Things Worth Noting
Lunokhod 1, the Soviet Union’s groundbreaking robotic lunar rover, became the first vehicle to operate on another celestial body when it landed via Luna 17 in Mare Imbrium on November 17, 1970—exactly 55 years ago today. This eight-wheeled, bathtub-shaped rover, designed by Alexander Kemurdzhian and built by Lavochkin, weighed 840 kg and featured a solar-charged […]
The Moon is drifting away from Earth at 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) per year, a process called lunar recession driven by tidal forces and angular momentum. Earth’s rotation pulls ocean tides ahead of the Moon, slowing our planet’s spin. This energy transfers to the Moon, pushing it into a wider orbit. Laser measurements from Apollo […]
The moon, Earth’s companion, is in a subtle celestial dance, gradually distancing itself at a rate of 1.5 inches per year—a phenomenon known as lunar recession. This gradual separation impacts Earth’s rotation, slowing it down and subtly lengthening our days. While the effects are minimal in the short term, this cosmic interplay serves as a […]
Enceladus is a moon of Saturn that has a subsurface ocean of liquid water, geysers that erupt from its surface, and organic compounds that suggest the potential for life. It is considered one of the most promising places in the solar system to search for extraterrestrial life. Enceladus is also covered in a layer of […]