From buying land spaces on mars to building space hotels by 2027, people have been coming up with strange, but interesting, ideas. One more addition to this list is an exclusive invite to a private lunar expedition.

A Japanese billionaire is giving people a once in a blue moon kind of opportunity by sending out invitations to eight people from around the world for a private lunar expedition.

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Get your FREE TICKET to the MOON!! 
8 crew members wanted. Sign up today! 🚀🌍🌕 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/dearMoon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#dearMoon</a> <a href="https://t.co/P0vEZ6k8Xg">https://t.co/P0vEZ6k8Xg</a>
— Yusaku Maezawa (MZ) (@yousuckMZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/yousuckMZ/status/1366872714628132864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Yusaku Maezawa, a fashion tycoon, was the first human being to book a spot aboard the lunar spaceship being developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX.&nbsp; 
Maezawa had booked his spot back in 2018, but the amount he paid to get the exclusive spot has not been disclosed yet.&nbsp;

The online fashion tycoon had earlier expressed hopes to take six artists with him on this trip, which is expected to launch in 2023.&nbsp;

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Watch this video to learn more about the selection process. It also contains a special message from <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/dearMoon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#dearMoon</a> 
 
↓Check the full version<a href="https://t.co/i3ucR6BB44">https://t.co/i3ucR6BB44</a> <a href="https://t.co/B3d8g0JvvP">pic.twitter.com/B3d8g0JvvP</a>
— Yusaku Maezawa (MZ) (@yousuckMZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/yousuckMZ/status/1366872890390454272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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However, on Wednesday, he posted a video and a signup link informing people that he is accepting applications to find the right candidates who will fly to the moon with him.

"I'm inviting you to join me on this mission. Eight of you from all around the world. The mission will take two years from now, in 2023. I want people from all kinds of background to join," he can be heard saying in the video message.&nbsp;

In all, he said around 10 to 12 people will be on board the spaceship, which is expected to loop around the Moon before returning to Earth. "I have bought all the seats, so it will be a private ride," he added.&nbsp;

While there is no listed deadline to this, as of now, the application involves an assignment and an online interview, The final interviews and medical checkups are scheduled for May 2021, though.

SpaceX owner Elon Musk, too, dropped in a message at the end of the video saying, "I think we'll make a real difference"

From buying land spaces on mars to building space hotels by 2027, people have been coming up with strange, but interesting, ideas. One more addition to this list is an exclusive invite to a private lunar expedition.

From buying land spaces on mars to building space hotels by 2027, people have been coming up with strange, but interesting, ideas. One more addition to this list is an exclusive invite to a private lunar expedition. A Japanese billionaire is giving people a once in a blue moon kind of opportunity by sending out invitations to eight people from around the world for a private lunar expedition. Get your FREE TICKET to the MOON!! 8 crew members wanted. Sign up today! 🚀🌍🌕 #dearMoon https://t.co/P0vEZ6k8Xg — Yusaku Maezawa (MZ) (@yousuckMZ) March 2, 2021 × Yusaku Maezawa, a fashion tycoon, was the first human being to book a spot aboard the lunar spaceship being developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX. Maezawa had booked his spot back in 2018, but the amount he paid to get the exclusive spot has not been disclosed yet. The online fashion tycoon had earlier expressed hopes to take six artists with him on this trip, which is expected to launch in 2023. Watch this video to learn more about the selection process. It also contains a special message from @elonmusk #dearMoon ↓Check the full versionhttps://t.co/i3ucR6BB44 pic.twitter.com/B3d8g0JvvP — Yusaku Maezawa (MZ) (@yousuckMZ) March 2, 2021 × However, on Wednesday, he posted a video and a signup link informing people that he is accepting applications to find the right candidates who will fly to the moon with him. "I'm inviting you to join me on this mission. Eight of you from all around the world. The mission will take two years from now, in 2023. I want people from all kinds of background to join," he can be heard saying in the video message. In all, he said around 10 to 12 people will be on board the spaceship, which is expected to loop around the Moon before returning to Earth. "I have bought all the seats, so it will be a private ride," he added. While there is no listed deadline to this, as of now, the application involves an assignment and an online interview, The final interviews and medical checkups are scheduled for May 2021, though. SpaceX owner Elon Musk, too, dropped in a message at the end of the video saying, "I think we'll make a real difference"

'Dear Moon': Japanese billionaire invites applications for space expedition

Lovers do promise to bring moon for their beloved, but believe it or not but a husband, in reality, has taken this hyperbole seriously.&nbsp;

Dharmendra Anija from Ajmer in northwestern India knew that bringing moon would not be possible for wife, so instead, he did the next best thing.

He gifted her wife Sapna three acres of land on the moon on their wedding anniversary.&nbsp;

Dharmendra said he wanted to do "something different" rather than gifting common gifts like cars and jewellery.&nbsp;

"It was our wedding anniversary on December 24. I wanted to do something special for her. Everyone gifts earthly possessions like cars and jewellery, but I wanted to do something different. Therefore, I purchased land on the moon for her," Dharmendra told news agency ANI.&nbsp;

"I'm happy. I think I'm the first man in Rajasthan to buy land on the Moon."

He said that he booked the land from Luna Society International based in New York City, US and the process to acquire the land took about a year to finalise.&nbsp;

Delighted by the gift, Sapna said she feels the couple are "on the moon"&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
"I'm extremely happy. I never expected he would gift me something so special. The party was organised by professional event organisers, and the setting was surreal. It felt like we are literally on the moon. There during the ceremony, he gifted me a framed certificate of the property document," she said.

Lovers do promise to bring moon for their beloved, but believe it or not but a husband, in reality, has taken this hyperbole seriously. Dharmendra Anija from Ajmer in northwestern India knew that bringing moon would not be possible for wife, so instead, he did the next best thing.

Lovers do promise to bring moon for their beloved, but believe it or not but a husband, in reality, has taken this hyperbole seriously. Dharmendra Anija from Ajmer in northwestern India knew that bringing moon would not be possible for wife, so instead, he did the next best thing. He gifted her wife Sapna three acres of land on the moon on their wedding anniversary. Dharmendra said he wanted to do "something different" rather than gifting common gifts like cars and jewellery. "It was our wedding anniversary on December 24. I wanted to do something special for her. Everyone gifts earthly possessions like cars and jewellery, but I wanted to do something different. Therefore, I purchased land on the moon for her," Dharmendra told news agency ANI. "I'm happy. I think I'm the first man in Rajasthan to buy land on the Moon." He said that he booked the land from Luna Society International based in New York City, US and the process to acquire the land took about a year to finalise. Delighted by the gift, Sapna said she feels the couple are "on the moon" "I'm extremely happy. I never expected he would gift me something so special. The party was organised by professional event organisers, and the setting was surreal. It felt like we are literally on the moon. There during the ceremony, he gifted me a framed certificate of the property document," she said.

For her beloved: Believe it or not but a husband fulfils promise of moon for her wife

Skywatchers are in for a treat as&nbsp;Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon are going to&nbsp;form a triangle in the sky on December 21 in a phenomenon&nbsp;known as the&nbsp;'great conjunction'.

This week Jupiter and Saturn are low in the southwest during the nippy December sunset. At the point when this month started, they were isolated by 2.1 degrees.&nbsp;

Yet, in the days that followed, they have been gradually moving toward one another; drawing nearer by about 0.1 degrees every day on their way toward the hotly anticipated "extraordinary combination" next Monday night (Dec. 21). They are crawling nearer to one another will be additionally charged by the entry on Wednesday and Thursday nights (Dec. 16-17) of a frontal area waxing bow moon.&nbsp;

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Dancing across the night sky, Jupiter and Saturn will make their showstopping move on Dec. 21 when they align to form what's known as the "Great Conjunction." Here's how you can watch: <a href="https://t.co/VoNAbNAMXY">https://t.co/VoNAbNAMXY</a> 
 
📸 : <a href="https://twitter.com/nasahqphoto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASAHQphoto</a> <a href="https://t.co/LLqLfujIlD">pic.twitter.com/LLqLfujIlD</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1339010857443930112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The two planets are moving toward the east regarding the stars, with the slowest, Saturn, at first in the number one spot, and Jupiter, the quicker planet, in the back. In this way, December started with a thickset askew line of Saturn and Jupiter (from upper left to bring down right) along the ecliptic — that fanciful line on the sky that denotes the yearly way of the sun, just as where the moon and planets likewise meander.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/five-asteroids-to-make-close-call-to-earth-this-week-350377" hreflang="en">Five asteroids to make close call to Earth this week</a>

As time passes the movement of fervor has been animating as the hole among Saturn and Jupiter has been quickly contracting.&nbsp;

What's more, presently we have shown up at the "final lap" of their hotly anticipated meeting.&nbsp;

What has become referred to prominently as the "Christmas Star" is a particularly lively planetary combination effectively obvious at night sky throughout the following fourteen days as the splendid planets Jupiter and Saturn meet up, coming full circle the evening of December&nbsp;21.&nbsp;

In 1610, Italian space expert Galileo Galilei guided his telescope toward the night sky, finding the four moons of Jupiter – Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. In that very year, Galileo additionally found an unusual oval encompassing Saturn, which later perceptions resolved to be its rings. These revelations changed how individuals comprehended the most distant spans of our close planetary system.&nbsp;

After thirteen years, in 1623, the nearby planetary group's two goliath planets, Jupiter and Saturn, traversed the sky. Jupiter got up to speed to and passed Saturn, on a galactic occasion known as an "Incredible Conjunction."&nbsp;

"You can envision the nearby planetary group to be a course, with every one of the planets as a sprinter in their own path and the Earth toward the focal point of the arena," said Henry Throop, space expert in the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "From our vantage point, we'll have the option to be to see Jupiter within the path, moving toward Saturn throughout the month lastly overwhelming it on December 21."&nbsp;

The planets routinely seem to pass each other in the close planetary system, with the places of Jupiter and Saturn being adjusted in the sky about once at regular intervals.&nbsp;

What makes the current year's exhibition so uncommon, at that point? It's been almost a long time since the planets passed this near one another in the sky, and almost a long time since the arrangement of Saturn and Jupiter happened around evening time, as it will for 2020, permitting almost everybody around the globe to observe this "incredible combination."&nbsp;

The nearest arrangement will show up only a tenth of a degree separated and keep going for a couple of days. On December 21, they will show up so close that a pinkie finger at a manageable distance will effortlessly cover the two planets in the sky. The planets will be anything but difficult to see with the independent eye by looking toward the southwest soon after dusk.&nbsp;

From our vantage point on Earth the colossal gas monsters will show up near one another, however, they will stay a huge number of miles separated in space. And keeping in mind that the combination is going on around the same time as the colder time of year solstice, the circumstance is just an incident, in light of the circles of the planets and the tilt of the Earth.&nbsp;

Skywatchers are in for a treat as Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon are going to form a triangle in the sky on December 21 in a phenomenon known as the 'great conjunction'.

