E274 - Swift Telescope's Fate, A 'Mega-Earth' Discovery & The Black Eye Galaxy

Welcome to another episode of Kalam Astro — your go-to show for the latest in space exploration and astronomy!

We open today's episode with a bittersweet moment in the world of space science — a private mission to save NASA's Swift Space Telescope has unfortunately failed. Swift has spent over two decades faithfully scanning the sky for gamma-ray bursts and other high-energy cosmic phenomena, becoming one of NASA's most productive and beloved observatories. We reflect on the telescope's incredible legacy, what this failed rescue attempt means for its future, and what comes next for the science it made...