The Astronomy, Space and Science News Podcast
Earth’s Climate Shaped by Orion, New Insights into Mars’ Red Color, and NASA’s Europa Clipper Mission Update
In this episode of SpaceTime, we explore a groundbreaking study suggesting that Earth’s climate may have undergone significant changes around 14 million years ago due to our solar system’s journey through the Orion star-forming region. Researchers propose that this passage may have compressed the heliosphere, increasing interstellar dust influx and potentially impacting Earth’s climate and geological records.
Revisiting Mars’ Iconic Hue
We also discuss new findings that challenge previous assumptions about why Mars is red. Recent research indicates that the planet’s rusted appearance may be linked to a wetter history, with liquid water playing a crucial role in the formation of iron oxides. This revelation reshapes our understanding of Mars’ habitability and environmental conditions in its ancient past.
NASA’s Europa Clipper Mission
Additionally, we provide an exciting update on NASA’s Europa Clipper mission, which has successfully completed a close gravity assist flyby of Mars. This maneuver not only altered the spacecraft’s trajectory towards Jupiter but also allowed mission managers to test its radar instrument and thermal imager, setting the stage for its upcoming encounters with the icy moon Europa.
00:00 Space Time Series 28 Episode 28 for broadcast on 5 March 2025
00:49 Impact of the solar system’s journey through Orion on Earth’s climate
06:30 Details on the Radcliffe Wave and its significance
12:15 New insights into Mars’ red color and history of water
18:00 Analysis of iron oxides and implications for Martian habitability
22:45 Overview of NASA’s Europa Clipper mission and its flyby of Mars
27:00 The importance of gravity assists in space missions
30:15 Health implications of screen time on children’s vision
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✍️ Episode References
NASA
https://www.nasa.gov
Nature Communications
https://www.nature.com/ncomms
Astronomy and Astrophysics
https://www.aanda.org/

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