Space News Today

Neutrinos and Supernovae Secrets, Neptune’s Enigmatic Moon Nereid, and Hypersonic Returns to Earth

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 64 *A new explanation for how stars explode A new study suggests that neutrino which are some the least massive objects in the universe may trigger some of the biggest explosions in the cosmos – supernovae the explosive death of massive stars which are so bright they can outshine entire galaxies. *Neptune's mysterious moon Nereid A new study suggests the planet Neptune's distant moon Nereid may be the last of the ice giant’s original satellites which somehow managed to survive a cosmic collision.. *A safe return to Earth for a hypersonic test vehicle Varda Space Industries’ W-6 capsule has safely returned to Earth, parachuting down into the Australian outback. *The Science Report New study claims your eyes could indicate of how strong your bones are. Scientists confirm insects feel pain. Researchers show most Australian Wild Dogs have mostly dingo ancestry. Skeptics guide to bigfoot visits the Marines at Quantico. Our Guests This Week: Dr Finn Stokes from Adelaide University Dr. Kirsty Duffy from Fermilab Dr. Jessica Turner from the University of Durham. And our regular guests: Alex Zaharov-Reutt from techadvice.life Tim Mendham from Australian Skeptics 🌏 Get Our Exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ www.bitesz.com/nordvpn (http://www.bitesz.com/nordvpn) . The discounts and bonuses are incredible! And it’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! ✌ If you’d like to support the podcast and gain access to bonus content by becoming a SpaceTime crew member, you can do just that through premium versions on Patreon, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Details on the Support page on our website https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/support/ (https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/support/) For more SpaceTime and show links: https://linktr.ee/biteszHQ (https://linktr.ee/biteszHQ) If you love this podcast, please get someone else to listen to. Thank you… Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33536838?utm_source=youtube

Exoplanet Expeditions: Discovering the Cosmic Diversity Beyond Our Solar System | Space Nuts:...

Sponsor Link: This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you by NordVPN , the one we trust to keep us safe on line. To get our special Space Nuts deal including f our extra months for free , visit www.nordvpn.com/space (https://www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts) nuts Exoplanets: The Cosmic Neighbours We Never Knew In this special episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner delve into the fascinating world of exoplanets. With over 6,200 confirmed exoplanets and counting, the duo explores the diversity and complexity of these distant worlds, challenging our assumptions about planetary systems beyond our own. Episode Highlights: - The Birth of Exoplanet Discovery: Andrew and Jonty reflect on the first confirmed exoplanets in the early 1990s and how our understanding of planetary systems has evolved since then. From the initial excitement to the current reality of thousands of discoveries, they discuss the implications of these findings. - Planetary Diversity: The hosts highlight the remarkable variety of exoplanets, including hot Jupiters, super-Earths, and even pulsar planets. They explore how these discoveries have shattered the notion that our solar system is typical, revealing a vast array of planetary types and characteristics. - Methods of Discovery: Andrew and Jonty explain the different techniques used to find exoplanets, including the radial velocity and transit methods. They discuss the technological advancements that have made these discoveries possible and the role of amateur astronomers in the search for new worlds. - Future Prospects: The conversation shifts to the future of exoplanet research, with a focus on upcoming missions like the Nancy Chris Roman Telescope and the Gaia satellite. The hosts speculate on the potential for discovering Earth-like planets and the ongoing quest to find life beyond our planet. - Philosophical Implications: Andrew and Jonty ponder the profound questions surrounding the existence of life in the universe, considering the statistical likelihood of life on other planets given the vast number of stars and planets in the cosmos. For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. (https://www.spacenutspodcast.com/) Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, Instagram, and more. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favourite platform. If you’d like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit spacenutspodcast.com/about (https://www.spacenutspodcast.com/about) . Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) . - Introduction to Exoplanets - The Evolution of Exoplanet Discovery - The Diversity of Exoplanets - Techniques for Discovering New Worlds - The Future of Exoplanet Research - Philosophical Implications of Life Beyond Earth Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33521542?utm_source=youtube

Europa’s Water Plume Debate, Earth’s Co-Orbital Mysteries, and ESA’s Smile Mission Launch

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 63 *Questioning the existence of Europa’s vapor plumes A new study of Jupiter’s ice moon Europa is casting doubt of previous evidence showing possible vapor plumes ejecting into space. *Are Earth's co-orbitals stray asteroids or chunks of the Moon? As well as our Moon, planet Earth also has a group of asteroids orbiting around the Sun with it. But questions remain about their origins. *SMILE launches on a mission to study Earth’s shield against the solar wind The European space agency has successfully launched its SMILE spacecraft on an ambitious mission to better understand the interaction between Earth’s protective magnetosphere and the constant stream of charged particles flowing out from the Sun in the solar wind and space weather events such as solar and geomagnetic storms. *The Science Report High blood pressure now affects two in every five adult Australians. A new tectonic plate boundary could be forming in Zambia. Teens spend almost an hour of their sleep time on their phones instead. Alex on Tech Google IO 2026 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-with-stuart-gary--2458531/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-with-stuart-gary--2458531/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) . Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33480198?utm_source=youtube

