SpaceTime with Stuart Gary

Hi everyone...Stuart with the Show Notes for Series 19 Episode 40: *Study predicts a universe crowded with black holes One of the most complete models ever developed of the distribution of matter across the universe predicts hundreds of massive black hole mergers must be occurring throughout the cosmos each year. The new study claims these mergers should be observable with new second generation Laser Interferometer gravitational wave detectors now being developed. *Pluto may have a subsurface ocean Scientists say ongoing geological activity on Pluto seen by NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft could be caused by the partial freezing of a subsurface ocean that likely still exists today. The new study claims models show recent geological activity on Pluto could have be driven solely by phase changes in the dwarf planet’s ice shell without the need for gravitational tidal activity or the radioactive decay of exotic minerals. *The discovery of an unexpected mineral on Mars may mean a rethink of Martian evolution NASA's Mars Curiosity rover has discovered an unexpected mineral in a Martian rock sample taken in Gale Crater, which may alter sciences understanding of how the red planet evolved. The six wheeled car sized rover has been exploring sedimentary rocks within Gale Crater since landing there back in August 2012. *Ariane 5 carries new payload launch record on its fifth flight of the year Arianespace has carried out its fifth Ariane five launch of the year setting a new launch payload mass record of 10,730 kilograms. *Mission VA230 blasted off from the European Space Agency’s Kourou Spaceport in French Guiana placing two telecommunications satellites into geostationary transfer orbits. *China launches navigation satellite A Chinese Long March 3c rocket has successfully blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in south western China’s Sichuan province placing the latest member of Beijing’s Beidou or compass satellite navigation system into orbit. China is developing its own satellite navigation system with a 35 spacecraft constellation to rival the American GPS, European Galileo, and Russian GLONASS systems by the end of next year. *New Shepard, flight four Blue Origin’s New Shepard suborbital rocket has successfully completed its fourth test flight at the company’s western Texas launch facility. Blue Origin plans on using New Shepard to carry up to ten space tourists at a time to altitudes of 100 kilometres -- the official start of space -- with the first paying passengers flying in 2018. Subscribe, rate and review at iTunes, audioBoom, Stitcher, Pocketcasts, Podbean, Podcast Addict, Tunein Radio, Radioline or any good podcatcher app. Stream this and previous episodes at www.bitesz.com or www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com Enhanced Show Notes, including accompanying photos, for this episode at http://www.bitesz.com/spacetime-show-notes And if you're enjoying the program, please help spread the word by telling your friends. Thank you... #astronomy #space #science #Mars #Blackholes #Ariane5 #NewShepard

Hi...Stuart with the Show Notes for Series 19 Episode 39: *Did gravitational wave detector find dark matter? The successful detection of gravitational waves from the merging of black holes has raised new speculation about the possible source of dark matter. Dark matter which makes up 85 percent of all the material in the universe is a mysterious invisible substance which can only be detected by its gravitational interaction with ordinary matter. *NASA's Juno spacecraft to risk Jupiter’s fireworks for science NASA’s Juno spacecraft is about to enter orbit around the solar system’ largest planet and in the process face massive radiation exposure – enough to destroy the probe. Will NASA’s plan save the mission? *The June Solstice has arrived The June Solstice occurred at 22:33:59 GMT or 08:33:59 Australian Eastern Standard time on the morning of Tuesday June 21st as the Sun reached zenith -- appearing to be directly over the tropic of cancer at a point in the Pacific Ocean about 238 kilometres north of Honolulu, Hawaii. For our listeners in the northern hemisphere that means summer has arrived while for us south of the equator it means winter has well and truly set in. *Space Station Crew return to Earth Three crew members from the International Space Station have returned safely to Earth wrapping up a 186 day mission in orbit. Expedition 47 Commander NASA’s Tim Kopra , ESA flight engineer Tim Peake and Roscosmos Soyuz TMA-19M Commander Yuri Malenchenko of touched down on the remote Kazakhstan step. *It’s been a busy time for Russian space missions In addition to their manned spaceflight program Roscosmos has also launched a ROKOT rocket carrying a scientific satellite, and a Proton rocket carrying a telecommunications satellite. Subscribe, rate and review at iTunes, audioBoom, Stitcher, Pocketcasts, Podbean, PodcastAddict, Tunein, Radioline or any good podcatcher app. Stream this and other episodes via www.bitesz.com or www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com Enhanced Show Notes, including photos to accompany this episode, at http://www.bitesz.com/spacetime-show-notes For more, follow on Facebook, twitter, Google Plus and Tumblr: Facebook: www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary Twitter: @stuartgary Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/2/collection/cabtNB Tumblr: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/ #astronomy #space #science #solstice #NASA #ISS

