SpaceTime with Stuart Gary

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By: Stuart Gary

Join host Stuart Gary for weekly explorations into Astronomy, Space, and Science News, featuring insights from 19 years on Australian Public Radio and industry experts.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-with-stuart-gary--2458531/support.

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Europa's Water Plume Debate, Earth's Co-Orbital Mysteries, and ESA's Smile Mission Launch
#63
Last Wednesday at 8:19 AM

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 63 *Questioning the existence of Europa’s vapor plumes A new study of Jupiter’s ice moon Europa is casting doubt of previous evidence showing possible vapor plumes ejecting into space. *Are Earth's co-orbitals stray asteroids or chunks of the Moon? As well as our Moon, planet Earth also has a group of asteroids orbiting around the Sun with it. But questions remain about their origins. *SMILE launches on a mission to study Earth’s shield against the solar wind The European space agency has successfully launched its SMILE spacecraft on an...


Exploring the Earliest Galaxy, Unraveling Muon Secrets, and Meteoric Wonders Over Sydney
#62
Last Monday at 7:24 AM

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 62 *The most primitive galaxy in the early universe Astronomers have identified the most chemically primitive galaxy in the universe dating back over 13 billion years. *Understanding the true nature of the Muon Physicists have achieved a breakthrough in understanding the discrepancy between experimental measurements and theoretical predictions of magnetic properties of the muon, a heavier cousin of the electron. *Spectacular meteor streaks through the skies of Sydney The evening skies of Sydney and much of the New South Wales Pacific coast were lit up on Thursday by a spectacular meteoroid...


Interstellar Comet 3I ATLAS, Milky Way's Black Hole Dynamics, and Scotland's Dark Sky Sanctuary
#61
05/22/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 61 *The latest observations of interstellar comet 3i-Atlas using two spacecraft instead of just one Astronomers have used two separate spacecraft to obtain new ultra-violet spectrographic images of the interstellar comet 3i-Atlas as it continues its journey out of our solar system. *The shocking data in new AI models of our Milky Way Galaxy’s super massive black hole A new study has discovered that our Milky Way Galaxy’s super massive black hole is rotating almost as fast as the laws of physics allow, and its axis is pointing directly towards the...


Interstellar Cloud Insights, Ramses Mission to Apophis, and Volcanic Ash on Mars
#60
05/20/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 60 *Our solar system’s journey through an interstellar cloud A new study of cosmic dust found in Antarctic ice samples has revealed our solar system’s passage through the Local Interstellar Cloud – the remnants of an exploding star. *The Ramses mission to study the once considered doomsday asteroid Apophis The European Space Agency have confirmed their RAMSES mission to study once considered doomsday asteroid Apophis will launch in April 2028 to meet the half kilometre wide space rock prior to its close flyby of the Earth on Friday the 13th of April 2029. *Is...


Galactic Black Hole Eruptions, Snowball Earth Theories, and the Impact of SkyMapper
#59
05/18/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 59 *Black hole flare explodes in the heart of our galaxy Astronomers have observed a dramatic mid-infrared flare erupting from Sagittarius A*- the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy. *A new explanation for Snowball Earth Scientists have developed a new explanation for one of our planet’s great climate puzzles: how a snowball Earth event known as the Sturtian glaciation could have lasted so long. *The legacy of Australia’s Sky Mapper – so far The fourth and most recent data release by the Sky Mapper southern survey...


Moon's Ice Mysteries, Aussie Rover's Lunar Mission, and a Distant World's Unexpected Atmosphere
#58
05/15/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 58 *Unlocking the mystery of water on the Moon New evidence suggests that water ice has been accumulating on the Moon for at least one and a half billion years. *An Australian Lunar rover to land on the Moon in 2030 NASA has scheduled the Australian developed ROOVER lunar rover to fly to the Moon in 2030 as part of the Intuitive Machines CT-4 mission to the lunar South Pole. *Discovery of an atmosphere on a distant frozen world that shouldn’t have one Astronomers have discovered a thin atmosphere on a di...


