Moon

Scientists say a giant impact knocked off the raw ingredients for the moon off the primitive molten Earth and into orbit.

Related Topics: Earth, Apollo Program, Moon Phases 

Latest Updates

a roughly cube-shaped spacecraft covered in solar panels descends to the surface of the moon

Japan's SLIM 'moon sniper' spacecraft leaves Earth orbit

By Mike Wall published

Japan's SLIM lunar lander has left Earth orbit and headed toward the moon, which it will reach on Wednesday (Oct. 4) if all goes according to plan.

Illustration of NASA astronauts at the lunar south pole.

The Space Force should safeguard US interests on the moon (op-ed)

By Rick Tumlinson published

While the Pentagon sees the Space Force as a tool to fight the last war here on Earth, its leaders must prepare for its real role in space, on the moon and beyond.

an orange circular outline indicates the close proximity of jupiter and the moon in the sky, near uranus and aries october 1

See Jupiter meet up with a bright moon in the night sky tonight

By Joe Rao published

Skywatchers who are out during the evening hours on Sunday will almost certainly be attracted toward the eastern sky, where the two brightest visible objects at that hour will be readily evident.

A full moon is seen rising between industrial metal railings ang guards.

Brilliant Harvest Moon, the last supermoon of 2023, wows stargazers around the world (photos)

By Josh Dinner published

The final supermoon of the year, the Harvest Moon of September, gave skywatchers the final lunar thrill of the season.

a cube-shaped lander on the moon

Japan's ispace nabs $55 million NASA moon landing deal, slips 3rd lunar launch to 2026

By Brett Tingley published

Tokyo-based ispace has opened a U.S. headquarters in order to help the company develop and launch robotic landers to the moon on behalf of NASA and other customers.

a rover with solar panel mast rolls off a lander on the lunar surface. earth can be seen in the sky in the background.

Japan and India plan 2025 moon mission to hunt for water near the lunar south pole

By Andrew Jones published

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Is making progress on its rover for a joint mission with India to the south pole of the moon.

This artist’s rendering shows LuSEE-Night atop the Blue Ghost spacecraft scheduled to deliver the experiment to the far side of the moon.

Radio telescope will launch to moon's far side in 2025 to hunt for the cosmic Dark Ages

By Keith Cooper published

The Dark Ages are the period of time between the Big Bang and the birth of stars and galaxies.

black and white photo of earth against the blackness of space

Japan's 'moon sniper' probe snaps photo of Earth from orbit

By Andrew Jones published

Japan's SLIM lunar lander has sent back an eerie image of Earth as a test of the camera it will use to help it land accurately on the moon a few months from now.

The Full Harvest Moon is seen behind the silhouette of a television antenna in Marseille, France on Sept. 11, 2022.

Harvest moon 2023, the last supermoon of the year, kicks off fall stargazing on Sept. 29

By Joe Rao published

The last supermoon of 2023 will illuminate the autumn sky on Friday.

a golden rocket stage and its four black engines are seen in a horizontal position inside a large warehouse-like facility.

Artemis 2 moon rocket now has all 4 powerful engines on board (photo)

By Elizabeth Howell published

The Artemis 2 moon rocket's core stage now has all four of its RS-25 engines mounted in place. It's a big milestone for the mission as it sails toward a launch in late 2024.

The Artemis 2 moon crew during a launch simulation at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Sept. 20, 2023. They stand on the crew access arm at Launch 39B, which will one day bring them to the waiting Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. From left: NASA astronaut and pilot Victor Glover, Canadian Space Agency astronaut and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, NASA astronaut and mission specialist Christina Koch, and NASA astronaut and commander Reid Wiseman.

Artemis moon program will prioritize ethics, good of society, NASA says

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA's Artemis program will include consideration of 'ethical and societal matters' as the agency aims for the first human moon landings in 50 years, a new report pledges.

a large orange moon hovers over a distant castle built wide across the top of a hill or small mountain.

See the Super 'Blue' Moon of 2023 rise over a castle in this epic photo and time-lapse video

By Miguel Claro published

A single shot shows a Super Full “Blue” Moon which don’t have nothing of blue, rising above Monsaraz castle at Dark Sky® Alqueva, in Portugal.

the full moon rises above a lighthouse

Last supermoon of 2023 rises tonight. Don't miss the Harvest Moon shine with 3 bright planets

By Robert Lea last updated

This year's final supermoon, September's Harvest Full Moon, rises on Friday, Sept. 29, bringing a summer of supermoons to a close and joined by a planetary parade of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury.

a lander on the lunar surface

India tries waking up Chandrayaan-3 moon lander, without success (so far)

By Tereza Pultarova published

The Indian Space Research Organization began attempts to wake the Chandrayaan-3 moon lander and rover from hibernation after the two-week frosty lunar night.

A futuristic nuclear reactor made on glass and metal on the moon with Earth in the background.

New poppy seed-sized fuel pellets could power nuclear reactors on the moon

By Harry Baker published

Scientists have developed a nuclear fuel source no larger than a seed, which NASA will test for use in future moon missions.

a man in a helmetless spacesuit stares into the camera. he is in a white room.

Tom Hanks would clean toilets for a chance to go to space: report

By Elizabeth Howell published

Actor Tom Hanks, the star of Apollo 13, says he'd love to visit space for real. He said he'd be glad to clean toilets and serve food to help the rest of the crew.

four people in rugged outdoor gear walk beside a remote lake in the canadian wilderness

See Artemis 2 astronauts explore moon-like crater in Canada (photos)

By Elizabeth Howell published

Artemis 2 moon astronauts went to Canada for a geology trip to a crater, similar to what they will see on their lunar trip in 2024. Joining them were other astronauts and top geology experts.

NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission crew teaser with four astronauts in spacesuits.

NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission: Live updates

By Tariq Malik, Elizabeth Howell published

NASA's Artemis 2 mission is returning astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1972. See live mission updates here.

four humans walking on Earth with orange spacesuits. another background human wears black.

Artemis 2 astronaut crew suits up for moon launch dress rehearsal (photos, video)

By Elizabeth Howell published

The Artemis 2 crew did a launch day simulation on Sept. 20 for their 2024 moon mission. Seven key ground tests are planned by NASA in the coming months.

a grey and black shadowed surface covered in craters

Water ice on the moon may be key for future space missions. But is there enough?

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

There may be less water ice trapped in the permanently shadowed regions on the moon than previously thought.