**Hosts:** Steve Dunkley and AI Assistant Hallie
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**Episode Summary:**
Join Steve Dunkley and his trusty AI sidekick Hallie for a stormy edition of Astronomy Daily. As the summer thunder rumbles, our hosts navigate through a cosmic tempest of space news on this 19th February 2024 episode. From the cutting-edge IM1 mission to the moon to the latest on asteroid defense and the dark universe exploration by Euclid, there's no shortage of stellar stories to electrify your day. Plus, Steve shares his thoughts on why he's not quite ready to sign up for a simulated Mars mission, even as NASA seeks volunteers for an out-of-this-world experience.
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**Featured Topics:**
1. **IM1 Mission to the Moon:** Steve and Hallie discuss the recent launch of Intuitive Machines' first robotic lunar lander and its journey to the moon's surface, highlighting the mission's significance for NASA's Artemis programme.
2. **Asteroid Defense:** An overview of the National Academies' recommendations for planetary defense, featuring NASA's Goldstone solar system radar and the next-generation radar system's potential to protect Earth.
3. **Euclid's Dark Universe Survey:** Insights into the Euclid spacecraft's six-year mission to map the dark universe, its groundbreaking technology, and the tantalizing mysteries it may unravel about dark matter and dark energy.
4. **Simulated Mars Mission:** A call for adventure as NASA seeks applicants for its CHAPEA analogue missions, offering a glimpse into the preparation for human exploration of the Red Planet.
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**Notable Quotes:**
- "Australia is a weird place... lightning and thunder in the middle of summer. But in space, it's always clear skies, right Hallie?" - Steve Dunkley
- "Rocks in the sky, end of civilization as we know it – asteroids sure know how to keep things interesting." - Hallie
- "I'm a dedicated groundhog... You'd have a hard time getting me in a tall elevator these days, let alone a Mars habitat simulation." - Steve Dunkley
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**Additional Information:**
Don't forget to subscribe to the Astronomy Daily newsletter for daily updates on all things cosmic. Visit bitesz.com or spacenuts.io to stay informed and explore the vast universe of Astronomy Daily episodes and the parent podcast, Space Nuts, with Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson.
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**Next Episode Preview:**
Tune in next week for another episode packed with celestial happenings and interstellar insights. Steve and Hallie will be back to guide you through the latest developments in space exploration and the ever-expanding knowledge of our universe.
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**Closing Remarks:**
As we close today's episode with an eye on the tumultuous weather, we're reminded of the calm yet dynamic expanse of space that awaits our exploration. Thank you for joining us on this journey through the cosmos. Until next time, keep your feet on the ground and your eyes on the stars.
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**Host Sign-off:** Steve Dunkley: "Stay safe, unplug when necessary, and always keep looking up!" Hallie: "Farewell, until our paths cross again in the vastness of space.