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

'SEESTAR' - The Smart Telescope Revolution Has Arrived 

Backyard astronomy is being transformed, and the ZWO Seestar S50 is leading the way. Traditional astrophotography once required bulky gear and endless setup; now it's fast, simple, and affordable. The Seestar isn't a conventional telescope—there's no eyepiece. Instead, this compact, thermos-sized astrograph integrates optics, camera, tracking motors, filters, Wi-Fi, and a rechargeable battery, all controlled via a mobile app. In under ten minutes, it's ready to capture and stack images of the Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects in real time.

Despite its size, it offers a 250mm focal length, 1080p sensor, narrowband and solar filters, real-time stacking, dew heater, and direct image saving to your device, with options for raw frames. Results are impressive even in light-polluted skies. It ships with a tabletop tripod, solar filter, and charger, though a sturdier tripod is recommended. Downsides are modest: limited battery life, occasional lunar tracking tweaks, and mild field rotation in long exposures due to its alt-az mount.

ZWOptical is a Chinese technology company founded in 2011 that designs and manufactures astrophotography equipment, primarily its range of dedicated astronomy cameras known as ASI (Astronomical Imaging) cameras, but also includes other accessories and software. ZWO cameras are popular for planetary imaging, deep-sky imaging, and autoguiding, and the company is known for innovating in the astrophotography field and making it accessible to a wide range of users See Website  https://www.zwoastro.com/

—David Reneke, Astronomer, Mid North Coast Astronomy Group, NSW

Mid North Coast Astronomy group  - SEESTAR 50 On Show

We recently held  a special Field Night for the members and public to view this amazing Seestar 50 Imaging Telescope  from ZWO Optics China. Everyone attending was in awe of the imaging capabilities of this new asset to amateur Astronomy. Several people indicated an interest in purchasing their own! This is a rough collection of images on the go.  

MID NORTH COAST ASTRONOMY (Australia) Group/ Individual Imaging by Dave Reneke using the Seestar S50 

Norfolk Island Stargazing Tour – A Seestar S50 Success! 

We've just wrapped up another one of our unforgettable 'Stargazing Tours' (number 5) here on beautiful Norfolk Island, and what a week it's been! Under pristine Bortle 1 skies, our group of keen skywatchers from all over Australia has enjoyed some truly magical clear nights. 

We were also lucky this year to have along from Queensland well known in Australia Australian amateur astronomy Cliff Watson who help guide our visitors across some of the best skies in the world. This year, we brought along two large Dobsonian telescopes — and, of course, my brand-new Seestar S50 from ZWO. The Seestar turned out to be the star of the show! Its compact design, ease of use, and incredible imaging capability drew plenty of attention, especially when everyone saw what it could do under these perfect dark skies.

 In fact, two of our participants were so impressed that they've decided to order their own Seestar units when they return home!Norfolk Island really is a dream location for astronomers — no light pollution, crystal-clear horizons, and a deep sense of peace that attracts thousands of visitors each week. I've captured some truly breathtaking images, not just of deep-sky objects, but also of the island's scenic landmarks under the stars.

The verdict? We'll definitely be back again next year with a new group of stargazers to experience this amazing blend of astronomy, nature, and technology. One thing is clear — the Seestar S50 absolutely thrives under dark skies, so wherever you are, make the effort to get away from city lights. The results will astonish you.

It's wonderful to see how people respond to this innovative Seestar technology — it's a real game changer, not just for seasoned observers but for newcomers who want an easy, inspiring way to explore the universe.The Seestar S50 has truly brought the cosmos closer than ever — right here on Norfolk Island.

Space Junk: The Growing Problem Above Our Heads

If you think pollution is only a problem down here, take a look up. Earth's orbit has become a cosmic junkyard — a floating scrapyard of old satellites, rocket parts, and fragments from decades of launches. Experts now warn that space junk is falling back to Earth more often than ever before, sometimes in fiery streaks that light up the night sky, and occasionally in dangerous near-misses with aircraft or populated areas.

According to tracking agencies, there are more than 36,000 pieces of debris larger than 10 centimetres currently orbiting Earth, and millions of smaller fragments whizzing around at speeds up to 28,000 kilometres per hour. Even a bolt the size of a marble can punch a hole through a spacecraft. The problem is getting worse: every new satellite launch, collision, or explosion adds to the clutter, increasing the risk of what scientists call the "Kessler Syndrome" — a chain reaction of collisions that could render certain orbits unusable for decades.

Recently, incidents of space junk re-entering Earth's atmosphere have become alarmingly common. In some cases, burnt fragments have been found in farmers' fields, backyards, and even near busy roads in Australia. The odds of being struck are still astronomically low, but the frequency of debris falls is climbing as old satellites and rocket stages lose altitude.

This orbital pollution also poses a major hazard to active satellites, the International Space Station, and future space missions. Operators are constantly performing evasive manoeuvres to avoid collisions — a costly and risky routine. The global satellite economy, which supports everything from GPS to weather forecasting, depends on a safe orbital environment that's rapidly deteriorating.

So, what can we do about it? One promising idea comes from researchers studying ion beam technology — using focused streams of electrically charged particles to gently nudge pieces of debris out of harm's way. The concept works like a "tractor beam" in reverse, applying just enough force to push junk into lower orbits where it can safely burn up in the atmosphere. It's still in the experimental stage, but early studies suggest it could be an effective and non-destructive cleanup tool.

Other methods are being tested too: nets, harpoons, robotic arms, and even drag sails designed to slow down derelict satellites. But while the technology catches up, experts agree the real solution starts with prevention — designing satellites that can de-orbit themselves, coordinating launches more responsibly, and enforcing international agreements to limit debris creation.

