About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of asteroid collisions on Earth, discoveries in meteorites, and recent cuts to astronomy funding in Australia.

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 86 The asteroid collision that changed life on Earth forever Astronomers have linked a massive collision in the main asteroid belt to a huge meteor bombardment in the inner solar system that may have changed life on Earth. Alien chemistry discovered in meteorite that hit New Jersey home Scientists have discovered high concentrations of salt in briny fluids that could potentially create molecules crucial to life in a meteorite that slammed into a New Jersey home in 2024. The Albanese Government’s cuts funding for astronomy research The Australian Academy of Science has condemned the Albanese Labor Government’s decision to withdraw from its association with the European Southern Observatory calling it short-sighted and warning the move will inflict lasting damage to a research and development system already facing deep structural underinvestment. The Science Report Studies show people with serious heart attacks have higher levels of micro-plastics in their blood. Warnings ChatGPT is making psychotic symptoms worse by echoing or encouraging unusual ideas. Claims koalas that once lived in Western Australia were a different species from those in the East. A…

People in this episode

Host: Stuart Gary

Guests: Katy Stack Morgan, Ken Farley

Topics covered

• asteroid impacts
• alien chemistry
• meteorites
• astronomy research
• Mars exploration
• environmental science

Keywords

• asteroid collision
• meteorite
• alien chemistry
• Mars Perseverance Rover
• astronomy funding
• micro-plastics
• koalas
• psychotic symptoms

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Albanese Government, Australian Academy of Science, European Southern Observatory

Places: New Jersey

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• Cosmic Discoveries: Japan's Asteroid Encounter and the Life Potential of Europa · July 15, 2026 · 28 min
• Earth's Ancient Impact Revealed: Dating the Oldest Crater and China's Cosmic Quest · July 13, 2026 · 31 min
• Mars to Earth: China's Ambitious Sample Return Mission and Cosmic Anomalies · July 9, 2026 · 19 min
• How a Passing Star Redirected Comets and Redefined Our Milky Way Map · July 8, 2026 · 24 min
• The Big Freeze: Exploring Asteroid Impacts and the Mysteries of Uranus and Neptune · July 6, 2026 · 25 min

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