ASTRO SPACE NEWS

A DIVISION OF MID NORTH COAST ASTRONOMY (NSW)

(ASTRO) DAVE RENEKE

SPACE WRITER - MEDIA PERSONALITY - SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT ABC/COMMERCIAL RADIO - LECTURER - ASTRONOMY OUTREACH PROGRAMS - ASTRONOMY TOUR GUIDE - TELESCOPE SALES/SERVICE/LESSONS - MID NORTH COAST ASTRONOMY GROUP (Est. 2002)   Enquiries: (02) 6585 2260       Mobile: 0400 636 363        Email: davereneke@gmail.com

Presented by renowned astronomer and media personality, Dave Reneke, the evening will start with a breathtaking Secrets of the Universe slideshow, where Dave will take you on an unforgettable journey through the night sky. After the presentation, take a break and head to the top deck for an interactive laser-guided sky tour. Dave will use a high-powered laser to highlight the major stars, constellations, and planets visible that night, offering insights you won't find in any ordinary stargazing session. Plus, binoculars will be provided, so you can get a closer look at the wonders above. As you cruise, be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins, adding to the magic of the experience. With limited spots available, we encourage you to book early. These unique cruises will run monthly, weather permitting, from Port Macquarie, offering a truly one-of-a-kind experience for all. The vessel is licensed. Book for May/June /July https://www.portadventurecruises.com.au/book-cruise-by-date  ENQUIRIES/Bookings ELSA 0434 393 199 

* Special Offer - Next Booking gets a 10% Discount on the Overall Tour!

Email: www.norfolkislandstargazing.com.au... Or call 0402 335 005

Record-breaking James Webb telescope image captures 1,678 galaxy groups at once

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have just pulled off a galactic headcount for the ages—capturing a single image that reveals 1,678 galaxy groups in one cosmic snapshot. That's not a typo. Nearly two thousand clumps of galaxies, each swirling with billions of stars, gas, and dust, have been spotted in one of the telescope's deepest and most ambitious views of the universe.

Texas has a brand-new city, and its name is Starbase. 

A vote Saturday to decide whether to turn part of South Texas into a new city centered around Elon Musk's SpaceX delivered a victory to the tech billionaire and his rocket company. As expected, the measure passed with broad support, paving the way for a newly incorporated city made up almost exclusively of SpaceX employees and people connected to the company. The final vote tally Saturday night was 212 in favor of incorporation and six against; only 143 votes were needed for the measure to pass.

"It's officially statistically impossible for the measure to fail," Cameron County Elections Administrator Remi Garza said. "Cameron County is about to have a new city." Musk celebrated the vote in a post on X Saturday night. "Starbase, Texas is now a real city!" he wrote. Shortly after the vote, an X account for the new city was created. "Becoming a city will help us continue building the best community possible for the men and women building the future of humanity's place in space," the account wrote in its first post, which was reposted to SpaceX's official account.

Now that the vote has passed, commissioners in the county will canvass the results within two weeks, Garza said. A judge will then assign an order declaring the results of the election and the official incorporation of the new city. The new city of Starbase covers about 1½ square miles at the southern tip of Texas, a coastal spot nestled against the Mexico border. The area is home to SpaceX headquarters, and it's where the company builds its boosters and engines and launches its huge Starship rocket on test flights.

The ballot result was a much-needed win for Musk, who has faced widespread backlash over the past few months for his involvement with President Donald Trump's administration. Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and has overseen sweeping layoffs and cuts across federal agencies. In response, protests against Musk have erupted around the country and profits have plummeted at the billionaire's electric car company, Tesla.

Now, SpaceX will have the company town that Musk first publicly proposed in 2021. In addition to incorporating the new city, Saturday's election also selected Starbase's first mayor — Bobby Pedden — and two city commissioners — Jordan Buss and Jenna Petrzelka. The candidates for all three positions ran unopposed, and all three are employees of SpaceX. There were 283 people eligible to cast ballots in Saturday's Cameron County special election, according to county election records. Eligibility was determined based on whether a resident's home would fall within the boundaries of the proposed new city.

Neither SpaceX nor Musk has detailed the purpose of incorporating a city around the rocket company's operations. There has been speculation, however, that having greater municipal control of the area could ease some of the bureaucracy and restrictions around SpaceX's tests and rocket launches. At the moment, SpaceX must obtain permission from authorities in Cameron County to close a highway and shut down public access to Boca Chica Beach and Boca Chica State Park to keep people safe during rocket launches.

The frequent closures have contributed to legal complaints against SpaceX and drawn protests from local residents and activists, including the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, and Border Workers United, as reported by CNBC. Now that SpaceX operates within the newly incorporated city of Starbase, things may soon change — though perhaps not without resistance.

"Right now that authority lies solely within Cameron County and my office, and we think that we've proven to be good collaborators and partners with SpaceX in their operations and also in making sure and providing enough notice and public access to Boca Chica Beach," Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino told NBC News. Trevino said any changes to the established procedures would be unnecessary. "If it's not broken, it doesn't need to be fixed," he said.

NASA budget proposal draws strong criticism

The White House's proposal to cut NASA's budget by nearly 25% and cancel several major programs has drawn criticism from industry and members of Congress, while raising concerns among international partners.

The top-level or "skinny" budget released by the White House's Office of Management and Budget May 2 proposed $18.8 billion for NASA in fiscal year 2026, a $6 billion cut from the $24.9 billion the agency received in 2025. The budget called for the cancellation of the lunar Gateway, ending the Space Launch System and Orion programs after Artemis 3 and termination of science missions like Mars Sample Return. It also proposed curtailing use of the International Space Station and sharp cuts in space technology funding.

The proposal met with a strong negative reaction both on Capitol Hill and among space industry organizations. "Massive cuts to NASA in the President's proposed budget are shocking – the largest in American history," stated Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee's commerce, justice and science (CJS) subcommittee, whose jurisdiction includes NASA.

"They will decimate NASA's research & education efforts and terminate funding for our nation's dedicated scientists. Rather than rooting out so-called 'government waste', this budget puts American leadership in science, technology, & innovation at risk," she said in a May 2 social media post.

