Astronomy Daily: Space News Updates

# Astronomy Daily - S05E22
## Monday, January 26, 2026
Welcome to Astronomy Daily! Join hosts Anna and Avery as they explore the latest developments in space and astronomy, from ambitious plans to terraform Mars to stunning new views of dying stars.
### Episode Highlights
**Mars Terraforming Gets Serious**
Scientists unveil a comprehensive blueprint for transforming Mars into a habitable world. Discover the three-phase plan using Martian resources, engineered nanoparticles, and hardy microorganisms that could warm the Red Planet by 30°C and eventually create breathable air. But should we terraform Mars at all?
**Harvesting Water from Mars' Atmosphere**
While underground ice remains the primary water source for future Mars missions, researchers reveal how atmospheric moisture could provide a crucial backup. Learn about the innovative technologies that could make Mars settlements more self-sufficient.
**Chandra's Cosmic Catalog Milestone**
NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has now cataloged over 1.3 million X-ray detections across the sky. We explore this treasure trove of data spanning 22 years of observations, including a stunning view of the Galactic Center with over 3,300 sources in just 60 light-years.
**Earthquake Sensors Track Space Debris**
Ingenious new research shows how seismic monitoring networks can track dangerous falling satellites in near real-time. Discover how scientists reconstructed the trajectory and breakup of China's Shenzhou-15 module using earthquake sensors.
**Water Worlds or Lava Planets?**
Shocking new findings suggest 98% of planets we thought were ocean-bearing "hycean worlds" might actually be molten rock. Learn about the Solidification Shoreline model that's rewriting our understanding of sub-Neptune exoplanets.
**Webb Captures a Dying Star's Beauty**
The James Webb Space Telescope reveals the Helix Nebula in unprecedented detail, showing us the eventual fate of our own Sun. Witness stellar recycling in action as a dying star distributes the building blocks of future worlds.
### Links & Resources
- Research on Mars terraforming strategies
- Advances in Space Research journal study on atmospheric water harvesting
- Chandra Source Catalog: cxc.cfa.harvard.edu/csc/
- Science journal publication on seismic debris tracking
- arXiv preprint on sub-Neptune exoplanet composition
- Webb Space Telescope Helix Nebula observations
For more space news and daily episodes, visit astronomydaily.io
Follow us on social media @AstroDailyPod
---
*Astronomy Daily: Your daily dose of space and astronomy news*

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.

Sponsor Details:
Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!

Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click Here

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Rocket Lab's "Hungry Hippos" arrive at Wallops Island despite tank test setback, NASA enlists global volunteers to track Artemis II, ancient lunar impact explains Moon's asymmetry, affordable space memorials launching in 2027, massive exomoon challenges definitions, and an 11th-century monk may have discovered Halley's Comet first.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
🚀 Rocket Lab's Neutron program reaches major milestone as innovative "Hungry Hippo" reusable fairings arrive at Wallops Island after month-long sea journey from New Zealand, though first-stage tank ruptures during qualification testing at Maryland facility
🌕 NASA selects 34 volunteers from 14 countries to track Artemis II mission around the Moon, expanding from 10 participants during Artemis I and representing government agencies, commercial companies, universities, and amateur radio enthusiasts
🌑 China's Chang'e 6 lunar samples reveal unusual potassium isotope ratios in South Pole-Aitken Basin rocks, providing evidence that the giant impact 4.2 billion years ago fundamentally altered the Moon's chemistry and explains why the far side has so few maria
⭐ Space Beyond startup plans to send 1,000 people's ashes to orbit for just $249 using CubeSat technology on SpaceX rideshare mission in October 2027, founded by former Blue Origin engineer Ryan Mitchell
🪐 Astronomers detect potential exomoon around HD 206893 B that may be 40% the mass of Jupiter, so massive it could force redefinition of what constitutes a moon versus binary companion system
☄️ New research reveals 11th-century English monk Eilmer of Malmesbury recognized Halley's Comet's periodicity centuries before Edmond Halley, calling into question the comet's namesake
LINKS & RESOURCES:
• Rocket Lab Neutron development: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/01/hungry-hippos-test-tanks-neutron/
• NASA Artemis II tracking participants: https://www.nasa.gov/technology/space-comms/nasa-selects-participants-to-track-artemis-ii-mission/
• Chang'e 6 lunar impact study: https://www.space.com/astronomy/moon/a-colossal-asteroid-may-have-warped-the-moon-from-the-inside-out
• Space Beyond memorial service: https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/23/this-startup-will-send-1000-peoples-ashes-to-space-affordably-in-2027/
• Massive exomoon discovery: https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/alien-moon-massive-redefine-what-a-moon-is/
• Halley's Comet historical research: https://phys.org/news/2026-01-halley-comet-wrongly-11th-century.html
FOLLOW ASTRONOMY DAILY:
🌐 Website: astronomydaily.io
🐦 X/Twitter: @AstroDailyPod
📘 Facebook: @AstroDailyPod
📷 Instagram: @AstroDailyPod
🎵 TikTok: @AstroDailyPod
📺 YouTube: @AstroDailyPod
📱 Tumblr: @AstroDailyPod

