Astronomy Daily - S05E31: Dark Sky Victory, Jupiter Redefined, Monster Sunspot

Victory for dark skies as industrial plant near major observatory cancelled • NASA's Juno mission reveals Jupiter is larger and flatter than we thought • 15-Earth-wide sunspot currently facing our planet • Unusual Martian storm reveals subsurface secrets • NASA acknowledges SLS rocket sustainability challenges • How red giant stars destroy their own gas giant planets

Host Anna and Avery discuss six major space stories for Thursday, February 5th, 2026.

Episode sponsored by astronomydaily.io - Your daily source for space and astronomy news

Featured Stories:

• Dark Sky Preservation: Industrial development threatening Canary Islands observatory cancelled

• Jupiter Redefined: Juno mission measurements reveal true size and shape of gas giant

• Solar Activity: Monster sunspot 15 Earths wide faces Earth - viewing safety tips included

• Martian Meteorology: Unusual storm system reveals subsurface features of red planet

• SLS Reality Check: NASA publicly addresses Space Launch System cost sustainability

• Stellar Destruction: Red giants systematically destroy orbiting gas giant planets

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SpaceTime with Stuart Gary Gary - Series 29 Episode 15

In this episode of SpaceTime , we uncover intriguing discoveries about Mercury's geological activity, NASA's innovative Dragonfly mission to Titan, and the environmental impacts of rocket fuel pollution.

Mercury's Surprising Streaks

A new study reveals bright streaks, or lineae, on Mercury's surface, suggesting the planet is not as geologically inactive as previously thought. Researchers from the University of Bern utilized machine learning to analyze over 100,000 images from NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft, discovering that these streaks are likely caused by the outgassing of volatile materials from beneath Mercury's crust. This finding indicates ongoing geological processes and will be further explored by the BepiColombo mission, set to reach Mercury later this year.

NASA's Dragonfly Mission to Titan

NASA is developing the Dragonfly, a car-sized rotocopter designed to explore Saturn's moon Titan, which features methane and ethane lakes. Scheduled for launch in 2028, Dragonfly will utilize Titan's dense atmosphere to fly to various locations, examining environments that may harbor organic materials essential for life. The mission builds on the success of the Ingenuity rotocopter on Mars, with extensive testing underway to ensure optimal performance in Titan's unique conditions.

Rocket Fuel Pollution and the Ozone Layer

A recent study highlights the damaging effects of burning rocket fuels, such as kerosene, on Earth's ozone layer. The report indicates that the rapid growth of the rocket launch industry is exacerbating this issue, particularly affecting regions like Antarctica and parts of Australia. Researchers are calling for restrictions on the use of these fuels to mitigate environmental harm.

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

✍️ Episode References

Nature Communications, Earth and Environment

Climate and Atmospheric Science

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(00:00:00) Streaks on the surface of Mercury suggesting it's not quite dead yet

(00:11:13) Burning rocket fuel damages Earth's ozone layer, study finds

(00:12:28) A new study claims cyber attacks can spark intense social media discussions

(00:14:53) Apple bans anti woke Holly Valent song from iTunes in Australia

(00:16:39) Apple has now had hypertension notifications authorized by the TGN

(00:18:04) Space Time is available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through bitesz. com (https://play.headliner.app/episode/31508800?utm_source=youtube

Welcome to Astronomy Daily, bringing you the latest space and astronomy news. I'm Anna, joined by my co-host Avery, with today's cosmic headlines for Wednesday, February 4th, 2026.

Episode Highlights:

🚀 ARTEMIS 2 DELAYED - NASA's historic moon mission pushed to March after hydrogen leak during wet dress rehearsal. Four astronauts await their journey around the Moon as teams address familiar technical challenges.

🛰️ SPACEX UNVEILS STARGAZE - Revolutionary space traffic management system uses 30,000 star trackers to detect 30 million orbital transits daily. Free conjunction data offered to all satellite operators starting this spring.

⚠️ FALCON 9 GROUNDED - SpaceX temporarily halts launches after upper stage deorbit issue. Critical Crew-12 astronaut mission scheduled for February 11th hangs in the balance.

🌌 JWST'S RARE DISCOVERY - Five-way galaxy merger spotted in early universe challenges cosmic evolution models. System formed just 800 million years after Big Bang shows unexpected complexity.

🌠 LOCAL VOID MYSTERY SOLVED - 50-year puzzle resolved as scientists map flat sheet of matter beyond Local Group. Milky Way fleeing massive cosmic void at 600,000 mph.

⭐ RUNAWAY STARS MAPPED - Largest study reveals dual mechanisms ejecting massive stars from the galaxy. 214 O-type stellar speedsters analyzed, some exceeding 700 km/s.

For more space news, visit astronomydaily.io and follow us @AstroDailyPod on all major platforms.

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In this episode of SpaceTime , we explore new insights into the origins of Earth's water, groundbreaking discoveries beneath the surface of Jupiter's volcanic moon Io, and how tectonic plate movements may have influenced Earth's climate throughout history.

New Clues on Earth's Water Origins

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that asteroid and comet impacts could only account for a small fraction of Earth's water supply. By analyzing oxygen isotopes in lunar regolith collected during the Apollo missions, researchers found that the early Earth likely retained little to no water during its formative years. This challenges long-held beliefs and suggests that the majority of Earth's water must have originated from other sources, rather than being delivered by celestial bodies.

