66: Moon's magnetic field lasted far longer than once believed

* Moon's magnetic field lasted far longer than once believed New evidence indicates that the Moon's magnetic field lasted up to 2.5 billion years longer than previously thought. The findings have major implications for life and habitability on other moons and planetary bodies. 

*Is the universe’s dark matter disappearing? A new dark energy study suggests the amount of dark matter in the universe may be decreasing. The new findings are based on data showing a discrepancy between data on the early universe and what we see in the local cosmos today 

*Strange new type of supernovae Astronomers have identified a white dwarf that may be the leftover remains of a recently discovered type of supernova. The findings indicate that the properties of this unusual white dwarf, known as LP 40-365, may help scientists determine how such unusual supernovae are created. 

*New deep double white dwarf binaries discovered Astronomers have discovered two detached, eclipsing double white dwarf binaries – which could one day merge to form an exotic type of star known as an R Coronae Borealis. The discovery could also provide a new target in the hunt for gravitational waves. 

*New NASA communications satellite launched NASA has launched its latest TDRS communications satellite. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-M will join a constellation to provide continuous communications between NASA, astronauts in flight and aboard the International Space Station, and NASAs feet of orbiting satellites and space telescopes such as Hubble. 

*Russia launches top secret satellite A Russian Proton M rocket has launched a top secret military payload into orbit. The secretive payload is believed to be the new Russian Ministry of Defense Blagovest high throughput telecommunications satellite. 

*The Science Report 

A new study claims there’s no major difference in the gender identity of kids raised by straight and gay couples. 

Arctic sea ice drops to a record low wintertime extent for the third straight year. 

Teenagers who use E-cigarettes are four times more likely to take up smoking regular cigarettes. 

Iran escalating tensions by building a new Scud missile factory in Syria. 

Two 160 million-year-old mammal fossils show that the forerunners of mammals in the Jurassic evolved to glide and live in trees. 

Older adults are drawn to Facebook to check out images and updates from family and friends, but worry about privacy. 

Video of the TDRS launch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmfkzAxAKzE 

Subscribe, rate and review SpaceTime at all good podcasting apps…including iTunes, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pocketcasts, Podbean, Radio Public, Tunein Radio, google play, etc. 

RSS feed: https://audioboom.com/channels/4642443.rss 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/spacetime.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Astronomy, Space, Technology & Science News Podcast.