Highlights:
- Giant Planet Discovery: Dive into the astonishing discovery of TOI 6894 b, a gas giant orbiting the diminutive red dwarf star TOI 6894. This finding challenges our understanding of planet formation, as such small stars were not thought to possess enough material to form giant planets. With deep transits blocking 17% of the star's light, astronomers are eager to study its atmosphere using the James Webb Space Telescope.
- The Mystery of Heavy Elements: Explore the peculiar star Limos J 0804 5740, found within the remnants of a dwarf galaxy known as the Gaia Sausage. This actinide boost star holds clues to the origins of the universe's heaviest elements, such as uranium and thorium, which are produced through rapid neutron capture processes. Studying this star may help unravel the cosmic puzzle of how these elements are formed.
- China's Reusable Rocket: Learn about Space Epic's recent test launch of their reusable rocket booster, the Yangxing Zhi one, which successfully performed a soft landing in the ocean. Although it sank post-landing, the test demonstrated crucial capabilities for future missions, showcasing China's growing ambitions in space exploration alongside its emerging private sector.
- Galaxy Clusters on a Collision Course: Get the latest on NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory findings, revealing two galaxy clusters that have already collided and are now on a trajectory for a second encounter. These clusters, located 2.8 billion light years away, exhibit unique shock fronts and provide valuable insights into the dynamics of massive cosmic structures.
For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTube Music, 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.
Chapters:
00:00 - Welcome to Astronomy Daily
01:10 - Discovery of giant planet TOI 6894 b
10:00 - The mystery of heavy elements and Limos J 0804 5740
15:30 - China's reusable rocket Yangxing Zhi one
20:00 - Galaxy clusters on a collision course
✍️ Episode References
TOI 6894 b Discovery Details
[NASA Exoplanet Archive](https://exoplanetarchive.ipac.caltech.edu/)
Heavy Elements and R Process Research
[Nature Astronomy](https://www.nature.com)
Space Epic's Yangxing Zhi one Launch
[Space Epic](https://www.spaceepic.com/)
Chandra X-ray Observatory Findings
[NASA Chandra](https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/chandra/main/index.html)
Astronomy Daily
[Astronomy Daily](http://www.astronomydaily.io/)
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