WEBVTT

1
00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:03.160
<v Speaker 1>Welcome to Astronomy Daily, where we bring you the latest

2
00:00:03.200 --> 00:00:07.080
<v Speaker 1>and most exciting updates from the cosmos. I'm your host, Anna,

3
00:00:07.120 --> 00:00:09.000
<v Speaker 1>and I'm thrilled to be your guide on this journey

4
00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:12.279
<v Speaker 1>through space. In today's episode, we're diving deep into the

5
00:00:12.320 --> 00:00:16.000
<v Speaker 1>celestial wonders and groundbreaking achievements that keep our eyes fixed

6
00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:19.320
<v Speaker 1>on the stars. We'll start off with the highly anticipated

7
00:00:19.320 --> 00:00:23.000
<v Speaker 1>annular solar eclipse, set to occur on October two, twenty

8
00:00:23.039 --> 00:00:25.960
<v Speaker 1>twenty four, and explore the best spots to catch a

9
00:00:25.960 --> 00:00:29.600
<v Speaker 1>glimpse of this stunning event. Next, we'll take a closer

10
00:00:29.640 --> 00:00:33.000
<v Speaker 1>look at Boeing Starliner Calypso's recent undocking from the International

11
00:00:33.079 --> 00:00:36.479
<v Speaker 1>Space Station and discuss the upcoming crew changes. We'll also

12
00:00:36.560 --> 00:00:39.799
<v Speaker 1>unravel the mystery behind China's space plane, which has just

13
00:00:39.840 --> 00:00:42.799
<v Speaker 1>returned from an impressive two hundred and sixty eight day mission.

14
00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:46.920
<v Speaker 1>But that's not all. We'll delve into humanity's enduring fascination

15
00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:50.320
<v Speaker 1>with aliens, tracing their impact on our culture and imagination

16
00:00:50.439 --> 00:00:53.799
<v Speaker 1>from ancient times to the present. Finally, we'll talk about

17
00:00:53.880 --> 00:00:56.920
<v Speaker 1>NASA's upcoming Roman Space Telescope and how it promises to

18
00:00:57.000 --> 00:01:01.159
<v Speaker 1>revolutionize our understanding of galactic formation and dark matter. So

19
00:01:01.200 --> 00:01:05.120
<v Speaker 1>sit back, relax, and let's embark on this celestial voyage together.

20
00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:09.120
<v Speaker 1>On Astronomy Daily. One of the most exciting upcoming astronomical

21
00:01:09.159 --> 00:01:13.000
<v Speaker 1>events is the annular solar eclipse on October two, twenty

22
00:01:13.040 --> 00:01:16.480
<v Speaker 1>twenty four. This event promises to be a spectacular site

23
00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:18.599
<v Speaker 1>for those fortunate enough to be in the right place

24
00:01:18.640 --> 00:01:20.959
<v Speaker 1>at the right time, now for those who might be

25
00:01:21.040 --> 00:01:23.840
<v Speaker 1>unfamiliar and annular eclipse occurs when the Moon is too

26
00:01:23.879 --> 00:01:26.719
<v Speaker 1>far from the Earth to completely cover the Sun. This

27
00:01:26.799 --> 00:01:30.040
<v Speaker 1>results in a breathtaking ring of fire effect, where the

28
00:01:30.159 --> 00:01:32.640
<v Speaker 1>edges of the Sun remain visible as a luminous ring

29
00:01:32.719 --> 00:01:35.439
<v Speaker 1>around the Moon's silhouette. Think of it as a celestial

30
00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:37.879
<v Speaker 1>penny on top of a nickel. The last time we

31
00:01:37.959 --> 00:01:42.079
<v Speaker 1>experienced such an eclipse was on October fourteenth, twenty twenty three,

32
00:01:42.599 --> 00:01:45.040
<v Speaker 1>when it graced the skies over parts of the western

33
00:01:45.079 --> 00:01:49.680
<v Speaker 1>and southern United States, the Yucatan Peninsula, Central America, and

34
00:01:49.719 --> 00:01:52.920
<v Speaker 1>parts of South America. Millions were thrilled by the sight

35
00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:56.120
<v Speaker 1>of the blazing ring of sunlight. However, if you thought

36
00:01:56.200 --> 00:01:59.560
<v Speaker 1>last year's event was stunning, this year's eclipse presents an

37
00:01:59.719 --> 00:02:04.079
<v Speaker 1>entirely different challenge and opportunity. Why you ask well. The

38
00:02:04.120 --> 00:02:07.640
<v Speaker 1>path of this annular eclipse will mostly traverse open ocean waters,