NASA’s Lunar Base Blueprint, Starship V3’s Bold Launch, and the Secrets of Supernovae Revealed

Episode: S05E112 — Tuesday, 26 May 2026 Hosts: Anna & Avery Network: Bitesz.com Podcast Network Website: astronomydaily.io | Social: @AstroDailyPod Story Summaries 1. NASA Unveils Ambitious Moon Base Plan As this episode was recorded, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman was preparing to announce a landmark plan for a permanent human outpost at the lunar south pole by 2036. The programme carries a price tag of approximately $30 billion across a seven-year foundational phase, relies on nuclear power systems, leverages lunar water ice for fuel and life support, and effectively retires the Gateway orbital station concept. Commercial partners will supply rovers and habitat modules. Phase one targets around two dozen lunar launches, including Artemis IV, by 2028. Full details will be covered in tomorrow's episode. 2. Starship V3 Flight 12 — Engine Drama, Historic Debut SpaceX launched the first Starship V3 rocket on Friday, 22 May 2026, from brand-new Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas. Ship 39 reached space and completed a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean despite losing one of its six vacuum Raptor engines during ascent. The flight computer compensated by extending burns on the remaining five. The Super Heavy booster was lost in the Gulf of Mexico after a failed boostback burn. The FAA has opened a review. SpaceX declared most pre-planned test objectives met. 3. JWST Maps First Daily Weather Cycle on a Distant World Published in Science on 21 May 2026. Researchers from Johns Hopkins and Arizona State Universities used Webb's NIRISS instrument to observe WASP-94Ab — a hot Jupiter 690 light-years away — and detected the first daily cloud cycle ever recorded on another planet. Thick magnesium silicate clouds form each morning, then completely clear by evening. The finding also corrected a decade of skewed atmospheric composition data. 4. NASA's Fermi Telescope Solves 20-Year Supernova Mystery An international team led by Fabio Acero used NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope to confirm the first definitive gamma-ray detection from a superluminous supernova — SN 2017egm. The data confirms a newly formed magnetar as the power source behind these extraordinarily bright explosions. Published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2026. 5. Most Rocky Exoplanets May Lack Earth-Like Metallic Cores A new paper submitted to the Astrophysical Journal challenges the long-held assumption that dense metallic cores are standard features of rocky planets. Researchers argue that most rocky exoplanets may have formed without Earth-style metallic cores — meaning no global magnetic field, with significant implications for atmospheric retention and habitability. 6. The Soviet Rover That Went Silent — and Came Back Lunokhod 1 was the world's first remote-controlled rover on another world (1970). After traversing 10.5 km of Mare Imbrium, contact was lost in 1971. For nearly 40 years its exact position was unknown — until NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter identified it in 2010. The APOLLO project then fired laser pulses and received ~2,000 photons back from its French-built retroreflector — four times stronger than expected. It remains an active contributor to lunar science today. Sources & Further Reading • NASA Moon Base announcement: nasa.gov/2026-news-releases • Starship Flight 12 updates: space.com • WASP-94Ab paper: Science, 21 May 2026 — DOI via Johns Hopkins Hub • Fermi supernova paper: Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2026 — DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202558547 • Exoplanet cores paper: submitted to Astrophysical Journal, May 2026 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) . Sponsor Details: Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN . To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit 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 Here (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support) This episode includes AI-generated content. Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33465562?utm_source=youtube

Shenzhou-23 Makes History, Psyche’s Mars Masterclass, and a 19-Day Solar Mystery

China launches three astronauts to Tiangong — including Hong Kong's first-ever taikonaut — on a mission that breaks multiple records. NASA's Psyche probe delivers breathtaking imagery from its Mars flyby. A bizarre 19-day solar radio burst finally gets an explanation. Scientists zero in on the source of the most powerful neutrino ever detected. Two dead stars orbit each other in less than nine minutes. And researchers propose using fungi to turn Martian soil into farmland. It's a big Monday on Astronomy Daily. Story Timestamps • 00:00 — Intro • 02:10 — Story 1: Shenzhou-23 Launches with Historic Crew • 08:45 — Story 2: NASA Psyche's Stunning Mars Flyby Images • 14:20 — Story 3: Record-Breaking 19-Day Solar Radio Burst Explained • 20:30 — Story 4: Source of Most Powerful Neutrino Ever Detected • 26:15 — Story 5: White Dwarf Devouring Its Companion in 8.5-Minute Orbit • 32:00 — Story 6: Mars Fungi Could Fertilise Red Planet Regolith • 37:30 — Outro Story Sources & Links Story 1: Shenzhou-23 Mission — NPR / Space.com / CGTN (May 24, 2026) Story 2: NASA Psyche Mars Flyby — NASA JPL / Engadget (May 23, 2026) Story 3: 19-Day Solar Radio Burst — Astrophysical Journal Letters / Gizmodo (May 19-22, 2026) Story 4: Neutrino Source — Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics / ScienceDaily (May 24, 2026) Story 5: White Dwarf Binary — The Astrophysical Journal / Phys.org (May 23, 2026) Story 6: Mars Fungi — Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences / Universe Today (May 23, 2026) Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) . Sponsor Details: Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN . To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit 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 Here (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support) This episode includes AI-generated content. Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33448140?utm_source=youtube

