Finally, Webbβs analysis of TRAPPIST-1d, new Hubble images comet 3I/ATLAS, the most massive black hole ever discovered, why Mars sand is so dangerous. And in Space Bites+, staring right down the jet of an actively feeding supermassive black hole. π Patreon Q&A. 4+ hours of content! https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-questions-136023971 π [Space Bites+] No ADS. BONUS Story. For FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π Vote for the best story here: https://www.youtube.com/@frasercain...
Aug 15, 2025β’26 min
What would happen if we moved a jovian moon to Mars? What are black holes spitting out as those jets? What's the best case scenario for Europa Clipper's search for life? And in Q&A+, how are we searching for Sun-like stars? π PROMO -57% OFF your first month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/join-my-patreon-134941769 π [Q&A+] No YT ads. Bonus Question https://www.patreon.com/universetoday 00:00 Start 00:28 [Ademnon's Couch] What if we took one of Jupiter's moons to Mars? 03:28 [...
Aug 13, 2025β’20 min
How did supermassive black holes get so big so early? There are two main models for that, and JWST just got a huge boost for the one that suggests they can form via a direct collapse of gas clouds. How did the researchers pull the first observations of a potential birth of a SMBH? Finding out in this interview. π [Interview+] SECRET Bonus Part. No YT ads. It's FREE https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π PROMO -57% OFF your first month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/join-my-patreon-...
Aug 13, 2025β’46 min
Is there an upper size limit for black holes? Why don't we build multiple identical missions to increase the chance of success? Is the Universe considered finite or infinite? And in Q&A+, is the Universe expanding or is everything else just shrinking? π¦ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/universetoday 00:00 Start 00:28 [Ascendant Construct] Why don't we build multiple identical space missions at once? 01:36 [Lubo in China] My automated telescope 05:27 [Kasie Ream] Radiation in space...
Aug 12, 2025β’23 min
A Planet Found at Alpha Centauri. Webb Revisits the Hubble Ultra Deep Field. Little Red Dots don't break the laws of physics. In Space Bites Plus, showing that the Earth's magnetosphere was here for a long time. π PROMO -57% OFF your first month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/join-my-patreon-134941769 π [Space Bites+] No ADS. BONUS Story. For FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π Vote for the best story here: https://www.youtube.com/@frasercain/community 00:00 Intro 00:20 P...
Aug 08, 2025β’17 min
Could we aim asteroid YR4 at the Moon on purpose? What would happen to babies born and raised on Mars? Should we use water as an insulation layer for our spacecraft? And in Q&A+, could we mine an asteroid that's stuck in a Lagrange point? π PROMO -57% OFF your first month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/join-my-patreon-134941769 π [Q&A+] No YT ads. Bonus Question https://www.patreon.com/universetoday 00:00 Start 00:28 [Goatlord] Could we direct an asteroid into the Moon to st...
Aug 07, 2025β’19 min
If nothing escapes a black hole, how does gravity escape? Could we detect a faster-than-light spaceship cruising through the Solar System? What does JWST really orbit at L2? And in Q&A+, could the Universe have started as a black hole? π [Q&A+] Same video. No YT ads. BONUS question. FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday 00:00 Start 00:29 [Shahbaz Rezaei] If nothing can escape the black hole, how does gravity come out of it? 01:57 [fleshmagi] How long until we realistically start m...
Aug 05, 2025β’20 min
More evidence that dark energy is weakening, cosmic rays could keep life alive under the ice, NASA is building fuel depots in space, and a radio telescope is going to the far side of the Moon. On Space Bites+, how brines could form on the surface of Mars, providing a habitat for life. π PROMO -57% OFF your first month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/join-my-patreon-134941769 π [Space Bites+] No ADS. BONUS Story. For FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π Vote for the best sto...
Aug 01, 2025β’24 min
Do gravitational waves deflect like waves on the water? Which type of comet would cause the most destruction for Earth? Will we see humans on Mars in our lifetime? And in Q&A+ could AI become religious? π [Q&A+] Same video. No YT ads. BONUS question. FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday 00:00 Start 00:25 [Web Fiji] Which type of comet will cause the most devastation if it hits Earth? 04:04 [James Sobek] Do gravitational waves reflect off objects? 07:09 [Pat Ludwig] Are there rogu...
Jul 31, 2025β’15 min
Do we predictions when will the Universe stop its expansion? Did we find hypervelocity stars in M31? What does it mean when planets go retrograde? And in Q&A+ could the Big Bang be a white hole? π [Q&A+] Same video. No YT ads. BONUS question. FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday 00:00 Start 00:27 [Peter Keyson] When will the Universe stop expanding? 02:54 [John De Keizer] Hypervelocity stars in M31 06:20 [kindness] What does it mean that planets are retrograde? 08:31 [J E] Are we...