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Her Senate counterpart, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee's CJS subcommittee, argued that the budget favored Elon Musk's SpaceX. "We would never have gotten to the moon or be talking about Mars without NASA's science mission — and should not let Trump/Musk jeopardize America's future leadership," he stated May 4.

Rep. George Whitesides (D-Calif.), vice ranking member of the House Science Committee, offered similar sentiments. "No spin will change the fact that this would end critical missions, dramatically scale back the workforce, and risk our scientific leadership around the globe," he said on social media May 2. "It is completely irresponsible, and I will fight it every way I can."

Industry groups representing both established and more entrepreneurial companies have criticized the budget proposal. The former is represented by the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration, whose members include Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, who have major contracts supporting SLS, Orion and Gateway that the budget proposal puts in jeopardy. The group also includes many smaller companies that are suppliers to those prime contractors.

In a May 2 statement, the group called the budget proposal "deeply concerning" to its members. "It threatens our scientific capabilities and jeopardizes a sustained human presence on the Moon, undermining U.S. leadership in space and making NASA's exploration goals nearly impossible."

"Diverting the attention, time, and resources away from existing capabilities opens the door to China, which is poised to take the lead on the lunar frontier with plans for crewed Moon landings by the end of the decade. It will endanger our current global leadership position in space," the organization added.

The Commercial Space Federation (CSF), whose members include SpaceX, took a more nuanced view of the budget. "A thoughtful transition to more competitive commercial partnerships, as proposed by the 'skinny budget', will allow the U.S. to conduct human exploration programs with fewer resources," it said in a May 5 statement.

However, the CSF criticized other elements of the budget proposal. "The proposed reductions to space and Earth science, space technology, and activity in low-Earth orbit and the ISS, impacting commercial utilization, will have significant negative consequences for the U.S. global posture and the commercial space economy," it stated.

Also joining the criticism was The Planetary Society, which earlier spoke out about proposed deep cuts in NASA science. "Slashing NASA's budget by this much, this quickly, without the input of a confirmed NASA Administrator or in response to a considered policy goal, won't make the agency more efficient — it will cause chaos, waste the taxpayers' investment, and undermine American leadership in space," it said in a May 2 release.

European and Canadian concerns

Concerns about the NASA budget proposal extend beyond the United States. The European Space Agency would be significantly affected if the proposed budget was enacted, given its cooperation with NASA on Mars Sample Return, development of modules for the lunar Gateway and supplying the service module for Orion, all programs that would be cancelled or truncated by the budget.

In a May 5 statement, ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said NASA has briefed ESA about the budget proposal. "ESA remains open to cooperation with NASA on the programs earmarked for a reduction or termination but is nevertheless assessing the impact with our Member States in preparation for ESA's June Council," he said.

That June meeting of the ESA Council, he said, will include assessment of "potential actions and alternative scenarios for impacted ESA programs and related European industry." He did not elaborate on what actions and scenarios are under consideration.

While Aschbacher noted the long history of cooperation between ESA and NASA, he noted ESA works with other agencies as well. "ESA has strong partnerships with space agencies from around the globe and is committed to not only being a reliable partner, but a strong and desirable partner."

The Canadian Space Agency, which, like ESA, is an ISS partner and which is also developing a robotic arm for the Gateway, told SpaceNews it is reviewing the implications of the NASA budget proposal.

"We are currently reviewing and engaging with NASA and other international partners on potential implications of this proposal," an agency spokesperson told SpaceNews. "Our objective is to maintain forward momentum for Canada's space program."

The Billionaire Asteroid: How a Rusty Rock in Space Could Rewrite Earth's Economy 

Imagine an asteroid floating through space, quietly orbiting between Mars and Jupiter, holding enough precious metal to make everyone on Earth a billionaire. Yes—you, me, and even that bloke who still uses Internet Explorer.

China and Russia's 2028 Moon Reactor Plan Rocks Global Space Community

In a stunning development that's turning heads from NASA to the European Space Agency, China and Russia have announced a joint plan to deploy a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2028. The move, presented at a recent international aerospace conference, is being hailed by some as the most audacious space initiative since the original Moon landings—and a clear challenge to U.S. space dominance.

The proposed lunar nuclear power station is designed to supply continuous energy for future moonbases, scientific research, and long-term infrastructure—particularly vital during the Moon's frigid two-week-long nights, when solar power becomes impractical. A reactor would offer uninterrupted, high-output energy, making it the cornerstone for any permanent human presence on the lunar surface.

This effort is part of the larger International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a joint China-Russia program meant to rival NASA's Artemis initiative, which is backed by over two dozen nations including Australia, Canada, and several European countries. The ILRS is pitched not just as a scientific outpost, but as a symbol of multipolar influence in space—a new model of cooperation distinct from the Western-led coalition.

While NASA is also developing a fission surface power system, it's targeting a 2030+ deployment date. The prospect of China and Russia beating that timeline by at least two years is seen as both a technological and political statement—a signal that the balance of space power is shifting.

The announcement reportedly caught U.S. officials off-guard. Inside NASA and the Department of Energy, urgent discussions are underway to evaluate the implications. One official described the development as a "Sputnik 2.0 moment," recalling the shock of the 1957 Soviet satellite launch that spurred America's original space race.

Critics argue the U.S. has been too slow in updating its lunar strategy, hindered by bureaucratic delays and budget uncertainty. Meanwhile, China has quietly achieved milestones such as landing a rover on the far side of the Moon in 2019 and returning lunar samples in 2020. Russia, despite recent struggles, still brings vast experience in nuclear propulsion and robotics.

If realized, this would be the first nuclear power plant ever built off Earth—a game-changing achievement with implications not only for science, but for strategic positioning in the new space economy. With lunar resources, including rare Earth elements and water ice, becoming increasingly valuable, energy infrastructure will be key to unlocking and controlling them.

Whether the 2028 target is achievable remains to be seen, but the message is clear: the Moon is no longer just a scientific destination—it's a stage for global power projection. The race is back. The players are changing. And this time, it's nuclear.

