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![This view shows the thin crescent Moon setting over ESO’s Paranal Observatory in Chile. As well as the bright crescent the rest of the disc of the Moon can be faintly seen. This phenomenon is called earthshine. It is due to sunlight reflecting off the Earth and illuminating the lunar surface. By observing earthshine astronomers can study the properties of light reflected from Earth as if it were an exoplanet and search for signs of life. This picture was taken on 27 October 2011 and also records the planets Mercury and Venus.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4KdmFsbATLgfKCTtVddPci-320-80.jpg)
Did Covid lockdowns really cause temperatures on the moon to drop?
By Nola Taylor Tillman published
Scientists have been arguing about a curious topic recently: Did temperatures on the moon dip due to the world's Covid-19 lockdown?
![Illustration of Intuitive Machine's first Micro-Nova hopper, named Grace, on the surface of the moon.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6veU92WmjBwv8QLrWMkEAo-320-80.jpg)
Crater-diving hopper 'Gracie' will launch to the moon aboard private Athena lander this month
By Mike Wall published
Intuitive Machines' second lunar lander will carry four mobile robots, including a hopper named Gracie, toward the moon when it launches late this month.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pssidCcfDeRN5rDFZZXPuC-320-80.png)
What is the moon phase today? Lunar phases 2025
By Tariq Malik, Daisy Dobrijevic last updated
Reference See what moon phase it is tonight and find out when you can see the rest of the moon phases for 2025.
![An illustration shows magnetic fields seen in cyan trapping electrons that can be freed by lightning](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mxdAQNhqi5mJsWaqi8xhrJ-320-80.png)
Space weather scales are outdated and confusing. Here's what NOAA scientists are doing about it
By Meredith Garofalo published
After receiving feedback from nearly 500 people about revising NOAA's Space Weather Scales, scientists continue to assess what changes need to be front and center.
![silver balloons float in a yellow-grey sky above black-and-yellow mountains](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aKoXP5Ss65oMVrV9fFzv7R-320-80.jpg)
Exploring Venus may require exotic tech like balloons and 'aerobots'
By Leonard David published
Scientists are proposing ways to explore Venus in the next decade and beyond by way of a host of advanced technologies, from balloons to long-lived landers.
![A topographical map showing the two halves of Mars](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/J64ZH2P57TaMZpoWJo4Moc-320-80.jpg)
'Marsquakes' may solve 50-year-old mystery about the Red Planet
By Harry Baker published
Scientists say AI has crossed a critical 'red line' after demonstrating how two popular large language models could clone themselves.
![an orange red hue is emitted from a far away star, radiated light outward to silhouette many foreground asteroids.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Sc85CEpUMGEaxFnK8ewGWD-320-80.jpg)
Scientists say 2 asteroids may actually be fragments of destroyed planets from our early solar system
By Victoria Corless published
They're calling them "planetary embryos".
![An illustration shows the asteroid 2024 YR4 looming over Earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ribaHBF7SGEirbtwGmPNAQ-320-80.png)
Odds of an asteroid impact in 2032 just went up. Here's why experts say you shouldn't worry
By Robert Lea published
The chances of the asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting Earth in 2032 appear to have doubled, but an asteroid hunter explains to Space.com why this isn't cause for concern.
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