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SpaceTime with Stuart Gary Gary - Series 29 Episode 11

In this episode of SpaceTime , we dive into the latest astronomical events, including a record-setting solar storm impacting Earth, the historic Artemis 2 mission preparing to return astronauts to the Moon, and groundbreaking evidence confirming an ancient asteroid impact in the North Sea.

Record-Breaking Solar Storm Strikes Earth

Planet Earth has recently experienced a massive geomagnetic storm triggered by an X1.9 class solar flare, followed by a coronal mass ejection. This event produced stunning auroras, visible as far north as Sydney and Brisbane. We discuss how such solar storms can affect technology on Earth and in space, including potential disruptions to communications and navigation systems, as well as the impact on satellites in low Earth orbit.

Artemis 2: A Historic Return to the Moon

NASA's Artemis 2 mission is gearing up to send astronauts back to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years. The crew will embark on a 10-day journey, orbiting the Moon and traveling further than any humans have before. We explore the mission's objectives, including testing spacecraft systems, practicing docking procedures, and conducting deep space science experiments, all while preparing for future lunar landings.

Proof of an Ancient Asteroid Impact

A decades-long debate over the origins of the Silverpit Crater in the North Sea has been resolved with new evidence confirming it was formed by an asteroid impact 43 to 46 million years ago. Utilizing seismic imaging and microscopic analysis, researchers have established this crater as a significant impact site, shedding light on the history of asteroid collisions on Earth and their implications for our planet's geological evolution.

www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com (https://www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com/)

✍️ Episode References

Nature Communications

NASA Reports

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(00:00:00) Record solar storm strikes Earth

(00:12:30) Artemis 2 mission prepares to send astronauts back to the Moon

(00:25:00) Evidence confirms asteroid impact in the North Sea

(00:35:15) New insights into Earth's climate from ancient geological events.

Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/31336113?utm_source=youtube

# Astronomy Daily - S05E22

## Monday, January 26, 2026

Welcome to Astronomy Daily! Join hosts Anna and Avery as they explore the latest developments in space and astronomy, from ambitious plans to terraform Mars to stunning new views of dying stars.

### Episode Highlights

**Mars Terraforming Gets Serious**

Scientists unveil a comprehensive blueprint for transforming Mars into a habitable world. Discover the three-phase plan using Martian resources, engineered nanoparticles, and hardy microorganisms that could warm the Red Planet by 30°C and eventually create breathable air. But should we terraform Mars at all?

**Harvesting Water from Mars' Atmosphere**

While underground ice remains the primary water source for future Mars missions, researchers reveal how atmospheric moisture could provide a crucial backup. Learn about the innovative technologies that could make Mars settlements more self-sufficient.

**Chandra's Cosmic Catalog Milestone**

NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has now cataloged over 1.3 million X-ray detections across the sky. We explore this treasure trove of data spanning 22 years of observations, including a stunning view of the Galactic Center with over 3,300 sources in just 60 light-years.

**Earthquake Sensors Track Space Debris**

Ingenious new research shows how seismic monitoring networks can track dangerous falling satellites in near real-time. Discover how scientists reconstructed the trajectory and breakup of China's Shenzhou-15 module using earthquake sensors.

**Water Worlds or Lava Planets?**

Shocking new findings suggest 98% of planets we thought were ocean-bearing "hycean worlds" might actually be molten rock. Learn about the Solidification Shoreline model that's rewriting our understanding of sub-Neptune exoplanets.

**Webb Captures a Dying Star's Beauty**

The James Webb Space Telescope reveals the Helix Nebula in unprecedented detail, showing us the eventual fate of our own Sun. Witness stellar recycling in action as a dying star distributes the building blocks of future worlds.

