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SpaceTime: Your Guide to Space & Astronomy

SpaceTime: Your Guide to Space & Astronomy

By: Stuart Gary
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Join host Stuart Gary for weekly explorations into Astronomy, Space, and Science News, featuring insights from 19 years on Australian Public Radio and industry experts.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.Copyright bitesz.com
Astronomy Astronomy & Space Science Nature & Ecology Science
Episodes
  • The Comet That Cooled the Earth - Unpacking the Younger Dryas Mystery
    Aug 22 2025
    In this episode of SpaceTime, we delve into intriguing new research that challenges our understanding of Earth's climatic history, the discovery of a rare astronomical phenomenon, and China's advancements in lunar exploration.
    Did a Comet Trigger the Younger Dryas Cool Off?
    A groundbreaking study has emerged suggesting that a massive comet may have instigated Earth's Younger Dryas cool off event, traditionally attributed to glacial meltwater. Analysis of ocean sediments published in the journal PLOS One reveals geochemical clues that support the hypothesis of Earth encountering a disintegrating comet around 12,800 years ago. This event could have led to rapid cooling, with temperatures plummeting by approximately 10 degrees Celsius within a year. The findings indicate a potential link between comet dust and significant climate shifts, inviting further investigation into this captivating theory.
    Discovery of a Rare White Dwarf Merger Remnant
    Astronomers have identified an ultra-massive white dwarf star resulting from the merger of two stars, rather than the evolution of a single star. This discovery, made possible by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, suggests that such white dwarf mergers may be more common than previously thought. The object, catalogued as WD0525 526, is located 126 light years away and is about 20% more massive than our Sun. Hubble's ultraviolet observations revealed carbon in its atmosphere, a sign of its violent origin, challenging previous assumptions about white dwarf formation.
    China Tests Its New Manned Lunar Lander
    In a significant milestone for lunar exploration, China has successfully conducted a test flight of its new manned lunar landing craft, named Lanyu. This test, which included a controlled landing and takeoff, marks a crucial step in China's ambitions to send taikonauts to the Moon by 2030. The Lanyu is designed to carry astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface and back, with plans for a permanent lunar base in collaboration with Russia in the early 2030s.
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    ✍️ Episode References
    PLOS One
    https://journals.plos.org/plosone/
    Nature Astronomy
    https://www.nature.com/natureastronomy/
    NASA Hubble Space Telescope
    https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/main/index.html
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    20 mins
  • Comet 3I Atlas - The Interstellar Voyager Unveiled
    Aug 20 2025
    In this episode of SpaceTime, we explore the latest revelations from the cosmos, featuring the intriguing interstellar comet 3I Atlas, a groundbreaking theory about our place in the universe, and the safe return of SpaceX Crew 10.
    The Enigmatic Comet 3I Atlas
    Astronomers utilizing NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have captured the sharpest images yet of the interstellar comet 3I Atlas, revealing a solid icy nucleus estimated to measure between 320 meters and 5.6 kilometers in diameter. This comet, traveling at a staggering 209,000 kilometers per hour, is believed to have been journeying through interstellar space for approximately 7 billion years. Observations from multiple telescopes are enhancing our understanding of this ancient visitor, including its size, chemical makeup, and physical properties. With a dust plume and tail reminiscent of solar system comets, 3I Atlas offers a unique glimpse into the history of our galaxy as it approaches the sun.
    Earth's Position in a Cosmic Void
    A new hypothesis suggests that Earth and the Milky Way may reside in a vast cosmic void rather than along a filament of the universe's cosmic web. This idea could help resolve the Hubble tension, a discrepancy in the rate of the universe's expansion. The study, presented at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Conference, posits that our galaxy might be near the center of a local void, influencing the observed expansion rate of the universe. This intriguing concept challenges existing cosmological models and could reshape our understanding of cosmic structure.
    Safe Return of SpaceX Crew 10
    After five months aboard the International Space Station, SpaceX Crew 10 has safely returned to Earth. Their Dragon capsule splashed down in the North Pacific Ocean, marking the end of a mission that contributed to over 200 scientific experiments, ranging from plant growth studies to the effects of microgravity on human physiology. The crew's successful return paves the way for their replacements, Crew 11, to continue vital research in low Earth orbit.
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    ✍️ Episode References
    Astrophysical Journal Letters
    https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/2041-8205
    Royal Astronomical Society
    https://ras.ac.uk/
    NASA's Hubble Space Telescope
    https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/main/index.html
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    23 mins
  • The Cosmic Horseshoe - Unraveling the Universe's Biggest Black Hole
    Aug 18 2025
    In this episode of SpaceTime, we uncover the latest astronomical marvels and pressing concerns in space science.
    The Cosmic Horseshoe: A Supermassive Discovery
    Astronomers have potentially identified the most massive supermassive black hole ever discovered, dubbed the Cosmic Horseshoe, which is estimated to be around 36 billion times the mass of our Sun. Located approximately 5 billion light years away, this colossal black hole distorts space-time and creates a stunning Einstein ring effect by gravitationally lensing light from distant galaxies. The measurement of its mass combines gravitational lensing and stellar kinematics, providing a rare glimpse into the formation and evolution of galaxies and their central black holes.
    Possible New Planet in the Alpha Centauri System
    Exciting news emerges from the Alpha Centauri star system, where astronomers may have discovered a new planet orbiting Alpha Centauri A, the closest star system to our own at just 4.25 light years away. Using data from NASA's Webb Space Telescope, researchers suggest this Saturn-sized gas giant could be located in the habitable zone of a sun-like star. While the planet's gaseous nature may not support life, its proximity offers a unique opportunity to study planetary systems beyond our own, challenging existing theories on planet formation in binary star systems.
    The Satellite Proliferation Dilemma
    As the number of satellites in Earth orbit continues to rise, astronomers are sounding alarms over the interference these satellites cause to vital scientific research. A study has highlighted the impact of Starlink's megaconstellation on radio astronomy, with significant radio emissions masking faint signals from the universe. This growing concern emphasizes the need for regulatory measures to mitigate interference and protect the integrity of astronomical observations.
    www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com
    ✍️ Episode References
    Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
    https://academic.oup.com/mnras
    Astrophysical Journal Letters
    https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/2041-8205
    Astronomy and Astrophysics Journal
    https://www.aanda.org/
    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-space-astronomy--2458531/support.
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    25 mins
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