The moon

A peek at the far side of the moon | Space photo of the day for April 20, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd published 20 April 26

The Artemis 2 astronauts captured a unique image of the moon's "dark side" during their historic April 2026 flyby.

The moon's oldest and darkest craters could be hiding the most water ice. That's good news for future astronauts

By Keith Cooper published 14 April 26

New research shows that craters near the moon's south pole that have been in permanent shadow the longest are more likely to contain the most water ice.

Future Artemis missions could use fiber-optic cables to monitor moonquakes

By Samantha Mathewson published 24 March 26

Fiber-optic cables on the moon could detect moonquakes, offering a simpler way to study lunar activity and support future Artemis missions.

US lawmakers call for a permanent moon base. Will it ever happen?

By Leonard David published 12 March 26

The impetus for establishing a "Lunar Surface Moon Base" is that America is in a space race with China.

China's 1st moon astronauts could land in Rimae Bode, a 'geological museum' on the lunar near side

By Andrew Jones published 9 March 26

A new study highlights the volcanic Rimae Bode region as a scientifically promising destination for China's first crewed moon landing mission, which the nation wants to achieve by 2030.

Making hummus on the moon? Scientists just grew chickpeas in simulated lunar dirt

By Keith Cooper published 5 March 26

Tests involving growing chickpea plants in lunar regolith treated with vermicompost and fungi yielded harvestable crops — but are they edible?

Apollo moon rocks may have finally solved an old lunar mystery

By Stefanie Waldek published 27 February 26

A new analysis of Apollo moon samples reveals insight into the history of the lunar magnetic field.

What's the point of a space station around the moon?

By Berna Akcali Gur published 21 February 26

Is an orbiting space station necessary to achieve lunar objectives, including scientific ones?

AI helps find new clues in the 60-year search for Luna 9, the 1st successful moon lander

By Sharmila Kuthunur published 19 February 26

Scientists may have narrowed down the landing site of the Soviet Union's Luna 9, which in 1966 became the first spacecraft to touch down softly on the moon.