Mercury's Sulphur Secrets, Jupiter's Slimmer Profile, and NASA's Launch Tower Setback
#57
05/13/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 57 *How the strange magmas on Mercury shaped the planet differently to Earth A new study has found that the sulphur rich magmas on the planet Mercury reshaped the tortured world’s interior evolution and crustal formation very differently compared to the Earth. *Confirmation of a slimmer Jupiter Astronomers have revised sciences understanding of the size of the solar system’s largest planet – the gas giant Jupiter -- finding it’s some 8 kilometres narrower at the equator and 24 kilometres flatter at the poles. *Work on NASA’s Launch Tower Two formally halted


Tatooine's New Neighbours, Mars Rover's Drilling Quest, and Soyuz 5's Maiden Voyage
#56
05/11/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 56 *Discovery of 27 new Tatooine type worlds reported on Star Wars Day Astronomers have discovered some 27 new planetary candidates orbiting in binary star systems using a new method to search for exoplanets which would otherwise be hard to find. *A new drill campaign for the Mars Curiosity Rover on the red planet NASA's Mars Curiosity rover has launched a new drill campaign at a site called Atacama on the red planet’s Gale Crater.. *New Soyuz 5 maiden flight Russia's new-next generation launch vehicle the Soyuz 5 has successfully completed its maiden fl...


Venus's Hazy Secrets, Planetary Collision Insights, and Lunar Gateway Corrosion Concerns
#55
05/08/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 55 *Scientists finally discover the cause of Venus’s enigmatic lower haze Astronomers have finally determined Cosmic dust as the source of a mysterious lower atmosphere haze that blankets the planet Venus. *Discovery of two worlds colliding Astronomers have found evidence of two planet colliding in a distant star system 11 thousand light years away. *The Lunar Gateway space station modules are rusting away NASA has confirmed that two of the habitation modules being built for the now postponed Lunar Gateway space station project are suffering corrosion problems. *May Skywatch...


Uranus' Ring Revelations, Africa's Rapid Rift, and Eris Rocket Mishap
#54
05/06/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 54 *The two outer rings of the ice giant Uranus show starkly different origins Astronomers have discovered that two of the planet Uranus’s outer rings have very different compositions and so must have come from different origins. *Africa breaking apart faster than thought A new study claims Africa is much closer to being physically torn apart into two separate continents than previously thought – possibly in just a few million years from now. *Engine issues blamed for the failure of the maiden flight of the Eris rocket The investigation into the...


Milky Way's Black Hole Secrets, Solar Flare Spectacles, and Mars Rover Discoveries
#53
05/04/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 53 *Milky Way's mysterious black hole gas clouds finally explained Astronomers have discovered a massive binary star system near Sagittarius A* the supermassive black hole at the centre of our Milky Way Galaxy.. *Two massive solar flares explode out from the Sun The Sun has just emitted two strong solar flares blasting out into deep space within a day of each other. *NASA’s rovers show the two sides of Mars NASA’s Mars Curiosity and Perseverance Rovers have provided astronomers with two very different views helping to piece together the...


Interstellar Comet 3I ATLAS: Unveiling Its Alien Origins, NASA's Roman Telescope Launch, and ESA's New Aussie Dish
#52
05/01/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 52 *Interstellar comet 3i/ATLAS is far more alien than we thought A new study has found that the interstellar comet 3i Atlas must have originated in a much colder star system with lower levels of radiation than our own solar system. *NASA now looking at September to launch its new Roman Space Telescope NASA are now targeting September as the likely launch date for their new Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. *The European Space Agency’s new Australian dish The European Space Agency has commissioned its second Australian deep sp...


Mars' Organic Molecules, Cosmic Buckyballs Unveiled, and Voyager 1's Power Dilemma
#51
04/29/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 51 *Discovery of organic molecules never before seen on Mars New data has confirmed that NASA’s Mars Curiosity Rover has identified seven organic molecules on the red planet that have never been detected there before. *A spectacular new understanding of cosmic buckyballs Fifteen years after astronomers first discovered buckyballs in space, new observations have now shown how they’re distributed in a shell around the corpse of a dying star. *NASA shuts down another instrument on Voyager 1 to keep it operating NASA has been forced to shut down an inst...


DNA's Cosmic Origins, Martian Metal Hotspots, and Mapping the Milky Way's Edge
#50
04/28/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 50 *Key ingredients of DNA discovered in the asteroid Ryugu A new study has confirmed that all five fundamental molecules needed to make up the DNA and RNA which underpins life as we know it, have been discovered in samples collected from the asteroid Ryugu. *Discovery of a metal‑rich hot spot tied to ancient Martian lake NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover has discovered the highest concentrations of iron, manganese and zinc ever found in the one place on the red planet. *The edge of the Milky Way revealed Astronomers have...


