WEBVTT 0 00:00:01.820 --> 00:00:04.620 Anna: Welcome to Astronomy Daily, the podcast 1 00:00:04.620 --> 00:00:07.100 where we bring you the latest from the final 2 00:00:07.180 --> 00:00:08.940 frontier. I'm Anna. 3 00:00:09.100 --> 00:00:11.620 Avery: And I'm Avery. It's great to be back with you 4 00:00:11.620 --> 00:00:14.100 today for another exciting episode filled 5 00:00:14.100 --> 00:00:15.739 with groundbreaking space news. 6 00:00:16.060 --> 00:00:18.860 Anna: In today's show, we'll be discussing a 7 00:00:18.860 --> 00:00:21.420 tiny moon rock that's rewriting lunar 8 00:00:21.420 --> 00:00:24.260 history, Blue Origin's upcoming rocket 9 00:00:24.260 --> 00:00:26.900 launch, the ongoing oriented meteor 10 00:00:26.900 --> 00:00:29.620 shower, and stunning new images from the 11 00:00:29.620 --> 00:00:31.020 James Webb telescop. 12 00:00:31.960 --> 00:00:34.520 Avery: So buckle up, space fans. Let's dive right 13 00:00:34.520 --> 00:00:34.840 in. 14 00:00:35.320 --> 00:00:38.160 Anna: First up, a story that proves sometimes the 15 00:00:38.160 --> 00:00:40.600 smallest things can have the biggest impact. 16 00:00:41.080 --> 00:00:43.120 We're talking about a, um, Moon rock 17 00:00:43.120 --> 00:00:45.720 collected by Apollo 17 astronauts 18 00:00:45.880 --> 00:00:47.960 50 years ago. Sample 19 00:00:48.040 --> 00:00:50.120 76535. 20 00:00:50.680 --> 00:00:53.040 Avery: That's right, Anna. Uh, this tiny rock is 21 00:00:53.040 --> 00:00:55.600 challenging our entire understanding of the 22 00:00:55.600 --> 00:00:57.920 Moon's early history. New computer 23 00:00:57.920 --> 00:01:00.720 simulations show it formed deep within the 24 00:01:00.720 --> 00:01:03.150 Moon's crust and then rose to the surface 25 00:01:03.220 --> 00:01:05.700 surface about 4.25 billion years ago. 26 00:01:06.100 --> 00:01:08.940 Anna: And here's the crucial part. It didn't get 27 00:01:08.940 --> 00:01:11.940 there through a violent impact, which was the 28 00:01:11.940 --> 00:01:14.660 previous assumption. The simulations suggest 29 00:01:14.820 --> 00:01:17.780 a much gentler process, like buoyant 30 00:01:17.780 --> 00:01:19.620 ascent through the lunar mantle. 31 00:01:20.340 --> 00:01:23.060 Avery: This gentle rise implies that the Moon's 32 00:01:23.060 --> 00:01:25.980 large impact basins, the giant craters 33 00:01:25.980 --> 00:01:28.980 we see, might be about 300 million years 34 00:01:28.980 --> 00:01:31.220 older than we thought. That's a significant 35 00:01:31.620 --> 00:01:34.260 shift in the timeline. The researchers used 36 00:01:34.340 --> 00:01:36.720 sophisticated computer modeling that 37 00:01:36.720 --> 00:01:39.280 simulates the thermal and chemical evolution 38 00:01:39.280 --> 00:01:42.160 of the lunar interior over billions of years. 39 00:01:42.720 --> 00:01:45.160 Anna: What's particularly fascinating about the 40 00:01:45.160 --> 00:01:47.560 methodology here is how they combined 41 00:01:47.560 --> 00:01:50.160 geochemical analysis of the rock sample 42 00:01:50.240 --> 00:01:53.000 with advanced computational models. The 43 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:55.800 rock itself contains specific mineral 44 00:01:55.800 --> 00:01:58.760 compositions and isotopic signatures. That 45 00:01:58.760 --> 00:02:00.480 acts like a geological clock. 46 00:02:01.320 --> 00:02:04.000 Avery: Exactly, Anna. Um. By analyzing the ratios of 47 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:06.480 different elements and isotopes, scientists 48 00:02:06.480 --> 00:02:09.080 can determine when and under what conditions 49 00:02:09.080 --> 00:02:11.600 the rock formed. Then they feed that data 50 00:02:11.600 --> 00:02:14.480 into models that simulate the Moon's thermal 51 00:02:14.480 --> 00:02:16.919 evolution, including how heat from 52 00:02:16.919 --> 00:02:19.800 radioactive decay and early impacts would 53 00:02:19.800 --> 00:02:21.400 have affected the lunar interior. 