Trump-Vance Administration Unveils FY2026 NASA Budget: Moon, Mars Take Priority

The Trump-Vance Administration released its Fiscal Year 2026 budget toplines on Friday, outlining a bold yet fiscally responsible plan to accelerate human exploration of the Moon and Mars.

Acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro praised the proposal, saying it "invests in lunar and Martian exploration while advancing vital science and technology research." She emphasized the President's continued support and NASA's commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

Key highlights include:

• Lunar and Mars Exploration: Over $7 billion is earmarked for Moon missions, alongside $1 billion in new funding for Mars-focused programs, ensuring U.S. leadership in deep space exploration.

• Streamlining Science and Technology: The budget redirects resources to high-priority research and ends unsustainable programs like Mars Sample Return. It prioritizes transformative space technologies and shifts some projects to private sector leadership.

• Reforming Artemis: After Artemis III, NASA will retire the costly SLS rocket and Orion capsule, transitioning to next-gen commercial systems for future lunar missions. The Gateway lunar station program will be canceled, with some hardware repurposed. International partners will be invited to join the new effort.

• ISS Transition: The International Space Station will begin winding down operations ahead of its planned 2030 decommissioning. Crew size and research will be reduced, preparing for a transition to private space stations and refocusing on Moon and Mars readiness.

• Budget Discipline: The plan aims to reduce duplication and ensure sustainable spending while maintaining NASA's ability to pursue ambitious goals.

• Core Mission Focus: Funding for climate-centric "green aviation" and DEIA programs will end. NASA will continue to develop technologies supporting air traffic and commercial use, redirecting savings toward its core space exploration mission.

NASA will work with partners to execute this streamlined strategy, which underscores the administration's focus on efficiency, innovation, and reaffirming American leadership in space.

Katy Perry Opens Up About Feeling 'Battered and Bruised' Amidst Backlash

Pop superstar Katy Perry has broken her silence following a wave of criticism that left her feeling "battered and bruised," offering a rare glimpse into the emotional impact of public backlash in the age of social media.

The controversy erupted after Perry's highly publicized participation in Blue Origin's all-female spaceflight on April 14, 2025. While the event was hailed as a landmark moment for women in space and science, it also sparked unexpected criticism. Perry's zero-gravity performance of What a Wonderful World and the on-board reveal of her new tour setlist drew sharp responses online, with some calling the spectacle tone-deaf and excessive.

This came on the heels of a mixed reception to her latest album, 143, released in late 2024. The record's lead single, Woman's World, was panned by some critics for its perceived lack of substance, and her choice to again collaborate with producer Dr. Luke—still entangled in legal battles with singer Kesha—only added fuel to the fire.

In a social media comment responding to a supportive Brazilian fan group, Perry admitted the backlash took a toll on her. She described feeling like "a human piñata," bruised by the volume of unsolicited criticism and the internet's "dumping ground" mentality. Still, she reassured fans that she was okay and continuing to "look to the light."

Despite the storm, Perry's resilience remains front and center. Her Lifetimes Tour, which launched on April 23, opened to enthusiastic crowds, with fans going as far as organizing a digital billboard in Times Square to show their support. Perry credited her followers for helping her stay grounded, noting that live shows and real-world fan connections offer her a sense of authenticity that the online world often lacks.

While public figures like Lily Allen later walked back some of their more cutting comments—acknowledging possible biases in how Perry was treated—the experience has served as a reminder of the cost of fame in an unforgiving digital culture. As Perry pushes forward, she remains focused on growth, connection, and artistry—weathering the backlash not as a victim, but as a veteran performer still evolving under the spotlight.

87 Satellites Sent to Space in 24 Hours – The Final Frontier Is Filling Up Fast

In an astonishing burst of orbital activity, 87 new satellites were launched into space in the past 24 hours, making headlines around the world and raising fresh questions about just how crowded Earth's orbit is becoming.

These tiny technological marvels – ranging from small CubeSats the size of a shoebox to larger communication platforms – were sent aloft by a combination of commercial rocket companies and government-backed missions. The launches came from multiple continents, including sites in the United States, China, India, and New Zealand. Space is no longer the exclusive playground of superpowers; it's now a busy, global arena with players from all corners of the planet.

A Sky Full of Satellites

Satellites are becoming as common in orbit as planes in our skies. They're used for everything from checking the weather and tracking wildfires to monitoring crops and providing internet in remote parts of the world. The convenience is undeniable — but there's a catch.

As of early 2025, there are over 9,000 active satellites orbiting the Earth, and that number is climbing rapidly. Add in the thousands of dead or decommissioned satellites and the estimated 130 million pieces of space debris the size of a millimetre or more, and you've got a traffic jam in low Earth orbit (LEO) that would make a peak-hour city commute look like a quiet Sunday drive.

Who's Launching All This?

SpaceX remains the dominant player in satellite launches, regularly sending up batches of its Starlink internet satellites in groups of 60 or more. But now, other companies — like OneWeb, Amazon's Project Kuiper, and China's GalaxySpace — are joining the broadband bonanza. Each one plans to launch thousands of satellites in the coming years.

Then there are the small satellite missions from universities, startups, and even high school projects. Add in weather satellites, Earth observation tools, military eyes-in-the-sky, and scientific instruments, and you've got a full-blown satellite surge.

The Good, the Bad, and the Orbitally Ugly

It's easy to focus on the benefits: better global internet, improved disaster response, more accurate GPS, and new commercial opportunities. But there's a downside. The more crowded orbit becomes, the higher the risk of collisions. Even tiny fragments of debris can slam into satellites at speeds of over 28,000 kilometres per hour, enough to cause serious damage — or destroy them outright.

And when satellites collide, they create even more debris in a vicious cycle known as the Kessler Syndrome — a nightmare scenario where the sheer volume of junk makes certain orbits unusable.

Astronomers have also voiced concerns about the increasing number of bright satellites affecting ground-based telescopes. As they streak across the night sky, they can photobomb observations and interfere with long-exposure images of distant galaxies or faint cosmic phenomena.

What's Being Done?

