A recent study found that most new lunar landslides were triggered by endogenic moonquakes, rather than new impacts or thermal weathering. The research team discovered 41 new landslides in the eastern Imbrium Basin, a region with known seismic activity.
Researchers from Tel Aviv University predict that detecting radio waves from the cosmic dark ages can help resolve the nature of dark matter. The study uses computer simulations to show that dense clumps of dark matter formed throughout the Universe, pulling in hydrogen gas and causing it to emit intense radio waves.
Research team led by Charlotte Förster found that synchronization with the moon has decreased significantly since LED introduction and widespread smartphone use. Menstrual cycles now mostly align only in January when gravitational forces are at their highest.
A UTEP geologist is part of a team mapping the moon using state-of-the-art data and AI. The goal is to create accurate maps for NASA's Artemis missions, which aim to send astronauts to the south pole for the first time.
Researchers will evaluate a patent-pending electrolyzer in simulated partial gravity environments aboard parabolic flights. The technology is designed to produce fuel, oxygen, and other life support compounds on the Moon or Mars for long-term human habitation.
A European consortium presents an innovative mission concept to explore the moon's hidden caves using three heterogeneous robots that collaborate autonomously. The mission aims to map and collect data in extreme environments, with promising applications for future lunar or Mars missions.
New research questions the origin of organic molecules in Enceladus's plumes, suggesting they could be formed by radiation on Saturn's surface rather than originating from the sub-surface ocean. This challenges astrobiologists' assumptions about the moon's habitability.
The Artemis II crew will conduct scientific investigations that will inform future deep space missions, including lunar science activities. They will analyze geologic features, collect rock samples, and gather data on the effects of the space environment on their health and performance.
A team of researchers has developed a way to harness the swimming abilities of moon jellyfish, enabling them to steer the animals toward remote ocean areas. The cyborg jellies have the potential to aid in deep-sea research and provide inspiration for next-gen underwater vehicles with improved energy efficiency.
A previously unknown tiny moon has been discovered orbiting Uranus, bringing the planet's total moon count to 29. The small object, designated S/2025 U 1, is estimated to be around six miles in diameter and was detected using the Near-Infrared Camera on the James Webb Space Telescope.
Researchers found that ground acceleration from moonquakes can shift lunar landscapes and threaten stability of future missions. The study assesses damage risk using new models of quakes and finds a one in 20 million chance of a potentially damaging moonquake occurring near an active fault.
Researchers at TU Wien found that the solar wind ions' erosive effect on the Moon has been vastly overestimated. The actual yield is up to an order of magnitude lower than previously assumed due to the regolith's porous structure.
Scientists at SwRI conducted lab experiments to explain the mysterious distribution of hydrogen peroxide on Jupiter's icy moon Europa. The research found that trace amounts of CO2 in water ice can enhance hydrogen peroxide production, shedding light on the moon's habitability and chemical cycles.
A team of UCF researchers is pioneering a new nanocoating to passively mitigate the effects of lunar dust, protect equipment and extend future lunar missions. The goal is to understand how lunar dust interacts with surfaces and design surface properties that repel the dust.
Scientists have developed a technology that can extract water from lunar soil and convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, fuel, and chemicals for human exploration. This innovation has the potential to mitigate the need for transporting essential resources like water and fuel from Earth.
NASA microbiologist James Holden is searching for signs of microbial life in Earth's deep-sea volcanoes, which he believes could be similar to those on Jupiter's moon Europa. The hydrothermal vents, where these microbes thrive, provide a unique environment that may support alien life.
The Chang'e-6 mission has returned samples from the Moon's farside, providing new insights into the lunar geology and thermal evolution. The samples revealed prolonged volcanic activity, a fluctuating magnetic field, asymmetric water distribution, and ultra-depleted mantle signatures.
The Moon-Rice project is developing a super-dwarf rice variety that can thrive in microgravity and produce high yields, addressing nutritional deficiencies in space. Researchers are also exploring ways to enrich the protein content of the crop to support astronaut health.
A 2.35-billion-year-old meteorite offers fresh insights into the Moon's volcanic history and suggests ongoing internal heat generation processes. The rock's distinct composition provides new constraints on when and how volcanic activity occurred on the Moon.
A UK-led mission plans to recreate artificial solar eclipses in space to study the Sun's atmosphere and shed light on space weather. The MESOM mission would use a mini-satellite and the Moon's shadow to capture unprecedented views of the Sun's corona.