Skywatchers are in for a treat as Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon are going to form a triangle in the sky on December 21 in a phenomenon known as the 'great conjunction'. This week Jupiter and Saturn are low in the southwest during the nippy December sunset. At the point when this month started, they were isolated by 2.1 degrees. Yet, in the days that followed, they have been gradually moving toward one another; drawing nearer by about 0.1 degrees every day on their way toward the hotly anticipated "extraordinary combination" next Monday night (Dec. 21). They are crawling nearer to one another will be additionally charged by the entry on Wednesday and Thursday nights (Dec. 16-17) of a frontal area waxing bow moon. Dancing across the night sky, Jupiter and Saturn will make their showstopping move on Dec. 21 when they align to form what's known as the "Great Conjunction." Here's how you can watch: https://t.co/VoNAbNAMXY 📸 : @NASAHQphoto pic.twitter.com/LLqLfujIlD — NASA (@NASA) December 16, 2020 × The two planets are moving toward the east regarding the stars, with the slowest, Saturn, at first in the number one spot, and Jupiter, the quicker planet, in the back. In this way, December started with a thickset askew line of Saturn and Jupiter (from upper left to bring down right) along the ecliptic — that fanciful line on the sky that denotes the yearly way of the sun, just as where the moon and planets likewise meander. Also read: Five asteroids to make close call to Earth this week As time passes the movement of fervor has been animating as the hole among Saturn and Jupiter has been quickly contracting. What's more, presently we have shown up at the "final lap" of their hotly anticipated meeting. What has become referred to prominently as the "Christmas Star" is a particularly lively planetary combination effectively obvious at night sky throughout the following fourteen days as the splendid planets Jupiter and Saturn meet up, coming full circle the evening of December 21. In 1610, Italian space expert Galileo Galilei guided his telescope toward the night sky, finding the four moons of Jupiter – Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. In that very year, Galileo additionally found an unusual oval encompassing Saturn, which later perceptions resolved to be its rings. These revelations changed how individuals comprehended the most distant spans of our close planetary system. After thirteen years, in 1623, the nearby planetary group's two goliath planets, Jupiter and Saturn, traversed the sky. Jupiter got up to speed to and passed Saturn, on a galactic occasion known as an "Incredible Conjunction." "You can envision the nearby planetary group to be a course, with every one of the planets as a sprinter in their own path and the Earth toward the focal point of the arena," said Henry Throop, space expert in the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "From our vantage point, we'll have the option to be to see Jupiter within the path, moving toward Saturn throughout the month lastly overwhelming it on December 21." The planets routinely seem to pass each other in the close planetary system, with the places of Jupiter and Saturn being adjusted in the sky about once at regular intervals. What makes the current year's exhibition so uncommon, at that point? It's been almost a long time since the planets passed this near one another in the sky, and almost a long time since the arrangement of Saturn and Jupiter happened around evening time, as it will for 2020, permitting almost everybody around the globe to observe this "incredible combination." The nearest arrangement will show up only a tenth of a degree separated and keep going for a couple of days. On December 21, they will show up so close that a pinkie finger at a manageable distance will effortlessly cover the two planets in the sky. The planets will be anything but difficult to see with the independent eye by looking toward the southwest soon after dusk. From our vantage point on Earth the colossal gas monsters will show up near one another, however, they will stay a huge number of miles separated in space. And keeping in mind that the combination is going on around the same time as the colder time of year solstice, the circumstance is just an incident, in light of the circles of the planets and the tilt of the Earth.

'Great conjunction': Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon to form triangle in the sky

2020 has given us a lot to clutch our heads and scream. While coronavirus pandemic was the major reason, the year will live in infamy due to many horrible reasons. And just as when we thought we were slipping past its grip, the news has arrived that five asteroids are slated to make a close call to Earth in a single week. And two of them are going to flyby at a distance less than that between Earth and the Moon

Remember what happened last time an asteroid struck Earth? It wiped out 95 per cent of life on the planet including the dinosaurs who were the dominant species then.

No prize for guessing which dominant species on Earth will be wiped out now if a space rock is to strike our planet at a speed of thousands of kilometres per hour

So let's take a look

Asteroid 2020 XF4 is just 11 metres across but its superspeed gives it a deadly momentum. It's a good thing then it is going to miss the Earth. However, it will come closer to Earth than the Moon. It will fly past Earth at a distance of 343,047 km. Distance between Earth and the Moon is 386,000 km

Asteroid 2020 VY1 is slightly bigger. This 24-metre space-rock will fly by at a distance of 5 million kilometres.

Then there is asteroid 2020 XS5 which will hurtle past Earth at distance of 2 million km&nbsp;

Watch: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-nasa-captures-himalayan-mountains-delhis-city-lights-from-space-350259">NASA captures Himalayan mountains, Delhi's city lights from space</a>

However, asteroid 2020 XX3 will come much much closer. It will give Earth a miss at only 57 thousand kilometres. This distance may appear to be a lot but considering measurements in Space, this is not much.

Finally, asteroid 2020 XF3 will pass by Earth. But it will cut a wide berth at 6.9 million kilometres.

Let's hope the year 2020 does not have any more surprises.

2020 has given us a lot to clutch our heads and scream. While coronavirus pandemic was the major reason, the year will live in infamy due to many horrible reasons.

2020 has given us a lot to clutch our heads and scream. While coronavirus pandemic was the major reason, the year will live in infamy due to many horrible reasons. And just as when we thought we were slipping past its grip, the news has arrived that five asteroids are slated to make a close call to Earth in a single week. And two of them are going to flyby at a distance less than that between Earth and the Moon Remember what happened last time an asteroid struck Earth? It wiped out 95 per cent of life on the planet including the dinosaurs who were the dominant species then. No prize for guessing which dominant species on Earth will be wiped out now if a space rock is to strike our planet at a speed of thousands of kilometres per hour So let's take a look Asteroid 2020 XF4 is just 11 metres across but its superspeed gives it a deadly momentum. It's a good thing then it is going to miss the Earth. However, it will come closer to Earth than the Moon. It will fly past Earth at a distance of 343,047 km. Distance between Earth and the Moon is 386,000 km Asteroid 2020 VY1 is slightly bigger. This 24-metre space-rock will fly by at a distance of 5 million kilometres. Then there is asteroid 2020 XS5 which will hurtle past Earth at distance of 2 million km Watch: NASA captures Himalayan mountains, Delhi's city lights from space However, asteroid 2020 XX3 will come much much closer. It will give Earth a miss at only 57 thousand kilometres. This distance may appear to be a lot but considering measurements in Space, this is not much. Finally, asteroid 2020 XF3 will pass by Earth. But it will cut a wide berth at 6.9 million kilometres. Let's hope the year 2020 does not have any more surprises.

Five asteroids to make close call to Earth this week

China Space Agency has released images of a Chinese flag on the moon, China posted the images of the flag apparently taken from its space lander on the moon surface the raising of the flag on the moon symbolize their intention to compete with the US in space.

China plants Flag on Moon 51 years after US , Chinese space agency releases images

In a first, China has launched an unmanned spacecraft to bring samples of lunar rocks back to the Earth, making it the first country to do so in nearly four decades.

A Long March 5 rocket has been launched carrying&nbsp;the Chang'e-5 probe. It was launched from the&nbsp;Wenchang Space Center on the southern island province of Hainan at 4:30 am.

The aim of the mission is to bring back lunar rocks and soil so that the scientists can learn about the Moon's origins, formation and volcanic activity on the lunar surface.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-to-launch-unmanned-spacecraft-to-the-moon-this-week-344632">China to launch unmanned spacecraft to the moon this week</a>

This mission was supposed gt be launched in 2017, but was delayed due to an engine failure in the Long March 5 rocket. It is expected to land in late November and will be collecting material in one lunar day — which is equivalent to 14 Earth days.

Before this, only&nbsp;the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s respectively have been able to bring back such lunar rocks. So, if China is successful in its mission, it will the third country overall and first in nearly four decades to bring back lunar rock samples.

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China has launched a robotic spacecraft to bring samples of lunar rocks back to the Earth, making it the first country to do so in nearly four decades. It was launched from the Wenchang Space Center on the southern island province of Hainan. <a href="https://twitter.com/Shobhit10Mittal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Shobhit10Mittal</a> gets you more details <a href="https://t.co/1Dqt4OyR8b">pic.twitter.com/1Dqt4OyR8b</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1331163144895553536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The experts will collect nearly two kilograms (4.5 pounds) of surface material in an area known as&nbsp;Oceanus Procellarum&nbsp;(or "Ocean of Storms") which mainly consists of lava plain.

After being picked, the samples will be brought back to the Earth in a capsule that will land in northern China's&nbsp;Inner Mongolia region in early December.

In a first, China has launched an unmanned spacecraft to bring samples of lunar rocks back to the Earth, making it the first country to do so in nearly four decades.

In a first, China has launched an unmanned spacecraft to bring samples of lunar rocks back to the Earth, making it the first country to do so in nearly four decades. A Long March 5 rocket has been launched carrying the Chang'e-5 probe. It was launched from the Wenchang Space Center on the southern island province of Hainan at 4:30 am. The aim of the mission is to bring back lunar rocks and soil so that the scientists can learn about the Moon's origins, formation and volcanic activity on the lunar surface. Also read| China to launch unmanned spacecraft to the moon this week This mission was supposed gt be launched in 2017, but was delayed due to an engine failure in the Long March 5 rocket. It is expected to land in late November and will be collecting material in one lunar day — which is equivalent to 14 Earth days. Before this, only the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s respectively have been able to bring back such lunar rocks. So, if China is successful in its mission, it will the third country overall and first in nearly four decades to bring back lunar rock samples. China has launched a robotic spacecraft to bring samples of lunar rocks back to the Earth, making it the first country to do so in nearly four decades. It was launched from the Wenchang Space Center on the southern island province of Hainan. @Shobhit10Mittal gets you more details pic.twitter.com/1Dqt4OyR8b — WION (@WIONews) November 24, 2020 × The experts will collect nearly two kilograms (4.5 pounds) of surface material in an area known as Oceanus Procellarum (or "Ocean of Storms") which mainly consists of lava plain. After being picked, the samples will be brought back to the Earth in a capsule that will land in northern China's Inner Mongolia region in early December.

China launches first unmanned spacecraft to moon to collect lunar rocks

Did we just discover the Moon's sibling?

Scientists have reason to believe that the Earth’s Moon has a sibling. According to The Guardian, its official name is (101429) 1998 VF31, and it could be our Moon’s sibling. The celestial body is probably 4.5 billion years old, with a lunar appearance, and is twinned with the moon.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/water-more-widespread-on-moon-than-previously-thought-339296" hreflang="en">Water more widespread on Moon than previously thought</a>

Until now, scientists didn’t know our natural satellite even had a sibling. Turns out, it was too small to be noticed by astronomers. Considering how old it is, we are rather discovering it late.

Where is the Moon's sibling located?

Just because it may be the Moon’s siblings does not mean they’re aligned nearby. The asteroid ‘sibling’, with a diameter of 1 kilometres has been hiding behind the red planet, Mars for most of its life.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/scientists-found-unexpected-molecule-in-atmosphere-of-saturns-largest-moon-338725" hreflang="en">Scientists found unexpected molecule in atmosphere of Saturn’s largest moon</a>

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How is it Moon’s sibling?

