S27E33: Star Shredded by Black Hole: A Cosmic Feast Observed

SpaceTime with Stuart Gary

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The Space, Astronomy & Science Podcast.
SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 33
*The Black Hole that Ripped Apart a Star
In a cosmic display of destruction, astronomers have witnessed the closest recorded incident of a star being devoured by a supermassive black hole. The event, spotted in galaxy NGC 3799, was observed in visible light, offering unprecedented insights into these violent phenomena. The tidal disruption event, now cataloged as Assassin 23 BD, emitted less energy and faded more rapidly than typical cases, placing it in a unique classification and suggesting such occurrences may be more common than once thought.
*Hunting New Physics in Neutron Star Wrecks
The cataclysmic mergers of neutron stars could be hiding secrets of new physics, with potential clues about the enigmatic dark matter. The historic GW170817 collision, which sent ripples through space-time, has now been used to constrain theories on axion-like particles. These elusive entities could be part of the dark matter puzzle, and their traces might be detectable in future neutron star mergers, offering a new window into the fundamental workings of the universe.
*Guardian Gas Giants and Their Terrestrial Charges
A new study suggests that Earth-like planets often come with Jupiter-like protectors. Simulations of planetary systems show that "dry" super-Earths and distant "cold" Jupiters frequently coexist, with the gas giants acting as cosmic shields. This relationship hints at a formation pattern where massive protoplanetary disks give rise to both rocky worlds and their gaseous sentinels, providing a glimpse into the architecture of alien solar systems.
*China's Moonwalk Ambitions by 2030
China has set its sights on the Moon, with plans to land taikonauts on the lunar surface before the end of the decade. The ambitious project involves the development of the Long March 10 rocket, a new spacecraft, and a lunar lander. In a two-launch scenario, the vehicles will rendezvous in lunar orbit, setting the stage for China's historic manned moon landing and furthering their collaboration with Russia on a lunar base.
Plus, we examine the latest space news, delve into the science of extreme heat and preterm births, and explore the mystery of microplastics in human arteries.
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