The irony is hard to miss: humanity has managed to pollute not just land, sea, and air, but space itself — the one place we once looked to for inspiration and progress. If we don't act soon, our "final frontier" may become too crowded for exploration. Cleaning up the mess we've made above Earth might just be one of the biggest environmental challenges of this century.

China's Race to the Moon: Astronauts by 2030

China has reaffirmed its bold promise: it will land astronauts on the Moon by 2030. Far from being a vague dream, the country's space agency says the plan is moving ahead on schedule, with rockets, landers, and space suits already in advanced stages of testing. The announcement came as China prepared to launch a new crew to its Tiangong Space Station — a sign that the nation's space ambitions are expanding fast.

The foundation for China's lunar effort is the Long March 10, a powerful new heavy-lift rocket now under development. It's designed to carry both astronauts and cargo beyond Earth orbit, a crucial step for any lunar mission. Engineers are also building a two-person lunar lander, code-named Lanyue, capable of ferrying astronauts from lunar orbit down to the surface and back. This lander, tested at a simulated lunar site, will serve as a life-support and operations hub during short surface stays. Matching the hardware are newly designed moon-landing suits, built to withstand extreme heat, radiation, and the abrasive lunar dust that defeated Apollo's fabric decades ago.

Zhang Jingbo, spokesperson for the China Manned Space Program, said that all key elements are "progressing smoothly," and that the 2030 landing target remains firm. "Our fixed goal of China landing a person on the Moon by 2030 is unshakable," he declared.

Meanwhile, the Tiangong Space Station — orbiting roughly 400 kilometres above Earth — continues to serve as a training ground for China's astronauts. The latest crew includes veteran flyer Zhang Lu and first-timers Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang, who will spend six months aboard the outpost. Alongside their experiments, they'll be studying how long stays in microgravity affect living organisms — even bringing along four mice for research on reproduction and adaptation in space. Every Tiangong mission helps refine the technology and experience needed for longer, deeper missions to come.

Beyond the 2030 landing, China's plans stretch much further. It has outlined a vision for a permanent International Lunar Research Station — a joint venture with Russia and possibly other nations — to be built near the Moon's south pole. Future missions could install solar arrays, mining systems, and even a small nuclear power source to support sustained habitation. Officials describe it as a base for science, exploration, and resource use — but also a symbol of China's arrival as a top-tier space power.

China's progress has been steady and deliberate. In recent years it has mastered docking, long-duration orbital flights, and robotic lunar landings — achievements that took decades for other spacefaring nations. From the Chang'e robotic explorers to the Tiangong space station and the planned Long March 10 rocket, each project forms a clear step in a long-term strategy.

While the United States pushes ahead with NASA's Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the Moon later this decade, China is taking a parallel, independent path. It's a new kind of space race — less about Cold War prestige and more about influence, science, and future resources. If successful, China could become the second nation ever to land humans on the Moon, half a century after Apollo 17.

The global implications are enormous. A Chinese presence on the Moon would reshape international space cooperation, drive new technology development, and possibly open up lunar exploration to broader participation from Asia and beyond.

Whether it happens in 2030 or shortly after, one thing is clear: China's space program has momentum, discipline, and purpose. Its next "giant leap" isn't just about reaching the Moon — it's about staying there.

Stunning First Images from the Vera Rubin Telescope

The Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile has just given the world its first stunning images, and they are nothing short of breathtaking. This new telescope, named after the legendary astronomer who confirmed the existence of dark matter, is designed to survey the entire sky in unprecedented detail. Its first pictures already show how powerful it will be in helping scientists understand our universe.

Highlights of the First Images: The released images above showcased the telescope's unique ability to capture a massive field of view with extraordinary detail. The key highlights included:

• A "Cosmic Treasure Chest" image of the Virgo Cluster: This single, vast image captured over 10 million galaxies, many of which had never been seen before, in and around the Virgo Cluster, located about 55 million light-years from Earth. The complete image is so immense it would require 400 ultra-high-definition TV screens to display at full size.
• A composite of the Trifid and Lagoon Nebulae: This image, created by combining 678 individual exposures, revealed vibrant, detailed gas and dust clouds where new stars are forming. The wide field of view captured both nebulae in one frame.
• Discovery of new celestial objects: Even in these initial test observations, the observatory detected more than 2,000 previously unseen asteroids within our solar system, demonstrating its potential for creating an extensive inventory of the solar system.

The images reveal countless stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects in sharp clarity. Unlike older telescopes that could focus only on small areas of the sky, the Rubin Observatory can capture huge swaths at once. This means it will spot things that change over time, like exploding stars, moving asteroids, and even objects that could come close to Earth. Scientists are especially excited about tracking these "near-Earth objects" to help protect our planet.

One of the most exciting things about these early images is that they give a taste of how the observatory will help map dark matter. Dark matter is invisible, but it shapes the universe. By looking at how light bends around massive objects in these photos, astronomers can infer where dark matter is hiding. This could unlock secrets about how galaxies form and why the universe is expanding the way it is.

The Vera Rubin Telescope is also designed for speed. It can scan the entire sky every few nights, producing a massive flow of data that will be made available to scientists and the public. This is a big step forward for astronomy, opening the door to discoveries that could include everything from new planets to clues about the early universe.

