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SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 73 The earliest known flickering quasar Astronomers have discovered the earliest known flickering quasar dating back to a time when the universe was just 850 million years old. ExoMars to target vast clay beds in search for life on Mars The European Space Agency has selected a vast clay bed called Oxia Planum as the best place on the red planet to search for signs of life. Understanding neutron star mergers Scientists have used deep learning neural networks to better understand the violent events associated with the merger of neutron stars. The Science Report New GLP-3 drugs significantly improve blood sugar levels and lead to substantial weight loss. Ocean waves generated in the Southern Ocean tracked all the way to the shores of Alaska. Are dogs left or right handed? Skeptics guide to fish oil supplements. Our Guests This Week: Kovi Rose from the University of Sydney 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 The Big Bang editions 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)

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A landmark episode packed with discoveries at the cutting edge of space and astronomy. Webb and Hubble redefine a category of stellar object, JWST delivers unprecedented chemistry data from an extreme exoplanet, a 21-year-old NASA observatory faces a daring robotic rescue, a multi-telescope image reveals an ancient galactic supernova, China's Tianwen-2 zeroes in on a possible fragment of our own Moon, and astronomers detect the chemical fingerprint of a planet swallowed by its star. Story 1: Webb & Hubble Rewrite History: Terzan 5 Is a 'Bulge Fossil Fragment' Using the James Webb Space Telescope and archival data from Hubble spanning 12 years, researchers have definitively reclassified Terzan 5 — a stellar system 22,000 light-years away in Sagittarius — from a globular cluster to an entirely new class of object: a 'bulge fossil fragment.' Four distinct generations of stars have been identified within Terzan 5, formed 12.5 billion, 4.7 billion, 3.8 billion, and 2.5 billion years ago. Unlike a typical globular cluster with a single ancient stellar population, Terzan 5 repeatedly formed new stars by retaining the gas and heavy elements expelled by its own supernovae. Astronomers believe Terzan 5 is a surviving relic of the primordial clumps that merged to form the Milky Way's central bulge billions of years ago — a living fossil of galaxy formation. Results were presented at the 248th American Astronomical Society meeting and published in Astronomy & Astrophysics. Source: NASA / ESA / STScI press release, 16–17 June 2026 Story 2: JWST Catches the 'Roasted Exoplanet' HD 80606 b in the Act Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope's MIRI instrument have observed the extreme exoplanet HD 80606 b experiencing a temperature increase of 1,100°F (600°C) during its close approach to its host star. HD 80606 b is a gas giant four times the mass of Jupiter on a highly elliptical 111-day orbit. The JWST study — led by Tiffany Kataria of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory — also detected specific atmospheric chemical signatures including methane and carbon dioxide, enabling detailed study of how the planet's chemistry shifts under extreme heating. This is the most detailed look yet at an atmospheric response to a rapid, intense heating event. Results were presented at the 248th AAS meeting in Pasadena, California. Source: NASA / JPL press release, 16–17 June 2026 Story 3: Swift's Rescue Mission Cleared for Launch: LINK on the Pad NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, which has studied gamma-ray bursts and other high-energy cosmic events since 2004, is facing re-entry as its orbit decays under increased solar activity. NASA contracted Katalyst Space Technologies in September 2025 to build and launch a robotic servicing spacecraft — called LINK — to boost Swift to a higher orbit. LINK is now encapsulated inside a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket, which has been attached to the Stargazer L-1011 carrier aircraft and is en route to Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands for launch later in June 2026. This will be the final flight of the Pegasus XL — the world's first privately developed orbital launch vehicle, which first flew in 1990. Its air-launch capability is uniquely suited to reaching Swift's unusual low-inclination orbit. Source: NASA press release and media teleconference, 17 June 2026 Story 4: Possible Supernova Remnant at the Galactic Centre A striking multi-telescope composite image released as NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day on 18 June 2026 reveals a possible supernova remnant near the galactic centre — a blue X-ray-emitting structure whose light is estimated to have reached Earth approximately 1,700 years ago, in the third century CE. The image combines X-ray data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and ESA's XMM-Newton (the blue structure), radio data from the MeerKAT telescope in South Africa (the large red cloud), and optical background star data from the PanSTARRS telescopes in Hawaii. Source: NASA APOD, 18 June 2026. Image credit: NASA/CXC/UCLA/Z. Zhu et al.; ESA/XMM-Newton; MeerKAT; PanSTARRS Story 5: China's Tianwen-2 Closes In on Earth's 'Quasi-Moon' China's Tianwen-2 spacecraft — launched in May 2025 — performed its primary orbit insertion burn at asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa on June 7, 2026, and has since been performing fine adjustment burns tracked by amateur radio astronomers in Germany and the Netherlands. China's space agency has released no official updates. Kamoʻoalewa is a 40–100 metre quasi-satellite of Earth, orbiting the Sun in a path that keeps it perpetually near our planet. Its reflectance spectrum resembles weathered lunar rock, fuelling a theory that it is a fragment blasted from the Moon by an ancient impact — though a competing theory holds that it is an ordinary inner asteroid belt migrant. Sample collection is scheduled to begin July 4, 2026. Tianwen-2 will depart Kamoʻoalewa in April 2027, with the sample return capsule landing in Inner Mongolia in late November...

