Astronomy Daily: Space News Updates

The Sun's latest outburst arrived ahead of schedule! A powerful X1.9 solar flare and massive CME triggered severe G4 geomagnetic storms on January 19th, bringing spectacular auroras as far south as Alabama. Hosts Anna and Avery break down what happened and what to expect.
Also in today's episode: China successfully tests the Long March 12B reusable rocket, giving us a preview of their next-gen launch capabilities. We get an exclusive look at the Xuntian space telescope set to launch in 2027, which could rival Hubble with 300x the field of view. Plus, stunning new Hubble images reveal how baby stars carve out cosmic homes in the Orion Molecular Cloud.
We'll run through this week's packed launch schedule featuring SpaceX, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, and China, and explore groundbreaking research showing how hidden magma oceans might protect rocky exoplanets from deadly radiation.
**Episode Highlights:**
• BREAKING: Severe G4 solar storm strikes Earth early - aurora forecast through Jan 20
• China's Long March 12B reusable rocket passes critical static fire test
• Xuntian telescope preview: China's answer to Hubble launches 2027
• Hubble reveals protostar jets and cavities in Orion Molecular Cloud
• 7 launches from 6 sites this week: Your complete guide
• Basal magma oceans could generate protective magnetic fields on super-Earths
**Topics Covered:**
Space Weather, Solar Flares, CMEs, Geomagnetic Storms, Auroras, Reusable Rockets, Chinese Space Program, Space Telescopes, Star Formation, Orbital Launches, Exoplanets, Planetary Magnetism, Astrobiology

Visit us at astronomydaily.io for more space and astronomy news!
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#SpaceWeather #SolarStorm #Aurora #NorthernLights #SpaceX #China #SpaceTelescope #Exoplanets #Astronomy #SpaceNews

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Join hosts Anna and Avery for today's essential space and astronomy news roundup! 🚀
NASA's Artemis II rocket completes its journey to Launch Pad 39B, bringing humanity one step closer to returning to the Moon. We bid farewell to Japan's remarkable Akatsuki Venus orbiter after a decade of groundbreaking discoveries. China's FAST telescope solves a ten-year mystery about fast radio bursts, revealing they come from binary star systems. 
Plus, we preview the incredible space science missions launching in 2026, discuss the devastating loss of Spain's brand-new military satellite to a tiny space particle, and explore new findings showing that dwarf galaxies host more active black holes than previously thought.
**Featured Stories:**
• NASA's Artemis II reaches the launch pad for wet dress rehearsal
• Japan's Akatsuki mission ends after 15 years and extraordinary Venus discoveries  
• China's Sky Eye telescope cracks the fast radio burst mystery
• 2026 space science preview: Moon, Mars, and telescope missions ahead
• Spanish military satellite suffers catastrophic damage from millimeter-sized debris
• New census reveals surprising black hole activity in dwarf galaxies
Visit astronomydaily.io for full articles, images, and more space news!
#Astronomy #Space #NASA #ArtemisII #Venus #Akatsuki #FastRadioBursts #FAST #Mars #SpaceScience #BlackHoles #SpaceDebris

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NASA attempts to contact the silent MAVEN Mars orbiter after 40 days—but prospects look grim. Plus: the first-ever ISS medical evacuation succeeds, Europe debuts its powerful Ariane 64, scientists crack asteroid defense secrets, China releases lunar timekeeping software, and Hubble reveals where planets are born. Your daily space news for January 15, 2026.
### Extended Episode Description (for podcast websites/apps)
After more than a month of silence, NASA is making what may be its final attempt to contact the MAVEN Mars orbiter. Mission leaders are pessimistic, but the veteran spacecraft has surprised them before. We break down what happened, what's at stake, and what MAVEN's potential loss means for Mars exploration.
On a brighter note, the SpaceX Crew-11 astronauts have safely returned to Houston following the first-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station—a historic operation that went flawlessly. We explore how NASA executed this unprecedented mission.
Europe's taking a major step forward with the announcement that the first Ariane 64 rocket will launch February 12th. This four-booster beast can carry more than double the payload of its predecessor, and its debut mission will deploy 32 satellites for Amazon's Kuiper constellation.
Scientists using CERN's particle accelerators have discovered that iron-rich asteroids are tougher than we thought—and they actually get stronger under stress. This surprising finding could reshape how we approach planetary defense.
China has released the world's first practical software for keeping time on the Moon. It sounds like science fiction, but lunar timekeeping is becoming essential as multiple nations prepare for sustained lunar operations.