In short, these first images are just the beginning. They show the universe as we've never seen it before, full of detail, motion, and mystery. The Vera Rubin Observatory promises a future where the night sky isn't just a view from afar—it's a dynamic map that will keep revealing surprises for decades to come

Virgin Galactic's Delta-class space plane first flights as soon as fall 2026

The Delta program is well under way: Virgin Galactic has completed a dedicated manufacturing facility in Phoenix, Arizona, where final assembly of the spacecraft will take place. Assembly of the first Delta vehicle is expected to begin in March 2025 ushering in a new chapter for the company's ambitions in space tourism and research. 

A centerpiece of Delta's design is its «feathering» re-entry system, which helps stabilize the vehicle as it returns through the atmosphere. Space Structural work is progressing: wing assembly is due to wrap up in late 2025, and fuselage construction is slated for completion by early 2026. Yahoo Tech

Unlike its predecessor (VSS Unity), Delta is built for scale. The new ships are designed to fly up to eight missions per month, with a capacity of six people per flight — significantly increasing Virgin Galactic's commercial and research potential. investors.virgingalactic.com

The company is already lining up its first crew: three private astronauts have been named for an early Delta mission through a partnership with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences. Space+1 Research flights will kick off before private astronaut flights, according to Virgin Galactic's roadmap. Q4 Capital

To validate the Delta design, ground testing is being conducted at a facility that includes an "Iron Bird" rig, which subjects structural components to stress tests and simulates real flight conditions. investors.virgingalactic.com

Virgin Galactic's business case for Delta is clear: more frequent flights, greater payloads, and lower cost per seat than with Unity. The company plans to reopen reservations in early 2026 under a phased, "wave"-based sales model. Space

If everything stays on track, the first commercial research flight could take place by summer 2026, followed by the first private astronaut flight in the fall. SpaceNews+2Yahoo Tech+2

This new generation of spaceplanes could redefine Virgin Galactic's future — if its ambitious schedule and production goals hold, Delta may well become the backbone of a high-frequency, routine spaceflight business.

Shedding Light — or Causing Alarm? The Controversial Plan to Launch 4,000 Space Mirrors

A California startup named Reflect Orbital has stirred intense debate with its bold—and some say dangerous—plan: to deploy a constellation of 4,000 giant mirrors in low-Earth orbit, reflecting sunlight back down to Earth. The goal? "Light on demand" after sunset and before sunrise, boosting solar power generation, aiding agriculture, and even lighting up disaster zones. But many scientists and environmental experts are sounding serious alarms. The Times of India+3Space+3Gadgets 360+3

A Vision of Endless Illumination

Reflect Orbital proposes starting with a demonstration mission called EARENDIL-1, tentatively launching in 2026. This test satellite would carry an 18 × 18 meter mylar mirror (about 60 × 60 feet) that can unfold in space. Space+2NextBigFuture.com+2 The plan is ambitious: once the technology proves itself, the company wants a fleet of 4,000 of these mirror-satellites in a sun-synchronous orbit, running along Earth's day–night boundary. Space

By precisely tilting these mirrors, the company says it could reflect sunlight onto specific 5-kilometer-wide areas of Earth's surface. The lighting would be "highly localized" and time-limited, according to Reflect Orbital. TechSpot+2Gadgets 360+2 Their business pitch includes: extending daylight for solar farms (boosting renewable energy), helping agriculture by giving crops more light, providing urban lighting after dark, and even offering emergency illumination after disasters. Gadgets 360+2NextBigFuture.com+2

Why Scientists Are Worried

Despite the optimistic vision, the scientific community has strong objections—and for good reason. Here are the main points of concern:

1. Extreme Light Pollution
   Astronomers warn these space mirrors could vastly brighten the night sky. The reflected beams are estimated to be four times brighter than a full moon, creating artificial "moving stars" that would streak across the sky. Space Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society said the plan is "pretty catastrophic" from an astronomical standpoint. TechSpot+1

2. Disruption of Wildlife and Ecosystems
   Beyond astronomy, ecologists argue that this artificially extended daylight could disrupt natural cycles. Many species rely on the day–night rhythm: foraging, reproduction, migration, and rest are all tied to natural light. Space+1 The constant or semi-constant glare may confuse animals and upset delicate ecological balances. Space

3. Impact on Human Life
   There are also human concerns: prolonged or unpredictable nighttime illumination could interfere with sleep patterns, circadian rhythms, and even aviation safety. Live Science

4. Technical and Environmental Risk
   Skeptics question the feasibility of managing 4,000 large, lightweight reflectors in orbit. Issues include: orbital debris, satellite control failures, and the difficulty of precisely directing reflected sunlight without mistake. Live Science+1 Moreover, if not carefully controlled, these mirrors could become environmental hazards themselves. Live Science

5. Precedent and Governance
   Critics also worry about the precedent this sets. Unlike unintentional light pollution from satellite constellations (such as those launched for broadband), with Reflect Orbital the purpose is to brighten the night — making light pollution a feature, not a side effect. NASA Space News Questions linger: Who regulates such a system? What happens if the technology is misused or scaled uncontrollably?

The Company's Response

Reflect Orbital says it's aware of these concerns and is taking steps to mitigate risk. For instance:

• Their reflections would focus on specific 5-km zones, rather than broadly illuminating large swathes of Earth. Space

• After passing over a target, the satellite mirror would tilt away, reducing unintended illumination. Space+1

• For their 2026 test flight, they plan to work with experts to assess ecological and environmental effects. Space

Still, many in the scientific community are not convinced that these measures are enough and are calling for rigorous environmental reviews before any large-scale deployment.

Bigger Picture: Geoengineering or Risky Experiment?

