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NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Captures Rare 225-Meter Crater Formation on Moon

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Captures Rare 225-Meter Crater Formation on Moon

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has captured images of a newly formed crater on the Moon, measuring 225 meters across. This crater, formed by a high-speed space rock impact, is significantly larger than any previously recorded during the mission, with the largest prior crater being only 70 meters across. The impact, which occurred in late spring 2024, is considered a rare event, expected to happen only once every 139 years on any given lunar surface area. The crater is funnel-shaped, 43 meters deep, and surrounded by large blocks of ejected rock. The impactor's direction was inferred from the debris distribution, indicating it arrived from the south-southwest. Inside the crater, areas of dark material, likely glassy rock, were found, formed by the intense heat of the impact.

NASA Scientist Discovers New Meteor Shower from Sun-Baked Asteroid

NASA Scientist Discovers New Meteor Shower from Sun-Baked Asteroid

A NASA postdoctoral fellow in planetary sciences has discovered a new meteor shower originating from an asteroid that is disintegrating due to intense solar heat. The discovery was made by analyzing millions of meteor observations from all-sky camera networks across Canada, Japan, California, and Europe. The study, published in March 2026, identified a cluster of 282 meteors linked to an asteroid that orbits extremely close to the sun. This proximity causes the asteroid's surface to crack and release gases, leading to its gradual disintegration. The meteors from this cluster are moderately fragile, indicating that the intense solar heat is a significant factor in their formation. This discovery provides insights into the physical evolution of asteroids and comets in the solar system and highlights the potential for meteor observations to reveal hidden populations of near-Earth asteroids.

Artemis II Crew Reflects on Emotional 'Earthset' Experience

Artemis II Crew Reflects on Emotional 'Earthset' Experience

The crew of NASA's Artemis II mission shared their emotional experience of witnessing an 'Earthset' as they orbited the moon. This event marked the first mission around the moon since 1972, and the crew captured a striking image of Earth slipping behind the moon's limb. The moment was described as both awe-inspiring and humbling, as the crew experienced a 31-minute communications blackout with Mission Control. The image and the experience drew comparisons to the iconic Earthrise photo from the Apollo 8 mission, highlighting the fragility and beauty of Earth.

Asteroid Apophis to Make Close Flyby of Earth in 2029, Offering Unique Observation Opportunity

Asteroid Apophis to Make Close Flyby of Earth in 2029, Offering Unique Observation Opportunity

On April 13, 2029, the near-Earth asteroid 99942 Apophis will make an exceptionally close approach to Earth, passing closer than many satellites at a distance of approximately 20,000 miles. This event is significant as it will be visible to the naked eye from certain locations, primarily in Europe, Africa, and western Asia. Discovered in 2004, Apophis initially raised concerns due to potential collision risks, but further observations have ruled out any impact threat for at least the next century. The asteroid, named after the Ancient Egyptian deity of chaos, will provide scientists with a rare opportunity to study its interaction with Earth's gravity, which may alter its rotation and surface characteristics.

Canadian Astronaut Jeremy Hansen and Artemis II Crew Celebrate Successful Mission Return in Houston

Canadian Astronaut Jeremy Hansen and Artemis II Crew Celebrate Successful Mission Return in Houston

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen and his crew members were warmly welcomed back in Houston after successfully completing the Artemis II mission, which included a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. The crew, consisting of Hansen, Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Victor Glover, received a standing ovation at Houston's Ellington Field. The mission marked a significant achievement, surpassing the Apollo 13 record for the farthest crewed space flight from Earth and providing unprecedented observations of the lunar surface. Hansen expressed gratitude towards his family, NASA, and the Canadian Space Agency, highlighting the crew's commitment and the historic nature of their lunar fly-around. The event was attended by NASA officials and Canadian Space Agency president Lisa Campbell, who praised the crew's representation of Canadian values.

