- Breakthrough in Dark Matter Research: A potential game-changing discovery has emerged in the search for dark matter. An astronomer from the University of Tokyo has detected high-energy gamma rays that align with theoretical predictions for dark matter particle collisions. This intriguing signal could provide the first direct evidence of dark matter, specifically linked to the hypothesized WIMPs (weakly interacting massive particles), marking a monumental step in understanding one of the universe's greatest mysteries.
- Busy Week for Rocket Launches: This week is set to be a thrilling one for space enthusiasts, with a total of seven launches from five different rockets worldwide. SpaceX leads the way with three Falcon 9 missions, while a Russian Soyuz rocket will carry new crew members to the ISS. Additionally, military payloads and satellite launches from South Korea and French Guiana round out this international showcase of space exploration.
- Perseverance Rover's Curious Find: The Perseverance rover has discovered a sculpted rock on Mars, nicknamed Phi Staxhla, which is composed of iron and nickel—indicative of a meteorite. If confirmed, this would be the first meteorite identified by Perseverance since its landing in February 2021, offering a fascinating glimpse into the planet's history.
- Osiris Apophis Explorer's Earth Philip: The Osiris Apophis Explorer spacecraft, previously known for its sample return from asteroid Bennu, recently completed a gravity assist flyby of Earth. Flying within 2,100 miles of our planet, the spacecraft successfully calibrated its instruments, capturing stunning images of Earth as it prepares for its new mission targeting asteroid Apophis.
- Escapade Mission's First Selfies: NASA's Escapade mission, featuring twin spacecraft, has sent back its first selfies, confirming that its camera system is functioning properly. This reassuring image marks a significant milestone as the spacecraft embark on their long journey, ready to explore the mysteries of our solar system.
- Boiling Oceans on Icy Moons: A groundbreaking study suggests that even small icy moons, previously thought to be frozen solid, might host boiling oceans. Tidal forces could generate enough heat in their cores to keep water in a liquid state, potentially creating environments suitable for life, even in total darkness. This discovery expands the search for habitable worlds beyond traditional boundaries.
- For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, TikTok, and our new Instagram account! Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- Thank you for tuning in. This is Anna and Avery signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and exploring the wonders of our universe.
Dark Matter Discovery
[NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/)
Rocket Launch Schedule
[SpaceX](https://www.spacex.com/)
Perseverance Rover Findings
[NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mars-rovers/perseverance/overview.html)
Osiris Apophis Explorer Mission
[NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/osiris-rex/overview/index.html)
Escapade Mission Updates
[NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/escapade)
Boiling Oceans Research
[Science Journal](https://www.science.org/)
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This episode includes AI-generated content.
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 Avery: Hello, and welcome to Astronomy Daily, the
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 podcast that brings you the universe, one
00:00:04 --> 00:00:06 story at a time. I'm Avery.
00:00:06 --> 00:00:09 Anna: And I'm Anna. It's great to have you with us
00:00:09 --> 00:00:11 today, covering everything from the deepest
00:00:11 --> 00:00:13 cosmic mysteries to the latest missions
00:00:13 --> 00:00:15 exploring our own solar system.
00:00:16 --> 00:00:18 Avery: That's right, Anna. We'll be talking about a
00:00:18 --> 00:00:20 potential breakthrough in the search for dark
00:00:20 --> 00:00:22 matter, a very busy week of rocket launches,
00:00:22 --> 00:00:25 and a curious find by the Perseverance rover
00:00:25 --> 00:00:26 on Mars.
00:00:26 --> 00:00:28 Anna: Plus, we'll check in with the Osiris, uh,
00:00:28 --> 00:00:31 apex, and Escapade missions and dive into
00:00:31 --> 00:00:33 a fascinating new study that suggests there
00:00:33 --> 00:00:36 could be boiling oceans on tiny icy moons.
00:00:37 --> 00:00:39 Avery: So grab your favorite beverage, get
00:00:39 --> 00:00:41 comfortable, and let's explore the cosmos.