54 00:02:21.960 --> 00:02:24.840 Anna: This has huge implications for understanding 55 00:02:24.840 --> 00:02:27.520 the early solar system. If the Moon's 56 00:02:27.520 --> 00:02:30.160 basins are older, it means the period of 57 00:02:30.160 --> 00:02:32.940 heavy bombardment when asteroids and comets 58 00:02:32.940 --> 00:02:35.060 were constantly hitting. Planetary bodies 59 00:02:35.540 --> 00:02:38.300 started earlier and perhaps lasted 60 00:02:38.300 --> 00:02:38.740 longer. 61 00:02:39.060 --> 00:02:41.020 Avery: And that affects our understanding of when 62 00:02:41.020 --> 00:02:43.700 conditions became suitable for life on Earth. 63 00:02:43.860 --> 00:02:45.700 The heavy bombardment period would have 64 00:02:45.700 --> 00:02:48.100 sterilized the planet's surface. Repeatedly 65 00:02:48.419 --> 00:02:50.660 pushing that timeline back means we might 66 00:02:50.660 --> 00:02:52.860 need to reconsider when life could have first 67 00:02:52.860 --> 00:02:53.460 emerged. 68 00:02:53.940 --> 00:02:56.580 Anna: Looking ahead, this research highlights why 69 00:02:56.580 --> 00:02:58.660 future lunar missions are so important. 70 00:02:59.300 --> 00:03:01.540 NASA's Artemis program and other 71 00:03:01.540 --> 00:03:04.060 international missions will be collecting new 72 00:03:04.060 --> 00:03:06.040 samples, samples from different regions of 73 00:03:06.040 --> 00:03:08.920 the Moon, which could confirm or refine 74 00:03:08.920 --> 00:03:09.680 these findings. 75 00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:12.400 Avery: Particularly samples from the lunar south 76 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:14.520 pole, which has remained in shadow for 77 00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:17.040 billions of years and may preserve ancient 78 00:03:17.040 --> 00:03:19.360 materials that could tell us even more about 79 00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:22.160 the Moon's earliest history and by extension, 80 00:03:22.160 --> 00:03:23.200 Earth's formation. 81 00:03:23.600 --> 00:03:26.080 Anna: Exactly. If these basins are 82 00:03:26.080 --> 00:03:28.200 older, it means the period of heavy 83 00:03:28.200 --> 00:03:30.080 bombardment in the inner solar system 84 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:33.100 happened to earlier too. This could force 85 00:03:33.100 --> 00:03:35.780 us to rewrite chapters in textbooks about how 86 00:03:35.780 --> 00:03:37.260 planets and moons evolved. 87 00:03:37.740 --> 00:03:39.780 Avery: It's amazing what we can still learn from 88 00:03:39.780 --> 00:03:42.580 samples brought back half a century ago. It 89 00:03:42.580 --> 00:03:44.580 just goes to show the enduring value of the 90 00:03:44.580 --> 00:03:46.939 Apollo program shifting gears. 91 00:03:46.939 --> 00:03:49.820 Anna: From ancient history to the very near future. 92 00:03:50.300 --> 00:03:53.100 Let's talk about launch schedules. Avery, 93 00:03:53.100 --> 00:03:54.860 what's the latest with Blue Origin? 94 00:03:55.420 --> 00:03:58.180 Avery: Great question, Anna. Blue Origin is gearing 95 00:03:58.180 --> 00:04:00.620 up for the second launch of its massive New 96 00:04:00.620 --> 00:04:03.440 Glenn rocket, currently targeting a window in 97 00:04:03.440 --> 00:04:04.200 mid October. 98 00:04:04.520 --> 00:04:07.520 Anna: This is a big deal because the payload is 99 00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:10.320 NASA's Escapade mission, twin small 100 00:04:10.320 --> 00:04:13.080 satellites designed to orbit Mars and 101 00:04:13.080 --> 00:04:14.680 study its magnetosphere. 102 00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:18.000 Avery: That's correct. Escapade stands for Escape 103 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:20.600 and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics 104 00:04:20.600 --> 00:04:23.600 Explorers. These twin spacecraft are part 105 00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:26.120 of NASA's Small Innovative Missions for 106 00:04:26.120 --> 00:04:29.010 Planetary Exploration program, designed to 107 00:04:29.010 --> 00:04:31.010 be cost effective while delivering 108 00:04:31.010 --> 00:04:32.130 significant science. 109 00:04:32.530 --> 00:04:35.010 Anna: The science goals are really fascinating. 