Space News Today

Join hosts Anna and Avery for Saturday's cosmic roundup! NASA's Artemis 2 wet dress rehearsal faces weather delays, pushing the historic lunar mission to April 2026. Blue Origin announces a major strategic shift, pausing space tourism for two years to focus on their Blue Moon lunar lander program. We explore million-mile-per-hour cosmic winds racing through a "magnetic superhighway" in colliding galaxies, investigate a mysterious object sending unexplained signals across the galaxy, discover why Tatooine-style planets might be more common than expected, and celebrate a groundbreaking first - the detection of ethanolamine, a molecule critical to cell membranes, in interstellar space.


**Episode Keywords:** Artemis 2, NASA, Blue Origin, New Shepard, space tourism, lunar lander, cosmic winds, galaxy merger, IC 1623, mysterious signals, radio astronomy, circumbinary planets, binary stars, ethanolamine, astrobiology, interstellar molecules, space exploration, Kennedy Space Center


**Detailed Chapter Markers:**


- [00:00] Introduction & Episode Overview


- [02:15] NASA Artemis 2 Wet Dress Rehearsal Delay


- [06:45] Blue Origin Pauses Space Tourism for Lunar Ambitions


- [11:20] Million-MPH Cosmic Winds in Magnetic Superhighway


- [16:30] Mysterious Object Sending Unexplained Galactic Signals


- [21:15] Tatooine Planets More Common Than Expected


- [26:00] Life-Critical Molecule Detected in Interstellar Space


- [30:45] Episode Wrap-Up & Closing





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SpaceTime with Stuart Gary Gary - Series 29 Episode 13


In this episode of SpaceTime , we uncover the hidden violent past of the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, delve into the origins of water on Jupiter's Galilean moons, and explore how meteor impacts are triggering dust avalanches on Mars.


The Violent History of Sagittarius A


For years, Sagittarius A, the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy, has been perceived as a quiet entity. However, new research published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters indicates that it may have experienced dramatic flares in the past. Observations from the CRISM Space Telescope reveal X-ray emissions from a gas cloud near Sagittarius A, suggesting a history of explosive activity that alters our understanding of supermassive black hole evolution and the history of our galaxy.


Water Origins of Jupiter's Galilean Moons


A groundbreaking study has determined that the contrasting water content of Jupiter's four large Galilean moons was established during their formation rather than evolving later. This research sheds light on the stark differences between Io, which is dry and volcanically active, and Europa, believed to have a subsurface ocean. The findings suggest that the primordial environment around Jupiter played a crucial role in shaping these moons' compositions.


Meteor Impacts Trigger Dust Avalanches on Mars


New evidence indicates that meteor impacts on Mars are causing dust avalanches, creating dark streaks on the planet's surface. An analysis of images from the European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter reveals that these avalanches occur primarily due to dry processes, driven by seasonal dust and wind activity, rather than water-related phenomena. This discovery enhances our understanding of Martian surface dynamics and the impact of meteor activity.


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


✍️ Episode References


Astrophysical Journal Letters


Nature Communications


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) .


(00:00:00) Sagittarius A's hidden violent past revealed


(00:12:45) Origins of water on Jupiter's Galilean moons


(00:25:30) Meteor impacts causing dust avalanches on Mars


(00:35:00) February night sky highlights and celestial events.


(00:00:00) This is space time series 29, episode 13 for broadcast on 30 January 2026


(00:00:47) X ray emissions from the Crism Space Telescope suggest Sagittarius A flared


(00:07:59) A new study claims dust avalanches caused by meteor impacts are creating Martian streaks


(00:10:22) February is the second month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars


(00:12:03) February's Orion meteor showers usually peak around February 8th


(00:22:18) Blue supergiant Rigel is the second brightest star in the constellation Orion


(00:31:08) Rygel: Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky


(00:35:09) February is a great time to look for bright stars in the night sky


(00:38:04) The night sky is sparse with the old planets at the moment


Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/31400639?utm_source=youtube

## Today's Headlines:


🛰️ **NOAA Solar Observatory Reaches L1**


NOAA's Space Weather Follow-On satellite successfully arrived at Lagrange point 1 on January 21st, establishing the first component of a future constellation designed to provide early warning of solar storms and coronal mass ejections. The satellite offers 15-60 minutes advance notice of space weather events that could impact Earth's infrastructure.


🚀 **Challenger Disaster: 40 Years Later**


Marking four decades since the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy, we examine how unseasonably cold weather and O-ring failures led to the loss of seven crew members. The disaster fundamentally changed NASA's safety culture and decision-making processes, lessons that continue to influence spaceflight today.


🤖 **AI Uncovers Cosmic Treasures in Hubble Archive**


Advanced artificial intelligence algorithms have identified hundreds of previously undetected gravitational lenses in Hubble Space Telescope data. These discoveries include rare Einstein rings and exotic lensing configurations that provide windows into the early universe and dark matter distribution.


☄️ **Venus's Potential Meteor Shower**


Astronomers predict Venus may experience a significant meteor shower in July 2026 from debris of asteroid 2002 VT37. The event offers a rare opportunity to study how meteor showers interact with Venus's dense carbon dioxide atmosphere.


🌌 **Stellar Fireworks at the Galactic Center**


New observations reveal intense stellar activity near Sagittarius A*, our galaxy's supermassive black hole, including star formation, supernovae, and tidal disruption events in one of the most extreme environments in the Milky Way.


