Podcast Summary
Space mystery: Questioning what we think we know can lead to intriguing discoveries and adventures, as shown by Cara Newhouse's investigation into a moon named Zoozve on Venus that wasn't listed on NASA's website.
Our curiosity and questioning the unknown can lead us to fascinating discoveries. Cara Newhouse and Nima Gobier, co-hosts of the MindShift podcast, explore various challenges and solutions in education. In their new season, they discuss innovative methods to engage students and models to help kids in challenging circumstances. Meanwhile, on the Shortwave podcast, Emily Kwong, Regina Barber, and M. Awesome embarked on a 10-episode journey through space. Despite covering various planets, stars, and the universe's end, they neglected to discuss a significant set of objects - our solar system. In this episode, they welcome Jad Abumrad, co-host of the Radiolab Podcast from WNYC, as their special guest. Abumrad shares his excitement about joining their "Space Camp" series. The team then discusses an intriguing space mystery that began with a solar system poster featuring a moon named Zoozve on Venus. However, NASA's website stated that Venus did not have a moon. This discrepancy sparked Cara's curiosity, leading her to investigate further. The lesson here is that questioning what we think we know can lead to intriguing discoveries and adventures, much like the explorations on podcasts like MindShift and Shortwave.
Quasi-moons near Venus: New discoveries in astronomy, like the quasi-moon Zosveg near Venus, expand our knowledge and highlight the importance of collaboration and continuous exploration of the unknown.
Our understanding of celestial bodies and their orbiting objects is an ongoing process. During a conversation, the speaker shared an intriguing discovery they made while researching a mysterious term, Zuzve, which turned out to be a quasi-moon near Venus called 2002 V.E. This discovery was made after realizing that the Zs were actually 2s and the 0s were actually 0s. The term "quasi-moon" refers to objects that orbit a planet but do not meet the formal definition of a moon. The speaker, Latif, went through the official process with the International Astronomical Union to rename it Zosveg. This discovery highlights the importance of collaboration and the continuous exploration of the unknown in the field of astronomy. It also showcases the diversity of celestial bodies and their orbiting objects, which can range from our familiar moon to quasi-moons like Zosveg. This discovery not only expands our knowledge of Venus but also adds to the richness and complexity of the field of astronomy.
Quasi-moons naming contest: Listeners have the chance to name one of Earth's quasi-moons through a global contest hosted by RadioLab and the IAU. Our moon is a natural satellite that orbits Earth, but quasi-moons are objects that orbit Earth but not as closely. This is an opportunity for the public to be a part of the unique naming process.
RadioLab, in partnership with the International Astronomical Union (IAU), is hosting a month-long global contest for listeners to name one of Earth's quasi-moons. This means that anyone, including you, could have the opportunity to name a celestial body. Before we dive into the contest, let's cover some moon basics. Our moon is often referred to as the "royal moon" or the "OG moon," as it was the first one we named. It's the brightest object in the night sky and a natural satellite, which orbits a larger body in space. However, there are other quasi-moons, or objects that orbit Earth but not as closely as our moon. These have yet to be named, and the opportunity is now open to the public. Tune in to the contest on RadioLab for a chance to be a part of this unique naming process. Additionally, on other NPR podcasts like TED Radio Hour and the NPR Politics Podcast, you can explore topics like artificial intimacy with chatbots and understanding the political landscape, respectively.
Moon's origin: The leading scientific theory for the moon's origin is a giant collision between Earth and another object around 4.5 billion years ago, supported by lunar samples and evidence of a molten moon.
The leading scientific theory for how the moon came to exist is through a giant collision between Earth and another object around 4.5 billion years ago. This collision resulted in debris from the impact coalescing and forming the moon, which is now held in place by Earth's gravity. This theory was supported by lunar samples brought back by NASA's Apollo missions in the late 1960s and early 1970s, which showed that the moon's isotopes and minerals are very similar to those on Earth and that the moon had been molten when it formed, indicating a massive impact. Other theories, such as the moon being captured from space or forming from the same material as Earth, are less likely based on current evidence.
