Why NASA Wants a Lunar Time Zone Ever wondered what time it is on the Moon? With lunar missions ramping up, this question is no longer just sci-fi curiosity. The U.S. government is pushing forward a bold plan to create a Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC)—a critical step in managing future moon missions and potential colonization. … Read more
Moon’s Hidden Magma Ocean? Artemis May Unlock the Truth. Could ancient lava deep within the Moon reveal secrets of Earth’s birth? The Moon’s far side may be holding onto a secret buried for billions of years — a massive crater containing remnants of an ancient lunar magma ocean. With NASA’s Artemis missions set to return … Read more
It is rare when we highlight a celestial event (or events) that involves the zodiacal constellation of Cancer the Crab. In Greek mythology, Cancer was summoned to distract Hercules when he was battling the multiheaded Hydra the Serpent. The crab was crushed by Hercules’ foot, but to reward his effort Hera placed it among the … Read more
When the moon falls into Earth’s shadow Thursday night into Friday (March 13-14), observers will be treated to views of a “blood moon” total lunar eclipse. But given that lunar spacecraft are solar-powered, how do they survive when they’re cut off from the sun? For NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), which has been orbiting the … Read more
The Athena lander toppled over in the shadow of a crater around 820 feet (200 meters) from its intended landing site. Credit: Intuitive Machines Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 mission has ended after its lunar lander, Athena, apparently toppled over as it touched down and came to rest on its side yesterday in a shadowed crater, the … Read more
The moon enters its new phase for February 2025 tonight, leaving the skies nice and dark for observing the many bright planets currently visible in the night sky. The new moon occurs Feb. 27, at 7:45 p.m. EST (0045 GMT Feb. 28), in New York, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory. Tomorrow (Feb. 28), the … Read more
A total lunar eclipse will occur on March 13-14, 2025 — the first on Earth since 2022 — but only the night side of the planet will get to see it. During this global event, which will occur at the same time across the world, the lunar surface will turn reddish for 65 minutes — … Read more
Newly released photos of the next spacecraft to launch to the moon have revealed a detail that the U.S. company behind it really hopes will soon never be seen again. Intuitive Machines on Thursday (Feb. 20) shared images of its second Nova-C lunar lander, “Athena,” as it was being encapsulated within a protective fairing for … Read more
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The private Athena lunar lander is on its way to the moon. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off shortly after sunset this evening (Feb. 26), carrying Athena and NASA’s ride-along Lunar Trailblazer orbiter aloft against a darkening sky here at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Athena — which was built … Read more
Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 lunar lander – which is already circling the moon – will touch down on the lunar surface on Sunday, March 2! But before that EarthSky will get an exclusive insider look at the mission and the lander. At 12:15 p.m. CST (18:15 UTC) on Thursday, February 27, Firefly’s future … Read more