110 00:04:35.410 --> 00:04:37.810 Escapade will study how solar wind 111 00:04:37.970 --> 00:04:40.690 interacts with Mars's weak magnetic field 112 00:04:40.770 --> 00:04:43.290 and atmosphere. This is crucial for 113 00:04:43.290 --> 00:04:45.890 understanding why Mars lost most of its 114 00:04:45.890 --> 00:04:48.050 atmosphere and water over time, 115 00:04:48.450 --> 00:04:50.810 transforming from a potentially habitable 116 00:04:50.810 --> 00:04:53.090 world to the dry planet we see today. 117 00:04:53.730 --> 00:04:56.330 Avery: Each spacecraft carries a sophisticated suite 118 00:04:56.330 --> 00:04:58.890 of instruments, including magnetometers to 119 00:04:58.890 --> 00:05:01.870 measure magnetic fields, plasma analyzers 120 00:05:01.870 --> 00:05:04.670 to study charged particles, and electron 121 00:05:04.670 --> 00:05:07.310 spectrometers. By working in tandem, 122 00:05:07.310 --> 00:05:10.230 they'll create a 3D picture of how solar 123 00:05:10.230 --> 00:05:12.670 wind particles are accelerated away from 124 00:05:12.670 --> 00:05:13.070 Mars. 125 00:05:13.630 --> 00:05:16.189 Anna: Now let's talk about the new Glenn rocket 126 00:05:16.189 --> 00:05:19.030 itself. This is Blue Origin's heavy 127 00:05:19.030 --> 00:05:20.830 lift vehicle. Standing over 128 00:05:20.910 --> 00:05:23.750 320ft tall with a 23 129 00:05:23.750 --> 00:05:26.470 foot diameter, it's designed to be partially 130 00:05:26.470 --> 00:05:29.150 reusable, with the first stage capable of 131 00:05:29.150 --> 00:05:31.710 landing on a sea platform and being flown 132 00:05:31.710 --> 00:05:32.030 again. 133 00:05:32.910 --> 00:05:34.470 Avery: The first stage is powered by 134 00:05:34.470 --> 00:05:37.230 7Be4 engines, the same 135 00:05:37.230 --> 00:05:39.510 engines used on United Launch Alliance's 136 00:05:39.510 --> 00:05:42.470 Vulcan rocket. These methane fueled engines 137 00:05:42.470 --> 00:05:44.510 represent the next generation of rocket 138 00:05:44.510 --> 00:05:46.910 propulsion, offering better performance and 139 00:05:46.910 --> 00:05:49.790 reusability compared to traditional kerosene 140 00:05:49.790 --> 00:05:50.190 engines. 141 00:05:50.990 --> 00:05:52.910 Anna: This launch represents a significant 142 00:05:53.150 --> 00:05:55.390 milestone for the commercial space industry. 143 00:05:56.110 --> 00:05:58.870 NASA's decision to use New Glenn for such an 144 00:05:58.870 --> 00:06:01.390 important science mission shows growing 145 00:06:01.390 --> 00:06:03.870 confidence in commercial providers for 146 00:06:04.170 --> 00:06:06.250 critical planetary exploration missions, 147 00:06:06.410 --> 00:06:08.770 beyond just cargo resupply to the 148 00:06:08.770 --> 00:06:10.010 International Space Station. 149 00:06:10.490 --> 00:06:13.050 Avery: It's part of a broader trend where NASA is 150 00:06:13.050 --> 00:06:15.770 leveraging commercial partnerships to reduce 151 00:06:15.770 --> 00:06:18.690 costs and accelerate mission timelines. This 152 00:06:18.690 --> 00:06:20.890 approach allows the agency to focus its 153 00:06:20.890 --> 00:06:23.690 resources on developing the most complex 154 00:06:23.690 --> 00:06:25.890 technologies while benefiting from the 155 00:06:25.890 --> 00:06:27.850 innovation happening in the private sector. 156 00:06:28.730 --> 00:06:31.210 Anna: The fact that NASA chose New Glenn for this 157 00:06:31.210 --> 00:06:33.810 mission is a strong vote of confidence in the 158 00:06:33.810 --> 00:06:36.350 new rocket system, especially after after its 159 00:06:36.350 --> 00:06:38.710 successful debut flight earlier this year. 160 00:06:39.270 --> 00:06:41.870 Avery: Absolutely. It signals that New Glenn is 161 00:06:41.870 --> 00:06:43.990 becoming a reliable workhorse for important 162 00:06:44.230 --> 00:06:46.430 scientific missions. We'll be watching that 163 00:06:46.430 --> 00:06:47.430 launch closely. 164 00:06:48.070 --> 00:06:50.110 Now for something you can actually see with 165 00:06:50.110 --> 00:06:53.030 your own eyes, no telescope required. The 166 00:06:53.030 --> 00:06:55.630 annual Orionid meteor shower is about to get 167 00:06:55.630 --> 00:06:56.150 underway. 