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

satellite flying above the moon with earth far in the background

NASA's tiny CAPSTONE probe still struggling en route to the moon

By Elizabeth Howell published

The little CAPSTONE spacecraft is stable, but engineers haven't yet regained full control as it flies towards the moon.

The simulation screenshot shows a stream of ejected material created by a giant impact coalesces into the body that would become the moon.

Massive space rock impact could have 'instantly' created the moon

By Robert Lea published

New research suggests that a giant space rock impact may have created the Earth's most loyal companion much more rapidly than previously thought.

Graphic ilustration from Starry night software showing the moon and saturn close together in the night sky with a green circle surrounding them to demonstrate the observable field of view through a pair of binoculars.

See the moon and Saturn close together in the night sky tonight (Oct. 5)

By Stefanie Waldek published

Across the United States, the moon and Saturn will appear to be close neighbors for a good portion of the night.

The Mars Sample Fetch rover developed by European space giant Airbus during tests in a quarry near London.

Scrapped Mars 'fetch rover' may have a future on the moon

By Tereza Pultarova published

Airbus has been testing its Mars Sample Fetch rover in simulated Martian terrain in a quarry near London, hoping the technology will get a second chance on a future moon mission.

The moon phases of October 2022 and their dates.

What is the moon phase today? Lunar phases 2022

By Tariq Malik published

Reference See the phase of the moon tonight and the rest of the moon phases for 2022, and when you can see them.

half lit moon

See the moon appear half-lit during its closest first quarter phase tonight (Oct. 2)

By Robert Lea published

Skywatchers can see the moon half illuminated by the sun at the start of October during the closest first quarter moon of 2022.

NASA's Jupiter-exploring spacecraft Juno made a close pass at the giant planet's ice-covered moon Europa on Sept. 29. 2022.

Space photos: The most amazing images this week!

By Doris Elin Urrutia published

An astrophotographer takes an epic composite image of Jupiter, NASA slams a spacecraft into an asteroid, and Hurricane Ian is monitored from space. These are some of this week's top stories.

A time-lapse view of the asteroid Dimorphos getting bigger as the DART spacecraft hit it.

The top space stories of the week!

By Doris Elin Urrutia published

NASA slams into an asteroid, astronomers analyze ancient mega-supernovas and an astronaut watches Hurricane Ian from space. These are some of this week's top stories.

silhouette of a person looking through a telescope at the moon in the sky.

International Observe the Moon Night 2022: Don't miss these livestreams and events tonight! (Oct. 1)

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

Celebrate "International Observe the Moon Night" 2022 on Saturday (Oct. 1) virtually with livestreams or in person at an event near you.

NASA's Artemis 1 rocket arrives at Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building on Sept. 27, 2022 to shelter from Hurricane Ian.

Hurricane Ian pushes Artemis 1 moon launch to mid-November

By Mike Wall published

NASA will now work toward getting Artemis 1 on its way to the moon between Nov. 12 and November 27.

Illustration showing the moon above antares in the night sky.

See the crescent moon shine above the red star Antares tonight (Sept. 30)

By Robert Lea published

The brightest star in the constellation of Scorpius, Antares will appear below the moon on Friday evening.

a rock against a space background with Earth and moon in background

Evidence of dinosaur-killing asteroid impact found on the moon

By Robert Lea published

Lunar glass reveals that large meteorite strikes on Earth, like the impact that killed the dinosaurs, were not isolated events.

Phases of a lunar eclipse showing the moon turn progressively red.

Lunar eclipses 2022: When, where & how to see them

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

Reference There are two lunar eclipses in 2022. Our guide tells you how you can see them and when the next lunar eclipses will occur

Lunar eclipses don't require any specialist equipment to view. Here a series of moon phase images arranged in a horizontal line show the progression of a lunar eclipse.

What are lunar eclipses and how do they occur?

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

Reference Lunar eclipses occur when Earth blocks the sun and casts a shadow over the surface of the moon. We explore the different types of lunar eclipses here.

NASA's Artemis 1 moon rocket nears Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building on Sept. 27, 2022 after rolling off Launch Pad 39B to ride out Hurricane Ian.

Small fire breaks out at Artemis 1 moon rocket's hurricane shelter

By Mike Wall published

NASA's Artemis 1 moon rocket left its launch pad for safety's sake last night (Sept. 26), only to encounter a bit of drama shortly after arriving at its designated shelter site.

red robot with a rock at the left, on a simulated plain of regolith

Moon's best friend: Robot dogs could be future lunar explorers

By Elizabeth Howell published

Future lunar robots could fetch incredible science by borrowing from thousands of years of dog evolution. These companions can dig, jump and flip items over on the moon.

artemis 1 rocket to the right of the big vehicle assembly building at nasa

Listen live today as NASA discusses Artemis 1 moon rocket's hurricane rollback

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA officials will be discussing the rollback of Artemis 1 Tuesday (Sept. 27) to shelter from Hurricane Ian. The livestream starts at 2 p.m. EDT.

An illustration of the moon as seen from orbit above Mars

NASA maps objectives to guide 'moon to Mars' space exploration

By Andrew Jones published

NASA is working on a blueprint to guide space exploration and infrastructure for the moon, Mars and to destinations across our solar system.

NASA's Artemis 1 moon rocket rolls off the Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sept. 26, 2022, to take shelter from Hurricane Ian.

NASA rolls Artemis 1 moon rocket off the launch pad to shelter from Hurricane Ian

By Mike Wall published

Artemis 1 departed for Kennedy Space Center's huge Vehicle Assembly Building, where it will be safe from Hurricane Ian, should the storm's lash fall on Florida's Atlantic coast.

The Artemis 1 rocket on the launch pad on Aug. 29, 2022.

Artemis 1 will roll off launch pad to ride out Hurricane Ian

By Elizabeth Howell published

Artemis 1 will begin rolling back from the launch pad on Monday (Aug. 26) to seek out shelter in NASA's nearby Vehicle Assembly Building in Florida.