NASA

6 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) This computer-generated 3D model of Venus’ surface shows the volcano Sif Mons, which is exhibiting signs of ongoing activity. Using data from NASA’s Magellan mission, Italian researchers detected evidence of an eruption while the spacecraft orbited the planet in the early 1990s.NASA/JPL-Caltech An analysis of data from Magellan’s radar finds two volcanoes erupted in the early 1990s. This adds to the 2023 discovery of a different active volcano in Magellan data. Direct geological evidence of recent volcanic activity on Venus has been observed for a second time. Scientists in Italy analyzed archival data from NASA’s Magellan mission to reveal surface changes indicating the formation of new rock from lava flows linked to volcanoes that erupted while the spacecraft orbited the planet. Managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, Magellan mapped 98% of the planet’s surface from 1990 to 1992, and the images it generated remain the most detailed of Venus to date. “Using these maps as a guide, our results show that Venus may be far more volcanically active than previously thought,” said Davide Sulcanese of d’Annunzio University in Pescara, Italy, who led the study. “By analyzing the lava flows we observed in two locations on the planet, we have discovered that the volcanic activity on Venus could be comparable to that on Earth.” This latest discovery builds on the historic 2023 discovery of images from Magellan’s synthetic aperture radar that revealed changes to a vent associated with the volcano Maat Mons near Venus’ equator. The radar images proved to be the first direct evidence of a recent volcanic eruption on the planet. By comparing Magellan radar images over time, the authors of the 2023 study spotted changes caused by the outflow of molten rock from Venus’ subsurface filling the vent’s crater and spilling down the vent’s slopes. Scientists study active volcanoes to understand how a planet’s interior can shape its crust, drive its evolution, and affect its habitability. The discovery of recent volcanism on Venus provides a valuable insight to the planet’s history and why it took a different evolutionary path than Earth. Before starting its journey to Venus, NASA’s Magellan spacecraft was released while in Earth orbit by Space Shuttle Atlantis’ STS-30 mission. Captured in this May 4, 1989, photo, Magellan was the first planetary spacecraft to be launched from the shuttle.NASA Radar Backscatter For the new study, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the researchers likewise focused on archival data from Magellan’s synthetic aperture radar. Radio waves sent by the radar traveled through Venus’ thick cloud cover, then bounced off the planet’s surface and back to the spacecraft. Called backscatter, these reflected radar signals carried information about the rocky surface material they encountered. The two locations studied were the volcano Sif Mons in Eistla Regio and the western part of Niobe Planitia, which is home to numerous volcanic features. By analyzing the backscatter data received from both locations in 1990 and again in 1992, the researchers found that radar signal strength increased along certain paths during the later orbits. These changes suggested the formation of new rock, most likely solidified lava from volcanic activity that occurred during that two-year period. But they also considered other possibilities, such as the presence of micro-dunes (formed from windblown sand) and atmospheric effects that could interfere with the radar signal. To help confirm new rock, the researchers analyzed Magellan’s altimetry (surface height) data to determine slope of the topography and locate obstacles that lava would flow around. “We interpret these signals as flows along slopes or volcanic plains that can deviate around obstacles such as shield volcanoes like a fluid,” said study co-author Marco Mastrogiuseppe of Sapienza University of Rome. “After ruling out other possibilities, we confirmed our best interpretation is that these are new lava flows.” Using flows on Earth as a comparison, the researchers estimate new rock that was emplaced in both locations to be between 10 and 66 feet (3 and 20 meters) deep, on average. They also estimate that the Sif Mons eruption produced about 12 square miles (30 square kilometers) of rock — enough to fill at least 36,000 Olympic-size swimming pools. The Niobe Planitia eruption produced about 17 square miles (45 square kilometers) of rock, which would fill 54,000 Olympic swimming pools. As a comparison, the 2022 eruption of Mauna Loa in Hawaii, Earth’s largest active volcano, produced a lava flow with enough material to fill 100,000 Olympic pools. “This exciting work provides another example of volcanic change on Venus from new lava flows that augments the vent change Dr. Robert Herrick and I reported last year,” said Scott Hensley, senior research scientist at JPL and co-author of the 2023 study. “This result, in tandem with the earlier discovery of present-day geologic activity, increases the excitement in the planetary science community for future missions to Venus.” Figuring Out Volcanoes Hensley is the project scientist for NASA’s upcoming VERITAS mission, and Mastrogiuseppe is a member of its science team. Short for Venus Emissivity, Radio science, InSAR, Topography, And Spectroscopy, VERITAS is slated to launch early next decade, using a state-of-the-art synthetic aperture radar to create 3D global maps and a near-infrared spectrometer to figure out what Venus’ surface is made of while also tracking volcanic activity. In addition, the spacecraft will measure the planet’s gravitational field to determine its internal structure. “These new discoveries of recent volcanic activity on Venus by our international colleagues provide compelling evidence of the kinds of regions we should target with VERITAS when it arrives at Venus,” said Suzanne Smrekar, a senior scientist at JPL and principal investigator for VERITAS. “Our spacecraft will have a suite of approaches for identifying surface changes that are far more comprehensive and higher resolution than Magellan images. Evidence for activity, even in the lower-resolution Magellan data, supercharges the potential to revolutionize our understanding of this enigmatic world.” More About the Mission NASA’s VERITAS mission was selected in 2021 under NASA’s Discovery Program. Mission partners include Lockheed Martin Space, the Italian Space Agency, the German Aerospace Center, and Centre National d’Études Spatiales in France. The Discovery Program is managed by the Planetary Missions Program Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for the Planetary Science Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. News Media Contacts Ian J. O’Neill Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. 818-354-2649 ian.j.oneill@jpl.nasa.gov Karen Fox / Charles Blue NASA Headquarters 202-358-1600 / 202-802-5345 karen.c.fox@nasa.gov / charles.e.blue@nasa.gov Giuseppina Piccirilli Agenzia Spaziale Italiana +39 06 85 67 431 / 887 / 655 stampa@asi.it 2024-073 Share Details Last Updated May 27, 2024 Related TermsJet Propulsion LaboratoryMagellanPlanetary Geosciences & GeophysicsPlanetary SciencePlanetary Science DivisionVenusVERITAS (Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography & Spectroscopy)Volcanoes Explore More 6 min read New Images From Euclid Mission Reveal Wide View of the Dark Universe Article 4 days ago 4 min read NASA’s Psyche Fires Up Its Sci-Fi-Worthy Thrusters Article 5 days ago 7 min read NASA Tool Gets Ready to Image Faraway Planets Article 6 days ago Keep Exploring Discover Related Topics Missions Humans in Space Climate Change Solar System View the full article

Getting Ready to Image Faraway Planets on This Week @NASA – May 24, 2024

Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 1 at Māhia, New Zealand at 7:41 p.m. NZST May 25, 2024 (3:41 a.m. EDT) carrying a small satellite for NASA’s PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission.Rocket Lab The first of a pair of climate satellites designed to study heat emissions at Earth’s poles for NASA is in orbit after lifting off atop Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from the company’s Launch Complex 1 in Māhia, New Zealand at 7:41 p.m. NZST (3:41 a.m. EDT) on Saturday. The agency’s PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission consists of two shoebox-size cube satellites, or CubeSats, that will measure the amount of heat Earth radiates into space from two of the coldest, most remote regions on the planet. Data from the PREFIRE mission will help researchers better predict how Earth’s ice, seas, and weather will change in a warming world. “NASA’s innovative PREFIRE mission will fill a gap in our understanding of the Earth system – providing our scientists a detailed picture of how Earth’s polar regions influence how much energy our planet absorbs and releases,” said Karen St. Germain, director of NASA’s Earth Science Division in Washington. “This will improve prediction of sea ice loss, ice sheet melt, and sea level rise, creating a better understanding of how our planet’s system will change in the coming years — crucial information to farmers tracking changes in weather and water, fishing fleets working in changing seas, and coastal communities building resilience.” Ground controllers successfully established communications with the CubeSat at 8:48 EDT. The second PREFIRE CubeSat will set off on its own Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1 in the coming days. Following a 30-day checkout period during which engineers and scientists will make sure both CubeSats are working normally, the mission is expected to operate for 10 months. At the heart of the PREFIRE mission is Earth’s energy budget – the balance between incoming heat energy from the Sun and the outgoing heat given off by the planet. The difference between the two is what determines the planet’s temperature and climate. A lot of the heat radiated from the Arctic and Antarctica is emitted as far-infrared radiation, but there is currently no detailed measurement of this type of energy. The water vapor content of the atmosphere, along with the presence, structure, and composition of clouds, influences the amount of far-infrared radiation that escapes into space from Earth’s poles. Data collected from PREFIRE will give researchers information on where and when far-infrared energy radiates from the Arctic and Antarctic environments into space. “The PREFIRE CubeSats may be small, but they’re going to close a big gap in our knowledge about Earth’s energy budget,” said Laurie Leshin, director, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “Their observations will help us understand the fundamentals of Earth’s heat balance, allowing us to better predict how our ice, seas, and weather will change in the face of global warming.” The mission’s CubeSats each carry an instrument called a thermal infrared spectrometer, which use specially shaped mirrors and sensors to measure infrared wavelengths. Miniaturizing the instruments to fit on CubeSats necessitated downsizing some parts while scaling up other components. “Our planet is changing quickly, and in places like the Arctic, in ways that people have never experienced before,” said Tristan L’Ecuyer, PREFIRE’s principal investigator, University of Wisconsin, Madison. “NASA’s PREFIRE will give us new measurements of the far-infrared wavelengths being emitted from Earth’s poles, which we can use to improve climate and weather models and help people around the world deal with the consequences of climate change.” NASA’s Launch Services Program, based out of the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, in partnership with NASA’s Earth System Science Pathfinder Program is providing the launch service as part of the agency’s Venture-class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) launch services contract. The PREFIRE mission was jointly developed by NASA and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. NASA JPL manages the mission for the agency’s Science Mission Directorate and provided the spectrometers. Blue Canyon Technologies built the CubeSats and the University of Wisconsin-Madison will process the data the instruments collect. The launch services provider is Rocket Lab USA Inc. of Long Beach, California. To learn more about PREFIRE, visit: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/prefire/ -end- Karen Fox / Elizabeth Vlock Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 / 202-358-1600 karen.c.fox@nasa.gov / elizabeth.a.vlock@nasa.gov Jane J. Lee / Andrew Wang Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. 818-354-0307 / 626-379-6874 jane.j.lee@jpl.nasa.gov / andrew.wang@jpl.nasa.gov Share Details Last Updated May 25, 2024 EditorJennifer M. DoorenLocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsPREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) View the full article