Scientists posit that the moon is one of the largest natural satellites in the solar system, relative to the size of its planet - Earth. This is due to the fact that a large body had collided into the Earth, breaking apart the previous body, parts of which constitute our current moon, explaining its huge size.

According to scientists, the relatively small asteroid is made of the same stuff as our Moon, making them somehow related.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/nasa-discovers-water-on-sunlit-surface-of-the-moon-338137" hreflang="en">NASA discovers water on sunlit surface of the Moon</a>

This was ascertained by a spectroscopic observation, which was noticed by the Very Large Telescope (no pun intended) in the Atacama Desert in Chile.

The lead author of the study, which was undertaken by Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP) - Dr Apostolos Christou told The Guardian that it has the same colour as the moon.

Based on the analysis, the asteroid boasts pyroxene and iron, constituting a “dead-ringer” for moon’s parts.

Even though the relationship between the moon and this object was ascertained just recently, the object was discovered in 1998, and it is a “Trojan”, which are space bodies stationed between the gravitational fields of sun and Mars, and are called “Lagrange points”.

It is possible that this asteroid is part of the Moon which broke off and found its own way.

Did we just discover the Moon's sibling? Scientists have reason to believe that the Earth’s Moon has a sibling. According to The Guardian, its official name is (101429) 1998 VF31, and it could be our Moon’s sibling.

Did we just discover the Moon's sibling? Scientists have reason to believe that the Earth’s Moon has a sibling. According to The Guardian, its official name is (101429) 1998 VF31, and it could be our Moon’s sibling. The celestial body is probably 4.5 billion years old, with a lunar appearance, and is twinned with the moon. Also read: Water more widespread on Moon than previously thought Until now, scientists didn’t know our natural satellite even had a sibling. Turns out, it was too small to be noticed by astronomers. Considering how old it is, we are rather discovering it late. Where is the Moon's sibling located? Just because it may be the Moon’s siblings does not mean they’re aligned nearby. The asteroid ‘sibling’, with a diameter of 1 kilometres has been hiding behind the red planet, Mars for most of its life. Also read: Scientists found unexpected molecule in atmosphere of Saturn’s largest moon How is it Moon’s sibling? Scientists posit that the moon is one of the largest natural satellites in the solar system, relative to the size of its planet - Earth. This is due to the fact that a large body had collided into the Earth, breaking apart the previous body, parts of which constitute our current moon, explaining its huge size. According to scientists, the relatively small asteroid is made of the same stuff as our Moon, making them somehow related. Also read: NASA discovers water on sunlit surface of the Moon This was ascertained by a spectroscopic observation, which was noticed by the Very Large Telescope (no pun intended) in the Atacama Desert in Chile. The lead author of the study, which was undertaken by Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP) - Dr Apostolos Christou told The Guardian that it has the same colour as the moon. Based on the analysis, the asteroid boasts pyroxene and iron, constituting a “dead-ringer” for moon’s parts. Even though the relationship between the moon and this object was ascertained just recently, the object was discovered in 1998, and it is a “Trojan”, which are space bodies stationed between the gravitational fields of sun and Mars, and are called “Lagrange points”. It is possible that this asteroid is part of the Moon which broke off and found its own way.

Did we just discover the Moon's long-lost sibling?

The fact that the Moon has water on its surface is widely known. But now, latest observations say that water may be more widespread on the lunar surface than previously thought. These water molecules are trapped within mineral grains on the lunar surface. And more water may be there in ice patches on the part of the Moon that is permanently in the shadow.

While research 11 years ago indicated the water was relatively widespread in small amounts on the moon, a team of scientists is now reporting the first unambiguous detection of water molecules on the lunar surface. At the same time, another team is reporting that the moon possesses roughly 15,000 square miles (40,000 square kilometers) of permanent shadows that potentially could harbor hidden pockets of water in the form of ice.

Water is a precious resource and a relatively plentiful lunar presence could prove important to future astronaut and robotic missions seeking to extract and utilize water for purposes such as a drinking supply or a fuel ingredient.

A team of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland has now detected molecular water on the Moon's surface. These molecules are trapped within natural glasses or between debris grains.

Previous observations have suffered from ambiguity between water and its molecular cousin hydroxyl, but the new detection used a method that yielded unambiguous findings.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/hubble-telescope-gives-closer-look-at-rare-asteroid-worth-70000-times-the-global-economy-338984">Hubble telescope gives closer look at rare asteroid worth 70,000 times the global economy</a> 
 
The only way for this water to survive on the sunlit lunar surfaces where it was observed was to be embedded within mineral grains, protecting it from the frigid and foreboding environment. The researchers used data from the SOFIA airborne observatory, a Boeing 747SP aircraft modified to carry a telescope.

“A lot of people think that the detection I’ve made is water ice, which is not true. It’s just the water molecules - because they’re so spread out they don’t interact with each other to form water ice or even liquid water,” Honniball said.

The second study, also published in the journal Nature Astronomy, focused upon so-called cold traps on the moon, regions of its surface that exist in a state of perpetual darkness where temperatures are below about negative 260 degrees Fahrenheit (negative 163 degrees Celsius). That is cold enough that frozen water can remain stable for billions of years.

Using data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft, researchers led by planetary scientist Paul Hayne of the University of Colorado, Boulder detected what may be tens of billions of small shadows, many no bigger than a small coin. Most are located in the polar regions.

“Our research shows that a multitude of previously unknown regions of the moon could harbor water ice,” Hayne said. “Our results suggest that water could be much more widespread in the moon’s polar regions than previously thought, making it easier to access, extract and analyze.”

NASA is planning a return of astronauts to the moon, a mission envisioned as paving the way for a later journey carrying a crew to Mars. Accessible sources where water can be harvested on the moon would beneficial to those endeavors.

“Water is not just constrained to the polar region. It’s more spread out than we thought it was,” Honniball said.

Another mystery that remains unsolved is the source of the lunar water.

“The origin of water on the moon is one of the big-picture questions we are trying to answer through this and other research,” Hayne said. “Currently, the major contenders are comets, asteroids or small interplanetary dust particles, the solar wind, and the moon itself through outgassing from volcanic eruptions.”

Earth is a wet world, with vast salty oceans, large freshwater lakes and ice caps that serve as water reservoirs.

“As our closest planetary companion, understanding the origins of water on the moon can also shed light on the origins of Earth’s water - still an open question in planetary science,” Hayne added.

(With Reuters inputs)

The fact that the Moon has water on its surface is widely known. But now, latest observations say that water may be more widespread on the lunar surface than previously thought.

The fact that the Moon has water on its surface is widely known. But now, latest observations say that water may be more widespread on the lunar surface than previously thought. These water molecules are trapped within mineral grains on the lunar surface. And more water may be there in ice patches on the part of the Moon that is permanently in the shadow. While research 11 years ago indicated the water was relatively widespread in small amounts on the moon, a team of scientists is now reporting the first unambiguous detection of water molecules on the lunar surface. At the same time, another team is reporting that the moon possesses roughly 15,000 square miles (40,000 square kilometers) of permanent shadows that potentially could harbor hidden pockets of water in the form of ice. Water is a precious resource and a relatively plentiful lunar presence could prove important to future astronaut and robotic missions seeking to extract and utilize water for purposes such as a drinking supply or a fuel ingredient. A team of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland has now detected molecular water on the Moon's surface. These molecules are trapped within natural glasses or between debris grains. Previous observations have suffered from ambiguity between water and its molecular cousin hydroxyl, but the new detection used a method that yielded unambiguous findings. Also Read | Hubble telescope gives closer look at rare asteroid worth 70,000 times the global economy The only way for this water to survive on the sunlit lunar surfaces where it was observed was to be embedded within mineral grains, protecting it from the frigid and foreboding environment. The researchers used data from the SOFIA airborne observatory, a Boeing 747SP aircraft modified to carry a telescope. “A lot of people think that the detection I’ve made is water ice, which is not true. It’s just the water molecules - because they’re so spread out they don’t interact with each other to form water ice or even liquid water,” Honniball said. The second study, also published in the journal Nature Astronomy, focused upon so-called cold traps on the moon, regions of its surface that exist in a state of perpetual darkness where temperatures are below about negative 260 degrees Fahrenheit (negative 163 degrees Celsius). That is cold enough that frozen water can remain stable for billions of years. Using data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft, researchers led by planetary scientist Paul Hayne of the University of Colorado, Boulder detected what may be tens of billions of small shadows, many no bigger than a small coin. Most are located in the polar regions. “Our research shows that a multitude of previously unknown regions of the moon could harbor water ice,” Hayne said. “Our results suggest that water could be much more widespread in the moon’s polar regions than previously thought, making it easier to access, extract and analyze.” NASA is planning a return of astronauts to the moon, a mission envisioned as paving the way for a later journey carrying a crew to Mars. Accessible sources where water can be harvested on the moon would beneficial to those endeavors. “Water is not just constrained to the polar region. It’s more spread out than we thought it was,” Honniball said. Another mystery that remains unsolved is the source of the lunar water. “The origin of water on the moon is one of the big-picture questions we are trying to answer through this and other research,” Hayne said. “Currently, the major contenders are comets, asteroids or small interplanetary dust particles, the solar wind, and the moon itself through outgassing from volcanic eruptions.” Earth is a wet world, with vast salty oceans, large freshwater lakes and ice caps that serve as water reservoirs. “As our closest planetary companion, understanding the origins of water on the moon can also shed light on the origins of Earth’s water - still an open question in planetary science,” Hayne added. (With Reuters inputs)

Water more widespread on Moon than previously thought

Scientists have found a really unexpected Molecule in Titan’s atmosphere that has never been detected in any other atmosphere.

The particle is called cyclopropenylidene, or C3H2, and it's made of carbon and hydrogen.

“When I realized I was looking at cyclopropenylidene, my first thought was, ‘Well, this is really unexpected,’” said Conor Nixon, a planetary scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, who led the ALMA search. His team’s findings were published on October 15 in the Astronomical Journal.

It's so rare that it has never before been detected in an atmosphere, in the Solar System or elsewhere. The only other place it can remain stable is the cold void of interstellar space.

The largest of Saturn’s 62 moons, Titan is an intriguing world that’s in some ways the most similar one to Earth.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have found a really unexpected Molecule in Titan’s atmosphere that has never been detected in any other atmosphere. The particle is called cyclopropenylidene, or C3H2, and it's made of carbon and hydrogen.

Scientists have found a really unexpected Molecule in Titan’s atmosphere that has never been detected in any other atmosphere. The particle is called cyclopropenylidene, or C3H2, and it's made of carbon and hydrogen. “When I realized I was looking at cyclopropenylidene, my first thought was, ‘Well, this is really unexpected,’” said Conor Nixon, a planetary scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, who led the ALMA search. His team’s findings were published on October 15 in the Astronomical Journal. It's so rare that it has never before been detected in an atmosphere, in the Solar System or elsewhere. The only other place it can remain stable is the cold void of interstellar space. The largest of Saturn’s 62 moons, Titan is an intriguing world that’s in some ways the most similar one to Earth. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists found unexpected molecule in atmosphere of Saturn’s largest moon

NASA has confirmed, for the first time, that there is water on the sunlit surface of the moon. The discovery means future missions to the moon could be prolonged by making use of these water molecules which are scattered across the moon.

