The moon
Latest about The moon
![a brightly colored dragon-shaped lantern lit up at night surrounded by red spherical lanterns covered in Chinese characters](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5HkJ2HxSCZtCFWDYj2MqB-320-80.jpg)
Happy Lunar New Year 2024! Chinese astronauts welcome Year of the Dragon in space
By Brett Tingley published
Lunar New Year 2024 falls on Feb. 10, marking the beginning of the Year of the Dragon and a time to celebrate with family for billions of people worldwide.
![a bright central circle is the sun, bisecected by a green line, just above a darkened moon, also crossed by a green line.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ogfLVGCPvApUiqWMZsuTTP-320-80.jpg)
February's 'super' new moon leaves the night sky nice and dark tonight
By Jesse Emspak published
February's new moon coincides with lunar perigee, during which time the moon will reach its closest point to Earth in its orbit.
![The Chang'e 5 return capsule at its landing site in Inner Mongolia, China, on Dec. 17, 2020.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iM5SaM84vTYSqzThckmBsG-320-80.jpg)
China's Chang'e-5 moon samples contain 'perplexing combination' of minerals
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
China's Chang'e-5 moon samples are giving scientists new insights into the history of our moon.
![astronauts in bulky space suits on mars swing pickaxes at red rocks](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GxHsQh68LifyoS4BPVqJ4E-320-80.jpg)
Humans on Mars could conduct far better science than any machine
By Leonard David published
NASA's moon-to-Mars strategy identifies science as one of three pillars upon which the agency's quest for a sustained human presence throughout the solar system is built.
![a purple hued light tints everything pink. the fingers from a hand are seen close up, cradling small leaves on a plant growth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rRDfPgYx5E6cWioSNrhVx9-320-80.jpg)
Lunar astronauts could potentially make hummus with moon-grown chickpeas
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A team of researchers has grown chickpeas in simulated moondust for the first time.
![a roughly cube-shaped spacecraft covered in solar panels descends to the surface of the moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E6bm6JHy7uB5vfnhPb7Uak-320-80.jpg)
SLIM lander's precise 'moon sniper' tech will lend itself to future lunar missions
By Mariel Borowitz published
The technology that enabled SLIM's precision moon landing could assist future touchdowns by allowing spacecraft to land in relatively small areas amid rocky or uneven terrain.
![illustration of a small, faraway moon base on the hilly, crater-marked surface of the moon.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GfYGHwC2dVmSvBfURAXkqK-320-80.jpg)
Nuclear power on the moon: NASA wraps up 1st phase of ambitious reactor project
By Andrew Jones published
NASA is wrapping up the design phase of a project to develop concepts for a small, electricity-generating nuclear fission reactor for use on the moon.
![black and white photos of the rocky grey surface of the moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Jj7oJNSe78Nn2rHWHJbEbA-320-80.jpg)
Japan's SLIM moon lander snaps final photos before going dormant during lunar night
By Andrew Jones published
Japan's historic SLIM moon lander has powered down ahead of a likely mission-ending cold lunar nighttime — but not before grabbing some final images and loads of science data.
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