168 00:06:56.470 --> 00:06:59.350 Anna: That's right, Avery. It begins on October 2nd 169 00:06:59.350 --> 00:07:01.990 and will run through November 12th, with the 170 00:07:01.990 --> 00:07:04.870 peak activity expected around October 20th 171 00:07:04.870 --> 00:07:05.830 to 23rd. 172 00:07:06.580 --> 00:07:08.980 Avery: These shooting stars are bits of debris left 173 00:07:08.980 --> 00:07:11.220 behind by the most famous comet of all, 174 00:07:11.300 --> 00:07:14.300 Halley's Comet. As Earth plows through this 175 00:07:14.300 --> 00:07:16.780 debris trail, the particles burn up in our 176 00:07:16.780 --> 00:07:19.060 atmosphere, creating those brilliant streaks 177 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:21.500 of light. The Orionids are particularly 178 00:07:21.500 --> 00:07:23.380 special because they come from one of the 179 00:07:23.380 --> 00:07:24.900 most studied comets in history. 180 00:07:25.220 --> 00:07:27.780 Anna: Halley's Comet has been observed for over 181 00:07:27.780 --> 00:07:30.620 2000 years, with records dating back to 182 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:33.520 ancient China and Babylon. It returns to 183 00:07:33.520 --> 00:07:36.520 the inner solar system every 76 years, 184 00:07:36.840 --> 00:07:39.640 and each time it passes close to the sun, it 185 00:07:39.640 --> 00:07:42.120 sheds more material that creates these meteor 186 00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:42.600 showers. 187 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:45.160 Avery: The science behind meteor showers is 188 00:07:45.160 --> 00:07:47.720 fascinating. These particles are typically no 189 00:07:47.720 --> 00:07:50.080 larger than grains of sand, but they enter 190 00:07:50.080 --> 00:07:52.760 our atmosphere at incredible speeds, up to 191 00:07:52.760 --> 00:07:55.520 148,000 miles per hour. For the 192 00:07:55.520 --> 00:07:58.400 Orionids, the friction with air molecules 193 00:07:58.400 --> 00:08:00.720 heats them to thousands of degrees, causing 194 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:01.360 them to glow. 195 00:08:02.230 --> 00:08:04.230 Anna: For optimal viewing, you'll want to give your 196 00:08:04.230 --> 00:08:06.990 eyes about 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the 197 00:08:06.990 --> 00:08:09.710 darkness. Avoid looking at your phone or any 198 00:08:09.710 --> 00:08:12.150 bright LEDs. The best time is typically 199 00:08:12.150 --> 00:08:14.910 between midnight and dawn, when your location 200 00:08:14.910 --> 00:08:17.350 is facing the direction of Earth's orbital 201 00:08:17.350 --> 00:08:19.910 motion, so you're essentially plowing into 202 00:08:19.910 --> 00:08:21.030 the meteor stream. 203 00:08:21.750 --> 00:08:24.150 Avery: Another great tip is to use peripheral vision 204 00:08:24.150 --> 00:08:26.230 rather than staring directly at the radian 205 00:08:26.230 --> 00:08:28.510 point. Meteors can appear anywhere in the 206 00:08:28.510 --> 00:08:30.630 sky, and your peripheral vision is actually 207 00:08:30.630 --> 00:08:32.830 more sensitive to detecting faint, fast 208 00:08:32.830 --> 00:08:33.260 moving objects. 209 00:08:33.409 --> 00:08:35.889 Anna: Objects the Orionids typically 210 00:08:35.889 --> 00:08:38.769 produce about 20 meteors per hour at 211 00:08:38.769 --> 00:08:41.249 peak, but they're known for occasional 212 00:08:41.329 --> 00:08:44.089 outbursts where rates can double or even 213 00:08:44.089 --> 00:08:46.889 triple. They're also famous for 214 00:08:46.889 --> 00:08:49.609 producing fireballs, exceptionally 215 00:08:49.609 --> 00:08:52.329 bright meteors that can light up the entire 216 00:08:52.329 --> 00:08:52.769 sky. 217 00:08:53.329 --> 00:08:56.089 Avery: What makes this year particularly good is 218 00:08:56.089 --> 00:08:58.609 that the Moon will be new on October 22, 219 00:08:59.009 --> 00:09:00.889 meaning no moonlight will interfere with 220 00:09:00.889 --> 00:09:03.500 viewing. This creates ideal dark 221 00:09:03.500 --> 00:09:05.980 sky conditions that can make even faint 222 00:09:05.980 --> 00:09:06.940 meteors visible. 