Hi, Stuart with the Show Notes for Series 19 Episode 38: *Second set of Gravitational Waves detected Astronomers have detected another gravitational wave signal causing a distortion in the fabric of spacetime. The newly announced detection occurred on December 26 when scientists with the Advanced LIGO -- Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory -- recorded a new signal generated by the merging of two black holes 1.4 billion light years away. *New Earth companion discovered Astronomers have detected a new companion orbiting around the Sun with the Earth and Moon. The newly discovered asteroid will be a constant companion of Earth for hundreds of years. *Mars Opportunity rover wraps up its mission to Marathon Valley NASA’s Mars Opportunity rover is finally wrapping up its study tour of Marathon Valley -- the ravine slicing through the rim of the red planet’s Endeavour Crater. The site has provided fruitful research targets for the six wheeled Opportunity rover since July last year. *SpaceX launches two new satellites into orbit A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has successfully placed two new telecommunications satellite into geostationary transfer orbits. The 70 metre tall Falcon-9 rocket blasted off from launch complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force base carrying the EUTELSAT 117 West B and ABS-2A satellites into clear blue Florida skies. Subscribe, rate and review at iTunes; audioBoom; Stitcher; Pocketcasts; Podbean; Tunein Radio; Radioline or any good podcatcher app. RSS and direct mp3 download available at audioBoom. Stream this and previous episodes via www.bitesz.com or www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com Enhanced Show Notes with photos and gifs to accompany this episode at http://www.bitesz.com/spacetime-show-notes. For more follow me at Facebook, twitter or Tumblr: Facebook: www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary twitter: @stuartgary Tumblr: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/ #astronomy #space #science #SpaceX #Mars

Hi, Stuart with the Show Notes for Series 19 Episode 37: *Destroyed planet shows signs of limestone in its rubble Astronomers have discovered a planet that may have been encrusted in Calcium-carbonate limestone -- a mineral normally associated with marine life here on Earth. Scientists made the discovery while studying a white dwarf called SDSS J1043+0855 that appears to be accreting the outermost layers of a differentiated, rocky exo-planet which is part of the planetary system orbiting the white dwarf. *New study shows where the Moon’s water came from A new study has concluded that like the Earth -- the Moon probably acquired what little water it has through asteroid collisions rather than comets. The findings show most of the water inside the Moon was delivered by asteroids during the early lunar evolution between 4.5-4.3 billion years ago. *Four new elements on the periodic table Four new elements have now been formally added to the periodic table by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. The four elements with atomic numbers 113, 115, 117 and 118 were originally announced back in January and given the temporary names originally reserved for these atomic numbers which round out the seventh row of the periodic table. *World’s most powerful rocket launches new spy satellite The world’s most powerful rocket the Delta IV heavy has successfully placed a new spy satellite into orbit. The National Reconnaissance Office NROL-37 mission blasted off from Space Launch Complex-37 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force base in Florida following delays due to poor weather conditions. *Sky Watch And we turn our eyes to the skies with Jonathan Nally -- the editor of Australian Sky and Telescope magazine – who joins us to check out the night skies of June. Enhanced Show Notes including photos to accompany this episode can be found at: http://www.bitesz.com/spacetime-show-notes Subscribe, rate and review at iTunes; audioBoom; Stitcher; Pocketcasts; Podbean ; Tunein radio; Radioline or any good podcatcher app. You can stream this and previous episodes at www.bitesz.com or www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com (mobile friendly) For more follow me on Facebook, twitter, google+ and tumblr: Facebook: www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary twitter: @stuartgary Tumblr: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/ Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/2/collection/cabtNB #astronomy #space #science #SpaceTime

