SpaceTime Series 28 Episode 11
Ancient Water on Mars and the Birth of the Universe's Lights
Scientists have uncovered two sets of ancient wave ripples on Mars, revealing evidence of long-dried ponds and lakes that once existed on the Red Planet. Discovered by NASA's Curiosity rover, these ripples, formed approximately 3.7 billion years ago, indicate that shallow bodies of water were open to the Martian atmosphere, challenging previous climate models suggesting an ice-covered surface. This finding extends our understanding of the timeline for liquid water on Mars and its potential for microbial life.
A Quasar's Role in Cosmic Illumination
Astronomers have detected a highly variable quasar that may have played a crucial role in turning on the lights of the universe. This quasar, observed by the NuSTAR and Chandra X-ray space telescopes, is one of the most distant objects detected and provides new insights into the growth of supermassive black holes in the early universe. Its rapid brightness fluctuations offer vital clues about the epoch of reionization, a time when the universe transitioned from darkness to light.
European Space Agency's Probe 3 Mission Milestone
The European Space Agency's Probe 3 spacecraft has successfully split into two, marking a significant step in its ambitious mission. This unique formation-flying mission aims to create artificial solar eclipses to study the Sun's corona with unprecedented precision. The two spacecraft will maintain a separation of just 150 meters, demonstrating advanced navigation and propulsion technologies essential for future space exploration.
00:00 Space Time Series 28 Episode 11 for broadcast on 24 January 2025
00:49 Discovery of ancient wave ripples on Mars
06:15 Quasar may illuminate the early universe
12:30 European Space Agency's Probe 3 spacecraft successfully splits
18:00 Blood vessel fingerprint in the eye may indicate stroke risk
22:45 Early humans adapted to desert-like conditions
26:00 Global water cycle disruptions due to climate extremes
30:00 Reevaluation of the Paleo diet based on ancient human diets
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✍️ Episode References
NASA
https://www.nasa.gov
Caltech
https://www.caltech.edu
Yale University
https://www.yale.edu
European Space Agency
https://www.esa.int
Indian Space Research Organisation
https://www.isro.gov.in
Astrophysical Journal
https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/
637X
7--- UK Biobank
https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk
Australian Skeptics
https://www.skeptics.com.au
National Science Foundation
https://www.nsf.gov