1 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Representatives of NASA’s Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program (TACP) pose with students and faculty from the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando who are participating in the agency’s University Leadership Initiative (ULI). From left: Ramees Khaleel Rahman; John Cavolowsky, NASA’s Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program director; Marc Heinrich; Andrew Provenza, NASA’s University Innovation deputy project manager for tchnology; Connor Wall; Lucas Cavalcante; Andrew Menendez; Jayanta Kapat, principal investigator of UCF’s ULI project; Claire-Phonie Silaire; Koushik Datta, NASA’s University Innovation project manager; Marcel Otto, UCF’s ULI project manager. Representatives of NASA’s Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program (TACP) recently shared information about their work to develop innovation and advance aviation and space exploration with students at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Here are some images of the event showing NASA team members interacting with students and faculty during the April Town Hall. TACP at UCF Image Carousel Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More 4 min read Aviary: A New NASA Software Platform for Aircraft Modelling Article 1 week ago 3 min read NASA Licenses 3D-Printable Superalloy to Benefit US Economy Article 2 weeks ago 2 min read ULI Round 7 Awards Article 3 months ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Missions Artemis University Innovation Project Aeronautics STEM Share Details Last Updated May 24, 2024 EditorJim BankeContactJim Bankejim.banke@nasa.gov Related TermsTransformative Aeronautics Concepts ProgramUniversity InnovationUniversity Leadership Initiative View the full article

1 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Composites Consortium team members gathered during May 2024 at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia for a technical review of all tasks in progress for the Hi-Rate Composite Aircraft Manufacturing project. NASA and its partners in the Advanced Composites Consortium gathered at the agency’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, May 7-9. Team members from 20 organizations across the country recently discussed progress on all technology development tasks underway in NASA’s Hi-Rate Composite Aircraft Manufacturing (HiCAM) project. The project is competing manufacturing approaches that reduce labor, equipment, and tooling costs without compromising strength or safety. Results will help determine which technologies will have the greatest impact on the manufacturing rate and allow downselect for the demonstration phase of the project beginning this fall. The HiCAM project addresses an aviation industry need for more rapid production of composite aircraft to meet increasing global demand for lightweight transport aircraft. Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More 4 min read NASA, Industry to Start Designing More Sustainable Jet Engine Core Article 1 week ago 2 min read NASA Noise Prediction Tool Supports Users in Air Taxi Industry Article 2 months ago 4 min read NASA Instruments Will Listen for Supersonic X-59’s Quiet ‘Thump’ Article 3 months ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Advanced Air Vehicles Program Artemis Missions Aeronautics STEM Share Details Last Updated May 24, 2024 EditorJim BankeContactJim Bankejim.banke@nasa.gov Related TermsAdvanced Air Vehicles ProgramHi-Rate Composite Aircraft Manufacturing View the full article

Representatives from 24 of the Artemis Accords signatories met May 21-23, 2024, for a workshop hosted at the John H. Chapman Space Centre (CSA Headquarters) in Longueuil, Quebec.CSA (Canadian Space Agency) NASA participated in the second international face-to-face workshop this week among Artemis Accords signatories, which featured space officials from two dozen nations focused on advancing the principles for the safe, peaceful, and responsible exploration of the Moon, Mars and beyond. This year’s workshop was hosted by CSA (Canadian Space Agency) at their headquarters in Montreal May 21-23. Since the Artemis Accords were created nearly four years ago, 39 countries have joined the United States in a voluntary commitment to engage in transparent and responsible behavior in space. The accords are meant to push humanity’s reach farther safely and sustainably into space than ever before and build on more than 23 years of continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station. “The Artemis Accords represent a shared vision for humanity’s exploration of space —one that transcends borders and fosters unity in our quest to expand our understanding of the cosmos,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, who participated virtually to jointly kick-off the workshop with CSA President Lisa Campbell. “The days of going to space alone are long over. We are in a new age where nations globally go to space to both explore deeper and gain better understanding about our place in the universe.” During workshop, participants from 24 countries engaged in robust discussions and conducted a tabletop exercise centered on further defining and implementing key tenets, including considering views on non-interference, interoperability, and scientific data sharing among nations. “The Artemis Accords are an important part of humanity’s future in space and Canada is very much committed to these principles. As we explore beyond Earth, we must do so in ways that are safe and sustainable, for the benefit of humanity and future generations. It was an honour to welcome brilliant minds from around the world to discuss how to conduct present and future space exploration activities safely, sustainably, and transparently through the application of the Artemis Accords,” said Campbell. For example, during the workshop participants delved more deeply into topics such as non-interference and interoperability. These discussions build upon prior work such as an initial set of mission data parameters agreed to by the signatories last October. The data parameters identify necessary information about planned lunar surface missions including expected launch dates, the general nature of activities, and the landing location. Sharing such information will support safer lunar operations by ensuring signatories respective missions do not inadvertently interfere with each other. Transparency and communication are keys to peaceful exploration, and the Artemis Accords signatories are committed to sharing information about their activities and outcomes through the United Nations of Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) and other appropriate channels. The commitments undertaken under the Artemis Accords, and the significant efforts by the signatories to advance implementation of these principles, are essential to the success of the Artemis campaign for NASA and its partners, as well as for the success of the safe and sustainable exploration activities of the other Accords signatories. As the Artemis Accords workshop concluded May 23, participants reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the principles outlined in the Artemis Accords and to continue working collaboratively. The first workshop was hosted by Poland in 2023. Additional countries are expected to sign the Artemis Accords in the weeks and months ahead. Signatory principals will gather again for face-to-face discussions on the margins of the International Astronautical Congress in October. The United States and seven other nations were the first to sign the Artemis Accords in 2020, which identified an early set of principles that promote the beneficial use of space for all humanity, grounded in the Outer Space Treaty and other agreements including the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, as well as best practices and norms of responsible behavior that NASA and its partners have supported, including the public release of scientific data. For more information about the Artemis Accords, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-accords/ -end- Amber Jacobson / Jennifer Dooren Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 amber.c.jacobson@nasa.gov / jennifer.m.dooren@nasa.gov Share Details Last Updated May 24, 2024 EditorJennifer M. DoorenLocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsOffice of International and Interagency Relations (OIIR) View the full article

