S03E158: Black Hole Beams, Rocket Lab Abort, and NASA's Hidden Figures

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: 19th September 2024
Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to Podcast for the latest and most exciting developments in space and Astronomy. I'm your host, Anna, and I'm thrilled to bring you another episode packed with cosmic wonders and scientific breakthroughs. Today, we've got a stellar lineup of stories that will take us from the farthest reaches of the universe to our own cosmic backyard. We'll explore record-setting jets from a distant black hole, witness a dramatic rocket launch abort, celebrate the hidden figures of NASA's past, ponder the possibility of ancient Earth sporting Saturn-like rings, and even discuss the potential for space lasers in planetary defense. So buckle up and prepare for liftoff as we embark on this cosmic journey together.
Highlights:
- Record-Setting Black Hole Jets: In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have detected the largest known jets of energy shooting from a supermassive black hole. These colossal beams extend an astonishing 23 million light years from end to end, dwarfing our entire Milky Way galaxy. The black hole responsible for this cosmic spectacle is located in a galaxy about 7.5 billion light years from Earth. These jets, nicknamed Porphyrion, are made up of subatomic particles and magnetic fields, all moving at nearly the speed of light. This discovery provides valuable insights into how black holes influence their surroundings on a truly enormous scale.
- Rocket Lab Launch Abort: Rocket Lab experienced a last-second abort during their latest mission attempt. The company's Electron Rocket was poised to lift off from New Zealand carrying five Internet of Things satellites for the French company Kinéis. However, as the countdown reached zero and the first stage engines ignited, they immediately shut down, resulting in a launch abort. Rocket Lab's team is now assessing options for the next launch attempt within their 14-day launch window.
- Honoring NASA's Hidden Figures: In a moving ceremony at the US Capitol, four trailblazing women of NASA were honored with Congressional Gold Medals for their groundbreaking contributions to space exploration. Kathryn Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, Mary Jackson, and Christine Darden, the hidden figures behind America's space race success, were finally given their well-deserved recognition. This ceremony not only celebrated these four women but also acknowledged the countless others who worked behind the scenes at NASA performing critical calculations before the advent of electronic computers.
- Ancient Earth with Rings: A new study suggests that our planet may have once sported a ring system similar to Saturn's about 466 million years ago. Researchers believe that Earth may have captured and destroyed a passing asteroid, creating a debris ring that lasted for tens of millions of years. This ring could have had a major impact on Earth's climate, potentially contributing to the Hernantean Ice Age, the coldest period Earth has experienced in the past 500 million years.
- Space Lasers for Planetary Defense: A recent study has explored the idea of deploying laser arrays in space for deflecting potentially hazardous asteroids. The concept, known as Directed Energy Systems for Targeting of Asteroids and Exploration (DE-STAR), involves creating a modular array of lasers powered by solar cells. These space-based lasers could heat the surface of incoming asteroids to about 3000 Kelvin, hot enough to alter their course. While no one is building a DE-STAR array just yet, it's crucial to start thinking about the implications and potential uses of such technology.
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