https://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/09/light-and-dark-the-two-faces-of-dione/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/global_colour_mosaic_of_dione_node_full_image_2.jpgglobal_colour_mosaic_of_dione_node_full_image_22026-02-08T05:26:58+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/10/asteroid-16-psyche-could-truly-be-a-psychedelic-little-world-and-worth-quadrillions/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1200x600.jpg1200x6002026-02-08T05:26:58+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/17/this-is-jupiter-seen-from-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/psp_002162_9030_red-browse-reframed.jpgpsp_002162_9030_red-browse-reframedJupiter and its four largest moons imaged by the HiRISE camera in orbit around Mars on Jan. 11, 2007. (NASA/JPL/University of Arizona)2026-02-08T05:26:58+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/10/17/more-moons-for-uranus/2026-02-08T05:26:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/12/08/its-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-cassini-but-the-pictures-will-be-awesome/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2974_main_1280w.jpg2974_main_1280wThis graphic shows the closest approaches of Cassini's final two orbital phases. Ring-grazing orbits are shown in gray (at left); Grand Finale orbits are shown in blue. The orange line shows the spacecraft's Sept. 2017 final plunge into Saturn. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/saturn-north-pole-12-3-16.jpgsaturn-north-pole-12-3-16A view of Saturn's north pole captured by Cassini's wide-angle camera on Dec. 3, 2016. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)2026-02-08T05:26:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/07/pluto-has-giant-versions-of-ice-formations-found-on-earth/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/nh-pluto-blades.pngnh-pluto-blades2026-02-08T05:26:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/07/bright-clouds-make-a-comeback-on-titans-north-pole/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/pia20516-1041.jpgpia20516-10412026-02-08T05:26:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/09/05/rosetta-finally-finds-its-lost-philae-lander/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/philae-in-position.jpgPhilae in positionHere's another view of Philae's location...you really got yourself into quite the spot, didn't you! https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/rosetta-tweet.jpgRosetta tweetESA tweeted this on Sept. 5, 2016. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/image.jpegimageRosetta's OSIRIS camera team has found the silent Philae lander on the surface of comet 67Phttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/image.pngimageESA's Philae lander identified on the surface of comet 67P 2026-02-08T05:26:56+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/09/06/nasa-readies-osiris-rex-to-visit-an-asteroid/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/image1.jpegimagehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/osiris-rex_payloadfairing-2.jpgosiris-rex_payloadfairing-2The OSIRIS-REx payload during rocket integration on Aug. 29 at ULA's Vertical Integration Facility (Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/osiris-rex_laurettapreview4.jpgosiris-rex_laurettapreview4Artist's concept of OSIRIS-REx (NASA/Goddard)2026-02-08T05:26:56+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/09/30/with-one-more-comet-landing-rosettas-rock-and-roll-mission-is-ended/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/rosetta_philae_67p.jpgrosetta_philae_67phttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/rosetta_impact.jpgrosetta_impactESA's Rosetta mission has come to an end with the spacecraft's impact on Sept. 30, 2016. (Illustration by ESA/ATG medialab)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/comet_from_51_m_wide-angle_camera.jpgcomet_from_51_m_wide-angle_cameraRosetta's final image captured from 51 meters above 67P. (ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/comet_from_5-8_km_osiris.jpgcomet_from_5-8_km_osirisComet 67P imaged by Rosetta from 5.8 km on Sept. 30, 2016 (ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/rosetta-osiris-67p-sept-30-2016.jpgrosetta-osiris-67p-sept-30-2016Comet 67P imaged by Rosetta on Sept. 30, 2016 (ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/comet_landing_site.jpgcomet_landing_siteOSIRIS images captured by Rosetta on descent to comet 67P, Sept. 30 2016. (ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA)2026-02-08T05:26:56+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/08/02/watch-a-moonwalker-prove-galileo-right-dave-scotts-famous-hammer-feather-drop/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gif-61.gifgif-61https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/justus_sustermans_-_portrait_of_galileo_galilei_1636.jpgJustus_Sustermans_-_Portrait_of_Galileo_Galilei,_1636Galileo would have approved of Dave Scott's experiment. (1636 portrait of Galileo.)2026-02-08T05:26:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/08/04/nasa-releases-mars-rover-game-for-curiositys-4th-anniversary/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/screen-shot-2013-08-05-at-3-39-07-pm.jpgscreen-shot-2013-08-05-at-3-39-07-pmhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/mars-rover-gamee-screenshot.gifmars-rover-gamee-screenshotNASA's new Mars Rover game lets you test your driving skills on the Red Planet.2026-02-08T05:26:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/08/26/watch-saturns-moons-race-inside-the-rings/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/prometheus-atlas-8-23-16.gifPrometheus-Atlas-8-23-16Saturn's moons Prometheus and Atlas are captured by Cassini in these images from Aug. 23, 20162026-02-08T05:26:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/09/02/juno-sends-back-its-first-pictures-of-jupiters-north-pole-like-nothing-we-have-seen-before/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/jupiter-juno-aug-27-2016-jmajor.jpgJupiter Juno Aug 27 2016 JMajorJuno's view of Jupiter on approach Aug. 27, 2016. NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS. Edited by Jason Major.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/jupiter-juno-aug-27-2016-2.jpgJupiter Juno Aug 27 2016 2Juno's view of Jupiter from Aug. 27, 2016 from 48,000 miles away. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/jupiter-juno-aug-27-2016.jpgJupiter Juno Aug 27 2016Jupiter's north pole imaged by NASA's Juno spacecraft on Aug. 27, 2016 ( NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS)2026-02-08T05:26:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/07/05/watch-junos-arrival-at-majestic-jupiter-moons-and-all/2026-02-08T05:26:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/07/20/neil-armstrong-was-the-first-person-on-the-moon-and-this-is-our-best-picture-of-him-there/2026-02-08T05:26:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/07/20/the-moons-dark-seas-are-scars-from-ancient-strikes-even-bigger-than-we-thought/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/mare-imbrium.jpgMare ImbriumMare Imbrium, one of the large dark basalt "seas" on the Moon's near side. (Photo: J. Major)2026-02-08T05:26:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/06/24/does-earth-have-a-new-moon-kinda-but-not-really/2026-02-08T05:26:53+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/07/02/juno-just-hours-from-jupiter-arrival/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/juno-success.jpgJuno Successhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/567922main_junospacecraft0711.jpg567922main_junospacecraft0711Diagram of Juno and its instruments (NASA/JPL-Caltech)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160630_pia20705.png20160630_PIA20705Jupiter along with Ganymede, Io, and Europa on June 28, 2016 from 3.85 million miles away (6.2 million km). NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/hs-2016-24-a-print-crop.jpghs-2016-24-a-print-cropJupiter's northern aurora captured in ultraviolet light by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2016. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/juno-capture-orbits.jpgJuno Capture OrbitsDiagram of Juno's orbital insertion, capture orbits, and science orbits (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI)2026-02-08T05:26:53+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/06/10/bend-it-like-saturn/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/saturn-distortion-rings.jpgSaturn distortion ringsSaturn's atmosphere distorts the line of the rings beyond in this raw image from Cassini (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)2026-02-08T05:26:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/06/17/icy-nix-indicates-plutos-moons-are-leftovers-from-a-kbo-collision/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nh-spectra-composite.jpgnh-spectra-compositeA comparison of the compositional spectra of Pluto’s moons Charon, Nix and Hydra to pure water ice. Nix’s surface displays the deepest water-ice spectral features seen among Pluto’s three satellites – Charon, Nix and Hydra – for which New Horizons obtained surface spectra. Credits: NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI2026-02-08T05:26:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/06/20/venus-water-has-been-electrified-away/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/electric_field_at_venus_node_full_image_2.jpgImage converted using ifftoanyESA's Venus Express has detected a surprisingly strong electric field at Venus – the first time this has been measured at any planet. (ESA–C. Carreau)2026-02-08T05:26:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/03/09/the-scale-of-the-solar-system-with-a-soccer-ball-a-drone-pin-heads-and-planet-nine/2026-02-08T05:26:51+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/03/22/ceres-bright-spot-looks-like-a-giant-zit/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/melville_l7_2002175_lrg.jpgmelville_l7_2002175_lrgLandsat image of salt domes (diapirs) on Canada's Melville Island (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/pia20355-crop.jpgpia20355 cropExpanded-color view of Cerealia Facula in Ceres' Occator crater, from high-resolution data acquired in February 2016. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA/PSI2026-02-08T05:26:51+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/04/05/planet-nine-may-have-once-been-an-exoplanet/2026-02-08T05:26:51+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/05/05/take-a-ride-with-alan-shepard-aboard-freedom-7/2026-02-08T05:26:51+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/02/05/another-moonwalker-gone-apollo-14-astronaut-ed-mitchell-has-died-at-85/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/screen-shot-2016-02-06-at-1-28-51-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2016-02-06 at 1.28.51 PMNASA portrait of the Apollo 14 prime crew: Ed Mitchell, Al Shepard, and Stu Roosa. (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/as14-64-9088.jpgAS14-64-9088Ed Mitchell on the lunar surface during Apollo 14 EVA, Feb. 5, 1971 (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ap14-s70-55388.jpgap14-S70-55388Astronaut portrait of Edgar D. Mitchell, 1971 (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/screen-shot-2016-02-05-at-3-02-46-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2016-02-05 at 3.02.46 PMEdgar Mitchell poses next to the U.S. flag on the Moon during Apollo 14, Feb. 1971 (NASA)2026-02-08T05:26:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/02/08/why-are-plutos-moons-so-weird/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/pluto-true-color-nh-7-15-15.jpgPluto true color NH 7-15-15https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/pluto_moons_family_portrait.jpgpluto_moons_family_portraitA family portrait of Pluto's moons. The 1,212-km (753 mile) Charon is seen in part along the bottom. (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/nix.jpgnixA view of partially-lit Nix, captured from 14,000 miles by New Horizons on July 14, 2015. (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)2026-02-08T05:26:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/02/24/apollo-10s-outer-space-type-music-explained/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ap10-s69-30248.jpgap10-S69-30248The Apollo 10 prime crew at Pad 39B, March 27, 1969 (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/as10-27-3881hr.jpgAS10-27-3881HRThe Apollo 10 CM "Charlie Brown" photographed from the LM "Snoopy" in lunar orbit (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/apollo-10-transcript.jpgApollo 10 transcriptTranscript of Apollo 10 (Source: JSC)2026-02-08T05:26:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/12/18/is-this-new-picture-of-earth-from-the-moon-for-real-yes-yes-it-is/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/content_earth_and_limb_m1199291564l_color_2stretch_mask2048p-2.jpgcontent_earth_and_limb_m1199291564l_color_2stretch_mask2048p-2An "Earthrise" over Compton crater as imaged by LRO on Oct. 12, 2015. Credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State Universityhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/content_earth_and_limb_m1199291564l_three_versions-2.jpgcontent_earth_and_limb_m1199291564l_three_versions-2Original NAC image of Earth with the same contrast stretch (left), with brightness increased (center), and with the WAC color data added (right). (NASA/GSFC/ASU)2026-02-08T05:26:49+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/12/21/cassini-has-made-its-last-pass-by-enceladus-here-are-the-pictures/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/n00252167.jpgN00252167Another look at Enceladus' surface from 3,100 miles (NASA/JPL/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/enceladus-12-19-15.jpgEnceladus 12-19-15A full-globe image of Enceladus captured by Cassini on Dec. 19, 2015. (NASA/JPL/SSI. Edited by J. Major.)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/n00252208.jpgN00252208Enceladus' icy jets, seen here in backlit lighting on Dec. 19, 2015. (NASA/JPL/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/n00252194.jpgN00252194Narrow-angle camera image of Enceladus' limb, captured on Dec. 19, 2015. (NASA/JPL/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/pia17209.jpgPIA17209Frozen fractures: deep furrows in Enceladus' south polar region known as Samarkand Sulci (NASA/JPL/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/pia17210.jpgPIA17210The limb of Enceladus imaged by Cassini from a distance of 15,000 miles (24,000 kilometers) on Dec. 19, 2015. (NASA/JPL/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/11308.png11308The amazing eight: Eight scientific discoveries about Enceladus (NASA/JPL)2026-02-08T05:26:49+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/01/15/and-the-award-for-leading-trojan-moon-goes-to/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/untitled-1.jpgTelestoRaw image of Telesto from Cassini's narrow-angle camera on Jan. 14, 2016. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)2026-02-08T05:26:49+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/11/23/why-do-people-say-the-moon-is-made-of-green-cheese/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/green-moon.jpgGreen MoonAs far as I know none of the Apollo missions included bringing a cheese grater...2026-02-08T05:26:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/11/30/japans-akatsuki-will-get-a-second-chance-at-venus-next-week/2026-02-08T05:26:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/12/06/mission-update-success-akatsuki-is-in-orbit-around-venus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20151207_akatsuki-orbit-insertion-2.jpg20151207_Akatsuki-Orbit-Insertion-2Venus from JAXA's Akatsuki spacecraft prior to orbit insertion. (Credit: JAXA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/22930570874_c59efa14fb_h.jpg22930570874_c59efa14fb_hIllustration of Akatsuki in Venus orbit. (Credit: Go Miyazaki)2026-02-08T05:26:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/12/11/stop-everything-and-look-at-this-color-pic-from-pluto/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/color-swath-use-12-10-15crop.jpgColor-Swath-USE-12-10-15CROP2026-02-08T05:26:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/11/19/pluto-is-the-new-science-star-of-the-solar-system/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/pluto_moons_family_portrait.jpgpluto_moons_family_portraithttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/pluto_crater_counts_rectangular_projection.jpgPluto_Crater_Counts_rectangular_projectionLocations of more than 1,000 craters mapped on Pluto by NASA's New Horizons mission indicate a wide range of surface ages, which likely means that Pluto has been geologically active throughout its history. (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/mountains1.jpgMountains1A hummocky feature on Pluto named Wright Mons may be a cryovolcano, 13,000 feet (4 km) high. (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/nh-psychedelic-pluto_pca.jpgnh-psychedelic-pluto_pcaThis "psychedelic" picture of Pluto accentuates the subtlest color differences across its surface. (Credit: NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)2026-02-08T05:26:47+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/11/21/what-would-it-take-to-knock-the-moon-out-of-orbit/2026-02-08T05:26:47+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/11/01/pluto-looks-amazing-again-in-the-latest-view-from-new-horizons/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/nh-mp1_029918_destripe_large_bright.jpgnh-mp1_029918_destripe_large_brightImage of a backlit Pluto made from images acquired by New Horizons in July 2015. (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)2026-02-08T05:26:46+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/11/04/nasa-hits-halloween-asteroid-with-radar/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2015-tb145-rotation.gif2015-TB145-rotationRadar-generated images of the near-Earth object 2015 TB145 made on Oct. 31, 2015 from 5:55 a.m. PDT (8:55 a.m. EDT) to 6:08 a.m. PDT (9:08 a.m. EDT). (NASA/JPL-CALTECH/GSSR/NRAO/AUI/NSF)2026-02-08T05:26:46+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/11/12/soar-over-the-surface-of-tethys-with-cassini/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/tethys-moon-scale.jpgTethys Moon scaleScale size of Tethys compared to Earth's Moon. (Moon pic by J. Major; Tethys credit NASA/JPL/SSI).https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/tethys-11-11-15-hr.gifTethys-11-11-15-HRAnimation of Tethys' surface made from raw Cassini images acquired Nov. 11, 2015. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI. Animation by J. Major.)2026-02-08T05:26:46+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/11/18/mars-is-tearing-its-moon-apart/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/phobosincolor_pia10369.jpgphobosincolor_pia10369Long grooves on Phobos are likely stress fractures caused by tidal forces. This image was acquired by HiRISE on March 23, 2008. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona)2026-02-08T05:26:46+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/10/08/deleted-scene-from-the-martian-shows-even-moar-science1/2026-02-08T05:26:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/10/13/tons-of-unprocessed-apollo-mission-photos-are-now-just-a-click-away/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/screen-shot-2015-10-13-at-10-14-04-am.jpgScreen Shot 2015-10-13 at 10.14.04 AMHigh-resolution scans of Apollo mission photos are now available on Flickr2026-02-08T05:26:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/10/13/rhea-eclipses-dione-while-cassini-watches/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/rhea_dione_oct11_2015_v2.gifRhea_Dione_Oct11_2015_v2Saturn's moons Rhea (front) and Dione (back) pass each other on Oct. 11, 2015. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Jason Major)2026-02-08T05:26:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/10/15/icy-enceladus-shines-in-the-latest-images-from-cassini/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/enceladus.jpgenceladusThe surface of Enceladus, Oct. 14, 2015 (NASA/JPL/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/enceladus-10-14.jpgenceladus 10-14A view of the Saturn-lit night side of Enceladus from Oct. 14, 2015.2026-02-08T05:26:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/09/24/heres-our-new-best-look-ever-at-pluto/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/crop_p_color2_enhanced_releasesmall.jpgcrop_p_color2_enhanced_releaseSMALLNew enhanced-color image of Pluto from New Horizons (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)2026-02-08T05:26:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/09/28/supermoon-eclipse-2015/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/supermoon-eclipse-2015-3.jpgSupermoon Eclipse 2015-3Sept. 27, 2015 "Supermoon" eclipse (© Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/supermoon-eclipse-2015-4.jpgSupermoon Eclipse 2015-4Sept. 27, 2015 "Supermoon" eclipse from the RI State House with the 11-foot-tall Independent Man statue (© Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/supermoon-eclipse-2015-2.jpgSupermoon Eclipse 2015-2Sept. 27, 2015 "Supermoon" eclipse from the RI State House (© Jason Major)2026-02-08T05:26:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/10/02/nasa-sciences-the-sht-out-of-mars-finds-water/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/577359main_pia14472-946b.gif577359main_pia14472-946bThe progression of RSL in Newton Crater from spring to mid-summer. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/U. of Arizona)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/pia19916_ip.jpgPIA19916_ipFalse-color image of a mountain on Mars with hundred-yard-long streaks running down its slopes. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona)2026-02-08T05:26:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/10/06/surprise-ceres-bright-spots-are-probably-salt/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/pia19889.jpgpia19889Scientists are now "pretty sure" that the bright spots in Ceres' Occator crater are salt deposits. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA)2026-02-08T05:26:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/09/14/get-ready-for-the-first-total-supermoon-eclipse-in-33-years/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/screen-shot-2015-09-14-at-1-18-02-pm.jpgSept 27 2015 lunar eclipseVisibility of the Sept. 27-28 lunar eclipse (NASA/GSFC/F. Espenak)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dec-2010-eclipse.jpgDec 2010 eclipsehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/lunar-eclipse-dec-21-2010.jpglunar eclipse Dec 21 2010The Moon going into eclipse on the winter solstice, Dec. 21, 2010. © Jason Major2026-02-08T05:26:43+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/09/17/these-new-pictures-of-pluto-are-almost-impossibly-awesome/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/nh-apluto-wide-9-17-15-final_0.jpgnh-apluto-wide-9-17-15-final_0A backlit, haze-covered Pluto imaged by New Horizons on July 14, 2015, from a distance of 11,000 miles (18,000 km). CLICK FOR FULL SIZE. Credit: NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/nh-apluto-wide-9-17-15-final_0.pngnh-apluto-wide-9-17-15-final_0https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/nh-apluto-mountains-plains-9-17-15-detail.jpgnh-apluto-mountains-plains-9-17-15 detailDetail of the MVIC image of Pluto's surface. (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI/J. Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/nh-charon_9-10-15.jpgnh-charon_9-10-15Pluto's largest moon Charon imaged on July 14, 2015 from about 290,000 miles (470,000 km). NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/nh-apluto-low-haze-9-17-15-updated.pngnh-apluto-low-haze-9-17-15-updatedLooking down into Pluto's hazy atmosphere. NASA/JHUAPL/SwRIhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/nh-apluto-mountains-plains-9-17-15.pngnh-apluto-mountains-plains-9-17-15Pluto's Norgay Montes and Sputnik Planum backlit by an oh-so-distant Sun on July 14, 2105. (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/nh-apluto-wide-9-17-15-final.pngnh-apluto-wide-9-17-15-finalA backlit, haze-covered Pluto imaged by New Horizons on July 14, 2015, from a distance of 11,000 miles (18,000 kilometers). Credit: NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI.2026-02-08T05:26:43+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/08/20/no-asteroids-on-an-impact-course-with-earth-nasa-says/2026-02-08T05:26:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/08/20/cassini-bids-farewell-to-dione-with-some-fantastic-final-views/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dione-rgb-8-17-151.jpgDione RGB 8-17-15Color-composite of Dione from Aug. 17, 2015. NASA/JPL-Caltech/Jason Major.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dione-rgb-8-17-15.jpgDione RGB 8-17-15Color-composite of Dione from Aug. 17, 2015. NASA/JPL-Caltech/Jason Major.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/pia19649.jpgPIA19649Cassini's parting view of Dione's crescent, made from five images acquired from 37,000 miles (59,000 km) to 47,000 miles (75,000 km) away on Aug. 17, 2015.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/pia19653_fig1.jpgPIA19653_fig1At 3 meters per pixel this NAC image, acquired Aug. 17, is the highest-resolution view of Dione's surface ever obtained.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/pia19654_fig2.jpgPIA19654_fig2Cassini narrow-angle camera (NAC) view of Dione's surface (see previous image for context). Illumination is enhanced by reflected sunlight off Saturn.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/pia19654_modest.jpgPIA19654_modestA wide-angle camera image of Dione's surface acquired during closest approach. The area at center was also imaged by the narrow-angle camera, and is one of the highest-resolution views of Dione's surface ever obtained.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/pia17200.jpgPIA17200Dione imaged from a distance of 45,000 miles (73,000 km) on Aug. 17, 2015. Saturn fills the background, its edge-on rings cutting a thin dark line across the center with their shadows falling across the planet's clouds at bottom.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/pia17201.jpgPIA17201Dione's night side blocks the view of Saturn's rings, seen edge-on as Cassini approached the moon on Aug. 17, 2015.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/pia19650.jpgPIA19650Mosaic of Saturn's 700-mile-wide moon Dione made from nine images acquired on Aug. 17, 2015. Saturn itself covers the entire background. (NASA/JPL/SSI)2026-02-08T05:26:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/07/29/dawn-finds-similarities-between-ceres-and-saturns-moons/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/ceres-tethys.jpgCeres TethysCeres (left, Dawn image) compared to Tethys (right, Cassini image) at comparative scale sizes. (Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA and NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI. Comparison by J. Major.)2026-02-08T05:26:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/08/06/no-this-is-not-an-alien-cave-crab-on-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/msl-mastcaml-sol1001.jpgMSL MastcamL Sol1001This is a stretch even for pareidolia: this outcrop in a Mastcam image from Sol 1001 is claimed to look like a woman. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/18lvjirkwbx5rjpg.jpg18lvjirkwbx5rjpgRemember the gorilla on Mars? Needless to say it wasn't a gorilla on Mars.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/msl-mastcam-sol710.jpgMSL Mastcam Sol710Curiosity Mastcam image from Mars taken on Sept. 5, 2014. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS. Edit by J. Major.)2026-02-08T05:26:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/08/14/elusive-red-sprite-seen-from-the-space-station/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/iss044-e-45576.jpgISS044-E-45576NASA photo ISS044-E-45576 showing storms over southern Mexico on Aug. 10, 2015. (NASA/JSC)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/red-sprite-8-10-15.jpgred sprite 8-10-15Detail of the sprite photographed over Mexico on Aug. 10, 2015 (NASA/JSC)2026-02-08T05:26:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/07/20/this-is-our-best-photo-of-neil-armstrong-on-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/as11-40-5903-2.jpgAS11-40-5903-2Buzz Aldrin photographed by Neil Armstrong (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/7876057948_122e87948b_o.jpgNeil Armstrong on MoonPanorama from Apollo 11 showing Neil Armstrong at the LM Eagle (NASA)2026-02-08T05:26:40+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/07/21/another-mountain-range-discovered-on-pluto/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/pluto-mountains-2-crop.jpgPluto mountains 2 cropThese mountains rise about 1-1.5 km from the surrounding icy plains.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/pluto-mountains-2.jpgPluto mountains 2LORRI camera images of Pluto from July 13 (left) and July 14 (right) – the enlarged area shows a second mountain range on the border of Tombaugh Regio. (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI. Edit by Jason Major).2026-02-08T05:26:40+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/07/22/nasa-delivers-a-brand-new-blue-marble-pic/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/187_1003703_africa_dxm.png187_1003703_africa_dxmDSCOVR image of Earth from July 6, 2015. (NASA/NOAA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/187_1003705_americas_dxm.jpg187_1003705_americas_dxm2015's newest "blue marble" image, captured from a million miles away via the NOAA's DSCOVR satellite. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/135918main_bm1_high.jpg135918main_bm1_highThe famous "Blue Marble" image of Earth from Apollo 17, captured Dec. 7, 1972 from a distance of 28,000 miles (NASA)2026-02-08T05:26:40+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/07/09/this-is-where-messenger-impacted-mercury/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/final_impact_20150603.pngFinal_impact_20150603MESSENGER's impact site. (NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/mercury_globalview_impact_final.jpgMercury_globalview_impact_finalMESSENGER's final path before impact on April 30, 2015 (NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington)2026-02-08T05:26:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/07/11/heres-our-best-and-last-look-at-plutos-moon-facing-side/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/nh-pluto-7-11-15.jpgnh-pluto-7-11-15Pluto's Charon-facing side imaged by New Horizons on July 11, 2015 (NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute)2026-02-08T05:26:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/07/17/heres-what-we-learned-about-pluto-today/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/nix-lorri.jpgnix-lorriLORRI image of the 25 mile (40 kilometers) wide Nix, captured on July 13, 2015 from a distance of 360,000 miles (590,000 km).https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/03_bagenal_02.jpg03_bagenal_02New Horizons' SWAP instrument measured ions streaming away from Pluto in a long tailhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/02_gladstone_02.jpg02_Gladstone_03New Horizons' Alice instrument made detections of Pluto's atmosphere up to 1,000 miles high https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/screen-shot-2015-07-17-at-1-29-36-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-17 at 1.29.36 PMDark streaks on the ice within Sputnik Planum (NASA TV screenshot)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/pluto_heart_of_the_heart_03.jpgpluto_heart_of_the_heart_03Polygonal shapes in smooth frozen plains 2026-02-08T05:26:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/06/10/do-you-see-bright-spots-on-ceres-icy-bright-spots-on-ceres/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ceres-rotate.gifceres-rotateAnimation of Ceres rotating made from Dawn imageshttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/pia19568_main-1041.jpgpia19568_main-1041Mysterious bright spots on Ceres continue to stump scientists. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA.2026-02-08T05:26:38+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/06/17/scientists-squeeze-methane-out-of-martian-meteorites/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/mars-crater.jpgMars craterA 30-meter crater created on Mars sometime between July 2010 and May 2012. Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizonahttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/screen-shot-2015-06-17-at-2-04-44-pm-e1434564394855.jpgMars craterA 30-meter crater created on Mars by an impact sometime between July 2010 and May 2012, imaged by the HiRISE camera aboard MRO. Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona.2026-02-08T05:26:38+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/07/08/heres-pluto-like-youve-never-seen-it-before/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/7-8-15_pluto_color_new_nasa-jhuapl-swri.jpg7-8-15_pluto_color_new_nasa-jhuapl-swriColor image of Pluto from July 8, 2015 (NASA-JHUAPL-SWRI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/earth-moon-to-pluto-and-charon.jpgEarth Moon to Pluto and CharonScale comparison of Pluto and Charon to Earth and the Moonhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/lor_0298614834_0x630_sci_1.jpglor_0298614834_0x630_sci_1Pluto and Charon from 7.8 million km (4.5 million miles) on July 7, 2015. (Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute. Edited by J. Major.)2026-02-08T05:26:38+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/05/29/cassini-to-make-its-last-pass-of-hyperion/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/n002412331.jpgN00241233Hyperion on May 31, 2015 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI. Edited by Jason Major.)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/n00241186.jpgN00241186Hyperion on May 31, 2015 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI. Edited by Jason Major.)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/n00241229.jpgN00241229Hyperion on May 31, 2015 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/n00241224.jpgN00241224Hyperion on May 31, 2015 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/n00241233.jpgN00241233Hyperion on May 31, 2015 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/pia07740-2.jpgPIA07740-2Mosaic of Hyperion from Cassini images acquired Sept. 26, 2005. (NASA/JPL/SSI)2026-02-08T05:26:37+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/06/01/hyperion-in-color-a-composite-from-cassinis-last-visit/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/hyperion-rgb-5-31-2015.jpgHyperion RGB 5-31-2015RGB color-composite of Hyperion from Cassini's May 31, 2015 flyby. NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI. Edited by Jason Major.2026-02-08T05:26:37+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/06/03/heres-to-50-years-of-american-spacewalks/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/178429main_image_feature_838_ys_full-a.jpg178429main_image_feature_838_ys_full-aEd White on the first American spacewalk on June 3, 1965. (NASA)2026-02-08T05:26:37+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/06/05/how-bright-is-daytime-on-pluto/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/pluto-c2a9ron-miller.jpgPluto ©Ron MillerConcept of Pluto's surface. © Ron Miller, used with permission.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/plutotime-print-013.pngPlutoTime print-01Click and print this page for your #PlutoTime photo!https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/plutotime-print_72dpi.pngPlutoTime print_72dpiClick and print this page for your #PlutoTime photo!https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/plutotime-print-012.pngPlutoTime print-01Click and print this page for your #PlutoTime photo!https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/plutotime-print-011.pngPlutoTime print-01Click and print this page for your #PlutoTime photo!https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/nh-pluto-time-shareable.jpgnh-pluto-time-shareableIt's always #PlutoTime somewhere! (Yes, literally.)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/plutotime-print-01.pngPlutoTime print-01Click and print this page for your #PlutoTime photo!2026-02-08T05:26:37+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/06/08/curiosity-gazes-on-mars-moon-phobos/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/1002mr0044390140503734e01_dxxx-br2.jpg1002MR0044390140503734E01_DXXX-br2Image of Phobos(?) from Curiosity on June 1, 2015. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/phobos_sol1002.jpgPhobos_Sol1002Detail of Phobos from Curiosity2026-02-08T05:26:37+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/04/30/goodbye-messenger-you-may-be-gone-but-you-wont-be-forgotten/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cd30sijwaaau8w-jpg-large.jpegCD30SIJWAAAU8w-.jpg-largeMESSENGER by the numbers – updated for April 30, 2015. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/screen-shot-2015-04-30-at-7-03-18-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2015-04-30 at 7.03.18 PMTweet from the @MESSENGER2011 account on Twitter after impact. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/messenger_mercury_impact_24hrsbefore_cbe.jpgMESSENGER_Mercury_impact_24hrsbefore_CBEDetails of MESSENGER's calculated impact location on Mercury. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/last_image.jpgLast_ImageThis was the last image received from MESSENGER on April 30, 2105. It shows a 1-km-wide region inside the 93-km-wide crater Jokai. