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Amateur Astronomer Discovers Potential Meteorite Crater in Canada

Amateur Astronomer Discovers Potential Meteorite Crater in Canada

An amateur astronomer, Joël Lapointe, has potentially discovered a meteorite impact crater in Quebec's Côte-Nord region, centered on Lake Marsal. Using Google Maps, Lapointe identified unusual terrain and reported it to Impact Earth, a crowdsourcing platform for crater discoveries. Western planetary geologist Gordon Osinski visited the site in 2025 and provisionally confirmed the crater, naming it Uhackatik with approval from the Innu Council of Ekuanitshit. The crater is estimated to be 390 million years old and approximately 15 miles wide. Osinski's expedition revealed 'shock metamorphic effects' in the rocks, indicative of a meteorite impact. The findings, though not yet peer-reviewed, will be presented at the 88th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society in Frankfurt, Germany.

NASA Engineers Uncover Ancient Martian Silica Using Spirit Rover's Failed Wheel

NASA Engineers Uncover Ancient Martian Silica Using Spirit Rover's Failed Wheel

NASA's Spirit rover, which landed on Mars in January 2004, experienced a failure in its right-front wheel in March 2006. Engineers adapted by driving the rover backwards, using the immobile wheel as an excavation tool. This led to the accidental discovery of bright silica deposits near the volcanic plateau called Home Plate in Gusev Crater. The silica, identified as opaline, suggests ancient hydrothermal activity, possibly from hot springs or steam vents. The discovery required extensive follow-up analysis using various instruments, confirming the presence of silica concentrations up to 90% in some areas.

NASA's SSERVI Forum 2026 Focuses on Lunar and Asteroid Exploration

NASA's SSERVI Forum 2026 Focuses on Lunar and Asteroid Exploration

The NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) is hosting the 2026 Exploration Science Forum at the NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley. This annual event, running for three days, brings together experts from the planetary science and human exploration communities to discuss recent research, mission results, and future exploration opportunities. The forum features invited talks, contributed presentations, and interactive poster sessions, with a focus on the Moon, Near-Earth Asteroids, and the Moons of Mars. Virtual participants can access the sessions online, allowing for broader engagement with the scientific community.

Amateur Astronomer Discovers Massive Crater in Quebec, Potential Meteorite Impact Site

Amateur Astronomer Discovers Massive Crater in Quebec, Potential Meteorite Impact Site

An amateur astronomer, Joël Lapointe, discovered a massive crater in Quebec's Côte-Nord region using Google Maps. The crater, centered on Lake Marsal, is suspected to be the result of a meteorite impact. Lapointe reported his findings to Impact Earth, a crowdsourcing platform associated with Canada's Western University. Western planetary geologist Gordon Osinski visited the site in 2025 and provisionally confirmed the crater, which is approximately 15 miles wide and 390 million years old. The discovery is significant as it is one of the largest craters found in recent years. The crater, named Uhackatik, lies within the traditional lands of the Innu Council of Ekuanitshit. Osinski's expedition revealed 'shock metamorphic effects' and 'impact melt rocks,' which are indicative of a meteorite impact. The findings will be presented at the 88th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society in Frankfurt, Germany.

NASA Hosts 2026 Exploration Science Forum to Advance Space Research

NASA Hosts 2026 Exploration Science Forum to Advance Space Research

NASA's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) is hosting the 2026 Exploration Science Forum, an event that brings together experts from the planetary science and human exploration communities. The forum, held at NASA Ames Research Center and virtually, features discussions on the latest research and mission results related to the Moon, Near-Earth Asteroids, and the Moons of Mars. The event includes invited talks, contributed presentations, and interactive poster sessions, providing a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange among scientists and researchers. The forum aims to explore future opportunities for discovery and advance the understanding of our solar system.

International Space Station Conducts Biomedical Research and Crew Swap Operations

International Space Station Conducts Biomedical Research and Crew Swap Operations

The International Space Station (ISS) is currently engaged in a busy schedule of biomedical research and crew swap operations. The Expedition 74 crew is conducting health studies to understand how the human body adapts to long-term spaceflight, with activities including blood pressure measurements, vein scans, and eye checks. Additionally, the crew is preparing for a changeover as three members are set to return to Earth, while new arrivals are acclimating to life aboard the station.