Jennifer Scott Williams embodies leadership, innovation, and excitement for life. Her career has been a testament to her unwavering passion and versatility, navigating through various roles and significantly contributing to the agency’s milestones and evolution. In her 23 years at NASA, she has combined engineering, business, science communications, and leadership all into one. Currently in the Center Director’s Office, Williams serves as NASA Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche’s assistant for technical integration, supporting meetings such as readiness reviews for the International Space Station and Commercial Crew Programs. Her role also involves coordinating skip-level meetings for Dare | Unite | Explore and overseeing senior staff meetings to ensure that leadership remains informed about the activities happening across the center. Official portrait of Jennifer Scott Williams. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel She also plays a role in the International Space Station Program’s Research Integration Office, ensuring crews aboard the space station have the tools they need to complete their research. “Like many of our laboratories where astronauts conduct their research, understanding the engineering components of the facilities we use on board is crucial,” said Williams. “Understanding the science is also critical,” she added. “It adds meaning to our work when we help execute the science onboard and communicate the creative insights and results from the experiments conducted. Being a good communicator is extremely important and creativity makes that message real and mean something to the public.” Jennifer Scott Williams (front) during a senior staff outreach event at the Remembering Columbia Museum in Hemphill, Texas. Her journey also included groundbreaking work on the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, where she served as the instrumentation and communications officer on the Boeing Mission Operations Team. Her efforts established operational foundations that will shape its future space missions. Williams was instrumental in developing the vehicle communications systems, understanding its operations, creating simulations, coding, and comprehending the computer systems, addressing all the fundamental aspects necessary for the spacecraft. Beyond her technical contributions, Williams is deeply committed to inspiring the next generation of explorers. She also managed the Minority University Research and Education Project, encouraging students of color to engage in STEM fields. She led a team that collaborated with students, teachers, and educational institutions through the Pre-Service Teacher Program. Williams said that working in the Office of STEM Engagement was a new experience that became life-changing for her. “I really rediscovered a passion that I have for students and education,” she said. “I love being able to help interns navigate the NASA environment and help people of color be able to apply for NASA jobs. It takes all perspectives to accomplish our mission.” Williams earned dual bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and electrical engineering from Spelman College and the Georgia Institute of Technology. She later received a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Houston. She belongs to the Spelman College National Alumni Association and holds a lifetime membership in the National Society of Black Engineers. Jennifer Scott Williams’ headshot in the 2024 International Space Station calendar.Credit: NASA/Bill Stafford Williams is an advocate for youth interested in pursuing STEM careers. Her advice is, “Come on and do it. We are out here,” she added “I love that we are embracing our differences instead of shunning differences because having people with different backgrounds, personalities, insights, and perspectives is what’s going to help us get back to the Moon.” “For the Artemis Generation, we need creative minds,” she said. “We need artists, scientists, engineers, technologists, physicians, attorneys, and financial connoisseurs. This next generation is going to have to be open-minded thought seekers. They need to be willing to do things that we have never done before and take the risks so that we can put boots on the Moon and Mars.” Jennifer Scott Williams with her family at Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the launch of NASA’s SpaceX Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station on March 15, 2023. Williams also plays an integral role in Dare | Unite | Explore initiatives. She works with senior leadership to make sure the workforce has professional mobility and is able to get the training and resources for new opportunities. “We want to encourage employees to try new things, to learn, and to grow in different organizations,” she said. “Dare | Unite | Explore ensures that the Johnson workforce is fully supported in our efforts as we grow and develop and that our facilities and processes can support us and are in alignment with our future initiatives.” “I never really thought I would work at NASA, but when I came here to interview, they put me in the shuttle simulator and I was hooked,” she said. “I encourage my children to pursue careers in STEM because it has been so beneficial to me throughout my life. The people that I have come across in my time here have been phenomenal. It makes me want to keep coming to work.” View the full article

As a member of the Mars Architecture Team, Clare Luckey is one of the people at the forefront of designing the first crewed mission to the Red Planet. Her current work involves helping to develop the vision for the initial segment of Mars exploration missions. She also has been named one of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024 in the Science category. Her commitment extends beyond the cosmos as she is deeply involved in community outreach, inspiring students to aim for the stars in space careers and encouraging diversity in STEM. Starting her journey as an intern at NASA’s Johnson Space Center Operations in fall 2018, Luckey’s career trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. She began her career as a contractor at Barrios Technology, focusing on cargo integration for the International Space Station Program, then transitioned to a civil servant position in Center Operations by late 2020. Currently serving in the Exploration Mission Planning Office, Luckey’s role is critical not just in Mars exploration but also in the Artemis missions, where she contributes to Lunar Mission Planning in the Mission Analysis and Integrated Assessments team. Official portrait of Clare Luckey. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel Luckey’s innovative thinking is especially crucial as she navigates the complexities of planning travel to Mars. Her ability to compare and adapt strategies from near-term missions like Artemis to the long-term objectives of Mars colonization highlights her unique insight and adaptability. “Mars missions are more open to change because they are far in the future,” said Luckey. “We are still in the process of figuring out not only how to make decisions, but what decisions to make.” Her influence extends far beyond engineering. Luckey’s engagement with global space leaders at the Space Symposium and her contributions as a panelist at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Science and Technology Forum exemplify her as a thought leader in aerospace. She also participated in the Space Generation Advisory Council, a board that advises the United Nations on next-generation space exploration concepts. “All of these opportunities have given me different insights into the larger space industry and space economy,” she said. Clare Luckey, member of the Mars Architecture Team, shares her passion with NASA’s Johnson Space Center employees at the JSC Town Hall on Aug. 23, 2023.Credit: NASA/Riley McClenaghan Reflecting on her journey, Luckey attributes her passion for space exploration to a middle school project, “Future Cities,” where she and her friends designed a futuristic Mars city. The project ignited her imagination and inspired her to think critically and creatively about the future. “It’s important to build the foundations of mathematics and science at a young age,” she said. “I am really passionate about getting other people who look like me involved in the space industry.” Luckey’s involvement with the National Society of Black Engineers and her efforts to mentor and help students with school projects gives her great joy. “NASA can invest in the next generation by building a sustainable pipeline alongside sustainable space architecture,” she said. “You have to invest in communities and education so that kids grow up participating in a culmination of activities that make them want to be a part of NASA.” She believes that persistence, passion, and creativity are the top qualities for someone to excel in the space exploration industry. As a vocal advocate for diversity in the space industry, Luckey emphasizes the importance of community and mentorship within NASA and beyond. “I try to reach out to people and build that community because it is important,” she said. “That’s one of the things that keeps people coming to work – no matter where you work. It’s not the work, it’s the people that keep you coming back. I work with a lot of great people that have built that NASA community.” Clare Luckey at the NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop 2023, “To the Moon: The Next Golden Age of Human Spaceflight,” at the Galveston Island Convention Center on Feb. 8, 2023. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel Luckey’s advice to aspiring space explorers is, “Just try. Even when you don’t think you’re capable or don’t think you know enough, you will learn as you go.” She also encourages students to search out opportunities and get involved at a young age. “There’s no wrong answer. Just do what you’re interested in, put effort into it, and you’ll end up where you want to go,” she said. Her favorite part about working at NASA is the outlandishness of it all, she said. “People at NASA are really trying to build the future. The work we do here is amazing and not to be overlooked.” She is looking forward to the Artemis missions because this time is a completely new paradigm. “With Artemis, we’re going to the Moon to stay and to build sustainable architecture,” said Luckey. “We’re going to push forward. I am really excited to see how it turns out, and the international collaboration will be amazing for us.” Her enthusiasm for the Artemis campaign and the future of international space collaboration shines through her work, envisioning a new era of lunar exploration and beyond. “I am grateful to be here,” she said. “The most important thing to me is to be humble and personable. I want to be someone that is approachable, helpful, and easy to learn from so that I can be a mentor to the next generation of students, in the same way that I had mentors.” Clare Luckey, an engineer at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.Credit: NASA/Bill Stafford View the full article

NASA/JPL-Caltech Helen Ling, seen here in a photo from Feb. 16, 1973, was influential in the inclusion of women in STEM positions at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. After majoring in Mathematics at the University of Notre Dame—the only woman to do so at the time—Ling joined her brother in working at JPL. She became a supervisor for the computing group in the 1960s, a team who was responsible for performing trajectory calculations. Ling encouraged women within the computing group to attend night school to earn degrees that would allow them more professional opportunities within JPL. A pioneer for women’s rights in the workplace, Helen Ling was so admired in the computing group that those who worked under her lovingly referred to themselves as “Helen’s girls.” Many of “Helen’s girls” went on to become computer scientists and engineers within JPL thanks to the mentorship and guidance of Helen Ling. Throughout her time at JPL, Ling developed software for the IRAS, Magellan, TOPEX/Poseidon, and Mars Observer missions, and retired in 1994. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech View the full article

“I went back to school in 2016. So I had two kids that were three and five, and I was working full time, and I was doing the master’s program, taking two classes online. It took two years to get it done, and it was like a balancing act, and my kids had to watch the sacrifice in a sense. There were times when I had to take tests, and I was like, ‘OK, you’ve got to sit in the living room with your dad, or you’ve got to go to grandma’s house because I’ve got to take this test.’ “It was tough, but I had to get it done to show my kids that anything is possible. Things don’t get handed to you. You’ve got to work for them. “And so, I made sure that when I graduated in August of 2018, we drove to the school, which is six hours away, so they could watch me walk across the stage and see, you know, the sacrifices I made so that we could be here. And so for them, it’s like – my little one, that’s what she wants to grow up to do: work for NASA and do safety like me. It’s cool. “To them, I think it’s impactful, so they know that if you commit yourself and put the effort and work into it, you can do whatever you put your mind to. Both of my kids watched it, and they’re both in the STEM program at their school because they have a passion for math and science and want to try to make a difference in their own capacity.” – Thu Nguyen, Facility Systems Safety Engineer and Fall Protection Program Administrator, NASA’s Johnson Space Center Image Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz Interviewer: NASA/Tahira Allen Check out some of our other Faces of NASA. View the full article

