Stunning northern lights dazzle the world after a severe G4 geomagnetic storm, legendary NASA astronaut Suni Williams retires after 27 years, and China executes a dramatic space rescue. Plus, Blue Origin's next tourist launch and groundbreaking telescope observations!

In today's episode of Astronomy Daily, hosts Anna and Avery bring you the latest space and astronomy news:

🌌 SEVERE GEOMAGNETIC STORM UPDATE - Follow-up to yesterday's prediction as the CME slams into Earth, triggering spectacular auroras visible from New Mexico to China. We've got photos and the science behind the G4-level storm.

👩‍🚀 SUNI WILLIAMS RETIRES - After 27 years and 608 days in space, NASA astronaut Suni Williams hangs up her spacesuit. We celebrate her incredible achievements including 9 spacewalks and command of the ISS.

🚀 CHINA'S SHENZHOU-20 RESCUE - An incredible story of emergency response in orbit as China safely returns a damaged capsule after a suspected space debris impact. Three overlapping missions showcase impressive operational capability.

🔵 BLUE ORIGIN NS-38 LAUNCH - Six space tourists prepare for Thursday's suborbital flight aboard New Shepard, including Blue Origin's own director of launch operations.

☀️ NASA'S SUNRISE MISSION - Six toaster-sized satellites pass crucial tests and move closer to launch. They'll work together as one giant radio telescope to track dangerous solar eruptions.

🪐 ALMA REVEALS TEENAGE PLANETS - The most detailed images ever of 24 debris disks show planetary systems in their awkward teenage years, revealing the violent phase our solar system once experienced.

Visit astronomydaily.io for more space news and follow us on social media @AstroDailyPod

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SpaceTime with Stuart Gary Gary - Series 29 Episode 9

In this episode of SpaceTime , we unravel the enigma of the universe's mysterious little red dots, delve into groundbreaking insights from Jupiter regarding the evolution of our solar system's planets, and mark the commencement of construction on Earth's largest gamma-ray observatory.

The Mystery of the Little Red Dots

A fascinating new study reveals that the enigmatic little red dots observed in early images from the NASA Webb Space Telescope are, in fact, young black holes cloaked in ionized gas. Researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute's Cosmic Dawn Center have determined that these black holes, much smaller than previously thought, are in the process of consuming gas, which creates immense heat and radiation, giving them their distinctive red appearance. This discovery sheds light on the formation of some of the universe's earliest black holes just 700 million years after the Big Bang.

Jupiter's Role in Planetary Evolution

New simulations indicate that Jupiter may contain up to 50% more oxygen than the Sun, providing fresh insights into how the planets in our solar system formed. By developing a comprehensive model of Jupiter's atmosphere, researchers have resolved a long-standing debate regarding the gas giant's chemical composition. The findings suggest that Jupiter's atmosphere circulates much more slowly than previously believed, which could alter our understanding of planetary migration and formation processes.

Construction of Earth's Largest Gamma-Ray Observatory

Engineers have officially begun construction on the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory, set to be the largest gamma-ray telescope ever built. Located in Chile's Atacama Desert, this observatory will significantly enhance our ability to study high-energy cosmic phenomena, such as black holes and supernovae. With over 60 telescopes across two sites, the observatory will allow astronomers to observe gamma rays with unprecedented accuracy, potentially unlocking new discoveries about dark matter and the fundamental laws of physics.

www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com (https://www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com/)

✍️ Episode References

Nature Journal

Planetary Science Journal

Advances in Atmospheric Sciences

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(00:00:00) New study reveals little red dots in Webb images are young black holes

(00:07:30) Jupiter may have 50% more oxygen than the Sun, reshaping planetary formation theories

(00:15:45) Construction begins on the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory

(00:22:00) New data confirms 2025 saw record ocean heat storage

(00:25:30) Advances in autonomous driving technology showcased at CES 2026.

Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/31229771?utm_source=youtube

The Sun's latest outburst arrived ahead of schedule! A powerful X1.9 solar flare and massive CME triggered severe G4 geomagnetic storms on January 19th, bringing spectacular auroras as far south as Alabama. Hosts Anna and Avery break down what happened and what to expect.

Also in today's episode: China successfully tests the Long March 12B reusable rocket, giving us a preview of their next-gen launch capabilities. We get an exclusive look at the Xuntian space telescope set to launch in 2027, which could rival Hubble with 300x the field of view. Plus, stunning new Hubble images reveal how baby stars carve out cosmic homes in the Orion Molecular Cloud.

