings you the latest and most thrilling updates from the world of space exploration. From groundbreaking NASA launches to intriguing discoveries in exoplanet research and a spectacular upcoming lunar eclipse, this episode is packed with stories that highlight the ever-evolving landscape of our understanding of the cosmos.

Highlights:

- NASA's Double Launch Success: Celebrate NASA's recent milestone with a remarkable 2-for-1 launch of the SphereX Telescope and the PUNCH mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. SphereX aims to create the most detailed map of the universe, searching for the ingredients of life across 450 million galaxies, while PUNCH will provide unprecedented insights into the Sun's outer atmosphere and solar wind.

- Meteor Mystery Unraveled: Discover how new research has cast doubt on the existence of an interstellar meteor that created a stir in 2014. The seismic signals that led to the recovery of metallic spheres from the ocean floor were found to be caused by a truck, raising questions about the true origin of these materials.

- Four New Exoplanets Confirmed: Exciting news emerges as scientists confirm the presence of four small planets orbiting Barnard's Star, located just six light years away. These tightly packed worlds present unique challenges for stability and raise intriguing questions about the potential for additional Earth-sized planets in the system.

- Athena Moon Landing Update: Learn about the challenges faced by the Athena Moon Landing Mission, which successfully reached the lunar surface but ended up in a sideways position. Despite limitations, the mission provided valuable data that will inform future lunar explorations.

- Citizen Science Initiative: The European Space Agency invites space enthusiasts to help analyze data from the Solar Orbiter spacecraft. This unique project allows citizens to contribute to solar research by tracking solar radio bursts, bridging the gap between professional scientists and passionate space fans. To find out more, visit https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter/Catch_solar_bursts_in_new_citizen_science_project (https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter/Catch_solar_bursts_in_new_citizen_science_project)

- Upcoming Total Lunar Eclipse: Mark your calendars for the total lunar eclipse on March 13-14, where the Moon will take on a stunning reddish hue, known as a blood Moon. We’ll provide essential viewing details to ensure you don’t miss this spectacular celestial event.

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 back to Astronomy Daily

01:05 - NASA's double launch overview

07:30 - Meteor mystery explained

12:15 - Confirmation of exoplanets around Barnard's Star

18:00 - Athena Moon Landing Mission challenges

22:30 - Citizen science in solar research

27:00 - Total lunar eclipse viewing details

32:00 - Conclusion and upcoming content

✍️ Episode References

NASA SphereX Mission Details

[NASA SphereX]( https://www.nasa.gov/sphere-x (https://www.nasa.gov/sphere-x) )