“I had the privilege of being the very first project manager for [the] Near Space Network (NSN), and in my current role as deputy program manager for [the] Exploration and Space Communications Division, it is still in my portfolio. NSN is one of the [agency’s two] communication and navigation networks. “When we see the volume and the variety of NASA, other agency, and commercial missions supported by the network, and the science being achieved, and the exploration being enabled — when you leave for the day, you feel accomplished that you contributed [to the] agency’s goal. You contributed toward [the] nation’s priorities, such as cislunar [exploration], and then you helped humankind by enabling the science and exploration. “Without communication, every satellite in this space is a black box. So, just knowing that every single day we are flowing terabytes of data through relay and direct-to-earth services directly to our [missions], enabling the exploration and achieving the science — is a great sense of accomplishment. “… Whatever role you are in, as long as you find a way to understand what mission, what goal, what objective you are contributing to, there is no bigger motivator than that. “As a software programmer, normally you think that your job is to come in and write some code and solve some discrepancy reports and do the testing — and then you go home. “But in the end, when you see that the program you are writing or fixing is something that controls the satellite that’s observing the sea levels and the sea temperatures or [controls] a capsule that is carrying astronauts, now you know you’re actually contributing to a bigger purpose, a bigger objective. “I say that to my team, whenever I have an opportunity. I share with my team that they are enabling science and exploration for dozens of missions being supported by NSN. Initially it just seems like words, but once they start realizing [their contributions] are real, I can tell you those people don’t want to go anywhere. They just feel that sense of accomplishment.” —Vir Thanvi, Deputy Program Manager, Exploration and Space Communications Projects Division, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Image Credit: NASA/Thalia Patrinos Interviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos Check out some of our other Faces of NASA. View the full article

3 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s payload technician Chris Honea, left, and quality assurance specialist Keith Brandon, right, on Feb. 29 carefully inspect the temperature sensors that help gather data and monitor progress during a crystals experiment. The zinc selenide-based crystals were grown on the International Space Station as part of an experiment to see how gravity affects their structure or growth, then de-integrated and inspected in Marshall’s Space Systems Integration & Test Facility (SSITF). By Jessica Barnett During the International Space Station’s more than 25 years of operation, there have been more than 3,000 experiments conducted aboard the microgravity laboratory, and making sure scientific samples are kept safe through launch, spaceflight, experimentation, and the return trip to Earth takes a great deal of planning, testing, and preparation across NASA. In February, team members at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, handled the de-integration of zinc selenide-based crystals grown on the space station as part of an experiment to study how a lack of gravity might affect the crystals’ growth and structure. The experiment was conducted using six sample cartridge assemblies heated up to 1,200 degrees Celsius (2,192 degrees Fahrenheit) inside the Materials Science Laboratory of the Materials Science Research Rack on the space station. John Luke Bili, lead systems test engineer for the sample cartridge assemblies within Marshall’s Instrument Development, Integration, and Test Branch, begins the process by working with engineers, scientists, project personnel, and the experiment’s principal investigator to create an ampoule, or sealed glass vial, to use as a sample container. “We’ll take the ampoule and do some ground testing, like a normal flight integration,” Bili said. “We’ll assemble it with the hardware we have, then we are responsible for completing different mitigation efforts to prepare for sealing the ampoule up and processing it at the required high temperatures.” The team exposes the test article to extreme heat and pressure using a duplicate of the furnace on the space station, allowing them to also test the experiment’s software. We have people in our branch that will write the code to run it on the space station automatically. We develop that code, then we work with Marshall’s Quality Department to test it. John Luke Bili Lead Systems Test Engineer The zinc selenide-based crystal experiment required six sample cartridge assemblies. After a month of preparation from Marshall’s team, the assemblies traveled to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for a final round of packing before arriving at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for launch. The assemblies launched on NASA’s SpaceX 24th commercial resupply services mission in December 2021 and NASA’s Northrop Grumman 19th commercial resupply services mission in August 2023. Each sample took about a week to process through the space station’s lab furnace. The samples were then brought back to Earth, with three of the six arriving at Marshall on Feb. 9, 2024. While unpacking the crystal samples, team members took photos and notes of the tubes throughout the de-integration process in Marshall’s Space Systems Integration & Test Facility. The team includes technicians with 20 to 30 years of experience, ensuring samples safely travel to and from the station and helping expand access for researchers to explore microgravity, space exposure, and future missions in low Earth orbit. An ampoule containing zinc selenide-based crystals rests on a table Feb. 29 in Marshall Space Flight Center’s Space Systems Integration & Test Facility. The ampoule was part of the sixth sample cartridge assembly retrieved from the International Space Station as part of an experiment to see how gravity affects the crystals’ structure or growth. “It’s really nice having that kind of experience when we’re working on the hardware that’s going in space,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of people that are very skilled machinists that are able to help us in a moment’s notice, we have people with a really good understanding of technical tolerances and stuff like that, and we have people with a lot of varying experience doing flight hardware integration and tests.” For more than two decades, humans have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge and making research breakthroughs that are not possible on Earth. The station is a critical testbed for NASA to understand and overcome the challenges of long-duration spaceflight and to expand commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit. Learn more about the space station at: https://nasa.gov/international-space-station/ Joel Wallace Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala. 256-544-0034 joel.w.wallace@nasa.gov Share Details Last Updated May 24, 2024 LocationMarshall Space Flight Center Related TermsMarshall Space Flight Center Explore More 5 min read Marshall Teams Combine to Make Space Station Science Reality Article 8 months ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Marshall Space Flight Center International Space Station Station Science 101: Physical Science Solar System View the full article

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6 min read What’s Up: March 2024 Skywatching Tips from NASA Download the Video WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Jupiter plows through the Pleiades on March 14, a chance to spot Mercury at month’s end along with a subtle lunar eclipse, and a comet worth keeping an eye on! March skywatching highlights: March 10 – New moon March 13 – The Moon joins Jupiter tonight in the west, following sunset. They make a great pairing through binoculars. March 14 – Tonight the crescent Moon moves through the Pleiades star cluster, creating a dazzling sight for skywatchers observing with binoculars. March 21-25 – Northern Hemisphere viewers have their best chance of the year to spot Mercury in the evening sky. Look for it shining brightly, low in the west, starting half an hour after sunset. March 24-25 – A subtle lunar eclipse called a penumbral eclipse will cause a slight decrease in the Moon’s brightness tonight. It’s usually difficult to see, but you might see the difference if you look before the eclipse and then at the peak. At the peak observers can sometimes see a subtle gradient in brightness across the Moon’s face. March 25 – Full moon March 25 – The full moon dims slightly during a penumbral lunar eclipse tonight, as it passes through the outer part of Earth’s shadow, the penumbra. The decrease in brightening for this type of eclipse is subtle, but you might be able to notice a slight gradient in brightness across the Moon’s face around the peak of the event. All month – Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is heading toward its closest approach to the Sun on its 71-year orbit, and is bright enough to observe in telescopes and binoculars. There’s a possibility it might become just visible to the unaided eye by late March or sometime in April. Sky chart showing the changing position of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks during the month of March. Find the comet in the west-northwest as soon as the sky is fully dark. It moves lower as the month continues Video Transcript Text of the current month’s video. What’s Up for March? Some close pair-ups with the Moon, and Mercury makes an appearance, a subtle lunar eclipse, and a chance to catch a comet. In March, you’ll find Jupiter shining brightly in the west during the early evening hours all month long. And on March 13th, it’s joined by a crescent Moon so close that the pair will be visible together through binoculars. Sky chart showing Jupiter with the Moon on the evening of March 13, one hour after sunset. NASA/JPL-Caltech On the following evening, the Moon visits the Pleiades. This is another close pairing – with the five-day-old lunar crescent hanging right next to the bright star cluster – that will look great through a small telescope or binoculars. Near the end of March, observers in the Northern Hemisphere will have the best opportunity of the year to catch a glimpse of Mercury in the evening sky. Look for it shining brightly low in the west following sunset. Sky chart showing Jupiter and Mercury on the evenings of March 21-25 about 30-40 minutes after sunset. NASA/JPL-Caltech Overnight on March 24th and into the 25th, the Moon will pass through the outer part of Earth’s shadow, creating a faint lunar eclipse called a penumbral eclipse. Now, the more spectacular variety of lunar eclipses happens when the Moon passes through Earth’s inner shadow, or umbra. That’s when we see a dark “bite” taken out of the Moon, or in the case of a total lunar eclipse, a reddish, so-called “blood moon.” Penumbral eclipses cause only a slight dimming of the Moon’s brightness, so if you’re not looking for it, you might not know there was an eclipse happening. But if you glance at the Moon early in the night, and then later, around the peak of the eclipse, you might notice the difference in brightness. Even faint lunar eclipses like this one are always accompanied by a solar eclipse either a couple of weeks before or after. And on April 8th, a total solar eclipse will sweep across the U.S. (We’ll tell you more about that in next month’s video.) There’s a comet making its way into the inner solar system that’s already observable with a telescope, and might start to become visible to the unaided eye by late March or in April. It’s a mountain of rock, dust, and ice several miles wide named 12P/Pons-Brooks. It has a stretched-out, 71-year-long orbit that carries it as far from the Sun as the orbit of Neptune and nearly as close as the orbit of Venus. Fortunately, because this orbit is tilted, it doesn’t cross our planet’s path, so there’s no chance of a collision. Comet 12P has been observed on several of its previous appearances going back hundreds of years, and one thing it’s known for is its occasional outbursts. Sometimes this comet suddenly brightens by quite bit, due to bursts of gas and dust being released from beneath its surface. If this happens in the March-April timeframe as the comet nears the Sun, it could become bright enough to observe with the eye alone. But even without additional brightening from outbursts, the comet is predicted to peak at a brightness that should make it easy to see with binoculars, and possibly just naked-eye visible under dark skies by the end of March. Now, comets are notoriously unpredictable, so it’s hard to know for sure how bright Pons-Brooks will get as it nears the Sun, but it’s certainly worth a look. You can find it low in the west-northwest part of the sky at the end of evening twilight. Comets, along with asteroids, are leftover pieces of the materials that formed the Sun and planets. So catch a comet and glimpse one of the building blocks of our solar system with your own eyes. Here are the phases of the Moon for March. The phases of the Moon for March 2024. NASA/JPL-Caltech Stay up to date on NASA’s missions exploring the solar system and beyond at science.nasa.gov. I’m Preston Dyches from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and that’s What’s Up for this month. Skywatching Resources​ NASA’s Night Sky Network NASA’s Watch the Skies Blog Daily Moon Observing Guide Full Moon Blog About the What’s Up production team “What’s Up” is NASA’s longest running web video series. It had its first episode in April 2007 with original host Jane Houston Jones. Today, Preston Dyches, Christopher Harris, and Lisa Poje are the science communicators and space enthusiasts who produce this monthly video series at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Additional astronomy subject matter guidance is provided by JPL’s Bill Dunford, Gary Spiers, Lyle Tavernier, and GSFC’s Molly Wasser. View the full article