### Links & Resources

- Research on Mars terraforming strategies

- Advances in Space Research journal study on atmospheric water harvesting

- Chandra Source Catalog: cxc.cfa.harvard.edu/csc/

- Science journal publication on seismic debris tracking

- arXiv preprint on sub-Neptune exoplanet composition

- Webb Space Telescope Helix Nebula observations

For more space news and daily episodes, visit astronomydaily.io

Follow us on social media @AstroDailyPod

---

*Astronomy Daily: Your daily dose of space and astronomy news*

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Temperature of Black Holes, Cosmic Mapping, and the Nature of Space

In this thought-provoking episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson tackle some of the most intriguing questions from their audience. Join them as they delve into the chilling temperatures of black holes, the expansive mapping of the universe by cutting-edge telescopes, and the enigmatic nature of space itself.

Episode Highlights:

- The Temperature of Black Holes: Andrew and Fred discuss Casey's question regarding the temperature of black holes. They explore the stark contrast between the scorching accretion disks and the surprisingly frigid temperatures within the event horizons, shedding light on the complexities of black hole physics.

- Mapping the Universe: Eli's inquiry about the James Webb and Vera Rubin telescopes leads to a fascinating discussion on how much of the universe has been mapped and what we can expect in the coming decade. The hosts highlight the capabilities of these telescopes and the potential discoveries that await.

- The Emptiness of Space: Robert poses a thought-provoking question about the nature of space and the Higgs boson. Andrew and Fred unravel the concept of the Higgs field, discussing its implications for our understanding of the universe and whether space is truly empty or filled with these elusive particles.

- The Impact of Dark Matter and Energy: Rennie challenges the hosts to consider how discovering the true nature of dark matter and dark energy might affect life on Earth. Andrew and Fred reflect on the long-term benefits of such knowledge, drawing parallels to historical scientific advancements.

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 favorite 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.

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Rocket Lab's "Hungry Hippos" arrive at Wallops Island despite tank test setback, NASA enlists global volunteers to track Artemis II, ancient lunar impact explains Moon's asymmetry, affordable space memorials launching in 2027, massive exomoon challenges definitions, and an 11th-century monk may have discovered Halley's Comet first.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

🚀 Rocket Lab's Neutron program reaches major milestone as innovative "Hungry Hippo" reusable fairings arrive at Wallops Island after month-long sea journey from New Zealand, though first-stage tank ruptures during qualification testing at Maryland facility

🌕 NASA selects 34 volunteers from 14 countries to track Artemis II mission around the Moon, expanding from 10 participants during Artemis I and representing government agencies, commercial companies, universities, and amateur radio enthusiasts

🌑 China's Chang'e 6 lunar samples reveal unusual potassium isotope ratios in South Pole-Aitken Basin rocks, providing evidence that the giant impact 4.2 billion years ago fundamentally altered the Moon's chemistry and explains why the far side has so few maria

⭐ Space Beyond startup plans to send 1,000 people's ashes to orbit for just $249 using CubeSat technology on SpaceX rideshare mission in October 2027, founded by former Blue Origin engineer Ryan Mitchell

🪐 Astronomers detect potential exomoon around HD 206893 B that may be 40% the mass of Jupiter, so massive it could force redefinition of what constitutes a moon versus binary companion system

☄️ New research reveals 11th-century English monk Eilmer of Malmesbury recognized Halley's Comet's periodicity centuries before Edmond Halley, calling into question the comet's namesake

LINKS & RESOURCES:

• Rocket Lab Neutron development: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/01/hungry-hippos-test-tanks-neutron/

• NASA Artemis II tracking participants: https://www.nasa.gov/technology/space-comms/nasa-selects-participants-to-track-artemis-ii-mission/

• Chang'e 6 lunar impact study: https://www.space.com/astronomy/moon/a-colossal-asteroid-may-have-warped-the-moon-from-the-inside-out

• Space Beyond memorial service: https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/23/this-startup-will-send-1000-peoples-ashes-to-space-affordably-in-2027/

• Massive exomoon discovery: https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/alien-moon-massive-redefine-what-a-moon-is/

• Halley's Comet historical research: https://phys.org/news/2026-01-halley-comet-wrongly-11th-century.html

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SpaceTime with Stuart Gary Gary - Series 29 Episode 10

In this episode of SpaceTime , we explore groundbreaking developments in space exploration, including the imminent launch of the first nuclear-powered rocket, the merging of low mass dwarf galaxies, and the intriguing connection between Earth-like planets and gas giants.

