Made of Stars

NASA's Crew-10 will hold a press conference to update their mission and talk about their return home. Scientists have discovered a new giant molecular cloud in the center of the Milky Way. A 3rd interstellar comet has been observed entering our solar system. Plus an asteroid will make a pass by the Earth but it's nothing to worry about. And there's no solar eclipse on August 2 of this year that wi...

Wes recaps stargazing in Australia before talking about the Bogong Moths that use the stars to navigate their migration patterns. Plus, Ax-4's crew is now back on Earth after making history for three countries. The DART mission has more fruit to bear. Apollo Soyuz celebrates 50 years and it's been 25 year since the Bastille Day Event.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/p...

Venus Aerospace successfully flew the world’s first atmospheric test of a rotating detonation rocket engine that could eventually lead to a 55 minute trip from NY to Paris. Why does the Moon have magnetic rocks? Scientists have a new strongest solar storm ever recorded. Scientists now know how the lights turned on at the bebinning of time.    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreake...

This week we honor an American hero who walked and drove a car on the moon.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support .

Wes and Shawn interviewed Col. Al Worden in 2011. He passed away in 2020. This week we look back to that interview.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support .

Cancer treatments and cures may come from studies done in space. Scientists are taking the mystery out of the sun's poles. Scientists have a new look at the tiny glass beads found on the Moon during the Apollo era. A new study has given us information about the Milky Way's galactic center.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support .

The Strawberry Moon's name doesn't come from it's color but from what time of year strawberries are at peak ripeness. Japan's Resilience spacecraft has slammed into the Moon. Astronomers have dicovered an object "unlike anything we've seen before". Axiom's Ax-4 has been delayed again. Axiom has partnered with NASA to study DNA of fruit flies.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreak...

Jared Isaacman will not be NASA's next administrator. Active region 4100 has ended. Axiom's Ax-4 launch has been delayed to June 10. New research says the Milky Way and Andromeda won't be colliding after all.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support .

China and Russia have made a deal to build a nuclear power facility on the Moon. SpaceX has both wins and losses with its latest Starship launch. A sunspot has been visible on the Sun for 54 days and is still going strong. NASA has revived the thrusters on Voyager 1 after twenty years.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support .

A star has been observed exiting a galaxy... with a planet in tow. Scientists say that have discovered a new source for gold in the universe. Researchers have found a fungus that they say can metabolize gold. NASA's EZIE satellites to study auroral electrojets.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support .

Scientists say the universe's expiration date us much sooner than they had expected... but we still have a really, really long time left. Soviet zombie satellite spashed down on Earth over the weekend. Solar activity is picking up this week. Auroras were observed on Jupiter by JWST. And a supermassive black hole just exposed itself.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/pod...

The USSR Zombie probe will likely make landfall this weekend. NASA is ready to explore Titan witha very large drone. Japan's Resilence lunar lander has entered the Moon's orbit. SLS has stacked the second stage of Artemis 2 but it looks like funding will run out for SLS after Artemis 3. SpaceX has gotten permission from the FAA for 25 Starship launches per year.  Become a supporter of this podcast...

Jared Isaacman awaits the final Senate vote to conform him as the new administrator of NASA. A 50 year-old Russian spacecraft is heading for Earth. What are mush balls on Jupiter? Don Pettit's recent trip to space deserves a deep dive. And it seems that the Sun was not responsible for the recent Iberian power outage. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-star...

New data from exoplanet K2-18 b suggests that there COULD be life on the ocean world, but there's a lot more science to be done. NASA's Lucy spacecraft has captured images of a peanut-shaped asteroid. Hubble celebrates 35 years in service and the next director of NASA could send a mission up to service the telescope. Tractors running on GPS had an eventful Easter Sunday. Don Pettit has returned ho...

Blue Origin sent six women into space and there's been a lot of talk about whether they are astronauts or not. Aurora lit up the skies in Europe and New Zealand. Plus the Perseverance rover hit the jackpot on Mars.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support .

Jared Isaacman is a step closer to being conformed as the new head of NASA. The FRAM2 private astronaut mission is complete. SPHEREx and JWST both have wins! Comet SWAN is brightening.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support .

Massive star explosions may have triggered two mass extinctions in Earth's past. Actively feeding supermassive black holes could be good for life. The Large Magellanic Cloud may have a supermassive black hole. Astronomers may now have a better understanding of a repeating radio signal coming from deep space,  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--47462...

NASA's Artemis II mission is a step closer to ready for launch in 2026 as its twin boosters have been attached inside the VAB at Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX has broken some of its own records including using the same booster on launches only 9 days apart. NASA's Curiosity rover has detected the largest organic compounds ever found on Mars. JWST has given us a great new look at the Cosmic Tornado....

After a nine month mission that started as an eight day mission, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have returned home. Starliner's next test flight will likely be an unmanned one. Spring begins today with the vernal equinox. JWST has given us a look at gas giants in another solar system. Mars Madness gives you a chance to win a trip to Mars if you pick a perfect bracket.  Become a su...

SpaceX delayed the Crew-10 mission's launch after an issue with the transporter-erector which means Butch and Suni will wait a little longer to return home. A total lunar eclipse happens tonight for parts of the world. A new study suggests that biosignatures could be detected on Europa with a laser. The world's oldest impact crater has been located in Western Australia.  Become a supporter of this...

Crew-9 is preparing to return home. Intuitive Machines has landed the IM-2 on the Moon but at the moment, it's status is unknown. Firefly's Blue Ghost performed a soft landing on the Moon and is delivering data. NASA is powering down instruments on both Voyagers to save power. Massive early stars may have flooded the early universe with water. FRBs have been traced back to an unexpected origin.  B...

Two lunar landers are getting ready for a similar touch down next week. Don't forget about Saturn's disappearing rings. Mars is still red but the reason has changed. Rocket Lab launched its 60th Electron rocket. That "doomsday" asteroid isn't much of a threat any more. Plus, we will be getting a new batch of asteroids soon from Alpha Centauri.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.sprea...

Yes and asteroid is heading our way in 2032, and yes t he chances of it hitting Earth have gone up, but odds are still in our favor. Plus, NASA is reportedly not facing federal cuts. The Moon will have two landers arriving soon and Venus has been dazzling the night time sky.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support .

Boeing faces cuts for half of its SLS staff. Crew-9 set to return home a little earlier than previously scheduled. May's solar storm created two new radiation belts. Earth's magnetic field is playing music... sort of. And Quipu is now the largest known object in the universe. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support .

With the upcoming release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, it seems appropriate that the Einstein Probe observes a 'weird explosion". JWST has observed a crumbling exoplanet. Rocket Lab is ready for responsive launches. Boeing's Starliner CCP has new (old) management. Scientists have discovered a 3rd form of magnetism.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-o...