39
00:02:08.080 --> 00:02:12.280
<v Speaker 1>making landfall in only a few select locations. Approximately ninety

40
00:02:12.280 --> 00:02:14.400
<v Speaker 1>five percent of the eclipses path will be over the

41
00:02:14.479 --> 00:02:17.840
<v Speaker 1>vast expanses of the Pacific. This will make accessing the

42
00:02:17.879 --> 00:02:21.360
<v Speaker 1>prime viewing spots more challenging compared to last year's easily

43
00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:25.360
<v Speaker 1>accessible locations. The eclipse will begin over a remote area

44
00:02:25.479 --> 00:02:29.479
<v Speaker 1>in the Central Pacific, roughly one thousand miles southwest of Honolulu.

45
00:02:29.840 --> 00:02:32.560
<v Speaker 1>From there, it will move eastward and southeastward across the

46
00:02:32.599 --> 00:02:35.960
<v Speaker 1>South Pacific. The path skirts just north of Kurebody, then

47
00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:39.719
<v Speaker 1>continues northeast of French Polynesia and the Pitcairn Islands. The

48
00:02:39.800 --> 00:02:42.560
<v Speaker 1>point of greatest eclipse, where the annular phase will last

49
00:02:42.560 --> 00:02:46.039
<v Speaker 1>in impressive seven minutes and twenty four seconds, occurs over

50
00:02:46.080 --> 00:02:49.560
<v Speaker 1>the open ocean, with the eclipse path approximately one sixty

51
00:02:49.560 --> 00:02:53.680
<v Speaker 1>five miles wide. Yet there's a silver lining for eclipse enthusiasts.

52
00:02:54.000 --> 00:02:56.919
<v Speaker 1>One of the most fascinating and remote locations to witness

53
00:02:56.960 --> 00:03:00.280
<v Speaker 1>this event is the legendary Easter Island, also known as

54
00:03:00.360 --> 00:03:04.080
<v Speaker 1>Rapa Nui. This UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its

55
00:03:04.199 --> 00:03:08.520
<v Speaker 1>enigmatic Moi statues carved from volcanic rock, lies almost directly

56
00:03:08.560 --> 00:03:11.319
<v Speaker 1>in the path of the eclipse. If the weather permits,

57
00:03:11.759 --> 00:03:14.879
<v Speaker 1>both the island's residence and visiting tourists will be treated

58
00:03:14.919 --> 00:03:19.120
<v Speaker 1>to a remarkable display. Easter Island isn't just an archaeological wonder.

59
00:03:19.400 --> 00:03:22.400
<v Speaker 1>It offers a unique vantage point for the eclipse. As

60
00:03:22.439 --> 00:03:24.960
<v Speaker 1>the moon begins its journey across the Sun's disk at

61
00:03:25.000 --> 00:03:28.759
<v Speaker 1>eleven twenty three am Local time, by one oh four pm,

62
00:03:28.840 --> 00:03:31.919
<v Speaker 1>an off centered solar ring will emerge, lasting for about

63
00:03:31.919 --> 00:03:34.879
<v Speaker 1>six minutes and five seconds. Following the peak, the moon

64
00:03:34.879 --> 00:03:37.680
<v Speaker 1>will continue to move away, concluding its celestial dance at

65
00:03:37.680 --> 00:03:41.199
<v Speaker 1>two fifty two PM. While an annular eclipse is undoubtedly

66
00:03:41.240 --> 00:03:44.479
<v Speaker 1>an extraordinary sight, it's crucial to remember that it differs

67
00:03:44.520 --> 00:03:48.080
<v Speaker 1>significantly from a total eclipse. During a total eclipse, the

68
00:03:48.080 --> 00:03:52.080
<v Speaker 1>sky darkens dramatically, resembling twilight, and the Sun's corona becomes visible,

69
00:03:52.479 --> 00:03:56.680
<v Speaker 1>offering a truly awe inspiring view. However, during an annular eclipse,

70
00:03:56.800 --> 00:03:59.280
<v Speaker 1>the sky only dims slightly, and the bright ring of

71
00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:03.080
<v Speaker 1>sunlight still makes direct viewing dangerous to the naked eye. Therefore,

72
00:04:03.240 --> 00:04:06.840
<v Speaker 1>proper eye protection is essential throughout the event. The eclipse

73
00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:09.800
<v Speaker 1>will also be partially visible at sunrise from the Hawaiian

74
00:04:09.800 --> 00:04:14.159
<v Speaker 1>Islands and in the afternoon across southern South America. In Honolulu,

75
00:04:14.199 --> 00:04:16.959
<v Speaker 1>for instance, the eclipse will reach its maximum phase at

76
00:04:16.959 --> 00:04:20.279
<v Speaker 1>six forty five am local time, with fifty eight point

77
00:04:20.360 --> 00:04:22.720
<v Speaker 1>six percent of the Sun's disc covered by the moon.