NASA and SpaceX Collaborate to Enhance Artemis III Communications with Starlink Lasers

NASA and SpaceX Collaborate to Enhance Artemis III Communications with Starlink Lasers

NASA is advancing its Artemis III mission by partnering with SpaceX to enhance the Orion spacecraft's communication capabilities. The mission, part of NASA's broader goal to return astronauts to the moon and establish a permanent base, will see the installation of Starlink mini laser terminals on Orion. These terminals will operate on SpaceX's existing Starlink network, significantly boosting data capacity and potentially allowing high-definition live video transmission from orbit. Scheduled for the second half of 2027, Artemis III will serve as a practice run for NASA's Orion capsule to rendezvous and dock with commercial lunar lander vehicles, including SpaceX's Starship and Blue Origin's Blue Moon spacecraft, in low Earth orbit. This mission follows Artemis II, which was the first to carry astronauts around the moon, and utilized laser communications to transmit large data loads.

NASA's Psyche Mission Utilizes Mars Gravity Assist for Speed Boost

NASA's Psyche Mission Utilizes Mars Gravity Assist for Speed Boost

NASA's Psyche spacecraft recently completed a gravity assist maneuver using Mars, which occurred from May 2 to May 15, 2026. This maneuver involved the spacecraft flying by Mars to gain additional speed and adjust its trajectory slightly. The approach allowed the spacecraft to capture images of Mars as a crescent, due to the high phase angle of approach, with sunlight reflecting off the planet's surface. This gravity assist is a critical step in the mission's journey to the metal-rich asteroid Psyche, which the spacecraft is expected to reach in 2029. The flyby also served as a preparatory exercise for the scientific observations that will be conducted upon arrival at the asteroid.

NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Sends Back Stunning Mars Photos During Flyby

NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Sends Back Stunning Mars Photos During Flyby

NASA's Psyche spacecraft, on its mission to the asteroid belt, recently conducted a flyby of Mars, capturing a series of stunning images. The flyby, which occurred on May 15, was part of a gravity assist maneuver to alter the spacecraft's trajectory. During this time, the spacecraft's instruments collected data on Mars' atmosphere and surface, despite not being specifically designed for planetary study. The images, including a time-lapse of the flyby, reveal Mars' atmosphere glowing and provide a unique view of the planet. The mission's imaging team at Arizona State University highlighted the success of the instruments in capturing these rare views.

NASA Seeks Participants for Simulated Moon and Mars Mission to Aid Future Space Exploration

NASA Seeks Participants for Simulated Moon and Mars Mission to Aid Future Space Exploration

NASA is currently recruiting participants for the Moon and Mars Exploration Analog (MMEA), a simulated mission designed to prepare for future space exploration. This program will involve four primary participants and two alternates who will undergo a rigorous selection process similar to that of actual astronauts. The mission will simulate a journey to Mars, including living and working in a confined spacecraft environment for an extended period, without actually leaving Earth. The simulation combines elements from two previous NASA programs: the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) and the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA). HERA focused on testing crew dynamics in a small spacecraft, while CHAPEA involved living in a model Martian habitat. The MMEA will integrate these experiences to simulate a complete mission to Mars, including the return journey.

NASA's Spirit Rover Uncovers Ancient Martian Silica Deposits

NASA's Spirit Rover Uncovers Ancient Martian Silica Deposits

NASA's Spirit rover, which landed on Mars in January 2004, experienced a failure in its right-front wheel in March 2006. Despite this setback, engineers continued to operate the rover by driving it backwards, using the immobile wheel as an unplanned excavation tool. This method led to the accidental discovery of bright silica deposits in the Gusev Crater, suggesting the presence of ancient hydrothermal environments such as hot springs or steam vents. The discovery was made in March 2007 when the wheel exposed unusually bright soil near the volcanic plateau called Home Plate. Subsequent analysis revealed that the soil contained about 90% silica, indicating a significant geological finding that points to past water activity on Mars.

Amateur Astronomer Discovers 390-Million-Year-Old Meteorite Crater in Quebec

Amateur Astronomer Discovers 390-Million-Year-Old Meteorite Crater in Quebec

In late 2023, amateur astronomer Joël Lapointe discovered a circular depression in the landscape of northern Quebec while planning a road trip using Google Maps. Initially skeptical of his find, Lapointe reached out to experts, leading to a French research center's interest in the site. The depression, located about 100 kilometers north of the town of Magpie, was confirmed to be a meteorite impact crater by a team led by Gordon Osinski, a professor of earth sciences at Western University. The crater, named Uhackatik in collaboration with the local Indigenous community, is approximately 25 kilometers in diameter and dates back 390 million years, a time when life on land was just beginning to emerge.