We'll run through this week's packed launch schedule featuring SpaceX, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, and China, and explore groundbreaking research showing how hidden magma oceans might protect rocky exoplanets from deadly radiation.

**Episode Highlights:**

• BREAKING: Severe G4 solar storm strikes Earth early - aurora forecast through Jan 20

• China's Long March 12B reusable rocket passes critical static fire test

• Xuntian telescope preview: China's answer to Hubble launches 2027

• Hubble reveals protostar jets and cavities in Orion Molecular Cloud

• 7 launches from 6 sites this week: Your complete guide

• Basal magma oceans could generate protective magnetic fields on super-Earths

**Topics Covered:**

Space Weather, Solar Flares, CMEs, Geomagnetic Storms, Auroras, Reusable Rockets, Chinese Space Program, Space Telescopes, Star Formation, Orbital Launches, Exoplanets, Planetary Magnetism, Astrobiology

Visit us at astronomydaily.io for more space and astronomy news!

Follow us on social media: @AstroDailyPod on all major platforms

#SpaceWeather #SolarStorm #Aurora #NorthernLights #SpaceX #China #SpaceTelescope #Exoplanets #Astronomy #SpaceNews

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SpaceTime with Stuart Gary Gary - Series 29 Episode 8

In this episode of SpaceTime , we investigate the surprising ways Mars influences Earth's climate, hear about the safe return of Crew 11 following the first emergency medical evacuation from the International Space Station, and explore a cosmic clock that reveals insights into Australia's geological history.

Mars: A Climate Influencer

A new study has unveiled that the orbit of Mars can significantly impact Earth's climate, even triggering ice ages. Researchers from the University of California Riverside utilized computer simulations to demonstrate how Mars’ gravitational pull alters Earth's orbit and affects long-term climatic cycles. The findings challenge previous assumptions about Mars' minimal influence and highlight the planet's role in shaping Earth's climatic patterns over millions of years.

Crew 11's Safe Return

NASA's SpaceX Crew 11 has successfully splashed down in the North Pacific Ocean after a historic emergency medical evacuation from the ISS. The crew's return, which occurred a month earlier than planned due to medical concerns, was marked by a brilliant display in the night sky as they descended. This marks a significant event in the history of human spaceflight, emphasizing the importance of health monitoring aboard the space station.

Unveiling Australia's Geological History

Scientists have discovered that the rare gas krypton can be used to unlock the secrets of Earth's ancient landscapes. By examining tiny zircon crystals found in ancient beach sands, researchers can gauge how long these minerals have been exposed at the surface, providing insights into erosion rates and potential mineral deposits. This groundbreaking research not only sheds light on the past but also has implications for future resource exploration in Australia.

www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com (https://www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com/)

✍️ Episode References

Journal of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Astronomical Society of the Pacific

NASA Reports

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(00:00:00) New study shows how the orbit of Mars can affect climate here on Earth

(00:05:52) NASA's SpaceX crew 11 safely returned to Earth after medical evacuation

(00:08:17) SpaceX and NASA astronauts splashdown after 167 days in space

(00:09:00) The crew were returning a month early due to medical concerns

(00:10:46) Scientists use rare gas called krypton to study ancient Earth landscapes

(00:23:05) New data from NASA shows 2025 was the second hottest year since records began

(00:24:38) Some AI chatbots are reporting abuse and fear following interactions with humans

Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/31206223?utm_source=youtube

Join hosts Anna and Avery for today's essential space and astronomy news roundup! 🚀

NASA's Artemis II rocket completes its journey to Launch Pad 39B, bringing humanity one step closer to returning to the Moon. We bid farewell to Japan's remarkable Akatsuki Venus orbiter after a decade of groundbreaking discoveries. China's FAST telescope solves a ten-year mystery about fast radio bursts, revealing they come from binary star systems.

Plus, we preview the incredible space science missions launching in 2026, discuss the devastating loss of Spain's brand-new military satellite to a tiny space particle, and explore new findings showing that dwarf galaxies host more active black holes than previously thought.

**Featured Stories:**

• NASA's Artemis II reaches the launch pad for wet dress rehearsal

• Japan's Akatsuki mission ends after 15 years and extraordinary Venus discoveries

• China's Sky Eye telescope cracks the fast radio burst mystery

• 2026 space science preview: Moon, Mars, and telescope missions ahead

• Spanish military satellite suffers catastrophic damage from millimeter-sized debris

• New census reveals surprising black hole activity in dwarf galaxies

Visit astronomydaily.io for full articles, images, and more space news!