Jul 29, 2025β’20 min
FRBs are a great example of a modern day space mystery. We've seen a lot of them. We know a fair amount about them. But we still don't really know for sure how do they work and what's their true source. Some of them can be super weird. How exactly? Finding out in this interview. π [Interview+] Bonus Part. No YT ads. https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π£ Guest: Dr. Fengqui Adam Dong π A βUnicornβ Object Defies Astrophysics https://public.nrao.edu/news/unicorn-object/ π CHIME/FRB Discovery o...
Jul 28, 2025β’38 min
Betelgeuse has a companion star, Vera Rubin discovered the third interstellar object accidentally, the first evidence of direct collapse supermassive black holes, and in Space Bites+ developing plans to help humanity deal with finding an extraterrestrial intelligence. π PROMO -57% OFF your first month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/join-my-patreon-134941769 π [Space Bites+] No ADS. BONUS Story. For FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π Vote for the best story here: https://...
Jul 25, 2025β’23 min
Should we be concerned about China's progress in space? Is their progress held back by a lack of cultural freedom? Which space-set book story desperately needs a movie adaptation? and in Q&A+, the best space-set movie that's factually accurate π [Q&A+] Same video. No YT ads. BONUS question. FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π [Overtime] Even more Q&As: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday 00:00 Start 00:24 [2Evil2Hope] Are we concerned about China? 09:41 [mr man] Is Chin...
Jul 24, 2025β’18 min
How can we realistically get under the ice of Europa? Why Venus is such an under appreciated destination for spacecraft? What is the shape of the Universe? And in Q&A+ what would happen to Jupiter if it became a rogue planet? π [Q&A+] Same video. No YT ads. BONUS question. FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π [Overtime] Even more Q&As: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday 00:00 Start 00:26 [Knight Family] How do we drill down under the ice on Europa? 02:23 [kLONDIKE69 NON...
Jul 22, 2025β’19 min
This is an interview with me on The Last Easy Mile podcast with Josh Farahi. Video version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_FR_ZvPc3U&ab_channel=TheLastEasyMilePodcast THE LAST EASY MILE: https://linktr.ee/TheLastEasyMilePodcast In this episode, Fraser Cainβfounder of Universe Today and co-host of Astronomy Castβshares why space still matters. From watching meteor showers with your kids to seeing Saturnβs rings through binoculars in a city, Fraser offers practical ways to reconnect with aw...
Jul 21, 2025β’1 hr 10 min
Is the Earth at the center of a giant void? Did a star fly through the Solar System billions of years ago messing up the orbits of some objects? Comet 3i/ATLAS is the oldest comet ever seen. Look at the picture to celebrate the third anniversary of Webb. And in Space Bites Plus, covering a crater on the moon with a concrete dome to build a pressurised habitat. π [Space Bites+] No ADS. BONUS Story. For FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π Vote for the best story here: https://www.youtu...
Jul 18, 2025β’21 min
What would be the best possible space mission if budget restrictions didn't exist? Why don't we launch all rockets from ships in the sea? Where are the stars that formed with our Sun? And in Q&A+ where is the center of the Universe? π [Q&A+] Same video. No YT ads. BONUS question. FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π [Overtime] Even more Q&As: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday 00:00 Start 00:30 [John Hoy] Dream space mission when budget isn't a concern? 04:20 [Adam Redw...
Jul 17, 2025β’22 min
If you were dropped in a random place in space, how would you find your way home? New Horizons tackled this problem with a first interstellar navigation demonstration. Using parallax in real time to determine its position in space. How did they pull it off and what other interesting things can spacecraft do? Finding out in this interview. π [Interview+] Bonus Part. No YT ads. https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π£ Guest: Dr Tod Lauer https://staff.noirlab.edu/tod.lauer/ π A Demonstration of ...
Jul 16, 2025β’46 min
Can somebody really enforce any space treaties and do they make any sense? What's a better future, colonies on Mars or on giant rotating spaceships? What's India's space program been up to lately? And in Q&A+, would I take a one-way ticket to Mars? π¦ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/universetoday 00:00 Start 00:28 [Iamsick] Mars vs O'Neil cylinders 02:08 [busybillyb33] How enforceable is the Outer Space Treaty? 06:04 [Tarun Pulikanti] Thoughts on India's space station ambitions 08...
Jul 15, 2025β’16 min
A star detonated as a supernova, twice. Trump chooses his new NASA Administrator. Why deflecting asteroids is much more complex than we thought.And on Space Bites Plus, how your flight home could signal an alien civilization. π [Space Bites+] No ADS. BONUS Story. For FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π Vote for the best story here: https://www.youtube.com/@frasercain/community 00:00 Intro 00:19 Star detonated as supernova ... twice https://www.universetoday.com/articles/a-star-detona...