Join us as we delve into the latest space science stories, from the universe's most comprehensive magnetic map to the mysteries of black holes and dark matter. Our casual chat is packed with insights into ongoing research and space exploration plans, including Elon Musk's ventures into space and beyond.

In this episode:

The CSIRO's groundbreaking map of the universe's magnetic fields, five times more extensive than previous efforts, revealing complex galactic structures and the role of magnetic fields in galaxy evolution [00:00–10:00]

How polarization and Faraday rotation are used to infer magnetic fields across the cosmos, and what the map tells us about the Milky Way's center [10:00–12:40]

The innovative method of reverberation mapping in studying black holes and the potential connection to dark matter congregations around these cosmic giants [16:37–22:39]

The speculative but exciting prospects for interstellar travel, including the limitations posed by physics, time dilation effects near relativistic speeds, and the Breakthrough Starshot initiative [50:57–55:36]

Elon Musk's recent public offer of SpaceX ventures, merchandise, and the symbolism of mission patches and rockets, illustrating his flair and boldness in space entrepreneurship [24:00–34:10]

The impact of lunar and planetary dynamics on Earth's tides, weather, and ocean currents, with reflections on moonless Earth scenarios [60:00–62:48]

Nostalgic references to 70s science fiction, notably Space 1999, and its imaginative visions of moon-based colonies and space wandering [58:56–59:53]

For enthusiasts eager to explore further, check out resources like:

CSIRO's Magnetic Map of the Universe

Breakthrough Starshot Initiative

SpaceX Official Website

Physical Review D - Space Science Publications

Connect with our guest, Professor Fred Watson:

LinkedIn | Twitter

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Join the conversation: Share your questions or comments at spacenutspodcast.com, and help us explore the universe together. Thanks for listening—until next time, keep looking up!

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SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 72 Our ever-changing Milky Way Galaxy New observations are showing astronomers how our galaxy the Milky Way is being slowly changed through its gravitational interactions with our nearby neighbouring satellite dwarf galaxy the Large Magellanic Cloud. How Jupiter may have helped life start on Earth A new study suggests the solar system’s largest planet Jupiter may have provided some of the key ingredients for life to Earth. Astronauts on the space station prepare for emergency evacuation Astronauts aboard the International Space Station ordered to prepare of emergency evacuation of the orbiting outpost as cosmonauts began working to try and repair a growing leak in the Russian Zvezda service module. The Science Report Global warming reaches 1.37°C above pre industrial levels in 2025. A new AI study claims laser-powered engines could one day support ‘intelligent’ 6G networks. Kids with smartphone aren’t more likely to end up depressed or overweight, but will be more sleepy. Alex on Tech computer tablet sales continue to rise.