This proposal is part of a broader idea known as solar geoengineering — manipulating sunlight to achieve certain outcomes on Earth. While many geoengineering concepts focus on dimming sunlight (to cool the planet), Reflect Orbital's mirrors do the opposite: redirect it, concentrating light where and when it's needed. Space

That makes this case unusual, and especially controversial. It raises not only technical and environmental questions, but moral ones, too: should private companies be allowed to deploy technology that fundamentally changes how Earth is lit at night? And who controls such power?

Conclusion: Reflect Orbital's plan to launch 4,000 massive space mirrors is undeniably visionary — blending renewable energy innovation with cutting-edge aerospace engineering. But vision without careful oversight could turn into a risky experiment with global consequences. The astronomical, ecological, and social stakes are high, and as scientists rightly warn, "from an astronomical perspective, that's pretty catastrophic."  . As the company moves toward its first test mission, what happens next may set precedents not just for clean energy, but for who gets to control the night sky.

Stranded in Orbit: Chinese Astronauts Await Return After Suspected Debris Strike

Three Chinese astronauts — Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie — remain stranded aboard their Tiangong space station after a suspected collision with space debris struck their return capsule, forcing the postponement of their scheduled homecoming. The crew, part of the Shenzhou-20 mission, has been aboard Tiangong since launching on April 24, 2025, after a six-hour orbital insertion. Their scheduled return on November 5 was abruptly canceled when officials raised alarms: the return module of their spacecraft is "suspected of being impacted by small space debris."

China's Manned Space Agency (CMSA) issued a statement confirming that an impact analysis and risk assessment are underway "to ensure the health and safety of the astronauts." The extent of the damage to the capsule remains unclear. CMSA has not disclosed whether the hit affected critical systems or how serious it might be. If their original return vehicle is declared unsafe, Chinese protocols suggest they may use the Shenzhou-21 module, which is already docked at Tiangong.

The delay comes shortly after a formal handover ceremony: the Shenzhou-20 crew passed command to the newly arrived Shenzhou-21 astronauts, indicating their return should have followed soon after. The situation underscores growing concerns about the threat of orbital debris, especially for crewed missions. This incident isn't just embarrassing — it's a sharp reminder that space debris is a real, growing hazard for human spaceflight. Experts say that the episode draws attention to the fragility of spacecraft in low Earth orbit, where even tiny fragments can damage critical systems.

It also raises tougher questions about how we manage space traffic and protect crewed missions. As more nations launch satellites and space stations, the risk of collisions climbs — and recent events show it's not just satellite-to-satellite impacts that could endanger lives. Engineers and analysts at CMSA will complete their impact study and risk assessment before clearing the crew's return. The crew remains safe and operational on Tiangong, according to Chinese authorities. If the damaged vehicle is ruled unusable, mission controllers may move forward with using an alternate return capsule, per existing contingency plans.

This isn't just another space-agency hiccup — it's a red flag for the entire orbiting ecosystem. As humanity's presence in orbit grows, so does our responsibility to manage debris and protect astronauts. The Shenzhou-20 incident is likely to become a case study in how we prepare for, mitigate, and respond to space-debris risks — especially when lives are on the line.

So... Where Do All These Comets Come From?

Imagine an enormous cosmic bubble made of frozen comets and icy dust stretching far beyond the planets we know. This is the Oort Cloud a giant spherical shell that forms the true outer edge of our solar system. Scientists believe it begins roughly 2,000 astronomical units from the Sun and could extend all the way to 100,000 AU which is almost one light year away. That means the Oort Cloud is so vast that if the Sun were a tiny dot the cloud would be a distant icy mist surrounding it like a giant cosmic snow globe.

The Oort Cloud is thought to be home to trillions of icy objects left over from the birth of the solar system 4.6 billion years ago. Many of the comets that occasionally blaze across our night sky are believed to come from this mysterious region. These objects are ancient time capsules holding clues about the ingredients that built the planets and maybe even the building blocks of life itself.

Despite its immense size no spacecraft has reached the Oort Cloud yet. Even Voyager 1 traveling at over 38,000 miles per hour would take thousands of years to cross its inner boundary. Scientists use mathematical models and the paths of long period comets to map its possible size and composition.

The Oort Cloud also serves as a protective shield helping to deflect or capture wandering objects from interstellar space. Some researchers even think it could be a crossroads where material from other star systems mixes with our own.

This breathtaking scale reminds us how small our familiar solar system really is compared to its icy frontier. As new telescopes and space missions push the limits of exploration we may one day unlock the frozen secrets of the Oort Cloud and discover how it shaped our cosmic neighborhood.

Tesla car hit by a meteorite or space junk?

An object that struck an Australian man's Tesla as he was traveling along a highway may have been a meteorite. Andrew Melville-Smith, a veterinarian from Whyalla in South Australia, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that the object hit his windscreen with such force that the glass appeared to soften and partially melt, and cracks spidered out from the point of impact.

The car, which was reportedly in Autopilot mode at the time, continued driving blithely as though nothing had happened. Melville-Smith reported the incident and its location to the South Australian Museum, which is currently investigating to determine the provenance of the projectile.

If the object turns out to be a meteorite, it may be the first recorded instance of a meteorite hitting a moving vehicle. "I thought we'd crashed, it was that loud, it was that violent, it was totally unexpected," Melville-Smith told the ABC. "The car was driving along and unconcerned … it wasn't aware of the chaos that was going on in the cabin."

Material from space constantly rains down on Earth at a rate of about 5,200 tons per year. However, most of that mass is in the form of microscopic dust that you'd not even recognize as cosmogenic unless someone told you. There's a good chance you have teeny tiny meteorites accumulating in your roof gutters even as you read these words. Larger chunks are rarer; they tend to burn and disintegrate in the atmosphere as they fall. It's vanishingly rare that anyone even sees a meteorite land, let alone gets hit by one.

