moon – Astronomy Now

India seeks to join exclusive company with ambitious moon mission

14 July 2019 Stephen Clark

India’s ambitious $142 million Chandrayaan 2 moon mission, comprising a orbiter, lander and rover, is set for liftoff Sunday to begin a nearly two-month transit culminating in a touchdown near the lunar south pole in September.

See ringed planet Saturn at its best in July 2019

30 June 2019 Ade Ashford

Observers in Western Europe with a clear sky around local midnight cannot fail to notice the conspicuous ‘star’ that is Jupiter low in the south. But look a span-and-a-half of an outstretched hand at arm’s length to Jupiter’s left and you’ll find another giant of the solar system – Saturn. The ringed planet is closest to Earth for 2019 on 9 July, so here is our quick observing guide.

NASA funds commercial moon landers for science, exploration

2 June 2019 Astronomy Now

NASA funds three fast-track lunar landers to help kick start private-sector lunar exploration and pave the way for astronaut landings starting in 2024.

Huge early impact may explain Moon’s different hemispheres

21 May 2019 Astronomy Now

New research suggests differences between the Moon’s near and farside may be the result of a collision with a dwarf planet early in the solar system’s history.

Maps of Moon’s south pole provide context for astronaut visits

20 May 2019 Astronomy Now

A new atlas showing permanently shadowed areas near the Moon’s south pole shows possible targets of opportunity for ice-seeking astronauts.

See the Moon and Jupiter get close in the small hours of 21 May

19 May 2019 Ade Ashford

Observers in the UK with clear skies around 1am BST on Tuesday, 21 May can see Jupiter, the solar system’s largest planet, just 4 degrees from the waning gibbous Moon low in the south-southeast. At this time both the Moon and Jupiter fit within the same field of view of binoculars magnifying less than 10×, while telescope users can also view Jupiter’s Great Red Spot.

Lunar orbiter pinpoints Israeli Beresheet crash site

17 May 2019 Astronomy Now

NASA’s eagle-eyed Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has spotted the site where the Israeli Beresheet lander crashed to the Moon’s surface in April.

Rock that hit Moon during lunar eclipse likely impacted at 61,000 kph

30 April 2019 Astronomy Now

A detailed analysis of the flash produced when a meteoroid crashed into the surface of the Moon during January’s lunar eclipse shows the body likely gouged a crater up to 15 metres (49 feet) across.

Israeli probe crashes in attempt to become first privately-funded Moon lander

11 April 2019 Stephen Clark

An Israeli-built spacecraft seeking to become the first privately-developed probe to land on the Moon crashed on descent Thursday, but the mission was widely lauded as a breakthrough for the commercial space industry, and Israeli prime minster Benjamin Netanyahu said the country would try again.

Privately-funded Israeli probe set for daring Moon landing attempt

11 April 2019 Stephen Clark

An Israeli-built spacecraft financed through donations from billionaire philanthropists is set to make history Thursday when it tries to become the first privately-funded probe to land on the Moon.