NASA reveals discovery of water molecules on moon

An expert at NASA has claimed that a newly discovered object approaching the Earth is actually an old rocket from a failed lunar mission.

This comes after speculation earlier this month the object would become a new “mini-moon” and join other small asteroids in getting trapped in our planet’s orbit.

The new object, dubbed 2020 SO, is expected to fall into our orbit, where it will spin from mid-October to May 2021.

It is believed 2020 SO is actually the Centaur upper rocket stage that propelled NASA’s Surveyor 2 lander to the moon.

The rocket took flight in 1966, and ended up crashing on the surface of the moon after one of its thrusters failed to fire up approach the rock. It has since remained in space as floating debris.

Current estimates put the size of the object between roughly six and 14 metres in length -- based on its observed brightness.

It won’t get very close and is on a “highly-chaotic path,” wrote orbit simulator Tony Dunn on Twitter. In fact, projections suggest it will pass by Earth on Dec. 1 at a distance of about 50,000 kilometres, and later in February at about 220,000 kilometres.

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Asteroid 2020 SO may get captured by Earth from Oct 2020 - May 2021. Current nominal trajectory shows shows capture through L2, and escape through L1. Highly-chaotic path, so be prepared for lots of revisions as new observations come in. <a href="https://twitter.com/renerpho?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@renerpho</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nrco0e?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nrco0e</a> <a href="https://t.co/h4JaG2rHEd">https://t.co/h4JaG2rHEd</a> <a href="https://t.co/RfUaeLtEWq">pic.twitter.com/RfUaeLtEWq</a>
— Tony Dunn (@tony873004) <a href="https://twitter.com/tony873004/status/1307729521869611008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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An expert at NASA has claimed that a newly discovered object approaching the Earth is actually an old rocket from a failed lunar mission. This comes after speculation earlier this month the object would become a new “mini-moon” and join other small asteroids in getting trapped in our planet’s orbit.

An expert at NASA has claimed that a newly discovered object approaching the Earth is actually an old rocket from a failed lunar mission. This comes after speculation earlier this month the object would become a new “mini-moon” and join other small asteroids in getting trapped in our planet’s orbit. The new object, dubbed 2020 SO, is expected to fall into our orbit, where it will spin from mid-October to May 2021. It is believed 2020 SO is actually the Centaur upper rocket stage that propelled NASA’s Surveyor 2 lander to the moon. The rocket took flight in 1966, and ended up crashing on the surface of the moon after one of its thrusters failed to fire up approach the rock. It has since remained in space as floating debris. Current estimates put the size of the object between roughly six and 14 metres in length -- based on its observed brightness. It won’t get very close and is on a “highly-chaotic path,” wrote orbit simulator Tony Dunn on Twitter. In fact, projections suggest it will pass by Earth on Dec. 1 at a distance of about 50,000 kilometres, and later in February at about 220,000 kilometres. Asteroid 2020 SO may get captured by Earth from Oct 2020 - May 2021. Current nominal trajectory shows shows capture through L2, and escape through L1. Highly-chaotic path, so be prepared for lots of revisions as new observations come in. @renerpho @nrco0e https://t.co/h4JaG2rHEd pic.twitter.com/RfUaeLtEWq — Tony Dunn (@tony873004) September 20, 2020 ×

NASA identifies space rock approaching Earth as junk from 1966 rocket launch

Network is precious, network is everything. All of us yearn for that extra bar on our phones when we are watching movies or doing anything that is data-heavy. The buffering circle is the most annoying thing when all we want to do is unwind. We run around our homes for that perfect sweet spot of abundant network.

But what if we told you, you'll get 4G network on Moon too?

Yes, NASA seems to be doing such a thing. It has awarded USD 14.1 million to Nokia to deploy 4G cellular network on Moon.

Think about it, if you go to the Moon and in case you lose network, you can call it 'out of the world problem' instead of first/second world one. This seemingly sad tip may bring in a lot of social media cred!

But right now the set up of 4G cellular network on the Moon appears to be for scientific and research purposes.

"The system could support lunar surface communications at greater distances, increased speeds and provide more reliability than current standards," NASA noted in its contract award announcement.

The grant given to Nokia is part of USD 370 million worth of contracts signed under NASA`s "Tipping Point" selections, meant to advance research and development for space exploration.

According to United Press International, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine in a live broadcast said that the space agency must quickly develop new technologies for living and working on the moon if it wants to realise its goal to have astronauts working at a lunar base by 2028.

"We need power systems that can last a long time on the surface of the moon, and we need habitation capability on the surface," Bridenstine said.

Nokia`s research arm, Bell Labs, provided more details in a Twitter thread. The company intends for the network to support wireless operation of lunar rovers and navigation, as well as streaming video.

"Working with our partners at @Int_Machines, this groundbreaking network will be the critical communications fabric for data transmission applications, including the control of lunar rovers, real-time navigation over lunar geography and streaming of high definition video," Bell Labs said in a tweet.

This is not Nokia`s first attempt to launch an LTE network on the moon. It was planned to do this in 2018 in collaboration with PTScientists, a German space company, and Vodafone UK to launch an LTE network at the site of the Apollo 17 landing, but the mission never got off the ground.

(With IANS inputs)

Network is precious, network is everything. All of us yearn for that extra bar on our phones when we are watching movies or doing anything that is data-heavy. The buffering circle is the most annoying thing when all we want to do is unwind.

Network is precious, network is everything. All of us yearn for that extra bar on our phones when we are watching movies or doing anything that is data-heavy. The buffering circle is the most annoying thing when all we want to do is unwind. We run around our homes for that perfect sweet spot of abundant network. But what if we told you, you'll get 4G network on Moon too? Yes, NASA seems to be doing such a thing. It has awarded USD 14.1 million to Nokia to deploy 4G cellular network on Moon. Think about it, if you go to the Moon and in case you lose network, you can call it 'out of the world problem' instead of first/second world one. This seemingly sad tip may bring in a lot of social media cred! But right now the set up of 4G cellular network on the Moon appears to be for scientific and research purposes. "The system could support lunar surface communications at greater distances, increased speeds and provide more reliability than current standards," NASA noted in its contract award announcement. The grant given to Nokia is part of USD 370 million worth of contracts signed under NASA`s "Tipping Point" selections, meant to advance research and development for space exploration. According to United Press International, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine in a live broadcast said that the space agency must quickly develop new technologies for living and working on the moon if it wants to realise its goal to have astronauts working at a lunar base by 2028. "We need power systems that can last a long time on the surface of the moon, and we need habitation capability on the surface," Bridenstine said. Nokia`s research arm, Bell Labs, provided more details in a Twitter thread. The company intends for the network to support wireless operation of lunar rovers and navigation, as well as streaming video. "Working with our partners at @Int_Machines, this groundbreaking network will be the critical communications fabric for data transmission applications, including the control of lunar rovers, real-time navigation over lunar geography and streaming of high definition video," Bell Labs said in a tweet. This is not Nokia`s first attempt to launch an LTE network on the moon. It was planned to do this in 2018 in collaboration with PTScientists, a German space company, and Vodafone UK to launch an LTE network at the site of the Apollo 17 landing, but the mission never got off the ground. (With IANS inputs)

Nokia will now set up 4G network on Moon, courtesy NASA

Researchers are of the opinion that Earth and Venus were once similar. With time, changes happened on the surface of Venus to turn it into the greenhouse-effect driven planet it is today. Evidence of this shift is hidden in rocky time capsules on the moon, flung there by ancient collisions.

Scientists at Yale University have suggested that billions of pieces of planet Venus are likely to have crashed on the Moon.

The lead author of the new research said in a statement: "Anything from Venus that landed on Earth is probably buried very deep, due to geological activity. These rocks would be much better preserved on the moon."

The first factor that supports the theory is that asteroids hitting Venus usually are going faster than those that hit Earth, dispatching significantly more material. The second is that a huge fraction of Venus’s ejected material would have approached Earth and the Moon.

According to the scientists' models of the way orbits line up, Venusian material should reach the Earth-moon neighborhood fairly frequently. The researchers' calculations suggest that out of every 10,000 pieces of rock flung off Venus by impacts, about seven should have landed on the moon.

At the same time, scientists think Venus might have looked much more like Earth does today, with a thinner atmosphere than its current carbon dioxide blanket.

Researchers are of the opinion that Earth and Venus were once similar. With time, changes happened on the surface of Venus to turn it into the greenhouse-effect driven planet it is today.

Researchers are of the opinion that Earth and Venus were once similar. With time, changes happened on the surface of Venus to turn it into the greenhouse-effect driven planet it is today. Evidence of this shift is hidden in rocky time capsules on the moon, flung there by ancient collisions. Scientists at Yale University have suggested that billions of pieces of planet Venus are likely to have crashed on the Moon. The lead author of the new research said in a statement: "Anything from Venus that landed on Earth is probably buried very deep, due to geological activity. These rocks would be much better preserved on the moon." The first factor that supports the theory is that asteroids hitting Venus usually are going faster than those that hit Earth, dispatching significantly more material. The second is that a huge fraction of Venus’s ejected material would have approached Earth and the Moon. According to the scientists' models of the way orbits line up, Venusian material should reach the Earth-moon neighborhood fairly frequently. The researchers' calculations suggest that out of every 10,000 pieces of rock flung off Venus by impacts, about seven should have landed on the moon. At the same time, scientists think Venus might have looked much more like Earth does today, with a thinner atmosphere than its current carbon dioxide blanket.

Pieces of Venus may be hiding on the moon, study says

NASA on Monday revealed its latest plan to return astronauts to the Moon in 2024, and estimated the cost of meeting that deadline at $28 billion, $16 billion of which would be spent on the lunar landing module.

Congress, which faces elections on November 3, will have to sign off on the financing for a project that has been set by US President Donald Trump as a top priority. The $28 billion would cover the budgetary years of 2021-25.

In a phone briefing with journalists Monday on the Artemis mission to return human beings to the Moon, NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine noted that "political risks" were often the biggest threat to NASA's work, especially before such a crucial election.

Barack Obama cancelled plans for a manned Mars mission, after his predecessor spent billions of dollars on the project.

If Congress approves the first tranche of $3.2 billion by Christmas, "we're still on track for a 2024 moon landing," Bridenstine said.

"To be clear, we're going to the South Pole," he said, ruling out the sites of the Apollo landings on the Moon's equator between 1969 and 1972. "There's no discussion of anything other than that."

Three different projects are in competition to build the lunar lander that will carry two astronauts -- one of them a woman -- to the Moon from their vessel Orion.

The first one is being developed by Blue Origin, founded by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, in partnership with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Draper. The other two projects are being undertaken by Elon Musk's SpaceX and by the company Dynetics.

The first flight, Artemis I, scheduled for November of 2021, will be unmanned: the new giant rocket SLS, currently in its test phase, will take off for the first time with the Orion capsule.

Artemis II, in 2023, will take astronauts around the Moon but will not land.

Finally, Artemis III will be the equivalent of Apollo 11 in 1969, but the stay on the Moon will last longer -- for a week -- and will include two to five "extravehicular activities."