The museum's first course of action is to examine the windscreen itself to see if any particles may have embedded in the glass. If the results are consistent with a space origin, the mineralogists will then go search for the meteorite itself. "The really unusual thing is that the glass of his windscreen has actually melted a little bit; there was a lot of heat in whatever hit the windscreen," mineralogist Kieran Meaney of the South Australian Museum told the ABC.

Scientists believe that meteorites themselves are actually quite cold when they land on the surface; the heat of atmospheric entry can burn and vaporize away the surface layer of the object without transferring much heat to the interior. However, if an object is moving fast enough, it can generate intense heat on impact as its kinetic energy is converted into thermal energy.

Nevertheless, other explanations may be more likely, including space junk, something falling from a passing aircraft, or even just an ordinary Earth rock. "It may be the case once we investigate further, we find out it's something different, but at the moment [a meteorite is] the theory we are working with," Meaney said. "If we do find out that it is a meteorite, we will probably end up going out to where this happened and trying to find the bit of rock."

While a moving car strike is unprecedented, several well-known cases of meteorites hitting parked cars have occurred over the years:      1/ Peekskill, New York (1992): A meteorite weighing over 27 pounds struck the trunk of a parked 1980 Chevy Malibu owned by Michelle Knapp.

2/ Benld, Illinois (1938): A meteorite fell through the roof of a garage and smashed into the seat of a parked Pontiac sedan.

Burning Space Junk Lands Near WA Mine – When the Sky Falls

It's not every day that something literally falls out of the sky in the Australian outback — but that's exactly what happened near a mine east of Newman, Western Australia, when workers stumbled across a smoking, charred object lying in the red dirt. The mysterious find, reportedly made of carbon fibre and metal, looked like something straight from a sci-fi movie — except this one was real, and still warm.

Police and emergency services quickly secured the area, while experts from the Australian Space Agency were called in to take a closer look. Early indications suggest the object is indeed "consistent with known space re-entry debris." Translation: it's probably a bit of someone's rocket or satellite that's just finished its final lap around Earth.

The Bureau of Transport Safety has ruled out any connection to aircraft, which leaves us looking skyward — literally. Engineers believe it could be part of a pressure vessel or propellant tank, the sort of hardware found on booster stages used by commercial launchers. These components are often made of composite materials like carbon fibre to reduce weight, and when they re-enter, most of them burn up harmlessly. But sometimes, just sometimes, gravity wins.

And WA seems to have a knack for catching them. In 1979, chunks of NASA's Skylab rained down across the state, turning Esperance into a global headline. The locals famously fined NASA $400 for littering — and it took the Americans more than 30 years to pay it. Since then, fragments from various space missions have turned up in paddocks and deserts across Australia, quietly reminding us that our wide open spaces make for excellent cosmic landing pads.

How Common Is It?

Surprisingly, not very. Around 100 tonnes of man-made material re-enters Earth's atmosphere each year, but nearly all of it burns up before reaching the ground. Statistically, the chance of any one person being hit by falling debris is about one in a trillion. That's roughly the same odds as being struck by lightning while winning the lottery on your birthday. Australia's vast unpopulated regions do, however, make it more likely for us to find the pieces that survive.

Could It Be Linked to a Recent Launch?

Quite possibly. There's been a flurry of launches from companies like SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and China's Long March series in recent months. Each rocket stage or satellite that completes its mission eventually comes back down — sometimes controlled, sometimes not. Engineers from the Space Agency will be checking tracking data to match the find with any recent re-entry events. Objects re-entering at the wrong angle can survive long enough to scatter fragments over large areas. It's a messy reminder that what goes up doesn't always stay up.

Should We Be Worried?

Not yet — but it's worth paying attention. Earth's orbit is becoming a cosmic junkyard, with more than 30,000 pieces of debris large enough to track and millions of smaller fragments zipping around at 25,000 kilometres an hour. Even a bolt the size of a marble can punch a hole in a spacecraft at that speed. Space agencies around the world are now tackling what's called "space debris mitigation," designing satellites that burn up completely or de-orbit safely.

Still, when a blackened cylinder falls out of the sky, it's a wake-up call — a reminder that our spacefaring ambitions come with earthly consequences. As humanity pushes further into orbit, the line between "up there" and "down here" keeps getting thinner.

So, if you're wandering the Pilbara and spot something shiny sticking out of the dirt, don't panic — and don't poke it with a stick. Call the authorities, take a photo, and remember: in Western Australia, even the sky likes to drop in unannounced.

The New Space Race Era: A Call for Exogeoconservation 

A new space race is unfolding — but this time, it's not about who gets there first. It's about how we explore. As humans prepare to return to the Moon, reach Mars, and even mine asteroids, scientists are sounding the alarm about something most people haven't considered: the need to protect the landscapes of other worlds.

This growing field, known as exogeoconservation, is all about preserving the natural and scientific heritage of celestial bodies. Just as we protect Earth's national parks and heritage sites, experts say we should treat places like the lunar surface, Martian canyons, and asteroid craters with the same respect. After all, these alien terrains hold vital clues to how our Solar System formed — clues that could vanish forever with careless drilling or mining.

The concern is very real. Spacecraft landings, rover tracks, and resource extraction can alter fragile environments that have remained untouched for billions of years. Even a single footprint on the Moon remains perfectly preserved — a reminder of how easily human activity can leave a permanent mark. Imagine what large-scale mining or tourism might do.

Scientists argue that we need a new set of international rules to manage these issues, much like Earth's environmental laws or World Heritage protections. This includes legal agreements between nations, ethical guidelines for private companies, and clear scientific standards for what should be studied, shared, or left alone.