Artemis II Crew Faces Technical Glitches and Toilet Malfunction After Launch

Artemis II Crew Faces Technical Glitches and Toilet Malfunction After Launch

The Artemis II mission, which recently launched with a four-person crew consisting of three Americans and one Canadian, encountered technical difficulties shortly after takeoff. The crew reported issues with the shuttle's Microsoft Outlook system, which disrupted their early tasks. Mission commander Reid Wiseman communicated the problem to mission control, noting that two Microsoft Outlook systems were not functioning. The mission control team attempted to resolve the issue remotely using the shuttle's personal computing devices (PCDs). In addition to the software glitch, the crew faced a malfunction with the high-tech lunar toilet, specifically a jammed fan. NASA spokesperson Gary Jordan stated that ground teams were working on instructions to fix the toilet, which remains partially operational for solid waste but not for liquid waste. The mission, which involves orbiting the Moon and Earth over ten days, continues despite these setbacks.

NASA Artemis II Mission Completes Historic Lunar Flyby and Splashdown

NASA Artemis II Mission Completes Historic Lunar Flyby and Splashdown

NASA's Artemis II mission successfully concluded with the Orion spacecraft's splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026. The mission marked a significant milestone in modern spaceflight, as the crew traveled farther from Earth than any humans since the Apollo era, conducting a seven-hour pass over the Moon's far side. The mission did not include a lunar landing but served as a technical bridge toward future Artemis missions, including Artemis III. The Orion spacecraft demonstrated its heatshield performance during re-entry, confirming the reliability of deep-space navigation systems.

Artemis II Crew Completes Record-Breaking Lunar Voyage

Artemis II Crew Completes Record-Breaking Lunar Voyage

The Artemis II mission has concluded with the successful return of its crew after a 10-day journey around the Moon. The mission, which involved a lunar flyby, marked the farthest distance humans have traveled from Earth, surpassing the record set by Apollo 13. The crew, consisting of Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego. The mission demonstrated the capabilities of the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System (SLS), proving their readiness for future deep-space missions.

NASA Prepares for Artemis III Following Successful Artemis II Mission

NASA Prepares for Artemis III Following Successful Artemis II Mission

NASA is shifting its focus to the Artemis III mission after the successful completion of Artemis II. The Orion capsule, which was launched on April 1 with a four-person crew, completed a 10-day mission around the Moon, reaching a distance of over 406,770 km from Earth at its farthest point. The capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, and the crew was transported to the USS John P Murtha for medical assessment. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman highlighted the risks accepted by the crew in service of future lunar exploration. Artemis III aims to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between the Orion capsule and commercial lander spacecraft, developed by SpaceX or Blue Origin, necessary for landing astronauts on the Moon. Specific details about Artemis III will be disclosed closer to its 2027 launch date.

Artemis II Crew Reflects on Historic Lunar Mission Upon Return to Earth

Artemis II Crew Reflects on Historic Lunar Mission Upon Return to Earth

The Artemis II crew, consisting of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, returned to Earth after a successful 10-day mission around the moon. The mission marked a significant milestone in space exploration, with the crew traveling further into space than any humans before. Upon their return, the astronauts shared their experiences and the emotional impact of their journey, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and the shared human experience. The mission serves as a precursor to future lunar explorations.

Artemis II Crew Completes 10-Day Space Mission, Faces Office Job Comparison

Artemis II Crew Completes 10-Day Space Mission, Faces Office Job Comparison

The Artemis II crew, consisting of Commander Reid Wiseman, mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, and pilot Victor Glover, successfully completed a 10-day mission in space. The crew spent their time in a capsule described as 'not much bigger than a family tent,' testing their endurance and teamwork in confined quarters. The experience is compared to the challenges of working in an office environment, where individuals must navigate complex interpersonal dynamics. The article humorously contrasts the crew's space mission with the author's first office job, highlighting the difficulties of maintaining professional relationships in both settings.

NASA's Artemis 2 Crew Witnesses Rare Solar Eclipse from Beyond the Moon

NASA's Artemis 2 Crew Witnesses Rare Solar Eclipse from Beyond the Moon

During the Artemis 2 mission, astronauts aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft experienced a rare solar eclipse from deep space. The crew, consisting of commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, observed the moon fully obscuring the sun during their far-side lunar flyby. This event provided a unique opportunity to study the solar corona, the sun's outer atmosphere, which was visible as a bright halo. The eclipse lasted about 53 minutes, allowing for extended observation of the corona and background stars. The footage was captured using Orion's solar array wing cameras, offering a high-contrast view unaffected by Earth's atmosphere.