Unraveling 3I ATLAS: Comet Chemistry, Psyche's Craters, and the Space Junk Dilemma
#49
04/24/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 49 *Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS is changing A new study has discovered that the interstellar comet 3I Atlas appears to be undergoing a change in the composition of the volatile gasses its emitting. *Large craters offering new clues to the origin of the strange asteroid Psyche Scientists believe large impact craters on the surface of the mysterious metallic asteroid 16 Psyche may provide clues about its formation. *Fighting the growing threat of space junk Debris from space craft is becoming a growing problem in orbit. Now days considerable time and effort...


Young Stars Dim Quicker, Surprising Solar Winds, and Dream Chaser's Milestone
#48
04/22/2026

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SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 48 *Finding that young Sun like stars dim quickly is good news for life A new study has discovered that young Sun like stars settle down and start to dim more quickly than previously thought, potentially benefiting orbiting planets and the prospects of life. *A surprisingly speedy solar wind found in inner corona A new...


Cosmic Fossils: Black Holes Before the Big Bang and Ancient Martian Oceans
#47
04/20/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 47 *Are black holes from before the Big Bang shaping the Universe A new study suggests that ancient black holes from before the big bang may be shaping the universe. The idea is that the cosmos goes through eternal never ending cycles of expanding out from a big bang and then eventually collapsing in a big crunch which triggers another big band and so on. *The bathtub ring hinting at an ancient Martian ocean Scientists have identified geological features on Mars that appear to point to a vast sea shore or coast...


Unveiling 11,000 New Asteroids and Earth's Local Origins
#46
04/17/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 46 *Discovery of over eleven thousand new asteroids Preliminary data from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory has led to the discovery of over 11,000 new asteroids. *Confirmation that the Earth was made locally A new study has shown that planet Earth was formed from materials located in the inner solar system rather than stuff from beyond Jupiter. *Virgin Galactic’s new spaceship to be flying before the end of the year Space tourism company Virgin Galactic says work on the first of its new Delta class spacecraft will be completed within a...


The Growing South Atlantic Anomaly and Its Implications for Planet Earth
#45
04/15/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 45 *The South Atlantic anomaly is growing – are the planet’s poles about to flip A new study has confirmed that a gigantic weak spot in planet Earth’s protective magnetic field known as the South Atlantic anomaly is growing ever larger. *New study narrows down the mostly likely locations for water on the Moon A new study suggests water likely accumulated on the Moon slowly over billions of years, rather than during one big event. *Pairs of atoms observed existing in two places at once for the first time Quantu...


Artemis II: A Historic Journey to the Moon and Back
#44
04/13/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 44
*NASA’s Artemis II returns to Earth after its historic mission to the Moon NASA’s Artemis II mission has returned safely to Earth following its historic journey around the Moon. The four person crew splashed down in the North Pacific Ocean off the San Diego coast ending the ten day record setting flight which saw them travel further from mother Earth than humans have ever ventured before. *Astronomers have discovered the most primitive star ever seen Astronomers have identified one of the earliest stars ever seen; and the nearest cand...


April Skies: Celestial Wonders and Planetary Alignments Await
#43
04/10/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 43 *Climate change is slowing Earth's spin at an unprecedented rate A new study has found that climate change is slowing the Earth rotation at an unprecedented rate compared to past 3.6 million years *Magnetic waves discovered deep inside the Sun Scientists have detected large scale magnetic waves moving deep inside the Sun. The discovery reported in the journal Nature Astronomy could help scientists predict solar activity. *Mystery medical evacuation from space station finally explained That mystery medical evacuation from the International Space Station earlier this year has finally been explained. <...


Artemis IV: Targeting the Moon's South Pole for Human Exploration
#42
04/08/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 42 *NASA looking at nine possible landing sites for man’s return to the Moon NASA have narrowed down their list of possible landing sites for their return of humans to the lunar surface. The Artemis IV mission will target one of nine possible landing sites around the lunar south pole. *Saturn's weird magnetic shield A new study has found that Saturn’s magnetosphere – the magnetic bubble surrounding the ringed world – is lopsided. *Concerns grow as a Starlink satellite explodes in orbit SpaceX are still trying to determine what caused the sudd...