And after 35 years in orbit, the Hubble Space Telescope is still delivering stunning science, with a new gallery of images showing protoplanetary disks where planets are being born around young stars.

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Artemis II is entering its final preparations! This weekend, NASA rolls out the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft to the launch pad for the first crewed mission to lunar orbit in over 50 years. We cover the crew, timeline, challenges, and what to expect in the coming weeks.
Plus: The European Space Agency suffers a major cyberattack with over 700 GB of sensitive data stolen. We discuss what was compromised, how it happened, and the broader cybersecurity implications for the space industry.
Also in this episode: China's successful dual satellite launches kick off an ambitious 2026, scientists discover Jupiter has 1.5 times more oxygen than our Sun, a mysterious iron bar is found hidden in the Ring Nebula, and we explore the fascinating legacy of the Apollo 14 Moon Trees.
New episodes every weekday!
---
## EPISODE TIMESTAMPS
**[00:00]** Intro  
**[01:15]** Story 1: Artemis II Final Preparations  
**[04:45]** Story 2: European Space Agency Cyberattack  
**[08:30]** Story 3: China's Satellite Launches  
**[11:45]** Story 4: Jupiter's Oxygen Surprise  
**[14:30]** Story 5: Ring Nebula Iron Mystery  
**[17:00]** Story 6: Apollo 14 Moon Trees Legacy  
**[19:30]** Outro
---
## STORIES COVERED
### 1. NASA Enters Final Preparations for Artemis II Mission
NASA is entering the final stages of preparation for Artemis II, the first crewed mission beyond Low Earth Orbit in over fifty years. The Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft will roll out to Launch Pad 39B this Saturday, January 17th.
**Key Points:**
- **Launch Window:** February 6 - April 2026 (subject to readiness)
- **Crew:** Reid Wiseman (Commander, USA), Victor Glover (Pilot, USA), Christina Koch (Mission Specialist, USA), Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist, Canada)
- **Mission Duration:** 10 days circumlunar flight
- **Rollout:** 6.5 km journey takes ~12 hours on crawler-transporter-2
- **Recent Updates:** Valve replacement on Orion hatch pressurization system (Jan 5), leak repair on ground support hardware
- **Upcoming:** Wet dress rehearsal end of January with 2.65 million liters of cryogenic fuel
- **Next Steps:** Flight readiness review, final crew walkdown at pad
- **Historical Context:** First crewed deep space mission since Apollo 17 (1972)
- **Looking Ahead:** Artemis III lunar landing scheduled for 2028
**Why It Matters:**
This mission is a crucial stepping stone for returning humans to the lunar surface and eventually sending astronauts to Mars. It will validate all systems needed for deep space exploration and demonstrate international cooperation through the Canadian Space Agency's participation.
**Read More:**
- [Universe Today: NASA Enters Final Preparations for Artemis II Mission](https://www.universetoday.com/articles/nasa-enters-final-preparations-for-artemis-ii-mission)
- [NASA Artemis II Mission Page](https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/)
---
### 2. Cyberthieves Hit European Space Agency in Major Data Breach
The European Space Agency suffered significant cyberattacks over the Christmas period, resulting in over 700 gigabytes of potentially sensitive data being leaked to dark web forums.
**Key Points:**
- **Initial Attack:** Boxing Day 2025 - Hacker "888" dumps 200+ GB of data
- **Second Attack:** One week later - "Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters" claims 500+ GB more
- **Data Compromised:** Proprietary software, authorization credentials, access tokens, project documentation, operational procedures, spacecraft details, contractor data
- **Affected Contractors:** SpaceX, Airbus Group, Thales Alenia Space
- **ESA Response:** Criminal investigation launched, cooperating with authorities
- **Root Cause:** Possible "infostealer malware" harvesting browser-stored credentials
- **Broader Issue:** Email credentials of ESA and NASA employees frequently found on dark web
- **Security Gap:** Solar conjunction prevented communications blackout
- **Expert Warning:** Data could be combined with future breaches to enable attacks on space systems
**Industry Context:**
Cybersecurity researcher Clémence Poirier warns that cyberattacks against space agencies are common and will continue. NASA faces similar threats with vulnerabilities disclosed almost daily via BugCrowd platform.
**Why It Matters:**
As space infrastructure becomes increasingly critical for communications, navigation, and national security, cybersecurity vulnerabilities represent a major threat to space operations and international cooperation.