Saturn's moon Titan: Titan, Saturn's largest moon, has a thick nitrogen atmosphere, liquid hydrocarbon lakes, rivers, and oceans, and the potential for harboring life beneath its surface
Our solar system is home to a vast number of moons, with a total of 293 known orbiting planets. Some of these moons even have their own moons, called moon moons. One particularly intriguing moon is Titan, Saturn's largest, which has a thick nitrogen atmosphere that makes it look hazy, similar to smoggy LA in the 1980s. Despite its smoggy appearance, Titan has liquid hydrocarbon lakes, rivers, and oceans that are hundreds of feet deep and hundreds of miles wide, but are extremely cold due to its distance from the sun. Beneath the frozen water surface, there could be a layer of liquid water and ammonia, potentially harboring some form of life. NASA is planning to visit Titan to further explore its unique features.
Quasi-moons orbiting stars: Quasi-moons, unlike regular moons, orbit stars instead of planets, and their close proximity to a planet creates unique conditions, making them intriguing objects of scientific study, such as Enceladus, which may harbor life ingredients and is being explored by NASA's Dragonfly mission
While we commonly think of moons as celestial bodies orbiting planets, there's a fascinating category called quasi-moons that orbit stars instead. One such quasi-moon is Titan's moon, Enceladus, which has captured our scientific interest due to its potential to harbor conditions suitable for life. NASA's Dragonfly mission, scheduled for 2028, aims to explore this intriguing moon, which is essentially a "laboratory" of sorts, with essential life ingredients like methane, liquid water, and organic materials, all subjected to experiments for billions of years. The International Astronomical Union's naming fatigue means that many small moons go unnamed, but the discovery of a quasi-moon like Enceladus underscores the importance of continuing our exploration of the cosmos. In essence, quasi-moons, unlike regular moons, orbit the sun rather than a planet, and their close proximity to a planet creates unique conditions that make them worth studying.
Zuzve's orbit: Zuzve's orbit is influenced by both the Sun and Venus, but it's not gravitationally bound to Venus, making it a freeform celestial body in our solar system.
Zuzve, a small celestial body in our solar system, exhibits complex gravitational interactions with both the Sun and Venus, making its trajectory unpredictable and unlike the more uniform orbits of planets like Earth around the Sun. This three-way dance between Zuzve, the Sun, and Venus results in its unique and intricate orbital pattern, which sets it apart from the simpler, more calculable celestial bodies we are accustomed to. During our conversation, it became clear that Zuzve's orbit is primarily influenced by the Sun, with only a minor gravitational pull from Venus. This means that Zuzve is not gravitationally bound to Venus but rather moves freely within our solar system. This discovery challenges our preconceived notions of planetary orbits and adds to the intrigue and complexity of our understanding of the cosmos. Unlike Zuzve, Earth's relationship with the Moon is one of strong gravitational bonding, which results in phenomena like tides. Zuzve's orbit, on the other hand, is far more freeform, making it a fascinating subject for scientists and enthusiasts alike. In an effort to engage the public in this exciting discovery, you and your colleagues have decided to rename a nearby quasi-moon, currently known as 164207. To participate in this naming process, the name must be inspired by mythology. This unique opportunity allows individuals to contribute to the scientific community and be a part of the ongoing exploration and understanding of our universe.
Celestial Bodies Naming: Listeners can participate in a campaign to name an orbital body through Radiolab's Shore Wave episode on NPR, while also exploring the history and significance of moons and the connection between humans and nature through other podcasts like How Wild from KALW.
The public now has an opportunity to name an orbital body as part of a unique campaign by Radiolab. This episode of Shore Wave from NPR featured a conversation between Lutif and Gina about the history and significance of moons. Meanwhile, the Democratic National Convention is underway, with Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz celebrating their ticket and Democrats presenting their platform. Additionally, the How Wild Podcast from KALW explores the history and changes in wilderness and what it reveals about humans. These podcasts offer insights into celestial bodies, politics, and human connection with nature.