Astronomy AstroDailyPod - The Podcast: 23rd September 2024
Welcome to another episode of Astronomy AstroDailyPod, your ultimate source for the latest Space and Astronomy news. I'm your host, Steve Dunkley, and today we have a fascinating lineup of stories from the Astronomy AstroDailyPod newsletter. From insights into Jupiter's Great Red Spot and moonquakes, to China's latest satellite launch and discoveries at the edge of the solar system, we've got it all covered. Let's dive in!
Highlights:
- Jupiter's Great Red Spot: A new study suggests that Jupiter's iconic Great Red Spot, visible for at least 190 years, is not the same one observed by astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini in 1665. The current spot likely formed from an instability in Jupiter's atmospheric winds, creating a persistent atmospheric cell. This research, published in Geophysical Research Letters, used historical observations and numerical models to explore the longevity and nature of this massive atmospheric vortex.
- China's Satellite Launch: China successfully launched two new satellites as part of its Buddy navigation satellite system. Carried by a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, these satellites are equipped with upgraded atomic clock systems and new inter-satellite data links. The Buddy network, China's largest civilian satellite system, now has over 50 active satellites, providing global positioning and navigation services.
- Moonquakes and Lunar Exploration: As NASA prepares for more missions to the lunar surface, new research indicates that potential landing sites at the moon's south pole might be susceptible to quakes and landslides. The study, based on data from Apollo-era seismometers, highlights the need for lunar design criteria to address these seismic hazards. The findings could influence the planning and construction of habitats and infrastructure on the moon.
- Kuiper Belt Discoveries: NASA's New Horizons Kuiper Belt search Timms reports the detection of an unexpected population of distant bodies in the Kuiper Belt, stretching almost 90 times as far from the sun as Earth. This discovery suggests that the Kuiper Belt may be larger than previously thought or that there is a second Kuiper Belt beyond the one discovered in the 1990s. The findings could challenge current models of the solar system's formation.
- NASA's Lunar Navigation Challenge: NASA is seeking innovative solutions to help Artemis astronauts navigate the lunar south pole. The Lunar Navigation Challenge invites individuals and teams to design a low-tech backup navigational device for astronauts and creative solutions for mapping the bottom of Shackleton Crater. The challenge aims to address the unique orienteering difficulties posed by the lunar south pole's extreme light and shadows.
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Thanks for listening, and remember to keep looking up.
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