NASA selected 12 finalist teams to compete in the next round of the Human Lander Challenge (HuLC) competition. In 2023, NASA invited undergraduate and graduate students from accredited colleges and universities in the United States to propose innovative solutions to manage the lunar dust a spacecraft stirs up when landing on the Moon. NASA’s Artemis campaign will establish a long-term human presence on and around the Moon for the benefit of all, and one of the challenges the agency and its partners must address is the particularly dusty aspect of landing on the lunar surface. These university-level teams will spend the next several months continuing to develop their concepts for managing or preventing the cloud of dust created when using rocket engines to land on unprepared surfaces like the Moon. This effect is called plume surface interaction and can damage assets NASA plans to establish on the Moon’s surface, like habitats and scientific experiments. “Each team brings a unique perspective and I’m excited to see the cumulation of each team’s extensive research and concept development at the 2024 Forum,” said Jamshid Samareh, lead for the technology identification and assessment team at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. “Their proposed system-level designs showcase the brilliance and dedication of the Artemis Generation to our collective mission. I am confident their work will propel us closer to the Moon and hopefully inspire future advancements in space exploration.” The 2024 HuLC Finalist Teams are: Colorado School of Mines“Prudent Landers – FAST” Advisor: Mark Florida, Dr. Angel Abbud-Madrid, David Purcell Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University“Plume Additive for Reducing Surface Ejecta and Cratering (PARSEC)” Advisor: Dr. Siwei Fan Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University“Ceramic Research Advancement Technology at Embry-Riddle (C.R.A.T.E.R.)” Advisor: Seetha Raghavan Ohio Northern University“HuLC Smash” Dr. Louis DiBerardino Texas A&M University“Maroon Moon: Preliminary Surface Stabilization to Mitigate Lunar Plume Surface Interaction” Advisor: John F. Connolly, Dr. Jean-Louis Briaud Texas A&M University“Synthetic Orbital Landing Area for Crater Elimination (SOLACE)” Advisor: Dr. Helen Reed Texas State University“Numerical Simulation and Physical Validation of Regolith Ejecta During Plume Surface Interaction” Advisor: Dr. Bin Xiao The College of New Jersey“TCNJ Adaptable Regolith Retention Program (TARRP)” Advisor: Mohammed Alabsi University of California San Diego“Microwave Lunar Sintering of Nanophase Iron Enriched Lunar Regolith for the Creation of a Lunar Landing Pad” Advisor: Dr. Amy Eguchi, Dr. Zahra Sadeghizadeh, Dr. Ross Turner University of Colorado Boulder (Graduate Team)“Lunar Surface Assessment Tool (LSAT): A Simulation of Lunar Dust Dynamics for Risk Analysis” Advisor: James Nabity University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign“HINDER: Holistic Integration of Navigational Dynamics for Erosion Reduction” Advisor: Laura Villafane Roca University of Michigan“ARC-LIGHT: Algorithm for Robust Characterization of Lunar surface Imaging for Ground Hazards and Trajectory” Advisor: Mirko Gamba, Chris Ruf The finalist selection process involved a rigorous assessment of each team’s proposal package submission, consisting of a 5–7-page concept proposal and a two-minute summary video. The judging panel made up of subject matter experts from NASA’s Human Landing System Program considered factors such as feasibility, innovation, and adherence to NASA’s safety standards. Each team will receive a $7,000 stipend award to facilitate further development of their proposed concept and their full participation in the 2024 HuLC Forum in Huntsville, Alabama this June. The 12 finalists will make final presentations to a panel of NASA and industry experts at the onsite HuLC Forum. The top three winning teams will share a prize purse of $18,000. The Human Lander Challenge is sponsored by NASA’s Human Landing System Program and managed by the National Institute of Aerospace. Through Artemis, NASA will land the first woman, first person of color, and its first international partner astronaut on the Moon, paving the way for a long-term, sustainable lunar presence to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before and prepare for future astronaut missions to Mars. For full competition details, visit the Human Lander Challenge website: https://hulc.nianet.org View the full article

