SpaceTime Series 28 Episode 22
The Astronomy, Space and Science News Podcast
New Van Allen Radiation Belts, Alien Oceans and Signs of Life, and the Largest Black Hole Radio Jet Ever Detected
In this episode of SpaceTime, we uncover the discovery of two new temporary Van Allen radiation belts created by a massive solar storm that struck Earth in May 2024. This event not only produced stunning auroras but also highlighted the importance of understanding the dynamics of radiation belts for the safety of satellites and astronauts. The findings, reported by NASA's Colorado Inner Radiation Belt Experiment, reveal that these belts can last significantly longer than previously thought, with implications for future solar storms and spaceflight safety.
Searching for Life in Alien Oceans
We also explore the challenges of detecting signs of extraterrestrial life in the subsurface oceans of icy moons like Saturn's Enceladus. A new study suggests that the unique physics of these oceans could hinder the movement of biological signatures from deep waters to the surface, complicating the search for life beyond Earth. This research emphasizes the need to understand ocean dynamics in the search for life in our solar system.
The Largest Black Hole Radio Jet in the Early Universe
Additionally, astronomers have identified the largest radio jet ever seen in the early universe, spanning an astonishing 200,000 light years. This discovery sheds light on the formation of massive jets and quasars, providing crucial insights into the evolution of galaxies in the early cosmos. The quasar, which formed when the universe was just 9% of its current age, challenges previous assumptions about the conditions needed for such powerful jets to form.
00:00 Space Time Series 28 Episode 22 for broadcast on 19 February 2025
00:49 Discovery of new Van Allen radiation belts
06:30 Implications of the May solar storm
12:15 Challenges in detecting life in Enceladus's oceans
18:00 The significance of ocean dynamics in extraterrestrial life searches
22:45 The largest black hole radio jet ever observed
27:00 Understanding quasars and their impact on galaxy evolution
30:15 The implications of AI self-replication
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✍️ Episode References
NASA
https://www.nasa.gov
Geophysical Research Space Physics
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/19448007
Communications and Earth Environment
https://www.nature.com/ncomms/
Astrophysical Journal Letters
https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/2041-8205

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