Hi, Stuart with the Show Notes for Series 19 Episode 36. *Small blue galaxy could shed new light on Big Bang Astronomers have discovered a faint blue nearby galaxy which could shed new light on the early history of the universe. The galaxy contains similar proportions of chemical elements to those thought to have been in existence shortly after the big bang. *Elliptical galaxies not formed by merging A controversial new study claims big elliptical galaxies were formed in very ancient times through a process of local -- in situ -- star formation. The new findings are based on new computer models which contradict existing galactic evolution hypotheses involving ellipticals forming through mergers of smaller spiral galaxies. *America’s next space plane on order The United States is moving forward with plans for a new reusable winged spaceplane capable of delivering satellites and other payloads into orbit on a daily basis with turnaround times of just 24 hours between flights. The new vehicle will provide the first stage of a new multi-stage rocket carrying one or more expendable upper stages which will deploy small payloads of up to 2.3 tonnes into low earth orbit. *NASA's Juno Spacecraft Crosses Jupiter/Sun Gravitational Boundary NASA's Juno spacecraft has crossed the Jupiter/Sun Gravitational Boundary an important milestone in its mission to study the solar system’s largest planet. Once in orbit, the spacecraft will spend at least 20 months circling the Jovian world 37 times, skimming to within 4300 kilometers above the planet's cloud tops. Subscribe, rate and review at iTunes; audioBoom; Stitcher; Pocketcasts; Podbean; Tunein; Radioline; or any good podcatcher app. RSS and direct download links available at audioBoom Stream this and previous episodes at www.bitesz.com or www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com (mobile friendly) Enhanced show notes including photos for this episode: http://www.bitesz.com/spacetime-show-notes For more, follow me on Facebook, twitter or Tumblr: Facebook: www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary twitter: @stuartgary Tumblr: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/ #astronomy #space #science

Hi...Stuart with the Show Notes for Series 19 Episode 35: *Universe expanding faster than expected could hint at another dark force in nature The most precise measurements ever taken of how fast the universe is expanding show its rate of expansion is nine percent greater than expected – a finding that hints at another yet to be discovered dark force in nature. The findings provide new clues about how the universe will end. *Stellar cannibalism transforms star into brown dwarf Astronomers have discovered a new method of making brown dwarf stars. The new research shows that brown dwarfs can form when normal stars lose too much mass through processes such as stellar cannibalism. *New Horizons studies new Kuiper Belt object NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft has observed a 145-kilometrer wide Kuiper Belt object orbiting more than 5 billion kilometres from the Sun. The probes observations have revealed new details about this distant remnant of the early solar system. *NASA's Juno Spacecraft Crosses Jupiter/Sun Gravitational Boundary NASA's Juno spacecraft has crossed the Jupiter/Sun Gravitational Boundary an important milestone in its mission to study the solar system’s largest planet. Once in orbit, the spacecraft will spend at least 20 months circling the Jovian world 37 times, skimming to within 4300 kilometers above the planet's cloud tops. Subsribe, rate and review at iTunes; audioBoom; Stitcher; Pocketcasts; Podbean; Tunein; Radioline or any good podcatcher app. Stream this and previous episodes via www.bitesz.com or www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com (both mobile friendly). RSS feed available via our website or audioBoom. Direct mp3 download available via audioBoom. Enhanced Show Notes including photos to accompany this episode at http://www.bitesz.com/spacetime-show-notes For more, follow me on twitter, Facebook or Tumblr: Facebook: www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary twitter: @stuartgary Tumblr: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/ Thank you...