Space agencies and private companies are working on solutions. Satellites now often come with built-in deorbiting plans — using propulsion systems or drag sails to pull them back into Earth's atmosphere after their mission ends. International rules are also being developed to ensure that operators avoid leaving space junk behind.

There's even talk of space traffic control, an orbital version of air traffic control, to monitor and manage satellite movements. Concepts like space tugboats, lasers to nudge debris, and net-equipped cleaning satellites are under consideration — a sign of just how seriously the issue is being taken.

A Crowded Future

The 87 satellites launched in a single day are a stark reminder that the space age has shifted gears. What was once the domain of a few Cold War titans is now a booming, bustling ecosystem of competing interests, innovations, and ambitions.

As space becomes more accessible, it also becomes more congested. The challenge now is to ensure that this incredible growth doesn't lead to an orbital crisis. If we're not careful, the final frontier could become the final landfill — and that's a future no one wants to orbit around.

A Full Moon Shines on Mother's Day

This year, Mother's Day is going cosmic. As millions around the world scramble to remember if Mum prefers lilies or lavender, the universe is casually tossing in a nearly full Moon for extra flair. On Sunday, May 11, just after sunset, a Full Moon will rise and bathe Australia in its silvery glow. It's lunar luck and maternal magic rolled into one sparkly evening.

In fact, this year the Moon will be most full over quite a few countries but honestly, your average human eye can't tell the difference. To an astronomer, the precise instant is when the Moon lies opposite the Sun in our sky but to the rest of us, it's an all-night spectacle, perfect for awkward family selfies and spontaneous emotional revelations about childhood trauma.

And here's a delightful twist of cosmic trivia: in ancient Celtic and Old English traditions, the full Moon in May was called "Mother's Moon." Fitting, right? Today, we call it the Flower Moon—still appropriate, especially if you're awkwardly presenting Mum with supermarket roses while mumbling something about "being busy this week." A full Moon on Mother's Day doesn't happen every year because the lunar cycle is just shy of a calendar month. It's a gentle cosmic wink from the heavens that maybe, just maybe, the universe is on Mum's side after all.

The Moon has always been a bit of a mum figure itself. Across cultures, it's associated with fertility, nurturing, and mystery—essentially the same attributes that allow mothers to know you're lying about cleaning your room, even if you haven't spoken all week. The Romans had Luna, the Norse had Máni (weirdly, a man), and modern families have "Mum," a goddess in her own right who can survive off coffee and sheer determination.

The Moon has also inspired its fair share of superstition. Once believed to drive people mad—hence the word "lunatic"—the full Moon has been blamed for everything from insomnia to werewolves. So, if your Mother's Day barbecue descends into chaos, you can just blame it on lunar madness rather than Uncle Kev's third helping of punch.

Celebrations will vary, of course. In Puerto Rico, families gather with heartfelt meals, music, and sometimes moonlit dances. In Thailand, Mother's Day is celebrated in August to honour the Queen's birthday. Globally, Mother's Day is like that one aunt who shows up early or late but always brings cake—you're never quite sure when it's happening, but it's worth celebrating. Popular Mother's Day BBQ foods include grilled salmon, chicken skewers, veggie kebabs, and fresh salads. Drinks like rosé, sparkling wine, iced tea, and fruit punch add a festive touch.

Still, there's something poetic about this year's alignment. A day devoted to the women who raised us, watched over us, and somehow managed not to strangle us during our teenage years, now bathed in the calming light of the Moon—a celestial symbol of care, constancy, and quiet power. ​In 2025, popular Mother's Day gifts are expected to include personalized jewellery, luxury skincare, cozy loungewear, smart home gadgets, gourmet hampers, and tech accessories like AirPods and Kindle e-readers.

So, this Sunday, skip the supermarket, dodge the shopping malls, and take a walk with Mum under the glowing Flower Moon. Tell her you love her, even if you're still a little scared of her. Either way, it's going to be a Mother's Day to remember

What Inside a...

Imagine a cosmic monster, so dense that it devours even light itself. This isn't science fiction; it's the terrifying reality of a black hole. These titans of gravity are born from the most spectacular stellar funerals imaginable. When a massive star runs out of fuel, its core implodes in a violent collapse, cramming all its material into a single point of unimaginable density. This singularity, the heart of the black hole, exerts a pull so strong that not even the fastest thing in the universe, light, can escape its grasp!

The boundary of this no-escape zone is called the event horizon. Cross it, and you're forever trapped, doomed to be stretched and contorted by the black hole's immense gravity. Imagine being squeezed like toothpaste into a thimble – that's the fate awaiting anything that dares to venture past the event horizon.

Thankfully, for now at least, we're safe. There aren't any black holes close enough to Earth to pose an immediate threat. Our Milky Way galaxy likely harbors a supermassive black hole at its centre, but it resides millions of light-years away, content to gobble up dust and gas, keeping our cosmic neighbourhood clean. John Wheeler coined the term "black hole" in 1967, before that, Albert Einstein had talked about similar ideas, but Wheeler's term stuck and is now widely used to describe these crazy cosmic objects.

Hey, what if we stumbled upon a rogue black hole, a lone wanderer in the vast expanse of space? The consequences of falling into one are mind-boggling. According to Einstein's theory of relativity, time itself might slow down near a black hole's event horizon. Imagine a daring astronaut, oblivious to the danger, venturing too close.

From an observer's viewpoint on Earth, the astronaut would appear to freeze in time, their movements growing infinitesimally slower before they disappear forever behind the event horizon. What happens to the astronaut then? We can only speculate. Some theories suggest they'd be ripped apart by the tidal forces of the black hole's gravity, a horrific fate. Others propose a terrifying journey into a warped dimension, a one-way trip to a place beyond our comprehension.

Black holes aren't just cosmic vacuum cleaners, though. They might hold the key to some of the universe's greatest mysteries. Some physicists theorize about white holes, the hypothetical counterparts of black holes. Instead of sucking matter in, white holes spew it out, acting like celestial fountains. While their existence remains purely theoretical, the idea is nothing short of mind-bending. Could white holes be connected to blak holes in some way, forming cosmic wormholes that allow travel across vast distances, or even through time itself?