223 00:09:07.260 --> 00:09:09.580 Anna: The Orionids are known for being 224 00:09:09.660 --> 00:09:12.620 particularly fast and for sometimes 225 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:15.420 leaving persistent glowing trails. 226 00:09:16.060 --> 00:09:18.900 For the best viewing, you'll want to find 227 00:09:18.900 --> 00:09:21.660 a dark sky away from city lights. 228 00:09:22.060 --> 00:09:24.860 Avery: A pro tip is to look about 40 degrees 229 00:09:24.860 --> 00:09:27.540 above the Radium Point, which is in the 230 00:09:27.540 --> 00:09:30.540 constellation Orion after midnight. And this 231 00:09:30.540 --> 00:09:33.090 year the New Moon phase means dark sky 232 00:09:33.240 --> 00:09:35.800 skies perfect for meteor watching. 233 00:09:36.200 --> 00:09:39.080 Anna: So set an alarm, grab a blanket, and 234 00:09:39.080 --> 00:09:42.080 enjoy the show. It's one of nature's 235 00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:43.960 best free performances. 236 00:09:44.840 --> 00:09:47.800 Finally, we have to talk about the James Webb 237 00:09:47.800 --> 00:09:50.280 Space Telescope. It's done it again, 238 00:09:50.760 --> 00:09:53.400 delivering absolutely breathtaking 239 00:09:53.400 --> 00:09:56.280 images. This time, Webb has 240 00:09:56.280 --> 00:09:58.600 turned its powerful gaze toward 241 00:09:58.680 --> 00:10:01.560 Sagittarius B2, the most 242 00:10:01.640 --> 00:10:04.440 massive star forming cloud in our 243 00:10:05.300 --> 00:10:06.500 Milky Way galaxy. 244 00:10:07.060 --> 00:10:09.660 Avery: Using both its mid infrared and near 245 00:10:09.660 --> 00:10:12.260 infrared instruments, Webb has pierced 246 00:10:12.260 --> 00:10:14.820 through the cosmic dust to reveal young stars 247 00:10:14.820 --> 00:10:16.780 and intricate structures in 248 00:10:16.780 --> 00:10:19.300 unprecedented detail. The 249 00:10:19.300 --> 00:10:22.300 telescope's NIRCam and MIRI instruments 250 00:10:22.300 --> 00:10:25.100 work together to capture different aspects of 251 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:26.340 this star forming region. 252 00:10:26.900 --> 00:10:29.300 Anna: The Near Infrared M Camera, or 253 00:10:29.780 --> 00:10:32.740 nrcam, is particularly good 254 00:10:32.740 --> 00:10:35.700 at detecting the youngest stars that 255 00:10:35.700 --> 00:10:38.420 are still embedded in their natal cocoons 256 00:10:38.420 --> 00:10:41.180 of gas and dust. Meanwhile, 257 00:10:41.420 --> 00:10:44.270 the mid infrared instrument Miri M 258 00:10:45.740 --> 00:10:48.620 can see through the dust to reveal the 259 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:51.340 thermal emission from warm material. 260 00:10:52.060 --> 00:10:55.020 Avery: Sagittarius B2 is scientifically important 261 00:10:55.500 --> 00:10:58.140 because it's located just 390 light 262 00:10:58.140 --> 00:11:00.820 years from the supermassive black hole at the 263 00:11:00.820 --> 00:11:03.740 center of our galactic this means 264 00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:05.540 stars are forming in an environment with 265 00:11:05.540 --> 00:11:07.340 extreme gravitational forces, 266 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:10.500 intense radiation, and powerful 267 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:13.260 magnetic fields, conditions very different 268 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:15.180 from star formation in our local 269 00:11:15.180 --> 00:11:15.820 neighborhood. 270 00:11:16.300 --> 00:11:18.540 Anna: The region contains massive 271 00:11:18.780 --> 00:11:21.460 molecular clouds with temperatures 272 00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:23.740 ranging from extremely cold 273 00:11:24.140 --> 00:11:27.100 to incredibly hot. It's also 274 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:29.740 rich in complex organic molecules, 275 00:11:30.060 --> 00:11:32.860 including some that are precursors to 276 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:35.730 life as we know it. Understanding star 277 00:11:35.730 --> 00:11:38.290 formation here could tell us about the 278 00:11:38.290 --> 00:11:41.130 conditions that might lead to habitable 279 00:11:41.130 --> 00:11:42.410 planetary systems. 