Artemis II: Humanity's Historic Return to the Moon
#41
04/06/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 41 *Human’s finally flying back to the Moon after a break of over half a century Humans have returned to the Moon for the first time in over half a century. The historic Artemis II mission blasted off from space launch complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida carrying four crew members aboard the Orion spacecraft Integrity on a ten day mission around the Moon and back. *Could gravitational waves be the origin of dark matter A new study suggests that gravitational waves could be responsible for the production of...


Reconnecting with Proba 3: Europe's Solar Mission Resumes
#40
04/03/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 40 *Using archaeology to study the history of galaxies like the Milky Way Astronomers have for the first time used what they’re calling galactic archaeology to trace the history of a galaxy beyond our own galaxy the Milky Way. *Europe reconnects with its lost Proba-3 spacecraft The European Space Agency has finally re-established contact with one of the spacecraft in its Proba 3 mission. *Using blue-green algae to grow food on Mars Scientists have used a cyanobacteria-based fertilizer could grow food in a simulated Mars environment. *The Science Report...


Ignition Phase: NASA's Revolutionary Plans for Lunar Habitation
#39
04/01/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 39 *Gateway space station axed in favour of a base on the Moon – Part 2 In the second part of our special report on the pausing of construction on the Lunar Gateway space station project, we’ll detail the plans to build a permanent base at the Moon’s south pole. The seven year 20 billion dollar project will see more than thirty spacecraft sent to the Moon to deploy rovers, equipment, habitat modules and of course people. *Extending the life of the International Space Station As part of NASA’s new Ignition program the Inte...


NASA's Moon Base Ignition: A New Era in Lunar Exploration
#38
03/30/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 38 *Gateway space station axed in favour of a base on the Moon – Part 1 In this special report, we’ll look at NASA’s decision to pause construction of the Lunar Gateway space station project in favour of accelerating plans to build a permanent base at the Moon’s south pole. Forget everything you’ve heard until now! NASA is shifting focus totally on a new endeavour named Ignition which is designed to achieve US President Donald Trump’s National Space Policy with the aim of establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon. The seven ye...


From Cosmic Collisions to Astronaut Safety
#37
03/27/2026

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SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 37 *Solving one of the mysteries of the Small Magellanic Cloud Astronomers may have finally solved one of the many mysteries of the Small Magellanic Cloud – a satellite dwarf galaxy the orbits the Milky Way. *Protecting astronauts from radiation in deep space NASA’s...


Gas Giants vs. Brown Dwarfs: Unraveling the Cosmic Spin Mystery
#35
03/25/2026

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SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 36 *How to tell gas giants from brown dwarfs A new study has found that giant planets spin faster than their cosmic brown dwarfs lookalikes. *A nuclear power station on the Moon gets the green light NASA and the U...


Black Hole Merger Sparks Gamma Ray Burst and Iodine Propulsion Revolution
#35
03/24/2026

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SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 35 *The black hole merger that sent ripples through spacetime Scientists have detected the merger of a pair of stellar mass black holes which was quickly followed seconds later by a powerful gamma ray burst.. *A new type of ion propulsion...


Van Allen Probe's Fiery Farewell and NASA's Mobile Launcher Setback
#34
03/20/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 34 *NASA's Van Allen Probe A comes to a fiery end After a mission lasting some 14 years, NASA's Van Allen Probe A spacecraft has re-entered Earth’s atmosphere in a fiery death plunge burning up over the Pacific Ocean. *NASA Mobile Launcher 2 on hold Last week’s announcement of changes to the Artemis Moon launch schedule has now resulted in NASA pulling the plug on further work on its Mobile Launcher two project which has been under construction at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida for two years. *Spectacular failure for Japa...


Stellar Migration and Cosmic Dust: Unveiling Galactic Origins
#33
03/18/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 33 *What the birth of our Sun tells us about the evolution of our galaxy Astronomers studying the birth and early evolution of the Sun have uncovered how the shape of our galaxy has changed dramatically over the past few billion years.. *Making cosmic dust in the lab. A new study examining how the building blocks of life are formed in extreme deep space environments has created cosmic dust in a laboratory. *China selects a landing site for its first manned mission to the Moon Beijing has identified four possible...