The largest black hole ever discovered is a testament to the universe's sheer scale. This behemoth, millions of times more massive than our Sun, resides far, far away. But its existence sparks the imagination. Could there be even bigger black holes out there, lurking in the darkness, their immense gravity shaping the cosmos in unseen ways?

Black holes are a testament to the power and mystery of the universe. They are a reminder that our understanding of the cosmos is still in its infancy. As we delve deeper into the secrets of black holes, we might unlock doors to a reality beyond our wildest dreams, a reality where time bends, space folds, and the very fabric of existence itself might be rewritten.

Remember, the starlight you see coming from all those constellations tonight left there hundreds, and in most cases thousands of years ago, and it's just arriving now! Remember, when you stargaze, you're looking back in time. Your telescope is your time machine, coupled with imagination it can take you anywhere!

If you're new to astronomy the hardest part is learning all those stars. Relax! It's a lot easier than you think, but you won't do it sitting inside at your keyboard and monitor. Some people say that we spend too much time indoors and not enough time observing the things around us, like the moon, stars and planets.

But what if your screen, in this case your Smartphone or tablet, can actually help you appreciate the skies more? Well they can and they're amazingly simple to use! Here's some of my favorite free apps. 'Sky View' will identify almost everything above your head at night and it's fantastic! Try 'The Moon' for your lunar viewing, then download an accurate new Aussie app 'ISS Flyover' to catch the space station passing over for a week ahead. It's a small charge but worth it.

This one is a knockout. On your tablet or laptop download an app called 'Star Chart.' It puts a virtual planetarium right in your pocket. It uses state of the art GPS technology that will show you the current location of every star and planet visible from Earth. Cool huh?

For even more realistic night sky experiences install 'Stellarium' on your laptop or iPad. I'm not going to spoil the surprise, just do it. It's free and has so much to offer you will be surprised. An alternative is the popular program 'Celestia.' A world of creative wonder awaits you.

Planets, stars, and star patterns have shaped our lives. Remember standing out in your backyard as a kid trying to count 'em all? I did. This fascination with the stars and the night sky extends to almost all indigenous cultures throughout the world. Hey, ever wondered if you can use your phone as an Astro-camera, well you can!

With most smartphones today you can photograph your night sky without needing a connected computer or much post-processing. Plus, the images you capture can be immediately shared with family and friends and posted on social media. For the best results, you should attach your phone to a camera tripod to hold it steady. Don't laugh, I've even taped mine or used Blu-Tac!

Smartphone astrophotography lets you easily record a snapshot of what you see through your telescope as well. To take any kind of image of the night sky means a long exposure, which means stability. If you're seriously keen, I recommend buying the Celestron NexYZ adapter. You can then easily start taking photos of lunar eclipses, lunar craters, planets, the phases of the Moon.

The app 'NightCap Camera' ranks highly on the list of the best night vision camera apps. With it, you can take amazing low light and night photos. All you need to do is just hold steady and tap the shutter. Simple huh!

Mercury's Dazzling Secret: A Hidden Ocean of Diamond Beneath the Surface? 

Mercury is the planet we tend to ignore. It's small, blisteringly hot, and swings so close to the Sun it often gets dismissed as little more than a burnt-out rock. But recent research suggests this scorched world might be hiding an astonishing secret: a vast, underground layer of diamond, perhaps 10 miles thick.

Yes—diamond. Not the glittering stuff set in rings, but something far more alien and grand. A hidden shell of crystal carbon forged deep within Mercury's violent, early history. It sounds like science fiction, but scientists are beginning to think it might be real.

The story starts with NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft, which spent four years orbiting and mapping Mercury. One of its discoveries was a smattering of graphite—carbon in its soft, flaky form—across the planet's surface. This was strange enough on its own, but it hinted at something deeper. Billions of years ago, Mercury may have been wrapped in a deep ocean of molten rock. As that ocean cooled, the lighter carbon floated upward, forming a crust of graphite, while heavier elements like metal sank inward. But what if some of that heavier carbon didn't just vanish?

Enter Dr. Yanhao Lin and his international research team. Using a high-pressure lab setup, they simulated Mercury's inner environment by squeezing rock to pressures seven times greater than those found at the bottom of Earth's deepest ocean and heating it to nearly 3,600°F. Under these wild conditions, carbon didn't remain graphite—it transformed. With the right mix of heat, pressure, and sulfur-rich chemistry, the soft carbon restructured into diamond.

According to their models, this transformation could have occurred right at the boundary where Mercury's rocky mantle meets its massive metallic core. There, diamonds might have formed and accumulated, slowly building up a glittering layer up to 11 miles thick. It's an idea that turns Mercury into a literal jewel of the solar system.

This diamond shell could help explain another mystery: Mercury's magnetic field. Despite being small and slowly rotating, Mercury has a surprisingly strong magnetosphere. That requires a hot, churning core—and diamond, being a superb conductor of heat, might help keep that inner dynamo alive by moving energy faster than the surrounding rock. In short, the diamonds may be powering the planet's magnetic heart.

For now, it's a theory rooted in lab experiments and clever science. No probe has cracked Mercury open to peek inside—yet. But that may change soon. A spacecraft called BepiColombo, built by Europe and Japan, is currently racing toward Mercury. When it arrives in 2030, it will hunt for signs of this mysterious inner layer by scanning the planet's gravity and magnetic field for subtle clues.

If the diamond shell is real, it could reshape how we understand planet formation—not just in our solar system, but everywhere. Earth, Mars, and Venus lost most of their carbon long ago. Mercury, by contrast, seems to have hoarded it, storing it first as surface graphite, then converting it into buried diamond.

And if a planet as modest as Mercury could pull off that transformation, it raises tantalizing questions: Could other rocky worlds—maybe even carbon-rich asteroids—hide similar treasures inside? Could they carry similar carbon signatures that reveal exotic geologic histories?