Unprecedented Volcanic Activity on Io

NASA's Juno spacecraft has captured remarkable data on Io, the most volcanically active body in our solar system. Observations from a December flyby revealed the most energetic eruption ever detected on Io, affecting a vast area of 65,000 square kilometers. The findings indicate that interconnected magma reservoirs beneath Io's surface are responsible for this extraordinary volcanic activity, providing new insights into the moon's geological dynamics and evolution.

Tectonic Plates and Earth's Climate

A new study suggests that carbon released from shifting tectonic plates may have played a significant role in Earth's climatic transitions, rather than volcanic activity as previously thought. Researchers reconstructed carbon movements over the last 540 million years, providing evidence that carbon emissions from mid-ocean ridges were the primary drivers of climate shifts between ice ages and warmer periods. This research reshapes our understanding of past climate dynamics and offers valuable insights for future climate models.

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

✍️ Episode References

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Journal of Geophysical Research Planets

Communications Earth and Environment

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Welcome to Astronomy Daily! Join hosts Anna and Avery for today's cosmic journey through space news, featuring SpaceX's audacious plan for one million solar-powered satellites, an ancient star catalog recovered from layers of medieval text, and China's groundbreaking solar mission to the L5 point.

**Episode Highlights:**

🛰️ **SpaceX's Million-Satellite Vision** - SpaceX files with the FCC to launch up to one million solar-powered satellite data centers for AI, framing it as a step toward becoming a Kardashev Type II civilization

⭐ **Ancient Star Map Revealed** - Scientists use X-ray technology to uncover Hipparchus's 2,000-year-old star catalog hidden under six layers of ink in a medieval manuscript

☀️ **China's Solar Observatory** - The Xihe-2 probe will become the first mission to monitor solar activity from the Sun-Earth L5 point, offering five-day advance warnings of space weather events

🔭 **Stellar Detective Story** - Astronomers discover WOH G64 isn't dying after all—a hidden companion star was fooling scientists about the red supergiant's fate

🚀 **Time Honors Artemis 2** - Time magazine releases special commemorative cover celebrating the Artemis 2 crew ahead of humanity's return to lunar orbit

🌍 **Remembering Gladys West** - Honoring the GPS pioneer and "Hidden Figure" whose mathematical work shaped navigation technology used by billions worldwide

**Episode Length:** 18-20 minutes

**Hosts:** Anna & Avery

**Production:** Astronomy Daily Podcast, Season 5

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## Story Sources

- TechCrunch

- Daily Galaxy

- Space.com

- Journal for the History of Astronomy

- CGTN News

- Keele University

- U.S. Department of Defense

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Solar Curiosities, Stellar Siblings, and the Quest for Sun Missions

In this enlightening episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson dive into a plethora of solar-themed questions submitted by their curious audience. From the intriguing arc of the sun across the sky to the search for the sun's long-lost siblings, this episode is packed with cosmic insights that will leave you pondering the mysteries of our solar system.

Episode Highlights:

- The Sun's Arc: Andrew kicks off the episode with a question about the sun's arc as observed from the French Alps. Fred explains the celestial mechanics behind this phenomenon, illustrating how our perspective from Earth creates the illusion of an arc due to the spherical nature of the celestial sphere.

- Searching for Solar Siblings: Ernie's inquiry about the sun's siblings leads to a fascinating discussion on galactic archaeology. The hosts explore ongoing research aimed at identifying stars with similar chemical compositions to the sun, potentially revealing our sun's stellar family tree.

- Close Encounters with the Sun: Mark's question about missions to the sun sparks an exploration of the Parker Solar Probe, which has been gathering invaluable data by flying close to the sun. Andrew and Fred discuss the probe's findings and the various other missions dedicated to studying our star.

- Exoplanetary Possibilities: Martin shares his sci-fi aspirations and questions the potential for breathable atmospheres on exoplanets. The hosts reflect on recent discoveries of Earth-sized exoplanets and the challenges of confirming their atmospheres, while also encouraging Martin's creative writing endeavors.

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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Challenger Remembrance, Australian of the Year, and the Mystery of Massive Moons

In this poignant episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson reflect on the 40th anniversary of the Challenger space shuttle disaster, sharing their memories and insights about this tragic event. They also celebrate the announcement of the Australian of the Year and delve into intriguing discussions about the definition of moons and the rapid growth of black holes.

Episode Highlights:

- Challenger Space Shuttle Disaster: Andrew and Fred discuss the Challenger disaster of 1986, revisiting the events leading to the tragic explosion and the lessons learned from this pivotal moment in space history. They reflect on the human cost and the impact it had on the space program.

- Australian of the Year: The hosts celebrate the recognition of Catherine Bennell Pegg, an Australian astronaut and Director of Space Technology at the Australian Space Agency, as the Australian of the Year. They discuss her contributions to space science and her role in inspiring future generations.

- Defining a Moon: Andrew and Fred explore a recent study that challenges our understanding of what constitutes a moon. They discuss the discovery of a massive potential moon orbiting a gas giant and the implications for our definitions in astronomy.

- The Rapid Growth of Black Holes: The episode concludes with a fascinating examination of how black holes can grow rapidly in chaotic conditions, as discussed in recent research. The hosts analyze the findings and what they mean for our understanding of the universe.

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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