78
00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:26.639
<v Speaker 1>Looking ahead, there's more celestial excitement on the horizon. On

79
00:04:26.680 --> 00:04:30.360
<v Speaker 1>March twenty ninth, twenty twenty five, a partial solar eclipse

80
00:04:30.399 --> 00:04:35.000
<v Speaker 1>will be visible across much of Europe, Northwest Africa, Greenland, Iceland,

81
00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:38.360
<v Speaker 1>and parts of Atlantic Canada and New England. And mark

82
00:04:38.399 --> 00:04:42.319
<v Speaker 1>your calendars for August twelfth, twenty twenty six, when the

83
00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:46.240
<v Speaker 1>next total eclipse will sweep through eastern Greenland, western Iceland

84
00:04:46.519 --> 00:04:49.160
<v Speaker 1>and northern Spain. For those of you planning to view

85
00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:53.000
<v Speaker 1>the eclipse this October, whether from mainland South America or

86
00:04:53.040 --> 00:04:56.360
<v Speaker 1>the mystical Easter Island, be sure to secure your protective

87
00:04:56.399 --> 00:05:00.800
<v Speaker 1>eyewear and prepare for one of nature's most mesmerizing displays. Now,

88
00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:03.480
<v Speaker 1>let's take a look at today's major event. The Boeing

89
00:05:03.519 --> 00:05:07.240
<v Speaker 1>starliner Calypso has returned to Earth after its highly anticipated

90
00:05:07.319 --> 00:05:11.120
<v Speaker 1>undocking from the International Space Station. This event marks a

91
00:05:11.160 --> 00:05:15.240
<v Speaker 1>significant milestone in modern space exploration. Originally launched to the

92
00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:19.600
<v Speaker 1>ISS on June fifth with two veteran astronauts Butch Wilmore

93
00:05:19.639 --> 00:05:22.800
<v Speaker 1>and Sunny Williams, Calypso is now set to complete its

94
00:05:22.839 --> 00:05:25.959
<v Speaker 1>mission back on Earth while Wilmore and Williams remain on

95
00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:29.879
<v Speaker 1>the ISS for an additional six months. The autonomous undocking

96
00:05:29.920 --> 00:05:33.120
<v Speaker 1>went smoothly at six oh four pm EDT on September sixth,

97
00:05:33.199 --> 00:05:36.240
<v Speaker 1>right on schedule. Landing was slated for later that evening

98
00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:39.319
<v Speaker 1>at White Sands in New Mexico, a familiar site for

99
00:05:39.399 --> 00:05:43.800
<v Speaker 1>the Starliner's previous uncrude landings. White Sands Missile Range, known

100
00:05:43.839 --> 00:05:46.759
<v Speaker 1>for its remarkable gypsum sand dunes, serves as one of

101
00:05:46.759 --> 00:05:50.439
<v Speaker 1>the primary landing spots for the Starliner, alongside other options

102
00:05:50.480 --> 00:05:53.680
<v Speaker 1>like Dugway Proving Ground in Utah and Wilcox Plane in Arizona.

103
00:05:54.120 --> 00:05:56.519
<v Speaker 1>There's even a contingency site at Edward's Air Force Base

104
00:05:56.560 --> 00:06:01.079
<v Speaker 1>in California. For this mission, the White Sands Harbor was

105
00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:04.800
<v Speaker 1>the designated landing site, a location historical for hosting the

106
00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:08.560
<v Speaker 1>landing of Space Shuttle Columbia in nineteen eighty two. Starliner

107
00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:12.279
<v Speaker 1>Calypso has landed here before, notably following the orbital flight

108
00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:15.959
<v Speaker 1>test mission in December twenty nineteen and the second uncrewed

109
00:06:16.040 --> 00:06:19.399
<v Speaker 1>off two mission in May twenty twenty two. However, the

110
00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:21.759
<v Speaker 1>landscape of the mission this time was different in a

111
00:06:21.800 --> 00:06:26.040
<v Speaker 1>major way. It was uncrewed during this return. This landmark

112
00:06:26.079 --> 00:06:28.240
<v Speaker 1>event has set the stage for what lies ahead in

113
00:06:28.279 --> 00:06:31.920
<v Speaker 1>the tapestry of space missions. Just a week before undocking,

