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SpaceTime: Your Guide to Space & Astronomy

SpaceTime: Your Guide to Space & Astronomy

By: Stuart Gary
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About this listen

 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
  • Dark Stars and Cosmic Origins: Unraveling the Early Universe

    Dark Stars and Cosmic Origins: Unraveling the Early Universe
    Oct 10 2025
    In this episode of SpaceTime, we uncover the latest revelations in astrophysics, including the intriguing prospect of supermassive dark stars, Australia's ambitious lunar rover mission, and fresh insights into the formation of our solar system.
    Supermassive Dark Stars: A New Cosmic Discovery
    Astronomers have identified potential candidates for a new type of star in the early universe, known as supermassive dark stars. Recent observations from the Webb Space Telescope suggest that these stars, primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, are supported against gravitational collapse by dark matter. This episode delves into how these dark stars could help explain the existence of supermassive black holes and the unexpectedly bright distant galaxies observed by Webb. With the possibility of a smoking gun signature in their spectra, the implications of this discovery could reshape our understanding of dark matter and stellar evolution.
    Australia's Lunar Rover Mission: A Step Towards the Moon
    Work is underway on Australia's first lunar rover, set to launch as part of NASA's Artemis programme. This 20-kilogram robotic vehicle, developed by the Queensland University of Technology, will explore lunar geology and contribute to establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon. The episode covers the rover's design, mission objectives, and the collaborative efforts between Australian institutions and NASA to advance lunar exploration.
    Piecing Together the Early Solar System
    New research published in Science Advances reveals that the early solar system was more chaotic than previously thought, with planets forming from recycled fragments of shattered bodies rather than pristine materials. This episode discusses the violent origins of our solar system and how high-energy collisions influenced the development of planetary cores, ultimately shaping the celestial bodies we know today.
    www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com
    ✍️ Episode References
    Journal of Physical Review Letters
    https://journals.aps.org/prl/
    Science Advances
    https://www.science.org/journal/sciadv
    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.
    Supermassive Dark Stars: A New Cosmic Discovery
    Australia's Lunar Rover Mission: A Step Towards the Moon
    Piecing Together the Early Solar System
    (00:00) The potential discovery of supermassive dark stars
    (10:15) Australia's new lunar rover mission details
    (18:45) New findings on the chaotic origins of the solar system
    (25:30) Skywatch for October: Meteor showers and celestial highlights
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Enceladus Unveiled: Fresh Discoveries of Organic Chemistry Beneath the Ice

    Enceladus Unveiled: Fresh Discoveries of Organic Chemistry Beneath the Ice
    Oct 8 2025
    In this episode of SpaceTime, we dive into the fascinating findings from Saturn's icy moon Enceladus, discuss delays in the Dream Chaser spaceplane's launch schedule, and celebrate NASA's breakthroughs in laser communications for deep space missions.
    Enceladus: Unveiling Complex Chemistry
    Recent discoveries reported in the journal Nature Astronomy reveal that Saturn's moon Enceladus is spewing complex organic molecules from its subsurface ocean. Data collected by the Cassini spacecraft during its mission has unveiled fresh insights into the chemical reactions occurring in this hidden ocean. The presence of organic molecules, including precursors for amino acids, raises the possibility that Enceladus may have once harboured conditions suitable for life. This episode explores how these findings could inform future missions aimed at further investigating Enceladus and its potential habitability.
    Dream Chaser Spaceplane: A Delay in Launch
    Sierra Space has announced that their Dream Chaser spaceplane's first free flight demonstration has been pushed back to late 2026. Originally designed as a manned spacecraft, Dream Chaser will now serve as a cargo transport for NASA's Commercial Resupply Services, delivering supplies to the International Space Station. The episode discusses the spaceplane's unique design, its cargo capabilities, and the future of its missions, including plans for a fully operational crewed version.
    Nasa's Optical Deep Space Laser Communications Success
    NASA's new Optical Deep Space Laser Communications project has surpassed all technical goals, paving the way for high-speed communications for future crewed missions to Mars. The technology, which successfully transmitted data over vast distances, demonstrated data rates comparable to broadband Internet services. This breakthrough enables faster communication for astronauts and could revolutionise data transmission in deep space. Tune in to learn more about the technology behind this ambitious project and its implications for future space exploration.
    www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com
    ✍️ Episode References
    Nature Astronomy
    https://www.nature.com/natureastronomy
    NASA Dream Chaser
    https://www.nasa.gov/dreamchaser
    NASA Optical Deep Space Laser Communications
    https://www.nasa.gov/lasercom
    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.
    Enceladus: Unveiling Complex Chemistry
    Dream Chaser Spaceplane: A Delay in Launch
    NASA's Optical Deep Space Laser Communications Success
    (00:00) The Dream Chaser spaceplane set for another delay
    (00:48) Scientists have discovered new complex organic molecules spewing from Saturn's Enceladus
    (09:41) NASA says new optical Deep Space Laser communications project has exceeded all technical goals
    (17:29) Around a quarter of all press releases in the United States are probably AI generated
    (19:23) Companies failing to secure AI agents is causing security risks, warns expert
    (20:27) Gary Stuart says AI agents can be hacked and should be treated like humans
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • The Universe's Countdown: New Insights into Cosmic Fate and Fungal Origins

    The Universe's Countdown: New Insights into Cosmic Fate and Fungal Origins
    Oct 6 2025
    In this episode of SpaceTime, we explore the future of our universe, the latest advancements in mapping our Milky Way, and the pivotal role fungi played in the evolution of life on land.
    The Universe's Fate: A Big Crunch in 20 Billion Years
    A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics reveals that the universe is approaching the midpoint of its 33 billion-year lifespan and may end in approximately 20 billion years. Lead author Henry Tighe from Cornell University presents new data suggesting that the universe's cosmological constant may be negative, leading to a contraction and eventual collapse—a phenomenon referred to as the "big crunch." This research, based on observations from the Dark Energy Survey and the dark energy spectroscopic instrument DESI, challenges long-held beliefs about the universe's eternal expansion and opens new avenues for understanding cosmic evolution.
    Mapping the Milky Way: Gaia's 3D View
    The European Space Agency's Gaia Space Telescope has unveiled the most precise three-dimensional map of star-forming regions within our Milky Way galaxy. By analysing data from 44 million stars, Gaia has provided insights into the obscured molecular clouds where new stars are born. This innovative mapping technique allows astronomers to understand the distribution of ionised gas and the dynamics of star formation, offering a fresh perspective on our galaxy's structure and the processes that shape it.
    Fungi: The Pioneers of Terrestrial Life
    A recent study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution has identified that fungi played a crucial role in preparing Earth for life on land between 900 million and 1.4 billion years ago—much earlier than previously thought. Researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology utilised a novel gene swap method to trace the evolution of fungi, suggesting that these organisms were instrumental in creating the first ecosystems and nutrient recycling processes that facilitated the emergence of terrestrial life. This discovery reframes our understanding of the timeline for life on Earth and highlights the importance of fungi in shaping our planet's biosphere.
    www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com
    ✍️ Episode References
    Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
    https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/gaia
    Nature Ecology and Evolution
    https://www.nature.com/newe
    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.
    The Universe's Fate: A Big Crunch in 20 Billion Years
    Mapping the Milky Way: Gaia's 3D View
    Fungi: The Pioneers of Terrestrial Life
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
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