**Read More:**
- [Space.com: Cyberthieves hit European Space Agency](https://www.space.com/space-exploration/esa-email-credentials-on-dark-web)
---
### 3. China's Long March Rockets Launch Key Satellites to Start 2026
China successfully launched two Long March rockets on January 13, 2026, deploying the Yaogan-50 01 remote sensing satellite and multiple Guowang constellation satellites, marking an ambitious start to their space program's busiest year yet.
**Key Points:**
- **Launch Date:** January 13, 2026
- **Launch Site:** Wenchang Space Launch Center
- **Mission 1:** Yaogan-50 01 remote sensing satellite (Long March 6A rocket)
- **Mission 2:** Guowang satellite constellation expansion (low Earth orbit)
- **Yaogan-50 01 Features:** Unusual orbit design for enhanced Earth observation, unique viewing angles, applications in agriculture, disaster monitoring, resource management, scientific research
- **Guowang Constellation Purpose:** Telecommunications enhancement, high-speed data transmission, improved global connectivity, support for future Moon/Mars missions
- **Strategic Importance:** Part of China's expanding Earth observation capabilities
- **2026 Outlook:** Expected to be record-breaking year for Chinese space launches
**Why It Matters:**
China continues to expand its space infrastructure at a rapid pace, positioning itself as a major player in Earth observation, telecommunications, and future deep space exploration. The Guowang constellation will provide crucial communication support for ambitious lunar and Mars missions.
**Read More:**
- [Daily Galaxy: China's Long March Rockets Propel Satellites Into New Orbits](https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/china-yaogan-50-01-guowang-satellites/)
---
### 4. Scientists Discover Surprising Amount of Oxygen in Jupiter's Atmosphere
A groundbreaking study reveals Jupiter contains approximately 1.5 times more oxygen than our Sun, fundamentally changing our understanding of the gas giant's composition and formation.
**Key Points:**
- **Discovery:** Jupiter has ~1.5x more oxygen than the Sun
- **Research Team:** University of Chicago and Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- **Publication:** The Planetary Science Journal
- **Previous Estimates:** Some recent studies suggested much less oxygen than the Sun
- **Methodology:** Most comprehensive atmospheric model of Jupiter to date, integrating chemistry and hydrodynamics
- **Additional Finding:** Molecular diffusion is 35-40 times slower than previously assumed
- **Diffusion Impact:** Single molecule takes weeks (not hours) to move through one atmospheric layer
- **Data Source:** Juno spacecraft measurements of upper atmosphere
- **Significance:** Provides clues about Jupiter's formation and solar system evolution
- **Broader Implications:** Understanding oxygen distribution helps explain habitable planet formation
**Scientific Impact:**
Lead researcher Jeehyun Yang calls this a "long-standing debate in planetary studies." The precise oxygen quantity offers crucial insights into how gas giants form and how planetary systems evolve.
**Why It Matters:**
Oxygen is a key element in water formation. Understanding its abundance and behavior on Jupiter helps scientists better understand the conditions necessary for potentially habitable worlds both in our solar system and around other stars.
**Read More:**
- [Daily Galaxy: Scientists Discover Surprising Amount of Oxygen in Jupiter's Atmosphere](https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/surprising-oxygen-jupiter-atmosphere/)
---
### 5. Mysterious Iron Bar Discovered Hidden in Famous Ring Nebula
European astronomers have discovered a massive bar-shaped cloud of iron inside the iconic Ring Nebula—a structure that went completely unnoticed for decades despite this being one of the most studied objects in astronomy.
**Key Points:**
- **Discovery Team:** UCL (University College London) and Cardiff University-led international team
- **Publication:** Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- **Instrument:** WEAVE (WHT Enhanced Area Velocity Explorer) on William Herschel Telescope
- **Structure Size:** ~500 times the distance of Pluto's orbit around the Sun
- **Mass:** Comparable to Mars' mass in iron atoms
- **Location:** Bar-shaped strip fitting within Ring Nebula's elliptical inner region
- **Detection Method:** Spectroscopy across entire nebula at all optical wavelengths simultaneously
- **Previous Observations:** Missed by decades of studies, including JWST images
- **Ring Nebula Background:** Planetary nebula in constellation Lyra, discovered 1779, formed ~4,000 years ago
**Possible Explanations:**
1. Reveals new information about nebula ejection process (uneven/directional outflow)
2. Plasma arc from vaporization of destroyed rocky planet caught in star's expansion
**Next Steps:**
- Higher spectral resolution observations planned
- Searching for other chemical elements alongside iron
- Survey of additional planetary nebulae to find similar structures
**Researcher Quotes:**
- Dr. Roger Wess

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From historic medical evacuations to missing galaxies and stunning new images of the Milky Way, today's episode covers the latest breaking news from space exploration and astronomy. Join Anna and Avery as they discuss six fascinating stories from across the cosmos.