Jul 11, 2025β’19 min
Will dust make interstellar travel impossible? Is Oumuamua unique in its weird cigar-like shape? How many nuclear reactors will we need on the Moon? And in Q&A+, does studying the Universe have no endgame? Answering all these questions and more in this Q&A show. π [Q&A+] Same video. No YT ads. BONUS question. FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π [Overtime] Even more Q&As: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday 00:00 Start 00:27 [@scottycartercom] My favourite planet and...
Jul 10, 2025β’19 min
Will there be a northern hemisphere version of Vera Rubin? Or maybe we can put one straight in space? Can Vera Rubin detect alien spacecraft if they ever visit? And if it finds planet 9, how fast will we be sending a mission there? And in Q&A+, how many planets will be out there if we reinstate Pluto as one? Answering all these questions and more in this Q&A show. π [Q&A+] Same video. No YT ads. BONUS question. FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π [Overtime] Even more Q&am...
Jul 08, 2025β’18 min
What are the cosmic dark ages and what do we know about them? Why are the so hard to study? How can the Dark Age Explorer help with it and why does it need to go on the far side of the Moon? Finding out in this interview. π [Interview+] Bonus Part. No YT ads. https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π£ Guest: Dr Christiaan Brinkerink https://www.ru.nl/en/externals/services/radboud-radio-lab π The Dark Ages Explorer (DEX): a filled-aperture ultra-long wavelength radio interferometer on the lunar f...
Jul 07, 2025β’59 min
Astronomers have discovered a third interstellar object. NASA missions are getting prepared to be shut down. The most massive white dwarf has been found. And in Space Bites Plus, a capsule containing human remains and cannabis seeds crashes into the ocean. π [Space Bites+] No ADS. BONUS Story. For FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π Vote for the best story here: https://www.youtube.com/@frasercain/community 00:00 Intro 00:19 Third interstellar object https://www.universetoday.com/art...
Jul 04, 2025β’19 min
Which type of planet that's not in the Solar System is the most interesting? Can we detect an interstellar black hole? Should science journalists report about non-conventional science theories? And in our extended Q&A+ version, will the success of Vera Rubin stimulate building a northern hemisphere version of it? π [Q&A+] Same video. No YT ads. BONUS question. FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π [Overtime] Even more Q&As: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday 00:00 Start ...
Jul 03, 2025β’21 min
Did the recent streak of Starship failures change my confidence is SpaceX's future success? How can we measure the rotation of gas giant planets? Is there a chance Voyagers can make another Pale Blue Dot image? And in our Q&A+ extended version, do we have a moral obligation to spread life in the Universe? π [Q&A+] Same video. No YT ads. BONUS question. FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π [Overtime] Even more Q&As: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday 00:00 Start 00:28 [T...
Jul 02, 2025β’18 min
The first pictures from Rubin are finally here, construction begins on the LISA mission, Webb directly images a Saturn-sized exoplanet, and do pulsar have mountains? And in Space Bites+, a fast radio burst is coming from inside the Solar System. π [Space Bites+] No ADS. BONUS Story. For FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π Vote for the best story here: https://www.youtube.com/@frasercain/community 00:00 Intro 00:22 Vera Rubin Observatory is ONLINE https://www.universetoday.com/article...
Jun 27, 2025β’26 min
Does terraforming a tidally-locked planet make any sense? Are the images we got of our galaxy's supermassive black hole fake? Can we observe gravitational waves that came before the CMB? And in Q&A+ who is currently working on space elevators? Answering all these questions and more in this Q&A show. π [Q&A+] Same video. No YT ads. BONUS question. FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π [Overtime] Even more Q&As: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday 00:00 Start 00:31 [Pos...
Jun 26, 2025β’21 min
Why doesn't NASA remove the artefacts from JWST images? How would TRAPPIST-1 planets look from their surface? Why don't they just form space telescope lenses from liquid glass in space? And in Q&A+ what shape does the solar gravitational lens look like? Answering all these questions and more in this Q&A show. π [Q&A+] Same video. No YT ads. BONUS question. FREE: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π [Overtime] Even more Q&As: https://www.patreon.com/universetoday 00:00 Start ...
Jun 24, 2025β’16 min
Solar power has its limits. Some space missions will need an alternative source of power like RTGs. How can we make them better? Which fuel is optimal for them and why? How to convert heat into electricity? Finding out in this interview. π [Interview+] Bonus Part. No YT ads. https://www.patreon.com/universetoday π£ Guest: Tyler Bernstein https://www.zenopower.com/ 00:00 Intro 01:48 What is an RTG? 05:43 Different isotopes 19:25 Possible missions 28:07 Stirling engines 33:48 Current obsessions 4...
Jun 23, 2025β’45 min