In the end, this isn't about glitter or gemstones. It's about carbon: how it moves, how it changes, and how it may shape everything from heat flow to magnetic fields to planetary survival. Mercury, long thought to be dead and dull, is turning out to be one of the most exotic bodies in the solar system. Not bad for a tiny planet we used to overlook. Maybe, just maybe, the smallest planet is hiding the biggest surprise of them all.

New Evidence Suggests Mars Could Have Supported Life

Mars may have once been more Earth-like than we ever imagined. A groundbreaking new study, led by University of Calgary scientist Ben Tutolo, has uncovered signs that the red planet once had a functioning carbon cycle—just like Earth. This discovery adds weight to the growing body of evidence suggesting that Mars may have had the right conditions to support life billions of years ago.

Using data from NASA's Curiosity rover, which has been exploring Mars since 2012, the team identified an iron carbonate mineral called siderite in Gale Crater. This mineral typically forms when water evaporates and deposits carbon in rock pores—a process that points to the presence of both liquid water and a thick atmosphere on ancient Mars.

And that changes everything. "This is carbon dioxide we've predicted should be there for decades," said Tutolo, the lead author of the study. "But it just hadn't shown up clearly—until now." The finding was especially surprising because previous satellite-based measurements hadn't detected siderite. Instead, those orbital surveys mostly found magnesium sulfates—commonly known as Epsom salts on Earth.

So what happened? It turns out the magnesium sulfate was masking the siderite deposits, making them invisible to orbiting instruments. But when Curiosity drilled into the Martian surface, it revealed the planet's hidden geologic history—one that includes more siderite than scientists have ever observed on Mars. "It's a surprise, right?" said Tutolo. "Then we have to go back and ask—did all those scientists miss something?" The answer, thankfully, was no. The rover just gave them a better look.

For planetary geologist Chris Herd of the University of Alberta, who wasn't involved in the study, the results highlight the immense value of the Curiosity mission. "The rover has been going for over 12 years and is still going strong," he said. "Not only are we still collecting great data, but we're interpreting it in ways that really deepen our understanding."

So… Was Mars Ever Really Habitable? Not continuously. The data suggests Mars went through cycles—times when conditions were warm and wet enough to support life, followed by periods that were dry and hostile. "Even though these sediments in Gale Crater are 3.5 billion years old, the planet is about 4.5 billion," explained Tutolo. "It wasn't always habitable."

Still, whenever water was present, it likely could have supported life. That raises an intriguing question: If life ever didbegin on Mars, what happened to it when conditions changed? 

Mars' Climate Story Could Help Earth's Future

The research also carries implications for climate science here on Earth. Mars once stored more carbon than it released—its carbon cycle became imbalanced, leaving vast stores of CO₂ locked underground. On Earth, plate tectonics help maintain a balance in our carbon cycle. But due to human activity and greenhouse gas emissions, we're now tipping that balance.

Tutolo, whose PhD focused on carbon dioxide sequestration as a climate solution, sees the connection clearly. "I worked on capturing CO₂ at power plants and injecting it deep underground," he said. "It's really fulfilling to apply that same knowledge to understanding Mars' climate history."

As we continue exploring Mars, scientists like Tutolo and Herd are hopeful about what comes next. Herd is now part of NASA's Perseverance rover team, working on plans to return samples from Mars to Earth. Though the mission is facing delays due to budget issues, he believes those samples could be the key to finally confirming whether Mars once hosted life.

"That's the next-level analysis," he said. "And it needs to be done in labs here on Earth." Back on this planet, Tutolo is content to juggle two worlds: developing climate solutions at home, and unlocking the secrets of Mars. "The nice thing about Mars," he said, "is that there are so many unanswered questions. It's hard to be bored."

Trump's NASA Budget Cuts Could Put Space Missions at Risk

The Trump administration wants to cut NASA's budget by a lot next year. This would mean cutting science research funding in half, which could stop the launch of a major space telescope and reduce other space exploration missions. These cuts might even lead to closing NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, a well-known research lab. Scientists and politicians are worried. One expert from the Planetary Society called the cuts "an extinction-level event" for NASA science.

Maryland lawmakers, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Reps. Steny Hoyer and Glenn Ivey, said Congress will likely reject the cuts. They warned that reducing U.S. space research could help China get ahead in space. The cuts are part of Trump's plan to reduce government spending. Right now, NASA's funding is only about 0.36% of the total national budget.

Former NASA chief Bill Nelson said these cuts could seriously damage the space agency. Elon Musk also called the plan "troubling." The budget proposal, called a "passback," is a draft for 2026. It hasn't been made public yet, but some details have been leaked. The Office of Management and Budget sent it to NASA on April 10.

Where the Cuts Would Hit

The plan would lower NASA's budget from $24.9 billion in 2024 to about $20 billion in 2026 — a 20% drop. Most of this would affect NASA's Science Mission Directorate, which runs space science projects. The cuts would impact four key areas:

• Planetary Science: Missions to explore planets and moons.

• Earth Science: Satellites that track Earth's climate, oceans, and land.

• Astrophysics: Space telescopes like Hubble and Webb would keep funding, but the new Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, planned for 2026, would be canceled.

• Heliophysics: Studies of the sun and how it affects Earth, like space weather.

NASA has already started responding. On March 10, it closed three offices and laid off 23 employees following Trump administration orders.

They Went to the Moon for Peanuts: The Surprisingly Low Pay of Apollo Astronauts

Reflecting back on the recent Katy Perry et al launch of six women and the huge monetary figures involved my mind went back in time to July 1969, the United States pulled off one of the most astonishing feats in human history on a comparative budget! Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins left Earth strapped to a glorified firework and hurtled through space to land on the Moon. They planted a flag, made a call to the president, and imprinted a footprint that would never be swept away.

The world watched. When Armstrong stepped onto the Moon in 1969, he made history—and earned about $8 a day! Neil earned a reasonable salary in 1969, but here's the kicker: for the eight days of the Apollo 11 mission, Armstrong's additional "travel allowance" came to just $17.64. That's about $2.20 a day.