29 Min Read March-April 2024: The Next Full Moon is the Crow, Crust, Sap, Sugar, or Worm Moon A full moon rises over Utah. Credits: NASA/Bill Dunford The next full moon is the Crow, Crust, Sap, Sugar, or Worm Moon; the Paschal Moon; Purim; the Holi Festival Moon; Madin Poya; the Pothole Moon; a Micromoon, and a Partial Lunar Eclipse. The next full moon will be on Monday morning, March 25, 2024, appearing opposite the Sun in Earth-based longitude at 3 AM EDT. This will be on Sunday evening from Alaska Time westward to the International Date Line. Around this time the Moon will pass through the partial shadow of the Earth (called a penumbral lunar eclipse). The slight dimming of the Moon will be difficult to notice, but see if you can tell if the lower part of the Moon is dimmer than the upper part. The Moon will begin entering the Earth’s shadow at 12:53 AM, reach greatest eclipse at 3:13 AM with 96% of the Moon in partial shadow, and exit the shadow at 5:32 AM. Since this full Moon is a little over a day after apogee (when the Moon is at its farthest from the Earth in its orbit) this is a micromoon, the opposite of a supermoon. The Moon will appear full for about 3 days around this time, from Saturday evening through Tuesday morning. The Maine Farmers’ Almanac began publishing “Indian” names for full Moons in the 1930s and these names are now widely known and used. According to this almanac, as the full Moon in March the tribes of the northeastern United States called this the Crow, Crust, Sap, Sugar, or Worm Moon. The more northern tribes of the northeastern States knew this as the Crow Moon, with the cawing of crows signaling the end of winter. Other northern names were the Crust Moon, because the snow cover became crusted from thawing by day and freezing by night, or the Sap (or Sugar) Moon as this was the time for tapping maple trees. The more southern tribes called this the Worm Moon after the earthworm casts that appeared as the ground thawed. It makes sense that only the southern tribes called this the Worm Moon. When glaciers covered the northern part of North America they wiped out the native earthworms. After these glaciers melted about 12,000 years ago the more northern forests grew back without earthworms. Most of the earthworms in these areas are invasive species introduced from Europe and Asia. In the western Christian ecclesiastical calendar this is the Paschal Moon, from which the date of Easter is calculated. Paschal is the Latinized version of Pesach, Hebrew for Passover. Initially, the Christian holiday of Easter, also called Pascha, was celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full Moon of spring. However, there are differences between the times of these astronomical events and the calendars now used by the Eastern and Western churches. Western Christianity will be celebrating Easter on Sunday, March 31, 2024, the Sunday after this first full Moon of spring. The date of Eastern Orthodox Easter is based on the Julian calendar and will be on Sunday, May 5. Many lunar and lunisolar calendars start the months on the new Moon with the full Moon in the middle of the month. Lunisolar calendars add or repeat a month as needed to keep the lunar months aligned with the solar seasons. This full Moon is in the middle of the second month of Adar in the Hebrew calendar and corresponds with Purim, celebrated from sunset on March 23 to sunset on March 24, 2024, the 14th of the Adar II (a day later in Jerusalem and ancient walled cities). Purim marks the Jewish people’s deliverance from a royal death decree around the fourth century BCE as told in the Book of Esther. Purim is celebrated by exchanging gifts of food and drink, feasting, and donating to charity. In the Islamic calendar this full Moon is near the middle of the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is honored as the month in which the Quran was revealed. Observing this annual month of charitable acts, prayer, and fasting from dawn to sunset is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. As the full Moon in the Hindu month Phalguna, this Moon corresponds with the Holi festival, celebrating the victory of good over evil and the start of spring. This two-day long festival is also known as the Festival of Love, Festival of Colors, or the Festival of Spring. Holi begins with a bonfire the evening before the day of the full Moon, continues on the day of the full Moon with a free-for-all game involving the spraying of colored powders and/or colored water on whomever wanders by, and ends with evening visits with friends and family. Every full Moon is a holiday in Sri Lanka. This full Moon is Medin or Madin Poya, marking the Buddha’s first visit to his father after his enlightenment. Continuing the tradition of naming Moons after prominent phenomena tied to the time of year, a few years ago my friend Tom Van Wagner suggested naming this the Pothole Moon. It may be a case of confirmation bias, but whether in my car or on my bicycle I notice more potholes this time of year. As usual, the wearing of suitably celebratory celestial attire is encouraged in honor of the full Moon. As for other celestial events between now and the full Moon after next (with specific times and angles based on the location of NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC): Total Eclipse of the Sun There will be a total eclipse of the Sun on Monday, April 8, 2024. This total eclipse will be visible in a swath ranging from 142 (88 miles) wide near the start and end to 203 km (126 miles) wide near the middle of the swath. The path of the total eclipse will begin in the Pacific south of the equator, start passing over North America on the coast of Mexico near Mazatlán, cross the USA from Texas to Maine, exit North America from Canada on the coast of Newfoundland, and end in the North Atlantic. Outside of this narrow swath, most of North and Central America will see a partial solar eclipse. See https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/skywatching/eclipses/solar-eclipses/2024-solar-eclipse/total-solar-eclipse-2024-the-moons-moment-in-the-sun/ for more information. Assuming you can find a place with clear skies near the centerline of this swath, this eclipse, in particular, should be quite a show. Compared to the eclipse in 2017, the Moon will be nearer its closest to the Earth, making its shadow larger, the sky darker, and the eclipse longer. In addition, the Sun will be nearer its maximum in its 11-year cycle, so the corona, which can only be seen during a total eclipse, should be more spectacular. If the sky is clear during the eclipse, you will be able to see the planets and some stars that are not normally visible this time of year. Bright Jupiter will be to the upper left of the eclipse, with Venus, Saturn, and Mars to the lower right. In the unlikely event that the comet 12P/Pons-Brooks has an outburst that makes it significantly brighter (described below), you may be able to see it to the right of Jupiter (if it isn’t obvious, I recommend enjoying the eclipse rather than spending time searching for a comet you might not be able to see). Plenty of information about this total eclipse is available elsewhere, so I will refrain from adding much more, but please read and pay attention to eye safety. The only time it is safe to look directly at the Sun is when it is completely blocked by the Moon, so that you can only see the much fainter corona. Staring directly at even a small sliver of the Sun can do permanent eye damage. This eclipse will be passing through or near many populated areas, making it possible to trade off waiting for more accurate weather forecasts for clear skies against the difficulties of making last minute bookings or dealing with traffic jams if you wait until the day of the eclipse to drive to the zone of totality. Total eclipses of the Sun are rare and spectacular events. I recognize that not everyone will be able to drop everything and go see this one, but seeing at least one good, total eclipse in a clear sky should be on your bucket list. A partial eclipse is just not the same. The only other reason I can think of for not going where you can see this total eclipse (other than you absolutely can’t at this time) is that if you see this eclipse, you are likely to want to see more, and will begin making plans to go to North Africa in 2026, Australia in 2028, etc. The next three eclipses visible from parts of North America will be in 2044, 2045, and 2052. Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks During this lunar cycle, comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will be visible with binoculars or a telescope, and may become bright enough to be a naked eye comet. In my quick searches of the web I found visual guides that provide specific information on when and where to look from your location on any given night. However, I did not see a concise guide to when might be the best time to look for this comet, so here is my meager attempt. Several things make a difference in how easy it is to see a comet. The greatest uncertainty is how much dust and gas it will be giving off, as it is the sunlight illuminating these plumes that make the comet bright. This comet has already had outbursts that have made it temporarily 10 to 100 times brighter. It may be less likely such outbursts will occur as the comet moves closer to the Sun, but this is uncertain. As the astronomer David H. Levy said, “Comets are like cats; they have tails, and they do precisely what they want.” My recommendation is to pay attention to the news and check regularly to see if the comet has had an outburst, as this may push its brightness into the visible range. In addition, I plan to look for the comet with binoculars, both on April 8 and 9 before moonlight begins to interfere and in the weeks before closest approach to the Sun on April 21. The next couple of paragraphs give my reasoning (which you are welcome to skip if you like). We can’t predict outbursts, but we can predict other influences on the brightness of the comet. If the gas and dust from the comet isn’t changing, an easy calculation is to assume the comet will scatter light uniformly in all directions, so that all you need to consider is the distance between the Sun and the comet and the distance between the comet and the Earth. This suggests that the comet will be at its brightest around April 20 and 21, 2024, when it will be passing its closest to the Sun and receiving (and reflecting towards Earth) the maximum amount of sunlight. How easy the comet will be to see will also depend on how much glow there is from twilight (which depends on how far the Sun is below the horizon), whether (and how much) moonlight there is (increased moonlight will brighten the background sky), and how high the comet is above the horizon. In the evenings, nautical twilight ends when the Sun reaches 12 degrees below the horizon (the estimate of when the horizon will be too dark for sailors at sea to use for navigation). In mid-to-late April (for the DC area), nautical twilight ends about 1 hour after sunset (the start and end of twilight I use throughout these Moon Missives is based on nautical twilight). Astronomical twilight is when the Sun is between 12 and 18 degrees below the horizon, when the sky looks dark but there can be enough residual glow that the faintest stars and diffuse objects (like nebulae, galaxies, faint meteors, and comets on the edge of visibility) may be masked. When the Sun is more than 18 degrees below the horizon the sky is about as dark as it is going to get. When the Moon is in the sky it will add its light to the background brightness of the sky. The amount of light added will increase as the Moon waxes from a faint, thin crescent to a bright, nearly full Moon. The evening of April 8, 2024, as nautical twilight ends (at 8:39 PM EDT), the crescent Moon will have already set and the comet will be 11.4 degrees above the west-northwestern horizon. The combined effect of the range from the Sun and the Earth gives a geometric estimate of 91% of the maximum brightness at its closest to the Sun in late April. By the time astronomical twilight ends (at 9:12 PM) the comet will still be 5 degrees above the horizon. The evening of April 9, it might be interesting to see the comet and the thin, waxing crescent Moon low on the horizon as twilight ends, as the Moon will not be very bright and should not interfere much with seeing the comet. Nautical twilight will end (at 8:40 PM) with the Moon 4.2 degrees above the horizon and the comet above the Moon at 10.8 degrees above the horizon. The Moon will set (at 9:08 PM) just 5 minutes before astronomical twilight ends (at 9:13 PM), when the comet will be 4.6 degrees above the horizon. The distance-based estimate of brightness will have increased to 93% of the peak in late April. Between April 10 and April 21, the geometric estimate of the brightness of the comet will gradually increase, but so will interference from the brightness of the waxing Moon, and the comet will shift closer to the horizon each evening. On the evening of April 21 the geometric brightness of the comet will be at its greatest, but the Moon will be 96% illuminated and the comet will be only 2.7 degrees above the horizon as nautical twilight ends. April 24 will be the last evening that the comet will be above the horizon before nautical twilight ends (at 8:57 PM). Note that as our opportunity to view this comet from northern latitudes gets worse in late April, the opportunity for viewers in the Southern Hemisphere will get better. Length of Daylight As spring continues the daily periods of sunlight continue to lengthen, having changed at their fastest around the equinox on March 19, 2024. On Monday, March 25 (the day of the full Moon), morning twilight will begin at 6:05 AM, sunrise will be at 7:03 AM, solar noon will be at 1:14 PM when the Sun will reach its maximum altitude of 53.3 degrees, sunset will be at 7:25 PM, and evening twilight will end at 8:24 PM. By Tuesday, April 23 (the day of the full Moon after next), morning twilight will begin at 5:18 AM, sunrise will be at 6:20 AM, solar noon will be at 1:06 PM when the Sun will reach its maximum altitude of 64.0 degrees, sunset will be at 7:53 PM, and evening twilight will end at 8:56 PM. Meteor Showers Two meteor showers, the Lyrids (006 LYR) and the Ï€-Puppids (137 PPU), will peak near the end of this lunar cycle but the nearly full Moon will interfere with seeing these meteors. Evening Sky Highlights On the evening of Sunday, March 24 (the evening before the full Moon), as twilight ends (at 8:22 PM EDT), the rising Moon will be 14 degrees above the east-southeastern horizon. The bright planet Jupiter will be 27 degrees above the western horizon and the planet Mercury will be to the lower right of Jupiter at 7 degrees above the horizon. The bright object appearing closest to overhead will be Pollux at 78 degrees above the south-southeastern horizon. Pollux is the 17th brightest star in our night sky and the brighter of the twin stars in the constellation Gemini the twins. Pollux is an orange tinted star about 34 light-years from Earth. It is not quite twice the mass of our Sun but about 9 times the diameter and 33 times the brightness. As this lunar cycle progresses, the background of stars will appear to shift westward each evening (as the Earth moves around the Sun). Mercury will be dimming as it shifts toward the west-northwestern horizon, with April 3 the last evening it will be above the horizon as twilight ends and April 11 when it will pass between the Earth and the Sun, shifting from the evening to the morning sky. We are approaching the end of the opportunity to view Jupiter for this apparition, as it will shift lower towards the west-northwestern horizon each evening. The waxing Moon will pass by Jupiter on April 10, Pollux on April 14 and 15, Regulus on April 17 and 18, and Spica on April 22. By the evening of Tuesday, April 23 (the evening of the day of the full Moon after next), as twilight ends (at 8:56 PM EDT), the rising Moon will be 10 degrees above the east-southeastern horizon. The bright planet Jupiter will be 4 degrees above the west-northwestern horizon. The bright object appearing closest to overhead will be Regulus at 63 degrees above the southern horizon. Regulus is the 21st brightest star in our night sky and the brightest star in the constellation Leo the lion. The Arabic name for Regulus translates as “the heart of the lion.” Although we see Regulus as a single star, it is actually four stars (two pairs of stars orbiting each other). Regulus is about 79 light-years from us. Morning Sky Highlights On the morning of Monday, March 25 (the morning after the full Moon), as twilight begins (at 6:05 AM EDT), the setting Moon will be 12 degrees above the west-southwestern horizon. The planet