"The science that we would be doing is really very different than anything we've done before," said Bridenstine. "We have to remember during the Apollo era, we thought the moon was bone dry. Now we know that there's lots of water ice and we know that it's at the South Pole."

NASA on Monday revealed its latest plan to return astronauts to the Moon in 2024, and estimated the cost of meeting that deadline at $28 billion, $16 billion of which would be spent on the lunar landing module.

NASA on Monday revealed its latest plan to return astronauts to the Moon in 2024, and estimated the cost of meeting that deadline at $28 billion, $16 billion of which would be spent on the lunar landing module. Congress, which faces elections on November 3, will have to sign off on the financing for a project that has been set by US President Donald Trump as a top priority. The $28 billion would cover the budgetary years of 2021-25. In a phone briefing with journalists Monday on the Artemis mission to return human beings to the Moon, NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine noted that "political risks" were often the biggest threat to NASA's work, especially before such a crucial election. Barack Obama cancelled plans for a manned Mars mission, after his predecessor spent billions of dollars on the project. If Congress approves the first tranche of $3.2 billion by Christmas, "we're still on track for a 2024 moon landing," Bridenstine said. "To be clear, we're going to the South Pole," he said, ruling out the sites of the Apollo landings on the Moon's equator between 1969 and 1972. "There's no discussion of anything other than that." Three different projects are in competition to build the lunar lander that will carry two astronauts -- one of them a woman -- to the Moon from their vessel Orion. The first one is being developed by Blue Origin, founded by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, in partnership with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Draper. The other two projects are being undertaken by Elon Musk's SpaceX and by the company Dynetics. The first flight, Artemis I, scheduled for November of 2021, will be unmanned: the new giant rocket SLS, currently in its test phase, will take off for the first time with the Orion capsule. Artemis II, in 2023, will take astronauts around the Moon but will not land. Finally, Artemis III will be the equivalent of Apollo 11 in 1969, but the stay on the Moon will last longer -- for a week -- and will include two to five "extravehicular activities." "The science that we would be doing is really very different than anything we've done before," said Bridenstine. "We have to remember during the Apollo era, we thought the moon was bone dry. Now we know that there's lots of water ice and we know that it's at the South Pole."

NASA plans mission to moon by 2024, to cost $28 billion

The moon is getting rusty. And it actually takes rocket science to understand the phenomenon.

There are plenty of iron-rich rocks on the moon -- but rust is only produced when iron is exposed to oxygen and water.

The dichotomy has been solved by researchers, who have enough evidence to prove their findings.

India's lunar probe, Chandrayaan-1, orbited the moon in 2008, and gathered data that said there are water molecules on its surface.

When researchers at NASA and the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology analysed the data recently, they were stunned to find hints of hematite, a form of iron oxide known as rust.&nbsp;

Not only is there no air on the moon, but it is flooded with hydrogen that flows from the sun, carried by solar wind. Rust is produced when oxygen removes electrons from iron; hydrogen does the opposite by adding electrons, which means it's all the harder for rust to form on the hydrogen-rich moon.

This rust was more concentrated on the side of the moon that faces Earth -- which gave impetus to their research.

Earth is encompassed in a magnetic field, and solar wind stretches this bubble to create a long magnetic tail in the downwind direction. The moon enters this tail three days before it's full, and it takes six days to cross the tail and exit on the other side.

During these six days, Earth's magnetic tail covers the moon's surface with electrons. Dust particles on the moon's surface can then float off the ground, and moon dust might fly into a dust storm, according to NASA.

And oxygen from the Earth travels on this magnetic tail to land on the moon, where it interacts with lunar water molecules to create rust.

The magnetic tail also blocks nearly all solar wind during the full moon -- meaning the moon is temporarily shielded from the blast of hydrogen, opening a window for rust to form.

This theory could also explain why rust has been found on other airless bodies like asteroids.&nbsp;

It, however, remains unclear how exactly water on the moon is interacting with rock. 
&nbsp;

The moon is getting rusty. And it actually takes rocket science to understand the phenomenon. There are plenty of iron-rich rocks on the moon -- but rust is only produced when iron is exposed to oxygen and water.

The moon is getting rusty. And it actually takes rocket science to understand the phenomenon. There are plenty of iron-rich rocks on the moon -- but rust is only produced when iron is exposed to oxygen and water. The dichotomy has been solved by researchers, who have enough evidence to prove their findings. India's lunar probe, Chandrayaan-1, orbited the moon in 2008, and gathered data that said there are water molecules on its surface. When researchers at NASA and the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology analysed the data recently, they were stunned to find hints of hematite, a form of iron oxide known as rust. Not only is there no air on the moon, but it is flooded with hydrogen that flows from the sun, carried by solar wind. Rust is produced when oxygen removes electrons from iron; hydrogen does the opposite by adding electrons, which means it's all the harder for rust to form on the hydrogen-rich moon. This rust was more concentrated on the side of the moon that faces Earth -- which gave impetus to their research. Earth is encompassed in a magnetic field, and solar wind stretches this bubble to create a long magnetic tail in the downwind direction. The moon enters this tail three days before it's full, and it takes six days to cross the tail and exit on the other side. During these six days, Earth's magnetic tail covers the moon's surface with electrons. Dust particles on the moon's surface can then float off the ground, and moon dust might fly into a dust storm, according to NASA. And oxygen from the Earth travels on this magnetic tail to land on the moon, where it interacts with lunar water molecules to create rust. The magnetic tail also blocks nearly all solar wind during the full moon -- meaning the moon is temporarily shielded from the blast of hydrogen, opening a window for rust to form. This theory could also explain why rust has been found on other airless bodies like asteroids. It, however, remains unclear how exactly water on the moon is interacting with rock.

The Earth is contributing towards rust on the Moon

NASA is planning to return to the moon by 2024 and wants someone to design a new toilet that works in lunar gravity. WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: NASA will pay you to design a toilet for Moon

NASA has launched a Lunar loo challenge, asking the public&nbsp;to send across designs for compact toilets that can function in microgravity and lunar gravity.

NASA is offering $35,000 as a cash reward to people for engineering the best' lunar loo' design - the winning design in the technical category will receive $20,000, $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third. Submissions can be made until August 17.

The last time astronauts landed on the moon was in 1972 during the Apollo Missions when they wore diapers and used bags to poop. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-offering-35000-prize-money-for-best-lunar-loo-design-308710">Also Read:&nbsp;NASA offering $35,000 prize money for best 'lunar loo' design</a>

The design will be used for&nbsp;the Nasa's 'Artemis' programme to land the first woman and the next man on the moon in 2024.

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This mission's flight requires a female-friendly loo which should be able to support a crew of two astronauts for 14 days. They should be easy to clean and maintain and the turnaround time should be 5 minutes. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/nasa-finds-evidence-of-parallel-universe-where-time-runs-backward-299949">Also Read: NASA finds evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward</a>

Furthermore, there is a bonus point for designs that can capture vomit without requiring the crew member to put his or her head in the toilet.

Nasa’s Artemis-3 mission, which has a launch target of 2024, aims to land a man and a woman at the lunar south pole. It would be the first time astronauts have travelled to the lunar surface since 1972. “As we prepare for this extraordinary event, we can’t forget about the ordinary needs of our astronauts,” said Interbartolo.

&nbsp;

NASA has launched a Lunar loo challenge, asking the public to send across designs for compact toilets that can function in microgravity and lunar gravity. NASA is offering $35,000 as a cash reward to people for engineering the best' lunar loo' design - the winning design in the technical category will receive $20,000, $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third.

NASA has launched a Lunar loo challenge, asking the public to send across designs for compact toilets that can function in microgravity and lunar gravity. NASA is offering $35,000 as a cash reward to people for engineering the best' lunar loo' design - the winning design in the technical category will receive $20,000, $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third. Submissions can be made until August 17. The last time astronauts landed on the moon was in 1972 during the Apollo Missions when they wore diapers and used bags to poop. Also Read: NASA offering $35,000 prize money for best 'lunar loo' design The design will be used for the Nasa's 'Artemis' programme to land the first woman and the next man on the moon in 2024. This mission's flight requires a female-friendly loo which should be able to support a crew of two astronauts for 14 days. They should be easy to clean and maintain and the turnaround time should be 5 minutes. Also Read: NASA finds evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward Furthermore, there is a bonus point for designs that can capture vomit without requiring the crew member to put his or her head in the toilet. Nasa’s Artemis-3 mission, which has a launch target of 2024, aims to land a man and a woman at the lunar south pole. It would be the first time astronauts have travelled to the lunar surface since 1972. “As we prepare for this extraordinary event, we can’t forget about the ordinary needs of our astronauts,” said Interbartolo.

NASA wants inventors to design a loo for the moon

Scientists have figured out how the subsurface ocean on Jupiter’s moon Europa may have formed and determined that this vast expanse of water may have been able to support microbial life in the past.

Europa, with an ocean hidden beneath a thick shell of ice, long has been viewed as a potential habitat for extraterrestrial life in our solar system, alongside other candidates such as Mars and Saturn’s moon Enceladus. A new study presented on Wednesday at a geoscience conference underscores its potential.

Europa’s ocean may have formed after water-rich minerals ejected their water thanks to heating caused by the decay of radioactive elements in its interior early in its history, the researchers found.

The effect of tides caused by Europa’s gravitational interactions with Jupiter - the solar system’s largest planet - and two other large Jovian moons, Io and Ganymede, also may have played a role.

“We think Europa’s ocean may have been habitable early when it formed because our models show that the ocean’s composition may have been only mildly acidic, containing carbon dioxide and some sulfate salts,” said planetary scientist Mohit Melwani Daswani of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the study’s leader. 
The study evaluated whether Europa was previously habitable and did not examine its present habitability, a question the researchers are now exploring.

“A word of caution,” Melwani Daswani said. “If a place is habitable, it does not mean that it is actually inhabited, just that the conditions could allow for the survival of some extremely hardy forms of life that we know of on Earth.” 
 
“The availability of liquid water is the first step to habitability. In addition, chemical exchange between the ocean and the rocky interior may have been significant in the past so potential life may have been able to use chemical energy to survive.”

Daswani said microbes akin to certain Earth bacteria that use carbon dioxide for energy could have survived using ingredients available in Europa’s early ocean.

Europa is slightly smaller than Earth’s moon. Europa’s ocean, perhaps 40 to 100 miles (65 to 160 km) deep, may contain double the water of Earth’s oceans.

Scientists have figured out how the subsurface ocean on Jupiter’s moon Europa may have formed and determined that this vast expanse of water may have been able to support microbial life in the past.