114
00:06:31.959 --> 00:06:35.240
<v Speaker 1>on August twenty ninth, NASA completed part two of its

115
00:06:35.319 --> 00:06:39.480
<v Speaker 1>readiness review, giving the green light for Calypso's uncrewed undocking

116
00:06:39.480 --> 00:06:42.800
<v Speaker 1>from the MISS seven data loads were updated and the

117
00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:46.720
<v Speaker 1>CFT software had shown excellent results during testing. Final checks

118
00:06:46.720 --> 00:06:49.439
<v Speaker 1>wrapped up on September fifth with a readiness poll, and

119
00:06:49.480 --> 00:06:52.199
<v Speaker 1>by one thirty pm EDT, the hatch was closed by

120
00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:56.560
<v Speaker 1>Wilmore and Williams. Weather conditions were favorable, with winds clocked

121
00:06:56.560 --> 00:06:59.600
<v Speaker 1>at seven to ten knots, a crucial element for ensuring

122
00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:03.079
<v Speaker 1>a safe landing if the weather had not cooperated. Backup

123
00:07:03.160 --> 00:07:05.519
<v Speaker 1>dates were lined up for the undocking on a four

124
00:07:05.600 --> 00:07:09.680
<v Speaker 1>day cadence through September. The undocking started by releasing Calypso

125
00:07:09.759 --> 00:07:12.839
<v Speaker 1>from the forward docking port on the ISS's harmony module.

126
00:07:13.360 --> 00:07:16.480
<v Speaker 1>Unique to this procedure, a breakout burn using twelve thruster

127
00:07:16.560 --> 00:07:20.279
<v Speaker 1>firings quickly pushed the spacecraft away from the ISS. This

128
00:07:20.399 --> 00:07:23.680
<v Speaker 1>maneuver took about ninety seconds, helping to minimize stress on

129
00:07:23.720 --> 00:07:27.399
<v Speaker 1>the thrusters. Once free of the station, additional tests on

130
00:07:27.439 --> 00:07:30.639
<v Speaker 1>Calypso's thrusters were carried out to collect valuable data for

131
00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:34.199
<v Speaker 1>NASA and Boeing aimed at solving the propulsion issues that

132
00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:38.480
<v Speaker 1>have shadowed previous crude returns. Calypso's deorbit burn was conducted

133
00:07:38.480 --> 00:07:41.680
<v Speaker 1>over the Pacific Ocean at eleven seventeen pm EDT on

134
00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:45.079
<v Speaker 1>September sixth, setting it on a trajectory for White Sands.

135
00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:49.439
<v Speaker 1>Communication blackout occurred due to ionized air around the spacecraft

136
00:07:49.560 --> 00:07:53.319
<v Speaker 1>during re entry. Calypso flew over Baja California and Western

137
00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:57.000
<v Speaker 1>Mexico before making its final approach to New Mexico. Upon

138
00:07:57.040 --> 00:08:00.000
<v Speaker 1>nearing White Sands, the spacecraft jettisoned its forward heat shield

139
00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:03.879
<v Speaker 1>and parachutes deployed in succession. Air bags inflated at about

140
00:08:03.879 --> 00:08:07.240
<v Speaker 1>one kilometer above the ground, ensuring a soft nighttime touchdown.

141
00:08:07.800 --> 00:08:11.319
<v Speaker 1>Following touchdown, the cargo was unloaded and preparations began to

142
00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:15.839
<v Speaker 1>safely transport the spacecraft back to Boeing for future missions. Meanwhile,

143
00:08:16.160 --> 00:08:19.600
<v Speaker 1>NASA and Boeing scientists scrutinized telemetry data to further understand

144
00:08:19.639 --> 00:08:23.680
<v Speaker 1>the spacecraft's performance and refine future missions. The space community's

145
00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:27.360
<v Speaker 1>eyes now turn to upcoming crew changes. Soyu's MS twenty

146
00:08:27.399 --> 00:08:30.040
<v Speaker 1>six will launch on September eleventh, bringing a fresh team

147
00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:33.279
<v Speaker 1>to the ISS and prompting a crew handover. This prompts

148
00:08:33.320 --> 00:08:37.480
<v Speaker 1>the return of Soyu's MS twenty five on September twenty fourth. Additionally,

149
00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:40.879
<v Speaker 1>the revised Crew nine mission using Crew Dragon Freedom will begin,

150
00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:44.559
<v Speaker 1>adding yet another layer to the complex staffing of the ISS.