00:00:41 --> 00:00:44 Anna: Avery, let's start with what could be one of
00:00:44 --> 00:00:46 the biggest discoveries in modern physics.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:48 For nearly a century, scientists have been
00:00:48 --> 00:00:50 searching for dark matter.
00:00:50 --> 00:00:52 Avery: Right. It's this mysterious substance that we
00:00:52 --> 00:00:54 know is out there because we can see its
00:00:54 --> 00:00:57 gravitational effects on galaxies, but. But
00:00:57 --> 00:00:59 it doesn't interact with light, so we can't
00:00:59 --> 00:01:01 see it directly. It's a huge puzzle.
00:01:01 --> 00:01:04 Anna: Exactly. And now there's a tantalizing
00:01:04 --> 00:01:07 new signal. An astronomer from the University
00:01:07 --> 00:01:09 of Tokyo, analyzing data from NASA's
00:01:09 --> 00:01:12 Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope, believes he
00:01:12 --> 00:01:14 may have found its signature.
00:01:14 --> 00:01:16 Avery: Wow. Okay. How? What did he find?
00:01:17 --> 00:01:20 Anna: He detected high energy photons, gamma
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 rays that seemed to perfectly match the
00:01:22 --> 00:01:25 theoretical predictions for when dark matter
00:01:25 --> 00:01:27 particles collide and annihilate each other.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:29 Avery: And we're not just talking about any
00:01:29 --> 00:01:30 particles. This is linked to the leading
00:01:30 --> 00:01:32 theory, Right? The idea of WIMPs.
00:01:32 --> 00:01:35 Anna: That's the one. WIMPs, or weakly
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 interacting Massive Particles, are the
00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 hypothetical particles that many physicists
00:01:39 --> 00:01:42 believe make up dark matter. The signal
00:01:42 --> 00:01:44 matches the energy that would be released if
00:01:44 --> 00:01:45 two wimps destroyed each other.
00:01:45 --> 00:01:47 Avery: M. So this could be our first direct
00:01:47 --> 00:01:50 glimpse of dark matter actually doing
00:01:50 --> 00:01:52 something. Of course, it still needs to be
00:01:52 --> 00:01:55 verified and peer reviewed, of course, but.
00:01:55 --> 00:01:57 Anna: If it holds up, it would be a monumental
00:01:57 --> 00:02:00 discovery. Finally pulling back the curtain
00:02:00 --> 00:02:02 on one of the universe's greatest secrets.
00:02:02 --> 00:02:04 Avery: Absolutely incredible.
00:02:04 --> 00:02:06 From the invisible universe to the very
00:02:06 --> 00:02:08 visible, let's talk about what's heading up
00:02:08 --> 00:02:11 into the sky this week. It is going to be a
00:02:11 --> 00:02:13 very busy one for launch fans.
00:02:13 --> 00:02:16 Anna: It certainly is. How many are we looking at?
00:02:16 --> 00:02:19 Avery: 7 launches from five different rockets all
00:02:19 --> 00:02:22 across the globe. SpaceX is leading the
00:02:22 --> 00:02:24 charge as usual, with three missions planned
00:02:24 --> 00:02:26 for its workhorse Falcon 9.
00:02:26 --> 00:02:29 Anna: 3 launches. They really make it look
00:02:29 --> 00:02:31 routine. And there's also a crewed mission
00:02:31 --> 00:02:32 this week, isn't there?
00:02:33 --> 00:02:35 Avery: There is a Russian Soyuz rocket will be
00:02:35 --> 00:02:38 launching from Kazakhstan carrying three new
00:02:38 --> 00:02:40 crew members up to the International Space
00:02:40 --> 00:02:42 Station. Always exciting to see humans
00:02:42 --> 00:02:43 heading to orbit.
00:02:43 --> 00:02:46 Anna: Mhm. And Russia has another launch planned
00:02:46 --> 00:02:46 too.