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington.2026-02-08T05:26:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/05/01/check-out-atmospheric-breakup-a-webcomic-about-the-iss/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/screen-shot-2015-05-01-at-1-30-15-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2015-05-01 at 1.30.15 PMWebcomic "Atmospheric Breakup" by Andy Warner featuring Ron Garan and the ISS (Source: The Nib)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/screen-shot-2015-05-01-at-12-47-21-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2015-05-01 at 12.47.21 PM(Source: The Nib)2026-02-08T05:26:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/05/11/a-profile-portrait-of-tethys/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/n00239091.jpgN00239091Saturn's 700-mile-wide moon Dione on May 9, 2015https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/n00239127.jpgN00239127Tethys imaged by Cassini on May 9, 2015. 2026-02-08T05:26:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/05/22/ceres-strange-bright-spots-are-almost-certainly-reflective-material/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/pia19547-1041b-2.gifpia19547-1041b-2Animation of Ceres rotation made from images acquired by Dawn on May 4, 2015 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/keep-calm-shiny.jpgKeep Calm Shinyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/pia19559_lg_crop.jpgPIA19559_lg_cropEnhanced detail of the bright region on Ceres. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA. Edit by J. Major.)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/pia19559_lg.jpgPIA19559_lgImage of Ceres from Dawn on May 16, 2015. 2026-02-08T05:26:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/04/03/a-northern-view-of-saturns-stained-moon-iapetus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/iapetus-march-31-2015.jpgIapetus March 31 2015Saturn's moon Iapetus, imaged by Cassini on March 31, 2015 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)2026-02-08T05:26:35+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/04/27/new-horizons-has-caught-its-first-color-pic-of-pluto/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/02_stern_08.jpg02_Stern_08Diagram of the New Horizons spacecraft and science instruments )New Horizons is a mission of many firsts (Credit: Alan Stern, New Horizons principal investigator, Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/02_stern_02.jpg02_Stern_02New Horizons is a mission of many firsts (Credit: Alan Stern, New Horizons principal investigator, Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/plutocharon_color.jpgPlutoCharon_colorPluto and Charon imaged by New Horizons on April 9, 2015 2026-02-08T05:26:35+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/04/29/icy-tendrils-in-saturns-e-ring-traced-back-to-enceladus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/pia17191.jpgPIA17191Cassini images of Enceladus in the E ring (top left, upper center) and computer-generated models of the same scenes. Views from 2006 and 2013, respectively. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute)2026-02-08T05:26:35+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/20/no-signal-yet-from-philae-but-esa-isnt-giving-up/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/comet_on_14_march_2015_b_navcam_node_full_image_2.jpgComet_on_14_March_2015_b_NavCam_node_full_image_2Comet 67P/C-G on March 14, imaged by Rosetta's Navcam. (ESA/Rosetta/NavCam – CC BY-SA IGO 3.0)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/esa_rosetta_philae_civa_141113_1.jpgESA_Rosetta_Philae_CIVA_141113_1Philae's view from its current location on comet 67P/C-G. ( ESA/Rosetta/Philae/CIVA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/philae_descends_to_the_comet.gifPhilae_descends_to_the_cometAnimation of Philae's descent to 67P, captured by Rosetta's camera (ESA)2026-02-08T05:26:34+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/25/curiosity-has-found-yet-more-evidence-for-a-life-lovin-mars/2026-02-08T05:26:34+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/17/have-the-best-laid-plans-of-marsone-finally-gone-awry/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/marsone-fade.jpgMarsOne fade2026-02-08T05:26:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/18/watch-footage-from-the-first-spacewalk-50-years-ago-today/2026-02-08T05:26:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/19/marsone-ceo-responds-to-claims-of-conspiracy-and-fraud/2026-02-08T05:26:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/12/ganymedes-aurorae-hint-at-an-ocean-ten-times-deeper-than-earths/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/hs-2015-09-d-web_print.jpghs-2015-09-d-web_printDiagram of the tilting movement of Ganymede's auroral belts. Credit: NASA, ESA, and A. Feild (STScI).https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/hs-2015-09-a-large_web.jpghs-2015-09-a-large_webIllustration of Ganymede's auroral ovals, the stability of which hint at a global underground ocean. Credit: NASA, ESA, and G. Bacon (STScI).https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/hs-2015-09-e-web.jpghs-2015-09-e-webScientists estimate the ocean is 60 miles (100 km) thick – 10 times deeper than Earth's oceans – and is buried under a 95-mile (150-km) crust of mostly ice. (Credit: NASA, ESA, and A. Feild (STScI)2026-02-08T05:26:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/16/closing-in-on-planet-pluto-an-interview-with-new-horizons-pi-alan-stern/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/new-horizons.jpgNew HorizonsArtist's impression of the New Horizons flyby in July 2015. (NASA/SwRI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/alan_stern.jpgAlan_sternDr. Alan Stern, New Horizons PI, Southwest Research Institutehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/kerberos-and-styx-recognized-as-the-fourth-and-fifth-moons-of-pluto.jpgKerberos-and-Styx-Recognized-as-the-Fourth-and-Fifth-Moons-of-PlutoHubble image of Pluto's system of moons. (HST/NASA/ESA and M. Showalter)2026-02-08T05:26:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/04/could-humans-set-up-camp-in-martian-lava-tubes/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/59947670.jpg59947670Even Gimli agrees!https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/pit-chains_in_tharsis_large.jpgPit-chains_in_Tharsis_largePerspective view of pit-chains on Mars via ESA's Mars Express. Credit: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/convert.jpegconvertTHEMIS image of collapse pits on Mars above potential lava tubes (NASA/JPL/ASU)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/thurston_lava_tube_688.jpgThurston_lava_tube_688Thurston lava tube in Hawai'i (National Park Service)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mars-pit.jpgMars pitPits like this, seen in a HiRISE image, may one day be entrances to human bases on Mars. (NASA/JPL/University of Arizona)2026-02-08T05:26:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/05/when-a-comet-met-ganymede/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ganymede-crater-chain.jpgGanymede crater chainGalileo image of a crater chain on Jupiter's moon Ganymede (NASA/JPL)2026-02-08T05:26:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/06/history-is-made-today-as-dawn-arrives-at-ceres/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/screen-shot-2015-03-06-at-10-38-17-am.jpgDawn at CeresIllustration of Dawn's arrival (far left) and orbit at Ceres. (NASA/JPL)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/pia19311_main.pngPIA19311_MAINImage of the 600-mile-wide Ceres captured by Dawn on March 1, 2015. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA)2026-02-08T05:26:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/09/the-next-chapter-of-philaes-big-adventure-is-here/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/screen-shot-2015-03-09-at-2-52-32-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2015-03-09 at 2.52.32 PMA great job by the Philae lander! (ESA/Rosetta)2026-02-08T05:26:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/11/suspected-hydrothermal-activity-on-enceladus-raises-hopes-for-life/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/10obox1-popup.jpg10OBOX1-popupA deep-sea hydrothermal vent. Credit NERC/NSF Chesso consortium.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/pia19059.jpgPIA19059Illustration depicting the potential origins of methane found in the plume of gas and ice particles that sprays from Enceladus' "tiger stripes" (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/5017682131_9aeafd2f2f_o.jpg5017682131_9aeafd2f2f_oEnceladus' ice geysers contain particles hinting at hydrothermal activity.2026-02-08T05:26:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/01/this-is-the-first-color-image-from-the-surface-of-venus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/venera_13_lander.gifVenera_13_landerThe Venera-13 and 14 landers were identical. (Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/v132.jpgv132Color image from the surface of Venus captured by Venera-13 on March 1, 1982. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/v132-crop.jpgv132 cropColor image data sent from the surface of Venus by the Soviet Venera-13 lander (Credit: NASA history office)2026-02-08T05:26:30+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/02/strange-bright-spots-beckon-as-dawn-closes-in-on-ceres/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/pia19310_fig1.jpgPIA19310_fig1Images of dwarf planet Ceres taken from about 25,000 miles (40,000 km) on Feb. 25, 2015. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/pia189231.jpgPIA18923Surface map of Ceres made from data acquired by Dawn on Feb. 19, 2015. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/pia18923.jpgPIA18923https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/pia18920-16.gifpia18920-16Rotational animation of Ceres made from Dawn images . Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA.2026-02-08T05:26:30+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/03/rosetta-shadows-its-comet-yes-literally/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/14_february_flyby_in_context_osiris_and_navcam.png14_February_flyby_in_context_Osiris_and_NavCamNavCam images used to put the OSIRIS view in context. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/14_february_close_flyby.jpg14_February_close_flybyClose view of a 228 x 228 meter region on Comet 67P/C-G. Rosetta's shadow can be seen at the bottom. (ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA)2026-02-08T05:26:30+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/25/long-before-it-captured-a-comet-rosetta-caught-these-views-of-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/true-colour_image_of_mars_seen_by_osiris_fullwidth.jpgTrue-colour_image_of_Mars_seen_by_OSIRIS_fullwidthTrue-color OSIRIS image of Mars captured from Rosetta on Feb. 24, 2007. Credits: ESA © 2007 MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/ LAM/IAA/ RSSD/ INTA/ UPM/ DASP/ IDA.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2007-0226mars.jpg2007-0226mars"Selfie" of Rosetta captured as it passed Mars in Feb. 20072026-02-08T05:26:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/25/latest-images-of-ceres-show-its-bright-spot-is-actually-twins/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ceres-bright-spot.jpgCeres bright spotSurprise – Ceres' bright spot is actually twins!https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/pia19185_700.jpgPIA19185_700Image of Ceres captured by Dawn on Feb. 19, 2015https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/pia19183_crop2.jpgPIA19183_crop2Image of Ceres captured by Dawn on Feb. 19, 2015.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/pia19183_crop1.jpgPIA19183_crop1Image of Ceres captured by Dawn on Feb. 19, 2015. 2026-02-08T05:26:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/26/astronaut-ron-garan-says-lets-set-up-a-moon-base-first/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/screen-shot-2015-02-26-at-4-44-17-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2015-02-26 at 4.44.17 PMRon Garan: "I think we have a long, long way to go to get to Mars." (HuffPost LIVE)2026-02-08T05:26:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/05/22/no-the-moon-landings-werent-faked-and-heres-how-you-can-tell/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/a11tv06.jpgA11TV06https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/screen-shot-2017-11-20-at-2-22-56-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2017-11-20 at 2.22.56 PMDetail of NASA photograph #AS17-141-21608https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/21491626800_5b442da70d_o.jpg21491626800_5b442da70d_oNASA photograph #AS17-141-21608https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/screen-shot-2015-07-24-at-11-15-27-am.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-24 at 11.15.27 AMProf. Brian Cox's tweet to all the Moon hoaxers https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/apollo-landing-sites.jpgApollo Landing sitesMap of the Apollo landing sites on a photo I took of the Moon Jan. 8, 2015 (© Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ap11-s69-31107.jpgap11-S69-31107Buzz Aldrin practices taking pictures with his suit-mounted Hasselblad (NASA/JSC scan)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/screen-shot-2014-05-22-at-4-33-53-pm.jpgApollo 11 LROThe descent stage of Eagle can be seen in this LRO image, along with tracks and experiment packages. (NASA/LRO/Arizona State University)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/as11-40-5949.jpgAS11-40-5949Buzz Aldrin on the Moon with a lunar seismic experiment, July 20, 1969 (NASA photo)2026-02-08T05:26:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/10/04/eagles-landing/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/as11-40-5944.jpgAS11-40-5944Aldrin carrying equipmenthttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/390491main_apollo11_20090929_full.jpg390491main_apollo11_20090929_full2026-02-08T05:26:27+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/08/27/want-to-know-where-we-landed-on-the-moon-this-cool-vintage-nasa-map-shows-you/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/s72-32719-1.jpgs72-32719-1Map circa 1972 showing the Apollo landing sites (NASA)2026-02-08T05:26:27+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/09/19/evidence-of-ancient-aliens-nah-its-just-pareidolia-again/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wallopsfrog_mercuryman.jpgWallopsFrog_MercuryManRocket Frog + Mercury Man... coincidence??? HMMMM.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/friday_september_13.jpgFriday_September_13A curiously human shape rises from the surface of Mercury in this MESSENGER image2026-02-08T05:26:27+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/09/17/some-craters-are-the-pits/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/pit_crater.jpgpit_craterA look into a lunar pit in Mare Tranquillitatis2024-07-17T16:04:35+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2022/12/28/this-is-the-oldest-surviving-photographic-image-of-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/draper-moon-daguerrotype-inverted-jpmajor.jpgDraper Moon daguerrotype inverted JPMajorhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/moon_first_dag_before_after.jpgmoon_first_dag_before_after(L) NYU Photo Bureau copy (Jan. 18, 1962) of damaged daguerreotype found in 1960. (R) NYU Archives color photo of Draper daguerreotype restored by Smithsonian (catalogue number 319,990). Source link https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/draper-moon-photo-1840.jpgDraper Moon photo 1840John W. Draper's surviving Moon daguerrotype from March 1840. (Source: Greenwich Village History)2023-01-01T21:35:47+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2022/12/30/yes-satellites-are-visible-from-the-space-station/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/iss_pass_africa_12-30-19.gifISS_pass_Africa_12-30-19https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/iss_pass_africa_12-30-19-hr.gifISS_pass_Africa_12-30-19-HR2022-12-30T20:33:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/02/clementine-lost-and-gone-forever-but-never-forgotten/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/earth-clementine.jpgEarth ClementineEarth above the north pole of the Moon from Clementine in 1994. Africa is facing the Moon. The crater in the foreground is about 68 miles across. (USGS)2022-03-14T18:11:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/06/this-is-earth-and-the-moon-seen-from-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/pia17936_fig2.jpgEarth and Moon from CuriosityEarth and Moon imaged by Curiosity's MastCam on Jan. 31, 2014 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/TAMU)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/pia21260.jpgpia21260The Moon and Earth imaged from Mars. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona2022-03-09T16:21:22+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/04/14/saturns-lightning/2022-01-31T16:53:30+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2019/07/12/yes-we-really-went-to-the-moon-in-1969/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/as11-40-5875.jpgAS11-40-5875https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/as11-40-5903.jpgAS11-40-5903https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/298932.jpg298932https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/s75-31109.jpgS75-31109https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2012-04-30-presentation1.jpg2012-04-30-Presentation1NASA's annual budget allocation as a percentage of the Federal budget over the years. It has remained around the 0.5% since 2006...about the same as 1959. (Source: AmericaSpace)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/as11-40-5906hr.jpgAS11-40-5906HRhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/d9cfnxwxuaalyg2.jpg-large.jpegD9CFnXwXUAALyg2.jpg-largeThe US flag on the Moon photographed from the Apollo LM before ascent. (NASA image AS11-37-5471)2022-01-30T19:30:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/08/24/bagging-bailys-beads/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eclipse-aug-21-2017-beads.jpgEclipse Aug 21 2017 Beadshttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/gigapixeclipse-aug-21-2017-beads-gigapixel.jpg-gigapixEclipse Aug 21 2017 Beads-gigapixelhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20953648_816545105185375_6408951949583310488_n.jpg20953648_816545105185375_6408951949583310488_nHere's me sharing photos with other eclipse watchers after the event at Fort Johnson, SC. Photo by Kay Gross.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/bailys-beads-jpmajor.jpgBailys beads JPMajorBaily's Beads captured during the Aug. 21, 2017 total solar eclipse. © Jason Major.2021-08-21T20:17:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2021/08/13/were-safe-from-apophis-for-at-least-another-century-and-probably-long-after-too/2021-08-14T02:27:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2021/08/12/bepicolombo-captures-more-closeups-of-venus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/bepicolombo-venus-departure.gifBepiColombo Venus Departure2021-08-12T17:32:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2021/08/11/wheres-percy-ingenuity-captured-perseverance-on-camera-during-another-successful-flight-on-mars/2021-08-11T19:12:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/04/21/ride-shotgun-with-john-young-during-his-apollo-16-grand-prix/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/apollo-16-lrv-prix.gifApollo-16-LRV-prix2021-07-27T19:55:15+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2021/07/26/researchers-find-evidence-of-water-vapor-on-ganymede-in-historic-hubble-data/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ganymede-galileo-6-25-96-v2-edit.jpgGanymede Galileo 6-25-96 v2-edit2021-07-26T20:35:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2021/07/23/insight-measures-the-size-of-mars-core/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/mars-vmc-9-22-17-core-size.jpgMars VMC 9-22-17 core size2021-07-23T17:35:11+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2021/07/22/its-the-first-confirmation-of-a-moon-forming-disk-around-an-exoplanet/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/eso2111c.jpgMoon-forming disc around the PDS 70c exoplanet as seen with ALMAThis image, taken with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), in which ESO is a partner, shows a close-up view on the moon-forming disc surrounding PDS 70c, a young Jupiter-like gas giant nearly 400 light-years away. It shows this planet and its disc centre-front, with the larger circumstellar ring-like disc taking up most of the right-hand side of the image. The dusty circumplanetary disc is as large as the Sun-Earth distance and has enough mass to form up to three satellites the size of the Moon.2021-07-22T20:24:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2021/06/08/heres-our-first-close-up-image-of-ganymede-in-over-two-decades/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/jpegpia24681-ganymede-crop-1.jpgjpegPIA24681 Ganymede crophttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/jpegpia24681.jpgjpegPIA246812021-06-09T20:04:46+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2021/02/22/this-is-what-its-like-to-land-on-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/gif-108.gifgif-1082021-02-22T22:14:49+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2021/02/19/first-color-images-from-and-of-nasas-perseverance-rover-on-mars/2021-02-19T21:23:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2021/02/18/success-theres-a-new-rover-on-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/gif-106.gifgif-1062021-02-18T22:40:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2021/02/16/two-days-to-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/05_guidedentry_10k.jpg05_GuidedEntry_10khttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/perseverance-entry-over-mars.jpgPerseverance entry over Mars2021-02-18T20:07:22+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2021/02/18/watch-todays-mars-landing-live/2021-02-18T20:05:47+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/08/22/curiositys-landing-video-in-mind-blowing-hd/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/gif-103.gifgif-103https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/screen-shot-2012-08-22-at-11-38-56-am.pngCuriosity's heat shieldCuriosity's heat shield falls to Mars2021-02-17T19:40:24+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/11/a-red-cent-on-a-red-planet-curiositys-1909-lincoln-penny/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2990mh0003720010704738c00_dxxx-2-e1610139869733.jpg2990MH0003720010704738C00_DXXX-2Detail of the 1909 VDB penny on Curiosity's calibration panel, imaged on Jan. 3, 2021. The lines below the coin are a stepped depth calibration target.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/msl-penny.jpgMSL PennyDetail of the 1909 penny on Curiosity's calibration target. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/1632mh0006910010602685c00_dxxx-2.jpg1632MH0006910010602685C00_DXXX-2Curiosity's calibration target, imaged with MAHLI on March 9, 2017 (mission sol 1632). Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS.2021-01-08T21:25:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/12/04/this-is-our-most-detailed-view-ever-of-a-sunspot/2020-12-23T18:58:09+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/11/17/hubble-image-directly-shows-how-gravity-bends-space/2020-11-17T18:12:58+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/10/28/juno-spots-sprites-and-elves-dancing-on-jupiter/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pia21770_hires.jpgPIA21770_hireshttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pia24050_feature.jpgPIA24050_feature2020-10-28T17:00:04+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/10/27/nasas-flying-observatory-found-water-on-the-moon-during-its-first-look/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/clavius_lroc.jpgClavius_LROC2020-10-27T19:04:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/10/20/to-bennu-and-back-a-pre-tag-interview-with-thomas-zurbuchen-and-lori-glaze/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/osiris-rex-matchpoint-samcam-gif-web.gifOSIRIS-REx-Matchpoint-SamCam-Gif-Web2020-10-20T04:57:40+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/10/16/get-to-know-bennu-better-before-osiris-rexs-sample-grab/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bennu.gifBennuhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/gif-92.gifgif-92https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/osiris-rex-sample-1.jpgOSIRIS-REx sample2020-10-17T06:10:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/10/13/astronomers-spot-the-bright-blast-from-a-spaghettified-star/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/eso2018a.jpgArtist’s impression of star being tidally disrupted by a superThis illustration depicts a star (in the foreground) experiencing spaghettification as it’s sucked in by a supermassive black hole (in the background) during a ‘tidal disruption event’. In a new study, done with the help of ESO’s Very Large Telescope and ESO’s New Technology Telescope, a team of astronomers found that when a black hole devours a star, it can launch a powerful blast of material outwards.2020-10-13T23:44:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/09/28/theyve-found-water-on-mars-again/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/115392main_spolarcap_summer.jpg115392main_spolarcap_summerThis is the south polar cap of Mars as it appeared to the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) on April 17, 2000. Sourcehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/perspective_view_of_korolev_crater.jpgPerspective_view_of_Korolev_craterThe 82-km-wide Korolev crater on Mars, which is filled with bright water ice, imaged by ESA's Mars Express in April 2018. This crater is on Mars' northern hemisphere and not associated with the findings of liquid water. Credit: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGOhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/plan_view_of_korolev_crater.jpgPlan_view_of_Korolev_craterThe 82-km-wide Korolev crater on Mars, which is filled with bright water ice, imaged by ESA's Mars Express. This is on Mars' northern hemisphere and not associated with the findings of liquid water. 2020-09-29T18:53:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/04/14/cassini-spots-the-sombrero-galaxy-from-saturn/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/sombrero-cassini-4-12-15.jpgSombrero cassini 4-12-15https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/m104-cassini-subaru1.jpgM104 Cassini SubaruM104 imaged five years apart from Cassini on April 12, 2015 (left) and from the Subaru Telescope on April 12, 2015 (right). Credits: NASA/JPL/SSI/J. Major and NAOJ.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/m104colombari_q100_watermark1024c-2.jpgm104colombari_q100_watermark1024c-2Image of M104 made from data acquired by Hubble, Subaru, and amateur telescopes. Flipped horizontally to match Cassini's view. (APOD Feb. 5, 2015.) Credit: NASA, ESO , NAOJ, Giovanni Paglioli - Processing: R. Colombari.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/n00238002-edit3.jpgN00238002 edit3Edited raw image of M104, cropped, rotated, with noise removed and brightness increased. (NASA/JPL/SSI/J. Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/n00238002-2.jpgN00238002-2Original raw Cassini image from April 12, 2015. (NASA/JPL/SSI)2020-09-24T14:31:00+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/09/22/nasa-satellite-data-show-greening-of-the-arctic-as-sea-ice-levels-remain-low/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ldcm_over_earth_1500.jpgLDCM_over_Earth_1500Artist's image of the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM), the eigth Landsat satellite to be launched. (Credit: NASA/GSFC)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/fennoscandia2.jpgfennoscandia2When Arctic tundra greens, undergoing increased plant growth, it can impact wildlife species including reindeer and caribou. Credits: Logan Berner/Northern Arizona Universityhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/co2.pngCO22020-09-23T16:12:34+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/09/17/hubbles-newest-view-of-jupiter-shows-new-storms-brewing/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/stsci-h-p2042a-f-1663x1663-1.pngSTScI-H-p2042a-f-1663x1663This latest image of Jupiter, taken by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope on August 25, 2020, was captured when the planet was 406 million miles from Earth. Credit: NASA, ESA, A. Simon (NASA/GSFC), M.H. Wong (University of California, Berkeley) and the OPAL team.2020-09-17T17:34:25+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/09/14/phosphine-discovery-in-venus-atmosphere-raises-the-big-question-of-life/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/venera-13-venus-march-1982-colored-don-mitchell.jpgVenera 13 Venus March 1982 colored Don MitchellApproximate natural color view of Venus' surface, captured by the Soviet Venera 13 lander in March 1982 and processed by Don Mitchell and myself.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/eso2015f.jpgPhosphine signature in Venus’s spectrumThis artistic representation shows a real image of Venus, taken with ALMA, in which ESO is a partner, with two superimposed spectra taken with ALMA (in white) and the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT; in grey).  The dip in Venus’s JCMT spectrum provided the first hint of the presence of phosphine on the planet, while the more detailed spectrum from ALMA confirmed that this possible marker of life really is present in the Venusian atmosphere. As molecules of phosphine float in the high clouds of Venus, they absorb some of the millimetre waves that are produced at lower altitudes. When observing the planet in the millimetre wavelength range, astronomers can pick up this phosphine absorption signature in their data, as a dip in the light from the planet.2020-09-17T00:53:27+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/09/10/nasa-rocket-trails-trace-twisting-waves-at-the-border-of-space/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ezccgspwkaabqwl.jpegEZCCGSpWkAABqWlKelvin-Helmholtz instability in clouds passing low over the Providence River on May 27, 2020. Credit: Jason Majorhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/supersoaker_1000_v3.gifsupersoaker_1000_v3Trimethyl-aluminum gas clouds released by the first of three rockets launched as part of the Super Soaker campaign. The curling waves of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability – appearing briefly in the center of the image before dissipating – may explain how gases mix in what were previously considered stable layers of the atmosphere. Credit: NASA/Super Soaker/Rafael Mesquita2020-09-10T17:04:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/08/13/betelgeuses-recent-dimming-likely-caused-by-a-dusty-outburst/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/betelgeuse-jan2019-dec-2019-1.gifBetelgeuse-Jan2019-Dec-2019Observations with ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile taken in January 2019 and December 2019 show the dimming of Betelgeuse. Credit: ESO/M. Montargès et al. (Source)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/betelgeuse-jan2019-dec-2019.gifBetelgeuse-Jan2019-Dec-2019Observations with ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile taken in January 2019 and December 2019 show the dimming of Betelgeuse. Credit: ESO/M. Montargès et al.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/web_print.jpgweb_printhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/betelgeuse-cloud.jpgBetelgeuse cloudhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/stsci-h-p2044a-f-3930x1748-1.jpgSTScI-H-p2044a-f-3930x1748This four-panel graphic illustrates how the southern region of the rapidly evolving, bright red supergiant star Betelgeuse may have suddenly become fainter for several months during late 2019 and early 2020. Credit: NASA, ESA, and E. Wheatley (STScI)2020-08-14T15:40:18+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/04/03/meet-metis-jupiters-closest-quickest-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/thebe-galileo-1-3-2000.jpgThebe Galileo 1-3-2000Processed raw image of Thebe from Galileo on Jan. 3, 2000. (NASA/JPL/Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/metis-3-4-79.jpgMetis 3-4-79https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/metis-voyager1-3-4-791.jpgMetis Voyager1 3-4-79https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/metis-voyager1-3-4-79.jpgMetis Voyager1 3-4-79Color-composite of Metis and Jupiter from Voyager 1 in March 1979.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/metis-galileo-11-6-97.jpgMetis Galileo 11-6-97Processed raw image of Metis captured by Galileo in 1997. (NASA/JPL/Jason Major)2020-08-13T02:24:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/08/10/ceres-salty-mound-is-the-result-of-ongoing-geologic-activity/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pia24021-cerealia-ceres.gifPIA24021-Cerealia-CeresImages of Occator Crater, seen in false-color, were pieced together to create this animated view. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA2020-08-10T20:50:43+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/08/06/whats-the-weather-on-jupiter-cloudy-with-a-chance-of-mushballs/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pia22474-2000.jpgpia22474-2000This artist’s concept of lightning distribution in Jupiter’s northern hemisphere incorporates a JunoCam image with artistic embellishments. Data from NASA’s Juno mission indicates that most of the lightning activity on Jupiter is near its poles. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/JunoCamhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pia24042-image-3b-1041.jpgpia24042-image-3b-1041This graphic depicts the evolutionary process of “shallow lightning” and "mushballs" on Jupiter. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/CNRShttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pia23983-main-1041.jpgpia23983-main-1041This illustration uses data obtained by NASA's Juno mission to depict high-altitude electrical storms on Jupiter. Juno's sensitive Stellar Reference Unit camera detected unusual lightning flashes on Jupiter's dark side during the spacecraft's close flybys of the planet. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Gerald Eichstädt/Heidi N. Becker/Koji Kuramura2020-08-14T05:49:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/07/30/nasas-perseverance-rover-launches-to-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ula_atlasvmars2020_1-gigapixel-scale-2_00x.jpgULA_AtlasVMars2020_1-gigapixel-scale-2_00xA ULA Atlas V rocket carrying the Mars 2020 mission for NASA lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 at 7:50 a.m. EDT on July 30, 2020. Credit: United Launch Alliance2020-07-30T19:38:25+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/08/06/landing-on-mars-from-a-rovers-point-of-view/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/gif-86.gifgif-86https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/screen-shot-2012-08-06-at-8-31-26-pm.pngMSL Heat ShieldMSL's descent stage heat shield seen falling away2020-07-30T01:02:59+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/07/23/ganymedes-polar-ice-is-disrupted-by-jupiters-plasma/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ganymede-v2-7-9-79-edit.jpgGanymede V2 7-9-79-editGanymede imaged by Voyager 2 on July 9, 1979. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ganymede-jiram-12-26-19.jpgGanymede JIRAM 12-26-19Ganymede imaged by Voyager 2 on https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/jiram-ganymede-north-pole-1041.jpgjiram-ganymede-north-pole-1041These images the JIRAM instrument aboard NASA's Juno spacecraft took on Dec. 26, 2019, provide the first infrared mapping of Ganymede's northern frontier. Frozen water molecules detected at both poles have no appreciable order to their arrangement and a different infrared signature than ice at the equator. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/ASI/INAF/JIRAM2020-07-23T22:10:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/07/17/for-the-umpteenth-time-no-nasa-didnt-change-the-zodiac/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/nasa-zodiac-1.jpgNASA zodiachttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/nasa-zodiac.jpgNASA zodiac2020-07-17T16:28:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/horoscopes/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/watm-starscroll-3.jpgwatm-starscroll-3Who remembers these "Starscroll" countertop vending machines? https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/the_economic_argument.pngthe_economic_argumenthttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/00110921.gif00110921https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/zodiac3.jpgzodiac3The placement of stars in the sky do not have any bearing on what happens here on Earth. (And what about Ophiuchus?)2020-07-17T14:47:17+00:00weekly0.6https://lightsinthedark.com/2020/07/15/how-to-spot-comet-neowise/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/50103972537_82d097c23d_o.jpgComet NEOWISE Over WashingtonComet NEOWISE is seen before sunrise over Washington, Sunday, July 12, 2020. The comet was discovered by NASA’s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or NEOWISE, on March 27. Since then, the comet — called comet C/2020 F3 NEOWISE and nicknamed comet NEOWISE — has been spotted by several NASA spacecraft, including Parker Solar Probe, NASA’s Solar and Terrestrial Relations Observatory, the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, and astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/comet-neowise.jpgComet NEOWISEhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/4354_sky_chart_showing_where_to_look_for_the_comet_in_late_july_to_the_northwest.jpg4354_sky_chart_showing_where_to_look_for_the_comet_in_late_july_to_the_northwestThe location of Comet NEOWISE just after sunset from July 15 through 23. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech2020-07-16T18:33:04+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/07/16/solar-orbiters-first-images-reveal-the-sun-covered-with-tiny-campfires/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/campfires-to-scale.jpgcampfires to scalehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/solar_orbiter_s_first_view_of_the_sun.jpgSolar_Orbiter_s_first_view_of_the_SunThe Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI) on ESA’s Solar Orbiter spacecraft took these images on 30 May 2020. They show the Sun’s appearance at a wavelength of 17 nanometers, which is in the extreme ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The colour on this image has been artificially added because the original wavelength detected by the instrument is invisible to the human eye. Credit: Solar Orbiter/EUI Team/ESA & NASA; CSL, IAS, MPS, PMOD/WRC, ROB, UCL/MSSLhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/solar_orbiter_spots_campfires_on_the_sun_annotated.jpgSolar_Orbiter_spots_campfires_on_the_Sun_annotatedA high-resolution image from the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI) on ESA’s Solar Orbiter spacecraft, taken with the HRIEUV telescope on 30 May 2020. The circle in the lower left corner indicates the size of Earth for scale. The arrow points to one of the ubiquitous features of the solar surface, called ‘campfires’ and revealed for the first time by these images. Credit: Solar Orbiter/EUI Team/ESA & NASA; CSL, IAS, MPS, PMOD/WRC, ROB, UCL/MSSL2020-07-16T15:38:53+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/03/07/our-first-close-up-images-of-mars-from-space-were-hand-colored-with-crayons-true-story/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1436318436370.jpeg1436318436370Scientists assemble a ticker-tape mosaic of Mars from Mariner 4 data in 1965. (NASA/JPL)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1436319003608.jpeg1436319003608Hand-colored image (L) and processed TV camera image (R) of Mars from Mariner 4. (NASA/JPL-Caltech. Via Dan Goods.) https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/mariner-4-mars-colored.jpgMariner 4 Mars coloredHand-colored data from Mariner 4, the first TV image of Mars, at JPL. Via Dan Goods.2020-07-15T21:27:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/07/14/sunlight-can-crack-rocks-on-asteroids/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/20190720largefracturedboulders_crop.png20190720largefracturedboulders_crophttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/20190720largefracturedboulders.png20190720largefracturedbouldersThis image shows a group of large boulders located just north of asteroid Bennu’s equatorial region. Two of the boulders have flat faces that exhibit linear marks. The boulder in the lower right shows evidence of exfoliation, where thermal fracturing likely caused small, thin layers to flake off of the boulder’s surface. The image was taken by the PolyCam camera on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft on July 20, from a distance of 0.4 miles (0.7 km).2020-07-14T23:48:46+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/07/14/share-the-pluto-love/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/nh-071315_falsecolorcomposite.jpgnh-071315_falsecolorcompositeFalse-color image of Pluto and Charon highlights regional color variations on the two worlds (NASA/APL/SwRI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/screen-shot-2015-07-14-at-8-24-25-am.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-14 at 8.24.25 AMThe New Horizons team at Johns Hopkins APL when the image above was revealed. (NASA TV)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/pluto-july-13-2015.jpgPluto July 13 2015New Horizons image of Pluto the day before the flyby. NASA/JHUAPL/SWRIhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/cj4cqikveaeaanw-large.pngCJ4CQIkVEAEaAnw.png-large2020-07-14T17:25:40+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/07/13/when-spirit-spotted-a-swarm-of-devils/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/dd_enhanced_525b-b558r1.gifdd_enhanced_525b-B558R1https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/636527main_pia15545-946.jpg636527main_pia15545-946https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/spirit-dust-devils_7-13-05_color_v2.gifSpirit-dust-devils_7-13-05_COLOR_v2https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/spirit-dust-devils_7-13-05_color.gifSpirit-dust-devils_7-13-05_COLOR2020-07-13T20:40:24+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/15/solar-orbiter-is-now-capturing-the-closest-ever-pictures-of-the-sun/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/extreme_exploration_with_solar_orbiter_and_parker_solar_probe_pillars.jpgExtreme_exploration_with_Solar_Orbiter_and_Parker_Solar_Probe_pillarshttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/solar_orbiter_reaches_first_perihelion_pillars.jpgSolar_Orbiter_reaches_first_perihelion_pillars2020-07-10T19:16:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/07/10/nasas-solar-probe-spots-comet-neowise-and-its-two-maybe-three-tails/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/20200705t020949_bw.png20200705t020949_bwhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/iss063-e-39859.jpgISS063-E-39859https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/neowise-from-skyandtelescope.jpgNEOWISE from SkyAndTelescopehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/neowise-parker-7-5-20.jpgNEOWISE Parker 7-5-202020-07-10T19:10:03+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/07/09/nasas-next-rover-reminds-us-that-as-always-we-persevere/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/pia23764.jpgpia237642020-07-10T15:21:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/about-me/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gyat-mars-jason.jpgGYAT Mars Jasonhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/at-the-new-countdown-clock.jpgAt the new Countdown clockAt the new KSC countdown clock prior to Orion's EFT-1 flight, Dec. 2014https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/bezfvwdcuaeckjg.jpgBeZfvWDCUAEcKJGRallying for Rosetta in January 2014 https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/jmajor_juno.jpgjmajor_junoJuno on the pad the day before launchhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/picture-8.jpgPicture 8Actually Grace writes the articles, I just do the typing...https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/prof.jpgprofThis is Sirius stuff.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/mug_shot1.jpgmug_shot1LITD…the best part of wakin' up!https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/jpm.jpgjpmSmart lookin'. 2025-07-23T10:04:45+00:00weekly0.6https://lightsinthedark.com/2020/07/08/proposed-veritas-mission-would-reveal-truths-about-venus-geology/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/pia00104orig.jpgPIA00104~origThis global view from NASA's Magellan spacecraft is of the surface of Venus is centered at 180 degrees east longitude.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/veritas-cut7-16.jpgveritas-cut7-162020-07-09T01:15:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/07/02/ice-hunt-on-the-moon-reveals-hidden-heavy-metal/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/lrospacecraft_baggedsideways_md_label.jpgLROspacecraft_baggedsideways_MD_labelhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/moon-6-29-20.jpgMoon 6-29-202020-07-02T18:24:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/27/fun-fact-all-the-planets-in-the-solar-system-could-fit-between-earth-and-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/saturn-titan-5-6-12-with-circle.jpgSaturn Titan 5-6-12 with circleSaturn is 11,808 km wider around the middle than it is tall pole-to-pole. This is a color-composite made from images acquired by Cassini on May 6, 2012 from a viewpoint nearly edge-on to the planet's equator. The dotted line represents a perfect circle.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/pia10969_hires-1.jpgPIA10969_hireshttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/pia10969_hires.jpgPIA10969_hireshttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/saturn-titan-5-6-12-1.jpgSaturn Titan 5-6-12https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ega_plus_10_mapcam_earth_moon.jpgEGA_Plus_10_mapcam_Earth_Moonhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/scale-of-planets-to-sun-aug-21-2017-distance.jpgScale of planets to Sun Aug 21 2017 distancehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/earth-moon-planets-scale-3.jpgEarth-Moon-planets-scalehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/earth-moon-planets-scale-2.jpgEarth-Moon-planets-scalehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/earth-moon-planets-scale-1.jpgEarth-Moon-planets-scalehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/earth-moon-planets-scale.jpgEarth-Moon-planets-scale2020-07-01T16:48:03+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/30/sometimes-it-rains-on-the-sun/2020-07-01T03:54:18+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/02/21/our-sun-is-awesome/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/coronal-rain-sdo.jpgCoronal Rain SDOhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/april-16-2012-cme-with-earth.jpgApril 16 2012 CME with Earthhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/scale-of-earth-to-sun-aug-21-2017.jpgScale of Earth to Sun Aug 21 2017https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/screen-shot-2013-02-21-at-12-29-14-am.pngScreen Shot 2013-02-21 at 12.29.14 AMOur entire planet is just a fraction the size of solar surface features!2020-06-30T18:59:17+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/06/this-is-our-most-detailed-image-of-the-suns-surface/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/dkist-beauty-shot.jpgDKIST-beauty-shothttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/full-image-high-w-earth.jpgFull-Image-high w Earthhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/full-image-high.jpgFull-Image-high2020-06-30T01:59:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/29/uranus-is-full-of-diamonds-and-so-is-neptune/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/neptune-v2-8-25-89-v2.jpgNeptune V2 8-25-89 v2Methane ice clouds on Neptune imaged by Voyager 2 in August 1989.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/uranus-neptune-v2-1-11-86-and-8-24-89.jpgUranus Neptune V2 1-11-86 and 8-24-89Uranus and Neptune imaged by Voyager 2 in January 1986 and August 1989, respectively. 2020-06-29T20:47:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/26/neptune-sized-planet-found-around-a-baby-star-32-light-years-away/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/au-mic-b.jpgAU Mic b2020-06-26T15:29:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/08/23/antares-is-a-bug-eyed-monster-700-times-bigger-than-our-sun/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eso1726a.jpgVLTI reconstructed view of the surface of AntaresReconstruction of Antares from VLTI observations. Credit: ESO/K. Ohnakahttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eso1726b.jpgArtist’s impression of the red supergiant star AntaresArtist's impression of Antares, based on observations by ESO's VLTI. Credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser2020-06-24T23:17:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/24/nasa-names-d-c-headquarters-after-hidden-figure-mary-w-jackson/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/img_4309_nasa-hq_0.jpgimg_4309_nasa-hq_0Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington, D.C. Credits: NASAhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/maryjackson_0.jpgmaryjackson_02020-06-24T19:03:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/22/this-is-the-shadow-of-a-solar-eclipse-seen-from-behind-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/7-2-solar-eclipse-moon-dslwp-b-3.jpg7-2 Solar eclipse moon DSLWP-B 3https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/7-2-solar-eclipse-moon-dslwp-b-2.jpg7-2 Solar eclipse moon DSLWP-B 22020-08-05T12:31:18+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/22/thousands-of-black-holes-surround-the-heart-of-our-galaxy/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/sgra_swarm_lg.jpgsgra_swarm_lg2020-06-22T15:06:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/17/chime-detects-first-frb-with-a-periodic-pattern-like-clockwork/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/full_chime_night_3.jpgFull_chime_night_32020-06-18T00:23:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/15/esas-trace-gas-orbiter-detects-green-airglow-around-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/iss_pass_africa_12-30-19.gifISS_pass_Africa_12-30-19Airglow imaged over Earth in a time-lapse taken from the ISS on Dec. 20, 2019.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/exomars_trace_gas_orbiter_spots_daylight_green_oxygen_at_mars_pillars.jpgexomars_trace_gas_orbiter_spots_daylight_green_oxygen_at_mars_pillars2020-06-17T21:06:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/17/proposed-trident-mission-could-explore-neptunes-moon-triton-in-2038/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/triton-surface-8-25-89.jpgTriton surface 8-25-89https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/pia23874-1041.jpgpia23874-1041https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/triton-8-25-89-v2-edit-denoise.jpgTriton 8-25-89 v2-edit-denoise2020-06-17T16:21:34+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/10/08/a-glow-from-above/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/7613956_orig.jpg7613956_origImage taken from the ISS showing airglow2020-06-15T15:44:27+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/11/new-horizons-is-far-enough-from-earth-to-see-an-alien-sky/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/wolf_flicker.gifwolf_flickerhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/proxima_flicker.gifproxima_flicker2020-06-11T21:37:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/11/nasa-selects-astrobotic-rover-to-prospect-for-water-on-the-moons-south-pole/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20a_media_03.jpg20A_MEDIA_03https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/viper.jpgVIPER2020-06-11T20:05:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/09/mariner-10s-view-of-venus-from-1974-revisited-and-remastered/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/mariner_venus.jpgmariner_venushttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/pia23791.jpgPIA23791https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/pia23791_contrast-enhanced.jpgPIA23791_contrast-enhancedMariner 10 image of Venus captured in February 1974. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/390819main_mariner10_full.jpg390819main_Mariner10_full2020-06-09T16:27:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/08/mars-odyssey-orbiter-takes-moon-phobos-temperature/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/phobos-mastcam-6-18-17.gifPhobos-Mastcam-6-18-17https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/pia23893_fig1.jpgCombination Figure2https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/pia23893_hires_crop.jpgPIA23893_hires_crop2020-06-08T19:04:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/03/mars-may-have-repeatedly-been-a-ringed-planet/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/deimos-1024px.jpgdeimos-1024px2020-06-08T18:33:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/08/titan-is-drifting-away-from-saturn-much-faster-than-we-thought/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/titan-rgb-8-8-09.jpgTitan RGB 8-8-09Titan is the second-largest moon in the Solar System, after Jupiter's Ganymede. It's the only moon to possess a dense atmosphere.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/saturn-titan-5-6-12.jpgSaturn Titan 5-6-12Saturn and Titan imaged by Cassini on May 6, 2012. (Color composite by Jason Major)2020-06-08T18:28:10+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/06/ngc-6441-one-of-the-milky-ways-most-massive-star-clusters/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/potw2022a.jpgStellar Snowflakes2020-06-06T21:10:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/04/hypothesized-first-gen-stars-remain-unseen-in-hubble-deep-views/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/stsci-h-p2034a-f-1920x1080_0.pngstsci-h-p2034a-f-1920x1080_02020-06-04T17:16:00+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/04/29/proof-that-meteors-hit-saturns-rings-a-lot/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/saturn-moon-shadow-4-8-09-edit.jpgSaturn moon shadow 4-8-09-editDuring the 2009 equinox at Saturn shadows from its moons fell into the rings.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/pia14942_full_movie.gifPIA14942_full_movieThis animation depicts the shearing of an initially circular cloud of debris as a result of the particles in the cloud having differing orbital speeds around Saturn. (Click to play)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/743976main_pia14938-43_946-710.jpg743976main_pia14938-43_946-710 Five images of Saturn's rings, taken by NASA's Cassini spacecraft between 2009 and 2012, show clouds of material ejected from impacts of small objects into the rings. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)2020-06-03T23:08:43+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/03/june-3-1965-nasas-first-spacewalk/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/9461017522_cb4a2eef09_o.jpgBernard Harris and Michael Foale prepare to leave airloSTS-63 astronauts Bernard A. Harris, Jr., payload commander (right), and C. Michael Foale, mission specialist (left), are ready to exit space shuttle Discovery's airlock for a spacewalk on Feb. 9, 1995. On this EVA, which lasted 4 hours and 38 minutes, Bernard Harris became the first African-American to walk in space. Credit: NASAhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/s65-30427_g04-h_f_edit.jpgS65-30427_G04-H_f_EDIT2020-06-04T10:28:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/01/first-crew-dragon-astronauts-are-aboard-the-space-station/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/screen-shot-2020-06-01-at-5.26.15-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2020-06-01 at 5.26.15 PMDemo-2 astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley (right, black shirts) arrived at the ISS on Sunday, May 31, 20 hours after launch on May 30. (NASA TV screenshot)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/49956396622_84891c5192_3k.jpg49956396622_84891c5192_3kThe Falcon 9 with Crew Dragon lifted off from Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center at 3:22 p.m. ET on May 30, 2020. (Credit: SpaceX)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/49960374906_01f42b63d2_k.jpg49960374906_01f42b63d2_kMay 31, 2020 — Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken of NASA's Commercial Crew Program were aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon as it approached the International Space Station. (NASA)2020-06-01T22:39:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/06/01/esas-solar-orbiter-will-fly-through-the-tails-of-comet-atlas/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/hubble_observation_of_comet_atlas_on_23_april_2020.jpgHubble’s Observation of Comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) on 23 AprilThe NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has provided astronomers with the sharpest view yet of the breakup of Comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS). The telescope resolved roughly 25 fragments of the comet on 23 April. The comet was first discovered in December 2019 by the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) and its fragmentation was confirmed in April 2020.2020-06-12T15:53:27+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/30/watch-americas-return-to-flight-launch-live-2/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/screen-shot-2020-05-30-at-12.49.52-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2020-05-30 at 12.49.52 PMhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ezq30x9xqaa_uip.jpegEZQ30X9XQAA_uIpPhoto of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft atop the Falcon 9 at Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39A (Credit: SpaceX)2020-06-01T21:36:38+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/nasa-hd-tv-via-spacevidcast/2020-05-30T16:40:43+00:00weekly0.6https://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/29/new-theory-emerges-on-the-formation-of-jupiters-galilean-moons/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ganymede-galileo-2-21-97-denoise-edit.jpgGanymede Galileo 2-21-97-denoise-editThe surface of Ganymede, Jupiter's largest moon, imaged by Galileo in February 1997. NASA/JPL-Caltech/Jason Majorhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/io-galileo-9-6-96-edit2.jpgIo Galileo 9-6-96-edit2Jupiter's moon Io imaged in front of the planet's clouds by NASA's Galileo spacecraft on Sept. 6, 1996. NASA/JPL-Caltech/Jason Major2020-05-29T15:40:56+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/08/23/smooth-as-glass/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/pia11479-br500.jpgPIA11479-br500Titanhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/dn17665-1_500.jpgdn17665-1_500Titan's Ontario Lacus2020-05-28T01:41:14+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/04/24/focus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/esp_012692_1810_crop.jpgESP_012692_1810_crophttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/esp_012692_1810.jpgESP_012692_1810The dusty summit of Pavonis Mons imaged from Mars orbit by HiRISEhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/craters.jpgcratersFlying Cratershttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dusty-summit.jpgdusty-summitDusty Summit2020-05-28T00:27:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/27/ngc-3147-a-spiral-giant/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ngc-3147.jpgNGC 3147Color-composite of the spiral galaxy NGC 3147. NASA/ESA, STScI, Adam Reiss (PI). Processing by Jason Major.2020-05-27T23:16:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/23/a-dark-horse-in-a-different-light/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/horsehead-nebula-barnard-33-10-12-edit.jpgHorsehead Nebula Barnard 33 10-12-editInfrared image of the Horsehead Nebula. Credit: NASA/ESA, STScI, Z. Levay. Processing by Jason Major.2020-05-23T21:17:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/23/enceladus-sprays-its-ocean-into-space-as-it-awaits-our-return/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/enceladus-8-13-10-detail-damascus-sulcus.jpgEnceladus 8-13-10 detail Damascus SulcusA look into one of Enceladus' erupting fissures from August 2010.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/enceladus-7-19-13-edit.jpgEnceladus 7-19-13-editColor-composite image of Enceladus in the E ring from July 2013. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/enceladus-11-30-10-1.jpgEnceladus 11-30-10https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/enceladus-11-30-10.jpgEnceladus 11-30-102020-05-23T18:39:37+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/22/when-galaxies-collide/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/arp-148-edit.jpgArp 148-edit2020-05-22T23:59:26+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/22/meet-pallas-the-asteroid-that-used-to-be-a-planet-but-now-looks-like-a-golf-ball/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/potw2008a.jpgGolf Ball WorldA new study led by Pierre Vernazza (Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille, France) conducted using ESO facilities has observed the asteroid Pallas for the first time at extremely high angular resolution. The asteroid could be successfully observed in such great detail thanks to the Adaptive-Optics (AO)-fed SPHERE imager on the Very Large Telescope (VLT). German astronomer Heinrich Wilhelm Matthäus Olbers first discovered Pallas on 28 March 1802. Named for the Greek goddess Pallas Athene, the asteroid — along with many other asteroids discovered in the 19th century — was initially classified as a planet. As time passed and technology improved, Pallas was later reclassified as an asteroid. Today it is famous for being the third-largest asteroid in the Solar System, with an average diameter of 512 km.  Although Pallas is the largest known asteroid in the Solar System after Ceres and Vesta, it is the only one of these large asteroids that has not been visited by a spacecraft. This is due to its orbit, which has an unusually high inclination to the plane of the Earth’s orbit — which means it is particularly challenging to land a spacecraft on.  These new images show that the surface of Pallas displays very interesting topographic features suggesting a violent collisional history. Numerous large craters are found in both hemispheres of Pallas, forming a surface resembling a golf ball. The two distinct large impact basins on its surface could also be related to a family-forming impact — a collision which caused an original object to fracture into several separate bodies. The bright spot which appears in the southern hemisphere of Pallas (right image) is also very reminiscent of the salt deposits on Ceres.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/potw2008a_crop.jpgGolf Ball WorldA new study led by Pierre Vernazza (Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille, France) conducted using ESO facilities has observed the asteroid Pallas for the first time at extremely high angular resolution. The asteroid could be successfully observed in such great detail thanks to the Adaptive-Optics (AO)-fed SPHERE imager on the Very Large Telescope (VLT). German astronomer Heinrich Wilhelm Matthäus Olbers first discovered Pallas on 28 March 1802. Named for the Greek goddess Pallas Athene, the asteroid — along with many other asteroids discovered in the 19th century — was initially classified as a planet. As time passed and technology improved, Pallas was later reclassified as an asteroid. Today it is famous for being the third-largest asteroid in the Solar System, with an average diameter of 512 km.  Although Pallas is the largest known asteroid in the Solar System after Ceres and Vesta, it is the only one of these large asteroids that has not been visited by a spacecraft. This is due to its orbit, which has an unusually high inclination to the plane of the Earth’s orbit — which means it is particularly challenging to land a spacecraft on.  These new images show that the surface of Pallas displays very interesting topographic features suggesting a violent collisional history. Numerous large craters are found in both hemispheres of Pallas, forming a surface resembling a golf ball. The two distinct large impact basins on its surface could also be related to a family-forming impact — a collision which caused an original object to fracture into several separate bodies. The bright spot which appears in the southern hemisphere of Pallas (right image) is also very reminiscent of the salt deposits on Ceres.2020-05-22T19:45:04+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/21/haunting-images-from-nasa-of-a-space-suit-drifting-in-orbit/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/gif-84.gifgif-84Open the pod bay doors, HAL....2020-05-21T19:44:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/09/17/no-this-isnt-a-shot-from-the-film-gravity-but-it-could-be/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/iss012e16905.jpgiss012e16905Planet Earth is blue, and there's nothing I can do...2020-05-21T14:39:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/11/02/cassini-spots-the-sun-shining-on-titans-sea/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/pia18432_hires_recolor.jpgPIA18432_hires_recolorhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/pia18432_ip.jpgPIA18432_ipInfrared mosaic image showing sunglint off Titan's Kraken Mare. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona/University of Idaho)2020-05-21T00:53:35+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/19/ten-discoveries-from-sofia/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/6._supernova_still_tumblr.png6._supernova_still_tumblrIllustration of a supernova as the powerful blast wave passes through its outer ring before a subsequent inward shock rebounds. SOFIA found the material produced from first outward wave can survive the second inward wave and can become seed material for new stars and planets. Credits: NASA/SOFIA/Symbolic Pictures/The Casadonte Grouphttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/obs_0001_0.jpgOBS_0001_0With the large door over its 2.5-meter German-built telescope wide open, NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy 747SP aircraft soars over Southern California's high desert. SOFIA makes astronomical observations between 39,000 and 45,000 feet altitude, typically flying 10 hours per flight. Credit: NASA/Jim Ross2020-05-20T22:15:08+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/20/space-telescope-named-after-dr-nancy-grace-roman-nasas-first-chief-of-astronomy/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/44477663304_a673c66226_o.jpg44477663304_a673c66226_oIn this image from the early 1970s, Dr. Roman is shown at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Image Credit: NASAhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/trailer_still_1.jpgtrailer_still_12020-05-20T22:12:58+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/20/a-dusty-twist-marks-the-site-of-a-new-planets-birth/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/eso2008a-2.jpgSPHERE image of the disc around AB AurigaeThis image shows the disc around the young AB Aurigae star, where ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) has spotted signs of planet birth. Close to the centre of the image, in the inner region of the disc, we see the ‘twist’ (in very bright yellow) that scientists believe marks the spot where a planet is forming. This twist lies at about the same distance from the AB Aurigae star as Neptune from the Sun. The image was obtained with the VLT’s SPHERE instrument in polarised light.2020-05-20T18:49:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/18/the-glowing-shroud-of-a-newborn-star/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/s106-hst-wfc3ir-2-13-11-v2.jpgS106 HST WFC3IR 2-13-11 v2Star-forming region S106. Credits: NASA/ESA, STScI, Keith Noll (PI), processing by Jason Major2020-05-18T16:07:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/04/04/these-photos-taken-from-the-moon-show-lots-and-lots-of-stars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/earth-aurora-far-uv-a16.jpgEarth Aurora Far UV A16Earth and aurora captured from the Moon in far-ultraviolet light during Apollo 16. (NASA / Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/as16-114-18439.jpgAS16-114-18439The Far-UV Camera in position with Charlie Duke and the LRV in the background. (NASA: AS16-114-18439)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/3f039.jpg3f039Image captured with the Far Ultraviolet Camera/Spectrograph during Apollo 16 (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/4f007.jpg4f007Image captured with the Far Ultraviolet Camera/Spectrograph during Apollo 16 (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2f022.jpg2f022Image captured with the Far Ultraviolet Camera/Spectrograph during Apollo 16 (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/3f030_crop.jpg3f030_cropImage of a partially-lit Earth captured by the Far Ultraviolet Camera on Apollo 16. Stars are visible in the background. (NASA)2020-05-17T18:10:38+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/15/are-there-aliens-in-our-solar-system/2020-05-16T05:19:09+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/14/take-a-gander-at-gassendi-crater/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/apollo-16-moon.jpgApollo 16 Moonhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/crater-gassendi-apollo-16-april-1972-1.jpgCrater Gassendi Apollo 16 April 1972https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/crater-gassendi-apollo-16-april-1972.jpgCrater Gassendi Apollo 16 April 19722020-05-14T21:46:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/14/saturn-seen-through-titans-hazy-atmosphere/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/w1490993408_2.img_.pngW1490993408_2.IMGhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/w1490993500_2.img_.pngW1490993500_2.IMGhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/w1490993546_2.img_.pngW1490993546_2.IMGhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/w1490993592_2.img_.pngW1490993592_2.IMGhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/saturn-titan-3-31-05-v2-denoise-edit.jpgSaturn Titan 3-31-05 v2-denoise-edit2020-05-14T16:14:27+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/14/first-look-at-the-james-webb-space-telescope-folded-in-fully-stowed-configuration/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/north_west_192.168.42.121_2020-05-04_10-50-06.621.jpgnorth_west_192.168.42.121_2020-05-04_10-50-06.621A first look at NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope fully stowed into the same configuration it will have when loaded into an Ariane V rocket for launch. The image was taken from a webcam in the clean room at Northrop Grumman, in Redondo Beach, California. With staffing restrictions in place due to COVID-19, only essential staff are allowed in the clean room. Image credit: Northrop Grumman2020-05-14T15:17:05+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/27/our-five-trillion-mile-close-call-the-stars-that-skimmed-the-solar-system/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/scholz-star.jpgScholz starArtist's rendering of two stars that made a close pass by the Sun 70,000 years ago. (Michael Osadciw/University of Rochester)2020-05-13T23:03:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/13/i-took-a-crack-at-the-egg-nebula/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/egg-nebula-edit.jpgEgg Nebula-editEgg Nebula, a protoplanetary nebula 3,000 light-years away. Composite by Jason Major.2020-05-13T19:13:11+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/13/scientists-use-starlight-to-probe-plutos-blue-sky/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pluto-haze-nh-7-14-15.jpgPluto haze NH 7-14-15https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pluto-7-15-15.jpgPluto 7-15-152020-05-13T15:01:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/12/stromatolites-in-the-nevada-desert-and-maybe-even-on-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pia23777medium.jpgPIA23777~mediumhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pia23779orig.jpgPIA23779~origFossil stromatolites photographed in Nevada (NASA/JPL)2020-05-12T23:10:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/12/more-evidence-for-plumes-of-water-on-jupiters-icy-moon-europa/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/europa-9-19-97-geysers.jpgEuropa 9-19-97 geysers2020-05-12T17:13:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/28/cassini-mission-highlight-mile-high-spikes-along-saturns-b-ring/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/saturn-b-ring-spikes-wide.jpgsaturn-b-ring-spikes-wideA 12,000-mile-long arc at the edge of Saturn's B ring (left) displays up to 2-mile-high spikes in this image captured by Cassini in August 2009 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/saturn-b-ring-spikes.jpgsaturn-b-ring-spikesIcy particles along Saturn's B ring rise dramatically in mile-high spikes, seen by Cassini in August 2009. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)2020-05-12T00:58:46+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/11/phobos-will-eventually-become-a-ring-around-mars/2020-05-11T22:07:09+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/11/the-closest-image-of-asteroid-bennu-yet/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/bennunorthpolepassdec4.gifBennuNorthPolePassDec4Rotational animation of Bennu made from images captured by OSIRIS-REx in December 2018.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/20200414samcamcheckpoint.png20200414SamcamCheckpointOSIRIS-REx's sampling arm imaged above the surface of asteroid Bennu from a distance of 70 meters on April 14, 2020. 2020-05-11T20:24:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/11/why-are-plutos-moons-so-weird-2/2020-05-11T18:05:53+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/11/this-is-the-first-picture-taken-on-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/c_luna09_dailyexpress.jpgC_Luna09_DailyExpressdfksadkjfksfsdajhhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/c_luna09_1_firstframes.jpgC_Luna09_1_firstframesThe first view from the Moon's surface received from the Soviet Luna 9  lander, captured on Feb. 4, 1966 (UTC)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/c_luna09_1_crop.jpgC_Luna09_1_cropThe first view from the Moon's surface taken by the Soviet Luna 9  lander on Feb. 3, 1966 (EST)2020-05-11T15:43:53+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/05/14/the-curious-central-peaks-of-iapetus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/iapetus-material.jpgIapetus materialStains of dark material on Iapetus' icy surface, imaged by Cassini in 2007. (Color-composite by J. Major.) NASA/JPL/SSIhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/iapetus-ridge.jpgIapetus ridgeThe curious, 20-km tall central ridge of Iapetus, a.k.a. the Voyager Mountains 2020-05-11T00:35:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/10/earth-and-moon-as-seen-from-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/earth-and-moon-from-mars-surveyor-5-8-03.jpgEarth and Moon from Mars Surveyor 5-8-03Earth and the Moon imaged from Mars on May 8, 2003 (NASA/JPL. Edit by Jason Major)2020-05-12T22:41:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/09/nine-reasons-to-be-grateful-to-live-on-earth/2020-05-09T20:56:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/09/miranda-just-looks-all-wrong/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/miranda-v2-hr-1-25-86-gigapixel-scale-2_00x.pngMiranda V2 HR 1-25-86-gigapixel-scale-2_00x2020-05-09T17:07:35+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/09/nasa-cubesat-will-shine-a-laser-light-on-the-moons-darkest-craters/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pia23131-16.jpgpia23131-162020-05-09T16:41:49+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/09/hubble-marks-30-years-in-space-with-a-tapestry-of-blazing-starbirth/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/s31-71-095-2.jpgs31-71-095-2In this April 25, 1990, photograph taken by the crew of the STS-31 space shuttle mission, the Hubble Space Telescope is suspended above shuttle Discovery's cargo bay some 332 nautical miles above Earth. (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/stsci-h-p2016a-m-2000x1374-1.pngstsci-h-p2016a-m-2000x1374-12020-05-09T16:10:47+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/08/newly-reprocessed-images-of-europa-show-chaos-terrain-in-crisp-detail/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/europa-9-19-97.jpgEuropa 9-19-97Europa imaged by NASA's Galileo spacecraft in September 1997.