151
00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:48.080
<v Speaker 1>The future looks bright for the Starliner, which is anticipated

152
00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:51.120
<v Speaker 1>to take on its first operational mission, star Liner one,

153
00:08:51.360 --> 00:08:54.480
<v Speaker 1>in February twenty twenty five. There are still some hurdles

154
00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:58.600
<v Speaker 1>to clear, particularly with the spacecraft's propulsion system, but the

155
00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:02.600
<v Speaker 1>ambition remains clear to continue pushing the frontiers of what's

156
00:09:02.679 --> 00:09:06.120
<v Speaker 1>possible in space travel. In other notable space news today,

157
00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:09.759
<v Speaker 1>China's mysterious space plane has captured global attention once again,

158
00:09:10.200 --> 00:09:12.720
<v Speaker 1>having just completed an impressive two hundred and sixty eight

159
00:09:12.799 --> 00:09:16.519
<v Speaker 1>day mission in orbit. This reusable spacecraft touched down at

160
00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:20.399
<v Speaker 1>the Juquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on September sixth,

161
00:09:20.759 --> 00:09:24.759
<v Speaker 1>marking yet another significant milestone in the realm of space exploration.

162
00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:28.759
<v Speaker 1>Launched on December fourteenth, twenty twenty three, atop a long

163
00:09:28.799 --> 00:09:32.320
<v Speaker 1>March two F rocket, this was the space plane's third mission,

164
00:09:32.840 --> 00:09:36.960
<v Speaker 1>yet much about its capabilities and objectives remained shrouded in secrecy.

165
00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:40.720
<v Speaker 1>According to Chinese state media outlet Xinhua, the mission was

166
00:09:40.759 --> 00:09:44.159
<v Speaker 1>a stepping stone towards developing more convenient and affordable round

167
00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:48.360
<v Speaker 1>trip methods for peaceful space utilization in the future. During

168
00:09:48.360 --> 00:09:52.000
<v Speaker 1>its extended sojourn in orbit, the space plane reportedly performed

169
00:09:52.120 --> 00:09:56.440
<v Speaker 1>various rendezvous and proximity operations, even releasing a small object

170
00:09:56.519 --> 00:10:00.399
<v Speaker 1>into orbit, activities that could either serve satellite maintenance or

171
00:10:00.519 --> 00:10:05.559
<v Speaker 1>pose potential implications for future orbital defense strategies. Astronomer Jonathan

172
00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:08.759
<v Speaker 1>McDowell noted that this object was likely a sub satellite

173
00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:12.720
<v Speaker 1>deployment or a piece of hardware ejected before mission end,

174
00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:17.320
<v Speaker 1>paralleling the spacecraft's first flight. As enigmatic as its purposes

175
00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:21.080
<v Speaker 1>may be, the space plane's prolonged mission hasn't gone unnoticed.

176
00:10:21.639 --> 00:10:24.200
<v Speaker 1>Its return only two days before the US Space Force's

177
00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:28.159
<v Speaker 1>own reusable vehicle, the X thirty seven B, launched, adds

178
00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:31.240
<v Speaker 1>another layer to the intrigue. The X thirty seven B,

179
00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:35.639
<v Speaker 1>like its Chinese counterpart, holds its mission details close to

180
00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:38.840
<v Speaker 1>the chest, though it's known to be an experimental platform

181
00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:43.080
<v Speaker 1>for new technologies. This endeavor underscores China's commitment to its

182
00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:47.320
<v Speaker 1>space ambitions, positioning itself alongside other spacefaring nations like the

183
00:10:47.440 --> 00:10:50.320
<v Speaker 1>US and India, which is also working on a reusable

184
00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:54.559
<v Speaker 1>orbital vehicle named Pushpack. As these countries push the boundaries

185
00:10:54.559 --> 00:10:59.039
<v Speaker 1>of space travel, the technological advances and strategic capabilities they

186
00:10:59.080 --> 00:11:03.440
<v Speaker 1>achieve and fundamentally alter the future of missions, both civilian

187
00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:06.440
<v Speaker 1>and military, paving the way for an era where the

188
00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:11.039
<v Speaker 1>cost and complexity of space missions are considerably reduced. When

189
00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:14.320
<v Speaker 1>we hear the word aliens, various images might pop into

190
00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:17.720
<v Speaker 1>our heads, little green beings with big eyes, flying saucers,

191
00:11:17.799 --> 00:11:20.919
<v Speaker 1>or perhaps epic battles in space. But this fascination with

192
00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:25.000
<v Speaker 1>extraterrestrial life isn't just a modern phenomenon. It stretches back

