NASA Lays Out $28 Billion Plan To Land First Woman on the Moon

Last year, NASA had said that in four years, it would be landing the first woman ever on the moon, and returning to Earth’s only natural satellite for the first time since 1972, through its Artemis programme. Now, in a release on September 22, NASA has shared an update outlining its plan, announcing a whopping $28 billion plan for the return…

ESA Awards $153 Million Contract For Its First Planetary Defense Mission

The European Space Agency (ESA) is awarding a $153 million contract to an industry consortium led by German space company OHB. “The contract covers the ‘detailed design, manufacturing and testing’ of a mission codenamed ‘Hera,’ after the Greek goddess of marriage and the hearth, which will support NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirect Test mission and help provide a path towards future planetary…

Born under the sign of Ophiuchus?

Born between November 29 and December 18? If so, the sun passes in front of Ophiuchus on your birthday. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/born-between-november-29-and-december-18-heres-your-constellation…

Today in science: Asaph Hall finds Mars moon Phobos

On this date in 1877, American astronomer Asaph Hall discovered the first small moon known to be orbiting Mars. Scientists now think this moon – called Phobos – is the latest incarnation of a cyclic ring-moon formation process that goes back billions of years. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/this-date-in-science-asaph-hall-discovers-a-moon-for-mars…

Sagittarius? Here’s your constellation

How to find Sagittarius on August evenings, plus the lore and science of this constellation. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/sagittarius-heres-your-constellation…

Forecasters bump up hurricane predictions for 2020

On Wednesday, forecasters at Colorado State increased their prediction for the number of named storms in the Atlantic in 2020 to 24 named storms and 5 major hurricanes. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/colorado-state-forecasters-increase-hurricane-predictions-for-2020…

Perseid meteors 2020: All you need to know

In 2020, the peak mornings for the Perseid meteor shower – August 11, 12 and 13 – will feature meteors under moonlight. Here’s how to optimize your chances to catching some meteors during this year’s display. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-perseid-meteor-shower…