00:02:46 --> 00:02:48 Avery: That's right. A military payload is set to
00:02:48 --> 00:02:51 launch on an Angara 1.2 rocket from
00:02:51 --> 00:02:53 northern Russia. And not to be left out,
00:02:53 --> 00:02:56 South Korea is getting in on the action with
00:02:56 --> 00:02:59 a launch of its KSLV2 rocket.
00:02:59 --> 00:03:01 Anna: And the week is rounded out from French
00:03:01 --> 00:03:03 Guiana. Right, a Vega C launch.
00:03:03 --> 00:03:06 Avery: Exactly. The Vega C will carry another South
00:03:06 --> 00:03:08 Korean satellite, this one heading to a sun
00:03:08 --> 00:03:11 synchronous orbit. It's a truly international
00:03:11 --> 00:03:12 week for spaceflight.
00:03:13 --> 00:03:15 Anna: It's amazing to think of all that hardware
00:03:15 --> 00:03:17 leaving Earth in such a short span of time.
00:03:18 --> 00:03:20 Speaking of other worlds, let's journey from
00:03:20 --> 00:03:23 Earth orbit to the surface of Mars, where the
00:03:23 --> 00:03:25 Perseverance Rover has spotted something
00:03:25 --> 00:03:26 unusual.
00:03:26 --> 00:03:29 Avery: Yes, another Martian mystery rock. What did
00:03:29 --> 00:03:30 Percy find this time?
00:03:31 --> 00:03:33 Anna: Well, the science team describes it as a
00:03:33 --> 00:03:36 sculpted, high standing rock that looked
00:03:36 --> 00:03:38 completely different from the flat, broken up
00:03:38 --> 00:03:40 terrain around it. It immediately caught
00:03:40 --> 00:03:41 their attention.
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 Avery: And it's a decent size too, right? About
00:03:43 --> 00:03:46 three feet long. So of course they zapped it
00:03:46 --> 00:03:47 with the laser.
00:03:48 --> 00:03:50 Anna: Naturally, the Supercam instrument
00:03:50 --> 00:03:53 analyzed its composition and the results
00:03:53 --> 00:03:56 are pretty conclusive. The rock, which
00:03:56 --> 00:03:59 they've nicknamed Phi Staxhla, is made
00:03:59 --> 00:04:01 of iron and nickel, which.
00:04:01 --> 00:04:04 Avery: Is the classic signature of a meteorite. It's
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 likely a fragment from the core of a large
00:04:06 --> 00:04:09 asteroid that slammed into Mars at some point
00:04:09 --> 00:04:10 in the distant past.
00:04:11 --> 00:04:14 Anna: That's the leading theory. And if its
00:04:14 --> 00:04:16 origin is confirmed, this would be the very
00:04:17 --> 00:04:19 first meteorite the Perseverance has
00:04:19 --> 00:04:22 discovered since it landed back in February
00:04:22 --> 00:04:23 2021.
00:04:23 --> 00:04:26 Avery: That's fantastic. It's like getting a free
00:04:26 --> 00:04:28 sample of an asteroid delivered right to your
00:04:28 --> 00:04:28 rover.
00:04:29 --> 00:04:32 From one NASA mission to another, let's come
00:04:32 --> 00:04:35 a little closer to home and talk about a
00:04:35 --> 00:04:37 spacecraft that just paid Earth a flying
00:04:37 --> 00:04:37 visit.
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 Anna: You must be talking about Osiris Apex.
00:04:41 --> 00:04:43 This is the same spacecraft that delivered
00:04:43 --> 00:04:46 the sample from Astero Bennu, but now on
00:04:46 --> 00:04:47 a new mission.
00:04:47 --> 00:04:50 Avery: Exactly. Its new name is Osiris
00:04:50 --> 00:04:53 Apophis Explorer. And its new target
00:04:53 --> 00:04:56 is Asteroid Apophis. To get
00:04:56 --> 00:04:59 there, it needed a gravity assist from Earth,
00:04:59 --> 00:05:01 and that just happened on September 23rd.