Exploring the Earliest Galaxy, Unraveling Muon Secrets, and Meteoric Wonders Over Sydney

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 62 *The most primitive galaxy in the early universe Astronomers have identified the most chemically primitive galaxy in the universe dating back over 13 billion years. *Understanding the true nature of the Muon Physicists have achieved a breakthrough in understanding the discrepancy between experimental measurements and theoretical predictions of magnetic properties of the muon, a heavier cousin of the electron. *Spectacular meteor streaks through the skies of Sydney The evening skies of Sydney and much of the New South Wales Pacific coast were lit up on Thursday by a spectacular meteoroid burning up in the atmosphere.. *The Science Report The World Health Organization warns Africa’s Ebola outbreak is a public health emergency. Claims Vitamin C affects chemical reactions in the digestive system that are linked to cancer. Explaining why T-rex has such tiny arms. Skeptics guide to the latest Apollo landing moon conspiracy Our Guests This Week: Dr Finn Stokes from Adelaide University Dr. Kirsty Duffy from Fermilab Dr. Jessica Turner from the University of Durham. And our regular guests: Alex Zaharov-Reutt from techadvice.life Tim Mendham from Australian Skeptics 🌏 Get Our Exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ www.bitesz.com/nordvpn (http://www.bitesz.com/nordvpn) . The discounts and bonuses are incredible! And it’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! ✌ If you’d like to support the podcast and gain access to bonus content by becoming a SpaceTime crew member, you can do just that through premium versions on Patreon, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Details on the Support page on our website https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/support/ (https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/support/) Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33441555?utm_source=youtube

Navigating Time, Saturn’s Mysteries & Planetary Favourites | A Q&A Episode | Space Nuts:...

Sponsor Link: This episode of Space Nuts is brouht to with the support of NordVPN. When it's time to upgrade your online securiy, get NordVPN . We did! To check out our special money saving deal - Click Here (https://nordvpn.com/spacenuts) Time Travel, Saturn's Rings, and Favourite Planets In this engaging Q&A edition of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner dive into a series of thought-provoking questions from listeners. From the complexities of moving through time to the intriguing origins of Saturn's rings, this episode is packed with cosmic insights. Episode Highlights: - Understanding Time Travel: Rennie from California poses a fascinating question about the nature of time and whether one's lifespan could differ based on their movement through time. Jonty unpacks the concept of time as a dimension, exploring relativity and time dilation. - The Mystery of Saturn's Rings: Paul from Brisbane asks about the potential for debris from a collision between Saturn’s moons to have impacted Earth 65 million years ago. The discussion delves into the origins of Saturn's rings and the dynamics of celestial collisions. - Favourite Planets: Dan from the Gold Coast wonders about the hosts' favourite planets in the solar system. Andrew shares his admiration for Mars and its geological wonders, while Jonty contemplates the complexity of Earth and the awe of Jupiter. For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. (https://www.spacenutspodcast.com/) Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, Instagram, and more. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favourite platform. If you’d like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit spacenutspodcast.com/about (https://www.spacenutspodcast.com/about) . Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) . - Introduction to Time Travel - The Nature of Time and Relativity - Saturn's Rings and Cosmic Collisions - The Search for Debris and Impacts - Favourite Planets: Mars vs. Earth vs. Jupiter Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33440594?utm_source=youtube

Starship V3 Maiden Flight, New Glenn Cleared, Cosmic Web Photographed | Weekend Wrap