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pia23871_-_1st_in_gallery.jpgpia23871_-_1st_in_gallery2020-05-09T16:58:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/08/scientists-use-sunglasses-to-see-bands-of-clouds-on-a-brown-dwarf/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/bd_art.2e16d0ba.fill-1600x810-c100.jpgbd_art.2e16d0ba.fill-1600x810-c1002020-05-08T20:38:47+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/08/astronomers-find-the-closest-black-hole-to-earth/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/eso2007a.jpgeso2007a2020-05-09T16:17:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/08/nasas-perseverance-rover-mission-getting-in-shape-for-launch-2/2020-05-09T16:21:37+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2020/05/08/telescopes-and-spacecraft-team-up-to-probe-deep-into-jupiters-atmosphere-nasa-article/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/stsci-h-2018a-f-3840x2160_0.pngstsci-h-2018a-f-3840x2160_02020-05-08T19:32:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/07/22/visit-my-flickr-album/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/flickr_cta.jpgflickr_CTA2020-05-08T19:07:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2019/07/18/how-government-geologists-recreated-the-moon-in-flagstaff-arizona/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/usgs-photo-p463-f11067199.jpgUSGS photo P463, F11067199Simulated LM and equipment testing at Cinder Lake. (USGS photo P463, F11067199)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/usgs-photo-of-crater-detonation-in-arizona.jpgUSGS photo of crater detonation in ArizonaUSGS photo of crater detonation in Arizona2019-07-18T22:36:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2019/07/16/watch-incredible-launch-pad-footage-of-the-apollo-11-liftoff/2019-07-16T14:31:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/10/27/these-cosmic-ghosts-are-some-of-the-stranger-things-in-our-galaxy/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ghost-nebula.jpgGhost NebulaA portion of vdB 141, aka the “Ghost Nebula,” in the constellation Cepheus. (My color edit)2018-10-29T21:37:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/08/27/double-moon-debunked/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/moon-and-mars-does-not-equal.jpgMoon and Mars does not equalhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/moon-and-mars.jpgMoon and MarsEarth-based (and quite separate) images of the Moon and Mars, the former by Jason Major and the latter by the Hubble Space Telescope. 2018-09-01T20:55:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/08/09/does-america-need-a-space-force/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/space-force-gi-joe.jpgspace force gi joeIs this Trump's vision of our nation's future in space?2018-08-10T16:24:30+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/04/13/saturns-moon-atlas-is-even-more-flying-saucery-than-pan/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/atlas-rgb-4-12-17.jpgAtlas RGB 4-12-17https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/atlas-ir-g-uv-4-12-17.jpgAtlas IR--G-UV 4-12-17Color image of Atlas from April 12, 2017. Credit: NASA/JPL/Caltech/Space Science Institute/Jason Major.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/atlas-4-12-17.gifAtlas-4-12-17Animation made from images acquired by Cassini on April 12, 2017.2018-08-08T21:19:24+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/07/27/happy-opposition-day/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/mars-esa-vmc-7-24-18.jpgMars ESA VMC 7-24-18Mars imaged by ESA's Mars Express spacecraft on July 24, 2018 from about 6,000 miles. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/screen-shot-2018-07-27-at-10-35-12-am.jpgScreen Shot 2018-07-27 at 10.35.12 AMMars at opposition. Credit: MSSS2018-07-30T19:48:18+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/07/25/esa-finds-liquid-water-on-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/mars_express_detects_water_buried_under_the_south_pole_of_mars.jpgMars_Express_detects_water_buried_under_the_south_pole_of_MarsESA’s Mars Express has used radar signals bounced through underground layers of ice to find evidence of a pond of water buried below the south polar cap. Credit: Context map: NASA/Viking; THEMIS background: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Arizona State University; MARSIS data: ESA/NASA/JPL/ASI/Univ. Rome; R. Orosei et al 2018https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/mars-esa-exomars-south-pole.jpgMars ESA ExoMars south poleMars' south pole is covered in layered deposits of ice and sediment. It is below such areas that liquid water has been identified by Mars Express. (Image: ESA/Roscosmos/CaSSIS, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO)2018-07-25T20:00:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/07/24/nasa-releases-thousands-of-hours-of-apollo-11-tapes/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/23658364679_d2b935acb6_o-2.jpg23658364679_d2b935acb6_o-2Mission control in Houston during the Apollo 10 flight (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/kranz_on_console_-_gpn-2000-001406.jpgKranz_on_Console_-_GPN-2000-001406Mission control in Houston in 1965 (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/analog_apollo_record.jpganalog_apollo_recordAn example of the computer print-out of an audio track sheet of a 30-channel Apollo analog tape showing channel information of all tracks. (UT Dallas/JSC)2018-07-24T20:55:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/07/20/a-twisted-towel-of-bright-clouds-on-jupiter/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/jupiter-juno-7-16-18-p14.jpgJupiter Juno 7-16-18 P14https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/jupiter-juno-p14-7-16-18.jpgJupiter Juno p14 7-16-18A band of bright clouds on Jupiter imaged by Juno on July 16, 2018.2018-07-23T19:25:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/07/20/this-day-in-space-history-one-small-step-3/2018-07-19T22:02:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/07/19/a-naked-titan-revealed-by-13-years-of-cassini-data/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/vims-sinlap.jpgVIMS SinlapThe 80-km-wide Sinlap crater and its surrounding area on Titan is seen in this synthetic color view. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/pia21923.jpgPIA21923dfgsdfsdgdsdhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/titan-visible-and-ir.jpgTitan visible and IRTitan in visible light (left) and newly mapped in infrared (right), with its atmosphere removed.2018-07-19T18:36:17+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/07/17/ten-more-moons-for-jupiter/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/jupiter_moons_orbits-800x500.pngJupiter_Moons_Orbits-800x500Jupiter's newly-discovered moons and their orbits (in blue, red, and green)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/jupiter-v1-2-1-79.jpgJupiter V1 2-1-79Jupiter imaged by Voyager 1 in February 19792018-07-17T23:21:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/07/14/three-years-ago-today-new-horizons-passed-pluto/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/pluto-extended-color-nh-7-15-15.jpgPluto extended color NH 7-15-15Extended-color image of Pluto made from data acquired by New Horizons on July 14, 2015. (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI/Jason Major)2018-07-14T18:55:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/06/20/a-close-pass-of-helene/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/helene-6-18-11.gifHelene-6-18-11https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/helene3d-1.jpgHelene3D-13D anaglyph of Helene. By Patrick Rutherford.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/helene_rgb_6-18-11.jpgHelene_RGB_6-18-11Color composite of Helene from June 18, 20112018-06-05T04:11:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/04/24/well-its-official-uranus-smells-like-farts/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/uranus-v2-1-23-86.jpgUranus V2 1-23-86Approximate true-color view of Uranus made from images acquired by Voyager 2 in January 1986. 2018-04-24T23:27:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/18/cassini-has-just-taken-the-best-picture-of-daphnis-yet/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/daphnis-colored-1-16-17.jpgDaphnis colored 1-16-17Processed raw image of Daphnis from Jan. 16, 2017.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/n00274751.jpgn00274751Cassini narrow-angle camera image of the Keeler Gap after Daphnis' passing. NASA/JPL/SSI (original here)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/daphnis-detail.jpgdaphnis-detailEnlargement of Daphnis from the Jan. 18 Cassini image. (NASA/JPL/SSI/J. Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/n00274737.jpgn00274737Image of Daphnis captured by Cassini on Jan. 18, 2017. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)2018-03-21T19:34:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/03/09/an-opportunity-from-above-2/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/opportunity-hirise-3-1-11-detail.jpgOpportunity HiRISE 3-1-11 detailEnlarged detail of Opportunity in the HiRISE image.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/opportunity-hirise-3-1-11.jpgOpportunity HiRISE 3-1-11NASA's Opportunity rover on the edge of Santa Maria crater imaged by HiRISE on March 1, 2011.2018-03-10T17:04:09+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/03/07/surprise-jupiters-poles-are-literally-encircled-by-cyclones/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/38650227332_d59a42be4d_o.jpg38650227332_d59a42be4d_oJupiter's south pole imaged by Junocam on Aug. 27, 2016. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Kevin M. Gillhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/juno-jupiter-pole-ir2.gifJuno-Jupiter-pole-IR2https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/jupiter-jiram-south-pole.jpgJupiter JIRAM south poleInfrared composite of cyclones at Jupiter's south pole. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/ASI/INAF/JIRAMhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/pia22335.jpgPIA22335fdskhf;aklfhal NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/ASI/INAF/JIRAM https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/pia22335_hires.jpgPIA22335_hireshfhhlkadshflsahfsh NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/ASI/INAF/JIRAM 2018-03-08T19:37:06+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/03/02/esa-grabs-glimpses-of-mars-groovy-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/phobos-esa-mars-express-9-12-17.gifphobos-ESA-Mars-Express-9-12-172018-03-02T20:38:47+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/02/23/themis-takes-deimos-temperature/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/pia22250medium.jpgPIA22250~mediumInfrared image of Deimos by THEMIS on Feb. 15, 2018 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/SSI)2018-02-23T18:56:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/02/19/after-5000-sols-we-see-the-face-of-opportunity/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/opportunity-sol5000.jpgOpportunity Sol5000Opportunity's first-ever selfie on Mars. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/1n572065026effd1b3p1960l0m1.jpg1N572065026EFFD1B3P1960L0M1Navcam view of Opportunity's turret tool with its Microscopic Imager at center. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/rover1_detail_500.jpgrover1_detail_500Parts of the Opportunity rover. (NASA/JPL)2018-02-20T01:17:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/02/19/this-is-earth-and-the-moon-from-40-million-miles-away/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/earth-moon-osiris-rex-40million.jpgEarth Moon OSIRIS-REx 40million2018-02-19T21:16:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/spacex-falcon-heavy-launch/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dvxbp4numaadxca-jpg-large.jpegDVXbp4NUMAAdXcA.jpg-largehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/screen-shot-2018-02-06-at-11-07-25-am.jpgScreen Shot 2018-02-06 at 11.07.25 AMhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/falcon-heavy-comps1.jpgFalcon Heavy compshttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/falcon-heavy-comps.jpgFalcon Heavy compsSource: SpaceX2018-02-06T18:45:19+00:00weekly0.6https://lightsinthedark.com/2017/11/20/the-first-known-interstellar-asteroid-is-like-a-giant-tumbling-torpedo/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/gif-51.gifgif-51Animation of Oumuamua's motion (ESO/M. Kornmesser)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/eso1737b.jpgCombined deep image of `Oumuamua from the VLT and other telescopTelescope observation of dskhflakhfh (center) surrounded by streaks of background stars. ESO/K. Meech et al.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/eso1737a.jpgArtist’s impression of the interstellar asteroid `OumuamuaArtist's impression of 1I/2017 U1. Credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/2017u1_animation.gif2017U1_animationAnimation of the hyperbolic path of the interstellar asteroid `Oumuamua. (NASA)2018-01-24T15:56:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/01/23/its-been-32-years-since-we-last-explored-uranus/2018-01-24T10:37:40+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2018/01/07/eppur-si-muove-galileos-big-night/2018-01-07T17:41:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/12/24/apollo-8-humanitys-first-earthrise-and-first-christmas-from-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/apollo-8-earthrise-rgb.jpgApollo 8 Earthrise RGBPhoto of the Earth beyond the Moon (AS08-14-2383) captured by Apollo 8 on Dec. 24, 1968.2017-12-24T18:46:43+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/12/23/flying-free-an-iconic-nasa-astronaut-mccandless-has-died/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/mccandless-mmu.jpgMcCandless MMUNASA astronaut Bruce McCandless II during his flight test of the MMU on February 7, 1984. (NASA)2017-12-23T23:02:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/12/12/juno-and-jedi-deliver-new-discoveries-about-jupiter/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/grs-p7-july-11-f-ge-v2.jpgGRS P7 July 11 F GE v2JunoCam image of Jupiter's Great Red Spot from July 11, 2017, processed by Gerald Eichstadt and edited by Jason Major.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/pia22177-16.jpgpia22177-16Microwave data reveal the inner structure of Jupiter's Great Red Spot. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI)2017-12-12T19:32:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/11/28/are-alien-bugs-crawling-on-the-outside-of-the-iss/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/iss-from-endeavour-sts127-7-28-09-2.jpgISS from Endeavour STS127 7-28-09 2Photo of the ISS captured from the shuttle Endeavour in July 2009.2017-12-08T16:39:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/10/25/we-may-have-just-been-visited-by-an-interstellar-comet/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/a2017-u1-ljmu.gifA2017-U1-LJMUhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/interstellar_orbit_black.jpgPrintDiagram of A/2017 U1's orbit through the Solar System. Credit: Brooks Bays / SOEST Publication Services / UH Institute for Astronomy.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/comet-panstarrs-1.gifComet-PanSTARRS-1Diagram of the orbit of C/2017 U1 PanSTARRS, a possible interstellar comet spotted on Oct. 18, 2017. (NASA/JPL)2017-11-20T16:46:25+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/10/11/osiris-rex-sees-the-moon-like-we-cant/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/orex-moon-9-25-17-annotated.jpgORex Moon 9-25-17 annotatedhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ega_plus_10_mapcam_earth_moon.jpgEGA_Plus_10_mapcam_Earth_MoonEarth and Moon imaged by OSIRIS-REx on Oct. 2, 2017. Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizonahttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/orex-moon-9-25-17.jpgORex Moon 9-25-17The Moon imaged by OSIRIS-REx on Sept. 25, 2017. Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona.2017-10-12T21:03:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/09/26/just-passing-by-the-globe-of-earth-imaged-by-osiris-rex/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/navcam-earth-and-moon-copy.jpgNavCam-Earth-and-Moon copyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/itinerary2.pngItinerary2https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/osiris-rex-launch-5.jpgOsiris-Rex Launch-5The launch of OSIRIS-REx (© Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ega_1ms_mapcam_color_corrected.pngEGA_1ms_mapcam_color_correctedEarth imaged on Sept. 22, 2017 by the MapCam instrument aboard OSIRIS-REx. Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona2017-09-28T20:03:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/09/15/spacecraft-down-cassini-is-gone/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/saturn-rgb-9-14-17-last-rotated2.jpgSaturn RGB 9-14-17 last rotated2https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/screen-shot-2017-09-15-at-9-52-24-am.jpgScreen Shot 2017-09-15 at 9.52.24 AMhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/screen-shot-2017-09-15-at-7-55-24-am.jpgScreen Shot 2017-09-15 at 7.55.24 AMCassini's final signal, which ended 4:55 a.m. PDT Sept. 15, 2017https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/saturn-rgb-9-13-17-wide.jpgSaturn RGB 9-13-17 wideMosaic of Saturn made from images acquired on Sept. 13, 2017.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/saturn-enceladus-9-13-17.jpgSaturn Enceladus 9-13-17Cassini's last image of Enceladus, captured Sept. 13. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/enceladus-rgb-11-30-10.jpgEnceladus RGB 11-30-10https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/saturn-rgb-9-14-17-last.jpgSaturn RGB 9-14-17 lastRGB composite of Cassini's final images of Saturn. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/cassini-end-of-mission.jpgCassini end of mission2017-09-15T21:26:26+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/09/14/its-time-to-say-goodbye-to-cassini/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/cassini-at-saturn.jpgCassini at SaturnArtist's rendering of Cassini at Saturn. Credit: NASA/JPLhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/1047_milestones_in_cassinis_final_dive_toward_saturn-_.jpeg1047_Milestones_in_Cassini's_final_dive_toward_Saturn._https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/1014.jpeg10142017-09-15T04:28:15+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/08/21/black-hole-sun-photos-of-a-total-solar-eclipse/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eclipse-aug-21-2017-18.jpgEclipse Aug 21 2017-18https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eclipse-aug-21-2017-14.jpgEclipse Aug 21 2017-14https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eclipse-aug-21-2017.jpgEclipse Aug 21 2017https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eclipse-aug-21-2017-2.jpgEclipse Aug 21 2017-2https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eclipse-aug-21-2017-3.jpgEclipse Aug 21 2017-3https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eclipse-aug-21-2017-4.jpgEclipse Aug 21 2017-4https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eclipse-aug-21-2017-51.jpgEclipse Aug 21 2017-5https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eclipse-aug-21-2017-6.jpgEclipse Aug 21 2017-6https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eclipse-aug-21-2017-7.jpgEclipse Aug 21 2017-7https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eclipse-aug-21-2017-8.jpgEclipse Aug 21 2017-82017-08-23T22:10:14+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/08/01/answers-to-8-questions-about-the-august-2017-solar-eclipse/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/nasa_map_508.jpgTotal Solar Eclipse on August 21, 2017 maphttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eclipse-glasses-jason.jpgeclipse glasses JasonI'll be watching the 2017 eclipse safely with a pair of Planetary Society Bill Nye glasses from EclipseGlasses.com!https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/total-eclipse-nasa.jpgTotal Eclipse NASAhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/21stcenturynorthamericaneclipses-2.png21stCenturyNorthAmericanEclipses-2https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/annular-eclipse-shadow-5-20-12.jpgAnnular eclipse shadow 5-20-12The shadow of the Moon on Earth photographed from the ISS during an annular eclipse on May 20, 2012 (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/tse2017_stereographic.jpgTSE2017_stereographic [Converted]2017-08-18T20:27:34+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/08/15/its-cassinis-final-month/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/cassini-ring-dive.jpgCassini ring diveCassini is completing its 13-year tour of Saturn with dives between the planet and its rings. Credit: NASA/JPL2017-08-18T01:53:05+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/08/08/how-to-make-a-moon-new-research-is-raising-questions-on-our-moons-birth/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/moon_formation.jpgmoon_formation2017-08-08T17:35:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/07/28/this-toxic-compound-on-titan-could-support-life-not-as-we-know-it/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/208496_1032265849639_6691177_n.jpg208496_1032265849639_6691177_n2017-08-01T22:37:15+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/07/27/nasa-gets-wise-to-long-period-comets/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/img_0319.jpgIMG_0319Infrared data from WISE was used to identify the clouds of vaporized material around comets' nuclei and then estimate their sizes. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)2017-07-27T21:33:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/07/24/our-moon-could-be-conveniently-full-of-water/2017-07-25T19:15:38+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/07/20/have-no-fear-phobos-is-here/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/stsci-h-v1729c-728x485.gifSTSCI-H-v1729c-728x485Mars and Phobos imaged by Hubble on May 12, 2016. Credits: NASA, ESA, and Z. Levay (STScI), Acknowledgment: J. Bell (ASU) and M. Wolff (Space Science Institute).2017-07-25T19:36:04+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/09/29/watch-incredible-high-speed-footage-of-the-apollo-11-saturn-v-liftoff/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/gif-33.gifgif-332017-07-16T16:12:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/10/09/a-new-look-at-pluto-hey-there-mister-blue-were-so-pleased-to-be-with-you/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/blue_skies_on_pluto-final-2_crop.jpgblue_skies_on_pluto-final-2_cropPluto's atmosphere shines blue in this color image from New Horizons (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)2017-07-14T22:55:26+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/07/12/jupiters-red-spot-dominates-new-juno-p7-pics/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/juno-p7-july-11-south-pole.jpgJuno P7 July 11 South Polehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/grs-p7-july-11-f-ge.jpgGRS P7 July 11 F GEhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/grs-p7-july-11-d.jpgGRS P7 July 11 Dhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/grs-p7-july-10-c.jpgGRS P7 July 10 Chttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/grs-p7-july-10-b.jpgGRS P7 July 10 BJupiter's Great Red Spot imaged by Juno on July 10, 2017. Credit: NASA/SwRI/MSSS/Jason Major2017-07-15T10:16:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/07/10/today-juno-will-get-our-best-look-yet-at-jupiters-great-red-spot/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jupiter_vgr1_grs_mosaic_crop.jpgjupiter_vgr1_grs_mosaic_crop2017-07-28T19:53:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/15/chelyabinsk-a-blast-from-the-not-too-distant-past-or-hows-that-space-program-coming-along/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/neildegrassetysonasteroids.jpgneildegrassetysonasteroidshttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/gif-22.gifgif-22Dashcam video of the Chelyabinsk meteor exploding on Feb. 15, 2013 (Source: RT.com)2017-06-30T19:43:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/06/13/two-new-moons-found-around-jupiter/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/79_50_1.jpg79_50_12017-06-13T16:36:24+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/06/03/watch-ed-white-perform-the-first-american-spacewalk-52-years-ago-today/2017-06-03T17:43:47+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/05/26/how-nasas-lunar-orbiter-was-struck-by-a-meteoroid-and-survived-to-tell-the-tale/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/m1167874395le_tr_str01_952px_sq.jpgm1167874395le_tr_str01_952px_sq2017-05-26T20:17:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/05/25/jupiters-surprises-are-revealed-in-first-juno-science-results/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/jupiter-ring-betelgeuse.jpgJupiter Ring BetelgeuseJupiter's ring and Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion, imaged by Juno from inside the ring system. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/jupiter-processed-p6.jpgJupiter Processed P6JunoCam image of Jupiter's south pole, captured during its P6 pass on May 19, 2017. (Credit: NASA / SwRI / MSSS / Gerald Eichstädt / Seán Doran)2017-06-17T17:56:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/05/17/what-would-happen-to-you-if-you-were-exposed-to-space/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/suitsat.jpgSuitSatAn empty Russian Orlan space suit released on Feb. 3, 2006 as part of the SuitSat experiment.2017-05-19T02:13:34+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/05/18/theres-a-new-moon-in-the-solar-system/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/stsci-h-p1718a-f-1440x720.jpgHubble Spots a Moon Around the Dwarf Planet 2007 OR102017-07-15T10:17:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/05/12/high-resolution-maps-help-indicate-a-past-watery-environment-in-mars-grand-canyon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/psp_003540_1735.jpgPSP_003540_1735HiRISE image of Candor Chasma, a region of Values Marineris recently mapped by the USGS and found to exhibit signs of past water. (NASA/JPL/University of Arizona )2017-05-12T22:56:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/02/02/comet-copycat/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/p2010-a2.gifP2010-A2https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/detail.jpgdetailP/2010 A2https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/hs-2010-07-b.jpghs-2010-07-bHubble spots asteroid impersonating a comet2017-05-11T03:54:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/05/10/asteroid-2014-jo25-gets-some-sweet-radar-love/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/pia21597.gifPIA21597Radar observations of near-Earth asteroid 2014 JO25 on April 19, 2017. 2017-05-10T14:28:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/05/03/the-color-out-of-space-whats-false-and-whats-real-and-why-its-a-big-deal/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/duty_calls.pngduty_callsCourtesy xkcdhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/saturn-5-1-04b.jpgSaturn 5-1-04bColor-composite of Saturn made from raw, uncalibrated images acquired on May 1, 2004. Warning: NOT SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE COLOR.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/titan-rgb-4-24-17.jpgTitan RGB 4-24-17Uncalibrated color-composite of Titan made from raw images acquired by Cassini on April 24, 2017. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute/Jason Major.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/saturn-4-26-17-silhouette-comps.jpgSaturn 4-26-17 silhouette compsThe color image of Saturn's night side limb and distant G ring was captured on April 26, 2017 during Cassini's first Grand Finale ring gap orbit and was composed of the bottom three raw images acquired in red, green, and blue light. The result is uncalibrated but no less beautiful. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/saturn-5-1-04.jpgSaturn 5-1-04Color-composite of Saturn made from raw, uncalibrated images acquired on May 1, 2004. Warning: NOT SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE COLOR.2017-05-10T07:13:53+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/05/05/take-a-ride-with-alan-shepard-aboard-freedom-7-2/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/542262main_freedom7_lg.jpg542262main_freedom7_lgLiftoff of the 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone with Freedom 7 from Cape Canaveral on May 5, 1961. (NASA)2017-05-05T15:00:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/05/04/opportunity-spots-phobos-skimming-the-sun/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/opportunity-5-3-17-s4719-enlarged.gifOpportunity-5-3-17-s4719-enlargedAnimation of raw panorama camera images from NASA's Opportunity rover on May 3, 2017. (Cropped, enlarged and rotated 90º CCW).https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/opportunity-5-3-17-s4719.gifOpportunity-5-3-17-s4719Animation of raw panorama camera images from NASA's Opportunity rover on May 3, 2017.2017-05-04T18:33:06+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/05/04/a-departing-view-from-cassini-after-clearing-the-gap/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/saturn-rings-5-3-17-2-hr.gifSaturn Ring Dive 2 – Outbound May 3 20172017-05-13T22:46:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/04/27/cassini-survived-its-historic-first-pass-between-saturn-and-rings-first-pics-in/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/saturn-pole-4-26-17.jpgSaturn pole 4-26-17https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/12_orbits.jpg12_orbitsCassini has begun its Grand Finale orbits, shown here in blue. Its final orbit (red) will occur on September 15, 2017. (NASA/JPL/FU Berlin)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/saturn-gf-pass3.jpgSaturn-GF-Pass3Raw image of Saturn's atmosphere acquired by Cassini on April 26, 2017.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/saturn-gf-pass2.jpgSaturn-GF-Pass2An image of Saturn's north polar vortex captured by Cassini on April 26, 2017. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/saturn-gf-pass1.gifSaturn-GF-Pass1Views from Cassini captured on April 26, 2017 during its closest pass past Saturn. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI. Animation by Jason Major.)2017-04-29T01:26:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/04/25/cute-science-video-alert-the-story-of-stars/2017-04-26T06:00:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/04/23/opportunity-looks-back-on-its-downhill-departure-from-cape-tribulation/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/opportunity-4-21-17-s4707-true-crop.jpgOpportunity 4-21-17 s4707 true cropOpportunity's wheel tracks on the southern slope of Rocheport. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/opportunity-4-21-17-s4707-true.jpgOpportunity 4-21-17 s4707 trueMosaic of Opportunity images acquired on April 21, 2017.2017-04-23T21:58:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/04/18/if-you-were-wondering-what-earth-looks-like-from-saturn-here-you-go/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/saturn-earth-4-13-17.jpgSaturn Earth 4-13-172017-04-21T00:01:09+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/04/10/worried-about-asteroid-2014-jo25-dont-be/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2014-jo25.gif2014-JO25https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/screen-shot-2017-04-10-at-6-37-46-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2017-04-10 at 6.37.46 PMThe 650-meter-wide asteroid 2014 JO25 will pass Earth about 4.6 times the distance to the Moon on April 19, 2017. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)2017-04-19T03:43:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/04/10/uranus-lights-up-for-hubble/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/potw1714a.jpgAlien aurorae on Uranus2017-04-10T15:36:03+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/04/08/heres-hubbles-newest-knockout-portrait-of-jupiter/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/hubble-jupiter-4-3-17-grs-detail.jpgHubble Jupiter 4-3-17 GRS detailContrast-enhanced detail of the Great Red Spot on April 3, 2017https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/hubble-jupiter-4-3-17.jpgHubble Jupiter 4-3-17Contrast-enhanced version of the 4/3 Hubble image. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/stsci-h-p1715a-f-1400x1400.pngSTSCI-H-p1715a-f-1400x1400Jupiter imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope on April 3, 2017. Credit: NASA, ESA, and A. Simon (GSFC)2017-04-09T03:55:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/04/07/astronomers-find-an-earth-sized-world-with-a-venus-sized-atmosphere/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dfzoxzgcadmfsbt51ppw.jpgdfzoxzgcadmfsbt51ppw2017-04-07T15:21:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/02/12/eddies-and-whirls/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/pia10558_detail.jpgSaturn's Northern HemisphereSaturn's Northern Hemispherehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/pia10558.jpgpia105582017-04-04T23:22:37+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/04/04/get-ready-for-cassinis-glorious-grand-finale/2017-04-05T18:03:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/16/theres-a-cerulean-storm-swirling-on-saturns-north-pole/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/saturn-pole-storn-rgb-3-29-17-3.jpgSaturn pole storn RGB 3-29-17 3Saturn's north polar vortex imaged by Cassini on March 29, 2017. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/saturn-pole-storn-rgb-3-29-17.jpgSaturn pole storn RGB 3-29-17Saturn's north polar vortex imaged by Cassini on March 29, 2017. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/saturn-rgb-2-13-17-2.jpgsaturn-rgb-2-13-17-2RGB color-composite of Saturn from raw images acquired on Feb. 13, 2017. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/saturn-rgb-2-13-17.jpgsaturn-rgb-2-13-17RGB color-composite of Saturn from raw images acquired on Feb. 13, 2017. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Jason Major)2017-04-08T00:19:11+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/04/01/recent-analysis-of-apollo-data-proves-the-moon-is-hollow/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/as10-35-5249.jpgAS10-35-52492017-04-04T17:53:08+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/29/junos-latest-flight-over-jupiters-south-pole/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/juno-p5-spole-3-27-17.jpgJuno P5 SPole 3-27-17Jupiter's south polar region on March 27, 2017. Credit: NASA/SwRI/MSSS/Jason Major.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/juno-p5-pearl-3-27-17.jpgJuno P5 Pearl 3-27-17Image of an Earth-sized storm on Jupiter captured by Juno on March 27, 2017. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/juno-p5-polar-viewhr.gifJuno-P5-polar-viewHRAnimation of six images acquired by NASA's Juno spacecraft on March 27, 2017.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/juno-p5-polar-view.gifJuno-P5-polar-viewAnimation of six images acquired by NASA's Juno spacecraft on March 27, 2017.2017-03-30T23:50:25+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/03/near-showed-us-a-rocky-world-of-love/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/20000421_ani.gif20000421_aniAnimation of the surface of Eros made with NEAR images acquired on March 15, 2000. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/eros-surface-near.jpgeros-surface-nearThe surface of Eros is covered with ancient craters and boulders, as seen in this 1.4-mile-wide scene captured by NEAR Shoemaker on Aug. 6, 2000. (NASA/JPL/JHUAPL)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/near_20000216_anim.gifnear_20000216_animAnimation of Eros captured by NEAR in orbit on Feb. 16, 2000. (NASA/JPL/JHUAPL)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/20000314.jpg20000314The asteroid Eros imaged by NEAR Shoemaker on March 3, 2000. (NASA/JPL/JHUAPL)2017-03-27T04:12:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/26/these-are-our-best-pictures-of-mars-smallest-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/pia11826orig.jpgMartian Moon Deimos in High ResolutionMars' smallest moon Deimos imaged by HiRISE on Feb. 21, 2009. (NASA/JPL/University of Arizona)2017-03-27T05:35:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/25/after-15-years-nasa-and-dlr-prepare-to-say-goodbye-to-grace/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/6_pia12146_1.gif6_PIA12146_(1)Variations in Earth's gravity field as measured by GRACE. Higher red areas are where gravity is strongest, low blue areas are weakest. (NASA/JPL/University of Texas Center for Space Research)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/grace2_hires.jpgGrace2_hiresIllustration of the twin GRACE satellites in orbit (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/14_astrium-grace_7_copy.jpg14_Astrium-grace_7_copyThe twin GRACE satellites in orbit. (NASA) 2017-03-25T23:33:08+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/24/so-no-new-earth-trojans-but-osiris-rexs-mapcam-surpassed-expectations/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/victoria_etasslowed.gifvictoria_etasslowed2017-03-24T21:51:26+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/24/what-is-space-2/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/calvin-hobbes-space.jpgCalvin hobbes spaceTwo of my favorite comic characters contemplating the vastness of the Universe. Forever thanks to Mr. Watterson.2017-03-27T10:44:37+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/23/this-blazing-quasar-got-wave-motion-gunned-clear-out-of-its-galaxy/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/stsci-h-p1712a-f-800x600.pngSTScI-H-p1712a-f-800x600Hubble image of quasar 3C 186 racing away from its host galaxy, 8 billion light-years from our own. Credit: NASA, ESA, and M. Chiaberge (STScI and JHU).https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/stsci-h-p1712a-f-800x600.jpgSTScI-H-p1712a-f-800x600Hubble image of quasar 3C 186 racing away from its host galaxy, 8 billion light-years from our own. Credit: NASA, ESA, and M. Chiaberge (STScI and JHU).2017-03-23T22:17:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/22/rolling-boulders-on-a-comet/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/pia19867.gifPIA19867A jetting outburst on Comet 67P captured by Rosetta on July 29, 2015. (ESA/Rosetta/MPS)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/boulder-67p-may2015.jpgBoulder 67P May2015A 100-foot-wide boulder on the surface of Comet 67P/C-G (ESA/Rosetta/MPS)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/pia21566.jpgPIA21566Changes observed on Comet 67P/C-G by ESA's Rosetta mission. Credits: Top center images: ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO; all others: ESA/Rosetta/MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDAhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/pia21565.jpgPIA21565Two images captured by Rosetta's OSIRIS instrument in May 2015 and Feb. 2016. Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA2017-03-23T13:55:26+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/21/2017-nasa-transition-act-includes-plans-to-preserve-apollo-sites/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/as17-134-20386.jpgas17-134-203862017-03-27T07:50:04+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/20/nasa-looks-to-partner-with-russia-on-venus-exploration/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/venus-16.jpgvenus-162017-03-20T23:58:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/20/did-ancient-supernovas-change-earths-climate/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/hs-2004-29-b-full_jpg.jpghs-2004-29-b-full_jpg2017-03-20T15:49:58+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/17/titans-cold-hydrocarbon-lakes-could-be-naturally-carbonated-er-nitrogenated/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/pia16634-br500.jpgpia16634-br5002017-03-20T13:04:47+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/12/iapetus-saturns-stained-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/iapetus-rgb-3-11-17.jpgIapetus RGB 3-11-17Iapetus, Saturn's Stained Moon2017-03-13T05:27:05+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/09/our-best-ever-look-at-pan-saturns-little-ufo/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/pan-ir-g-uv-3-7-17.jpgPan IR-G-UV 3-7-17Color composite of Pan (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/pia08320_full_movie.gifPIA08320_full_moviePan inside the rings in April 2006. (NASA/JPL/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/pan-3-7-17-3.jpgPan-3-7-17 3Pan inside the 200-mile-wide Encke Gap. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/pan-3-7-17-2.jpgPan-3-7-17 2Pan on March 7, 2017. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/pan-3-7-17.gifPan-3-7-17Images of the 9-mile (14.4-km) wide Pan captured by Cassini on March 7, 2017. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI. Animation by Jason Major.)2017-03-10T05:36:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/08/look-into-the-dark-eye-of-saturns-southern-storm/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/saturn-rgb-south-pole-7-15-08.jpgSaturn RGB South pole 7-15-08Saturn's southern vortex, imaged by Cassini in July 2008. South is facing up in this color image. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/saturn-rgb-south-pole-7-15-08-3.jpgSaturn RGB South pole 7-15-08 3Saturn's south polar vortex. RGB composite by Jason Major.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/saturn-rgb-south-pole-7-15-08-2.jpgSaturn RGB South pole 7-15-08 2Saturn's southern vortex, imaged by Cassini in July 2008. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Jason Major)2017-03-08T17:52:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/06/no-the-solar-system-still-isnt-a-vortex/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/tumblr_mj0vvcqnzx1qdlh1io1_400.giftumblr_mj0vvcqnzx1qdlh1io1_4002017-03-15T04:53:25+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/05/cassini-pinpoints-a-propeller-in-saturns-rings/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/7611_pia21433_figa_main.jpg7611_pia21433_figa_main2017-03-05T19:46:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/04/a-look-back-at-sojourner-the-first-rover-on-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/pia00663.jpgpia00663A view of "Yogi" captured by Sojourner. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/pia00635_modest.jpgpia00635_modestImage from Sojourner on July 6, 1997, looking back toward the lander. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/pia01547_modest.jpgpia01547_modestA four-panel, true-color mosaic of a sunset on Mars captured from the Pathfinder lander on July 28, 1997. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/sojourner.jpgsojournerThe Sojourner rover on Mars after deployment on July 5, 1997. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/pia01120-2.jpgpia01120-2A true-color panorama of Pathfinder's Ares Vallis landing site captured from the Mars Pathfinder lander. The image shows the Pathfinder rover, Sojourner, snuggled against a rock nicknamed Moe. The south peak of two hills, known as Twin Peaks, can be seen on the horizon, about 1 kilometer away. (Credit: NASA/JPL)2017-03-11T07:47:30+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/04/09/lost-and-gone-forever/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/scle_s34.jpgscle_s34Earth above the north pole of the Moon from Clementine in 1994. The crater in the foreground is about 68 miles across. (USGS)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/farside-clementine.jpgfarside-clementineClementine UVIS map of the lunar farside (USGS)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/scle_s33.jpgscle_s33The far side of the Moon imaged by Clemetine's Star Tracker camera in 1994. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/pia00434.jpgpia00434Moon and Venus2017-03-03T01:05:10+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/03/01/eso-images-ngc-1055-a-spiral-galaxy-on-the-edge/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/eso1707a.jpgThe edge-on galaxy NGC 10552017-03-01T15:44:59+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/28/curiositys-tracks-are-gone-with-the-wind/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/pia21143.gifpia21143Images taken by Curiosity's MARDI camera show the effect of the thin Martian wind on its wheel tracks. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)2017-03-01T09:22:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/28/spacex-says-it-will-fly-humans-past-the-moon-in-2018-but-it-still-must-meet-nasas-needs/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/26405462060_81f8289687_k-1-800x450.jpg26405462060_81f8289687_k-1-800x4502017-03-02T18:04:08+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/11/01/good-vibrations/2017-02-28T04:42:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/27/noaa-and-nasa-open-a-new-set-of-eyes-on-the-sun/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/suvi_horz2.jpgsuvi_horz2These images of the sun were captured at the same time on January 29, 2017 by the six channels on the SUVI instrument on board GOES-16 (Credit: NOAA)2017-02-27T17:30:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/22/seven-earth-sized-exoplanets-discovered-around-a-single-nearby-star/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/the-trappist-1-system1.jpgthe-trappist-1-system1https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/the-trappist-1-system.jpgthe-trappist-1-systemArtist's interpretation of the TRAPPIST-1 system, which contains at least seven rocky exoplanets. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt (IPAC).2017-03-27T10:49:49+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/20/osiris-rex-captures-a-picture-of-jupiter-from-l4/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/polycam_jupiter_20170212t083407j-1024x1024.jpegpolycam_jupiter_20170212t083407j-1024x10242017-02-20T23:55:04+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/08/30/shadow-play/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/janus_shadow1.gifjanus_shadowhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/janus_shadow.gifjanus_shadowJanus' face is darkened by ring shadows2017-02-20T21:33:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/20/can-pluto-be-a-planet-again-already/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/crop_p_color2_enhanced_releasesmall.jpgcrop_p_color2_enhanced_releasesmall2017-02-22T22:28:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/17/meteors-may-make-your-hair-hiss/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/ams-terminology-2015-en-english-compressed3.jpgams-terminology-2015-en-english-compressed3Learn your meteor terminology! Poster via the American Meteor Society (AMS). https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/meteor-iss-9-13-11.jpgmeteor-iss-9-13-11Meteors typically occur about 50 to 75 miles above the ground. This one was photographed from above by astronaut Ron Garan aboard the ISS in August 2011. (NASA image)2017-02-17T22:21:04+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/17/juno-will-not-enter-tighter-orbits-around-jupiter-team-decides/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/528774main_pia13746-43_946-710.jpg528774main_pia13746-43_946-7102017-02-18T12:00:11+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/16/heres-why-we-will-definitely-attempt-a-landing-on-europa/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/pia19048-16.jpgpia19048-162017-02-16T17:15:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/14/voyager-1s-famous-long-distance-valentine/2017-02-14T05:34:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/13/the-chirp-heard-round-the-world-how-scientists-confirmed-the-ligo-detection/2017-02-21T21:41:37+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/12/share-your-love-of-cassini-and-saturn-with-the-world/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/cassini-amateur-images1.jpgcassini-amateur-images1https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/cassini-amateur-images.jpgcassini-amateur-imagesAmateur-processed images from Cassini. Top: Saturn mosaic by Ian Regan; Lower left: Enceladus in the E Ring by Val Klavans; Lower right: Crescent Titan by Jason Major.2017-02-12T19:30:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/10/an-asteroid-approaches-your-planet-roll-a-d10/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-bq6-animation.gif2017-bq6-animationAnimation of radar images of asteroid 2017 BQ6 acquired on Feb. 6-7, 2017. Credit: ASA/JPL-Caltech/GSSR. Animation by J. Major.2017-02-11T00:22:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/08/hirise-eyes-fresh-craters-on-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/esp_048456_1640.jpgesp_048456_1640A fresh crater on Mars created between 2012 and 2016. (NASA/JPL/University of Arizona)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/pia11176.jpgpia111762017-02-10T14:59:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/03/nasas-osiris-rex-will-search-for-asteroids-caught-in-earths-orbit/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/trojan_asteroid_search_1.pngtrojan_asteroid_search_12017-02-10T00:01:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/09/seeds-from-space-the-moon-trees-of-apollo-14/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/ap14-s71-19472.jpgap14-s71-19472Splashdown of Apollo 14 in the Pacific Ocean on Feb. 9, 1971 (NASA)2017-02-09T20:40:51+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/09/junocam-image-of-the-earth-sized-red-spot-jr-storm-on-jupiter/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/hubble-grs-and-oval-ba.jpghubble-grs-and-oval-baHubble images of Jupiter and Oval BA. Credit: NASA, ESA, A. Simon-Miller (NASA/GSFC), and I. de Pater (University of California Berkeley)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/oval-ba-by-juno-pj41.jpgoval-ba-by-juno-pj4Enhanced image of Oval BA, aka "Red Spot Jr.," from NASA's Juno spacecraft. Credit: NASA/SwRI/MSSS/Jason Major2017-02-09T17:08:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/07/a-heck-of-a-leap-when-bruce-mccandless-became-the-first-human-satellite/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/gif-21.gifgif-212017-02-07T17:26:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/07/astronomers-witness-a-stars-blazing-death-by-black-hole/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/black_hole_meal_2-6-17_0.jpgblack_hole_meal_2-6-17_02017-02-07T17:01:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/06/what-warmed-mars-the-curious-case-of-the-missing-carbonate/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/pia17595-16.jpgpia17595-162017-02-24T00:26:30+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/05/the-front-side-of-tethys/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/tethys-rgb-2-1-17.jpgtethys-rgb-2-1-17Color-composite image of Tethys from Feb. 1, 2017 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/J. Major)2017-02-05T20:58:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/03/on-this-day-in-1966-we-got-the-first-picture-from-the-moon/2017-02-06T15:35:51+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/03/this-nebula-really-stinks/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/potw1705a.jpgThe Calabash clash2017-02-03T19:26:51+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/02/earth-enhanced-nasas-epic-global-views-get-an-online-image-boost/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/epicsidebyside.jpgepicsidebyside2017-02-02T22:12:35+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/01/yes-obi-wan-thats-a-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/epimetheus-1-30-17-rgb.jpgepimetheus-1-30-17-rgbColor-composite of Epimetheus from Jan. 30, 2017. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/epimetheus-1-30-17.jpgepimetheus-1-30-17View of Epimetheus from Cassini on Jan. 30, 2017 (NASA/JPL/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/epimetheus-1-30-17b.jpgepimetheus-1-30-17bView of Epimetheus from Cassini on Jan. 30, 2017 (NASA/JPL/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/mimas-1-30-17-jmajor.jpgmimas-1-30-17-jmajorComposite image of Mimas made from raw Cassini images acquired on Jan. 30, 2017. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/J. Major)2017-02-02T19:37:11+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/02/02/new-horizons-fine-tunes-its-course-for-mu69/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/nh-kboflyby-2-1-19_1.jpgnh-kboflyby-2-1-19_12017-02-09T00:00:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/31/heres-what-it-would-look-like-to-land-on-plutos-heart/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/plutos-surface.jpgplutos-surfaceA view of Pluto's surface imaged by NASA's New Horizons in July 20152017-01-31T16:26:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/30/intricate-details-of-saturns-rings-are-revealed-in-latest-cassini-images/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/pia21060_figa-1041.pngpia21060_figa-10412017-01-30T20:43:30+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/30/nasa-develops-a-test-to-id-extraterrestrial-life/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/chemistry20170126-16.jpgchemistry20170126-162017-01-30T17:16:40+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/27/nasas-launching-rockets-in-alaska-to-study-ozone-killing-compounds/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/wff-2017-e00109.jpgwff-2017-e001092017-01-28T00:52:27+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/27/50-years-later-what-happened-on-apollo-1/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ksc-20170124-ph_kls01_0129.jpgApollo 1 ExhibitThe CM hatches on display at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's "Ad Astra Per Aspera - A Rough Road Leads to the Stars" memorial to Apollo 1, opened Jan. 27, 2017. Credit: NASA/Kim Shifletthttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/apollo-1-site-ccafs.jpgapollo-1-site-ccafsThe launch tower foundation is all that remains today at Launch Complex 34 at Cape Canaveral as a crumbling memory of that fateful day in January 1967. (Image credit: Catherine @wardniner on Twitter)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ap1-s66-30236.jpgap1-s66-30236Apollo 1 astronauts (bottom to top) Virgil I. Grissom, Edward H. White II and Roger B. Chaffee pose on the steps leading to the Apollo Mission Simulator at the Kennedy Space Center on January 19, 1967 (NASA/Ed Hengeveld)2017-01-27T21:03:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/26/spaceflight-affects-everything-first-findings-in-from-nasas-twins-study/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web_ap_1603042027003022.jpgweb_ap_16030420270030222017-01-26T23:44:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/25/opportunity-enters-its-teenage-years-on-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/opportunity-panorama-warton-ridge-pia20849-full.jpgIDL TIFF fileOpportunity's view into Endeavour Crater on Aug. 30, 2016. (NASA/JPL-CALTECH/CORNELL/ARIZONA STATE UNIV.)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/rover3.jpgrover3Illustration of the Opportunity rover on Mars. (NASA/JPL)2017-02-06T14:50:51+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/24/find-out-how-nasa-technology-improves-your-life/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/nasa-spinoff2017.jpgnasa-spinoff2017NASA's Spinoff 2017 showcases how its technology is in use here on Earth.2017-01-24T23:53:56+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/24/its-been-31-years-since-we-last-visited-uranus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/20bg.jpg20bgThe "Frankenstein" surface of Uranus' 310-mile-wide moon Miranda, including the 6-mile-high sheer cliff Verona Rupes (lower right.) Credit; NASA/JPLhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1bg.jpg1bgTrue-color (left) and false-color views of Uranus. January 17, 1986. Range 5.7 million miles. (NASA/JPL)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/voyager2-uranus-1986.jpgvoyager2-uranus-1986The blue-green crescent of Uranus imaged by a departing Voyager 2 on January 25, 1986 (NASA)2017-01-24T17:56:56+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/23/noaas-newest-satellite-sends-its-first-pictures-of-earth/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/abi_northeast_coast_med_res_jan_15_2017.jpgabi_northeast_coast_med_res_jan_15_2017Northeastern U.S. from GOES-16 on Jan. 15, 2017. (NOAA/NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/moon-goes16.jpgmoon-goes16Crop of the Moon from the Jan. 15 GOES-16 image. (NOAA/NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/abi_north_america_med_res_jan_15_2017_0.jpgabi_north_america_med_res_jan_15_2017_0GOES-16 image of North America on Jan. 15, 2017. (NOAA/NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/abi_full_disk_low_res_jan_15_2017.jpgabi_full_disk_low_res_jan_15_2017Full disk image of Earth from GOES-16 on Jan. 15, 2017. (NOAA/NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/3253.jpeg3253GOES-16 image of the Moon beyond Earth's limb taken Jan. 15. GOES-16 uses the Moon for calibration purposes. (NASA/NOAA)2017-02-15T18:42:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/07/21/cassini-snaps-a-picture-of-earth-from-900-million-miles-away/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/earth-moon-cassini-7-19-13.jpgearth-moon-cassini-7-19-13Earth and the Moon as seen by Cassini on July 19, 2013 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI. RGB composite by J. Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/earthmoon_cassini.jpgEarthMoon_CassiniEarth and the Moon as seen by Cassini on July 19, 2013 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/J. Major)2017-01-23T22:01:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/22/first-flight-of-the-lunar-module-49-years-ago-today/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/gif-19.gifgif-19Liftoff of the Apollo 5 Saturn IB on Jan. 22, 1968. 2017-01-22T22:14:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/21/behold-the-most-distant-crescent-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/charon-by-plutoshine.jpgcharon-by-plutoshinePluto's largest moon Charon crescent-lit by the Sun and reflected "Plutoshine" from Pluto. (NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute)2017-01-21T18:18:24+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/20/galactic-collisions-meet-supermassive-black-holes-in-this-deep-space-image/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/a3411_w11.jpga3411_w112017-01-20T23:01:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/20/sofia-observations-of-ceres-show-you-cant-judge-an-asteroid-by-its-covering/2017-01-20T18:25:03+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/14/spacex-nails-another-landing-at-sea-this-time-in-the-pacific/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/31579784413_d853331601_z.jpg31579784413_d853331601_zhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/gif-17.gifgif-17https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/screen-shot-2017-01-14-at-6-30-57-pm.jpgscreen-shot-2017-01-14-at-6-30-57-pmSped-up video of the Falcon 9 return from space (courtesy of SpaceX)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/falcon-9-booster.jpgfalcon-9-boosterFalcon 9 first stage after a bullseye landing on the deck of Just Read the Instructions on Jan. 14, 2017. (SpaceX live video)2017-01-19T15:50:22+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/17/eso-turns-its-alma-eyes-on-the-sun/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/eso1703a.jpgALMA observes a giant sunspot (1.25 millimetres)2017-01-18T04:48:11+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/17/this-star-in-our-galaxy-is-almost-as-old-as-the-entire-universe/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dss_hd140283_blue-crop-original-original.jpgdss_hd140283_blue-crop-original-original2017-01-18T16:41:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/16/gene-cernan-the-last-man-on-the-moon-has-died-at-82/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/screen-shot-2017-01-16-at-6-16-49-pm.jpgscreen-shot-2017-01-16-at-6-16-49-pmGene Cernan's footprints on the Moon. (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/as17-134-20386.jpgas17-134-20386Gene Cernan saluting the U.S. flag on the Moon, Dec. 11, 1972. (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/c2usnonwqaaolpd-jpg-large.jpegc2usnonwqaaolpd-jpg-largehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/as17-163-24149hr.jpgas17-163-24149hrPhoto of Gene Cernan in the Apollo 17 CSM during return from the Moon in 1972. (NASA/JSC) 2017-01-26T14:48:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/12/apollo-14-samples-reveal-the-true-age-of-our-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/moon-1-8-17.jpgmoon-1-8-17The Moon on Jan. 8, 2017. (© Jason Major)2017-01-13T19:36:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/13/friday-fun-plop-plop-fizz-fizz-in-zero-g/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/screen-shot-2017-01-13-at-2-10-52-pm.jpgscreen-shot-2017-01-13-at-2-10-52-pm2017-01-13T19:20:11+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/13/2017-will-be-a-busy-year-for-floridas-space-coast/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/img_6068.jpgimg_60682017-01-13T15:28:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/12/revisit-our-first-and-only-landing-on-titan/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2987_main_pia08113_16x9.jpeg2987_main_pia08113_16x92017-01-13T01:00:59+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/12/alien-megastructure-may-actually-be-scraps-of-an-ingested-planet/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/tabbys-star-illus-with-comets-nasa-jpl_caltech_s-580x327.jpgtabbys-star-illus-with-comets-nasa-jpl_caltech_s-580x3272017-01-12T16:54:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/11/x-ray-observatory-finds-galactic-black-holes-hidden-like-monsters-under-the-bed/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/pia21086-16-640x350.jpgpia21086-16-640x3502017-01-11T23:45:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/10/could-this-asteroid-hit-earth-astronomers-go-back-in-time-to-find-the-answer/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/asteroid_2016_wj1_medium.jpgasteroid_2016_wj1_medium2017-01-10T23:21:04+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/10/jwst-isnt-the-next-hubble-its-the-first-james-webb/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/jwst_art.jpgjwst_art2017-01-10T18:05:56+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/09/hubble-detects-dusty-shadows-hinting-at-a-hidden-exoplanet/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/stsci-h-p1703a-m2000x2000.pngstsci-h-p1703a-m2000x20002017-01-09T18:23:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/07/eppur-si-muove-galileos-big-night-407-years-ago-today/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/jupiter-4-16-16-jmajor.jpgjupiter-4-16-16-jmajorJupiter and its four largest "Galilean" moons photographed on April 16, 2016. © Jason Majorhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/jupiter-4-16-16-3.jpgjupiter-4-16-16-32017-01-07T20:21:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/07/after-15-years-nasas-timed-spacecraft-keeps-on-ticking/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/101101_timed_0.jpg101101_timed_02017-03-10T16:03:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/06/solar-storms-set-off-tiny-explosions-in-shadowed-lunar-soil/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/psr-image.jpgpsr-image2017-01-06T23:08:34+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2017/01/04/nasa-announces-two-new-exploration-missions/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/lucy-spacecraft.jpglucy-spacecraftArtist's rendering of Lucy flying past Jupiter's Trojan asteroids. Courtesy of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/psyche-mission.jpgpsyche-missionArtist's rendering of the Psyche spacecraft in orbit (Credit: Arizona State University)2017-01-05T23:49:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/08/18/follow-litd-on-social-media/2016-12-08T18:39:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/11/29/space-geek-gift-alert-the-year-in-space-2017-calendar/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2017_08.jpg2017_08Each month features a different space theme along with a metric ton of info! (I measured.)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/unspecified.jpeg2017 Year in SpaceIf The Year in Space calendar were any more densely packed with information it would become a black hole. And try hanging one of those on your wall.2017-02-06T09:00:04+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/11/11/whats-so-super-about-a-supermoon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/supermoon-conimicut.jpgsupermoon-conimicuthttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/perigee-moon-vs-apogee-moon.jpgperigee-moon-vs-apogee-moonhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/perigee-apogee-chart1.jpgperigee-apogee-charthttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/hunter-moon-2016.jpghunter-moon-2016The full "Hunter Moon" of October 2016. November's full Moon is the "Beaver Moon."https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/harvest-moon-2016-conimicut-lr.jpgharvest-moon-2016-conimicut-lrFull Moon rising over the Conimicut Point Light in Warwick, RI. Sept. 16, 2016. © Jason Major.2016-11-14T02:44:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/06/11/a-solution-to-a-slippery-slope-co2-sleds-on-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/screen-shot-2013-06-11-at-2-58-53-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2013-06-11 at 2.58.53 PMDry-iceboarding on Mars?2016-07-29T17:41:14+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/07/25/seeds-in-the-cosmic-wind-carl-sagan-on-space-exploration/2016-07-29T23:52:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/17/dawn-orbit-established/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/vesta.jpgVestaImage of Vesta captured by Dawn on July 9, 2011. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA2016-07-15T20:25:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/07/13/did-nasa-purposely-cut-space-station-footage-of-a-ufo/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/debris_objects_-_mostly_debris_-_in_low_earth_orbit_leo_-_view_over_the_equator.jpgDebris_objects_-_mostly_debris_-_in_low_Earth_orbit_LEO_-_view_over_the_equatorhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/screen-shot-2016-07-13-at-5-19-07-pm1.jpgScreen Shot 2016-07-13 at 5.19.07 PMA truly "unidentified" object on ISS live feed on July 9, 2016...WHAT COULD IT BE?https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/screen-shot-2016-07-13-at-5-19-07-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2016-07-13 at 5.19.07 PM2016-07-15T16:06:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/06/30/we-still-dont-know-what-exploded-over-tunguska-in-1908/2016-07-05T18:44:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/06/25/1908-tunguska-event-caused-by-comet-new-research-reveals-universe-today/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/iss017e011632.jpgIss017e011632Noctilucent clouds photographed from the Space Station (NASA) https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/tunguska_event.jpgtunguska_eventFlattened Siberian Forest, 19082016-06-30T21:30:59+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/05/31/new-planet-and-pluto-stamps-available-today/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/usps-planet-stamps.jpgUSPS planet stampsNew planetary exploration Forever stamps from the USPS2016-06-05T04:18:22+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/05/22/death-in-space/2016-05-23T15:59:05+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/05/11/nasa-sets-sail-to-study-ocean-and-climate/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/rv-atlantis-woods-hole-4.jpgRV Atlantis Woods Hole-4Atlantis on her way out of Falmouth, MA. May 11, 2016. © Jason Majorhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/rv-atlantis-woods-hole-3.jpgRV Atlantis Woods Hole-3The research vessel Atlantis departing its port at Woods Hole, MA on May 11, 2016. © Jason Majorhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/rv-atlantis-woods-hole-2.jpgRV Atlantis Woods Hole-2The research vessel Atlantis docked in Woods Hole, MA on the morning of May 11, 2016. © Jason Majorhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/img_5337.jpgIMG_5337The "Sea Sweep" is a vacuum hood mounted on a raft frame that aerates seawater from below and collects the aerosols, mimicking breaking surface waves.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/img_5335.jpgIMG_5335The CTD Rosette is a suite of sample cylinders and a camera instrument that gets cast overboard and retrieved. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/rv-atlantis-woods-hole.jpgRV Atlantis Woods HoleAtlantis docked at Woods Hole, May 10, 2016. © Jason Majorhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/img_5360.jpgIMG_5360A peek at Alvin, covered by a cloth to protect it from dust. The label on the portal cover? "Subby McSubface."https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/ciht_djvaaeo9d5-large1.jpgCiHt_dJVAAEO9d5.jpg-largehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/img_5326.jpgIMG_5326NASA Social attendees check out a modular NOAA lab aboard Atlantishttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/img_5346.jpgIMG_5346This refrigerator was turned into an incubator for plankton, complete with LEDs2016-05-18T17:16:46+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/05/12/dawn-sees-landslides-and-a-central-ridge-in-a-young-crater-on-ceres/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/pia20358.jpgPIA20358Enhanced-color view of Haulani Crater on Ceres. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA2016-05-21T23:58:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/05/11/solar-photographer-spots-mercury-on-its-trip-across-the-sun/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/tumblr_o6xz0dgo6q1r1dma9o1_1280.jpgtumblr_o6xz0dGO6Q1r1dma9o1_1280The May 9, 2016 transit of Mercury captured on camera by Alan Friedman. 2016-05-11T19:19:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/05/07/hail-hydra-plutos-moon-is-covered-in-almost-pure-water-ice/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/hydra.jpgHydraOne of Pluto's smaller moons Hydra, imaged by New Horizons on July 14, 2015 from a distance of about 143,000 miles (231,000 km). (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)2016-05-07T19:50:17+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/05/07/enceladus-jets-the-farther-they-are-the-harder-they-spray/2016-05-08T00:30:24+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/04/27/a-new-moon-is-discovered-in-the-solar-system/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/screen-shot-2016-04-27-at-12-00-46-am.jpgAlex Parker twitter MKIIhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/hs-2016-18-a-print.jpghs-2016-18-a-printHubble Telescope image showing the presence of a small moon orbiting the dwarf planet Makemake. Credit: NASA, ESA, A. Parker and M. Buie (Southwest Research Institute), W. Grundy (Lowell Observatory), and K. Noll (NASA GSFC).2017-03-28T00:02:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/04/16/europas-icy-crust-may-be-warmer-than-we-thought/2016-04-16T11:02:30+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/04/01/new-analysis-of-apollo-data-reveal-the-moon-is-hollow/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/apollo-pse.jpgApollo PSEDiagram of an Apollo Passive Seismic Experimenthttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/moon-apollo-10.jpgMoon Apollo 10A view of the eastern side of the Moon from Apollo 10, which allegedly traveled there in 1969.2016-04-04T14:35:30+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/03/29/plutos-frozen-lake-hints-at-a-warmer-past/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/pluto-pond.jpgPluto LakeA possible frozen-nitrogen lake on Pluto (NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute)2016-03-30T09:12:34+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/03/23/this-is-the-oldest-surviving-photo-of-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/moonph6789b1.jpgmoonPh6789B1Photo of the Moon by Henry Draper, 1863 (Hastings Historical Society)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/john_william_draper.jpgJohn_William_DraperPhoto of John W. Draper by Edward Bierstadt (Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/draper-moon-daguerreotype.jpgDraper Moon daguerreotypeDaguerreotype of the Moon from March 26, 1840, attributed to Dr. John Draper. Original image courtesy of Prof. Baryd Still, NYU Archives.2016-04-12T16:32:58+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/03/15/what-if-you-had-a-black-hole-in-your-pocket/2016-03-21T18:08:43+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/03/16/ceres-displays-unexpected-flare-ups-in-brightness-to-ground-based-survey/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/pia19889.jpgpia19889Bright reflective material in Ceres' Occator crater, imaged by NASA's Dawn spacecraft in Sept .2015. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA.2016-03-18T03:06:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/10/07/meet-the-asteroid-that-could-smash-into-earth-in-2880/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/frame3.jpgframe3Frame from an animation of 1950 DA rotating. CLICK TO PLAYhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1950-da.jpg1950 DAArecibo radar image of 1950 DA on March 4, 2001 (NASA/JPL/S. Ostro)2016-03-10T18:43:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/03/07/pencil-this-in-mercurys-surface-is-darkened-by-graphite/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/mercury-lrm-degas.jpgmercury LRM DegasExpanded-color image of Mercury's 52-km-wide Degas crater, surrounded by an abundance of curious dark stains. (NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington)2016-03-19T18:19:47+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/03/04/surprise-pluto-may-have-clouds/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/clouds-on-pluto.jpgClouds on Pluto?Alleged clouds in Pluto's atmosphere imaged by New Horizons, highlighted by a Southwest Research Institute scientist (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)2016-03-16T12:43:47+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/03/02/nasa-astronaut-returns-to-earth-after-historic-year-in-space/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/25062739349_f15c80dd8c_k.jpg25062739349_f15c80dd8c_kRetrieval helicopter view of the descending Expedition 46 Soyuz on March 1, 2016. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingallshttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/ccfxd5uuuaalbkz-jpg-large.jpegCcfXD5uUUAALbKZ.jpg-largePhoto of Scott Kelly inside the Cupola on the ISS (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/screen-shot-2016-03-02-at-3-04-51-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2016-03-02 at 3.04.51 PMTweet by Kelly on his first day back on Earth.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/kelly-return-march-1-2016.jpgKelly Return March 1 2016Astronaut Mark Kelly after exiting the Soyuz TMA-18M on March 1, 2016. (NASA TV)2016-03-03T19:07:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/03/02/europes-sentinel-3a-returns-gorgeous-first-light-earth-images/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/first_image_from_sentinel-3a.jpgFirst_image_from_Sentinel-3ADay to night transition over Norway captured by ESA's Sentinel 3A satellite. Credit: Copernicus data (2016).2016-03-03T10:20:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/02/04/getting-wise-to-asteroids/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/asteroids_wise_detail.jpgAsteroids_WISE_DETAILAsteroid 1719 Janshttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/asteroids_wise.gifAsteroids_WISECan you spot the asteroids in this image?2016-02-26T20:19:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/02/16/goodnight-sweet-philae-esas-comet-lander-likely-in-permanent-hibernation/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/philae-sleeps.jpgPhilae sleepsOn the surface of comet 67P/C-G, Philae lies in sleep mode. (ESA)2016-02-19T13:36:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/02/11/scientists-prove-its-still-einsteins-universe-and-were-all-just-living-in-it/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/gravitational_waves.pnggravitational_wavesAnother timely comic from xkcdhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ligo-detection.jpgLIGO detectionThis is the signal detected by the LIGO stations at 5:51 a.m. EDT on Sept. 14, 2015, located 1,900 miles apart.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/merging-black-holes.jpgMerging black holesRipples in space-time from merging black holes have been detected for the first time in history (LIGO/Caltech/NSF)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/pic_121972763762830.jpgEinstein on a bicycleEinstein's field calculations continue to be proven accurate a century later2016-02-15T18:45:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/02/14/pale-blue-dot-our-valentine-from-voyager-1/2016-02-15T15:21:40+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/02/13/sdo-enters-its-seventh-year-observing-our-sun/2016-02-13T21:41:18+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/02/05/its-been-50-years-since-we-first-got-pictures-from-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/luna-9-3.jpgluna-9-3One of the first images from the surface of the Moon returned by Luna 9 on Feb. 4, 1966.2016-02-26T10:52:58+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/01/29/theres-more-water-ice-on-pluto-than-first-thought/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/lor_0299192236_0x636_sci_1.jpglor_0299192236_0x636_sci_1LORRI image of Pluto's backlit atmosphere taken as New Horizons was departing the planet; the circular artifact is lens glare but banding in the atmosphere as well as silhouettes of surface features are visible. (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/nh-global-water-ice.jpgnh-global-water-iceInitial scans of Pluto's water ice (left) and new interpretations taking into account other elements and compounds (right). Credit: NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI2016-02-04T01:39:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/03/26/rings-discovered-around-an-asteroid/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/eso1410b.jpgeso1410bArtist's impression of Chariklo and its rings. Credit: Choose your language: Artist’s impression close-up of the rings around Chariklo Artist’s impression close-up of the rings around Chariklo Click to Enlarge Observations at many sites in South America, including ESO’s La Silla Observatory, have made the surprise discovery that the remote asteroid Chariklo is surrounded by two dense and narrow rings. This is the smallest object by far found to have rings and only the fifth body in the Solar System — after the much larger planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune — to have this feature. The origin of these rings remains a mystery, but they may be the result of a collision that created a disc of debris. This artist’s impression shows a close-up of what the rings might look like. Credit: ESO/L. Calçada/M. Kornmesser/Nick Risinger (skysurvey.org)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/eso1410a.jpgeso1410aArtist's impression of the view from the asteroid Chariklo. Credit: ESO/L. Calçada/Nick Risinger (skysurvey.org)2016-01-28T20:45:03+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/01/27/nasas-first-fallen-remembering-the-tragedy-of-apollo-1/2016-01-28T18:53:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/01/19/astronauts-green-thumb-grows-the-first-flower-in-space/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/czlbqzpusaanqxj-jpg-large.jpegCZlBqZPUsAANQXJ.jpg-largeAdded Jan. 27: Scott Kelly shared this image of the zinnias on Jan. 25, which have bloomed quite nicely. (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/main-qimg-3bba1074218e3ebc0553e4a6a59d7ae6.jpegmain-qimg-3bba1074218e3ebc0553e4a6a59d7ae6Astronaut Don Pettit and his sunflower grown on orbit during Expedition 31 in 2012https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/12485989_570032073153718_4050271292562555455_o_0.jpg12485989_570032073153718_4050271292562555455_o_0"Space Flower," the first flower grown on orbit (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/et.jpgETTurns out E.T.'s not the only one in space with a knack for gardening. 2016-01-27T16:53:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/01/26/opportunity-marks-12-years-of-roving-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/1p507084517esfcp00p2546r1m1-br.jpg1P507084517ESFCP00P2546R1M1-BRThe result of the Rock Abrasion Tool's work on John Potts (NASA/JPL)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/mars-rover-opportunity-rock-abrasion-target-potts-pia20285-br2.jpgmars-rover-opportunity-rock-abrasion-target-potts-pia20285-br2A recent view of Opportunity's robotic arm extended to remove surface crust from a rock target called "Private John Potts," named for a member of Lewis and Clark's expedition. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/20150803_10-inside-mv-looking-north-sol-4087-072315-pancam-jcanvin.jpg20150803_10-Inside-MV-Looking-north-Sol-4087-072315-Pancam-JCanvinOpportunity's view from inside Marathon Valley. (Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Cornell / ASU / J. Canvin)2016-02-09T15:20:25+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/01/25/7610/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/nh-charon_stack_v5_fill-2.pngnh-charon_stack_v5_fill-2A crescent Charon imaged by New Horizons on July 17, 2015. (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)2016-01-25T16:34:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/01/20/planetkiller-presents-new-evidence-for-planet-x/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/nature_news_planet-nine-orbital-diagram_21-01-2016_web.jpgNature_News_Planet Nine orbital diagram_21.01.2016_WEBObservations of KBO orbits point to the presence of a Neptune-mass object that orbits far beyond the Sun (K. Batygin and M. E. Brown Astronom. J. 151, 22 (2016))https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/planet-x-neptune.jpgPlanet X neptuneIs there a "dark Neptune" lurking at the extreme edge of the Solar System?2016-01-26T13:26:35+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/01/21/this-giant-ice-volcano-on-pluto-is-all-wright/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/01142016_wrightmonsvolcano_context.jpg01142016_WrightMonsVolcano_ContextNew Horizons LORRI image showing a cryovolcano on Pluto (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/01142016_wrightmonsvolcano_crop.jpg01142016_WrightMonsVolcano_CropNew Horizons image of "Wright Mons," a cryovolcano on Pluto (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)2016-01-28T18:35:17+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2016/01/01/its-officially-2016-and-officially-time-for-a-new-calendar/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/screen-shot-2016-01-01-at-4-16-54-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2016-01-01 at 4.16.54 PMhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2016yis.jpg2016YISThese are the calendars you're looking for.2016-05-02T20:15:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/12/30/a-craterful-of-cracks/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/cracked-crater-esp_042895_24951.jpegCracked Crater ESP_042895_2495The northwest quadrant of a frost-filled crater on Mars. Original image ESP_042895_2495; credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona.2015-12-30T06:15:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/12/29/plutonium-is-back-on-the-menu-future-nasa-missions/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/pu238-doe.jpgPu238 DOEPlutonium dioxide glows with the heat of its natural decay inside a protective cylindrical shell of graphite. (DOE/Idaho National Laboratory)2016-01-03T17:39:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/12/18/hear-the-call-of-cthulhu-with-new-pics-of-pluto/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/screen-shot-2015-12-18-at-9-59-01-am.jpgScreen Shot 2015-12-18 at 9.59.01 AMLORRI image of Pluto's surface showing a portion of the dark Cthulhu Regio (bottom left). Credit: NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI2015-12-18T15:28:22+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/10/21/this-asteroid-will-come-eerily-close-to-earth-on-halloween/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/animation_2015_tb145-1041x1041.gifanimation_2015_tb145-1041x1041This animated GIF was generated using radar data collected by the National Science Foundation's 1,000-foot (305-meter) Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. The six radar images used in the animation were taken on Oct. 30, 2015, and the image resolution is 25 feet (7.5 meters) per pixel. Credits: NAIC-Arecibo/NSFhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2015-10-22_pha_2015-tb145_aka_spooky_lores.gif2015-10-22_PHA_2015-TB145_aka_Spooky_LoResFirst images of asteroid 2015 TB145 from the Slooh Chile High Magnification Telescope on Oct. 22https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/screen-shot-2015-10-26-at-11-14-12-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2015-10-26 at 11.14.12 PMThe crater left from a direct hit by TB145 would stretch clear across Manhattan island! (Down 2 Earth Crater Impact calculator)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2015tb145a.jpg2015tb145aThe highly-inclined orbit of 2015 TB145 (NASA/JPL)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/owl-eye.jpgOwl Eye2017-03-11T07:38:10+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/12/04/these-are-now-our-best-views-yet-of-plutos-surface/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/pluto-detail-2.jpgPluto Detail 2Frost-filled craters on the surface of Pluto north of Sputnik Planum. Credit: NASA/JHUAPL/SwRIhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/pluto-detail-1.jpgPluto Detail 1High-resolution LORRI image of Pluto's surface obtained on July 14, 2015 showing the border between the Al-Idrisi mountains and Sputnik Planum. Credit: NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI2015-12-16T18:15:30+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/11/28/long-lost-impact-site-found-from-apollo-16-rocket-stage/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/as07-03-1544.jpgAS07-03-1544The Apollo 7 S-IVB photographed before rendezvous in Earth orbit over Cape Canaveral, Oct. 11, 1968 (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/apollo16-sivb-crater.jpgApollo16 SIVB craterThe impact crater from the Apollo 16 third stage has been found in LROC data (NASA/GSFC/ASU)2015-11-28T20:02:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/10/30/pics-are-in-from-cassinis-flyby-through-enceladus-plumes/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/enceladus-oct-28-hd1.jpgEnceladus Oct 28 HDHi-res mosaic of Enceladus, Oct. 28, 2015. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI. Edit by J. Major.)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/enceladus-oct-28-hd.jpgEnceladus Oct 28 HD JMajorHi-res mosaic of Enceladus, Oct. 28, 2015. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI. Edit by J. Major.)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/enceladus-oct-28-3.jpgEnceladus Oct 28 3Full-globe image of Enceladus captured by Cassini before the flyby on Oct. 28, 2015. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI. Edited by J. Major.)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/n00250092.jpgN00250092Narrow-angle image of Enceladus' backlit plumes shooting from its south pole. Saturn's nightside limb is in the background.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/w00094896.jpgW00094896Enceladus seen before the flyby in front of Saturn's rings.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/enceladus-oct-28.jpgEnceladus Oct 28The clearest view thus far of Enceladus' surface from E-21, captured during closest approach. (Raw image has been upscaled and rotated.)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/enceladus-oct-28-2.jpgEnceladus Oct 28 2The southern hemisphere of Enceladus imaged by Cassini upon approach on Oct. 28, 2015.2015-10-30T21:16:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/10/26/plutos-moon-kerberos-gets-into-the-picture/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/kerberos.jpgkerberosKerberos imaged by New Horizons on July 14, 2015 several hours before its close pass by Pluto. (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)2015-10-28T15:27:34+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/10/22/this-four-minute-trailer-supercut-is-a-star-wars-tsunami/2015-10-30T09:35:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/10/04/one-space-bloggers-review-of-the-martian/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/screen-shot-2015-10-04-at-9-39-41-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2015-10-04 at 9.39.41 PMThe Martian is a sci-fi film that's really a romance about science.2015-10-18T08:44:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/09/30/comet-67p-confirmed-to-be-a-contact-binary/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/comet_on_7_july_2015_navcam.jpgComet_on_7_July_2015_NavCamComet 67P/C-G imaged by NavCam on July 7, 2015 (ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM – CC BY-SA IGO 3.0)2015-09-30T22:46:04+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/09/02/the-moon-is-surrounded-by-neon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/ladee-lunar-orbit.jpgladee-lunar-orbitIllustration of NASA's LADEE spacecraft, which has already impacted the Moon's surface (NASA/GSFC)2015-09-04T17:10:27+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/09/01/this-beautiful-webcomic-shows-why-our-mathematical-skies-have-not-lost-their-wonder/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/screen-shot-2015-09-01-at-10-49-20-am.jpgScreen Shot 2015-09-01 at 10.49.20 AMOur newfound knowledge of "what's out there" has not reduced its fascination (Image © Boulet)2015-09-13T00:24:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/08/06/mars-will-not-be-as-big-as-the-moon-in-the-night-sky/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/moonmars.jpgMoon+MarsWhat Mars and the Moon really look like next to each other (Credit: David Dickinson, Universe Today)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/moon-mars-sky.jpgMoon Mars skyThere will not be "two moons" in the sky on August 27, 2015, despite what this circulating image claims. (Original credit unknown.)2015-09-04T17:14:14+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/08/11/rosettas-perihelion-bound-comet-fires-a-fountain-into-space/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/outburst_in_action.jpgOutburst_in_actionA bright jet erupted from comet 67P for about half an hour on July 29, 2015. Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA2015-08-18T15:40:53+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/08/10/today-in-1966-lunar-orbiter-i-launched-to-map-our-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2006-19887p.jpg2006-19887pA test version of a Lunar Orbiter spacecraft. (Eric Long, National Air & Space Museum) https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1102_h2.jpg1102_h2Earth was seen from the Moon for the first time by Lunar Orbiter I on August 23, 1966. (NASA/LPI/USGS)2015-08-10T17:37:08+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/08/01/the-hammer-feather-drop-watch-apollo-15-commander-dave-scott-do-a-science-on-the-moon/2015-08-05T01:28:00+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/07/24/behold-the-hidden-colors-of-pluto/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/global-mosaic-of-pluto-in-true-color.jpgglobal-mosaic-of-pluto-in-true-colorVisible-light image of Pluto from New Horizons (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/nh-pluto-charon-natural-color.jpgnh-pluto-charon-natural-colorNear-natural color composite image of Pluto and Charon (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/nh-pluto-in-false-color.jpgnh-pluto-in-false-colorEnhanced-color view of Pluto (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI)2015-08-01T17:48:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/12/12/is-vesta-a-planet-among-asteroids/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/iotd-119_full1.jpgIOTD-119_fullColorful cross-sections of diogenite meteorites recovered from Antarctica, believed to originate from Vesta. Image Credit: Hap McSween (University of Tennessee), and Andrew Beck and Tim McCoy (Smithsonian Institution)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/iotd-119_full.jpgIOTD-119_fullColorful cross-sections of diogenite meteorites recovered from Antarctica, believed to originate from Vesta. Image Credit: Hap McSween (University of Tennessee), and Andrew Beck and Tim McCoy (Smithsonian Institution).2015-07-16T23:03:11+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/07/16/incredible-3d-rendering-of-plutos-icy-alps/2016-09-04T04:50:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/07/15/plutos-ice-mountains-revealed-in-stunning-detail/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/charon-graphic-7-16.jpgCHARON GRAPHIC 7-16Detail of Charon’s surface from New Horizons’ flyby on July 14, 2015. (NASA-JHUAPL-SwRI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/charon20for207-16-15.jpgcharon20for207-16-15Detail of Charon's surface from New Horizons' flyby on July 14, 2015. (NASA-JHUAPL-SwRI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/screen-shot-2015-07-15-at-3-07-19-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-15 at 3.07.19 PMFirst resolved image of Hydra https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/nh-charon.jpgnh-charonPluto's moon Charon, imaged by New Horizons on July 14, 2015. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/nh-plutosurface.pngnh-plutosurfacePluto's Norgay Montes, 3500-meter-high ice mountains south of the Tombaugh Regio "heart" feature.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/cj-xmr0veaefsqx-jpg-large.jpegCJ-XMr0VEAEfSQX.jpg-largeHere's Principal Investigator Alan Stern seeing these images when they were coming in!2015-07-16T19:08:03+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/07/13/pluto-prelude-to-a-flyby/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/pluto-on-july-12-2015.jpgPluto on July 12 2015LORRI image of Pluto from July 12, 2015. 2015-07-16T15:26:46+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/07/02/how-did-pluto-get-its-spots/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/pluto3_150705_annot.jpegpluto3_150705_annotImages of Pluto obtained by New Horizons on July 1-3, 2015 https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/pluto-spots-crop.jpgPluto spots CROPCropped version of Pluto image (original orientation). NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/pluto-spots.jpgPluto spotsColor image of Pluto and Charon from June 27, 2015 (NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute)2015-07-07T17:00:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/06/22/bright-spots-galore-and-a-mystery-mountain-ceres-gets-curiouser-and-curiouser/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ceres-pyramid-june18.jpgCeres pyramid June18A top-down view of Ceres' "pyramid" from June 18, 2015. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDAhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ceres-things.jpgCeres thingsCeres' bright spots (left) and a new mountain feature (right) imaged by Dawn in June 2015. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA2015-07-12T14:09:08+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/06/27/are-you-ready-for-pluto/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/plutocharon7-1-15.jpgPlutoCharon7-1-15Pluto and Charon as seen by New Horizons' LORRI camera on July 1, 2015 from 15.9 million km (NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/nhplutoencountertrajectory_nomv8_guo20150615.pngNHPlutoEncounterTrajectory_NomV8_Guo20150615New Horizons' trajectory and timeline for its July 14th encounter with Plutohttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/screen-shot-2015-06-26-at-4-35-19-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2015-06-26 at 4.35.19 PMPluto and Charon as seen by New Horizons' LORRI camera on June 25, 2015 2015-07-02T05:06:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/06/08/watch-the-exciting-first-trailer-for-the-martian/2015-06-11T23:06:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/06/11/infographic-why-would-we-mine-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/how-moon-mining-could-work-crop.jpghow-moon-mining-could-work-cropThe Moon contains rich reserves of rare-Earth metals and helium-3 https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/how-moon-mining-could-work-v2.jpghow-moon-mining-could-work-v2How Moon Mining Could Work – an infographic by NeoMam Studios (neomam.com)2015-08-06T14:32:24+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/05/27/what-do-you-think-of-this-planet-earth-flag/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/calvin-and-hobbes.jpgCalvin and Hobbeshttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/screen-shot-2015-05-27-at-2-21-51-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2015-05-27 at 2.21.51 PMhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/screen-shot-2015-05-27-at-2-12-17-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2015-05-27 at 2.12.17 PMhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/flag-for-earth-design-by-oskar-pernefeldt.jpgFlag for Earth Design by Oskar PernefeldtA concept for an "all-Earth" flag by Oskar Pernefeldt 2015-06-16T19:09:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/05/23/curiositys-view-into-marias-pass/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/msl-pan-5-22-2015.jpgMSL Pan 5-22-2015Panorama mosaic of MSL images acquired on May 22, 2015 2015-05-24T19:34:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/05/13/just-your-typical-everyday-view-of-a-mountain-on-another-planet-nbd/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/msl-pan-5-11-2015-relit.jpgMSL Pan 5-11-2015 relitMosaic of Curiosity Mastcam images from May 11, 2015. Adjusted for terrestrial lighting. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS. Edited by Jason Major.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/msl-pan-5-11-2015.jpgMSL Pan 5-11-2015Mosaic of Curiosity Mastcam images from May 11, 2015. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS. Edited by Jason Major.2015-05-29T08:45:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/10/19/finding-relief/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/mercury_relief.jpgmercury_reliefThe rugged surface of Mercury2015-04-30T15:01:10+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/05/02/painting-a-portrait-of-mercury/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/img11.jpgimg11Rembrandt Crater2015-04-30T12:04:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/03/18/success-mercury-has-a-new-satellite-named-messenger/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/atmercury_lg.jpgatmercury_lgArtist's impression of MESSENGER orbiting Mercury.2016-05-12T23:08:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/06/17/a-feast-of-new-observations-from-mercury/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/1_denevi_3.png1_Denevi_3Color image of Mercury's northern plainshttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/mercury-degas-color.jpgMercury Degas colorTargeted-color image of Mercury's Degas crater2015-04-30T11:48:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/04/29/is-that-an-ice-cap-new-horizons-detects-first-details-on-pluto/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/pluto_usa.jpgpluto_usaSice comparison of Pluto, Charon, and the contiguous U.S. (Source: LASP) https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2-opnav3_barycen_v7_lowres-1041_0.gif2-opnav3_barycen_v7_lowres-1041_0A full rotation of Pluto and Charon, captured by New Horizons from April 12-18, 20152015-05-10T11:10:38+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/04/23/an-oblique-view-of-abedin-is-one-of-messengers-final-scenes/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/en1072114468m-nomap.jpgEN1072114468M.nomapThis 1.1m/pixel image of Mercury is one of MESSENGER's closest ever acquired, on April 23, 2015. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/en1071544702m-nomap.jpgEN1071544702M.nomapSecondary impact cratering creates complex surface patterns in this image acquired by MESSENGER on April 16, 2015.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/en1071994228m-nomap.pngEN1071994228M.nomapA small portion of the interior of Scarlatti basin, imaged at an incredible 2.8 meters (9 feet) per pixel. The entire image is about 1.4km (0.9 mile) across.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/oblique_abedin_2015.pngOblique_Abedin_2015The possibly-volcanic crater Adedin on Mercury by MESSENGER. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington.2015-04-27T16:49:08+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/04/08/avalanche/2015-04-24T16:19:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/04/23/what-can-hubble-see-find-out-in-this-music-video/2015-04-29T19:36:09+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/04/22/dawn-emerges-from-the-darkness-to-send-new-views-of-ceres/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/pia19064_lg.gifPIA19064_lgAnimated sequence of images from NASA's Dawn spacecraft showing northern terrain on the sunlit side of Ceres. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA2015-04-30T00:03:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/04/17/supplement-your-day-with-this-calcium-image-of-the-sun/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cak041215.jpgCaK041215CaK image of the Sun by Alan Friedman (All rights reserved.)2015-09-04T21:00:49+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/04/16/space-is-hard-and-so-are-the-decks-of-drone-ships/2015-08-23T14:52:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/01/05/hubble-gives-us-our-best-view-yet-of-the-pillars-of-creation/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/eagle-nebula-crop.jpgEagle nebula cropHigh-resolution detail of the topmost "pillar." Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA).https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/04086y.jpg04086yWide-field image of the Eagle Nebula (M16) in the constellation Serpens. Credit: T.A.Rector (NRAO/AUI/NSF and NOAO/AURA/NSF) and B.A.Wolpa (NOAO/AURA/NSF)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/hubble-telescope_0.jpghubble-telescope_0Hubble seen from STS-125 in May 2009 (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/hs-2015-01-g-large_web.jpghs-2015-01-g-large_webNew, near-infrared image of the Pillars of Creation. Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/hs-2015-01-c-xlarge_web.jpghs-2015-01-c-xlarge_webHubble's newest visible-light image of the Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula. Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)2015-04-13T18:12:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/04/13/curious-stains-on-mars-summer-slopes-continue-to-be-seen/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/esp_040170_1440.jpgESP_040170_1440Recurring slope lineae (RSL) stain mountain slopes in Hale Crater. (NASA/JPL/University of Arizona)2015-04-13T19:35:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/04/07/water-water-everywhere/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/eso1209ec.jpgTaurus Molecular CloudPart of the Taurus molecular cloud, 450 light-years from Earth. Credit: ESO.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/screen-shot-2015-04-07-at-5-35-26-pm.jpgOcean worldsEarth isn't the only planet with water – we just need to know where to look.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ocean-worlds.jpgOcean WorldsOcean Worlds: an infographic from JPL's Web Producer Kim Orr (NAS/JPL)2015-04-09T09:13:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/26/what-will-we-name-the-features-on-pluto-you-decide/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/montage-after-560w.jpegmontage-after-560wArtist's impression of Pluto and Charon's surfaces (via SETI and Mark Showalter)2015-04-09T13:44:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/04/05/this-was-rosettas-view-of-earth-and-the-moon-in-march-2005/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/20150327144525-22a6cea8.png20150327144525-22a6cea8The Orion nebula (M42) imaged by Rosetta's Navcam on Nov. 27, 2006. (ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM – CC BY-SA IGO 3.0)2015-11-03T02:09:34+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/04/03/nasas-next-era-will-rely-on-robots/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/screen-shot-2015-04-03-at-1-57-03-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2015-04-03 at 1.57.03 PMThe RASSOR (Regolith Advanced Surface Systems Operations Robot) in development at NASA's Swamp Works at KSC. One day robots like this may be doing our digging on the Moon or Mars.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/qc-bot2.jpgQC Bothttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/r22.jpgR2NASA's Robonaut2 faces off with an astronaut in a space suit (NASA/JSC)2015-04-19T01:16:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/27/nasas-plan-to-pluck-a-boulder-off-an-asteroid-and-orbit-it-around-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/screen-shot-2015-03-27-at-1-34-32-am.jpgSEPArtist's concept of a solar electric propulsion system (Analytical Mechanics Associates)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/arm_capture-tilted_0.pngarm_capture-tilted_0Rendering of NASA's Asteroid Redirect Vehicle with a boulder in its grip. (NASA)2015-04-16T03:27:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/31/cassini-captures-narrow-angle-wide-spectrum-views-of-rhea/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/rhea-feb9-2015.jpgRhea Feb9 2015Composite image of Saturn's moon Rhea from Feb. 9, 2015. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI.2015-04-09T13:45:15+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/03/11/rugged-rhea/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/rhea_3-10-12.jpgRhea_3-10-12IR/G/UV color-composite of Rhea2015-03-31T03:43:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/29/this-nasa-employee-nose-how-to-keep-the-space-station-stink-free/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/screen-shot-2015-03-29-at-12-30-39-am.jpgGeorge AldrichChemical Specialist George Aldrich is NASA's "master sniffer" (yes, that's a thing.) Credit: Science Channel2015-04-09T13:45:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/05/17/win-a-dvd-of-novas-excellent-earth-from-space/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/screen-shot-2013-05-17-at-1-15-04-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2013-05-17 at 1.15.04 PM"The real power of satellites is that they represent the objective truth." https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/screen-shot-2013-05-17-at-1-18-01-pm.jpgSatellitesSatellites give us views of our planet's constantly-changing systems as never seen before (Earth From Space, ©PBS)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ppbs3-15119488dt.jpgpPBS3-15119488dt2015-03-28T15:17:35+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/01/07/e-pur-si-muove-galileos-big-night/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/jupiter-moons.jpgJupiter-moonsJupiter and the fours "Galilean moons" Europa, Io, Callisto, and Ganymede. (Jan Sandberg/www.desert-astro.com)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/untitled-2.jpgUntitled-2Drawings from Galileo's notebook 2015-03-28T15:14:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/05/05/light-this-candle/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/s63-02082-1.jpgs63-02082-1Shepard in his pressure suit prior to launch on May 5, 1961https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/photo.jpgLight This CandleGreat book. Get it.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/mercury_suborbit_lr.jpgMercury_suborbit_lrView of Earth from Shepard's Freedom 7 suborbital capsule, May 5, 19612015-03-28T15:11:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/03/29/space-book-alert-your-ticket-to-the-universe/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ytttu_spread1.jpgYTttU_spread1Your Ticket to the Universe is full of images and graphics of astronomical wonders.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/youruniversebookjacket_1.jpgYourUniverseBookJacket_1Your Ticket to the Universe: A Guide to Exploring the Cosmos (Available for purchase from Smithsonian Books on April 2)2015-03-28T15:10:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/12/20/book-review-the-star-book/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/starbook.jpgStarBookBold color-coded sections help navigationhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/aetzd.jpgAETZDCover of The Star Book -- all the circles are punch-cut holes! (David & Charles/© F&W Media Int'l)2015-03-28T15:10:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/07/09/book-review-the-universe-in-the-rearview-mirror/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/universerearview.jpgUniverseRearView(Objects in mirror may be more fascinating than they appear.)2015-03-28T15:05:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/26/pha-psa-theres-no-need-to-worry-about-fridays-asteroid-pass/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/asteroid-close-pass.jpgasteroid close passConcept image of a large asteroid passing by Earth and the Moon2015-04-09T13:44:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/17/this-is-what-it-would-look-like-to-fight-flying-dragons-on-titan/2015-08-14T17:38:38+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/19/nasas-maven-spacecraft-spots-mars-secret-invisible-aurora/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/15-045a.jpg15-045aIn Dec. 2014 MAVEN observed auroras on Mars glowing in ultraviolet wavelengths (University of Colorado)2015-03-25T11:54:56+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/16/these-100-people-are-one-step-closer-to-living-and-dying-on-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/roadmap2023.jpgroadmap2023Proposed MarsOne habitation Cargo and Living Units. (Credit: MarsOne)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/roadmap2021.jpgroadmap2021Proposed MarsOne habitation Cargo and Living Units. (Credit: MarsOne)2015-03-16T22:22:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/01/28/prometheus-passing/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/6171_14510_11.jpg6171_14510_1Cassini's view of Prometheus during a close pass (NASA/JPL/SSI. Edit by Jason Major.)