Astronomers aim to unlock secrets of the 'Cosmic Dawn' by sending a miniature spacecraft to detect faint signals from hydrogen in early universe. The UK-led CosmoCube mission would observe from far side of Moon, creating a quiet spot to listen for an 'ancient whisper'.
A team of undergrads at CU Boulder has created a digital twin for their robot, Armstrong, which is being used to train human operators on how to navigate the moon's surface. The study found that training in a digital environment resulted in faster task completion and reduced stress.
Researchers have engineered a new type of molecule that can store information at extremely low temperatures, potentially leading to ultra-high data densities and smaller storage devices. The discovery could enable the development of stamp-sized hard drives capable of storing 100 times more data than current technologies.
Researchers have discovered that rocks from the Earth-facing side of the Moon contain a surprisingly high amount of chlorine, suggesting volcanic eruptions may be responsible for its distribution. This finding provides new clues about the Moon's origin and evolution, including the formation and chemical changes of its crust.
Researchers found that lunar nearside samples are anomalously rich in chlorine, linked to incorporation of gaseous Cl-compounds. This suggests a connection between volcanic activity and lunar dichotomy. Crustal rocks from the farside show no Cl enrichment, preserving information about the Moon's initial magma ocean.
A team of researchers used advanced techniques to analyze the surface of tiny glass beads found in moon samples, revealing information about ancient lunar volcanoes. The study provides clues about changes in volcanic eruptions over time, shedding light on the moon's past.
Researchers suggest that an ancient, weak magnetic field and a large plasma-generating impact combined to create a strong magnetic field on the moon. This process could explain the presence of highly magnetic rocks near the south pole's far side, where the Imbrium basin is located.
Dr. Robin Canup, a leading expert in planetary science, has received the 2025 AAS DDA Dirk Brouwer Career Award for her groundbreaking research on planet and satellite formation, including the Earth-Moon system's origins.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered that Saturn's moon Titan has an atmosphere that tilts and shifts over time, behaving like a gyroscope. The team analyzed data from the Cassini-Huygens mission to understand how Titan's atmosphere wobbles with the seasons.
The Southwest Research Institute-led Ultraviolet Spectrograph (UVS) has successfully completed its initial commissioning aboard the Europa Clipper spacecraft. The instrument will analyze Europa's atmospheric gases and surface materials, searching for evidence of potential plumes erupting from within the icy moon.
Researchers found high levels of magnesium in glass beads collected from the Chinese National Space Administration mission to the Moon. This suggests that an asteroid may have smashed into rocks originating from the mantle deep within the Moon.
Scientists have developed two new methods to detect water ice on the lunar surface, with one approach analyzing images from a specialized camera and another detecting buried ice deposits through cosmic rays. The research aims to support future lunar bases and provide resources for humans or be broken down to hydrogen and oxygen.
Dr. Wei Li is creating a virtual lunar welding platform to simulate welding in the moon's harsh environment, addressing temperature fluctuations and extreme vacuum conditions. The project aims to enable reliable large structure assembly on the moon, a crucial step for human colonization.
Chinese scientists have discovered that the Moon's farside mantle contains less water than the nearside, according to analysis of basalts collected by the Chang'e-6 mission. The research team found a significant disparity in water content between the two hemispheres, mirroring lunar surface asymmetries.
A recent study suggests that Saturn's moon Titan could support simple, microscopic life forms due to its abundant organic content. However, the amount of biomass that can exist in this environment is likely to be extremely limited, possibly only a few pounds.
Researchers created solar cells using simulated Moon dust, converting sunlight into energy efficiently and withstanding radiation damage. The new panels produced up to 100 times more energy than traditional solar panels, cutting launch mass by 99.4% and transport costs by 99%.
International team improves asteroid impact threat estimates from 3% to below 0.001%, with a new risk of 4% chance of impacting the Moon instead, threatening human space infrastructure.
Researchers at IISc developed a bacteria-based technique to repair lunar bricks damaged by harsh temperatures and solar winds. The process uses Sporosarcina pasteurii to produce calcium carbonate crystals that fill defects and strengthen the brick.
Scientists precisely dated the formation of the Moon's largest impact crater, the South Pole-Aitken Basin, to 4.25 billion years ago using Chang'e-6 samples. The discovery provides critical insights into the early history of the Moon and the Solar System.
A study found that pro-life people are partly motivated to prevent casual sex, contradicting the common assumption that sanctity-of-life concerns drive their views. The researchers suggest that pro-life positions are also influenced by a desire to discourage loose sexual norms and promote social values.