To put that in perspective, they risked their lives, survived blast off, navigated the vacuum of space, landed a spacecraft manually with 30 seconds of fuel remaining, walked on the Moon, and then re-entered Earth's atmosphere—all for less than the price of a movie ticket today. One small step for man, one giant mound of red tape for mankind.

Buzz didn't fare much better, he earned just $33.31 for the entire mission, which also included travel days to and from Houston! So, if you divide it out, he made about two dollars a day—for a trip that involved 25 seconds of hanging off a ladder in space before stepping into eternity. They didn't even get frequent flyer miles.

No hazard pay. No appearance fees. No lunar bonus. Just the standard federal reimbursement for "temporary duty travel" and a pack of freeze-dried scrambled eggs. There were no signing bonuses, no endorsement deals and no chance of cashing in their moon boots for stock options.

Still, the astronauts bore it all with the same quiet resolve they showed in space. Aldrin later joked they should've brought back moon diamonds instead of dust. He wasn't wrong—moon rock fragments today are worth millions. Armstrong could've paid off NASA's entire budget if he'd just slipped a few more samples into his sock. Instead, he went back to teaching engineering.

And when the astronauts returned home? Like any returning traveller, they had to fill out a customs declaration form! Yes, really. Having just travelled a half a million miles round-trip to a lifeless rock in space, the three space farers were asked by U.S. Customs and Border Protection "anything to declare?" The form, which I have a first-generation copy of dated July 24, 1969, politely requests details of items brought back from their "departure point": they wrote "Moon rocks and Moon dust samples."

But the lunacy didn't end at the lunar luggage claim. NASA, understandably unsure if the Moon might be harbouring hostile microbes—or lunar werewolves, who knows—quarantined the crew for 21 days in a caravan.

To be fair, it was a very sophisticated caravan, officially known as the Mobile Quarantine Facility. But still: the first humans to walk on another world were locked in an Airstream like interstellar Tupperware. Because, hey, better safe than sorry when you're dealing with possible 'moon germs.'

In the end, that's what makes Apollo 11 so beautifully, bizarrely human. Not just the courage and the science, but the deeply bureaucratic banality wrapped around it. Because even if you've walked on the Moon, the government still expects you to submit your expense report. And don't forget to itemize your moon rocks!

NASA Safety Panel Worried About Ageing Space Station

A group of safety experts advising NASA says they're "deeply concerned" about the health and future of the International Space Station (ISS), which has been orbiting Earth for over 25 years. With plans to retire the ISS by 2030, the panel warned that the risks to the station are growing—and fast.

NASA's Weird But Genius Plan: Turn Astronaut Poop Into Fuel, Food 

In space, no one can hear you flush — and honestly, that might be for the best. NASA has big plans for sending humans to Mars and beyond. But when you're planning a space road trip that could last up to three years, you can't exactly pull over for snacks or bathroom breaks. Everything has to be recycled, reused — and yes, that includes human waste.

That's right. Poop. What used to get bagged up and tossed out (or burned in Earth's atmosphere) is now being seen as valuable cargo. In the wild world of future space travel, poop might just be the MVP.

From Toilet to Toolkit

NASA asked the question no one really wanted to ask: Can we actually do something useful with astronaut poop?  Turns out: YES. And some of the answers are borderline genius. One of the most promising projects is something called the Omnivorous Synthetic Fabrication (OSF) system — basically a high-tech space composter. It takes solid waste (including feces — sorry, no way around it) and breaks it down into useful stuff like methane (hello, fuel!), water, and even materials that could be used for 3D printing.

In other words: poop goes in, spaceship parts come out. Science fiction? Nope. Just science.

Powering a Mission with... You Know What

Another invention in the works is the Microbial Electrolysis Cell, which uses bacteria to eat waste and produce hydrogen gas. That hydrogen can then be used to power fuel cells. Yes, future astronauts might literally run on their own... output.

The Food Factor (No, Not Like That... Kind Of)

It gets weirder. NASA's also exploring ways to convert treated waste into something called biomass — a protein and fat-rich material that could be used to grow food or even be turned into edible supplements. Imagine: a protein bar partly made from recycled astronaut waste. Not exactly gourmet, but when you're on Mars, beggars can't be choosers.

Don't worry — the final product wouldn't look or taste like what it used to be. Think "Space Nutri-Cube," not "Poop Snack 3000."

Is Exoplanet K2-18B an Ocean Planet Teeming With Life? 

The Cambridge team, led by Prof Madhusudhan, has detected potential signs of life-related gases (DMS and DMDS) in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18b. However, the findings are still preliminary, with only a three sigma confidence level (99.7%), far short of the five sigma (99.99999%) needed to claim a discovery.

Even if stronger evidence is gathered, it won't definitively prove life exists. Experts like Prof Catherine Heymans caution that these gases could also be produced by unknown geological proceses rather than biology. The team acknowledges this uncertainty and is collaborating with other scientists to test non-biological origins in the lab. They hope to reach higher confidence levels within a year or two.

Meanwhile, the nature of K2-18b itself is still debated—some think it hosts a vast ocean (suggesting habitability), while others propose it's a molten rock world or even a mini gas giant with no surface. All these interpretations are under intense scientific scrutiny, especially using JWST data.

While the research has generated excitement, astronomers like Prof Chris Lintott urge caution, viewing this as one step in a long journey rather than a definitive breakthrough. Prof Madhusudhan remains optimistic, suggesting this moment could eventually be seen as the beginning of humanity's ability to detect life beyond Earth.

Point Nemo: The Spacecraft Graveyard at the End of the Earth

Far out in the Pacific Ocean lies one of the most isolated and eerie places on our planet — a spot so remote, no human has ever laid eyes on it. This is Point Nemo, a watery wasteland over 2,700 kilometers from the nearest landmass, where even the nearest neighbors are astronauts orbiting overhead. Nicknamed the "spacecraft graveyard," Point Nemo is where our most ambitious machines go to die.

First identified in 1992, this oceanic no-man's-land sits between New Zealand, Antarctica, and South America. It's officially known as the "Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility," and for good reason: no ships, no people, and practically no marine life. It's a dead zone — the perfect place to send flaming wrecks from orbit crashing safely into Earth's oceans.