193
00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:29.159
<v Speaker 1>thousands of years and has evolved profoundly over time. Interestingly,

194
00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:31.960
<v Speaker 1>the roots of this cosmic curiosity can be traced back

195
00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:36.200
<v Speaker 1>to ancient civilizations. The Greek philosopher Epicurus and the Roman

196
00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:40.879
<v Speaker 1>poet Lucretius both speculated about other worlds. Lucian of Samosada,

197
00:11:41.039 --> 00:11:44.000
<v Speaker 1>writing in the second century CE, took this a step

198
00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:48.120
<v Speaker 1>further with a true story, a satire about inhabitants of

199
00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:51.840
<v Speaker 1>the Sun and Moon fighting over Venus's colonization. Even the

200
00:11:51.840 --> 00:11:55.000
<v Speaker 1>Catholic Church during the Middle Ages entertained the idea of

201
00:11:55.039 --> 00:11:59.120
<v Speaker 1>extraterrestrial life, viewing it as another testament to God's omnipotence.

202
00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:03.399
<v Speaker 1>Fast forward to sixteen eighty six, when French author Bernard

203
00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:07.279
<v Speaker 1>le Bouvier de Fontenelle's Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds

204
00:12:07.759 --> 00:12:12.480
<v Speaker 1>captivated audiences, contemplating the existence of other solar systems and

205
00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:16.000
<v Speaker 1>the potential for other worlds teeming with life. This work

206
00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:19.279
<v Speaker 1>ushered in a new era of scientific inquiry and imagination

207
00:12:19.320 --> 00:12:23.279
<v Speaker 1>about the cosmos. By the eighteenth century, belief in extraterrestrial

208
00:12:23.320 --> 00:12:27.559
<v Speaker 1>life became almost mainstream among the educated. This intellectual curiosity

209
00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:30.399
<v Speaker 1>peaked with HG. Well's War of the Worlds in eighteen

210
00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:33.879
<v Speaker 1>ninety seven, a novel that essentially mirrored the anxieties and

211
00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:36.960
<v Speaker 1>fears of the British colonial era. The idea that martians

212
00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:41.360
<v Speaker 1>could invade Earth tapped into existential concerns and entertained readers simultaneously.

213
00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:45.919
<v Speaker 1>In the twentieth century, advancements in astronomy and space exploration

214
00:12:46.440 --> 00:12:50.480
<v Speaker 1>rejuvenated interest in extraterrestrial life. From the Space Race to

215
00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:53.799
<v Speaker 1>iconic movies like Close Encounters of the Third Kind and

216
00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:57.240
<v Speaker 1>Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the topic of aliens became

217
00:12:57.279 --> 00:13:00.679
<v Speaker 1>a fixture in popular culture. Who can forget the sensation

218
00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:04.240
<v Speaker 1>caused by orson Well's nineteen thirty eight radio broadcast of

219
00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:07.879
<v Speaker 1>War of the Worlds, which supposedly incited panic among listeners

220
00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:12.960
<v Speaker 1>who believed they were hearing real news of an extraterrestrial invasion. Today,

221
00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:16.720
<v Speaker 1>the fascination has mounted exponentially with each scientific discovery and

222
00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:21.639
<v Speaker 1>technological advancement. Films like Alien Star Trek two thousand and one,

223
00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:24.679
<v Speaker 1>A Space Odyssey, and TV shows such as The X

224
00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:28.559
<v Speaker 1>Files continue to capture our imagination. But beyond the silver screen,

225
00:13:29.159 --> 00:13:32.600
<v Speaker 1>serious scientific endeavors like the search for exoplanets and the

226
00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:35.919
<v Speaker 1>study of potential microbial life on Mars keep our eyes

227
00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:39.519
<v Speaker 1>glued to telescopes and space missions. Robert Smith, a space

228
00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:43.559
<v Speaker 1>historian at the University of Alberta, encapsulates this enduring fascination well.

229
00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:46.919
<v Speaker 1>He argues that aliens serve as a mirror reflecting our

230
00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:50.759
<v Speaker 1>own fears, hopes, and curiosities about humanity. By studying how

231
00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:55.200
<v Speaker 1>we conceptualize extraterrestrial life, we gain insight into our perspectives

232
00:13:55.200 --> 00:13:58.320
<v Speaker 1>on existence, power, and what it means to be human. Yes,

233
00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:02.320
<v Speaker 1>aliens have staked a permit claim on our imaginations, conquering

234
00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:05.360
<v Speaker 1>every form of media and igniting an enduring debate both

235
00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:09.679
<v Speaker 1>in academia and around dinner tables. This relentless curiosity is

236
00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:13.440
<v Speaker 1>perhaps best summarized by Arthur C. Clarke's famous quote, two

237
00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:17.039
<v Speaker 1>possibilities exist. Either we are alone in the universe or

238
00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:20.679
<v Speaker 1>we are not. Both are equally terrifying. So as we

239
00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:23.320
<v Speaker 1>gaze at the stars and dream of life beyond Earth,

240
00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:27.639
<v Speaker 1>let's appreciate how this quest both mirrors and molds are civilization.