The Southwest Research Institute-led instrument measures electric and magnetic fields to characterize the lunar subsurface, shedding light on material differentiation and thermal history. The deployment marks a new era in lunar exploration, providing unprecedented insights into the Moon's composition and structure.
A Southwest Research Institute-led team identified electrons with energies enhanced by processes in the Alfvén wing, shaping the plasma environment around Io. These energized electrons interact with Io's atmosphere and surface, ionizing atoms and molecules and creating aurora.
Scientists found large variations in surface temperatures, suggesting ice may be present near the lunar poles. A new model indicates areas with greater than 14° slope angle could be cool enough for ice to accumulate close to the surface.
The Lunar Thermal Mapper, built by researchers at the University of Oxford, will map surface temperature and composition of the lunar surface 12 times a day. The mission aims to shed light on the lunar water cycle and guide future robotic and human missions.
A new study by Johns Hopkins University suggests that jumping workouts could be a preventative measure for cartilage damage in long space journeys. Mice subjected to reduced movement experienced cartilage thinning, while those performing jump training showed thicker, healthier cartilage.
SwRI scientists measure tidal dissipation on Titan by analyzing the planet's spin axis rotation, revealing a recent event that affected its orbit. The study suggests that Titan's noncircular orbit is due to a perturbation within the past 350 million years.
The regulation of ocean-floor mining may hold key lessons for the management of space debris and mining on the Moon. International discussions on space traffic management and active debris control could help prevent space debris from orbiting the Moon and Mars. Effective regulations are crucial to ensuring sustainable space activities.
Berkeley Lab scientists analyzed asteroid Bennu samples using advanced tools, revealing a telltale set of salts formed by evaporation that illuminate the asteroid's watery past. The findings suggest Bennu may have delivered water and essential chemical building blocks of life to Earth in the distant past.
Scientists from University of California San Diego use thermal release to extract water molecules from lunar rocks, revealing origin as either moon itself or comet impacts. The study provides valuable clues for NASA's Artemis program and future human settlements on the moon and Mars.
Scientists found evidence of relatively recent geological activity on the moon's far side, contradicting previous assumptions about its 'geological dead' status. The team used advanced dating methods to track changes and found small ridges formed within the last 200 million years.
The Lunar-VISE project aims to investigate the enigmatic Gruithuisen Domes on the moon's surface, studying their silica-rich volcanic origins and ancient lava flows. With a 2028 launch date, scientists hope to reconstruct the moon's history from formation to its current state.
Laboratory experiments corroborate the theory that Titan maintains its nitrogen-rich atmosphere through internal heating of organic materials. The study found significant amounts of carbon gases like methane and nitrogen, supporting the existence of a geologically short-lived atmosphere.
Establishing a permanent lunar presence will depend on the use of AI, robotics, and 3D printing to adaptively respond to challenges. The moon's natural resources, such as regolith, can also reduce the need for Earth-launched supplies.
Researchers from Göttingen University and Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research discovered the Moon formed from material ejected from the Earth's mantle. The findings support the idea that water reached Earth early in its development, contrary to the prevailing assumption of late impacts.
Researchers uncovered nearly 200 animal remains at Teotihuacán's Moon Pyramid, shedding light on ancient rituals and politics. The discovery highlights the importance of apex predators like golden eagles and jaguars, which were venerated and sacrificed by human communities.
The Lunar Magnetotelluric Sounder (LMS) instrument will characterize the Moon's mantle by measuring electric and magnetic fields, providing insights into its material differentiation and thermal history. The LMS instrument is part of a 14-day lunar lander mission to explore the Moon's subsurface in a previously unexplored location.
Researchers at Southwest Research Institute propose a new model for the formation of Pluto and Charon, suggesting they may have originated from a giant collision similar to the Earth-Moon system. The scenario supports Pluto's active geology and possible subsurface ocean, with implications for the Kuiper Belt.
A new study by University of Arizona researchers reveals a 'kiss and capture' mechanism for the formation of Pluto and its largest moon Charon. The discovery challenges decades of scientific assumptions about how planetary bodies form and evolve.
NASA has partnered with Firefly Aerospace to deliver UCF's Lunar Vulkan Imaging and Spectroscopy Explorer (Lunar-VISE) payload to the Moon's Gruithuisen Domes. The mission aims to investigate the mysterious silica-rich volcanic features and gather data on lunar regolith for future exploration.
A recent study analyzing lunar water samples reveals a dual origin: one part from early Earth-like material and another delivered through cometary impacts. This discovery has significant implications for sustaining human presence on the Moon, providing crucial evidence for future space planning.