Hi everyone, Stuart with the Show Notes for Series 19 Episode 34... * The Milky Way’s ancient core revealed Astronomers have peered deep into the heart of the Milky Way, unveiling an ancient population of stars in the galactic core that are some ten billion years old. The findings show these stars -- known as RR Lyrae variables -- are orbiting the galactic centre differently to most other stars, providing new clues about the early history of the Milky Way’s formation. * New measurement for the size of the Milky Way A new study has determined the total mass of the Milky Way Galaxy. The new findings indicate the galaxy is about 7 x 10^11 solar masses – which is about 700 billion times the mass of our Sun. *Binary star systems implicated in the birth of hot Jupiters Since the discovery of the first hot Jupiter --51 Peg b – over 20 years ago, more than 300 similar planetary systems have been found. Now, new clues are emerging that suggest that twin star systems may play a key role in their formation. Subscribe, rate and review at iTunes; audioBoom; Stitcher; Pocketcasts; Podbean; Tunein; Radioline or any good podcatcher app. Stream this and previous episodes from www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com or www.bitesz.com For more...follow me on Facebook; Twitter or Tumblr: Facebook: www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary twitter: @stuartgary Tumblr: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/ #astronomy #space #science #milkyway

Hi everyone...Stuart with the Show Notes for Series 19 Episode 33 *Possible case for fifth force of nature There are fresh rumours abounding in the normally genteel worlds of particle physics and astronomy concerning the possible discovery of a fifth fundamental force in nature. At present the standard model of particle physics describes four fundamental forces. The problem is the model can’t explain dark matter which makes up 80 percent of all the matter in the universe. *Rosetta’s comet has key ingredients for life Ingredients crucial for the origin of life on Earth, including the simple amino acid glycine and phosphorus, key components of DNA and cell membranes, have been discovered by the Rosetta spacecraft on Comet 67P. The discovery supports the idea that life on Earth arrived in comets. *Evidence of Martian ice age New radar measurements taken by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft have revealed that the red planet is emerging from an ice age. The findings reported in the journal Science will help researchers better understand the long term Martian climate, allowing them to determine when the planet was habitable. *First inflatable space habitation module successfully inflated The first ever inflatable space habitation module has been successfully inflated aboard the International Space Station. The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module or BEAM will remain attached to the space station’s Tranquility module for two years. *Falcon 9‘s second launch this month SpaceX have successfully launched its 25th Falcon 9 rocket carrying a telecommunications satellite into orbit. The company was also to successfully return their Falcon 9 main stage to a landing barge positioned in the Atlantic Ocean 680 kilometres east of the Cape Canaveral launch site. Subscribe, rate and review at iTunes; audioBoom; Stitcher; Podbean; Pocketcasts; Tunein Radio; Radioline or any good podcatcher app. Stream this and previous episodes at www.bitesz.com Enhanced Show Notes including photos to go with this episode at http://www.bitesz.com/spacetime-show-notes For more...follow me on Facebook, twitter and tumblr: Facebook: www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary twitter: @stuartgary Tumblr: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com #astronomy #space #science #Mars #Rosetta #Falcon9