---
## Episode Timestamps
**[00:00]** Intro  
**[01:15]** Story 1: ISS Medical Evacuation  
**[04:45]** Story 2: The Mystery of Missing Tiny Galaxies  
**[08:30]** Story 3: NASA's MAVEN Spacecraft in Trouble  
**[11:45]** Story 4: Viruses Behave Differently in Microgravity  
**[14:30]** Story 5: Two New Exoplanets and Redefining Habitable Zones  
**[17:00]** Story 6: Stunning New Radio Image of the Milky Way  
**[19:30]** Outro
---
## Stories Covered
### 1. Historic First Medical Evacuation from ISS
Four International Space Station crew members successfully completed the first-ever medical evacuation in the ISS's 26-year history, splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego.
**Key Points:**
- SpaceX Crew-11 returned early after 5 months in space
- Crew included US astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, and Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui
- Splashdown occurred at 12:41 AM ET on January 15, 2026
- Affected crew member remains in stable condition
- Three crew members remain aboard ISS to continue operations
- Demonstrates importance of medical protocols in long-duration spaceflight
**Read More:**
- [Phys.org: ISS astronauts splash down on Earth after first-ever medical evacuation](https://phys.org/news/2026-01-iss-astronauts-splash-earth-medical.html)
---
### 2. The Universe's Missing Tiny Galaxies
New research using the James Webb Space Telescope suggests there may be far fewer small galaxies in the early universe than predicted by current models, challenging our understanding of cosmic evolution.
**Key Points:**
- Study led by Xuheng Ma from University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Used JWST's UNCOVER program to study galaxies through gravitational lensing
- Observed the Epoch of Reionization (12-13 billion years ago)
- Discovery of "faint-end suppression" - galaxy numbers drop off at smaller sizes
- Suggests intense radiation from early massive stars prevented small galaxies from forming
- May require rethinking models of cosmic reionization
- Used Abell 2744 galaxy cluster as a natural gravitational lens
**Why It Matters:**
This finding has major implications for our understanding of how the universe evolved from the "cosmic dark ages" to its current transparent state.
**Read More:**
- [Space.com: The universe should be packed with tiny galaxies — so where are they?](https://www.space.com/astronomy/galaxies/the-universe-should-be-packed-with-tiny-galaxies-so-where-are-they)
- Research paper on arXiv (preprint database)
---
### 3. NASA Pessimistic About Recovering MAVEN Mars Orbiter
NASA officials acknowledge it's "very unlikely" they'll recover the MAVEN spacecraft, which has been silent since December 6, 2025, marking a potential end to a highly productive Mars mission.
**Key Points:**
- MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) launched November 2013, entered Mars orbit September 2014
- Last communication: December 6, 2025
- Telemetry indicates spacecraft is tumbling and orbit may have changed
- Solar conjunction (Mars and Earth on opposite sides of Sun) complicated recovery efforts
- Attempts to photograph spacecraft with Curiosity rover were unsuccessful
- Other orbiters (Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Odyssey, ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter) can maintain communications relay
- Spacecraft studied Mars atmospheric loss and recently observed interstellar object 3I/ATLAS
**Mission Legacy:**
Despite the likely loss, MAVEN has provided over a decade of groundbreaking data about Mars' upper atmosphere and how solar wind strips away the Martian atmosphere.
**Read More:**
- [SpaceNews: NASA pessimistic about odds of recovering MAVEN](https://spacenews.com/nasa-pessimistic-about-odds-of-recovering-maven/)
- [NASA Science: MAVEN Spacecraft Updates](https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/maven/)
---
### 4. Space Station Study Reveals Unusual Virus-Bacteria Dynamics
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers discovered that viruses infecting bacteria evolve differently in microgravity, potentially opening new avenues for fighting antibiotic-resistant infections on Earth.
