55: New mysteries surround New Horizons next flyby target

Thank you to our growing Patreon group. Your support is very much appreciated. You can help support SpaceTime too, by becoming a patron...and we have rewards for you. Do your bit to keep Stuart fed and housed... details at our Patreon page... https://www.patreon.com/spacetimewithstuartgary Stream episodes on demand from www.bitesz.com (mobile friendly) *New mysteries surround New Horizons next flyby target NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft won’t be reaching its next target until January first 2019 – but the Kuiper Belt object, 2014 MU69, is already revealing some surprises. New data indicates MU69 may actually be less than 20 kilometres wide. Furthermore it may actually be a binary system or even a swarm of smaller bodies left from the time when the planets first formed. *First ever supermassive black hole binary discovered Astronomers have for the first time ever discovered two supermassive black holes orbiting each other in a single galaxy. The detection provides new clues about the process of galaxy mergers and galactic evolution. *Earth's magnetic field reveals one of its secrets Scientists have identified previously unknown patterns in the Earth's magnetic field which seems to evolve over time scales on the order of a thousand years. The pattern -- known as paleomagnetic secular variation -- provides new insights into how the planetary magnetic field works by adding a measure of predictability to changes in the field not previously known. *Russia’s busy launch schedule Russia has been making up for lost time – and missions – since last year’s grounding of its Proton Rocket with no less than six launches in recent months. Included in the manifest was a Soyuz flight carrying crew to the International Space Station and the launch of a top secret Russian military satellite. Here are the videos for the Soyuz launch story… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdS7xrP6xG8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8ykwb0X0m0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB4cbr9M5aE Subscribe, rate and review SpaceTime at all good podcasting apps…including iTunes, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pocketcasts, Podbean, Radio Public, Tunein Radio, google play, etc. Help support SpaceTime : The SpaceTime with Stuart Gary merchandise shop. Get your T-Shirts, Coffee Cups, badges, tote bag + more and help support the show. Check out the range: http://www.cafepress.com/spacetime Thank you. Plus: As a part of the SpaceTime family, you can get a free audio book of your choice, plus 30 days free access from audible.com. Just visit www.audibletrial.com/spacetime or click on the banner link at www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com Email: [email protected] Join our mailing list at http://www.bitesz.com/join-our-mailing-list #astronomy #space #science #technology #news #astrophysics #NASA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-with-stuart-gary--2458531/support.