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A launch-packed Wednesday kicks off with two rocket milestones — SpaceX's BlueBird 8-10 direct-to-cell satellite launch and Ariane 6's record-breaking Amazon Leo flight — followed by a splashdown update for the science-laden Dragon CRS-34. Then a Chandra double-header delivers the most detailed X-ray view ever of M87's famous black hole jet, plus the discovery of possible supernova wreckage at the very heart of the Milky Way. We close with JWST's extraordinary weather portrait of WASP-121b — a planet where the rain is made of rubies and sapphires. Story Summaries & Key Facts Story 1 — SpaceX BlueBird 8-10 Launch • Launched: 2:39 a.m. EDT, 17 June 2026, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (SLC-40) • Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9 (booster B1077, 29th flight) • Booster recovery: drone ship 'A Shortfall of Gravitas', Atlantic Ocean • Payload: AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 8, 9 & 10 (Block 2 next-generation satellites) • Antenna array: ~2,400 sq ft each — largest commercial phased arrays in LEO • Peak data speed: 120 Mbps per coverage cell (nearly double Block 1) • Processing bandwidth: 10 GHz per satellite • Goal: space-based cellular broadband direct to standard smartphones • AST network partners: 50+ MNOs including AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone (~3 billion subscribers) Story 2 — Ariane 6 Record Payload • Mission: VA269 / LE-03 (Amazon Leo 3rd Ariane 6 flight; 8th Ariane 6 overall; 3rd of 2026) • Launch site: Guiana Space Centre, Kourou, French Guiana • Payload: 36 Amazon Leo broadband satellites — heaviest Ariane payload ever (~20,820 kg) • First flight of upgraded P160C solid rocket boosters (debut; replaces P120C) • P160C improvement: +1 metre longer, carries 156 tonnes propellant each (+10% performance) • Ariane 64 LEO capacity with P160C: ~22 tonnes • Previous flights each carried 32 satellites; today's adds 4 more • Arianespace milestone: 100 Amazon Leo satellites launched in under 5 months • Next Ariane 6 launch: 28 August (2-booster configuration; likely Meteosat-14) Story 3 — Dragon CRS-34 Splashdown (Update) • UPDATE on yesterday's S05E116 story (undocking reported 16 June 2026) • Dragon CRS-34 splashed down off Southern California coast, 17 June 2026 (~5:08 a.m. PDT) • Capsule: Cargo Dragon 2 (C209, 6th flight); undocked ~12:25 p.m. EDT 16 June • Science returned: bioprinted organ/cartilage tissue; DNA-inspired cancer treatment materials • Also returned: blood-forming stem cells; cryogenic propellant storage experiment data • Dragon is the ONLY ISS cargo vehicle capable of returning cargo to Earth intact • Time-sensitive samples flown by helicopter from recovery ship to Kennedy Space Center • CRS-34 launched 15 May 2026; delivered ~6,500 lbs cargo to Expedition 74 crew Story 4 — Chandra / M87 Jet (Double-Header Part 1) • Published: 15 June 2026; presented at 248th AAS Meeting, Pasadena, CA • Lead researcher: Camille Poitras (PhD student, Laval University, Canada) • M87* mass: 6.5 billion solar masses; distance: ~55 million light-years • M87* was the first black hole ever directly imaged (Event Horizon Telescope, 2019) • Data span: Chandra observations 2012–2025, processed with advanced deconvolution • Key finding 1: Two distinct components revealed in feature HST-1 (previously blended) • Key finding 2: Global X-ray emission decrease of up to 84% — consistent with synchrotron cooling • Key finding 3: Jet features show both quasi-stationary and superluminal apparent motion • Multi-wavelength: Chandra + JWST + Hubble + VLA + ALMA combined • Significance: most detailed evolving picture of any black hole jet ever produced Story 5 — Chandra / Galactic Centre Supernova (Double-Header Part 2) • Published: Astrophysical Journal, released 14–15 June 2026 • Lead: Zhenlin Zhu et al. (UCLA); data from Chandra + ESA XMM-Newton + MeerKAT + Pan-STARRS • Location: Sagittarius C complex, ~26,000 light-years from Earth • Finding: possible supernova remnant (diffuse X-ray emission) near Sgr A* • If confirmed: closest supernova remnant ever found to Sagittarius A* • Estimated age of explosion: ~1,700 years ago (approx. 3rd–4th century CE) • Ejection speed: ~2 million mph; brightens region ~10x vs nearby star clusters • Galactic centre context: extreme region of massive stars, magnetic threads, fast-orbiting gas • Importance: SNRs supply iron, oxygen, silicon — key ingredients for planet/life formation Story 6 — JWST / WASP-121b • Published: June 2026 (JWST new observational results); story filed 16 June 2026 • Planet: WASP-121b — ultra-hot Jupiter, ~855 light-years away, constellation Puppis • Size: ~1.75–2× Jupiter; tidally locked (one side always faces its star) • Orbital period: just 30.5 hours (one of the shortest known) • Dayside temperature: ~3,000°C (hot enough to vaporise metals including iron, aluminium) • Wind speed: ~18,000 km/h, carrying vaporised metals from dayside to nightside • Ruby/sapphire rain: aluminium + oxygen → corundum (Al₂O₃) → with impurities = ruby/sapphire • JWST delivered: most detailed 3D...