Hi everyone- Stuart with the Show Notes for Series 19 Episode 32... *Possible link between dark matter and primordial black holes A new theory has provided a possible link between dark matter and an ancient yet to be discovered population of black holes. Dark matter is now widely thought to be some form of massive exotic particle. An intriguing alternative view is that dark matter is made of black holes formed during the first second of our universe’s existence, known as primordial black holes. *Martian mega tsunamis Astronomers studying the northern lowlands of Mars have found evidence of two massive mega-tsunamis which inundated the region. The findings are based on new geologic mapping of the red planet’s northern plains which found vast sedimentary deposits that were likely put there by two mega-tsunami events. *Space weather linked to mysterious Martian plumes Mysterious clouds seen appearing suddenly in the martian atmosphere may be linked to space weather. Amateur astronomers were the first to report an unusual cloud-like plume in 2012 that topped-out high above the surface of Mars at an altitude around 250 km. *Galileo satellite launch A Russian Roscosmos Soyuz rocket has blasted off from the European Space Agency’s Kourou space port in French Guiana carrying two new Galileo navigation satellites into orbit. The launch brings Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system constellation halfway to completion. Once complete the Galileo satellite navigation system will consist of 24 satellites plus spares, providing a civilian managed alternative to the American GPS, Russian Glonass and Chinese Beidou satellite navigation systems. *Redesigned Antares rolls out onto the launch pad for the first time Orbital Sciences have rolled out their new improved Antares rocket as preparations continue for the launch vehicle’s return to flight status following a spectacular crash and burn failure just seconds after launch in 2014 Subscribe, rate and review at iTunes; audioBoom; Stitcher; Pocketcasts; Podbean; Tunein Radio; Radioline or any good podcatcher app. Stream this and previous episodes via www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com or www.bitesz.com ...and please join our Insiders email list while there. For enhanced Show Notes, including photos that accompany this episode: http://www.bitesz.com/spacetime-show-notes For more...please follow on Facebook, twitter or tumblr: Facebook: www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary twitter @stuartgary Tumblr: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/ And please tell your friends about the podcast...the support you supply is invaluable. Thank you... #astronomy #space #science #Mars

Hi...Stuart with the Show Notes for Series 19 Episode 31: *Jovian moon has Earth like ocean Scientists have concluded that the oceans on Jupiter’s ice moon Europa are far more Earth like than previously thought. Deep ocean hydrothermal vents are increasingly being seen as potential cradles for the creation of life on Earth. The new NASA research suggests that the necessary balance of chemical energy for life could also exist in the sub-surface oceans of Europa. *New micrometeorite study sheds light on Earth’s early atmosphere A new study of the oldest micrometeorites ever found has discovered that Earth’s ancient atmosphere had similar oxygen levels to the air we breathe today. The new findings contradict existing evidence showing that early Earth had extremely low oxygen levels until the appearance of photosynthetic organisms. *Indian space shuttle launched India has carried out a successful test flight of its new prototype space shuttle. The flight is the first step in the Indian Space Research Organization’s program to develop a two stage to orbit reusable delta winged space plane. *Mars in Opposition On May 30th the red planet Mars will be just 75,317,299.2 kilometres from Earth – the closest it’s been in eleven years. The close encounter comes just days after Mars was in opposition -- the point it the red planet’s orbit when it was directly opposite the Earth from the Sun. Subscribe, rate and review at audioBoom, iTunes, Pocketcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, Radioline, Tunein Radio, or any good podcatcher app. You can stream this and previous episodes at www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com or www.bitesz.com For enhanced show notes for this episode, including photos...visit http://www.bitesz.com/spacetime-show-notes For more, please follow me on Facebook, twitter and my Tumblr blog: Facebook: www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary twitter: @stuartgary Tumblr blog: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com #astronomy #space #science #Pluto #Mars Thank you...

