S03E159: SpaceX vs. FAA, Eclipse Mapping Revolution, and Galaxy Cluster Discoveries

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: 20th September 2024
Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your source for the latest space and Astronomy news. I'm your host, Anna, and today we'll be covering a range of exciting topics, from SpaceX's clash with the FAA to new discoveries in galaxy clusters. Plus, I have a couple of stories on how you can help contribute to science projects in progress. Get ready for a cosmic journey through the headlines that are shaping our understanding of the universe.
Highlights:
- SpaceX vs. FAA: In a bold move, SpaceX is vehemently rejecting the Federal Aviation Administration's recent allegations of launch requirement violations. The FAA has slapped the company with a hefty $633,000 fine. But SpaceX isn't taking this lying down. The space giant argues that the FAA is falling behind the rapidly evolving commercial spaceflight industry. They claim the agency is struggling to keep up with the pace of innovation and is misallocating its limited resources. SpaceX's vice president for legal affairs, David Harris, sent a strongly worded letter to congressional committees overseeing the FAA. In it, he asserted that the company forcefully rejects the FAA's assertion that it violated any regulations. This clash highlights the growing tensions between traditional regulatory bodies and the new wave of private space companies pushing the boundaries of exploration. As the commercial space race heats up, it seems the rulebook might need some updating to match the speed of progress.
- NASA's Next-Gen Eclipse Mapping: NASA has taken eclipse mapping to a whole new level. With their latest development, they've created a process that generates incredibly accurate eclipse maps by incorporating lunar topography data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. This is a game changer for both astronomers and eclipse enthusiasts. Traditionally, eclipse calculations assumed a smooth, symmetrical moon and didn't account for Earth's varying elevations. But now NASA's new method factors in the moon's actual cratered and uneven surface, as well as the true altitude of locations on Earth. The result? We can now see the real-time varying shape of the moon's shadow as it passes over our planet. It turns out the shadow isn't a smooth oval as previously thought. It's more like a potato. This irregularity is caused by the mountains and valleys along the edge of the moon's disk, which can affect the timing and duration of totality by several seconds. This level of detail is unprecedented and provides valuable information for scientific studies and eclipse predictions. It's a testament to how far our understanding and technology have come, allowing us to map these celestial events with extraordinary precision.
- Chandra X-ray Observatory Discovery: In a cosmic dance of hot gas and galaxies, NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has made a fascinating discovery in the Zwicky 8338 galaxy cluster. Located about 670 million light years from Earth, this cluster is home to an extraordinary phenomenon: two streams of superheated gas crossing each other. This celestial spectacle involves a comet-like tail of hot gas trailing behind a galaxy, spanning an impressive 1.6 million light years. As the galaxy plows through the cluster, it's leaving behind this enormous tail, which has split into two distinct streams. What makes this discovery particularly intriguing is that it's not the only set of tails in the cluster. Astronomers had previously observed a shorter pair of tails from a different galaxy nearby. The crossing of these gas streams is providing valuable insights into how cosmic collisions can shape the structure of galaxy clusters and potentially trigger the formation of new stars. This chaotic landscape of galaxies, superheated gas, and shock waves is a result of two galaxy clusters colliding to create Zwicky 8338. It's a cosmic laboratory that's helping astronomers understand the complex dynamics at play in these massive celestial structures.
- Citizen Science and Light Pollution: In an effort to combat the growing issue of light pollution, researchers have developed an innovative and cost-effective solution. They've created an inexpensive sensor designed to track light pollution on a global scale. This project isn't just about scientific data collection; it's a call to action for citizen scientists worldwide. The sensors, which can be built using readily available components for under $65, are capable of measuring night sky brightness caused by artificial light. By encouraging people around the world to construct and install these devices, the researchers hope to create a comprehensive, real-time map of light pollution. This grassroots approach serves a dual purpose. Not only will it provide valuable data for scientists, but it also aims to raise public awareness about the detrimental effects of light pollution, from disrupting ecosystems and wildlife behavior to interfering with astronomical observations. The impact of excessive artificial light is far-reaching. By participating in this project, citizen scientists can contribute to our understanding of light pollution spread and help inform strategies to mitigate its effects. It's a powerful example of how technology and community engagement can come together to address a global environmental challenge. To find out more about the project visit https://gaia4sustainability.eu/gaia-4-sustainability/ and find the instructions to build your own sensor here: https://gitlab.citic.udc.es/lia2-publico/g4s/-/wikis/FreeDSM/Components 
- The Hunt for Arrokoth: One of the most exciting astronomical hunts of the past decade, the search for Arrokoth, is a testament to human perseverance and ingenuity. After New Horizons' successful flyby of Pluto in 2015, scientists were eager to extend the mission but faced the challenge of finding a suitable target in the vast, unexplored Kuiper Belt. For nearly ten years, astronomers scoured the outer solar system, developing new tools and techniques along the way. They used ground-based telescopes, citizen science efforts, and even the Hubble Space Telescope in their quest. Finally, in 2014, they struck gold with the discovery of Arrokoth. This small, oddly shaped world became New Horizons' second flyby target, visited on New Year's Day 2019. The hunt for Arrokoth not only gave us unprecedented views of a distant Kuiper Belt object but also revolutionized our methods for studying this frontier region of our solar system.
- Exoplanet Research and Citizen Science: In an exciting development for exoplanet research, amateur astronomers and citizen scientists have made significant contributions to our understanding of distant worlds. Their efforts have helped refine the orbital parameters of an exoplanet known as WASP-77 ab. This collaborative project, led by researcher Federico R. Noger from Arizona State University, along with teams from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Goddard Space Flight Center, has produced the most precise physical and orbital parameters to date for WASP-77 ab. The study combined data from various citizen science projects, including Exoplanet Watch and ExoClock, as well as professional observations from space telescopes like Spitzer, Hubble, and James Webb. WASP-77 ab is a gas giant exoplanet, slightly larger than Jupiter but orbiting incredibly close to its star. These refined parameters will help astronomers better predict future transit events, crucial for planning spacecraft observations and improving atmospheric models. This success story highlights the power of citizen science in advancing our knowledge of the cosmos. It shows that anyone with a passion for Astronomy can contribute meaningfully to cutting-edge research, bridging the gap between amateur enthusiasts and professional scientists. Want a piece of the action? Join the Exoplanet Watch project and help contribute to cutting-edge exoplanet science. Anyone can participate. Participation does not require citizenship in any particular country. https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exoplanet-watch/about-exoplanet-watch/overview/
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