Bedtime Astronomy

• This Week in Astronomy: Milky Way’s Core, Planet Nine, and First Molecule

  Magnetic Map of the Milky Way’s Core: Scientists created the first detailed map of magnetic fields near the center of the Milky Way, revealing how star formation and fast-moving particles are influenced by powerful magnetic forces. The findings help explain decades-old mysteries and improve our understanding of galactic behavior.The Hunt for Planet Nine:Astronomers suspect a hidden planet beyond Neptune is affecting the orbits of distant objects in the Kuiper Belt. While indirect evidence grows, the planet hasn’t been observed directly, keeping its existence an open and ongoing mystery.How the First Molecule Helped Stars Form: The helium hydride ion, the universe’s first molecule, played a key role in cooling early gas clouds, enabling the formation of the first stars. New lab experiments confirm its importance, reshaping our understanding of early cosmic chemistry.

  --------  

  14:41

  --------

  14:41
• Twis Week in Astronomy - Rare Black Hole, Moon-Bound Telescope And An Interstellar Object

  In this week:Rare Black Hole Feeding on a Star – Scientists observed a rare intermediate-mass black hole (HLX-1) tearing apart a star in a star cluster far from its galaxy’s center. This event, called a tidal disruption, allowed researchers to study how such black holes grow and possibly evolve into supermassive ones. It also supports theories about black hole formation and galaxy growth.Moon-Bound Telescope LuSEE-Night – A special radio telescope is being sent to the far side of the Moon to detect faint signals from the universe’s “Dark Ages,” a period before stars existed. Its unique design will help it survive extreme lunar conditions and could open the door to future radio astronomy missions from the Moon.Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS – A fast-moving object from outside the solar system was detected heading toward the Sun. Its speed, size, and path are unusual, prompting some scientists to speculate about alien technology. While likely natural, the object helps refine how we detect and study interstellar visitors.

  --------  

  15:25

  --------

  15:25
• Twis Week in Astronomy: Dark Energy Might Be Changing, Hidden Star Orbiting Betelgeuse and Rocky Planets Forming

  Dark Energy Might Be Changing Over TimeScientists have combined data from over 2,000 exploding stars to better study dark energy—the mysterious force causing the universe to expand. New analysis suggests dark energy may not be constant, possibly challenging current theories. This could have major implications for how the universe evolves or ends. More data from future telescopes will help clarify the picture.Hidden Star Found Orbiting BetelgeuseAstronomers discovered a hidden companion star very close to Betelgeuse, using a special imaging technique. This helps explain Betelgeuse’s brightness changes and offers insights into the future of this massive star. The smaller star may eventually merge with Betelgeuse, and the discovery opens the door for finding similar hidden companions around other stars.First Glimpse of Rocky Planets Forming Around Baby StarUsing the Webb Telescope and observatories in Chile, scientists saw the earliest solid materials forming around a young sun-like star, a key first step in building rocky planets. This is the clearest evidence yet of how Earth-like planets might begin to form and suggests the process could be common in the universe.

  --------  

  16:40

  --------

  16:40
• This Week in Astronomy: Dark Matter, Biggest Black Hole Merger and Hidden Galaxies

  Scientists propose that "dark dwarfs"—brown dwarfs powered by dark matter—could reveal what dark matter is made of. Meanwhile, LIGO and its partners detected the most massive black hole merger ever seen, offering new insights into black hole formation. At the same time, new simulations suggest there may be many hidden, faint galaxies orbiting the Milky Way, helping to solve a mystery in our understanding of dark matter and galaxy formation.

  --------  

  13:51

  --------

  13:51
• This Week in Astronomy: SPHEREx, Dark Dwarfs and an Interestellar Object

  NASA's new SPHEREx telescope is mapping the entire sky in infrared, helping scientists study the origins of stars, planets, and life—and the data is shared publicly. Researchers also propose a new type of glowing object called a "dark dwarf," powered by dark matter, which could offer clues about what dark matter is. Meanwhile, a giant object named 3I/ATLAS, recently spotted speeding through our solar system, is confirmed to be interstellar and may reveal how planets form in other star systems.

  --------  

  13:30

  --------

  13:30

More Science podcasts

Trending Science podcasts

About Bedtime Astronomy

Bedtime Astronomy: Podcasts in Family