News

Spring Skies Bring Cosmic Wonders: Best Astroshots of the Week [26 Feb-6 Mar]

Celebrate the arrival of spring with stunning astroshots: from the Pleiades and Seagull Nebula to lunar eclipses and the Worm Moon, captured by photographers worldwide. The post Spring Skies Bring Cosmic Wonders: Best Astroshots of the Week [26 Feb-6 Mar] appeared first on Orbital Today.

With Gateway likely gone, where will lunar landers rendezvous with Orion?

Did Earth life actually begin on Mars? Asteroid impacts could let microbes planet-hop, study suggests

NASA rules out asteroid smashup on the moon in 2032

Here's one less thing to worry about—or to look forward to: NASA has ruled out any chance that an asteroid called 2024 YR4 will hit the moon in 2032. Last year, the uncertainty surrounding the space rock's orbital path held out a slight chance of impact, but fresh observations from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope confirm that it'll be a miss.

Asteroid 2024 YR4 won't smack Moon in 2032, boffins confirm

<h4>Humanity and its neighbor safe from this menace at least</h4> <p>Scientists have ruled out the possibility that the near-Earth asteroid 2024 YR4 might hit the Moon on December 22, 2032.…</p> <p><!--#include virtual='/data_centre/_whitepaper_textlinks_top.html' --></p>

The 4.6-Billion-Year-Old Tape Recorder Hidden Inside Asteroid Dust

Asteroids are critical to unlock our understanding of the early solar system. These chunks of rock and dust were around at the very beginning, and they haven’t been as modified by planetary formation processes as, say, Earth has been. So scientists were really excited to get ahold of samples from Ryugu when they were returned by Hayabusa-2 a few years ago. However, when they started analyzing the magnetic properties of those samples, different research groups came up with different answers. Theo

2026 Full Moon calendar: When to see the Full Moon and phases

The phenomenon of a Full Moon arises when our planet, Earth, is precisely sandwiched between the Sun and the Moon. This alignment ensures the entire side of the Moon that faces us gleams under sunlight. Thanks to the Moon’s orbit around Earth, the angle of sunlight hitting the lunar surface and being reflected back toContinue reading "2026 Full Moon calendar: When to see the Full Moon and phases" The post 2026 Full Moon calendar: When to see the Full Moon and phases appeared first on Astronomy M

China designates space sector an "emerging pillar industry," sets deep space ambitions in new economic blueprint

China has designated aerospace to be an “emerging pillar industry” in a draft national economic plan, also setting major objectives for the five years ahead. The post China designates space sector an “emerging pillar industry,” sets deep space ambitions in new economic blueprint appeared first on SpaceNews.

With lunar missions looming, scientists grow chickpeas in 'moon dirt'

The development marks a step toward enabling astronauts on long-term moon missions to produce their own food.

NASA rules out chance of lunar asteroid impact in 2032

NASA on Thursday walked back a prediction that an asteroid had a "small, but notable" chance of impacting Earth or the moon in 2032 based on newly analyzed data.

Notorious asteroid 2024 YR4 won't crash into the moon after all

Earthlings aren't the only ones safe from a city-wrecking-size asteroid. Future lunar inhabitants won't have to worry about a strike in 2032 either

NASA updates odds that 'city killer' asteroid 2024 YR4 will hit the moon

Phew! NASA Rules Out Asteroid Smashup on the Moon in 2032

Here’s one less thing to worry about — or to look forward to: NASA has ruled out any chance that an asteroid called 2024 YR4 will hit the moon in 2032.

The Race to Mine the Moon Is On—And It Urgently Needs Some Clear International Rules

Binding international agreements—particularly between the great space powers—which emphasise principles of stewardship, clarify access rights, and support common benefits from lunar development would ensure the Moon becomes a proving ground for the equitable and sustainable development of space.

Good news for the moon: Famous asteroid 2024 YR4 won't smash into it in 2032

Life on Mars could reach Earth by riding asteroid impact debris, new study suggests

New insights into a tiny, tough microbe have huge implications for the search for life beyond Earth

Making hummus on the moon? Scientists just grew chickpeas in simulated lunar dirt

Could Life on Earth Have Descended From Microbes That Traveled From Mars Long Ago?

Scientists demonstrated that an Earthly extremophile might withstand being ejected from the Red Planet on debris spewed into space due to an asteroid strike

Total Lunar Eclipse

The Moon appears red during a total lunar eclipse over New Orleans, home of NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility, on March 3, 2026. This “blood moon” occurs during a total lunar eclipse, as Earth lines up between the Moon and the Sun. When this happens, the only light that reaches the Moon’s surface is from the edges […]

Chickpeas can grow in moon dirt and make seeds

Chickpeas produced seeds in simulated lunar soil, offering clues for future space farming.