WhyCosmo

Stargazers, the wait is over! Tonight, August 19, 2024 , marks the beginning of an incredible series of lunar spectacles, with the first supermoon of the season gracing the night sky. This supermoon is set to appear slightly bigger and brighter, offering a mesmerizing view of our celestial companion. But what exactly makes a supermoon so "super"? It’s all about timing. A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit. While the difference in size might be subtle to the naked eye, the brightness is undeniable—up to 30% brighter than your average full moon! NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter project scientist, Noah Petro, suggests that this supermoon series is the perfect opportunity to start moon-gazing more regularly. Following tonight's spectacle, September’s supermoon will feature a partial lunar eclipse visible across much of the Americas, Africa, and Europe. October’s supermoon will be the closest of ...

  NASA's Gateway Unveiled: A Stunning Tour of Humanity's First Space Station to Orbit the Moon In collaboration with international partners, NASA is gearing up to launch the Gateway, a revolutionary lunar-orbiting space station, by 2028. This state-of-the-art hub will be a cornerstone for deep space exploration, featuring advanced modules dedicated to power, habitation, and scientific research. Designed to support the Artemis missions, Gateway will have sophisticated systems like the Power and Propulsion Element and HALO and contributions from international agencies such as the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Starting with the Artemis IV mission in 2028, Gateway will be home to international teams of astronauts conducting scientific experiments and preparing for missions to the lunar South Pole region. This historic endeavor marks the first time humans will reside in deep space. The Gateway space station hosts the Orion spacecraft ...