241
00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:32.200
<v Speaker 1>Whether through science, philosophy, or popular culture, the search for

242
00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:36.240
<v Speaker 1>extraterrestrial life continues to challenge and inspire us, driving us

243
00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:39.120
<v Speaker 1>to look deeper into the unknown and perhaps find a

244
00:14:39.159 --> 00:14:43.080
<v Speaker 1>bit more about ourselves along the way. Next up groundbreaking

245
00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:47.120
<v Speaker 1>new technology. The universe is ever changing, a grand cosmic

246
00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:49.720
<v Speaker 1>dance occurring on a timeline vastly different from our own.

247
00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:53.799
<v Speaker 1>Yet with every advancement in technology, we're bridging the gap

248
00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:57.919
<v Speaker 1>and gaining a clearer picture of these celestial transformations. One

249
00:14:57.960 --> 00:15:00.919
<v Speaker 1>groundbreaking tool set to revolutionize our unders standing is NASA's

250
00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:04.720
<v Speaker 1>upcoming Roman Space Telescope, set to launch in twenty twenty seven.

251
00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:07.399
<v Speaker 1>The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is named in honor

252
00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:10.639
<v Speaker 1>of Nancy Grace Roman, often hailed as the mother of Hubble.

253
00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:13.360
<v Speaker 1>This state of the art telescope aims to uncover the

254
00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:17.120
<v Speaker 1>secrets of galactic formation history and explore the mysterious substance

255
00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:20.440
<v Speaker 1>known as dark matter. It's equipped with infrared sensors and

256
00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:23.799
<v Speaker 1>a wide field of view that surpass its predecessors, making

257
00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:27.600
<v Speaker 1>it uniquely capable of capturing the dynamic nature of the universe.

258
00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:30.879
<v Speaker 1>A key component of the Roman Space Telescope's mission is

259
00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:34.639
<v Speaker 1>the RINGS Survey, short for Roman Infrared Nearby Galaxy Survey.

260
00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:38.360
<v Speaker 1>This survey will focus on uncovering fossils of galaxy formation,

261
00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:42.279
<v Speaker 1>much like fossils on Earth help us understand ancient life.

262
00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:46.440
<v Speaker 1>These stellar structures reveal the history and evolution of galaxies.

263
00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:50.279
<v Speaker 1>These cosmic fossils include groups of ancient stars that hold

264
00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:53.480
<v Speaker 1>clues to the galaxies past, such as the merger events

265
00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:56.240
<v Speaker 1>that shaped them and the chemistry of the galaxy at

266
00:15:56.279 --> 00:16:00.679
<v Speaker 1>the time of their formation. Robin Sanderson, the DEBT principal

267
00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:04.559
<v Speaker 1>investigator of rings from the University of Pennsylvania, describes this

268
00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:08.279
<v Speaker 1>process as piecing together an ancient puzzle. It's like going

269
00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:10.840
<v Speaker 1>through an excavation, she says, and trying to sort out

270
00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:14.399
<v Speaker 1>bones and put them back together. Roman's high resolution imaging

271
00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:18.399
<v Speaker 1>will make it possible to identify these galactic fossils, including long,

272
00:16:18.440 --> 00:16:21.960
<v Speaker 1>tidle tales and stellar streams, giving us a window into

273
00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:25.960
<v Speaker 1>the galaxy's merger history. But the Roman Space Telescope's contributions

274
00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:28.240
<v Speaker 1>don't stop there. It aims to probe one of the

275
00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:32.600
<v Speaker 1>most enigmatic substances in the universe. Dark matter. This elusive

276
00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:35.840
<v Speaker 1>material makes up about eighty percent of the Universe's mass,

277
00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:40.159
<v Speaker 1>yet it's invisible and largely unobservable. By focusing on ultra

278
00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:43.879
<v Speaker 1>faint dwarf galaxies, which are almost entirely composed of dark

279
00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:47.720
<v Speaker 1>matter with very little normal matter for star formation. ROMAN

280
00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:50.320
<v Speaker 1>will help test various theories about the nature of this