00:05:02 --> 00:05:03 Anna: How close did it come?
00:05:04 --> 00:05:07 Avery: It flew within about 2 miles of the
00:05:07 --> 00:05:09 surface. But the team didn't waste
00:05:09 --> 00:05:11 opportunity. As it approached and flew past,
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 the spacecraft turned its instruments back
00:05:13 --> 00:05:14 towards home.
00:05:15 --> 00:05:18 Anna: Right. To calibrate them. Since we know Earth
00:05:18 --> 00:05:20 so well, it's the perfect subject to test
00:05:20 --> 00:05:23 your instruments. On to make sure they're
00:05:23 --> 00:05:25 working correctly before you get to your new
00:05:25 --> 00:05:28 target. I bet they got some beautiful
00:05:28 --> 00:05:28 images.
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 Avery: They certainly did. It's always a bit
00:05:31 --> 00:05:33 special seeing our home planet from the
00:05:33 --> 00:05:36 perspective of one of our robotic explorers.
00:05:37 --> 00:05:39 Anna: From a, uh, spacecraft looking back at us.
00:05:40 --> 00:05:42 Let's talk about one that's looking at
00:05:42 --> 00:05:45 itself. So NASA's new escapade
00:05:45 --> 00:05:47 mission has just sent back its first selfies.
00:05:48 --> 00:05:51 Avery: That's right. This mission is a pair of twin
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 spacecraft, and about a week after their
00:05:53 --> 00:05:56 launch, One of them turned its camera around
00:05:56 --> 00:05:57 to snap a picture.
00:05:58 --> 00:06:01 Anna: And what do these selfies show? It's not just
00:06:01 --> 00:06:02 for social media, I assume.
00:06:03 --> 00:06:05 Avery: No, though they are pretty cool. The
00:06:05 --> 00:06:08 images taken by the visible and infrared
00:06:08 --> 00:06:11 observation system, or visions, show part
00:06:11 --> 00:06:13 of the spacecraft solar panel against the
00:06:13 --> 00:06:14 backdrop of space.
00:06:15 --> 00:06:17 Anna: It's an important engineering check. Right.
00:06:18 --> 00:06:20 It confirms that the camera system has
00:06:20 --> 00:06:23 deployed correctly and is functioning as
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 expected as the explorer's speed away from
00:06:25 --> 00:06:28 Earth. It's the first step in a long journey.
00:06:29 --> 00:06:31 Avery: Exactly. It's the spacecraft saying,
00:06:32 --> 00:06:34 I'm okay, My eyes are open and
00:06:34 --> 00:06:37 I'm ready for what's next. It's a simple
00:06:37 --> 00:06:39 image, but a very reassuring one for the
00:06:39 --> 00:06:40 mission team.
00:06:40 --> 00:06:41 Anna: It always is.
00:06:42 --> 00:06:44 Avery: And speaking of long journeys, let's take one
00:06:44 --> 00:06:47 ourselves out to the far reaches of the solar
00:06:47 --> 00:06:50 system for our final story, which sounds like
00:06:50 --> 00:06:51 something straight out of science fiction.
00:06:52 --> 00:06:54 Anna: This is the one I've been waiting for.
00:06:54 --> 00:06:56 Boiling oceans on icy moons.
00:06:57 --> 00:06:58 It sounds contradictory.
00:06:59 --> 00:07:02 Avery: It does. But a, uh, new study suggests it
00:07:02 --> 00:07:04 might be possible. We already have strong
00:07:04 --> 00:07:07 evidence that some larger icy moons, Like
00:07:07 --> 00:07:10 Saturn's moon Enceladus or Jupiter's
00:07:10 --> 00:07:13 Europa, have liquid water oceans under their
00:07:13 --> 00:07:13 icy shells.
00:07:14 --> 00:07:17 Anna: Right. Kept liquid by the heat generated from
00:07:17 --> 00:07:20 tidal forces. The constant gravitational
00:07:20 --> 00:07:23 push and pull from their giant parent planet.
