The Moon Was an Inside Job

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) captured stunning photographs of two comets soaring over Earth's auroras. This event highlights the unique vantage point of the ISS, allowing astronauts to witness celestial phenomena from low Earth orbit. Notably, one of the comets, SWAN, is not expected to return for another 22,554 years.

A stealth solar storm has recently impacted Earth, marking a significant event as it indicates the sun's transition into a declining phase of its 11-year cycle. This unexpected occurrence highlights the sun's dynamic nature and its influence on Earth.

This weekend, the orbits of Earth and Saturn will align, creating an optical illusion that will render Saturn's rings nearly invisible to observers on Earth. This phenomenon can be best viewed with a good telescope and clear skies. The rings, previously observed by the Cassini spacecraft, will appear to vanish from sight on Sunday.

Recent research identifies the origins of the planet Theia, which is believed to have collided with Earth, leading to the formation of the moon. This study sheds light on the early solar system's dynamics and the processes that shaped planetary bodies.

The prevailing theory suggests that the building blocks of Earth and Theia primarily originated in the inner solar system. This indicates that Earth and Theia may have been neighboring celestial bodies before their collision, which ultimately led to the formation of the Moon.

NASA has released a new collection of images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, showcasing its features as it approaches the sun. These images were captured by various spacecraft, including those positioned near Mars, providing a unique perspective on this celestial visitor.

A species of moss survived for 9 months on the exterior of the International Space Station, according to new research. Remarkably, 80% of the samples continued to reproduce after being returned to Earth, demonstrating the resilience of this organism in extreme conditions.

In 2024, the geomagnetic superstorm known as Gannon produced spectacular auroras but also significantly reduced the size of Earth's protective plasmasphere, a crucial layer that blocks harmful radiation. This event highlights the vulnerability of Earth's magnetic shield to extreme solar activity.