69: The Incredible Shrinking Planet - Mercury

Stream episodes on demand from www.bitesz.com or www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com (both mobile friendly). *The incredible shrinking planet Mercury The planet Mercury is shrinking according to a new analysis of data gathered by a NASA spacecraft. The findings are based on a series of small previously undetected cliff-like tectonic structures on the planet’s surface known as thrust fault scarps. *Rosetta’s grand finale After a journey lasting over 12 and a half years Rosetta’s mission is finally over. Rosetta discovered over 60 molecules, 34 of which had never been found before on a comet. These include oxygen and the amino acid glycine, a basic building block of life. It also confirmed that Earth’s water probably didn’t come from comets – but rather asteroids. *Solar Minimum on its way Over the last few days AR2597 -- the last remaining sunspot group on the surface of our local star the Sun – disappeared. The blank solar face – the fourth this year -- is a sign that the Sun’s 11 year solar cycle is now heading towards Solar Minimum. *Skywatch October Well you’ve probably heard of a blue moon – the rare occurrence of a second full Moon in the one calendar month – but have you ever heard of a black moon. *New super heavy lift launch vehicle Blue Origin have announced details of a new super heavy lift launch vehicle. Blue Origin have leased Space Launch Complex 36 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Florida for their new rocket which could be flying by 2020. If you're enjoying SpaceTime, please help out by sharing and telling your friends. The best recommendation I can get is one from you. Thank you... #astronomy #space #technology #science #news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Astronomy, Space, Technology & Science News Podcast.