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.

Sponsor Details:
Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!

Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click Here

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Welcome to Astronomy Daily! Today we explore NASA's inspiring collection of historic keepsakes heading to the Moon on Artemis II, including fabric from the 1903 Wright Flyer. We examine an urgent warning about orbital debris—the CRASH Clock shows catastrophic collision could occur in just 5.5 days if satellites lose maneuvering capability. New analysis of Apollo lunar samples challenges our understanding of where Earth's water came from. Irish researchers solve the mystery of how supermassive black holes grew so quickly in the early universe. Plus, Blue Origin schedules its third New Glenn launch with a reused booster, and NASA's AI tool ExoMiner++ identifies 7,000 new exoplanet candidates in TESS data.
Hosts: Anna & Avery
Episode: S05E20

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.

Sponsor Details:
Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!

Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click Here

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Welcome to Astronomy Daily! In today's episode, we explore Blue Origin's ambitious new TeraWave satellite internet network offering speeds up to 6Tbps, discuss the first-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station, and celebrate Buzz Aldrin's 96th birthday as the oldest living astronaut. We also dive into exciting science from Saturn's moon Enceladus, surprising plasma wave discoveries at Mercury, and groundbreaking Solar Orbiter observations revealing how magnetic avalanches power solar flares.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
• Blue Origin announces TeraWave: A new satellite network with 6Tbps speeds for enterprise and government customers
• Historic ISS evacuation: Crew-11 returns early in NASA's first medical evacuation from space
• Buzz Aldrin celebrates 96th birthday as Artemis II crew prepares for lunar journey
• Scientists develop new method to analyze Enceladus plumes for ocean habitability
• BepiColombo discovers Mercury shares plasma wave behavior with Earth
• Solar Orbiter reveals magnetic avalanches trigger solar flares
STORY TIMESTAMPS:
[00:00] Introduction
[01:15] Blue Origin's TeraWave Satellite Network
[05:42] ISS Medical Evacuation - Crew-11's Historic Return
[10:28] Buzz Aldrin's 96th Birthday & Artemis II Connections
[14:35] Enceladus Plumes May Hold Clues to Ocean Habitability
[18:20] Mercury and Earth Share Plasma Wave Behavior
[22:10] Solar Orbiter Discovers Magnetic Avalanches Power Flares
[26:45] Outro
LINKS & RESOURCES:
• Blue Origin TeraWave: https://www.blueorigin.com/terawave
• NASA Crew-11 Mission Information: https://www.nasa.gov/
• Artemis II Mission Details: https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-ii
• BepiColombo Mission: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo
• Solar Orbiter Mission: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter
• Astronomy Daily Website: https://astronomydaily.io
CREDITS:
Hosted by Anna and Avery
Produced by Astronomy Daily
Episode S05E19 - January 22, 2026
SUBSCRIBE & CONNECT:
Never miss an episode! Subscribe to Astronomy Daily on your favorite podcast platform and visit astronomydaily.io for more space news, articles, and community discussions.
Follow us on social media for daily updates and bonus content!
#AstronomyDaily #SpaceNews #BlueOrigin #NASA #ISS #BuzzAldrin #ArtemisII #Enceladus #Mercury #SolarOrbiter #SpaceExploration

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.

Sponsor Details:
Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!

Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click Here

This episode includes AI-generated content.

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

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.

Sponsor Details:
Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!

Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click Here

This episode includes AI-generated content.