About this episode

This episode discusses the dating of Earth's oldest impact crater, China's Tianwen-2 spacecraft, and various scientific reports including a new HIV vaccine and environmental concerns.

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 83 Earth’s oldest known asteroid impact crater dated in Western Australia Scientists have determined the most precise age yet for the oldest known impact crater on Earth finding it to be some 3.024 billion years old. A Chinese spacecraft has just reached Earth’s second moon China’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft has arrived at a temporary second moon orbiting Earth -- although technically the object is a small near Earth asteroid which is orbiting in sync with the Earth around the Sun. Sea floor spreading seen in action for the first time Scientists studying a seafloor site southwest of Australia have for the first time actually captured how molten rock emerges at boundaries between the Earth’s tectonic plates. The Science Report A new vaccine with the potential to protect people from developing HIV AIDS. Warnings that losing even a small amount of sleep each night could be linked to weight gain. South Australia’s algal bloom found to be the most toxic species of its kind ever studied. China launches a nuclear capable missile across the Pacific in a clear threat to island nations. Skeptics guide to the Westall High School UFO sighting. Our Guests This Week…

People in this episode

Host: Stuart Gary

Guests: Professor Chris Kirkland, Cynthia Phillips, Professor Dorothy Carter

Topics covered

• asteroid impact crater
• China's Tianwen-2 spacecraft
• seafloor spreading
• HIV AIDS vaccine
• sleep and weight gain
• algal bloom toxicity
• nuclear missile threat

Keywords

• impact crater
• Tianwen-2
• seafloor spreading
• HIV vaccine
• algal bloom
• nuclear missile
• UFO sighting

Sponsors

NordVPN

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Curtin University, NASA, Michigan State University, Australian Skeptics

Products: NordVPN

Places: Western Australia, South Australia, Pacific

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• Cosmic Discoveries: Japan's Asteroid Encounter and the Life Potential of Europa · July 15, 2026 · 28 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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