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The Propulsion Module (left) and Exploration and Return Modules (right), which together make up Japan’s Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft, are seen at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane, Kagoshima prefecture on Aug. 13, 2026.

Japan unveils Mars moon sample-return spacecraft ahead of Oct. 19 launch (photos)

By Mike Wall Published

Japan recently gave the world a look at the spacecraft of its MMX mission, which will launch on Oct. 19 to grab pieces of the Mars moon Phobos and haul them back to Earth.

Mars

What is the moon phase today? Lunar phases 2026

By Tariq Malik, Daisy Dobrijevic Last updated

Reference See what moon phase it is tonight and find out when you can see the rest of the moon phases for 2026.

Reference
An illustration of a spacecraft covered in gold foil next to the moon in space

China's Chang'e 7 moon probe will launch this weekend on the most ambitious lunar mission in history

By Leonard David Published

China aims to launch its Chang'e 7 moon mission on Aug. 24 to send a lander, a rover, a hopper and a wide range of science experiments to the lunar south pole.

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The moon

Microbes from Earth may survive on the moon, scientists find

By Charles Q. Choi Published

"Even a bootprint or a rover's tread may create a habitable area."

6 Comments
The moon
a rusty red landscape shows a smattering of craters from a high altitude.

Mars Express orbiter captures detailed new video of the crater where Mark Watney was stranded in 'The Martian'

By Josh Dinner Published

Europe's Mars Express orbiter has captured stunning telemetry to create a new flyover visualization of the Red Planet's Southern Highlands and Schiaparelli Crater in magnificent detail.

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Mars
The Richat Structure as seen from space.

Try not to be hypnotized by the 'Eye of Africa' | Space photo of the day for Aug. 20, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published

This geologic feature has been mesmerizing astronauts since 1965.

Earth
The box in this image highlights two small craters. The lower crater formed on Aug. 5, 2026 when a SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage impacted the moon. The inset shows details of the new crater, enlarged three times. This image was captured by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter on Aug. 11, 2026 as it passed over the site at an altitude of 56 miles (90 kilometers).

A SpaceX rocket slammed into the moon this month — and a NASA spacecraft has spotted its lunar grave (photos)

By Leonard David Published

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has spotted the crater gouged out on the moon by a SpaceX rocket on Aug. 5, finding it to be about 60 feet (18 meters) wide.

The moon
A yellowish sun against a black background is partially obscured by a Martian moon.

Perseverance rover watches alien solar eclipse on Mars | Space photo of the day for Aug. 19, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published

What a view.

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Mars
A volcano emerging from a blanket of smoke.

Wildfire smoke blankets volcanoes across the Pacific Northwest | Space photo of the day for Aug. 17, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published

The wildfires ripping across North America have created massive plumes of smoke.

Earth
A close-up of the Martian moon Phobos.

On this day in space! Aug. 17, 1877: Asaph Hall discovers the Martian moon Phobos

By Hanneke Weitering Published

On this day in space, Aug. 17, 1877: American astronomer Asaph Hall discovered Mars's moon Phobos.

Mars
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