Today's episode covers six stories spanning cosmic mysteries, lunar exploration, robotic rescue missions, cutting-edge space medicine, and what's happening in your own night sky tonight. 1. JWST Solves the "Little Red Dots" Mystery Four years after the James Webb Space Telescope began spotting strange, compact red objects in the ancient universe, scientists have a definitive answer. A team led by Vasily Kokorev at the University of Texas at Austin published the most detailed spectrum ever obtained of one of these objects — GLIMPSE-17775 — in The Astrophysical Journal on June 10. The data confirms these objects are supermassive black holes in their furious early growth phase, wrapped in dense cocoons of hot gas that disguise them. The universe is not broken — the little red dots were just very well hidden. 2. Astrobotic Unveils Griffin-1 Lunar Lander Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic publicly unveiled its Griffin-1 lunar lander on June 15 at the Moonshot Museum. NASA selected Griffin as the vehicle for its Moon Base II mission. The lander will carry Astrolab's FLIP rover and payloads from multiple nations — including Australia — to the lunar South Pole, targeting launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy in late 2026. Griffin-1 heads to JPL for environmental testing this month. 3. Robotic Rescue Mission for NASA's Swift Observatory NASA's 22-year-old Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is losing altitude fast due to accelerated solar activity. A startup called Katalyst Space Technologies has built a robotic spacecraft — LINK — in under a year, and it's now integrated into a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket ready for launch from Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, later this month. If successful, LINK will boost Swift's orbit and extend its life — while pioneering on-orbit servicing capabilities. 4. SpaceX CRS-34 Dragon Departs the ISS NASA's 34th SpaceX commercial resupply mission departed the ISS today, June 16, carrying blood stem cells, bioprinted organ and cartilage tissue, DNA-inspired cancer treatment materials, and cryogenic fuel storage experiment data. Splashdown off California is expected June 17. 5. Tonight's Sky: Moon Meets Three Planets A stunning western sky show is on offer tonight — a crescent Moon appearing between Mercury and Jupiter about an hour after sunset, with brilliant Venus also on display. Mercury reached its greatest eastern elongation on June 15, making this the best time of its current apparition to spot it. Tomorrow evening the Moon drifts to sit beside Venus. 6. Space Weather: CME Glancing Blow A coronal mass ejection from June 12 is expected to deliver a glancing blow to Earth on June 16-17. Active geomagnetic conditions (Kp up to 4) are forecast, with a chance of minor G1 storm conditions. High-latitude aurora watchers in the Southern Hemisphere may see some activity. Links & Further Reading • GLIMPSE-17775 study — The Astrophysical Journal (June 10, 2026) • Astrobotic Griffin-1 mission info: astrobotic.com • NASA Swift Boost mission: science.nasa.gov/mission/swift/swift-boost-mission • ISS research blog: nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation • Space weather: spaceweather.gov | NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center Find us at astronomydaily.io | Follow: @AstroDailyPod