Since the 1970s, this remote point has become the final resting place for nearly 300 decommissioned spacecraft. Satellites, space probes, and even entire space stations have been plunged into these depths — including Russia's Mir space station in 2001. But the biggest and most dramatic burial is yet to come.

In 2031, the mighty International Space Station (ISS) — a 420-ton colossus the size of a football field — will make its final descent. After more than 30 years orbiting Earth, it will be deliberately deorbited in a controlled plunge straight into Point Nemo. This will be a historic moment, the fiery end of a multinational engineering marvel that has hosted astronauts from around the world and orbited Earth over 125,000 times.

Why crash it instead of leaving it up there? Because space is getting dangerously crowded. Over 40,000 human-made objects now circle our planet, from wayward tools to entire defunct satellites. This orbiting junkyard increases the risk of collisions — one wrong bump could trigger a chain reaction of debris known as the Kessler Syndrome, which could trap us on Earth and shut down satellite services for generations.

But returning spacecraft to Earth isn't without challenges. As these giants re-enter the atmosphere, friction causes them to burn, break apart, and in some cases, vaporize entirely. But not everything is destroyed. Heavier components — titanium tanks, steel frames, and engines — can survive the descent. That's why space agencies aim for Point Nemo: it's far from human habitation, air routes, and shipping lanes. It offers the widest, safest area to send these dangerous remains.

Still, questions remain. Is it safe to dump metal into the sea? In this case, surprisingly, yes. Point Nemo is one of the most lifeless areas of the ocean. Thanks to weak currents, scorching UV rays, and a severe lack of nutrients, it supports almost no marine life. A 2019 study found it had the lowest levels of microbes ever recorded in surface waters. So, while it's not an ideal solution, it's the least harmful option we have — for now.

Yet, even this ghostly graveyard has its mysteries. Tiny fragments of spacecraft have been found high in Earth's atmosphere, possibly polluting skies before they ever reach the sea. It's a reminder that while we may be solving one problem — cleaning up space — we must be careful not to create another.

So next time you look up at the stars, remember: when the lights go out on the ISS, it won't vanish into the void. It will return to Earth in a blaze of fire and metal, plunging into the dark, forgotten waters of Point Nemo — the loneliest place on Earth, where space history sinks into silence.

Astronauts can survive a trip to Mars, but one critical internal organ will likely fail 

Astronauts could survive a Mars mission, but their kidneys are at serious risk. Recent studies highlight how space travel, particularly extended missions beyond Earth's protective magnetic field, can damage kidneys, increasing the likelihood of issues like kidney stones and long-term organ damage.

A study led by Dr. Keith Siew from UCL, involving over 40 institutions worldwide, analyzed kidney health from 20 research groups and space missions. It revealed that spaceflight, especially exposure to galactic cosmic radiation, alters kidney function and can cause permanent damage. While astronauts in Low Earth orbit are shielded by Earth's magnetic field, those on missions beyond this range face radiation levels that can harm organs over time. This type of radiation is difficult to block with current shielding technologies.

One key finding was that kidney tubules, which regulate the balance of vital minerals like calcium and salts, shrink after just a month in space. The kidneys also become more likely to form stones, a concern previously thought to be primarily caused by bone loss. Longer missions, such as those to Mars, could exacerbate these issues due to the cumulative effects of radiation exposure over time.

The study also involved simulations where mice were exposed to radiation that mimicked up to 2.5 years of deep-space travel, showing irreversible kidney damage. Without new protective measures, astronauts could require dialysis during or after a Mars mission. Experts stress that kidney damage from radiation is gradual and may not show symptoms until it's too late, potentially jeopardizing a mission's success.

This research underscores the need to better understand how to protect kidneys during deep-space travel and points to the potential for developing new technologies or medications that could benefit both astronauts and patients on Earth, such as cancer patients who need higher doses of radiation therapy. The study also suggests that understanding and addressing the combined effects of microgravity and radiation is crucial for ensuring astronauts' health during long-duration space missions.

The study marks an important step toward addressing kidney risks for longer space missions, with solutions potentially extending beyond space exploration to improve health care here on Earth. By identifying these risks, scientists can begin to develop strategies to protect astronauts' kidneys and maintain crew health on future missions to Mars and beyond.

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'ASTRO DAVE' RENEKE - A Personal Perspective

I've often been asked what I do, where I've been and what sort of activities I've engaged in throughout my 50 years involvement in astronomy and space. Here is an interview i did with Delving with Des Kennedy on Rhema 99.9 recently. 

David Reneke, a highly regarded Australian amateur astronomer and lecturer with over 50 years of experience, has established himself as a prominent figure in the field of astronomy. With affiliations to leading global astronomical institutions, 

David serves as the Editor for Australia's Astro-Space News Magazine and has previously held key editorial roles with Sky & Space Magazine and Australasian Science magazine. 

His extensive background includes teaching astronomy at the college level, being a featured speaker at astronomy conventions across Australia, and contributing as a science correspondent for both ABC and commercial radio stations. David's weekly radio interviews, reaching around 3 million listeners, cover the latest developments in astronomy and space exploration.

As a media personality, David's presence extends to regional, national, and international TV, with appearances on prominent platforms such as Good Morning America, American MSNBC news, the BBC, and Sky News in Australia. His own radio program has earned him major Australasian awards for outstanding service.

David is recognized for his engaging and unique style of presenting astronomy and space discovery, having entertained and educated large audiences throughout Australia. In addition to his presentations, he produces educational materials for beginners and runs a popular radio program in Hastings, NSW, with a substantial following and multiple awards for his radio presentations.

In 2004, David initiated the 'Astronomy Outreach' program, touring primary and secondary schools in NSW to provide an interactive astronomy and space education experience. Sponsored by Tasco Australia, Austar, and Discovery Science channel, the program donated telescopes and grants to schools during a special tour in 2009, contributing to the promotion of astronomy education in Australia. BELOW Is the recorded interview  

'Astro Dave' Is Radio-Active 

Heard On DOZENS Of Stations Weekly - CLICK for past interviews