#Astronomy #Space #NASA #ArtemisII #Venus #Akatsuki #FastRadioBursts #FAST #Mars #SpaceScience #BlackHoles #SpaceDebris

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This ​is ​a ​Q ​and ​A ​edition ​of ​Space ​Nuts. We ​will ​be ​answering ​audience ​questions ​exclusively ​on ​this ​episode. ​We're ​looking ​at ​​a ​concept ​that ​Ross ​has ​put ​up ​about ​black ​holes ​equaling ​dark ​matter, ​we'll ​explain ​that. ​​Sandy ​is ​asking ​about ​navigation ​in ​space. ​​John ​is ​talking ​relativity, ​time, ​black ​holes ​and ​the ​big ​crunch. ​​And ​the ​speed ​of ​re ​entry ​is ​a ​question ​from ​Andy. ​We'll ​deal ​with ​all ​of ​that ​on ​this ​episode ​of ​space ​nuts.

For more Space Nuts visit www.spacenutspodcast.com (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) .

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SpaceTime with Stuart Gary Gary - Series 29 Episode 7

In this episode of SpaceTime , we delve into the intriguing possibilities surrounding the origins of life, including new findings from Saturn's moon Titan and the implications for our understanding of life beyond Earth. We also explore the latest research on Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, and uncover the sources of the sun's mysterious gamma rays.

Life's Building Blocks on Titan

A groundbreaking study reveals that Titan, Saturn's largest moon, exhibits unexpected chemical interactions at extremely low temperatures. Researchers found that hydrogen cyanide can mix with nonpolar substances like methane and ethane, challenging traditional chemistry principles. This discovery could provide insights into the prebiotic chemistry that may have preceded life on Earth, as Titan's environment mirrors that of early Earth.

Europa's Quiet Oceans

In a surprising turn, new calculations suggest that the vast subsurface ocean beneath Europa's icy crust may be lifeless. This research indicates that Europa lacks the geological activity, such as hydrothermal vents, necessary to sustain life. Lead author Paul Brian discusses how the moon's stable orbit around Jupiter limits the tidal forces that could drive geological processes, casting doubt on the moon's potential as a habitat for life.

The Source of Solar Gamma Rays

Astronomers have identified the origin of intense gamma radiation emitted during solar flares, linking it to high-energy electrons colliding with plasma in the solar corona. This finding, derived from observations of a significant solar flare in 2017, enhances our understanding of solar flare physics and could improve space weather forecasting.

www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com (https://www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com/)

✍️ Episode References

Journal of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications

Nature Astronomy

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(00:00:00) Scientists studying Saturn's moon Titan have discovered that normally incompatible substances can mix

(00:05:19) NASA will launch the Dragonfly mission to Titan in 2028

(00:13:36) NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft will study icy moon Europa

(00:18:11) Astronomers have discovered that gamma rays generated by solar flares are caused by electrons

(00:21:58) Most people who take diabetes drug Mounjaro gain weight back after stopping

Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/31178029?utm_source=youtube

NASA attempts to contact the silent MAVEN Mars orbiter after 40 days—but prospects look grim. Plus: the first-ever ISS medical evacuation succeeds, Europe debuts its powerful Ariane 64, scientists crack asteroid defense secrets, China releases lunar timekeeping software, and Hubble reveals where planets are born. Your daily space news for January 15, 2026.

### Extended Episode Description (for podcast websites/apps)

After more than a month of silence, NASA is making what may be its final attempt to contact the MAVEN Mars orbiter. Mission leaders are pessimistic, but the veteran spacecraft has surprised them before. We break down what happened, what's at stake, and what MAVEN's potential loss means for Mars exploration.

On a brighter note, the SpaceX Crew-11 astronauts have safely returned to Houston following the first-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station—a historic operation that went flawlessly. We explore how NASA executed this unprecedented mission.

Europe's taking a major step forward with the announcement that the first Ariane 64 rocket will launch February 12th. This four-booster beast can carry more than double the payload of its predecessor, and its debut mission will deploy 32 satellites for Amazon's Kuiper constellation.

Scientists using CERN's particle accelerators have discovered that iron-rich asteroids are tougher than we thought—and they actually get stronger under stress. This surprising finding could reshape how we approach planetary defense.

China has released the world's first practical software for keeping time on the Moon. It sounds like science fiction, but lunar timekeeping is becoming essential as multiple nations prepare for sustained lunar operations.

And after 35 years in orbit, the Hubble Space Telescope is still delivering stunning science, with a new gallery of images showing protoplanetary disks where planets are being born around young stars.

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