Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S03E246
Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your daily source of space and astronomy news. I'm Anna, and today, as we close out 2024, we've got an exciting lineup of stories, from stellar explosions to perfect planetary systems and upcoming cometary visitors.
Highlights:
- Stellar Explosion Captured by Hubble: The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a breathtaking image of Galaxy Lida 22057, located 650 million light years away in the constellation Gemini, featuring the spectacular supernova SN2024PI. This type Ia supernova, observed as a pale blue dot near the galaxy's core, offers insights into stellar evolution and the processes that shape our universe.
- Space Launches Break Records: 2024 has been a record-breaking year for space launches, with 259 orbital missions successfully placing over 2,700 payloads into orbit. SpaceX dominated with 134 launches, delivering 85% of all payloads to space, including over 1,900 Starlink satellites. The US and China led the launch landscape, with India and Europe gearing up for increased activity in 2025.
- India's Space Docking Experiment: India's space program marks a significant milestone with the successful launch of Spadex, testing crucial docking technologies for future missions including the Gaganyaan program and Chandrayaan 4 lunar mission. The mission's success represents a major step forward in India's spacefaring capabilities.
- NASA's Challenging Year: NASA faced dramatic challenges in 2024, including the extended stay of astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore on the ISS due to issues with the Boeing Starliner, the bittersweet end of the Ingenuity helicopter mission on Mars, and challenges with the Europa Clipper mission. Despite these hurdles, NASA continues its pursuit of space exploration.
- Perfect Planetary System Discovered: Located 105 light years away in the constellation Coma Berenices, astronomers have discovered a remarkable star system dubbed mathematically perfect. The star HD 110067 hosts six exoplanets in a synchronized dance, offering insights into planetary formation and potential habitability.
- Comet Atlas Approaches: Skywatchers can look forward to Comet Atlas (C2024G3) making its way toward the inner solar system, potentially shining as brightly as Venus. Scheduled to reach its closest approach to the sun on January 13, 2025, this comet promises an exciting start to the astronomical calendar.
For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, Tumblr, YouTube, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok. Share your thoughts and connect with fellow space enthusiasts.
Thank you for tuning in. This is Anna wishing you a Happy New Year and signing off. Until tomorrow's cosmic update, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.
00:00 - Astronomy Daily brings you latest stellar explosions and upcoming cometary visitors
02:26 - SpaceX dominated the landscape with 134 launches, accounting for 85% of payloads
04:42 - India successfully launches Spadex space docking experiment
06:55 - 2024 was a particularly challenging year for NASA with several significant developments
09:14 - New research suggests HD 110067's stellar system is younger than previously thought
12:59 - Happy New Year!

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