📡 **Watch Artemis 2 Rocket Live**


NASA has launched a 24-hour livestream of the Artemis 2 Space Launch System rocket on Launch Pad 39B as crews prepare for the first crewed lunar mission since 1972, currently targeting April 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrVnsO_rdew (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrVnsO_rdew)


#### Resources & Links:


- Story Sources: SpaceNews, Spectrum Local News, NASA Science, Space.com, Universe Today


- Website: astronomydaily.io


- Social Media: @AstroDailyPod (all platforms)





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This episode includes AI-generated content.


Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/31367939?utm_source=youtube

Sponsor Link:


This episode is brought to you with thanks to Squarespace . Bring your stories to life with Squarespace , the easiest way to create an exceptional website, blog, portfolio, or online store. To take up our great offer and help support the show, just visit www.squarespace.com/spacetime (https://www.squarespace.com/spacetime) or use the Promo Code SPACETIME at checkout.





SpaceTime with Stuart Gary Gary - Series 29 Episode 12


In this episode of SpaceTime , we uncover groundbreaking discoveries about Earth's mantle, the watery past of Mars, and the rapid growth of galaxies through cool gas filaments.


Distinct Histories of Earth’s Mantle Provinces


Recent research reveals that the two massive continent-sized regions deep within the Earth's mantle have unique chemical compositions and histories. This study challenges long-held assumptions and uses seismic wave data to illustrate how these large low velocity provinces differ in density and material, impacting the planet's heat extraction from the core and potentially affecting the stability of Earth's magnetic field.


Confirmation of Mars as a Blue Planet


New evidence from ancient Martian river deltas suggests that Mars was once covered by a vast ocean. High-resolution images reveal delta-like structures, indicating that water once flowed into an ocean approximately 3 billion years ago. This discovery supports the notion of a once habitable environment on Mars, offering insights into its geological history and the potential for life.


Galaxies Growing Through Cool Gas Filaments


A fascinating new study has demonstrated how galaxies can rapidly grow by drawing in filaments of cool gas. Observations from the Keck Telescope's Cosmic Webb Imager provide direct evidence of these gas streams spiraling into galaxies, fueling star formation at unprecedented rates. This research offers significant insights into the processes of galaxy formation and the role of the cosmic web in shaping the universe.


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


✍️ Episode References


Scientific Reports


MPJ Space Exploration


Nature Astronomy


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) .


(00:00:00) Distinct histories of Earth's mantle provinces


(00:12:15) Mars confirmed as a blue planet with ancient ocean


(00:25:30) Galaxies grow rapidly through cool gas filaments


(00:35:00) Discovery of the oldest known rock art in the world.


Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/31361220?utm_source=youtube

Welcome to Astronomy Daily! Join hosts Anna and Avery as they explore today's most fascinating space and astronomy stories.


IN THIS EPISODE:


🌌 NASA's Dark Matter Map


NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has created one of the most detailed dark matter maps ever produced, revealing the invisible scaffolding of the universe in unprecedented detail. Scientists mapped nearly 800,000 galaxies, showing how dark matter and regular matter have grown together throughout cosmic history - and how dark matter's influence may have been essential for creating the conditions necessary for life on Earth.


🚀 Weekly Launch Roundup


A busy week in orbital spaceflight with multiple missions planned from Florida, California, and New Zealand. SpaceX prepares to launch GPS III SV09 named after fallen Challenger astronaut Ellison Onizuka, while Rocket Lab readies its "Bridging the Swarm" mission carrying South Korea's NeonSat-1A satellite. Plus updates on multiple Starlink flights and possible Chinese launches.


🌙 Artemis II's Far Side Adventure


The Artemis II crew - Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Hammock Koch, and Jeremy Hansen - are training to become the first humans to see parts of the Moon never before observed by human eyes. Learn about their planned three-hour observation session focusing on Mare Orientale and other hidden lunar features, and how their geology training in Iceland is preparing them for this historic mission.


🪐 Jupiter's Hidden Depths


NASA's Juno spacecraft continues to revolutionize our understanding of Jupiter, revealing that the planet's iconic cloud bands extend 1,900 miles below the surface. Discover recent findings about Jupiter's diluted core, mysterious green lightning flashes, and the remarkably persistent polar cyclones that form octagonal and pentagonal patterns at the planet's poles.


☀️ Antarctica's Exclusive Eclipse


Only about 16 people might witness one of 2026's most spectacular celestial events - a "ring of fire" annular solar eclipse crossing Antarctica on February 17th. Find out about the two research stations in the path of totality, the extreme conditions observers will face, and where else partial views of the eclipse will be visible.


🛸 Starship V3 Update


SpaceX's upgraded Starship rocket test has been rescheduled for mid-March following a November explosion during testing. Learn about the new capabilities of Starship V3, including plans to launch next-generation Starlink satellites and dock with other Starships in orbit - plus how Blue Origin's New Glenn is emerging as competition in the heavy-lift market.


EPISODE LINKS:


• NASA Dark Matter Discovery: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-reveals-new-details-about-dark-matters-influence-on-universe/


• Launch Schedule Details: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/01/launch-roundup-012626/


• Artemis II Far Side Views: https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/artemis-first-humans-see-hidden-side-moon/


• Antarctica Eclipse Information: https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/2026-ring-of-fire-eclipse/


• Starship Development Update: https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/26/spacex-eyes-mid-march-for-first-test-of-upgraded-starship-rocket/


CONNECT WITH US:


🌐 Website: astronomydaily.io


📱 Twitter/X: @AstroDailyPod


📷 Instagram: @AstroDailyPod


📘 Facebook: @AstroDailyPod








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This episode includes AI-generated content.


Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/31342881?utm_source=youtube