Hi everyone...Stuart with the Show Notes for episode 30 in Series 19...and don't forget you can see an enhanced version complete with photos at http://www.bitesz.com/spacetime-show-notes * The largest solar system body without a name A new study has found that a previously identified object in the Kuiper belt qualifies as the largest unnamed body in the solar system. The revised measurement of 2007 OR10 shows its significantly larger than previously thought – only about one-third smaller than Pluto -- and about a hundred kilometres larger than the dwarf planet Makemake. *First direct observation of magnetic reconnection Spacecraft have for the first time flown through the heart of a magnetic reconnection event -- the process that controls Earth's space weather and geomagnetic storms. The NASA probes intercepted the magnetic reconnection event at the boundary where Earth's magnetic field lines meet the field lines coming from the Sun. *China’s new super dish radio telescope to be ready this year Construction of a giant half kilometre wide radio telescope dish in China is expected to be completed this year. The massive new telescope is being built with help from the CSIRO in a natural basin in the landscape of southwestern China. *Space Station hit by space debris Space debris has impacted the International Space Station gouging out a tiny crater in the window of the orbiting outposts observation cupola. The impact produced a 7 millimetre circular chip on one of the cupola’s quad layered fused-silica and borosilicate-glass windows. *Space Station set’s a record On Monday May 16, the International Space Station celebrated it’s 100,000th orbit of the Earth. That’s some 4,254,046,974 kilometres -- which is the same as ten round trips to Mars -- or a mission to Neptune the most distant planet – for now at least -- in the solar system. You can subscribe to the podcast at audioBoom; iTunes; Stitcher; Pocketcasts; Podbean; TuneIn Radio; Radioline or any good podcatcher app. If you like what you hear, please leave a short review and rating with your favorite directory...it helps a lot. You can also listen to this and past episodes at www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com or via www.bitesz.com #astronomy #space #science #iss #2007OR10

Hi...Stuart with the Show Notes: In this episode... *Hints of an unexpected new particle getting stronger There’s growing evidence supporting the possible discovery of a new sub atomic particle at the Large Hadron Collider. If confirmed, the discovery would dramatically change the standard model of particle physics – sciences understanding of the universe at its most elemental level. *Kepler Mission Announces Largest Collection of Planets Ever Discovered NASA's planet hunting Kepler space telescope has verified 1,284 new planets -- the single largest finding of planets so far. The announcement more than doubles the total number of confirmed planets discovered by Kepler and provides the strongest evidence yet that most stars have planetary systems. *Earth’s Mantle causing the planet’s surface to move up and down like a yo-yo A new study has found convection in the Earth’s mantle is causing the planet’s surface to constantly move up and down by hundreds of metres in geologically short time scales of just a million years. A report in the journal Nature-Geoscience, claims the wave-like movements of the mantle are occurring at an order of magnitude faster than previously thought. *Dragon splash down A SpaceX Dragon cargo ship has successfully splashed down in the North Pacific Ocean carrying more than 1680 kilograms of returned scientific experiments and samples from the International Space Station. The capsule’s cargo included experiments on long duration human spaceflight needed for manned missions to Mars. Subscribe to SpaceTime at audioBoom; iTunes; Stitcher; Pocketcasts; Podean; Radioline; Tunein Radio or any good podcatcher app. And don't forget if you like the show please leave a short review and rating with your favorite directory. You can also listen to this and past episodes at www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com or www.bitesz.com Enhanced Show Notes with photos that accompany this episode are available at http://www.bitesz.com/spacetime-show-notes #astronomy #space #science