**Key Points:**
- Study used E. coli bacteria and bacteriophage T7
- Parallel experiments conducted on ISS and Earth
- Virus infection delayed but not blocked in microgravity
- Both viruses and bacteria developed unique mutations in space
- Space-evolved viruses showed increased activity against drug-resistant E. coli strains
- Findings could lead to improved phage therapy for antibiotic-resistant infections
- Published in PLOS Biology journal
- Demonstrates ISS value as unique research platform
**Scientific Significance:**
This research shows how the space environment fundamentally alters evolutionary processes, and how these insights can be applied to solve problems on Earth.
**Read More:**
- [Space Daily: Space station study reveals unusual virus bacteria dynamics in microgravity](https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Space_station_study_reveals_unusual_virus_bacteria_dynamics_in_microgravity_999.html)
- Research paper: "Microgravity reshapes bacteriophage host coevolution aboard the International Space Station" in PLOS Biology
---
### 5. Two New Exoplanets Challenge Habitable Zone Definitions
Astronomers have discovered two exoplanets orbiting red dwarf stars that are prompting scientists to expand the definition of potentially habitable worlds through the concept of "temperate zones."
**Key Points:**
- Research led by Madison Scott (University of Birmingham) and Georgina Dransfield (University of Oxford)
- Introduces "temperate zone" concept: broader than traditional habitable zone
- Temperate zone defined by insolation flux range: 0.1 < S/S⊕ < 5 (136-6,805 W/m²)
- TOI-6716 b: Earth-sized (0.91-1.05 Earth radii), likely rocky
- TOI-7384 b: Sub-Neptune (3.35-3.77 Earth radii), rocky core with thick H/He envelope
- Both orbit mid to late-type M dwarfs (red dwarf stars)
- Part of TEMPOS survey (Temperate M Dwarf Planets With SPECULOOS)
- Good candidates for atmospheric studies with JWST
- Paper submitted to Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
**Why Temperate Zones Matter:**
As our understanding of habitability evolves, planets in temperate zones may prove more interesting than initially thought, especially for atmospheric characterization studies.
**Read More:**
- [Universe Today: Two New Exoplanets And The Need For New Habitable Zone Definitions](https://www.universetoday.com/articles/two-new-exoplanets-and-the-need-for-new-habitable-zone-definitions)
---
### 6. Most Detailed Radio Image of Milky Way Reveals Hidden Structures
Astronomers in Australia have released the most detailed low-frequency radio map of the Milky Way's southern sky, revealing thousands of previously hidden cosmic structures.
**Key Points:**
- Created by International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR)
- Used Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) telescope in Western Australia
- Data collected over 141 nights between 2013-2020
- Required over 1 million CPU hours to process
- GLEAM-X survey: 2x resolution, 10x sensitivity, 2x sky coverage vs. previous efforts
- Cataloged over 98,000 radio sources
- Shows supernova remnants (red circles) and stellar nurseries (blue regions)
- Helps identify hidden supernova remnants and study pulsars
- Led by PhD student Silvia Mantovanini (Curtin University)
- First complete low-frequency radio image of Southern Galactic Plane
**Future Impact:**
This image serves as a foundation for the upcoming SKA-Low array, which will provide even more detailed views of the universe when operational.
**Read More:**
- [Daily Galaxy: New Image of the Milky Way Reveals Massive Hidden Structures](https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/new-image-milky-way-massive-structures/)
- [ICRAR: GLEAM-X Galactic Plane](https://www.icrar.org/gleam-x-galactic-plane/)
---
## Key Terms Explained
**Habitable Zone:** The range of distances from a star where conditions might allow liquid water to exist on a planet's surface.
**Temperate Zone:** A broader classification than habitable zone, encompassing planets that receive moderate levels of stellar radiation.
**Insolation Flux:** The amount of solar energy reaching a planet's surface, measured in watts per square meter.
**Epoch of Reionization:** A period roughly 12-13 billion years ago when the first stars and galaxies began flooding the universe with ultraviolet light.
**Gravitational Lensing:** The bending of light by massive objects due to gravity, which can magnify and brighten distant objects.
**Bacteriophage:** A virus that infects and replicates within bacteria.
**Solar Conjunction:** When Mars and Earth are on opposite sides of the Sun, disrupting radio communications.
**M Dwarf (Red Dwarf):** Small, cool, dim stars that are the most common type of star in the galaxy.
**Supernova Remnant:** The expanding cloud of gas and magnetic fields left behind after a star explodes.
**Luminosity Function:** A cosmic census tool showing the distribution of galaxies at different brightness levels.
---
## Resources & Further Reading
**Space Agencies:**
- [NASA](https://www.nasa.gov)
- [European Space Agency (

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