Sponsor Link: You've heard us talking about them now it's time to check out the special money saving deal from our sponsor NordVPN. CLICK HERE (https://www.bitesz.com/nordvpn) Your weekly roundup of the biggest stories from across the cosmos — two fresh stories plus the best of the past seven days from Astronomy Daily. In This Episode • Starship V3 Flight 12: SpaceX launches its redesigned megarocket for the first time — an historic milestone with some drama along the way • New Glenn Cleared to Fly: Blue Origin completes its NG-3 failure investigation — the FAA approves the report and the rocket is back in action • First Direct Image of the Cosmic Web: A 3-million-light-year filament photographed in unprecedented detail by ESO's Very Large Telescope • Dark Matter Fingerprint? MIT researchers find a gravitational wave signal that may carry the first direct imprint of dark matter • Roman Space Telescope: NASA's next great observatory is targeting September 2026 launch — eight months ahead of schedule • AI Space Chip: NASA tests a radiation-hardened chip that could give future spacecraft genuine autonomous decision-making Story Sources & Further Reading Starship V3 / Flight 12: Space.com, Universe Today, Spaceflight Now, Next Spaceflight New Glenn / Blue Origin: SpaceNews (May 22, 2026), Space.com, TechCrunch Cosmic Web Image: Nature Astronomy — Tornotti et al.; ESO/VLT press release; Mirage News (May 16, 2026) Dark Matter / Gravitational Waves: Physical Review Letters — Aurrekoetxea et al.; ScienceDaily, Universe Today (May 19, 2026) Roman Space Telescope: NASA.gov, Scientific American, ScienceDaily (May 18, 2026) NASA AI Space Chip: ScienceDaily, NASA (May 15, 2026) About Astronomy Daily Astronomy Daily delivers the latest space and astronomy news every weekday, plus a Weekend Wrap on Saturdays. Hosted by Anna and Avery, and produced by the Bitesz.com Podcast Network. Website: astronomydaily.io | Social: @AstroDailyPod Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) . Sponsor Details: Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN . To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit 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 Here (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support) This episode includes AI-generated content. Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33422399?utm_source=youtube

Astrobiology Adventures: Exploring Life Beyond Earth | Space Nuts: Astronomy Insights & Cosmic...

Astrobiology: The Search for Life Beyond Earth In this special edition of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner delve into the captivating field of astrobiology. With Professor Fred Watson away, Jonty brings his expertise to explore the complexities of life beyond our planet, the conditions necessary for its existence, and the ongoing quest to find it. Episode Highlights: - The Evolution of Exoplanet Discovery: Andrew and Jonty discuss the advancements in technology that have allowed astronomers to discover thousands of exoplanets, with a particular focus on Earth-like planets that could potentially harbour life. - The Challenges of Finding Life: The hosts address the difficulties in the search for extraterrestrial life, including the implications of the absence of evidence and the complexities of distinguishing between life forms. - Life in Our Solar System: Jonty shares insights on why we might find life within our solar system, particularly on Mars and the icy moons of the outer planets, and how robotic exploration is key to this search. - Defining Habitable Zones: The conversation shifts to the criteria that define a habitable zone around stars and the importance of factors such as stellar type, distance, and planetary characteristics in the search for life. - Philosophical Implications: The hosts ponder the philosophical questions surrounding the existence of life and the potential for advanced civilisations, and whether humanity is prepared for contact with extraterrestrial intelligence. For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. (https://www.spacenutspodcast.com/) Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, Instagram, and more. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favourite platform. If you’d like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit spacenutspodcast.com/about (https://www.spacenutspodcast.com/about) . Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) . Chapters: - Introduction to Astrobiology - Technological Advances in Exoplanet Discovery - Searching for Life in Our Solar System - Defining Habitable Zones and Their Importance - The Philosophical Questions of Extraterrestrial Life Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33420280?utm_source=youtube

’Hold That Thought’ - T-Minus 40: Starship Scrubs, Mars Beckons

Sponsor Link : To check out our special money saving deal and upgrade your online securit y with NordVPN - SpaceX came agonisingly close to launching the most powerful rocket ever built in its newest configuration — but a technical halt at T-minus 40 seconds sent Starship V3's debut back to the drawing board, with another attempt window opening this evening (6:30–8:00 p.m. EDT). Anna and Avery dig into what went wrong, what makes V3 different, and the stunning announcement buried in the webcast: a named commander for humanity's first crewed Mars flyby mission. Plus: JWST rewrites exoplanet atmospheric science with unexpected ice clouds on a distant super-Jupiter, researchers map a mysterious magnetic 'flip' inside the Milky Way, and Rocket Lab launches from New Zealand. Links & Further Reading • Starship Flight 12 live updates: space.com • SpaceX launch webcast (tonight): spacex.com • Chun Wang Mars announcement: universetoday.com • JWST Epsilon Indi Ab paper (ApJL): doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ae5823 • Milky Way magnetic field study (ApJ): doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ae28d1 • Rocket Lab Viva La Strix mission: rocketlabusa.com • Astronomy Daily website: astronomydaily.io Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) . Sponsor Details: Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN . To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit 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 Here (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support) This episode includes AI-generated content. Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33409857?utm_source=youtube