Author: M. Özgür Nevres

I am a software developer and a science enthusiast. I was graduated from the Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Computer Engineering. In the past, I worked at the Istanbul Technical University Science Center as a science instructor. I write about the planet Earth and science on this website, ourplnt.com. I am also an animal lover! I take care of stray cats & dogs. This website's all income goes directly to our furry friends. Please consider supporting me on Patreon, so I can help more animals!

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Moon Landing Space Exploration

Moon Landings: All-Time List [1966-2025]

Buzz Aldrin on the Moon (cropped)
Moon Landing: Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, lunar module pilot, stands on the surface of the moon near the leg of the lunar module, Eagle, during the Apollo 11 moonwalk. Astronaut Neil Armstrong, mission commander, took this photograph with a 70mm lunar surface camera. While Armstrong and Aldrin descended in the lunar module to explore the Sea of Tranquility, astronaut Michael Collins, command module pilot, remained in lunar orbit with the Command and Service Module, Columbia.
This is the actual photograph as exposed on the moon by Armstrong. He held the camera slightly rotated so that the camera frame did not include the top of Aldrin's portable life support system ("backpack").
A communications antenna mounted on top of the backpack is also cut off in this picture. When the image was released to the public, it was rotated clockwise to restore the astronaut to vertical for a more harmonious composition, and a black area was added above his head to recreate the missing black lunar "sky" (Related: Why there are no stars in space photos?). The edited version is the one most commonly reproduced and known to the public, but the original version, above, is the authentic exposure. This image was cataloged by NASA Headquarters of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Photo ID: AS11-40-5903. Image: Wikipedia

In the history of Space Exploration, numerous space missions have been undertaken to study the Moon, the Earth’s natural satellite. Here’s the list of successful moon landings (crewed and uncrewed) with dates and mission summaries.

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Space Exploration

What Is Max-Q and Why Is It Important During Rocket Launches?

The first launch of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket on January 16, 2025, with Max-Q highlighted as a critical phase of the flight.
The first launch of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket on January 16, 2025, with Max-Q highlighted as a critical phase of the flight.

If you, like me, enjoy watching rocket launches, you might find yourself curious about the meaning of “Max-Q,” one of the critical phases often highlighted on the screen during launches. What is Max-Q, and why is it critical during a rocket launch?

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Space Exploration Mars

Top 10 Tallest Rockets Ever Launched [2025 Update]

As of 2025, SpaceX Starship with Super Heavy boosters is the tallest rocket ever launched.
As of 2025, SpaceX Starship with Super Heavy boosters is the tallest rocket ever launched.

To be able to reach space, we need rockets. Rocket engines work by action and reaction (“To every action, there is always opposed an equal reaction”, see notes 1) and push rockets forward simply by expelling their exhaust in the opposite direction at high speed and can, therefore, work in the vacuum of space. Space rockets are usually enormous in size because the bigger the rocket is, the more thrust can be produced by its engine and can carry more weight into orbit. Here are the top 10 tallest rockets ever launched in the history of space exploration.

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Categories
History Places

Top 20 Countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites [2024 Update With Photos]

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Celsus library in Ephesus, Turkey
Ephesus (Greek: Ἔφεσος Ephesos; Turkish: Efes; ultimately from Hittite Apasa) was an ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia, three kilometers southwest of present-day Selçuk in İzmir Province, Turkey. It was built in the 10th century BC on the site of the former Arzawan capital by Attic and Ionian Greek colonists. During the Classical Greek era, it was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League. The city flourished after it came under the control of the Roman Republic in 129 BC. According to estimates, Ephesus had a population of 33,600 to 56,000 people in the Roman period, making it the third largest city of Roman Asia Minor after Sardis and Alexandria Troas. The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Photo (The Library of Celsus in Ephesus): Source: Deposit Photos

There are a total of 1,223 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world (as of 2024: 952 Cultural, 231 Natural, and 40 Mixed) in 168 countries. Here are the top 20 countries having the most UNESCO World Heritage sites.

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Categories
Animals Life on Earth

How Many Elephants are Left in the World? [2024 Update]

African Elephant herd
An elephant herd, led by a Magnificent 'Tusker' bull at a waterhole in the Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa. Source: Deposit Photos

Have you ever wondered how many elephants are left in the world, as of 2024? Elephants are wonderful creatures for many reasons! They are intelligent and social animals that form close bonds with one another and live in complex family groups. They are also highly adaptable and can survive in a variety of different habitats, from the savannas of Africa to the rainforests of Asia.