Mars will be 3 degrees above the east-southeastern horizon. The bright object appearing closest to overhead will be the star Vega at 73 degrees above the eastern horizon. Vega is the brightest star in the constellation Lyra the lyre and is one of the three bright stars in the “Summer Triangle” along with Deneb and Altair. Vega is the 5th brightest star in our night sky, about 25 light-years from Earth, twice the mass of our Sun, and shines 40 times brighter than our Sun. As this lunar cycle progresses, the background of stars will appear to shift westward each evening, while Mars will hover low on the east-southeastern horizon, drifting slightly to the left. The waning Moon will pass by Spica on March 26 and 27, and Antares on March 30. April 1 will be the first morning the planet Saturn will be above the eastern horizon as morning twilight begins, shifting towards Mars each morning. On April 6 the thin, waning crescent Moon will form a triangle with Saturn and Mars, but will be low on the east-southeastern horizon and difficult to see, with the Moon rising just 3 minutes before morning twilight begins. On April 10 Mars and Saturn will appear closest to each other, after which they will appear to separate. By the morning of Tuesday, April 23 (the morning of the day of the full Moon after next), as twilight begins (at 5:18 AM EDT), the setting full Moon will be 7 degrees above the west-southwestern horizon with the bright star Spica 2.5 degrees to the lower left of the Moon. The planet Mars will be 5 degrees above the eastern horizon and the planet Saturn will be 7 degrees above the east-southeastern horizon. The bright object appearing closest to overhead will still be the star Vega at 86 degrees above the eastern horizon. Detailed Daily Guide Here for your reference is a day-by-day listing of celestial events between now and the full Moon after next. The times and angles are based on the location of NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, and some of these details may differ for where you are (I use parentheses to indicate times specific to the DC area). Monday evening into Tuesday morning, March 18 to 19, 2024, the bright star Pollux (the brighter of the twin stars in the constellation Gemini the twins) will appear near the waxing gibbous Moon. Pollux will be 3.5 degrees to the left as twilight ends (at 8:16 PM EDT) and will shift clockwise around the Moon until the Moon sets on the northwestern horizon (at 4:42 AM) when Pollux will be 2 degrees to the upper right. Tuesday evening, March 19, 2024, at 11:06 PM EDT, will be the vernal equinox, the astronomical end of winter and start of spring. For a location on the equator in the ocean north of Western New Guinea the Sun will pass directly overhead as it shifts from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere. Thursday morning, March 21, 2024, if you have a very clear view of the horizon about halfway between east and east-southeast, you might be able to see the planet Saturn less than a degree to the lower left of the bright planet Venus. Because of the glow of dawn this will be hard to see. Venus will shine brighter than any star, but Saturn will rise last (at 6:32 AM), 21 minutes after twilight begins (at 6:11 AM EDT), and will be only a little brighter than the star Pollux, the 17th brightest star in our night sky. You may need binoculars to see the pair, but make sure you stop looking well before sunrise. The next morning, Friday, March 22, 2024, the planet Venus will have shifted to less than a degree to the left of the planet Saturn, with the pair rising together (at 6:29 AM EDT) 19 minutes after twilight begins (at 6:10 AM). Thursday evening into Friday morning, March 21 to 22, 2024, the bright star Regulus will appear near the waxing gibbous Moon. As twilight ends (at 8:19 PM EDT) Regulus will be 5 degrees to the lower right of the Moon. Regulus will gradually shift closer to the Moon, initially swinging towards the left (appearing 4 degrees below and a little to the left) as the Moon reaches its highest (at 11:13 PM). At about 2:30 AM (when Regulus will be 3 degrees to the lower left) Regulus will switch and start swinging towards the right. As Regulus sets (at 5:58 AM) it will be 2.5 degrees below the Moon, with morning twilight beginning 12 minutes later (at 6:10 AM) and the Moon setting 3 minutes after that (at 6:13 AM). Saturday night, March 23, 2024, at 11:46 AM EDT, the Moon will be at apogee, its farthest from the Earth for this orbit. Sunday evening, March 24, 2024, at 5:59 PM EDT, will be when the planet Mercury reaches its greatest angular separation from the Sun as seen from Earth for this apparition (called greatest elongation). This will be the evening when the planet Mercury will appear highest above the western horizon (6.5 degrees) as twilight ends (at 8:22 PM). As mentioned above, the next full Moon will be on Monday morning, March 25, 2024. The Moon will pass through the partial shadow of the Earth (called a penumbral lunar eclipse), beginning to enter the shadow at 12:53 AM EDT, reaching greatest eclipse at 3:13 AM when 96% of the Moon will be in partial shadow, and exiting the shadow at 5:32 AM. The slight dimming of the Moon will be difficult to notice. Since this is a little over a day after apogee (when the Moon is at its farthest from the Earth in its orbit) this will be a micromoon, the opposite of a supermoon. The Moon will appear full for about 3 days around this time, from Saturday evening through Tuesday morning. Tuesday morning, March 26, 2024, the bright star Spica will appear near the full Moon. As the Moon reaches its highest in the sky for the night (at 1:52 AM EDT), Spica will be 8 degrees to the lower left of the Moon. By the time twilight begins (at 6:03 AM), Spica will be 6 degrees to the left of the Moon. Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning, March 26 to 27, 2024, the Moon will have shifted to the other side of Spica. As the Moon rises on the east-southeastern horizon (at 8:59 PM EDT), Spica will be 3 degrees to the upper right of the Moon. By the time the Moon reaches its highest for the night (at 2:32 AM), Spica will be 5 degrees to the upper right. Spica will be 6 degrees to the lower right as twilight begins (at 6:02 AM). Saturday morning, March 30, 2024, the bright star Antares will appear near the waning gibbous Moon. As Antares rises on the southeastern horizon (at 12:37 AM EDT) it will be 5 degrees to the lower left of the Moon. The Moon will reach its highest for the night (at 4:52 AM) with Antares 3 degrees to the left. As twilight begins (at 5:57 AM) Antares will be a little less than 3 degrees to the upper left of the Moon. Monday morning, April 1, 2024, will be the first morning that the planet Saturn will be above the eastern horizon as twilight begins (at 5:55 AM EDT). Monday night, April 1, 2024, the waning Moon will appear half-full as it reaches its last quarter at 11:15 PM EDT (when the Moon will be below the horizon). Wednesday evening, April 3, 2024, will be the last evening that the planet Mercury will be above the horizon as twilight ends. Saturday morning, April 6, 2024, if you have a very clear view of the east-southeastern horizon, you might be able to see the thin, waning crescent Moon near the planets Saturn and Mars. The Moon will rise last (at 5:42 AM EDT) just 3 minutes before twilight begins, with Saturn 2 degrees to the upper left of the Moon and Mars 4 degrees to the upper right of the Moon. You will need binoculars to see them in the glow of dawn, but on Sunday morning, April 7, 2024, the bright planet Venus will appear 3.5 degrees to the left of the very thin, waning crescent Moon low on the eastern horizon. Venus will rise last (at 6:14 AM EDT) 31 minutes after twilight begins and 29 minutes before sunrise. If you are using binoculars to scan for this pairing, be sure to stop looking well before any chance of sunrise (as using high powered lenses to focus intense sunlight directly into your eyes is a really bad idea). Sunday afternoon, April 7, 2024, at 1:52 PM EDT, the Moon will be at perigee, its closest to the Earth for this orbit. There will be an eclipse of the Sun on Monday, April 8, 2024. For information on the total solar eclipse (not visible from the Washington, DC area) see the summary section above. The Washington, DC area will only see a partial eclipse, starting at about 2:04 PM EDT, reaching its peak at about 3:21 PM when 88.9% of the Sun will be blocked by the Moon, and ending at 4:33 PM. Please pay attention to eye safety and do not look at the Sun directly without eclipse glasses. When the Moon is blocking most of the Sun, what remains will appear like a crescent. One of the interesting effects is that the sunlight through trees, etc., that we normally see as mottled sunlight (round blotches of light) is actually made up of many small images of the round Sun. When the Sun appears as a crescent these mottled patches will appear as many small crescents. The eclipse will also be the new Moon, when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun and is not usually visible from the Earth (except when its silhouette causes an eclipse). The day of or the day after the new Moon marks the start of the new month for most lunisolar calendars. Sundown on Monday, April 8, 2024, marks the start of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar. Pesach or Passover begins on the 15th day of Nisan. The third month of the Chinese calendar starts on Tuesday, April 9, 2023. Monday evening, April 8, 2024, as nautical or evening twilight ends (at 8:39 PM EDT), comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will be 11.4 degrees above the west-northwestern horizon. The crescent Moon will have already set, making this the last evening to see this comet without moonlight. By the time astronomical twilight ends (at 9:12 PM) the comet will still be 5 degrees above the horizon. In the Islamic calendar the months traditionally start with the first sighting of the waxing crescent Moon. Many Muslim communities now follow the Umm al-Qura Calendar of Saudi Arabia, which uses astronomical calculations to start months in a more predictable way. This calendar predicts the holy month of Ramadan will end and Shawwāl will begin with sunset on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Because of the religious significance of the end of Ramadan, Shawwāl is one of 4 months in the Islamic year where the start of the month is updated in the Umm al-Qura Calendar based upon the actual sighting of the crescent Moon. Starting with the sighting of the crescent Moon, the end of the Ramadan fast will be celebrated with Eid al-Fitr (the Feast of Breaking the Fast), a celebration lasting from 1 to 3 days. Tuesday evening, April 9, 2024, it should be interesting to see the comet 12P/Pons-Brooks and the thin, waxing crescent Moon low on the horizon as twilight ends, as the Moon will not be very bright and should not interfere much with seeing the comet. Nautical or evening twilight will end (at 8:40 PM EDT) with the Moon 4.2 degrees above the horizon and the comet above the Moon at 10.8 degrees above the horizon. The Moon will set (at 9:08 PM) just 5 minutes before astronomical twilight ends (at 9:13 PM), when the comet will be 4.6 degrees above the horizon. In the mornings throughout this lunar cycle the planets Saturn and Mars will appear near each other low on the east-southeastern horizon. Both will appear to shift higher each morning, with Saturn shifting more than Mars. Wednesday morning, April 10, 2024, will be when the pair will be at their closest. As twilight begins (at 5:38 AM EDT) the slightly brighter Saturn will appear 3 degrees above the horizon with Mars 0.5 degrees above Saturn. Wednesday evening, April 10, 2024, the bright planet Jupiter will appear 4 degrees to the lower left of the waxing crescent Moon. The Moon will be 17 degrees above the west-northwestern horizon as twilight ends (at 8:41 PM EDT) and Jupiter will set first 77 minutes later (at 9:58 PM). Thursday evening, April 11, 2024, the Pleiades star cluster will appear 6 degrees to the lower right of the waxing crescent Moon. The Moon will be 30 degrees above the western horizon as twilight ends (at 8:42 PM EDT) and the Pleiades will set first a little over 2 hours later (at about 11 PM). Thursday evening, April 11, 2024, the planet Mercury will be passing between the Earth and the Sun, called inferior conjunction. Planets that orbit inside of the orbit of Earth can have two types of conjunctions with the Sun, inferior (when passing between the Earth and the Sun) and superior (when passing on the far side of the Sun). Mercury will be shifting from the evening sky to the morning sky and will begin emerging from the glow of the dawn on the eastern horizon later in April (depending upon viewing conditions). Sunday evening into early Monday morning, April 14 to 15, 2024, the bright star Pollux (the brighter of the twins in the constellation Gemini the twins) will appear to the upper left of the waxing crescent Moon. As twilight ends (at 8:45 PM EDT) Pollux will be 8 degrees from the Moon. By the time the Moon sets on the west-northwestern horizon (at 2:39 AM), Pollux will be 5 degrees from the Moon. Monday afternoon, April 15, 2024, the Moon will appear half-full as it reaches its first quarter at 3:13 PM EDT (when it will be daylight with the Moon visible in the eastern sky). Monday evening into early Tuesday morning, April 15 to 16, 2024, the half-Moon will have shifted such that the bright star Pollux will appear to the lower right of the Moon. As twilight ends (at 8:45 PM EDT) Pollux will be 6 degrees from the Moon and the pair will appear to separate as the night progresses, reaching 8 degrees apart around 1:30 AM. Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, April 17 to 18, 2024, the bright star Regulus will appear to the lower left of the waxing gibbous Moon. As twilight ends (at 8:49 PM EDT) Regulus will be 7.5 degrees from the Moon. When Regulus sets on the west-northwestern horizon (at 4:12 AM) it will be 4.5 degrees from the Moon. Thursday evening into Friday morning, April 18 to 19, 2024, the waxing gibbous Moon will have shifted to the other side of the bright star Regulus. As twilight ends (at 8:50 PM EDT) Regulus will be 6 degrees to the upper right of the Moon. About 1 hour later (at 9:53 PM) the Moon will reach its highest for the night with Regulus 6 degrees to the right. Regulus will appear to rotate clockwise around and to separate from the Moon as the night progresses, reaching about 8 degrees to the lower right around 3 AM. Friday night, April 19, 2024, at 10:09 PM EDT, the Moon will be at apogee, its farthest from the Earth for this orbit. Friday morning, April 19, 2024, will be the first morning that the planet Mercury will rise more than 30 minutes before sunrise, a very rough estimate of the earliest it might start being visible in the glow of dawn on the eastern horizon. Mercury will be quite faint, but will brighten each morning as it presents a larger illuminated crescent towards the Earth. However, this will not be a favorable apparition for Mercury viewing, as even at its highest it will not rise before twilight begins. Sunday, April 21, 2024 will be when the comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will be at its closest to the Sun, and the week or two before this might be a good time to look for this comet with binoculars. If the trail of gas and dust the comet is giving off doesn’t change significantly (a very big and uncertain “if”) then the brightness of the comet should gradually increase to a maximum on April 21. However, interference from the light of the waxing Moon will also increase beginning April 9, and the comet will shift closer to the horizon each evening. As twilight ends on April 21 (at 8:53 PM EDT) the Moon will be 96% illuminated and the comet will be only 2.7 degrees above the horizon. April 24 will be the last evening that the comet will be above the horizon before evening twilight ends (at 8:57 PM). Monday evening into Tuesday morning, April 22 to 23, 2024, the bright star Spica will appear to the lower right of the full Moon. Spica will be a little more than 1 degree from the Moon as twilight ends. They will be at their closest a little before midnight. Spica will be 1 degree from the Moon as the Moon reaches its highest for the night (at 12:31 AM) and will be 2.5 degrees from the Moon as twilight begins (at 5:18 AM). The full Moon after next will be Tuesday evening, April 23, 2024, at 7:49 PM EDT. This will be on Wednesday from the UK, Ireland, and Portugal eastward across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia to the International Date Line in the mid-Pacific. The Moon will appear full for about 3 days centered on this time, from Monday morning to Thursday morning. View the full article

