Our Planet

What causes the moon’s phases? [Explained]

The phases of the Moon are determined by the changing angles of the Sun, Moon, and Earth, not by the Earth’s shadow, which only causes lunar eclipses. Like the Earth, the moon is only half-lit by the Sun at any time. We see it from different angles at different times, that’s how moon phases occur.

Axiom Station’s First Module, HAB1 is Scheduled to Launch in 2026

Axiom Station will be the world's first commercial space station.

Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson announced that the first module of the Axiom Station, HAB1, is currently scheduled to launch in 2026. Axiom Station will be the world’s first commercial space station.

China’s Tiangong Space Station vs the ISS interiors [Side-by-Side Comparison]

Here’s an interesting side-by-side comparison of the interiors of China’s Tiangong space station vs the International Space Station (ISS). Tiangong looks way futuristic, that’s what actually future space stations look like in science-fiction movies. The good, old ISS clearly shows its age.

Voyager 1 is in serious trouble and sending indecipherable data

NASA’s Voyager 1 probe, a pivotal instrument in studying the outer Solar System, is currently facing communication difficulties. Launched in 1977, its main purpose has been to gather and send back information about the transition zone between the heliosphere (the Sun’s protective bubble, encompassing the Solar System, shielding it from interstellar radiation and cosmic rays) and the interstellar medium. This mission has been crucial in enhancing our understanding of the Solar System’s edge and its interaction with the vast interstellar space.

Lunar Rover Vehicle Speed Record was Broken on December 13, 1972

Lunar Rover Vehicle speed record: John Young

The Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), an engineering feat designed for lunar exploration, played a crucial role in the later Apollo missions. Given its delicate structure and the unique challenges of the Moon’s surface, astronauts were instructed to handle the LRV with utmost caution. The vehicle, powered by a modest 1 horsepower, initially had a speed limit of 8 mph (12.87 km/h) to ensure safety during lunar excursions, recognizing that mechanical or medical help was a quarter of a million miles away on Earth.

The Last Moonwalk was Performed on December 13, 1972

Apollo 17 EVA-3 [December 13, 1972] - the last moonwalk

On December 13, 1972, Apollo 17 astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt performed the third and last extravehicular activity (EVA) of the mission. This was the last moonwalk ever performed (as of 2023). Cernan and Schmitt were the last humans to set foot on the Moon.

A Conversation with the Apollo 17 Moonwalker Harrison Schmitt [Video]

Astronaut Harrison Schmitt photographed by Gene Cernan during Apollo 17 EVA 1

The American Veterans Center published a video, a conversation with the Apollo 17 moonwalker Harrison Schmitt. Schmitt was the first geologist to visit the lunar surface. He talks about the mission, and especially, the importance of the moon rocks.

Can Alligators and Crocodiles Mate? Understanding Their Evolutionary Paths

The differences between a crocodile and an alligator

Alligators and crocodiles are often mistaken for one another due to their apparent physical similarities. However, appearances can be deceiving. These reptiles, though looking similar to us, belong to different families and have evolved separately for millions of years.

Here’s why winters are colder despite Global Warming [Polar Vortex Collapse explained]

Despite human-induced climate change (global warming), a seemingly paradoxical phenomenon has been observed: harsher winters in some regions. Central to understanding this phenomenon is the polar vortex, a vast whirlpool of cold air encircling the poles, strongest in winter. However, under the influence of global warming, this vortex can weaken and even collapse. This disruption, often driven by sudden stratospheric warming events and changes in atmospheric pressure systems, allows frigid Arctic air to spill southward, bringing unexpected and severe cold spells to mid-latitudes. Thus, while the planet warms overall, the effects of a destabilized polar vortex illustrate how climate change can lead to complex and counterintuitive weather patterns, including colder winters in some areas.

From Red to Blue: Micro and Macro Evolution Explained

Evolution works through a process akin to a color spectrum gradually shifting from red to blue, where minute changes accumulate over time to result in significant transformations. This concept offers a vivid understanding of micro-evolution, characterized by small and subtle adjustments that are almost imperceptible on their own. Over extended periods, these incremental changes lead to macro-evolution, the broader and more noticeable shifts in species and traits. This analogy not only clarifies the evolutionary process but also helps dispel common misconceptions, illustrating the seamless and natural progression from one evolutionary state to another.