In addition, they play important roles in their ecosystems as keystone species, meaning that their presence can have a significant impact on the overall health and balance of their habitats. Finally, elephants have unique and fascinating biology, including their large size, long lifespan, and remarkable memory.

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Earth from Space Space Exploration

First Footage of Earth from Space: 1946 V2 Rocket

The first footage of Earth from space (1946)
The first footage of Earth from space (1946)

On October 24, 1946, a V2 rocket (V2 #13) launched by a group of soldiers and scientists from White Sands Proving Ground (today known as White Sands Missile Range – WSMR), New Mexico (USA) returned the first footage of Earth from space. The missile carried a 35-mm camera aloft that snapped an image every second and a half.

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Animals Life on Earth

The Largest Elephant Ever Recorded: Henry

Henry, the largest elephant ever recorded, is prominently displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Henry, the largest elephant ever recorded, is prominently displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Henry, sometimes referred to as the Fénykövi elephant after the Hungarian game hunter Josef J. Fénykövi who killed him, was the largest elephant ever recorded. Weighing approximately 11 tons and standing over 13 feet (3.96 meters) tall, Henry surpassed all known living elephants. He was shot in Angola in 1955, and his impressive body was donated to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in 1959. Henry’s extraordinary size captivated researchers and the public alike, serving as a crucial reminder of the importance of elephant conservation. His legacy not only highlights the majestic nature of these animals but also underscores the threats they face in their natural habitats today.

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Categories
Solar System

All Moons in Our Solar System [2024 Update]

The moons of the Solar System
The moons of the Solar System. If some of these moons were situated in different locations (orbiting the Sun instead of another planet), astronomers would define them as planets. Seven of the top ten largest non-planets in the Solar System are all moons.

As of June 2023, there are 290 confirmed moons in our solar system. A moon, also known as a natural satellite, is a celestial body that orbits planets, and asteroids. This number includes only the planetary moons (moons orbiting a planet) plus Pluto’s moons. Here is the list of the known planetary moons in the solar system.

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Categories
Space Exploration Astronomy Earth from Space Mars Solar System

Budget of NASA, Year by Year [1980-1989]

The first Space Shuttle launch: April 12, 1981
The first Space Shuttle launch: Just seconds past 7 a.m. on April 12, 1981, Space Shuttle Columbia carries astronauts John Young and Robert Crippen into an Earth orbital mission scheduled to last for 54 hours, ending with unpowered landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

From 1980 to 1989, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) experienced one of its most eventful and transformative decades. During these years, NASA’s budget reflected the agency’s evolving priorities and the challenges it faced. This era was defined by significant milestones, including the launch and regular missions of the Space Shuttle program, which revolutionized space transportation. However, it was also marked by the tragic Challenger disaster in 1986. Through highs and lows, NASA’s funding patterns during this decade provide insights into the U.S. government’s commitment to space exploration and its response to unforeseen events. This article will detail the year-by-year budget of NASA throughout the 1980s, juxtaposed against the backdrop of its achievements and challenges.

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Categories
Space Exploration Earth from Space Mars Moon Landing Solar System

Budget of NASA, Year by Year [1970-1979]

Apollo 15 Lunar Roving Vehicle
Image from Apollo 15, taken by Commander David Scott at the end of EVA-1. Lunar Module Pilot Jim Irwin is seen with the Lunar Roving Vehicle, with Mount Hadley in the background. Seen on the back of the Rover are two SCBs mounted on the gate, along with the rake, both pairs of tongs, the extension handle with scoop probably attached, and the penetrometer. Note that the TV camera is pointed down, in the stowed position. Image source: Apollo 15 Map and Image Library on the NASA History website

The budget of NASA from 1970 to 1979 marks a decade of transition and continued exploration in space science. Building on the success of the Moon landing, this period saw the development and execution of significant missions such as the Viking landings on Mars, the launch of Skylab, America’s first space station, and the inception of the Space Shuttle program. The funding during these years played a vital role in maintaining America’s leadership in space exploration and technology. In this article, we will examine the year-by-year budget of NASA that enabled these groundbreaking achievements and shaped the direction of human spaceflight and planetary exploration.

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