1 min read Planet Sizes and Locations in Our Solar System The eight planets and dwarf planet Pluto. NASA Our solar system has eight planets, and five officially recognized dwarf planets. Which planet is biggest? Which is smallest? What is the order of the planets as we move out from the Sun? This is a simple guide to the sizes of planets based on the equatorial diameter – or width – at the equator of each planet. Each planet’s width is compared to Earth’s equatorial diameter, which is about 7,926 miles (12,756 kilometers). At the bottom of the page, there is a handy list of the order of the planets moving away from our Sun. Unable to render the provided source Compare Earth to other planets using NASA’s Eyes on the Solar System. Order of Planets and Dwarf Planets – Distance From the Sun A stylized illustration of our solar system. NASA/JPL Mercury: 36 million miles (58 million kilometers) Venus: 67.2 million miles (108 million kilometers) Earth: 93 million miles (149.7 million kilometers) Mars: 141.6 million miles (227.9 million kilometers) Dwarf planet Ceres: 257 million miles (413 million kilometers) Jupiter: 483.7 million miles (778 million kilometers) Saturn: 889.8 million miles (1.4 billion kilometers) Uranus: 1.8 billion miles (2.9 billion kilometers) Neptune: 2.8 billion miles (4.5 billion kilometers) Dwarf Planet Pluto: 3.67 billion miles (5.9 billion kilometers) Dwarf Planet Haumea: 4 billion miles (6.5 billion kilometers) Dwarf Planet Makemake: 4.3 billion miles (6.9 billion kilometers) Dwarf Planet Eris: 6.3 billion miles (10 billion kilometers) Explore More 29 min read March-April 2024: The Next Full Moon is the Crow, Crust, Sap, Sugar, or Worm Moon The next full moon is the Crow, Crust, Sap, Sugar, or Worm Moon; the Paschal… Article 34 mins ago 4 min read Don’t Make Me Wait for April 8! Article 1 day ago 3 min read Eclipse Citizen Science for Educators Article 2 days ago View the full article