Space News Today

Show notes

Electrons made on the wrong side of Earth's 'impenetrable barrier', a gamma-ray burst that only looked weak, the week that was, and a Halloween that is astronomically a week early. The Wall That Broke In 2014 NASA's Van Allen Probes revealed a sharp inner edge to Earth's outer radiation belt: electrons at the very highest energies never got closer than about 2.8 Earth radii. During the May 2024 superstorm — the biggest since the 2003 Halloween storms — Japan's Arase satellite saw electrons of about 3 MeV rise deep inside that 'impenetrable barrier'. A new paper led by Yoshizumi Miyoshi (Nagoya University ISEE) shows a peak in electron phase space density growing in place at L* ≈ 3, about 12,000 km up — evidence the electrons were accelerated there rather than carried in. Intense chorus waves, operating in a region emptied by a crushed plasmasphere and a negative ionospheric storm, are the likely engine. Caveats: one storm; 'consistent with' chorus acceleration; the breach itself had been reported before — the new part is the mechanism. Not Faint, Just Side-On GRB 260310A, caught by Fermi on 10 March 2026, had a feeble gamma-ray flash but one of the brightest afterglows ever seen. Yu-Han Yang (Tor Vergata) and colleagues argue we viewed a two-component jet from the side. Preprint from May; published in ApJL this month; competing models exist. The Week That Was E214 GRB 160425A, one burst with two births · E215 θ¹ Ori C, the star born twice · E216 Rubin's first dwarf-planet candidate 2026 ED138 · E217 Betelgeuse pulled out of round by Siwarha · E218 Teghaza 001, one of the oldest pieces of Mars. Plus Swift's re-entry watch, Voyager 1 at one light-day on 18 Nov, and Starship Flight 15 targeted for November. Skywatch Halloween is astronomically a week early (true cross-quarter 7 Nov). Mars, Jupiter and Regulus line up before dawn, Mars–Jupiter just over 1° apart on 16 Nov. Moon near Mars and Jupiter on the mornings of 2–3 Nov. Saturn rules the evening, best from the south. US clocks fall back 1 Nov. Solar viewing only with ISO 12312-2 certified filters. Sources · Miyoshi et al., GRL 53, e2026GL125879 (2026) — https://doi.org/10.1029/2026GL125879 · ISAS/JAXA release, 27 Oct 2026 (Japanese) — https://www.isas.jaxa.jp/topics/004417.html · Nagoya University release via phys.org — https://phys.org/news/2026-10-solar-storm-triggered-ultrarelativistic-electrons.html · Yang et al., ApJL 1011 L22 (GRB 260310A) — https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/aea990 · arXiv 2605.23818 (Yang et al. preprint) — https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.23818 · Gill et al., arXiv 2605.26091 (competing model) — https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.26091 · NASA: Swift mission ends ahead of re-entry — https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/swift/2026/10/23/nasas-swift-mission-ends-ahead-of-re-entry/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-latest-space-news--5648921/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-latest-space-news--5648921/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) .

Sponsor Details:

Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN . To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit You'll be glad you did!

Get the best secure and private email on the planet. Stop your Government, google and who knows who else spying on every email you write. Do what we did and use ProtonMail. They beleive in privacy and there are no ads in their business model...yet they still provide a free forever service. Check them out and get out special deal at www.astronomydaily.io/protonmail (https://www.astronomydaily.io/protonmail)

Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click Here (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support)

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/36010396?utm_source=youtube

Embark on an interplanetary journey with SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 59, where we unravel the enigmatic atmosphere of Venus and its waterless environment. Discover the startling new study that suggests Venus lost its water reserves to space, leaving it with a mere fraction of Earth's water despite their similar origins. The episode dives into the complex chemical reactions in Venus's atmosphere that may have turned a once Earth-like planet into a scorching, inhospitable world.

Next, we explore the innovative ideas NASA is considering for future lunar logistics, including a magnetic railroad system designed to transport materials across the Moon's surface. This system could revolutionize the way we build and sustain lunar bases, pushing the boundaries of off-world construction and resource utilization.

The episode then shifts to the launch of a cutting-edge satellite from the International Space Station. This new eye in the sky aims to provide early warnings of volcanic eruptions by detecting trace gases, a game-changer for disaster preparedness and environmental monitoring.

Join us as we delve into these cosmic developments and more, including the implications of AI biases and the latest in tech from Apple.

Tune into SpaceTime with Stuart Gary for a deep dive into the latest astronomical insights and technological advancements.

(00:00) This is spacetime series 27, episode 59, for broadcast on 15 May 2024

(00:42) Study claims Venus loses twice as much water every day through dissociative recombination

(06:16) NASA is looking at building a railway on the moon to transport freight

(16:23) Ultra processed junk foods associated with higher risk of premature death, study finds

(18:52) Apple has formally released its new Apple Air and Apple Pro iPads

(24:15) Spacetime is available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through Apple podcasts

Support the show and access ad-free episodes at https://www.spreaker.com/show/spacetime (https://www.spreaker.com/show/spacetime) . Follow our cosmic conversations on Twitter @stuartgary, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the universe, one episode at a time.

This episode is proudly supported by N ordPass. Secure your digital journey across the cosmos with a password manager you can trust. Find your stellar security solution at https://www.bitesz.com/nordpass. (https://www.bitesz.com/nordpass.)

