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

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China's Chang'e 5 moon sample-return ascent vehicle lifts off from the lunar surface in this view captured by the lander itself at Mons Rumker in the Ocean of Storms on Dec. 3, 2020.

China's Chang'e 5 probe lifts off from moon carrying lunar samples

By Andrew Jones

China has launched a small spacecraft from the surface of the moon in the critical next step in the ambitious Chang'e 5 mission to bring lunar samples to Earth.

China's Chang'e 5 moon lander snapped this image shortly after touching down on the moon on Dec. 1, 2020.

Amazing panorama shows China's Chang'e 5 landing site on the moon (photos)

By Andrew Jones

China's Chang'e 5 lander has returned its first panorama from its landing site on the moon.

China's Chang'e 5 moon lander captures these views of its descent to the lunar surface on Dec. 1, 2020.

Watch China's Chang'e 5 spacecraft land on the moon in this amazing video

By Andrew Jones

A spectacular video from China's Chang'e 5 lander reveals its successful touchdown on the moon as it softly set down to collect the first lunar samples in 44 years.

An artist's illustration of China's Chang'e 5 moon sample-return spacecraft on the lunar surface.

China's Chang'e 5 lands on the moon to collect the 1st fresh lunar samples in decades

By Mike Wall

China has landed on the moon again — and this time the country plans to bring home some souvenirs.

China's Chang'e 5 moon lander and ascent vehicle separates from its orbiter/return vehicle early on Nov. 30, 2020 Beijing Time ahead of a landing in the moon's Ocean of Storms for a lunar sample-return mission.

China's Chang'e 5 poised for historic moon landing to collect lunar samples

By Meghan Bartels

The Chang'e 5 moon lander and orbiter have parted ways in lunar orbit … for now.

Moon pit diver: This tiny rover could explore the lunar underworld

By Leonard David

New technologies could allow exploration of skylights, lava tubes and caverns on the moon — underground environments that human explorers may be able to exploit in the not-too-distant future.

The HI-SEAS habitat, located on the volcano Mauna Loa and run by the International MoonBase Alliance.

Powering through challenges of the Selene II lunar analog mission — Commander's report: lunar day 7

By Michaela Musilova

Analog astronauts are currently facing challenges during a simulated Moon mission at the HI-SEAS habitat. Commander Musilova reports about the sacrifices the crew is making to survive the mission.

An artist's illustration of China's Chang'e 5 moon orbiter entering lunar orbit for the country's first moon sample-return mission.

China's Chang'e 5 enters lunar orbit for historic attempt to return moon samples

By Andrew Jones

China's Chang'e 5 spacecraft has entered orbit around the moon ahead of an historic attempt to collect samples from the moon and return to Earth.

Astrophysicist Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project captured this photo of the penumbral lunar eclipse over Rome, Italy, on June 5, 2020. Masi took this photo at the moment of greatest eclipse, at 3:25 p.m. EDT (1925 GMT), when about 57% of the moon's surface was covered by Earth's outer shadow, called the penumbra.

A Beaver Full Moon lunar eclipse occurs Monday. Here's what to expect.

By Joe Rao

Early on Monday morning (Nov. 30), careful skywatchers across all of North America can watch the full moon undergo a slight penumbral eclipse.

See the moon and Mars make a close approach in the evening sky on Nov. 25, 2020.

See the moon and Mars shine close together on Thanksgiving eve tonight

By Joe Rao

See the moon and Mars rendezvous in the evening sky this Wednesday (Nov. 25).

A Chinese Long March 5 rocket launches the Chang'e 5 moon sample-return mission into orbit from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on Hainan Island in southern China on Nov. 24, 2020 Beijing time (Nov. 23 EST).

China launches historic Chang'e 5 mission to collect the first moon samples since 1976

By Mike Wall

The first lunar sample-return mission since the 1970s is underway.

Detail shot of the Apollo 11 lunar sample return bag showing areas that have been darkened with traces of moon dust. A Kansas City, Missouri law firm claimed a 28.5% stake in the financial value of five pieces of carbon tape that NASA used to lift moon dust off the white zippered pouch for testing.

Law firm claims stake in tape strips used to lift moon dust off Apollo 11 sample bag

By Robert Z. Pearlman

The saga continues.

A Chinese Long March 5 rocket carrying the Chang'e 5 moon sample-return spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad at the Wenchang Satellite Launch Site on Hainan Island on Nov. 17, 2020.

China rolls out Long March 5 rocket for Chang'e 5 moon sample-return mission launch

By Mike Wall

A heavy-lift Long March 5 rocket topped with the robotic Chang'e 5 lunar sample-return mission rolled out to its pad at Wenchang Space Launch Center in China's Hainan province on Tuesday (Nov. 17).

Artist's illustration of Astrobotic's robotic Peregrine lander at Lacus Mortis on the moon. Peregrine's Mission One is scheduled to touch down in 2021.

Memorial spaceflight: Cremated remains flying to the moon on private lander in 2021

By Leonard David

Among the many payloads that will fly to the moon aboard Astrobotic's robotic Peregrine lander next year are capsules containing DNA samples and symbolic portions of cremated remains.

China's Yutu 2 rover snaps stunning new panoramas from the moon's far side

By Andrew Jones

China's Chang'e 4 moon rover has been snapping new images highlighting the spacecraft's travels and discoveries on the lunar far side.

A diagram showing the path of 2020 SO, which is likely a Centaur upper stage from a lunar mission launched during the 1960s.

A vintage NASA moon rocket body is officially back in Earth orbit … for now

By Meghan Bartels

A relic of the early days of spaceflight has likely come back to pay a brief visit to its planet of origin, according to months of observations of a near-Earth object dubbed 2020 SO.