The goal isn't to halt exploration, but to make it responsible. We can still harvest resources for future space missions, build bases, and continue research — but with limits and respect for the unique value of these otherworldly sites. Mars, for instance, may still hold fossil evidence of past life, while asteroids carry the chemical ingredients that helped create Earth itself.

Exogeoconservation blends science, law, and ethics into a single purpose: ensuring that as humanity expands into space, we don't repeat the environmental mistakes we've made at home. It's about balance — using the riches of space wisely while preserving the cosmic record written in rock and dust.

In the end, protecting these alien landscapes isn't just about science — it's about legacy. Future generations deserve the chance to see the untouched beauty of the Moon's mountains, Mars's ancient riverbeds, and the glittering plains of frozen comets. The universe is vast, but its wonders are finite. Exogeoconservation reminds us that exploration and preservation must go hand in hand if we want our story in space to be one worth telling.

Vast's Haven-1: The Dawn of Private Space Stations

The dream of a privately owned and operated space station is edging closer to reality. In California, a young company with an ambitious name — Vast — is moving into the final stages of building Haven-1, a compact but sophisticated orbiting habitat scheduled to launch in 2026. It could well mark the beginning of a new era in human spaceflight, one where space stations are no longer the exclusive domain of governments and billion-dollar space agencies.

Over the past few weeks, engineers at Vast's headquarters have achieved two major milestones: the final weld on Haven-1's primary structure, and the application of its sleek outer coating — the spacecraft equivalent of sealing and painting the hull of a ship before it sails. The next steps will see the installation of a domed viewing window and an access hatch, giving astronauts both a breathtaking panorama of Earth below and a doorway to the next stage of orbital living.

When completed, Haven-1 will weigh around 14,000 kilograms — that's 31,000 pounds of carefully engineered aluminum, composites, and life-support systems — making it the largest spacecraft ever launched atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Once in orbit, it will circle Earth roughly every 90 minutes, offering crews an extraordinary workplace among the stars.

Vast's plan is to support up to four crewed missions over the station's initial three-year lifespan, with each team spending around 10 days aboard. In total, that's about 160 astronaut days of life and science in orbit — and a glimpse of what future commercial space travel might look like. These won't be long-term stays like those aboard the International Space Station (ISS), but rather short, intense bursts of research, technology testing, and private exploration. Think of it as a high-tech orbital Airbnb — except this one comes with zero gravity and an unbeatable view.

What makes Haven-1 especially intriguing is its independence. Unlike the ISS, which is a sprawling joint venture among multiple nations, Haven-1 is designed to operate as a self-contained, privately managed facility. It can fly solo or dock with larger structures in the future — perhaps even becoming part of a modular network of private habitats as space commerce grows. Vast has hinted that this is just the first step toward a larger orbital complex that could one day include artificial gravity, achieved by gentle rotation — a concept long confined to science fiction.

Backing the project is SpaceX, whose reliable Falcon 9 will carry the module into orbit. The partnership highlights a dramatic shift in space operations: NASA and other agencies are now outsourcing human spaceflight capabilities to commercial players, allowing companies like Vast, Axiom Space, and Blue Origin to take on roles once held only by governments. In many ways, Haven-1 represents the early architecture of a commercial space economy — one where science, tourism, and private industry share the same orbital neighbourhood.

For decades, space stations have symbolized humanity's persistence — our desire not just to reach space, but to live there. From the Soviet Salyut series and Mir, to the monumental International Space Station, each generation has brought us closer to routine life beyond Earth. Haven-1 continues that legacy, but with a distinctly 21st-century twist: smaller, smarter, and privately owned.

If all goes according to plan, by 2026 we may be watching the launch of a new chapter in human history — the first in a new fleet of commercial orbital outposts, built not by superpowers, but by startups with vision and nerve. From its domed window, future astronauts will gaze down at our blue planet and realize they're witnessing the moment when space truly opened for business.

Oldest Meteorite Crater on Earth Found in Western Australia
Discovery in the Pilbara rewrites the story of Earth's first continents

In the rugged heart of Western Australia's Pilbara region, scientists have unearthed something extraordinary — the oldest meteorite impact crater ever found on Earth. This ancient scar, more than 3.5 billion years old, outdates every known impact site by over a billion years. The discovery, published in Nature Communications, could change how we understand the birth of Earth's first continents. And, curiously enough, the crater was exactly where the research team hoped it would be.

The oldest rocks known to science date back over 3 billion years and form the foundations of modern continents. Yet, how these "continental seeds" formed remains a mystery. Some geologists believe they arose from hot plumes bubbling up from Earth's molten core — rather like wax rising in a lava lamp. Others argue they were forged by early versions of plate tectonics, with sections of crust colliding and sliding over each other as they still do today. But both theories rely on one key ingredient: the flow of heat from deep within our planet. The researchers behind this new discovery think something else was at play — a colossal impact from space.

A few years ago, the team proposed that giant meteorite impacts — some several kilometres across — may have provided the energy needed to create early continental crust in regions like the Pilbara. When these massive rocks from space slammed into the young Earth, they blasted enormous volumes of material skyward, melted vast areas of the crust, and triggered volcanic activity deep below. Over time, this molten material solidified into the thick continental "roots" that became the nuclei of our continents today.

Their initial evidence came from tiny zircon crystals — microscopic time capsules within the rocks — that revealed chemical signatures consistent with an impact origin. But to convince skeptics, they needed something more visible, something that could be held in one's hand. In May 2021, the researchers set off from Perth on a two-week field expedition into the Pilbara, teaming up with the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA). Their target: a curious 20-metre-thick rock layer known as the Antarctic Creek Member, nestled between ancient lava flows near a 20-kilometre-wide dome.