00:07:23 --> 00:07:26 Avery: Exactly. This new research takes it a
00:07:26 --> 00:07:29 step further. It models what might happen
00:07:29 --> 00:07:32 inside much smaller icy moons, Moons that
00:07:32 --> 00:07:34 we previously thought would be frozen solid.
00:07:35 --> 00:07:37 The study finds that the same tidal forces
00:07:37 --> 00:07:40 could generate so much heat in the rocky core
00:07:40 --> 00:07:42 that the water at the bottom of the ocean
00:07:42 --> 00:07:44 could actually be boiling.
00:07:45 --> 00:07:47 Anna: So you'd have this incredible environment
00:07:47 --> 00:07:50 With a ceiling of ice, A floor of
00:07:50 --> 00:07:53 boiling rock, and a vast, uh, liquid ocean
00:07:53 --> 00:07:54 in between.
00:07:54 --> 00:07:57 Avery: That's the idea. And if you have liquid water
00:07:57 --> 00:08:00 and a source of heat and chemical energy,
00:08:00 --> 00:08:02 like a hydrothermal vent system at the bottom
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 of an ocean, then you have.
00:08:04 --> 00:08:07 Anna: The key ingredients for life, as we know
00:08:08 --> 00:08:10 dramatically expands the number of places in
00:08:10 --> 00:08:13 our solar system that could potentially host
00:08:13 --> 00:08:16 living organisms. What an
00:08:16 --> 00:08:17 amazing thought.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:20 Avery: It really is. And it's not just about finding
00:08:20 --> 00:08:23 life, but understanding its limits.
00:08:23 --> 00:08:25 These environments would be under immense
00:08:25 --> 00:08:28 pressure and in total darkness. Life there
00:08:28 --> 00:08:31 would be fundamentally different, likely
00:08:31 --> 00:08:33 chemosynthetic, thriving on chemical
00:08:33 --> 00:08:36 reactions from the core rather than sunlight.
00:08:36 --> 00:08:38 Anna: And that has huge implications.
00:08:39 --> 00:08:42 It suggests that the habitable zone
00:08:42 --> 00:08:44 isn't just about the distance from a star,
00:08:45 --> 00:08:47 but also about the internal dynamics of a
00:08:47 --> 00:08:50 world. You could have potentially habitable
00:08:50 --> 00:08:53 moons orbiting rogue planets that were
00:08:53 --> 00:08:55 ejected from their star systems, wandering
00:08:55 --> 00:08:57 through interstellar space.
00:08:58 --> 00:09:00 Avery: And on, um, that note, we'll call it a wrap
00:09:00 --> 00:09:02 on today's episode of Astronomy Daily.
00:09:02 --> 00:09:05 Anna: From a potential glimpse of dark matter, a
00:09:05 --> 00:09:08 week of powerful launches, a meteorite
00:09:08 --> 00:09:11 on Mars, and missions checking in on their
00:09:11 --> 00:09:14 way to new adventures, all the way to
00:09:14 --> 00:09:16 boiling oceans on distant moons,
00:09:17 --> 00:09:19 the universe is never short of wonders.
00:09:20 --> 00:09:23 Avery: It certainly isn't. A huge thank you to all
00:09:23 --> 00:09:26 of you for joining us on Astronomy Daily. We
00:09:26 --> 00:09:27 hope you've enjoyed the journey.
00:09:28 --> 00:09:30 Anna: You can find links to all the stories we
00:09:30 --> 00:09:33 discussed today on our website. And be sure
00:09:33 --> 00:09:35 to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
00:09:35 --> 00:09:38 so you don't miss an episode. Until next
00:09:38 --> 00:09:39 time. I'm Anna.
00:09:39 --> 00:09:42 Avery: And I'm, um, Avery. Keep looking up.
00:09:53 --> 00:09:54 Is the
00:09:54 --> 00:10:05 tongue.