The Dawn of Nuclear Rocket Technology

History is set to be made as NASA and DARPA prepare to test the world’s first fully operational nuclear-powered orbital rocket. This innovative vehicle utilizes a nuclear thermal propulsion system that heats liquid hydrogen propellant through nuclear fusion, achieving nearly double the efficiency of conventional rockets. The test aims to validate reactor operation in orbit, potentially revolutionizing space travel by reducing transit times to Mars and allowing for larger payloads.

Merging Dwarf Galaxies: A New Discovery

A recent study published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters confirms that low mass dwarf galaxies can merge with one another. Observations of the Ursa Minor dwarf spheroidal galaxy reveal previously hidden stellar structures, suggesting that even the smallest galaxies experience mergers. These findings challenge traditional views on galaxy formation and evolution, indicating that interactions between dwarf galaxies may be more common than previously believed.

The Connection Between Earth-Like and Gas Giant Planets

Astronomers have found that rocky planets similar to Earth are more likely to exist in star systems that also contain large gas giants like Jupiter. This research, reported in Astronomy and Astrophysics, shows that cold Jupiters, which orbit beyond the snow line, play a significant role in the formation of super Earths in the inner regions of their planetary systems. The study offers new insights into the complex dynamics of planetary formation and the conditions that lead to the development of terrestrial planets.

www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com (https://www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com/)

✍️ Episode References

Astrophysical Journal Letters

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Science Advances

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(00:00:00) NASA and DARPA prepare to test the first nuclear-powered orbital rocket

(00:10:15) New study confirms mergers among low mass dwarf galaxies

(00:20:45) Link discovered between Earth-like planets and gas giants

(00:30:00) China breaks through barriers in nuclear fusion reactor development

(00:35:20) The impact of ultra-processed foods on global health.

Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/31291826?utm_source=youtube

Welcome to Astronomy Daily! Today we explore NASA's inspiring collection of historic keepsakes heading to the Moon on Artemis II, including fabric from the 1903 Wright Flyer. We examine an urgent warning about orbital debris—the CRASH Clock shows catastrophic collision could occur in just 5.5 days if satellites lose maneuvering capability. New analysis of Apollo lunar samples challenges our understanding of where Earth's water came from. Irish researchers solve the mystery of how supermassive black holes grew so quickly in the early universe. Plus, Blue Origin schedules its third New Glenn launch with a reused booster, and NASA's AI tool ExoMiner++ identifies 7,000 new exoplanet candidates in TESS data.

Hosts: Anna & Avery

Episode: S05E20

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Artemis 2 Updates, Cosmic Iron Bars, and the Role of Hydrogen Cyanide in Life's Origins

In this exciting episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson delve into the latest developments in space exploration and cosmic phenomena. Join them as they discuss the progress of the Artemis 2 mission, the discovery of a mysterious iron bar in the Ring Nebula, and the intriguing role of hydrogen cyanide in the potential origins of life.

Episode Highlights:

- Artemis 2 Progress: Andrew and Fred provide an update on the Artemis 2 mission, which recently moved to launch pad 39B at Cape Canaveral. They discuss the upcoming wet dress rehearsal and the significance of this mission as a precursor to future lunar explorations.

- The Iron Bar Mystery: The hosts explore a fascinating discovery in the Ring Nebula, where scientists have identified a linear structure made of highly ionized iron gas. They discuss its potential origins and what this could mean for our understanding of planetary nebulae.

- Hydrogen Cyanide and Life: Andrew and Fred examine a study suggesting that hydrogen cyanide, often seen as a deadly substance, may play a crucial role in the formation of prebiotic molecules. They ponder the implications for life on other celestial bodies, such as Titan.

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 favorite 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.

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