Scientists have figured out how the subsurface ocean on Jupiter’s moon Europa may have formed and determined that this vast expanse of water may have been able to support microbial life in the past. Europa, with an ocean hidden beneath a thick shell of ice, long has been viewed as a potential habitat for extraterrestrial life in our solar system, alongside other candidates such as Mars and Saturn’s moon Enceladus. A new study presented on Wednesday at a geoscience conference underscores its potential. Europa’s ocean may have formed after water-rich minerals ejected their water thanks to heating caused by the decay of radioactive elements in its interior early in its history, the researchers found. The effect of tides caused by Europa’s gravitational interactions with Jupiter - the solar system’s largest planet - and two other large Jovian moons, Io and Ganymede, also may have played a role. “We think Europa’s ocean may have been habitable early when it formed because our models show that the ocean’s composition may have been only mildly acidic, containing carbon dioxide and some sulfate salts,” said planetary scientist Mohit Melwani Daswani of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the study’s leader. The study evaluated whether Europa was previously habitable and did not examine its present habitability, a question the researchers are now exploring. “A word of caution,” Melwani Daswani said. “If a place is habitable, it does not mean that it is actually inhabited, just that the conditions could allow for the survival of some extremely hardy forms of life that we know of on Earth.” “The availability of liquid water is the first step to habitability. In addition, chemical exchange between the ocean and the rocky interior may have been significant in the past so potential life may have been able to use chemical energy to survive.” Daswani said microbes akin to certain Earth bacteria that use carbon dioxide for energy could have survived using ingredients available in Europa’s early ocean. Europa is slightly smaller than Earth’s moon. Europa’s ocean, perhaps 40 to 100 miles (65 to 160 km) deep, may contain double the water of Earth’s oceans.

Subsurface ocean on Jupiter's moon Europa deemed potentially 'habitable'

As the world fights the Coronavirus pandemic, the Trump administration is busy drafting a pact to 'mine the moon'. The White House is working on a legal blueprint to dig on the moon. WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Is the US trying to colonize the moon?

The world is fighting the coronavirus, scrambling to save lives. But the US is thinking out of the box. Also read: Amid coronavirus pandemic, China eyes moon trip with successful rocket launch It is busy trying to mine the moon.

The world is fighting the coronavirus, scrambling to save lives. But the US is thinking out of the box. Also read: Amid coronavirus pandemic, China eyes moon trip with successful rocket launch It is busy trying to mine the moon. The White House is preparing the Artemis accords. In other words, a blueprint for mining the moon. Trump wants to divide the moon among countries and firms and allow them to mine the moon and use whatever resources they find. Is this even legal? No. International laws do not allow territorial claims on the moon. But the United States does not seem to care. In 2015, it granted companies the right to resources they mine in outer space. And now--- in middle of the pandemic-- the Trump administration is finishing some hush-hush paperwork. The Artemis accords is named after NASA's new Artemis space program. One which calls for putting humans on the moon by 2024 and this is the plan of action. US officials plan to negotiate the accords in the coming months. On the negotiating table will be some 'like-minded' countries. Canada, Japan, the UAE will be among them and Russia has been kept out. Why? Because the Pentagon says Moscow is making threatening satellite manoeuvres. Surprising-- given Russia is one of NASA's major partners! Why should the world care about these accords? One, because the moon is increasingly being viewed as a strategic asset. Two, the moon is extremely valuable for scientific research. Three, the moon is critical for all mars-missions. Four, space is the new warzone. And the moon is no one's land to sell, lease or rent. China is not happy with the Artemis accords! This is the colonisation of the moon, they say. Washington is claiming sovereignty over the moon. Too bad, China thought it was the only country exploiting the pandemic.

Trump led United States to secretly draft 'Artemis Accords' pact for moon mining

The White House is preparing the Artemis accords. In other words, a blueprint for mining the moon. Trump wants to divide the moon among countries and firms and allow them to mine the moon and use whatever resources they find.

United States drafts 'Artemis Accords' pact for moon mining

One of the world's largest Moon rock will go on sale in London on Friday. Valued at $2.49 million, the piece of the meteorite was knocked off the moon and will auction at a private sale at Christie's in Britain.

Known as NWA 12691, it is thought to be the fifth largest piece of the moon ever found on earth and weighs over 13.5 kg.

Scientists determined the rock to be from Moon&nbsp;after&nbsp;they compared it with other samples of moon rock brought back by the United States' Apollo space missions to the moon.

<img alt="Moon rock" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fb2c2e60-e148-49c9-ba1f-fd193cd9cf93" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_122.jpg" />

According to a report by Reuters, the moon rock was probably struck off the surface of the moon by a collision with an asteroid or comet and then showered down on the Sahara desert.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pink-moon-biggest-supermoon-of-2020-illuminates-the-sky-291261">Also read: Pink moon: Biggest supermoon of 2020 illuminates the sky</a>

"It is an actual piece of the moon. It is about the size of a football, a bit more oblong than that, larger than your head," said James Hyslop, Christie's head of science and natural history.

Meteorites are incredibly rare and only about one in a thousand comes from the moon, making this a very special object, Hyslop also said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-pandemic-nasa-suspends-work-on-moon-rocket-287633">Also read: Coronavirus pandemic-&nbsp;NASA suspends work on Moon rocket</a>

"We are expecting huge international interest in it from natural history museums... it is a wonderful trophy for anyone who is interested in &nbsp;space history or lunar exploration."

The moon has fascinated man since the dawn of human history as a symbol of power, love, time and prosperity, and is the earth's only natural satellite. It is thought to have been formed 4.5 billion years ago when a Mars-sized body collided with earth.

(With inputs from agencies)

One of the world's largest Moon rock will go on sale in London on Friday. Valued at $2.49 million, the piece of the meteorite was knocked off the moon and will auction at a private sale at Christie's in Britain.

One of the world's largest Moon rock will go on sale in London on Friday. Valued at $2.49 million, the piece of the meteorite was knocked off the moon and will auction at a private sale at Christie's in Britain. Known as NWA 12691, it is thought to be the fifth largest piece of the moon ever found on earth and weighs over 13.5 kg. Scientists determined the rock to be from Moon after they compared it with other samples of moon rock brought back by the United States' Apollo space missions to the moon. According to a report by Reuters, the moon rock was probably struck off the surface of the moon by a collision with an asteroid or comet and then showered down on the Sahara desert. Also read: Pink moon: Biggest supermoon of 2020 illuminates the sky "It is an actual piece of the moon. It is about the size of a football, a bit more oblong than that, larger than your head," said James Hyslop, Christie's head of science and natural history. Meteorites are incredibly rare and only about one in a thousand comes from the moon, making this a very special object, Hyslop also said. Also read: Coronavirus pandemic- NASA suspends work on Moon rocket "We are expecting huge international interest in it from natural history museums... it is a wonderful trophy for anyone who is interested in space history or lunar exploration." The moon has fascinated man since the dawn of human history as a symbol of power, love, time and prosperity, and is the earth's only natural satellite. It is thought to have been formed 4.5 billion years ago when a Mars-sized body collided with earth. (With inputs from agencies)

Moon rock for sale!: One of the largest lunar meteorite to be auctioned for $2.5 million

NASA has released a video of the moon from the perspective of the astronauts on the aborted Apollo 13 mission.

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Earthset, sunrise and stunning views of the cratered surface. 🌒 You can see the far side of the Moon as Apollo 13 astronauts would have seen it in a new visualization using data from our <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAMoon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASAMoon</a> Lunar Reconaissance Orbiter. Watch in 4K: <a href="https://t.co/D21gOwRpYV">https://t.co/D21gOwRpYV</a> <a href="https://t.co/BJ749qy8Ke">pic.twitter.com/BJ749qy8Ke</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1234267619156537344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The space agency has created the video in 4K resolution using data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, a robotic NASA spacecraft that orbits the moon.

At the beginning of the video, the astronauts are shown in darkness for eight minutes when they were between earth set and sunrise until the lunar terrain emerged.

Watch: Mission Control restored 50 years after Apollo 11

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mission-control-restored-50-years-after-apollo-11-231083/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It takes the audience on a tour of the different parts of the moon for over a minute as the music plays in the background.

When the Earth is shown in the video, Apollo 13 re-established radio contact with Mission Control according to the space agency.

The end of the video depicts the trajectory the astronauts took around the moon to get home safely.

The astronauts of Apollo 13 had successfully circled the moon and returned safely to Earth.

NASA has released a video of the moon from the perspective of the astronauts on the aborted Apollo 13 mission. Earthset, sunrise and stunning views of the cratered surface.

NASA has released a video of the moon from the perspective of the astronauts on the aborted Apollo 13 mission. Earthset, sunrise and stunning views of the cratered surface. 🌒 You can see the far side of the Moon as Apollo 13 astronauts would have seen it in a new visualization using data from our @NASAMoon Lunar Reconaissance Orbiter. Watch in 4K: https://t.co/D21gOwRpYV pic.twitter.com/BJ749qy8Ke — NASA (@NASA) March 2, 2020 × The space agency has created the video in 4K resolution using data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, a robotic NASA spacecraft that orbits the moon. At the beginning of the video, the astronauts are shown in darkness for eight minutes when they were between earth set and sunrise until the lunar terrain emerged. Watch: Mission Control restored 50 years after Apollo 11 It takes the audience on a tour of the different parts of the moon for over a minute as the music plays in the background. When the Earth is shown in the video, Apollo 13 re-established radio contact with Mission Control according to the space agency. The end of the video depicts the trajectory the astronauts took around the moon to get home safely. The astronauts of Apollo 13 had successfully circled the moon and returned safely to Earth.

Watch: Moon from point of view of Apollo 13's astronauts

Astronomers in the United States have spotted a new "mini-moon" circling the planet Earth which is about the&nbsp;size of a car.

According to the astronomers, Kacper Wierzchos and Teddy Pruyne of NASA-funded Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona, the mini-moon is between 2 to 3 meters wide.

"BIG NEWS, Earth has a new temporarily captured object/Possible mini-moon called 2020 CD3," Wierzchos announced on Twitter.

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BIG NEWS (thread 1/3). Earth has a new temporarily captured object/Possible mini-moon called 2020 CD3. On the night of Feb. 15, my Catalina Sky Survey teammate Teddy Pruyne and I found a 20th magnitude object. Here are the discovery images. <a href="https://t.co/zLkXyGAkZl">pic.twitter.com/zLkXyGAkZl</a>
— Kacper Wierzchos (@WierzchosKacper) <a href="https://twitter.com/WierzchosKacper/status/1232460436634656769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The astronomer also said that Asteroid 2020 CD3 which has has been captured by Earth's gravity is lingering around for the past three years.

"The object has just been announced by the MPC and its orbit shows that it entered Earth's orbit some three years ago."

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(2/3) The object has just been announced by the MPC and its orbit shows that it entered Earth's orbit some three years ago. Here is a diagram of the orbit created with the orbit simulator written by Tony Dunn: <a href="https://t.co/2wsJGtexiO">pic.twitter.com/2wsJGtexiO</a>
— Kacper Wierzchos (@WierzchosKacper) <a href="https://twitter.com/WierzchosKacper/status/1232461053692268545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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It was a "big deal as out of 1 million known asteroids, this is just the second asteroid known to orbit Earth (after 2006 RH120, which was also discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey)," the astronomer also said.

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(3/3) The object has a diameter between 1.9 - 3.5 m assuming a C-type asteroid albedo. But it's a big deal as out of ~ 1 million known asteroids, this is just the second asteroid known to orbit Earth (after 2006 RH120, which was also discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey).
— Kacper Wierzchos (@WierzchosKacper) <a href="https://twitter.com/WierzchosKacper/status/1232461141256749057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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However, Earth's new neighbour is not in a stable orbit around the planet and is most likely to escape by April.