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SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 71 Universe expansion still accelerating after all A new study has confirmed that the universe is continuing to expand at an ever-accelerating rate under the force of dark energy and heading for a cold, dark and empty fate. Mysterious cosmic signals finally explained Astronomers have discovered that dead stars called white dwarfs located in binary systems are a primary source of mysterious signals from deep space called long-period radio transients. What made last week’s New England meteor incident so rare? Last week we reported on a meteor that rocked the afternoon spring skies over New England. It now turns out that was a very rare event. The Science Report Sugar-sweetened drinks increase the risk of two types of liver cancer. New fish species swimming in the warm tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef. A new study claims that living with cats does not worsen asthma or allergies in children. Skeptics guide to on line influencers. 🌏 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 The Big Bang editions 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…

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Q&A: Cosmic Queries and What If Scenarios In this thought-provoking episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson dive into a range of intriguing questions posed by our curious listeners. From the mysteries of small celestial bodies to the hypothetical survival of humanity's legacy, this episode explores the cosmos through the lens of imagination and scientific inquiry.

Episode Highlights:

- Small Bodies in the Solar System: Bill's question about why small bodies aren't all fluffy leads to a fascinating discussion on the formation of planets and the role of gravity in shaping these celestial objects.

- Leaving a Legacy: Peter's thought-provoking "what if" scenario about leaving something behind after Earth's destruction sparks a conversation about the Voyager spacecraft and humanity's enduring mark on the universe.

- Saturn's Moons and Rings: Martin asks about the minimum size for an object to be classified as a moon, leading to an exploration of Saturn's numerous satellites and the dynamics of its iconic ring system.

- Impact of a Space Station: Finn's imaginative query about a giant space station's effect on the Earth and Moon orbits prompts a discussion on gravitational dynamics and the stability of planetary systems.

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.

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Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.

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- Formation of Small Celestial Bodies

- Humanity's Cosmic Legacy

- Saturn's Moons and Ring Dynamics

- Gravitational Effects of Space Structures

- Listener Questions and Cosmic Curiosities

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SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 70 *The Small Magellanic Cloud is being ripped apart A new study reveals that the Small Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, is slowly being torn apart by gravitational forces from the Large Magellanic Cloud. Researchers have utilised over a decade of observations to uncover the galaxy's dynamic state, challenging previous models of coherent rotation. *Blueprint for a lunar base NASA's plans for a lunar base at the Moon's South Pole are sparking innovative proposals for construction using local lunar materials. The Texas A&M Space Institute is leading research into using lunar regolith, a challenging construction material, to develop habitats for future lunar missions. *Meteor rocks New England A recent meteor explosion over New England has been confirmed as a sonic boom from a meteor entering the Earth's atmosphere, sending shockwaves across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The meteor, travelling at 121,000 kilometres per hour, likely fragmented before falling into the North Atlantic Ocean. *The Science Robert Increased wildfire risks are predicted across parts of Australia, while a study reveals that Iceman Otzi's microbiome remains active even after 5,300 years. Additionally, video technology may allow for heart rate monitoring through facial recognition.

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Space Exploration: Blue Origin's Explosive Test and the Mysteries of the Universe In this thrilling episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson reunite to discuss a range of captivating topics, including the recent explosive test of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, primordial black holes, and the ongoing debate around dark energy. Buckle up as we delve into the cosmos and explore these fascinating themes.

Episode Highlights:

- Blue Origin's Test Launch: The episode kicks off with an analysis of the dramatic Blue Origin test that resulted in an explosive incident at Cape Canaveral, raising questions about the future of the Artemis programme and the implications for upcoming lunar missions.

- Primordial Black Holes: Andrew and Fred Watson discuss a recent microlensing event observed in the Large Magellanic Cloud, exploring the possibility that the mysterious object, dubbed Phoebe, could be a primordial black hole, a concept first proposed by Stephen Hawking.

- Gravitational Microlensing Explained: The hosts break down the phenomenon of gravitational microlensing, illustrating how invisible objects can magnify the light of distant stars and what this means for our understanding of dark matter and the universe.

- Dark Energy: A Possible Furphy? A thought-provoking discussion ensues about the nature of dark energy, with insights from a recent paper suggesting that our current model of the universe may be oversimplified, raising the possibility that dark energy may not be necessary at all.

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.

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- Blue Origin's Explosive Test

- Understanding Primordial Black Holes

- Gravitational Microlensing Phenomenon

- The Debate Around Dark Energy

- Implications for Future Space Exploration

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