Listen to SpaceTime on your favorite podcast app and follow us on Twitter @stuartgary, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-with-stuart-gary--2458531/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-with-stuart-gary--2458531/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) .

Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/20734923?utm_source=youtube

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 69, where we uncover the latest cosmic revelations and scientific advancements.

First, we delve into a groundbreaking discovery by the Webb Space Telescope, which has identified the most distant galaxy ever observed. Located a staggering 290 million years after the Big Bang, this galaxy offers unprecedented insights into the universe's infancy and the formation of its earliest stars and galaxies. We explore the methods and implications of this discovery, including the galaxy's surprising brightness and the presence of dust and ionized gas.

Next, we discuss the announcement of a massive new collection of exoplanet discoveries. NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has confirmed 120 new exoplanets and identified six new candidates, bringing the total number of known exoplanets to over 6000. These findings offer a rich database for studying planetary properties and environments, particularly those that may harbor life.

Finally, we highlight new X-ray observations from NASA's Chandra X-ray Telescope, revealing dramatic changes in two famous supernova remnants: the Crab Nebula and Cassiopeia A. These observations provide stunning visualizations and valuable data on the dynamic processes occurring in these remnants.

Follow our cosmic conversations on X @stuartgary , Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the universe, one episode at a time.

Sponsor Offer

This episode is proudly supported by NordPass . Secure your digital journey across the cosmos with a password manager you can trust. Find your stellar security solution at https://www.bitesz.com/nordpass. (https://www.bitesz.com/nordpass)

Listen to SpaceTime on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Support SpaceTime

Become a supporter of SpaceTime: https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/support/ (https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/support/)

www.bitesz.com (https://play.headliner.app/episode/21127006?utm_source=youtube

Embark on an interstellar odyssey with SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 56, where we delve into the enigmatic geysers of Saturn's icy moon Enceladus. Unravel the mystery behind these spectacular jets as new research draws parallels with Earth's own San Andreas Fault, suggesting a strike-slip motion akin to our tectonic shifts may be powering these icy eruptions. Discover how this celestial phenomenon could hold the keys to conditions ripe for life beneath Enceladus's frozen crust.

The episode then shifts to the dusty red plains of Mars, where NASA scientists brace for the onslaught of solar storms as our Sun approaches its fiery peak. Learn how the absence of a protective magnetic field on Mars presents a unique opportunity to observe the effects of solar radiation on the Martian surface and the implications for future human explorers.

In an unexpected twist, we recount the tale of space junk from the International Space Station making an unwelcome visit to a Florida home, reminding us of the ever-present dance between our orbital endeavors and the pull of Earth's gravity.

Join us as we navigate these cosmic currents and more, including the potential impact of solar and dust storms on Mars's ancient watery past and the measures being taken to protect future missions from the Sun's wrath.

For a voyage through the latest in space exploration and the intricacies of our solar system, tune into SpaceTime with Stuart Gary. Navigate the celestial highways with us and become part of a journey that transcends our earthly bounds.

Support the show and access ad-free episodes at https://www.spreaker.com/show/spacetime. Follow our cosmic conversations on Twitter @stuartgary, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the universe, one episode at a time.

(00:00) Stuart Garry brings you the latest in spacetime series 27

(00:46) New study suggests tiger stripes on Enceladus may control geyser activity

(06:45) NASA scientists studying how solar storms and radiation will affect Mars in the future

(14:08) Scientists confirm that space junk slammed into a Florida home last month

(16:13) New research warns that older adults who lose sense of smell may lose mobility faster

(19:08) Apple is expected to announce its new iPads this week with M four chips

(21:06) Spacetime is available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through Apple PodcastsThis episode is proudly supported by NordPass. Secure your digital journey across the cosmos with a password manager you can trust. Find your stellar security solution at https://www.bitesz.com/nordpass.

Listen to SpaceTime on your favorite podcast app and follow us on Twitter @stuartgary, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-with-stuart-gary--2458531/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-with-stuart-gary--2458531/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) .

Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/20615618?utm_source=youtube

Show notes A rose-coloured rock picked up in the Sahara in 2022 turns out to be one of the oldest pieces of Mars ever found. Teghaza 001 formed at least 4.1 billion years ago, and two independent radiometric clocks agree. We explain how it was dated, what it says about early Mars losing its water, and why its source is still a shortlist of 13 craters in the southern highlands. Also: Voyager 1 goes silent for two days and recovers on its own as it nears one light-day from Earth on 18 November; Hubble finally sees the 'Cat's Tail' of Beta Pictoris, the wreckage of a collision between two Pluto-sized worlds; two Halloween ghosts in the Carina Nebula; and quick hits on the 100th US spacewalk from the ISS, Reid Wiseman's move to JPL, Swift and Starship. Skywatch: US clocks go back on 1 November, Saturn in the evening, Venus returns to the morning sky, Mars and Jupiter close in, the Moon passes Pollux, Mars, Jupiter and Regulus, the Southern Taurids, and Carina for southern observers.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-latest-space-news--5648921/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-latest-space-news--5648921/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) .

Sponsor Details:

Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN . To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit You'll be glad you did!

Get the best secure and private email on the planet. Stop your Government, google and who knows who else spying on every email you write. Do what we did and use ProtonMail. They beleive in privacy and there are no ads in their business model...yet they still provide a free forever service. Check them out and get out special deal at www.astronomydaily.io/protonmail (https://www.astronomydaily.io/protonmail)

Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click Here (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support)

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/36001412?utm_source=youtube