"It is heading away from the Earth-moon system as we speak," Grigori Fedorets, a research fellow at Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland, told New Scientist magazine and was likely to escape in April.

The only other asteroid is known to orbit Earth, 2006 RH120, rotated the planet from September 2006 to June 2007.&nbsp;

Scientists say that there is at least one mini-moon circling the planet at any given time, but most of them go undiscovered due to their small size.

Astronomers in the United States have spotted a new "mini-moon" circling the planet Earth which is about the size of a car. According to the astronomers, Kacper Wierzchos and Teddy Pruyne of NASA-funded Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona, the mini-moon is between 2 to 3 meters wide.

Astronomers in the United States have spotted a new "mini-moon" circling the planet Earth which is about the size of a car. According to the astronomers, Kacper Wierzchos and Teddy Pruyne of NASA-funded Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona, the mini-moon is between 2 to 3 meters wide. "BIG NEWS, Earth has a new temporarily captured object/Possible mini-moon called 2020 CD3," Wierzchos announced on Twitter. BIG NEWS (thread 1/3). Earth has a new temporarily captured object/Possible mini-moon called 2020 CD3. On the night of Feb. 15, my Catalina Sky Survey teammate Teddy Pruyne and I found a 20th magnitude object. Here are the discovery images. pic.twitter.com/zLkXyGAkZl — Kacper Wierzchos (@WierzchosKacper) February 26, 2020 × The astronomer also said that Asteroid 2020 CD3 which has has been captured by Earth's gravity is lingering around for the past three years. "The object has just been announced by the MPC and its orbit shows that it entered Earth's orbit some three years ago." (2/3) The object has just been announced by the MPC and its orbit shows that it entered Earth's orbit some three years ago. Here is a diagram of the orbit created with the orbit simulator written by Tony Dunn: pic.twitter.com/2wsJGtexiO — Kacper Wierzchos (@WierzchosKacper) February 26, 2020 × It was a "big deal as out of 1 million known asteroids, this is just the second asteroid known to orbit Earth (after 2006 RH120, which was also discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey)," the astronomer also said. (3/3) The object has a diameter between 1.9 - 3.5 m assuming a C-type asteroid albedo. But it's a big deal as out of ~ 1 million known asteroids, this is just the second asteroid known to orbit Earth (after 2006 RH120, which was also discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey). — Kacper Wierzchos (@WierzchosKacper) February 26, 2020 × However, Earth's new neighbour is not in a stable orbit around the planet and is most likely to escape by April. "It is heading away from the Earth-moon system as we speak," Grigori Fedorets, a research fellow at Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland, told New Scientist magazine and was likely to escape in April. The only other asteroid is known to orbit Earth, 2006 RH120, rotated the planet from September 2006 to June 2007. Scientists say that there is at least one mini-moon circling the planet at any given time, but most of them go undiscovered due to their small size.

Earth has a new 'mini-moon' about the size of a car

This year's first 'supermoon' is going to be a 'Snow Moon' and will be visible across the world this weekend.&nbsp;

According to NASA, this will be a "full Moon weekend", with the Moon appearing full "for about three days centered around this time, from Friday evening to Monday morning, making this a full Moon weekend," NASA stated in its release on Tuesday.

A supermoon occurs when a full moon is closest to the Earth and appears exceptionally large.&nbsp;

The term 'Snow Moon' could be attributed to the fact that northeastern Native American tribes referred to the second full moon of winter as the 'Snow Moon'&nbsp;because of heavy snowing in February.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/world-witnesses-longest-ever-blood-moon-eclipse-of-21st-century-155159">World witnesses longest-ever 'blood moon' eclipse of 21st Century</a>

The 'Snow Moon'&nbsp;will appear in all its might at around 2:33 am EST on February 9.&nbsp;

"The Next Full Moon is the Snow Moon, Storm Moon, Hunger Moon, Magha Purnima, Magha Puja, the Mahamuni Pagoda Festival Moon, the Chinese Lantern Festival Moon, and the Full Moon of Tu B'Shevat," NASA stated.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-rare-celestial-event-saturn-sun-aligned-on-earths-opposite-sides-strawberry-moon-was-sighted-147805">When Saturn, Sun aligned on Earth's opposite sides and 'Strawberry Moon' was sighted</a>

"The Moon will appear full for about three days centered around this time, from Friday evening to Monday morning, making this a full Moon weekend," it added.&nbsp;

Experts suggest that the best sight of a full moon is experienced at moonrise or moonset.

This weekend's supermoon will look its best at moonrise (around sunset) in the east on Saturday and at the time of moonset (sunrise) in the west on Sunday. 
&nbsp;

This year's first 'supermoon' is going to be a 'Snow Moon' and will be visible across the world this weekend. According to NASA, this will be a "full Moon weekend", with the Moon appearing full "for about three days centered around this time, from Friday evening to Monday morning, making this a full Moon weekend," NASA stated in its release on Tuesday.

This year's first 'supermoon' is going to be a 'Snow Moon' and will be visible across the world this weekend. According to NASA, this will be a "full Moon weekend", with the Moon appearing full "for about three days centered around this time, from Friday evening to Monday morning, making this a full Moon weekend," NASA stated in its release on Tuesday. A supermoon occurs when a full moon is closest to the Earth and appears exceptionally large. The term 'Snow Moon' could be attributed to the fact that northeastern Native American tribes referred to the second full moon of winter as the 'Snow Moon' because of heavy snowing in February. Also read: World witnesses longest-ever 'blood moon' eclipse of 21st Century The 'Snow Moon' will appear in all its might at around 2:33 am EST on February 9. "The Next Full Moon is the Snow Moon, Storm Moon, Hunger Moon, Magha Purnima, Magha Puja, the Mahamuni Pagoda Festival Moon, the Chinese Lantern Festival Moon, and the Full Moon of Tu B'Shevat," NASA stated. Also read: When Saturn, Sun aligned on Earth's opposite sides and 'Strawberry Moon' was sighted "The Moon will appear full for about three days centered around this time, from Friday evening to Monday morning, making this a full Moon weekend," it added. Experts suggest that the best sight of a full moon is experienced at moonrise or moonset. This weekend's supermoon will look its best at moonrise (around sunset) in the east on Saturday and at the time of moonset (sunrise) in the west on Sunday.

This weekend, get ready for 'Snow Moon' - first supermoon of 2020

Today in History: Resolution 90, Scotch Tape, Robert E. Lee becomes General-in-Chief and more!

Japanese fashion billionaire <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japanese-fashion-designer-yusaku-maezawa-is-giving-away-9-million-to-his-twitter-followers-273254">Yusaku Maezawa</a> has pulled out of a documentary search for a girlfriend to take on his voyage around the moon with Elon Musk's SpaceX, citing his "mixed feelings" about participating.

This month, the 44-year-old announced he was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japanese-billionaire-yusaku-maezawa-to-be-spacex-moon-traveller-166267">seeking single females</a> over 20 willing to vie to become his girlfriend for a documentary to be aired on streaming service AbemaTV. Almost 28,000 people applied.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-japanese-billionaire-maezawa-who-seeks-girlfriend-for-moon-voyage-274172">Maezawa </a>said he is "extremely remorseful" about the decision to pull out, apologizing to the applicants and AbemaTV staff in posts to Twitter, where he is Japan's most-followed account with more than 7 million followers.

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お見合いにご応募いただきました皆さま、そしてAbemaTV関係者の皆さまには、心よりお詫び申し上げます。大変申し訳ございませんでした。 <a href="https://t.co/UvnhXov8xB">https://t.co/UvnhXov8xB</a>
— Yusaku Maezawa (MZ) 前澤友作 (@yousuck2020) <a href="https://twitter.com/yousuck2020/status/1222716480376098816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The translation reads thusly: " We sincerely apologize to all of you who have applied for the matchmaking, and to those involved in AbemaTV. I'm very sorry."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/billionaire-maezawa-seeks-for-a-life-partner-for-moon-spacex-voyage-273811">Fly me to the moon: Japanese billionaire Maezawa seeks girlfriend for SpaceX voyage</a>

Maezawa, the founder and former CEO of online fashion retailer Zozo, which he last year sold to SoftBank Group Corp, is known for launching big ideas with much fanfare - though some of them don't pan out as planned.

As CEO, he launched the Zozosuit, a polka-dot bodysuit that allowed users to collect body measurements to order custom-made clothes but which did not work well in practice. He also outlined an ambitious overseas expansion plan that wildly undershot targets, leading to a crash in the company's stock price.

Maezawa has pledged to give away $9 million to his Twitter followers in what he says is a "social experiment" to see if the payment boosts their happiness.

Japanese fashion billionaire Yusaku Maezawa has pulled out of a documentary search for a girlfriend to take on his voyage around the moon with Elon Musk's SpaceX, citing his "mixed feelings" about participating.

Japanese fashion billionaire Yusaku Maezawa has pulled out of a documentary search for a girlfriend to take on his voyage around the moon with Elon Musk's SpaceX, citing his "mixed feelings" about participating. This month, the 44-year-old announced he was seeking single females over 20 willing to vie to become his girlfriend for a documentary to be aired on streaming service AbemaTV. Almost 28,000 people applied. Maezawa said he is "extremely remorseful" about the decision to pull out, apologizing to the applicants and AbemaTV staff in posts to Twitter, where he is Japan's most-followed account with more than 7 million followers. お見合いにご応募いただきました皆さま、そしてAbemaTV関係者の皆さまには、心よりお詫び申し上げます。大変申し訳ございませんでした。 https://t.co/UvnhXov8xB — Yusaku Maezawa (MZ) 前澤友作 (@yousuck2020) January 30, 2020 × The translation reads thusly: " We sincerely apologize to all of you who have applied for the matchmaking, and to those involved in AbemaTV. I'm very sorry." Also Read: Fly me to the moon: Japanese billionaire Maezawa seeks girlfriend for SpaceX voyage Maezawa, the founder and former CEO of online fashion retailer Zozo, which he last year sold to SoftBank Group Corp, is known for launching big ideas with much fanfare - though some of them don't pan out as planned. As CEO, he launched the Zozosuit, a polka-dot bodysuit that allowed users to collect body measurements to order custom-made clothes but which did not work well in practice. He also outlined an ambitious overseas expansion plan that wildly undershot targets, leading to a crash in the company's stock price. Maezawa has pledged to give away $9 million to his Twitter followers in what he says is a "social experiment" to see if the payment boosts their happiness.

Japanese billionaire Maezawa pulls out of dating show that promised the moon trip

A California-based aviation and aerospace company is in the process of creating an army of autonomous robots that could be sent to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandrayaan-2-nasa-satellite-finds-indias-vikram-moon-lander-releases-images-of-impact-site-265811">moon</a> and mine its surface.&nbsp;

Pasadena, California situated OffWorld is a company which fans the idea of a future of robots in space. Before NASA carries out its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-lunar-mission-chandrayaan-3-to-launch-in-november-2020-isro-271367">manned mission to the moon</a>, the idea is to have these robots up on the lunar surface to do the prep.