280 00:11:43.050 --> 00:11:45.570 Avery: One of the key mysteries astronomers hope to 281 00:11:45.570 --> 00:11:48.170 solve is why this region is so 282 00:11:48.170 --> 00:11:51.090 efficient at star formation. The current 283 00:11:51.090 --> 00:11:53.530 theory involves turbulence and compression 284 00:11:53.530 --> 00:11:56.530 from nearby supernova explosions and the 285 00:11:56.530 --> 00:11:58.770 gravitational influence of the central black 286 00:11:58.770 --> 00:12:01.490 hole, creating ideal conditions for 287 00:12:01.490 --> 00:12:02.620 rapid star birth. 288 00:12:03.330 --> 00:12:05.730 Anna: Webb's observations will also help 289 00:12:05.730 --> 00:12:08.370 scientists understand the initial 290 00:12:08.370 --> 00:12:10.530 mass function in extreme 291 00:12:10.610 --> 00:12:13.450 environments, that is, the distribution 292 00:12:13.450 --> 00:12:16.250 of star sizes that form. Do 293 00:12:16.250 --> 00:12:19.170 these harsh conditions favor the formation 294 00:12:19.170 --> 00:12:21.930 of more massive M stars compared to 295 00:12:21.930 --> 00:12:24.770 quieter regions of the galaxy? This research 296 00:12:24.930 --> 00:12:27.810 has implications beyond our own galaxy, too. 297 00:12:28.460 --> 00:12:30.900 By studying star formation in the galactic 298 00:12:30.900 --> 00:12:33.500 center, we can better understand similar 299 00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:35.500 processes in other galaxies, 300 00:12:35.820 --> 00:12:38.300 particularly those with active galactic 301 00:12:38.300 --> 00:12:41.100 nuclei, where star formation occurs under 302 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:42.940 even more extreme conditions. 303 00:12:43.420 --> 00:12:46.140 Avery: What's fascinating astronomers is a puzzle. 304 00:12:46.540 --> 00:12:49.340 This region produces about 50% of 305 00:12:49.340 --> 00:12:52.260 all the stars in the galactic center, yet 306 00:12:52.260 --> 00:12:54.660 it contains only about 10% of the. 307 00:12:54.660 --> 00:12:57.600 Anna: Material found there, so it's incredibly 308 00:12:57.600 --> 00:13:00.480 efficient. These new images will 309 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:02.840 help scientists understand why 310 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:06.120 they're studying the physics of how stars are 311 00:13:06.120 --> 00:13:08.600 born in this extreme environment 312 00:13:09.400 --> 00:13:11.320 right in the heart of our galaxy. 313 00:13:11.880 --> 00:13:14.520 Avery: It's another reminder of Webb's incredible 314 00:13:14.520 --> 00:13:17.120 power to unlock secrets of the universe that 315 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:18.840 were previously hidden from view. 316 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:22.320 Anna: And that wraps up today's cosmic news 317 00:13:22.320 --> 00:13:25.320 rundown. From the moon's ancient past 318 00:13:25.640 --> 00:13:28.260 to the birth of new star, it's been a 319 00:13:28.260 --> 00:13:30.340 fascinating journey indeed. 320 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:33.500 Avery: Thanks for joining us on Astronomy Daily. Be 321 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:35.140 sure to subscribe so you don't miss our next 322 00:13:35.140 --> 00:13:37.820 episode. And please visit our website if 323 00:13:37.820 --> 00:13:39.660 you'd like to check more of today's space and 324 00:13:39.660 --> 00:13:41.780 astronomy news, along with all our back 325 00:13:41.780 --> 00:13:43.500 episodes. Just go to 326 00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:46.500 astronomydaily.IO until 327 00:13:46.500 --> 00:13:48.260 next time, keep looking up. 328 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:49.460 Anna: I'm Anna. 329 00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:52.260 Avery: And I'm Avery. Clear Skies, everyone.