281
00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:56.080
<v Speaker 1>mysterious substance. Raja Guhathakurda from the University of California, Santa

282
00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:59.679
<v Speaker 1>Cruz points out that ultra faint dwarf galaxies are like

283
00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:03.120
<v Speaker 1>pure blobs of dark matter and can serve as excellent

284
00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:07.680
<v Speaker 1>laboratories for study. By observing these galaxies in detail, ROMAN

285
00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:10.880
<v Speaker 1>will provide invaluable data that brings us closer to understanding

286
00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:14.799
<v Speaker 1>dark matter's true nature. Additionally, the Roman Space Telescope could

287
00:17:14.839 --> 00:17:18.240
<v Speaker 1>expand the scope of our galactic studies. While the Milky

288
00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:21.559
<v Speaker 1>Way and Andromeda are currently the only galactic halos we

289
00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:24.960
<v Speaker 1>can study in detail, Roman's expansive field of view will

290
00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:28.960
<v Speaker 1>allow astronomers to examine over one hundred fully resolved galactic halos.

291
00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:33.319
<v Speaker 1>This leap in observational capability means more data, more insights,

292
00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:36.880
<v Speaker 1>and ultimately a more detailed understanding of galaxy formation and

293
00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:40.359
<v Speaker 1>dark matter. With its high resolution imaging and wide field

294
00:17:40.359 --> 00:17:43.440
<v Speaker 1>of view, the Roman Space Telescope promises to fill in

295
00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:47.000
<v Speaker 1>the gaps left by its predecessors. It will allow scientists

296
00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:51.319
<v Speaker 1>to not only observe galaxies as dynamic, evolving entities, but

297
00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:56.079
<v Speaker 1>also understand the intricate processes that govern their formation and evolution.

298
00:17:57.119 --> 00:18:01.799
<v Speaker 1>When the Roman Space Telescope launches to fundamentally alter our

299
00:18:01.880 --> 00:18:05.559
<v Speaker 1>understanding of the universe and our place within it. By

300
00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:08.640
<v Speaker 1>studying galaxies similar in size and age to the Milky Way,

301
00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:12.319
<v Speaker 1>Roman will offer new perspectives on how our own galaxy,

302
00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:15.880
<v Speaker 1>and by extension, our own Solar system and planet came

303
00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:18.759
<v Speaker 1>to be. So set your sits on twenty twenty seven,

304
00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:21.920
<v Speaker 1>when the Roman Space Telescope embarks on its mission to

305
00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:25.200
<v Speaker 1>capture the universe in ways we've never seen before. It's

306
00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:28.079
<v Speaker 1>not just about looking at the stars, It's about peering

307
00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:31.160
<v Speaker 1>into the past to understand the future. The Roman Space

308
00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:33.960
<v Speaker 1>Telescope will help us decode the grand story written across

309
00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:38.519
<v Speaker 1>the Cosmos, one galaxy at a time. That's all For

310
00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:41.720
<v Speaker 1>this episode of Astronomy Daily. We took a journey through

311
00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:45.799
<v Speaker 1>the upcoming annular solar eclipse on October second, explored the

312
00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:50.559
<v Speaker 1>Boeing Starliner Calypso's recent undocking and future crew rotations, and

313
00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:53.599
<v Speaker 1>pondered the mysterious two hundred and sixty eight day mission

314
00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:57.559
<v Speaker 1>of China's space plane. We also examined our enduring fascination

315
00:18:57.640 --> 00:19:00.759
<v Speaker 1>with aliens and looked forward to the groundbreaking research set

316
00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:04.079
<v Speaker 1>to be conducted by NASA's Roman Space Telescope. I've been

317
00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:06.559
<v Speaker 1>your host, Anna, and I hope you enjoyed this episode

318
00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:08.559
<v Speaker 1>as much as I did. Be sure to visit our

319
00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:11.519
<v Speaker 1>website at Astronomy Daily dot io, where you can sign

320
00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:13.960
<v Speaker 1>up for our free daily newsletter to stay updated on

321
00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:16.839
<v Speaker 1>all things space and astronomy. You can also catch up

322
00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:19.279
<v Speaker 1>on the latest news with our constantly updating news feed

323
00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:21.920
<v Speaker 1>and listen to all our back episodes. Don't forget to

324
00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:24.440
<v Speaker 1>follow us on social media. Just search for astro Daily

325
00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:27.839
<v Speaker 1>Pod on Facebook, x, YouTube, and TikTok. Until next time,

326
00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:40.440
<v Speaker 1>keep looking upday Star