What's special about these robots is their ability to take autonomous decisions and carry out tasks on their own without needing any commands or timely supervision.&nbsp;

The robots are based on the existing technologies like mining on the earth surface and would be able to carry out tasks that have never been entrusted on machines before.&nbsp;

The company's vision is to create colonies of smart robots that would "under human supervision" aim to turn "the inner solar system into a better, gentler, greener place for life and civilization," as stated on OffWorld official website.&nbsp;

The company sees its many smart robots as the enabler of human expansion beyond planet earth. It has previously built rocket engines, spacecraft and launched several satellites. 
&nbsp;

A California-based aviation and aerospace company is in the process of creating an army of autonomous robots that could be sent to the moon and mine its surface.

A California-based aviation and aerospace company is in the process of creating an army of autonomous robots that could be sent to the moon and mine its surface. Pasadena, California situated OffWorld is a company which fans the idea of a future of robots in space. Before NASA carries out its manned mission to the moon, the idea is to have these robots up on the lunar surface to do the prep. What's special about these robots is their ability to take autonomous decisions and carry out tasks on their own without needing any commands or timely supervision. The robots are based on the existing technologies like mining on the earth surface and would be able to carry out tasks that have never been entrusted on machines before. The company's vision is to create colonies of smart robots that would "under human supervision" aim to turn "the inner solar system into a better, gentler, greener place for life and civilization," as stated on OffWorld official website. The company sees its many smart robots as the enabler of human expansion beyond planet earth. It has previously built rocket engines, spacecraft and launched several satellites.

Smart robots in the offing to help mine the moon

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday released new three-dimensional images from the moon`s surface captured by the Chandrayaan -2.

The images of a crater from the lunar surface was captured by the Terrain Mapping Camera-2 aboard Chandrayaan-2.

"Have a look of 3D view of a crater imaged by TMC-2 of #Chandrayaan2. TMC-2 provides images at 5m spatial resolution &amp; stereo triplets (fore, nadir and aft views) for preparing DEM of the complete lunar surface," ISRO tweeted from its official handle.

The triplet images from TMC-2 when processed into Digital Elevation Models, enable mapping of surface landform morphologies.

These include - Craters (formed by impactors), Lava tubes (potential sites for future habitability), Rilles (furrows formed by lava channels or collapsed lava tubes), Dorsa or wrinkle ridges (formed mostly in Mare regions depicting cooling of and contraction of basaltic lava), Graben structures (depicts the structural dislocations on the lunar surface) and Lunar Domes/ Cones (denoting localized vents of past volcanism on the Moon).&nbsp;

 
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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday released new three-dimensional images from the moon`s surface captured by the Chandrayaan -2. The images of a crater from the lunar surface was captured by the Terrain Mapping Camera-2 aboard Chandrayaan-2.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday released new three-dimensional images from the moon`s surface captured by the Chandrayaan -2. The images of a crater from the lunar surface was captured by the Terrain Mapping Camera-2 aboard Chandrayaan-2. "Have a look of 3D view of a crater imaged by TMC-2 of #Chandrayaan2. TMC-2 provides images at 5m spatial resolution & stereo triplets (fore, nadir and aft views) for preparing DEM of the complete lunar surface," ISRO tweeted from its official handle. The triplet images from TMC-2 when processed into Digital Elevation Models, enable mapping of surface landform morphologies. These include - Craters (formed by impactors), Lava tubes (potential sites for future habitability), Rilles (furrows formed by lava channels or collapsed lava tubes), Dorsa or wrinkle ridges (formed mostly in Mare regions depicting cooling of and contraction of basaltic lava), Graben structures (depicts the structural dislocations on the lunar surface) and Lunar Domes/ Cones (denoting localized vents of past volcanism on the Moon).

Chandrayaan-2 sends new pictures of moon's surface

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-wants-international-partners-to-go-to-moon-too-257407">National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)</a> will send a golf cart-sized robot to the moon in 2022 to search for deposits of water below the surface, an effort to evaluate the vital resource ahead of a planned human return to the moon in 2024 to possibly use it for astronauts to drink and to make rocket fuel, the US&nbsp;space agency said on Friday.

The VIPER robot will drive for kilometres&nbsp;on the dusty lunar surface to get a closer look at what NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine has touted for months: underground pockets of&nbsp;"hundreds of millions of tons of water ice" that could help turn the moon into a jumping-off point to Mars.&nbsp;

"VIPER is going to assess where the water ice is. We're going to be able&nbsp;to characterize the water ice, and ultimately drill," Bridenstine said on Friday at the International Astronautical Congress in Washington. "Why is this important? Because water ice represents something significant. Life support."&nbsp;

VIPER stands for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover.

The rover is expected to arrive on the moon's south polar region in December 2022, carrying four instruments to sample lunar soil for traces of hydrogen and oxygen - the basic components of water that can be separated and synthesized into fuel for a planned fleet of commercial lunar launch vehicles.

In development at NASA's Ames Research Center in California, the VIPER robot will log "about&nbsp;100 days of data that will be used to inform the first global water resource maps of the moon," NASA said in announcing the plans.&nbsp;

NASA is in the process of kickstarting its Artemis programme, an accelerated mission to put people back on the moon for the first time since the 1970s to train and prove technologies that would later be sent on a Mars mission.&nbsp;Scientists have eyed lunar water as a key resource for enabling long-duration astronaut missions on the moon, though its form and exact amount are unknown. VIPER will aim to find out.

NASA crashed a rocket onto the moon's south pole in 2009 to confirm traces of lunar water ice in the plume of dust kicked up upon impact.&nbsp;

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will send a golf cart-sized robot to the moon in 2022 to search for deposits of water below the surface, an effort to evaluate the vital resource ahead of a planned human return to the moon in 2024 to possibly use it for astronauts to drink and to make rocket fuel, the US space agency said on Friday.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will send a golf cart-sized robot to the moon in 2022 to search for deposits of water below the surface, an effort to evaluate the vital resource ahead of a planned human return to the moon in 2024 to possibly use it for astronauts to drink and to make rocket fuel, the US space agency said on Friday. The VIPER robot will drive for kilometres on the dusty lunar surface to get a closer look at what NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine has touted for months: underground pockets of "hundreds of millions of tons of water ice" that could help turn the moon into a jumping-off point to Mars. "VIPER is going to assess where the water ice is. We're going to be able to characterize the water ice, and ultimately drill," Bridenstine said on Friday at the International Astronautical Congress in Washington. "Why is this important? Because water ice represents something significant. Life support." VIPER stands for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover. The rover is expected to arrive on the moon's south polar region in December 2022, carrying four instruments to sample lunar soil for traces of hydrogen and oxygen - the basic components of water that can be separated and synthesized into fuel for a planned fleet of commercial lunar launch vehicles. In development at NASA's Ames Research Center in California, the VIPER robot will log "about 100 days of data that will be used to inform the first global water resource maps of the moon," NASA said in announcing the plans. NASA is in the process of kickstarting its Artemis programme, an accelerated mission to put people back on the moon for the first time since the 1970s to train and prove technologies that would later be sent on a Mars mission. Scientists have eyed lunar water as a key resource for enabling long-duration astronaut missions on the moon, though its form and exact amount are unknown. VIPER will aim to find out. NASA crashed a rocket onto the moon's south pole in 2009 to confirm traces of lunar water ice in the plume of dust kicked up upon impact.

NASA plans to send water-hunting robot to moon surface in 2022

As it looks to return to the Moon, NASA is open to the idea of international participation, which could mean a non-American setting foot on Earth's natural satellite for the first time in history, global space chiefs said Monday.

"I think there's lots of room on the Moon, and we need all our international partners to go with us to the Moon," NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine told reporters at the 70th International Astronautical Congress held in Washington.

"If we can come to agreements on the contributions of all the nations and how they're going to be a part of the architecture, then certainly I would, I would see that there'd be no reason we can't have all of our international partners with us on the Moon," he added.

The Americans are developing a spacecraft (Orion) and a mini space station (Gateway) that will remain in lunar orbit, which will, in theory, be used for a first crewed mission in 2024, Artemis 3.

Only one element of the mission will be produced outside the US: the Orion service module that will supply it with electricity, propulsion, thermal control, air and water in space and is being delivered by the European Space Agency (ESA).

Only once the Gateway is expanded will non-Americans be able to make the journey too.

"We are in the discussion also with NASA, so that we have European astronauts on the surface of the Moon, this is, of course, the European intention," said Jan Worner, head of the ESA, at the same press conference.

"2024 is for sure something which is purely American," he later told AFP. For Europeans, it could be "2027, 2028, something like that."

For its part, Japan also wants to take advantage of the new US program to write a new chapter in its own history.

"It's a very simple question to me because JAXA would like to send Japanese astronauts to the surface of the Moon," said Hiroshi Yamakawa, president of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

The building of the ISS in the late 1990s and 2000s appeared to usher in a new era of space cooperation between the US and Russia following the Cold War, but this time around, Washington is in no mood to work with geopolitical rivals.

Specifically, the US Congress has explicitly prohibited any cooperation with China, the world's biggest economy and an emerging space power.

During his speech inaugurating the weeklong conference, Vice President Mike Pence repeated seven times that the US wanted to work with "freedom-loving nations."

As it looks to return to the Moon, NASA is open to the idea of international participation, which could mean a non-American setting foot on Earth's natural satellite for the first time in history, global space chiefs said Monday.

As it looks to return to the Moon, NASA is open to the idea of international participation, which could mean a non-American setting foot on Earth's natural satellite for the first time in history, global space chiefs said Monday. "I think there's lots of room on the Moon, and we need all our international partners to go with us to the Moon," NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine told reporters at the 70th International Astronautical Congress held in Washington. "If we can come to agreements on the contributions of all the nations and how they're going to be a part of the architecture, then certainly I would, I would see that there'd be no reason we can't have all of our international partners with us on the Moon," he added. The Americans are developing a spacecraft (Orion) and a mini space station (Gateway) that will remain in lunar orbit, which will, in theory, be used for a first crewed mission in 2024, Artemis 3. Only one element of the mission will be produced outside the US: the Orion service module that will supply it with electricity, propulsion, thermal control, air and water in space and is being delivered by the European Space Agency (ESA). Only once the Gateway is expanded will non-Americans be able to make the journey too. "We are in the discussion also with NASA, so that we have European astronauts on the surface of the Moon, this is, of course, the European intention," said Jan Worner, head of the ESA, at the same press conference. "2024 is for sure something which is purely American," he later told AFP. For Europeans, it could be "2027, 2028, something like that." For its part, Japan also wants to take advantage of the new US program to write a new chapter in its own history. "It's a very simple question to me because JAXA would like to send Japanese astronauts to the surface of the Moon," said Hiroshi Yamakawa, president of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The building of the ISS in the late 1990s and 2000s appeared to usher in a new era of space cooperation between the US and Russia following the Cold War, but this time around, Washington is in no mood to work with geopolitical rivals. Specifically, the US Congress has explicitly prohibited any cooperation with China, the world's biggest economy and an emerging space power. During his speech inaugurating the weeklong conference, Vice President Mike Pence repeated seven times that the US wanted to work with "freedom-loving nations."

NASA wants international partners to go to Moon too

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