This layer contained mysterious spherules — droplets of molten rock ejected by ancient impacts. But these could have come from anywhere on Earth, perhaps even from a crater long since destroyed. The only way to be sure was to find evidence of an impact at the site itself. They parked their 4WDs on a dusty track and fanned out across the landscape, scanning the rocks under the fierce Pilbara sun. An hour later, they regrouped — and every member of the team thought they'd found the same thing.

Shatter cones.

Shatter cones are beautiful, conical structures — fine, radiating fractures that fan out like the feathers of a badminton shuttlecock. They form only under the immense pressures of a meteorite impact, and are the only shock feature visible to the naked eye. Within an hour of starting their search, the team realised they were standing on the floor of an enormous ancient crater — one that had lain hidden for billions of years. They took samples, snapped photos, and vowed to return to study it in detail. And when they did — three years later, in May 2024 — the evidence was overwhelming. Shatter cones were everywhere, spread through the Antarctic Creek Member rocks across hundreds of metres. Above them lay thick, unshocked basalt layers, showing that the impact happened exactly 3.5 billion years ago. That made it the oldest impact crater ever discovered on Earth.

This find not only confirms that meteorite impacts shaped the earliest continents — it opens a new window into Earth's formative years. As co-author Tim Johnson of Curtin University noted, the discovery supports the theory that cosmic collisions played a vital role in the creation of continental crust, much as they did in shaping the Moon and other planets. It's also a reminder of how much remains hidden beneath our feet. As the researchers reflected on the discovery — made on land known and respected for millennia by the Nyamal Traditional Owners — they realised they may have stumbled upon one of Earth's great turning points.

Who knows how many more ancient craters lie buried in the world's oldest rocks, waiting to tell their story? Each one could bring us closer to understanding not just how the continents formed, but how life itself began.

Starlink Satellites Are Falling to Earth — Should We Be Worried?

Elon Musk's Starlink network — the vast web of internet satellites circling Earth — is starting to rain back down. Literally. Astronomers report that one to two Starlink satellites are re-entering the atmosphere every day, with around 120 burning up in January 2025 alone. At this pace, that's tens of thousands of reentries over the coming years.

What's going on? Starlink satellites orbit low — just a few hundred kilometres up — where Earth's atmosphere still drags on them. During times of intense solar activity, the upper atmosphere expands, slowing the satellites and pulling them Earthward. It's not a malfunction; it's physics doing what it does best — reminding us who's boss.

SpaceX designed the satellites to "demise" on re-entry, burning up completely. But not all of them do. Some tiny fragments of metal survive the plunge — aluminium, titanium, and other materials that might eventually alter the chemistry of the upper atmosphere. Scientists are just beginning to study whether this new kind of "sky pollution" could affect climate or ozone.

Then there's the question of scale. Starlink already has more than 6,000 satellites in orbit and plans tens of thousands more. Multiply even a small risk — a surviving bolt here, a speck of debris there — by that number, and you begin to see why researchers are uneasy. It's not catastrophic yet, but the margins are narrowing.

The threat isn't just to Earth's air. With so many satellites moving in low orbit, the risk of collisions rises, potentially triggering the dreaded "Kessler syndrome" — a chain reaction of debris hitting debris until low Earth orbit becomes an unusable scrapyard.

For now, SpaceX remains confident. They're improving the burn-up design, managing orbits more closely, and say no dangerous fragments have reached the ground. But experts warn that the pace of launches far outstrips regulation. There's no real global oversight of how many satellites can re-enter daily, or what their fiery ends might mean for the planet.

So, are Starlink satellites "falling at an alarming rate"? Yes — and the real alarm may be not the fireballs we see, but what's happening invisibly above our heads: a new experiment in planetary housekeeping we never quite signed up for.

Musk's Vision: Mars by 2055

Speaking at the All-In Summit on September 9, Musk declared: "I think it can be done in 30 years," provided that we manage an exponential increase in the tonnage sent to Mars with each successive launch window — those windows when Earth and Mars align optimally for transit, roughly every 26 months. Space+2BOSS Publishing+2

His plan hinges heavily on Starship, SpaceX's next-generation, fully reusable rocket system. Musk envisions that over time, Starship launches will carry not just colonists, but all of the infrastructure — habitat modules, fuel production plants, food systems, robotics and manufacturing capability — needed for Mars to support itself without constant help from Earth. Space+2BOSS Publishing+2

He sees achieving "planetary redundancy" — the idea that human civilization would no longer be confined to a single planet — as key to mitigating the risk of a catastrophic event on Earth. The Independent+1

Where the Challenges Lie

Musk's vision is audacious — but it also invites skepticism. On the technical, economic, and human fronts, the hurdles are steep:

• Launch scale and cost: To build a functioning colony, vast quantities of material must be ferried to Mars. Scaling up launch numbers and reducing cost per kilogram is nontrivial. Space+2Wikipedia+2

• Rocket reliability: Achieving full reusability — especially for deep-space travel — demands perfected heat shields, robust engines, and minimal maintenance downtime. BOSS Publishing+2Space+2

• In-situ resource utilization (ISRU): A colony must produce its own water, oxygen, fuel and building materials using Martian resources — not merely import everything from Earth. Space+2BOSS Publishing+2

• Human health and habitability: Radiation exposure, low gravity, dust, extreme temperatures—all pose serious long-term risks to human health and engineering systems.