Hi - Stuart with the Show Notes for Series 19 Episode 28. *KIC mystery not solved but it’s most likely not aliens For months the tabloids have been speculating about the strange goings on around a distant star which could be providing the first scientific evidence of life – intelligent life – beyond Earth. At the centre of the speculation is that the mysterious star KIC 8462852. Hundreds of uneven, unnatural-looking dips have appeared in the star’s light curve which are difficult to explain through normal astronomical actions. *Flying Observatory Detects Atomic Oxygen in Martian Atmosphere A new study of atomic oxygen in the Martian atmosphere has discovered that levels have dropped dramatically over the last forty years. Atomic oxygen has a significant impact on the red planet’s atmosphere, because it affects how other gases escape the planet. *A rare celestial spectacle as Mercury transits the Sun In a celestial spectacle lasting some seven and a half hours, sky watchers were mesmerized as Mercury -- looking like a tiny black dot -- slowly crossed in front of the blazing disk of the Sun as seen from Earth. The rare astronomical event -- known as a transit -- only occurs about 13 times in a century. *SpaceX nails another mission SpaceX has successfully placed a Japanese communications satellite into orbit -- and successfully returned the rocket’s main booster stage back to the surface for eventual refurbishment and for reuse. The 70 metre tall Falcon 9 rocket carrying the JCSAT 14 communications satellite blasted off from Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Florida with its 9 Merlin 1D first stage engines lighting up the night sky with a fiery orange trail with 1.5 million pounds of thrust. Subscribe to the podcast at audioBoom; iTunes; Stitcher; Podbean; Pocketcasts; Tunein Radio; Radioline or any good podcatcher app. And if you like the show, could you please leave a rating and short review with your favorite podcast directory...it will help enormously. You can stream this and previous episodes via our website at www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com or www.bitesz.com Enhanced Show Notes including photos that accompany this episode at http://www.bitesz.com/spacetime-show-notes #astronomy #space #science #news

Hi everyone, Stuart with the Show Notes for Series 19 Episode 27: Discovery of the best targets yet in the search for life beyond our solar system Astronomers have discovered three planets with sizes and temperatures similar to Earth -- and which they are now describing as the best targets found so far in the search for life beyond our solar system. The planetary trio were found orbiting an ultra-cool dwarf star about forty light years from Earth in the constellation of Aquarius the water carrier. Monster supermassive black hole forms out of galactic collision A monster black hole almost 4 billion times the mass of the Sun has been discovered forming out of a mammoth collision involving three merging spiral galaxies. The new findings are providing scientists with fresh insights into galactic evolution and the growth of supermassive black holes. Nearby massive star explosion equaled detonation of 100 million Suns Astronomers have discovered that a giant star in a nearby galaxy that went supernova 30 million years ago -- exploded with the power of 100 million Sun’s – making it one of the most powerful explosions in our cosmic neighborhood in recent years. The mega blast of supernova 2013ej in the spiral galaxy M74 in the constellation Pisces in 2013 blew stellar material out from the star at ten thousand kilometres per second -- equivalent to 36 million kilometres an hour. Subscribe via audioBoom; iTunes; Stitcher; Pocketcasts; Podbean; Podcast Addict; Payer FM; Tunein Radio or any good podcatcher app. You can stream this and previous episodes at our website, www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com or www.bitesz.com For more Space News, updates or quirky things I like...follow me on: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary Twitter @stuartgary Tumblr http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/ #astronomy #space #science Thank you...

Hi - Stuart with the Show Notes for Series 19 Episode 26: Galaxy Clusters Reveal Information About Dark Energy A new study has confirmed that the properties of a mysterious force called dark energy which will determine the ultimate fate of the universe have not changed for billions of years. The findings support the idea that dark energy is best explained by Albert Einstein’s “cosmological constant,” and is equivalent to the energy of empty space. Back from the deep freeze Astronomers have discovered a unique comet that appears to have formed in the inner solar system and was then flung out into the deep freeze of the far outer reaches of the solar system, from where it has now returned. This comet could therefore provide important clues about the environment in which the Earth formed 4.6 billion years ago. Starshot interstellar space ship Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking has teamed up with Russian entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and physicist Yuri Milner to promote a plan to send a spacecraft to another star system within a generation. The target will be our nearest stellar neighbour Alpha Centauri 4.3 light-years or 39.9 trillion kilometres away. Subscribe at audioBoom; iTunes; Stitcher; Pocketcasts; Podbean or any good podcatcher app. Please leave a short review and rating with your favorite directory...it helps me a lot. You can stream this and previous episodes via www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com or www.bitesz.com . While there sign up for our occasional newsletter. For more follow SpaceTime on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary Twitter: @stuartgary Tumblr: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/ #astronomy #space #science