Magnetar Birth and Lunar Bombardment: Cosmic Revelations Unveiled
#32
03/16/2026

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 32 *The birth of a magnetar seen for the first time Astronomers have for the first time seen the birth of a magnetar — a highly magnetized, spinning neutron star. *Rewriting the textbooks on the history of the Moon A new study claims the lunar near and far sides experienced similar levels of asteroid and meteor bombardment, despite the very different appearances of the two. *Spectacular fireball light up the skies of Europe The European Space Agency is analysing a spectacular fireball which lit up the skies over Europe last week dr...


Earth's Energy Imbalance and Solar Secrets
#31
03/13/2026

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SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 31   *Planet Earth’s balance is shifting A new study claims planet Earth’s balance is shifting with the Northern Hemisphere absorbing significantly more solar energy than the Southern Hemisphere -- a shift that could reshape global weath...


Martian Superstorms and Lunar Tectonics: Unraveling Cosmic Secrets
#30
03/11/2026

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SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 30 *Solar superstorm hits the red planet Over the past few years planet Earth has been slammed by a series of violent solar storms erupting from the Sun as it transitioned through solar max the climax of its...


Barred Spiral Discoveries and Spirit's Final Mission: A Cosmic Journey Unfolds
#29
03/10/2026

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SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 29 *Earliest known barred spiral galaxy Our Milky Way galaxy is known as a barred spiral, and debate continues on exactly how the bar section at the heart of these types of galaxies form and evolve. Now astronomers have...


Uranian Auroras and Planetary Defense: Unveiling Cosmic Mysteries
#28
03/06/2026

SpaceTime with Stuart Gary - Series 29 Episode 28
In this episode of SpaceTime, we dive into the groundbreaking mapping of Uranus's upper atmosphere, the European Space Agency's innovative Planetary Defense Fly Eye Telescope, and NASA's critical findings on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.
Mapping Uranus's Upper Atmosphere
A new study has successfully created a three-dimensional map of Uranus's upper atmosphere, revealing how the ice giant's unusual magnetic field influences its auroral activity. This detailed mapping, reported in Geophysical Research Letters, shows emissions from molecules located up to 5,000 kilometers above the cloud tops, confirming a co...


Supernova Countdown and Auroral Insights: The Cosmic Show Ahead
#27
03/04/2026

SpaceTime with Stuart Gary Gary - Series 29 Episode 27
In this episode of SpaceTime, we explore the potential explosion of a massive star, NASA's innovative mission to study Earth's auroras, and the latest setbacks for the Artemis 2 lunar mission.
Supernova on the Horizon
Astronomers are buzzing with excitement as WOHG 64, one of the largest stars known, shows signs of impending supernova activity. Located 163,000 light years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud, this red supergiant is shedding its outer layers and transitioning toward its explosive end. With a luminosity 282,000 times that of the s...


Lunar Delays and Hypersonic Breakthroughs: Exploring the Depths of Space
#26
03/02/2026

SpaceTime with Stuart Gary Gary - Series 29 Episode 26
In this episode of SpaceTime, we delve into NASA's postponed return to the lunar surface, a remarkable hypersonic test flight by an Australian company, and the fascinating hidden chemistry at the heart of the Milky Way galaxy.
Nasa's Lunar Return Delayed
NASA has announced a significant delay in its plans to return humans to the lunar surface, pushing the Artemis 4 mission to 2028. The upcoming Artemis 3 mission will focus on testing systems in low Earth orbit instead of conducting a lunar landing. NASA officials e...


Martian Gullies and Inside-Out Planets: Discoveries from the Cosmos
#25
02/27/2026

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SpaceTime with Stuart Gary Gary - Series 29 Episode 25
In this episode of SpaceTime, we explore the intriguing mysteries of Mars' gullies, uncover a unique inside-out planetary system, and witness the inaugural launch of Europe's most powerful rocket.
Mysterious Martian Gullies Explained
Scientists have made significant strides in understanding the enigmatic gullies on Mars, previously thought to be shaped by unkn...


The Birth of a Black Hole and Mars' New Navigation
#24
02/26/2026

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SpaceTime with Stuart Gary Gary - Series 29 Episode 24
In this episode of SpaceTime, we uncover astonishing discoveries about the birth of black holes, a revolutionary Martian navigation system, and the arrival of NASA's S...