• Governance, economics, and ethics: Who funds the colony? Who governs it? How do you scale industry and society in an alien environment?

Astrophysicist Adam Becker, among others, has dismissed Mars colonization as a "dangerous illusion," arguing the challenges are far greater than popular discourse imagines. The Times of India

Is 2055 Realistic?

Musk's 2055 timeline is ambitious even by space-enthusiast standards. While the interval isn't impossibly long (in cosmic terms), it leaves little room for major setbacks. If Starship development or large-scale launch cadence falters, the schedule could slip dramatically.

That said, Musk has a history of pushing expectations forward, often provoking debate and accelerating investment in space infrastructure. Whether or not Mars is colonized by 2055, his projection has already sharpened the conversation about humanity's next horizon. If you like, I can also write a version of this aimed for a science magazine or for general readership — which tone would you prefer?

Saturn's moon Enceladus is shooting out organic molecules that could help create life 

Far beyond Earth, in the frozen reaches of our Solar System, one of Saturn's tiny moons is putting on quite a show. Enceladus—just 500 kilometers across—has become one of the most talked-about worlds in modern astronomy. Why? Because it's literally spraying clues to life into space.

Scientists discovered that Enceladus is blasting plumes of water vapor, ice, and organic molecules from cracks near its south pole. These icy geysers shoot hundreds of kilometers into space, so powerful that some of the material even escapes the moon's weak gravity to form part of Saturn's shimmering rings.

What makes this discovery so exciting is what's inside those plumes. NASA's Cassini spacecraft flew through them several times before its mission ended in 2017, collecting samples. The readings revealed not just water, but methane, ammonia, and complex organic compounds—the same building blocks found on Earth before life began.

Beneath Enceladus's icy crust lies a global ocean kept warm by the moon's internal heat—caused by Saturn's gravity flexing and squeezing it like a stress ball. On Earth, deep under our oceans, similar hydrothermal vents teem with bacteria and strange creatures that live entirely without sunlight. If such life can exist here, why not there?

Enceladus, once just another speck in Saturn's entourage, is now a serious contender in the search for life beyond Earth. Future missions aim to fly through those plumes again, this time with instruments able to "sniff" for direct signs of living organisms. Imagine that—proof of life from an icy moon half a billion miles away, freely blowing into space for us to catch.

In a way, Enceladus is doing the hard work for us—sending samples straight into space like an interplanetary message in a bottle. And if that message turns out to say "we're not alone," it would change everything we know about life in the universe. Small world. Big mystery. And maybe, just maybe, a hint that life's recipe isn't unique to Earth after all.

Our Moon's Two Faces – Stranger Than We Ever Imagined

For centuries, we've looked up at the Moon and thought we knew her pretty well. She's been our faithful companion in the night sky, lighting our way and inspiring poets, dreamers, and astronauts alike. But it turns out, the Moon has been keeping a rather big secret. Recent research has revealed that the two sides of the Moon — the familiar face we see every night and the mysterious far side that always looks away — are far more different than anyone ever imagined.

The story begins with a handful of rocks. Not just any rocks, but lunar samples collected from various missions, including NASA's Apollo landings and China's Chang'e program. When scientists recently compared their chemical fingerprints, they found something astonishing: the near side and the far side of the Moon seem to have been shaped by completely different histories.

The side we see — the near side — is dotted with huge, dark plains called maria (Latin for "seas"). These are ancient lava flows that cooled billions of years ago, giving the Moon that familiar "man in the moon" face. But the far side? It's rugged, mountainous, and far older, scarred with craters from countless impacts. It looks like the Moon that time forgot.

The new findings suggest that the near side has much higher concentrations of radioactive elements like potassium, thorium, and uranium. These would have generated more internal heat early in the Moon's history, melting rock and creating vast seas of lava. The far side, on the other hand, remained cooler and never experienced that same level of volcanic activity. In other words, the Moon's two halves cooked at different temperatures — one side hot and restless, the other cold and ancient.

So how did this happen? One leading theory suggests that a massive impact shortly after the Moon's formation — about 4.5 billion years ago — could have shifted its internal balance. Another possibility is that the crust on the far side was simply thicker, trapping heat on one side and locking the other in a geological deep freeze. Either way, it paints a picture of a lopsided world, frozen in time, that's still keeping half its story hidden from view.

And here's where it gets exciting. If the Moon's two faces are so different, it may change how we think about the Moon's origin — and by extension, how we think about Earth's early days. The Moon is, after all, our cosmic twin, born from the same fiery collision that shaped our young planet. By studying its contrasting faces, scientists can read the record of those violent beginnings like a history book written in stone.

But the discoveries don't stop there. The far side of the Moon — that silent, radio-free wilderness — could soon become humanity's next great scientific outpost. Because it's shielded from Earth's radio noise, astronomers dream of building observatories there to study the early universe, detecting faint signals from the first stars and galaxies. Others imagine future moon bases tucked away in its shadowed craters, where water ice may lie preserved — a priceless resource for astronauts and future lunar settlers.

The Moon, it seems, still has plenty of secrets left to tell. Every time we think we've figured it out, it surprises us again — like an old friend who suddenly reveals a hidden past. The samples and data being studied today are rewriting the Moon's biography, chapter by chapter.

So next time you look up at that glowing disc in the sky, remember: you're only seeing one side of the story. The other half is darker, stranger, and possibly even more fascinating. The Moon is not just a rock — it's a world of two very different faces, each whispering clues about where we came from and where we might be headed next.

The more we learn, the more the Moon reminds us that even the things we think we know best can still hold mysteries beyond imagination.

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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  

Heard on over 50 stations weekly