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/n00150202.jpgN00150202Another view of Prometheus https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/6171_14510_1.jpg6171_14510_1Cassini passes close to Prometheus2015-03-15T01:13:25+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/12/ground-based-radar-reveals-the-surface-of-venus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/radarvenus_nrao.jpgIDL TIFF fileRadar map of Venus' surface made from signals sent from Puerto Rico and received in West Virginia (NRAO)2015-03-16T07:43:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/12/an-absolutely-epic-photo-of-humans-returning-from-space/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/16604583049_0b649b6057_z.jpg16604583049_0b649b6057_zThe Expedition 42 Soyuz capsule descending via parachute to land in Kazakhstan on March 12, 2015. (NASA/Bill Ingalls)2015-03-29T22:26:49+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/10/beyond-the-edge-of-jupiter-europa-rising/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/3993_9457_1-2.jpg3993_9457_1-2Europa seen beyond the limb of Jupiter by New Horizons on Feb. 28, 2007 (NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/3993_9457_1.jpg3993_9457_1Europa seen beyond the limb of Jupiter by New Horizons on Feb. 27, 2007 (NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute)2015-03-11T15:30:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/10/22/a-setting-titan/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/titanset.gifTitanSetTitan seems to sink into Saturn's atmosphere. Click to play.2015-03-07T03:43:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/08/why-did-pluto-lose-its-planet-status/2015-03-07T03:39:14+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/03/05/what-is-a-neutron-star-anyway/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/crab-2.jpgcrab-2Image of the neutron star inside the Crab Nebula, acquired by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. Click for more info.2015-11-28T22:49:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/23/a-love-letter-to-the-space-shuttle/2015-03-03T04:27:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/28/one-week-remembering-the-last-landing-of-atlantis/2015-03-03T04:25:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/27/oh-what-a-relief-cool-3d-views-of-the-moon-via-lroc/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/content_anaglyph_thm_perched_crater.pngcontent_anaglyph_thm_perched_craterA small crater on the rim of the larger Darwin C crater (NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/content_anaglyph_thm_highlandridge.pngcontent_anaglyph_thm_highlandridgeA ridge in the Orientale basin (NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/content_anaglyph_full_hellq_crater.pngcontent_anaglyph_full_hellq_crater3D anaglyph of Hell Q crater (NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/content_anaglyph_thm_hellq_crater.jpgcontent_anaglyph_thm_hellq_craterRed/cyan anaglyph of Hell Q crater on the Moon's near side (NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University)2015-03-02T15:30:00+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/03/22/from-the-litd-archives-but-what-about-venus/2015-03-01T21:05:06+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/11/21/an-ocean-beyond-earth-europa-awaits/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/pia19048-16.jpgpia19048-16A newly-reprocessed color view of Europa made from images taken by NASA's Galileo spacecraft in the late 1990s. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SETI Institute2015-02-26T20:31:11+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/06/17/vlt-a-space-opera/2015-02-26T17:03:18+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/26/watch-this-stunning-seamless-video-of-earth-from-orbit/2015-03-02T16:13:58+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/01/16/a-curiosity-selfie-from-sol-868/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pia19142_malhi-mojave.jpgpia19142_malhi-mojaveMAHLI mosaic of Curiosity in the Mojave site of Gale Crater. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/msl_selfie_sol868_jan142015_hdr_lr.jpgMSL_Selfie_Sol868_Jan142015_HDR_LRMosaic of Curiosity images acquired on Jan. 14, 2015 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/Jason Major)2015-02-25T20:23:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/08/05/boom-io-explodes-with-volcanic-eruptions-hundreds-of-miles-high/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/pia09250.jpgPIA09250A night-side eruption plume on Io imaged by New Horizons on March 1, 2007. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institutehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/pia02550_br.jpgPIA02550_brThis active volcanic eruption on Io was captured in this image taken by NASA's Galileo spacecraft in Feb. 2000. (NASA/JPL)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/pia18657-720.jpgPIA18657-720A volcanic outburst on Io on Aug. 29, 2013. Credit: Katherine de Kleer/UC Berkeley/Gemini Observatory2015-02-25T03:27:15+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/02/17/watch-a-full-year-of-the-moon-in-five-minutes/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/screen-shot-2014-02-17-at-7-53-41-pm.jpgLunar year 2015-02-25T00:51:40+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/23/rosetta-gets-up-close-and-personal-with-comet-67p/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/67p-feb18-2015.jpg67P Feb18 2015Colorized view of comet 67P/CG as seen by Rosetta on Feb. 18, 2015 https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/14_february_close_flyby_14_15_gmt.jpg14_February_close_flyby_14_15_GMTThe surface of 67P/C-G imaged by Rosetta on Feb. 14, 2015 from about 8.9 km (Credits: ESA/Rosetta/NavCam – CC BY-SA IGO 3.0)2015-02-25T18:23:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/23/only-the-penitentes-shall-pass-snow-and-stars-near-the-alma-array/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/potw1508a.jpgSpatterings of Stars and SnowIcy penitentes march along the cold, dry ground on the Chajnantor Plateau near ALMA (ESO/Babak Tafreshi)2015-02-25T15:12:11+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/04/27/4257/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/6973294496_3ba8ba571b_b.jpg6973294496_3ba8ba571b_bEnterprise is seen flying over Manhattan, the Intrepid Museum (on board the aircraft carrier) in dock below. Photo taken from an escorting T-38. (NASA/Robert Markowitz.) 2015-02-22T01:39:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/21/three-worlds-one-shot-a-february-2015-conjunction-event/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/moon-conjunction-feb20-2015.jpgMoon Conjunction Feb20 2015Conjunction of the Moon, Venus, and Mars on Feb. 20, 2015. © Jason Major.2015-02-24T13:32:49+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/21/ice-may-be-buried-beneath-these-ancient-martian-hills/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/phlegra_montes_southern_tip.jpgPhlegra_Montes_southern_tipHRSC image of a portion of Phlegra Montes on Mars, acquired by ESA’s Mars Express on Oct. 8, 2014. Credit: ESA/DLR/FU BERLIN, CC by-SA 3.0 IGO2015-02-22T17:00:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/02/18/focus-on-phobos/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/phobos2_hirise.jpgphobos2_hirisePhobos from the HiRISE camera. Image: HiRISE, MRO, LPL (U. Arizona), NASAhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/h3909_0000_h.jpgh3909_0000_HPhobos floats in front of Mars' horizon2015-02-20T22:04:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/20/zero-g-and-i-feel-fine-man-the-view-is-tremendous/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/ma-6-40452-055_h.pngMA-6-40452-055_hGlenn sees the "thin blue line" of Earth's atmospherehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/ma-6-40452-051_h.pngMA-6-40452-051_hIt was a new dawn for American space flight...https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/ma-6-40452-013_f.pngMA-6-40452-013_fGlenn's view of the Florida coast from orbit.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/ma-6-40452-049_h.pngMA-6-40452-049_hPhoto from orbit by John Glenn, Feb. 20, 1962.2015-02-20T15:38:00+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/09/19/a-splash-of-sun/2015-02-20T03:48:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/19/hinode-watches-the-sun-weave-its-magnetic-web/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/latest_1024_0171pfss.jpglatest_1024_0171pfssImage of the Sun from NASA's SDO spacecraft AIA assembly showing a PFSS (Potential Field Source Surface) map of its magnetic field lines. (Credit: NASA/SDO and the AIA science team.) 2015-02-20T15:41:24+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/17/hello-ceres-dwarf-planets-features-come-into-focus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/pia19056_main_lg.jpgPIA19056_MAIN_lgImages of Ceres captured by NASA's Dawn spacecraft on Feb. 12, 2015 from 52,000 miles away. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ceres1.jpgCeres1Image of Ceres captured by NASA's Dawn spacecraft during approach on Feb. 12, 2015. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA.2015-02-19T14:34:09+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/16/despeckled-radar-images-give-a-clearer-view-of-titans-shores/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/pia19053.jpgPIA19053Before despeckling (top) and after (bottom) images of portions of the shoreline around Ligeia Mare, Titan's second-largest hydrocarbon sea. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASIhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/pia19051.jpgPIA190512015-02-16T20:30:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/01/06/hubbles-stunning-star-filled-view-of-the-andromeda-galaxy/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/andromeda-constellation-map-gif.pngAndromeda-Constellation-map.gifWhere to find the Andromeda Galaxy in the northern sky (IAU/Shy and Telescope)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/hs-2015-02-b-hires_jpg.jpghs-2015-02-b-hires_jpghttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/hs-2015-02-a-hires_jpg.jpghs-2015-02-a-hires_jpgHigh-resolution mosaic of the Andromeda Galaxy by the Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury (PHAT) program. Credit: NASA, ESA, J. Dalcanton, B.F. Williams, and L.C. Johnson (University of Washington), the PHAT team, and R. Gendler.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/hs-2015-02-a-hires_jpgcrop.jpghs-2015-02-a-hires_jpgCROPA crop of Hubble's newest image of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). Credit: NASA, ESA, J. Dalcanton, B.F. Williams, and L.C. Johnson (University of Washington), the PHAT team, and R. Gendler.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/hs-2015-02-d-print.jpghs-2015-02-d-printHubble Space Telescope M31 PHAT mosaic image shown in context with a ground-based image of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). Credit: NASA, ESA, and Z. Levay (STScI/AURA)2015-04-10T10:17:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/07/23/meteor-strike-can-we-spot-the-next-big-asteroid-in-time/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/ppbs3-15447889dt.jpgpPBS3-15447889dtMeteor Strike: another great science program from NOVA!https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/russia2_384621c.jpgrussia2_384621cDashboard cameras captured footage of the Chelyabinsk meteor from all across the city2015-02-15T20:01:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/14/voyagers-valentine-turns-25-today/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/3212_7934_1.jpg3212_7934_1Full 60-frame mosaic of Voyager 1 images acquired Feb. 14, 1990 showing the planets around the glare of the Sun. (NASA/JPL)2015-02-15T19:49:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/13/temporal-distortion-a-stunning-new-time-lapse-by-randy-halverson/2015-02-13T18:17:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/13/the-force-is-strong-with-this-iss-crew/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/exp45-jedi-poster.jpgExp45 Jedi posterThe Expedition 45 team poster has astronauts and cosmonauts trading flight suits for Jedi robes.2015-02-13T16:04:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/12/spacex-sends-noaas-dscovr-on-a-million-mile-journey/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/l1_dscovr_diagram.pngl1_DSCOVR_diagramDSCOVR's orbit diagram https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/dscovr-second-stage-cam.jpgDSCOVR second stage camView from the Falcon 9 second stage carrying DSCOVR away from Earth, Feb. 11, 2015 (Credit: SpaceX)2015-02-12T05:13:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/11/happy-5th-launchiversary-sdo/2015-02-12T20:59:59+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/05/09/in-which-i-ask-conan-obrien-his-thoughts-on-space-exploration/2015-02-10T04:13:25+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/09/comet-67p-fires-up-its-jets/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/comet67p_navcamfeb3.jpgComet67P_NavCamFeb3The nucleus of comet 67P/C-G as seen by Rosetta on Jan. 31(L) and Feb. 3 (R), 2015. Credits: ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM – CC BY-SA IGO 3.0. Edited by Jason Major.2015-02-13T22:41:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/04/17/a-featureless-face/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/3447783055_fc90175a40_o.png3447783055_fc90175a40_oThe Blank Face of Venus2015-02-09T04:55:59+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/08/akatsuki-to-get-a-second-chance-at-venus-in-december/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/planet-c1.jpgPLANET-C1Illustration of AKATSUKI/Planet-C by Akihiro Ikeshita. (JAXA)2016-10-21T17:25:18+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/06/02/out-of-the-blue/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/akatsuki_uvi.pngakatsuki_uviEarth's crescent taken by the departing Akatsuki's ultraviolet imager (JAXA)2015-02-09T01:09:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/12/10/like-ships-in-the-night/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/venusakatsuki.pngVenusAkatsukiImage of Venus captured by Akatsuki two days after failing to enter orbit. (JAXA)2015-02-09T01:05:51+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/07/the-first-human-satellite-flying-free-with-the-mmu/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/freeflyer_nasa_3000.jpgfreeflyer_nasa_3000NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless II during his flight test of the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) in February 1984 (NASA)2015-02-13T16:04:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/01/29/learn-how-to-see-the-big-picture-with-the-orbital-perspective/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/071211_eva4.jpg071211_eva4Ron Garan on EVA during Expedition 27 (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/jsc2010e194136.jpgjsc2010e194136Astronaut Ronald J. Garan, Jr. (NASA/JSC)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/orbital-perspective.jpgOrbital perspectiveThe Orbital Perspective: Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles (By Ron Garan Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.)2015-02-06T22:42:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/01/30/support-your-nations-spacefaring-team-this-weekend-in-a-fight-for-space/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/as17-145-22224.jpgAS17-145-22224https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/cernan_apollo17.jpgCernan_Apollo17Apollo 17 astronaut Gene Cernan was the last human to walk on the Moon, and that was in December 1972. (NASA image)2015-02-06T22:10:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/06/neil-armstrong-had-a-man-purse-and-it-was-full-of-awesome-stuff-from-his-moon-trip-true-story/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ap11_lm_dac_dsc06886sm.jpgAP11_LM_DAC_DSC06886smApollo 11 Data Acquisition Camera DAC)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/9965p.jpg9965pAn Apollo-era TSB, or McDivitt purse Credit: Air and Space Museum)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ap11-ksc-69pc-412-3-e1423256029134.jpgap11-KSC-69PC-412-3Neil Armstrong leading the Apollo 11 crew to the Astrovan on July 16, 1969 (NASA/KSC)2015-04-16T08:53:35+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/06/where-are-all-of-earths-impact-craters/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/serpent_mound_crater.jpgSerpent_Mound_CraterAerial photo of the eroded Serpent Mound crater in Ohio. ("Serpent Mound Crater" by TTMR1986. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/impact-craters-of-earth.jpgImpact Craters of EarthImpact Craters of Earth by astronomer Thomas Wm. Hamilton (©2014, Strategic Book Publishing)2017-05-15T17:06:38+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/05/new-horizons-grabs-its-first-on-approach-images-of-pluto/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/lorri-pluto-charon-jan2015.gifLORRI-Pluto-Charon-Jan2015Pluto and Charon captured by New Horizons on Jan. 25 and 27, 2015. (Credits: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute)2015-02-07T14:23:25+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/02/04/what-do-lunar-phases-look-like-from-the-other-side-of-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/tidal_locking_of_the_moon_with_the_earth.gifTidal_locking_of_the_Moon_with_the_EarthHow the Moon's tidal locking still involves rotation over the course of its 27.3-day sidereal orbit. The left side shows the Moon as it is with one face always aimed at Earth, the right shows what would happen if it did not rotate at all. (By Stigmatella aurantiaca. CC by SA 3.0/Wikipedia)2015-02-07T18:22:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/11/22/the-journey-home/2015-01-30T02:05:30+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/01/27/dawn-captures-the-bestest-images-ever-of-hipster-planet-ceres/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pia19173_ip.jpgPIA19173_ipFull-frame image from Dawn of Ceres on approach, acquired Jan. 25, 2015. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pia19171.gifPIA19171Animation of Ceres made from images acquired by Dawn on Jan. 25, 2015. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA)2015-01-29T08:15:58+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/01/27/remembering-the-tragedy-of-apollo-1/2015-01-28T18:06:03+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/01/27/the-tragedy-of-apollo-1/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lunar-farside-map.jpgLunar Farside MapLunar farside map made from over 15,000 LROC wide-angle camera images. Credit: Credit: NASA/Goddard/Arizona State University. Edit by Jason Major.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/patch.jpgpatchOn July 20th, 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the moon, the first time in history mankind has stepped on another celestial body. They left there, on the Sea of Tranquility, the Apollo 1 mission patch.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ap1-67-hc-21.jpgap1-67-HC-21Chaffee, White and Grissom in their positions inside the Apollo 204 CM during a test on Jan. 19 (NASA/J.L. Pickering)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ap1-67-h-134.jpgap1-67-H-134The Apollo 204 CM after the fire (NASA/Ed Hengeveld)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ap1-apollo_1_noid.jpgap1-apollo_1_noIDThe disassembled Apollo CM after the fire (NASA/John Duncan)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ap1-67-h-115.jpgap1-67-H-115The Apollo 1 prime crew during a test on Jan. 19, 1967, just 8 days before the tragic fire that claimed their lives. (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ap1-s67-15885.jpgap1-S67-15885The Apollo CM was hoisted to the top of the gantry at launch complex 34 at the Kennedy Space Center in preparation of testing on Jan. 6, 1967 (NASA/Ed Hengeveld)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ap1-67-h-141.jpgap1-67-H-141The flag-draped coffin of astronaut Virgil I. Grissom is being escorted at Arlington National Cemetary by his fellow astronauts (left to right) Alan Shepard, John Glenn, Gordon Cooper and John Young (NASA/Ed Hengeveld)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ap1-67-h-380.jpgap1-67-H-380Severely-damaged portion of the Apollo 1 module, located in the forward section near the floor. (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ap1-s67-21294.jpgap1-S67-21294Interior of the CM after the fire. (NASA)2015-01-26T05:04:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/01/13/half-kilometer-asteroid-to-pass-closely-by-on-january-26/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2004_bl86_beehive.jpg2004_BL86_Beehive2004 BL86 will pass by the Beehive Cluster as it reaches its brightest point. Times given are in EST. (Credit: Sky & Telescope)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/asteroid2004bl86.gifAsteroid2004BL86Animation of 2004 BL86's close pass on Jan. 26, 2015. (NASA/JPL)2015-01-25T16:50:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/01/23/opportunity-celebrates-11-years-on-mars-with-a-grand-panorama/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/merb_sol1_postcard-b002r1_br2.jpgMERB_Sol1_Postcard-B002R1_br224-image mosaic of Pancam images made shortly after Opportunity's landing on Jan. 25, 2004. (NASA/JPL)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pia19109.jpgPIA19109Opportunity's view from Cape Tribulation (NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell Univ./Arizona State University)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pia19109_crop.jpgPIA19109_cropA view captured by NASA's Opportunity rover from the rim of Endeavour crater on Jan. 6, 2015 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell Univ./Arizona State University)2015-01-24T23:32:05+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/05/30/annular-eclipse-seen-from-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/screen-shot-2015-01-23-at-10-57-52-am.jpgScreen Shot 2015-01-23 at 10.57.52 AMMay 20, 2012 eclipse photographed from Texas (© Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/eclipse_four.gifeclipse_fourAnimation of four LROC images of the annular eclipse (CLICK TO PLAY) NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University2015-01-23T16:00:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/01/22/been-waiting-for-hi-res-osiris-images-of-rosettas-comet-here-they-are/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/comet_vital_statistics.jpgComet_vital_statisticsSummary of properties of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, as determined by Rosetta’s instruments during the first few months of its comet encounter. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/comet_regional_maps.jpgComet_regional_mapsThe 19 regions identified on Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko are separated by distinct geomorphological boundaries. Following the ancient Egyptian theme of the Rosetta mission, they are named for Egyptian deities. They are grouped according to the type of terrain dominant within each region. Five basic categories of terrain type have been determined: dust-covered (Ma’at, Ash and Babi); brittle materials with pits and circular structures (Seth); large-scale depressions (Hatmehit, Nut and Aten); smooth terrains (Hapi, Imhotep and Anubis), and exposed, more consolidated (‘rock-like’) surfaces (Maftet, Bastet, Serqet, Hathor, Anuket, Khepry, Aker, Atum and Apis). Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/exploring_imhotep.jpgExploring_ImhotepA flat region on 67P's "underside" called Imhotep. Credits: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDAhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/comet_goose_bumps_a.jpgComet_goose_bumps_aClose-up of a curious surface texture nicknamed ‘goosebumps’. The characteristic scale of all the bumps seen on Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko by the OSIRIS narrow-angle camera is approximately 3 m. Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDAhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/icy_alcoves.jpgIcy_alcovesColor-composite of an alcove at the Hathor–Anuket boundary. The surface of the consolidated material in the alcove contains distinct spots of brighter material. On the floor beneath, material 20% brighter and bluer than the surroundings can also be seen (e.g. A and B), and may be evidence of recently exposed ice. The color image was created from the red, green and blue filters (central wavelengths of (882, 700 and 481 nm, respectively) of the OSIRIS narrow-angle camera.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/active_pit.jpgActive_pitActive pit detected in Seth region of 67P. This is an OSIRIS narrow-angle camera image acquired on Aug. 28, 2014 from a distance of 60 km. The image resolution is 1 m/pixel. Enhancing the contrast (right) reveals fine structures in the shadow of the pit, interpreted as jet-like features rising from the pit. Credits: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDAhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/comet_from_8_km.jpgComet_from_8_kmA section of the smaller of 67P's two lobes as seen by OSIRIS' narrow-angle camera from a distance of about 8km on October 14, 2014. The resolution is 15 cm/pixel. Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDAhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/crack_extension_in_anuket.jpgCrack_extension_in_AnuketPart of a large fracture running across 67P's neck, in particular where it has left Hapi and is extending into Anuket. Credits: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDAhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/hapi_and_hathor.jpgHapi_and_HathorThe boulder-strewn, smooth Hapi region in Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko’s neck, with the Hathor cliff face to the right. Credits: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA2015-02-03T15:49:15+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/01/19/a-glorious-view-of-comet-67ps-jets/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/comet_activity_22_november_2014.jpgComet_activity_22_November_2014OSIRIS image of comet 67P/C-G from November 2014 (MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA)2015-01-21T21:06:06+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/01/20/watch-a-beautiful-timelapse-captured-from-earth-orbit/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/screen-shot-2015-01-20-at-4-14-05-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2015-01-20 at 4.14.05 PM2015-01-29T09:33:17+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/01/19/hello-ceres-dawn-returns-images-of-dwarf-planet-spinning/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pia19168.gifpia19168Animation of Ceres made from images acquired on Jan. 13, 2015 (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA/PSI)2015-01-20T18:51:30+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/12/18/nasa-wants-to-send-humans-to-mars-but-what-about-venus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/12olvenusf5-1100px-1418403747765.jpg12OLVenusf5-1100px-1418403747765Multiple launches and phases would be required to set up a human presence at Venus, and allow for return to Earth. (NASA Langley) https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/12wvenushavocf1r-1418395800912.jpg12WVenusHavocf1r-1418395800912Will humans one day be living in "cloud cities" above Venus? (NASA Langley)2015-07-02T15:56:06+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/01/14/remembering-huygens-titan-landing-ten-years-later/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/7987_19144_1.jpg7987_19144_1Huygens landing by the numbers (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/artists_s_impression_of_huygens_on_titan.jpgImage converted using ifftoanyIllustration of the Huygens probe after landing. (ESA)2015-01-18T01:55:26+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/01/08/find-out-how-crazy-engineering-is-getting-dawn-to-ceres/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pia17650_approach_700.jpgPIA17650_approach_700Artist's impression of Dawn's approach to Ceres. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pia19050_700.jpgPIA19050_700An image of Ceres acquired by Dawn at the beginning of December 740,000 miles (1.2 million kilometers) from the dwarf planet. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA)2015-01-13T00:39:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/02/03/hawking-the-intimate-story-of-stephen-hawkings-life/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/ppbs3-17706363dt.jpgpPBS3-17706363dthttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/stephen-hawking-release.jpgstephen-hawking-release(Stephen Hawking outside the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Cambridge. Credit: Jason Bye)2015-01-08T15:03:09+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/01/07/e-pur-si-muove-galileos-big-night-2/2015-01-07T21:34:59+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2015/01/03/a-postcard-from-mars-salsberry-peak-panorama/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/msl_pan_12-21-14_mr_wb.jpgMSL_Pan_12-21-14_MR_WBSalsberry Peak panorama white-balanced for more Earthlike daytime lighting.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/msl_pan_12-21-14_lr.jpgMSL_Pan_12-21-14_LRMosaic of Mastcam images acquired by Curiosity on Dec. 21, 20142015-01-07T05:48:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/05/25/watching-over-spirit/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/esp_021925_1650.jpgESP_021925_1650The sun shines off Spirit's solar panels from its permanent resting place2015-01-04T03:32:22+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/06/06/oxygen-isotopes-support-our-moons-violent-origin/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/as12-48-7148.jpgAS12-48-7148Rock collecting during Apollo 12 (NASA photo)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/moon_formation.jpgmoon_formationThe "Giant Impact" hypothesis has the Moon formed from an impact between early Earth and a Mars-sized body (NASA)2015-01-03T21:21:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/12/10/take-us-home-scotty-juno-takes-the-first-video-of-earth-and-moon-from-space/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/screen-shot-2013-12-10-at-4-11-38-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2013-12-10 at 4.11.38 PMThe Moon and Earth seen from Juno, Oct. 9, 2013 (NASA/JPL)2015-03-17T01:53:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/12/31/heres-the-last-moon-of-2014/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/moon-dec31_2014.jpgMoon Dec31_2014The waxing gibbous Moon at dusk on Dec. 31, 2014.2015-01-04T12:30:47+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/12/30/jupiters-moons-make-ghostly-auroral-footprints/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/800px-jupiter_magnetosphere_schematic.jpg800px-Jupiter_magnetosphere_schematicIllustration of interactions between Jupiter's moons and its magnetosphere. (Credit: John Spencer)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/hs-2000-38-annotated.jpghs-2000-38-annotatedAnnotated version of the HST image. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/io_eruption_newhorizons.jpgIo_eruption_NewHorizonsIo's erupting volcanoes seen by New Horizons on March 2, 2007. (Source). Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/hs-2000-38-a-print.jpghs-2000-38-a-printUV image of Jupiter taken with the Hubble Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) on November 26, 1998. (NASA/ESA, John Clarke (University of Michigan))2015-12-09T15:36:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/12/24/the-first-christmas-from-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/as8-14-2383hr-2.jpgAS8-14-2383HR-2"Earthrise" from Apollo 8, December 24, 1968 (NASA)2015-01-24T16:57:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/12/21/watch-a-full-year-of-the-moon-in-five-minutes-2/2014-12-22T15:15:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/12/19/watch-this-hauntingly-beautiful-footage-from-orions-fiery-return-to-earth/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/screen-shot-2014-12-19-at-5-01-19-pm.jpgOrion plasma trailA look back through Orion's reentry plasma trail (NASA)2014-12-23T18:09:00+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/12/17/is-mars-alive-curiosity-uncovers-organics-and-methane-in-gale-crater/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/pia19088_ip.jpgPIA19088_ipThis illustration portrays possible ways that methane might be added to Mars' atmosphere (sources) and removed from the atmosphere (sinks). NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has detected fluctuations in methane concentration in the atmosphere, implying both types of activity occur in the modern environment of Mars. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SAM-GSFC/Univ. of Michigan)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/pia16936_ip.jpgPIA16936_ipMars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) image of a 0.6-inch-wide hole drilled in a rock target dubbed "Cumberland" (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/msl-mahli-mosaic-sol613-april-27-lr.jpgMSL MaHLI Mosaic Sol613 April 27 LRMosaic of Curiosity made with its turret-mounted MAHLI imager. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/J. Major)2014-12-23T15:11:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/12/17/heres-your-chance-to-name-a-crater-on-mercury/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/2007-0228messenger.jpg2007-0228messengerArtist’s rendering of MESSENGER in orbit around Mercury. (NASA/JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY/CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON)2015-01-06T17:06:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/12/17/its-time-to-say-bon-voyage-to-venus-express/2014-12-17T05:14:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/12/12/new-osiris-image-of-67p-shows-a-color-picture-of-a-black-and-white-world/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/colour_image_of_comet.jpgColour_image_of_cometTrue-color OSIRIS image of comet 67P/C-G. Credits: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA.2014-12-13T13:45:58+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/12/09/nasa-makes-orions-first-launch-a-social-event/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/deltaivheavy-orion-stack.jpgDeltaIVHeavy Orion stackHigh-res mosaic of the ULA Delta IV Heavy with Orion mounted for its EFT-1 flight. Inside Launch Complex 37 on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014. © Jason Majorhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/screen-shot-2014-12-09-at-4-14-18-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2014-12-09 at 4.14.18 PMA presentation at ATK's Booster Fabrication Facility, where the SLS rockets are being built. (J. Major) https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/social-dinner.jpgSocial DinnerNASA Social attendees gathered for dinner at Dixie Crossroads https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/dsc_5344.jpgDSC_5344EFT-1 was the first mission to use the new countdown clock installed at KSC's Press Site. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/orion-social-group-atlantis.jpgOrion Social Group - AtlantisThe NASA Social group at the KSC Visitor Center Atlantis exhibit https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/dsc_5237.jpgDSC_5237Just hanging out at my friend Orion's pad... (J. Major) https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/causeway1.jpgcausewayThe viewing site along the causeway. (J. Major) https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/causeway.jpgcausewayhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bolden-and-cabana.jpgBolden and CabanaCharles Bolden and Bob Cabana speak to the NASA Social at KSC (Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/dsc5393.jpg_DSC5393Orion launches on EFT-1 aboard a Delta IV Heavy on Dec. 5, 2014 (© Jason Major)2014-12-11T23:22:38+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/12/01/orion-to-soar-into-space-this-week-for-a-nasa-social/2014-12-03T18:15:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/11/28/the-galaxys-first-glimpse-at-star-wars-the-force-awakens/2014-12-17T21:54:09+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/02/13/inside-a-black-hole/2014-11-28T17:07:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/11/20/dear-jupiter-use-more-sunscreen/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/79_50_1.jpg79_50_1Mosaic of Jupiter made from Cassini images acquired on Dec. 29, 2000 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/jupitergreatredspot_690w1.jpgJupiterGreatRedSpot_690w1Jupiter's Great Red Spot imaged by Cassini (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)2015-01-19T04:32:06+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/04/16/a-new-look-at-neptune/2014-11-19T02:15:51+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/11/17/wheres-waldo-er-philae-rosetta-captures-bouncing-lander-on-camera/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/touchdown_w_shadow.gifTouchdown_w_shadowImages from NAVCAM taken 5 minutes apart showing Philae's touchdown site (Credit: ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM; pre-processed by Mikel Catania) https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/osiris_spots_philae_drifting_across_the_comet.jpgOSIRIS_spots_Philae_drifting_across_the_cometRosetta's OSIRIS camera spotted Philae's journey across the surface of 67P (ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA)2014-12-15T07:18:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/03/03/saturns-southern-vortex/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/5134_11490_1_590.jpg5134_11490_1_590South Pole Stormshttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/5134_11490_1_590_rgb.jpg5134_11490_1_590_rgbSaturn's Southern Vortex2014-11-17T05:48:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/09/13/a-beautiful-demise/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/nebula.jpgnebulaPlanetary nebula NGC 63022014-11-16T22:03:24+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/11/15/surprising-structures-discovered-at-the-bottom-of-uranus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/uranus-with-rings-and-satellites-annotated.jpgUranus with rings and satellites annotatedVoyager 2 view of Uranus with rings and moons noted (Credit: NASA/University of Arizona/Erich Karkoschka)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/screen-shot-2013-03-10-at-10-03-39-pm.pngEarth vs Uranus2015-11-27T17:15:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/11/15/a-matter-of-scale-2/2015-01-15T21:28:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/02/22/a-matter-of-scale/2014-11-15T20:49:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/11/14/the-2015-year-in-space-calendars-are-here/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/screen-shot-2014-11-14-at-5-24-05-pm.jpg2015 Calendar spreadEach month features a different space theme along with a metric ton of info! (I measured.)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2015calendar.jpg2015calendarThe 2015 Year in Space calendar -- full of awesome space info!2014-11-15T01:17:18+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/11/12/esa-landed-a-robot-on-a-comet-today/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/philae-final-site-appx.jpgPhilae Final site appxPhilae's final location is somewhere in the red circle, based on current estimates. (Original image credit ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM. Edit by J. Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/welcome_to_a_comet.jpgWelcome_to_a_cometMosaic of two Philae images taken from its landing site. (ESA/Rosetta/Philae/CIVA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/rolis_descent_image_node_full_image_2.pngROLIS_descent_image_node_full_image_2Image taken by the Philae lander as it descended to the surface of Comet 67P/C-G on Nov. 12, 2014. (ESA/Rosetta/Philae/ROLIS/DLR)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/b2qc8nsieaa9rvj-jpg-large.jpegB2QC8nSIEAA9rVJ.jpg-largeRosetta's view of Philae as it descended to the comet. (ESA/Rosetta)2015-05-03T11:09:40+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/11/04/the-gift-of-apollo/2014-11-09T14:59:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/11/08/saturn-and-titan-show-off-their-crescents/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/pia18291.jpgPIA18291Cassini image of Saturn and Titan from Aug. 11, 2013 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)2014-11-08T05:01:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/11/07/nasas-turning-up-the-heat-orions-upcoming-trial-by-fire/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/screen-shot-2014-11-07-at-7-00-05-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2014-11-07 at 7.00.05 PMThe EFT-1 reentry will subject Orion to temperatures of over 4000ºF!https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/orionlogocolor.jpgOrionLogoColorThe Orion mission logo.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/mars-boarding-pass.jpgMars boarding passI have my boarding pass for EFT-1 and NASA's Journey to Mars! (Hope I get a window seat.)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/full_eft1_infographic.jpgEFT1_InfoGWhat to look for during Orion's EFT-1 flight. Credit: NASA/Aimee Crane.2014-11-10T12:13:58+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/11/05/seven-days-out-esas-historic-landing-on-a-comet-is-just-a-week-away/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/screen-shot-2014-11-05-at-6-05-36-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2014-11-05 at 6.05.36 PMPhilae is getting ready for his biggest challenge yet!2014-11-07T22:46:10+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/10/30/spaceflight-is-still-hard-antares-explosion-destroys-station-supplies/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/15470323057_6187ee52cc_o.jpgOrbital Sciences Antares LaunchExplosion of the Antares rocket and Cygnus resupply vehicle on October 28, 2014. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowskyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/launch-pad-looking-south-after-failure.jpglaunch-pad-looking-south-after-failurePad 0A at Wallops the morning after the Antares explosion. Credit: NASA/Terry Zaperach2014-11-01T17:44:59+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/10/26/the-first-photo-of-earth-from-space-was-taken-68-years-ago/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/1stphotofromspacejpg__600x0_q85_upscale__600x0_q85_upscale.jpg1stphotofromspacejpg__600x0_q85_upscale.jpg__600x0_q85_upscaleThe first photo of Earth from space was taken on Oct. 24, 1946 (Credit: White Sands Missile Range/Applied Physics Laboratory. HT to Smithsonian Air & Space.)2014-10-27T01:42:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/10/23/surprise-it-can-snow-on-venus-but-its-made-of-metal/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/14-75_photo_venusradar_bw_ovda_wscale.jpg14-75_photo_VenusRadar_BW_Ovda_wScaleRadar observations of Ovda Regio highlands show bright, reflective "frost" on rising slopes but dark "bare" patches at the highest elevations. (NASA image)2014-10-24T09:17:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/10/27/saturns-spooky-sounds/2014-10-22T18:24:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/10/20/nasas-opportunity-rover-shows-us-what-a-comet-looks-like-from-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/comet-siding-spring-mars-exploration-rovers-opportunity-observation-pancam-unannotated-long-pia18591a.jpgComet-Siding-Spring-Mars-Exploration-Rovers-Opportunity-Observation-Pancam-unannotated-long-PIA18591a10-second exposure from Opportunity's Pancam showing comet Siding Spring upon approach (NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell U./ Arizona State U.)2014-10-20T22:39:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/12/03/if-earth-had-rings/2014-10-16T16:42:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/10/16/heres-where-esas-philae-will-make-the-first-ever-landing-on-a-comet/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/15518481896_d33846614c_o.jpg15518481896_d33846614c_ofdshfadhfjaslfdsfhl2015-06-19T11:52:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/09/29/nobody-makes-a-picture-of-mars-quite-like-mom/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/mars4.jpgmars4Image from India's Mars Orbiter Mission's Mars Colour Camera (Credit: ISRO)2014-10-02T10:04:17+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/09/13/spacecrafts-selfie-is-photobombed-by-a-comet/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rosetta_mission_selfie_at_comet.jpgRosetta_mission_selfie_at_cometPart of ESA's Rosetta and comet 67P/C-G taken by the Philae lander on Sept. 7, 2014 (ESA/Rosetta/Philae/CIVA)2014-09-18T16:07:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/09/10/space-mountain-2/2014-09-10T14:53:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/09/04/astronomers-identify-an-exoplanet-in-the-process-of-formation/2014-09-04T15:11:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/28/say-hello-to-our-little-friend/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/575263main_pia14405-43_946-710.jpg575263main_pia14405-43_946-710WISE image of 2010 TK7. NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/trojan-580x435.jpgtrojan-580x435Image of 2010 TK7 from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. Credit: C. Veillet.2014-08-27T19:56:27+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/08/25/first-man-on-the-moon-neil-armstrong-passes-away-at-82/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/as11-37-5528.jpgAS11-37-5528Neil Armstrong in the Apollo landing module after his historic moonwalk (NASA)2014-08-25T23:05:49+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/08/24/new-global-map-of-triton-shows-neptunes-moon-like-never-before/2014-08-26T16:31:59+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/08/18/cassini-watches-clouds-form-over-titans-methane-sea/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/7930_18927_1.jpg7930_18927_1Labeled image of Titan's north polar region (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/7929_18922_1.gif7929_18922_1Animation of clouds forming over Ligeia Mare, one of Titan's many large methane lakes (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)2014-08-19T16:34:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/08/13/new-horizons-captures-pluto-and-charon-orbiting/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/pr_e12_proper_sat_stars_3fps.gifPR_E12_proper_sat_stars_3fpsAnimation of Pluto and Charon showing nearly a full rotation (NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute)2014-08-14T11:01:15+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/08/19/rings-in-relief/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/rings_wide_angle.jpgrings_wide_angleSaturn's springtime sun shows ridges in the rings2014-08-11T18:10:53+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/08/11/storms-on-uranus-observed-from-hawaii/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/uranus_aug62014.jpgUranus_Aug62014Infrared image of Uranus acquired from the Keck Observatory on Aug. 6 2014 (Imke de Pater (UC Berkeley)/Keck Observatory) Colored with Voyager true-color data.2014-08-18T18:21:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/08/06/yes-rosetta-we-are-there-esas-spacecraft-arrives-at-comet-64pc-g-and-returns-amazing-images/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/navcam_animation_6_august_node_full_image_2.gifNavCam_animation_6_August_node_full_image_2Animation of 101 NAVCAM images acquired as Rosetta approached 67P from Aug. 1 to Aug. 6, 2014. (ESA/Rosetta/Navcam)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/comet_close-up.pngComet_close-upClose-up detail of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko taken Aug. 6 from 120 km. (ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/64p-boulders.jpg64P bouldersA close-up of boulders on 67P/C-G imaged by OSIRIS from 130 km. The largest one is about 38 meters (125 feet) wide. Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA. Edited by J. Major.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/comet_on_3-6_august_2014.jpgComet_on_3-6_August_2014A comparison of images from OSIRIS on Aug. 3 and Aug. 6https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/comet_details_fullwidth.pngComet_details_fullwidthOSIRIS image of the surface of comet 64P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from 130 km (ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA)2014-12-04T19:30:05+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/08/05/get-ready-for-rosettas-rendezvous-with-a-comet/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/esa_rosetta_navcam_20140804_cropped_interpolatedx2-2.jpgESA_ROSETTA_NAVCAM_20140804_cropped_interpolatedx2-2NAVCAM image of 67P/C-G from August 4, 2014 (ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/screen-shot-2014-08-05-at-9-34-14-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2014-08-05 at 9.34.14 PMRosetta is just hours away from its first rendezvous with Comet 67P/C-G, 404.19 million km away. (Source: ESA's Where Is Rosetta visualization)2014-08-06T13:33:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/04/09/birthday-candles-on-the-sun/2014-08-03T22:07:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/03/10/flight-over-candor-chasma/2014-08-02T20:44:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/05/09/symphony-of-science-we-are-star-dust/2014-08-02T20:41:47+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/08/01/comet-dead-ahead-esas-rosetta-is-only-days-away-from-its-target/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/sfh_cg_1000km.jpgsfh_CG_1000kmComet 67P/C-G on Aug. 1, 2014 from 1,000 km (ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/screen-shot-2014-07-31-at-8-09-14-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2014-07-31 at 8.09.14 PMThe 1066 appearance of Halley's Comet is represented in the Bayeaux Tapestry. "They Marveled at the Star"https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/comet_on_29_july_2014.pngComet_on_29_July_2014Comet 67P/C-G taken with OSIRIS on July 29, 2014https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/esa_rosetta_navcam_20140731_cropped_interpolatedx10_g05.jpgESA_ROSETTA_NAVCAM_20140731_cropped_interpolatedx10_g05Comet 67P/C-G imaged by Rosetta's NAVCAM on July 31, 2014 (post-processed)2014-12-04T19:28:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/07/30/opportunity-breaks-the-record-for-extraterrestrial-roving/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/opportunity.jpgOpportunityA simulated view of Opportunity on Mars (NASA/JPL-Caltech)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/odometry_chart_update_140728_copy-br2.jpgodometry_chart_update_140728_copy-br2This chart illustrates comparisons among the distances driven by various wheeled vehicles on the surface of Earth's moon and Mars. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)2014-07-31T09:03:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/07/19/curiosity-claims-the-biggest-meteorite-ever-found-on-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/pia18387-msl-chemcam-lebanon-br2.jpgpia18387-MSL-ChemCam-Lebanon-br2A 6.5-foot-wide (2-meter) iron meteorite found by Curiosity (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/LANL/CNES/IRAP/LPGNantes/CNRS/IAS/MSSS)2014-07-20T01:04:08+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/07/17/rosettas-comet-looks-like-a-giant-peep/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/rotating_view_of_comet_on_14_july_2014_node_full_image_2-2.gifRotating_view_of_comet_on_14_July_2014_node_full_image_2-2Video of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko made from images acquired by the approaching Rosetta on July 14, 2014. 2014-07-17T14:45:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/07/15/venus-express-survived-its-dive/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/venus_express_aerobraking_node_full_image_2.jpgVenus_Express_aerobraking_node_full_image_2Illustration of ESA's Venus Express aerobraking in Venus' upper atmosphere (ESA)2014-07-15T15:18:09+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/07/11/europa-is-covered-in-bacon-that-is-why-we-must-go/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/pia18413.jpgPIA18413A newly-released image of Europa's surface captured by Galileo (NASA/JPL)2014-07-11T15:44:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/06/30/cassini-marks-ten-discovery-filled-years-at-saturn/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/pia07232-2.jpgHuygens' view of TitanThe surface of Titan seen by the Huygens probe in 2005 (ESA/NASA/JPL)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/7699_18471_1-2.jpg7699_18471_1-2Mosaic from the Cassini imaging team of Saturn on July 19, 2013… the “Day the Earth Smiled” (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/cassini_by_the_numbers.jpgcassini_by_the_numbersCassini by the Numbers: an infographic of the spacecraft's achievements over the past decade (NASA/JPL-Caltech)2014-07-01T17:05:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/06/23/happy-first-year-on-mars-curiosity/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/screen-shot-2014-06-23-at-8-11-05-pm.jpgMars PanPanorama of Mars I made from images acquired on April 9, 2014https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/pia18390-full.jpgpia18390-fullA "selfie" of Curiosity made from images acquired with its MAHLI instrument in April and May (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)2014-06-25T11:15:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/11/12/hello-world/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/osiris_color_2009-11-12t12-28utc_rot_north.pngosiris_color_2009-11-12T12.28UTC_rot_northRosetta's View of Home2014-06-19T19:41:47+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/03/20/recycling-the-empties/2014-06-13T23:21:17+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/06/13/mercury-is-spotted-for-the-first-time-from-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/mercury-from-mars.jpgMercury from MarsThe planet Mercury (circled) was seen for the first time from Mars by Curiosity on June 3, 20142014-06-28T17:43:06+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/06/13/telescope-tag-team-reveals-an-asteroid-beasts-beauty/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014_hq124.jpg2014_HQ124Radar image of the 1300-foot-long asteroid 2104 HQ124. 2014-06-14T09:06:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/04/03/ice-volcanoes-on-titan/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/pia11838.jpgpia11838Rainy Dayhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/hotei_arcus.jpghotei_arcusInfrared Image of Hotei Arcus2014-06-11T18:54:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/06/10/what-made-this-curious-cross-pattern-on-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/lunokhod2.jpgLunokhod2Model of the Lunokhod 2 rover. Click for source and more info on the program. https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/screen-shot-2014-06-09-at-11-48-28-pm.jpgLROC Lunokhod 2 tracksLunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) image of a crossed pattern on the Moon2016-01-07T22:02:37+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/06/06/whats-ahead-for-cassini/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/screen-shot-2014-06-06-at-4-57-31-pm.jpgCassiniCassini's final maneuver will be to dive through a gap in Saturn's rings in 2017 (NASA/JPL-Caltech)2015-04-20T19:39:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/06/03/jupiters-great-red-spot-isnt-so-great-anymore/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/hs-2014-24-a-print.jpghs-2014-24-a-printA reduction in the width of the GRS observed since 1995 (NASA/ESA/Hubble)2014-06-04T11:39:26+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/05/19/hubble-spots-saturns-northern-lights/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/hubble_sees_aurora_on_saturn.jpgHubble_sees_aurora_on_SaturnUltraviolet images of Saturn's aurora in April-May 2013. Credit: NASA/ESA, Acknowledgement: J. Nichols (University of Leicester)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/screen-shot-2014-05-19-at-5-11-24-pm.jpgSaturn AuroraHubble image of aurora on Saturn (NASA/ESA)2014-05-20T17:20:25+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/05/16/messenger-gets-up-close-and-personal-with-mercury/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/en1037173522m-map.jpgEN1037173522M.mapOne of MESSENGER's highest-resolution images of Mercury's surface yet2014-05-16T15:12:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/05/07/now-you-can-watch-beautiful-live-video-of-earth-from-space/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/hdev1.jpgHDEV1The entire assembled HDEV housing (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/screen-shot-2014-05-07-at-4-56-15-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2014-05-07 at 4.56.15 PMImage from one of the four HDEV cameras mounted on the ISS on May 7, 2014 (NASA_2014-05-08T16:16:30+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/05/05/book-review-earthrise-by-apollo-14-astronaut-ed-mitchell/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/as14-64-9140.jpgAS14-64-9140Ed Mitchell on the lunar surface with the Modularized Equipment Transporter (MET), the first wheeled vehicle used on the Moon. (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/814so3p4wtl-_sl1500_.jpg814SO3p4wtL._SL1500_Earthrise: My Adventures as an Apollo 14 Astronaut by Edgar Mitchell and Ellen Mahoney2014-05-07T12:46:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/05/05/this-is-how-saturns-rings-would-look-to-a-butterfly/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/14113515475_b57e9ee820_o.jpg14113515475_b57e9ee820_oUltraviolet image of Saturn's rings acquired by Cassini in 2004 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Boulder)2015-04-16T08:21:04+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/04/29/curiosity-smiles-for-the-camera-in-her-newest-selfie/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/screen-shot-2014-04-28-at-6-32-03-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2014-04-28 at 6.32.03 PMMosaic of MAHLI images acquired on April 27-28, 2014. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/Jason Major.2014-05-02T20:39:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/04/19/fireball-explodes-over-russia-again/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/screen-shot-2014-04-19-at-1-03-24-pm.jpgMurmansk meteorA bolide detonated over Murmansk, Russia on April 19, 2014 2014-05-07T12:25:22+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/04/15/saturns-still-in-the-business-of-making-moons/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/pia18078_ip2.jpgPIA18078_ip2A 750-mile (1,200-km) -long feature spotted on Saturn’s A ring by Cassini on April 15, 2013 could be a new moon in the making (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)2014-04-16T10:43:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/04/11/the-desert-dishes-of-apollo-valley/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/screen-shot-2014-04-11-at-12-21-45-pm.jpgApollo Valley Panorama of the Deep Space Network's Apollo Valley in Goldstone, CA (© Jason Major) CLICK FOR FULL SIZE2014-04-12T12:06:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/04/09/just-another-hazy-day-on-titan/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/titan-rgb-4-7-14.jpgTitan RGB 4-7-14Color-composite of Titan made from raw images acquired by Cassini on April 7, 2014. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/J. Major)2014-04-09T16:22:26+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/04/08/visiting-the-place-where-we-talk-to-space/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/jason-at-dss14.jpgJason at DSS14On April 2 I had the chance to visit NASA's Deep Space Network as part of a NASA Social (© J. Major)2014-04-09T10:04:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/04/05/cassini-uncovers-even-more-evidence-for-enceladus-hidden-ocean/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/70mdsn_jpmajor2.jpg70mDSN_JPMajor2Me at the 70-meter antenna at NASA's Goldstone DSN complex (© Jason Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/14-099-enceladus_0.jpeg14-099-enceladus_0A concept of the subsurface structure of Saturn's moon Enceladus (NASA/JPL-Caltech)2014-04-08T09:44:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/03/28/hubble-eyes-mars-bound-comet/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/14-090-hubble-comet_0.jpg14-090-hubble-comet_0Hubble image of comet C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring), before and after processing. Credit: NASA, ESA, and J.-Y. Li (Planetary Science Institute)2015-12-07T06:01:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/03/25/its-like-the-universe-was-talkin-to-me-neil-tysons-first-visit-to-the-hayden-planetarium/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/neilchild.jpgneilchild11-year-old Neil deGrasse Tyson with his first telescope (NOVA)2014-03-25T22:32:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/03/24/the-details-are-in-the-dunes/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/esp_035143_1325.jpgESP_035143_1325HiRISE image of frosty Martian dunes acquired on Jan. 24, 2014 (NASA/JPL/University of Arizona)2014-03-25T02:28:11+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/08/07/goodbye-earth/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/compilation.pngcompilationSome of MESSENGER's best science images, per the mission team at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab2014-03-24T04:01:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/03/18/have-waves-finally-been-found-on-titans-lakes/2014-03-19T10:29:08+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/03/14/how-does-nasa-change-a-spacecrafts-orbit-easy-as-pi/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/11011.jpg11011How Pi Makes NASA/JPL Go 'Round - Infographic by Kim Orrhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/cassini_saturn_orbit_insertion.jpgCassini_Saturn_Orbit_InsertionCassini couldn't have orbited Saturn these past ten years without pi!2014-03-14T17:28:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/03/12/the-glory-of-venus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/800px-img_7474_solar_glory.jpg800px-IMG_7474_solar_glorySolar glory seen from an airplane. Source: Wikipedia/Brocken Inagloryhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/venus_glory_large.jpgVenus_glory_largeA rainbow-colored "glory" in Venus' atmosphere seen by ESA's Venus Express2014-03-12T15:10:47+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/02/20/total-eclipse-of-the-earth/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/eclipse.jpgeclipsePenumbral Eclipse 8/28/07https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/img_090218_01.jpgimg_090218_01Crescent Earth2014-03-09T16:47:25+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/03/06/hubble-watches-as-an-asteroid-crumbles/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/hubble_asteroid.gifHubble_AsteroidHubble images of P/2013 R3 acquired from Oct. 2013 to Jan. 2014 Credit: NASA, ESA, D. Jewitt (UCLA). Animation by J. Major.2014-03-07T03:33:05+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/02/24/four-years-of-sdo/2014-02-25T18:08:49+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/02/22/what-is-pluto-a-new-video-from-new-horizons/2014-02-24T10:32:15+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/11/13/sweet-sixteen-jupiter-in-motion/2014-02-20T16:23:53+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/02/18/take-a-scenic-flight-through-the-universe/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boss-bao.jpgBOSS-BAOAn artist's conception of the measurement scale of the universe from BOSS (Image by Zosia Rostomian, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)2014-02-19T15:09:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/02/15/on-the-lunatic-fringe-ladees-first-pictures-of-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/uncompressed_image3_e1_-_landscape_0.pnguncompressed_image3_e1_-_landscape_0Image of the Moon and stars from NASA's LADEE spacecraft, Feb. 8, 2014 (NASA/Ames)2014-02-15T15:48:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/02/14/voyagers-long-distance-valentine/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/pia17047_ip.jpgPIA17047_ipThe VLBA made this image of Voyager 1's signal on Feb. 21, 2013. At the time, Voyager 1 was 11.5 billion miles (18.5 billion kilometers) away. Credit: NRAO/AUI/NSF 2014-02-14T17:14:43+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/02/12/ganymede-gets-a-little-geologic-love/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/pia17901ganymede_globesmain-copy.jpgPIA17901Ganymede_globesMAIN copyThe first geologic map (left) of Jupiter's moon Ganymede 2014-02-13T00:34:06+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/02/11/a-visual-demonstration-of-gravity-courtesy-of-cassini/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/prometheus_5feb2014.gifPrometheus_5Feb2014Prometheus passes inside Saturn's F ring on Feb. 5 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI. Animation by J. Major)2014-02-11T15:19:03+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/02/05/mars-gets-a-brand-new-crater/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/pia17932.jpgPIA17932HiRISE image of a bright rayed crater on Mars (NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona)2014-02-18T15:38:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/02/05/whats-inside-an-asteroid/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/eso1405d.jpgeso1405dImage of Itokawa acquired by the Japanese Hayabusa mission in 2005 (JAXA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/eso1405a.jpgeso1405aSchematic of the peanut-shaped asteroid Itokawa (ESO/JAXA)2017-04-09T22:00:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/02/03/48-years-ago-today-the-first-image-from-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/moon_landings.jpgMoon_LandingsLocations of US and Soviet soft Moon landingshttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/nssdc_1966-006a.jpgnssdc_1966-006AThe 99-kg (218-lb) Luna 9 landerhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/luna9_close.jpgluna9_closeThe first image from the lunar surface, taken by the Soviet Luna 9 in 19662014-02-04T05:33:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/01/30/fastest-farthest-first-new-horizons-closing-in-on-pluto/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/screen-shot-2014-01-30-at-1-02-10-pm.jpgPluto timelineTimeline of the New Horizons mission. Download a large version here. (NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute)2014-02-01T17:09:46+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/01/22/a-ceres-of-surprises-the-largest-asteroid-is-a-water-world/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/herschel_ceres_observations_625.jpgHerschel_Ceres_Observations_625Variability in intensity of the water absorption signal detected at Ceres by ESA's Herschel space observatory on 6 March 2013. Copyright: Adapted from Küppers et al.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/nhsc2014-001a-med.jpgDwarf planet Ceres is located in the main asteroid belt, between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, as illustrated in this artist's conception.Artist's interpretation of Ceres, the largest object in the main asteroid belt. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)2014-01-24T17:33:46+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/01/19/wake-up-rosetta/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/11963361864_a224359167_b.jpg11963361864_a224359167_bFrame from 'Chasing A Comet – The Rosetta Mission'. Credit: DLR (CC-BY 3.0)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/rosetta_philae_artist_impression_far_2k.jpgRosetta_Philae_Artist_Impression_Far_2kArtist's impression of the Rosetta orbiter deploying the Philae lander to comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. (ESA–C. Carreau/ATG medialab.)2014-01-21T19:21:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/01/16/interview-with-a-meteorite-man/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/chile-desert-med.jpgchile-desert-medGeoff Notkin with meteorite-hunting gear in the Chilean desert (© Geoffrey Notkin)2014-02-03T06:41:04+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2014/01/11/5508/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/50-facts-about-the-moon1.jpg50-facts-about-the-moon50 Amazing Facts About the Moonhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/50-facts-about-the-moon.jpg50-facts-about-the-moon50 Amazing Facts About the Moonhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/screen-shot-2014-01-11-at-5-13-19-pm.jpgMoon infographicThere's a lot of fascinating things to learn about our Moon, and here are 50 of them! 2015-07-14T11:01:25+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/12/29/the-brightest-lights-12-awesome-space-stories-of-2013/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/857948_10152078067392498_1078404479_o.jpg857948_10152078067392498_1078404479_oCassini's image of Saturn makes the NY Times front page 2014-01-01T18:24:08+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/12/27/celebrate-the-holidays-with-cassini-and-saturn/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/7735_18613_1.jpg7735_18613_1Saturn makes a beautifully-striped ornament in this natural-color image, showing its north polar hexagon jet stream and central vortex (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute)2013-12-27T22:28:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/12/20/experience-earthrise-with-apollo-8/2013-12-23T01:13:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/12/20/john-lennon-memorialized-with-a-crater-on-mercury/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/en0234915233m-map__0.jpgen0234915233m.map__0Mercury's Lennon crater as seen from NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft. Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab/Carnegie Institution2013-12-20T17:21:38+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/12/16/a-portrait-of-earth-and-the-moon-from-4-million-miles-away/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/gal_earth_moon.jpggal_earth_moonEarth and the Moon from Galileo, Dec. 16, 1992 (NASA)2013-12-16T18:41:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/12/14/theres-a-jade-rabbit-on-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/chinas-yutu-moon-rover_0.jpgchinas-yutu-moon-rover_0Model of the Yutu rover at the China International Industry Fair in Shanghai, on Nov. 5, 2013. (Reuters)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/screen-shot-2013-12-14-at-5-14-25-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2013-12-14 at 5.14.25 PMScreenshot of a CCTV video showing the Yutu rover rolling onto the lunar surface (CCTV)2013-12-15T18:12:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/12/12/jupiters-moon-europa-has-jets-like-enceladus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/heic1322a.jpgheic1322aRendering of Europa's vapor plumes, seen by Hubble UV observations (NASA, ESA, and M. Kornmesser)2013-12-13T17:49:47+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/12/12/fly-over-titans-land-olakes/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/pia17655.jpgPIA17655colorized mosaic from NASA's Cassini mission shows the most complete view yet of Titan's northern land of lakes and seas. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASI/USGS)2013-12-12T21:05:18+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/14/a-little-lunar-levity/2013-12-11T16:22:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/12/04/cassinis-best-look-yet-at-saturns-crazy-hexagon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/saturn-nov27.jpgsaturn nov27Cassini image of Saturn's north pole and hexagon from Nov. 27, 2013 (NASA/JPL/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/pia17652.gifPIA17652https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/pia17652.jpgPIA17652ffdsfgdsgfdgs2013-12-05T04:25:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/11/29/so-whats-up-with-ison/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/ison-secchi-hia.gifISON-SECCHI-HIASTEREO-A HI-1 images of ISON's remains still visible on Dec. 1 (upper right)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/isonc3latest1.gifISONC3latestAnimation of SOHO coronagraph images of ISON from Nov. 27-30, 2013 (ESA/NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/cor2a_anim.gifcor2a_animComet C/2012 S1 ISON in the COR2 images on the NASA STEREO Ahead spacecraft. [Image credit: NRL/NASA]https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/latest-10.jpglatest-10Strongly-adjusted SOHO LASCO C3 image of ISON's remains as of Nov. 29 at 17:30 UT (2:30 pm EST)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/isonc3latest.gifISONC3latestAnimation of SOHO coronagraph images of ISON from Nov. 27-29 (ESA/NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/20131129_1611_c3_1024.jpg20131129_1611_c3_1024SOHO LASCO C3 image of ISON's remains as of Nov. 29 at 16:11 UT (1:11 pm EST)2013-12-10T17:00:34+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/11/26/questions-about-ison-here-are-some-answers/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/latest-1.jpglatest-1Image of ISON from SOHO's LASCO C3 camera on 11/27, 16:18 UT. The Sun is behind the blue disk at center. (ESA/NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/isoncometb-proof_03.gifISONCometB-Proof_03Where to find ISON before sunrise in Dec. 2013 https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/bright-comet-ison.jpgbright-comet-isonComet ISON imaged on Nov. 19 with the Marshall Space Flight Center 20" telescope in New Mexico (NASA/MSFC/MEO/Cameron McCarty)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/isoncomet_09b_print_01.jpgWebInfographic of ISON's visit to the inner solar system in 2013-2014 (NASA)2013-11-28T18:09:24+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/11/25/the-other-side-of-ison-heres-the-comet-as-seen-from-mercury/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/encke_ison_crop_srem_lr.gifencke_ison_crop_srem_lrComet ISON entered the STEREO scene with Encke on Nov. 21 (Credit: Karl Battams/NASA/STEREO/CIOC)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/figure1_messenger_encke.pngfigure1_messenger_enckeMESSENGER image of comet 2P/Encke, Nov. 17, 2013 https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/figure2_messenger_ison.pngfigure2_messenger_isonMESSENGER image of the approaching ISON from Mercury2013-11-25T23:36:27+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/11/22/watch-this-beautiful-new-trailer-for-in-saturns-rings/2013-12-02T18:12:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/11/20/happy-birthday-iss/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/iss-infographic-22.pngiss-infographic-22Facts about the ISS (NASA)2013-11-20T23:06:59+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/11/15/the-2014-year-in-space-calendars-are-here/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/jan_1152x1584.jpgJan_1152x1584Each month features a different space theme along with 5 metric tons of info. (I measured.)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wall-calendar-blurb_2014_a.jpgWall-calendar-blurb_2014_Ahttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/photo-copy.jpgphoto copyThe 2014 Year in Space calendar -- order yours today!2013-11-15T19:42:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/11/13/what-happened-to-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/screen-shot-2013-11-13-at-11-55-08-am.jpgMars lakeMars may once have had lakes and seas like Earth. )Michael Lentz/NASA Goddard Conceptual Image Lab)2013-11-13T23:11:27+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/11/12/omg-saturn/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/7699_18471_1.jpg7699_18471_1Image of Saturn in eclipse from July 19, 2013. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)2013-11-13T13:08:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/11/07/astronomers-spot-an-asteroid-sporting-six-comet-like-tails/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/heic1320a.jpgheic1320aHubble images of the six-tailed asteroid P/2013 P5 Credit: NASA, ESA, D. Jewitt (University of California, Los Angeles), J. Agarwal (Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research), H. Weaver (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory), M. Mutchler (STScI), and S. Larson (University of Arizona)2013-11-12T01:19:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/11/06/vestas-formation-history-its-complicated/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/pia17475_fig1.jpgPIA17475_fig1This colorized map from NASA's Dawn mission shows the types of rocks and minerals distributed around the surface of the giant asteroid Vesta. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/ASI/INAF)2013-11-12T01:58:35+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/11/06/nasas-surprising-discoveries-about-three-near-earth-asteroids/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/bigneos1.gifbigneos1Orbits of the three asteroids noted here as seen along the plane of the inner solar system. (P. Chodas)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/bigneos.gifbigneosThe orbits of newly-discovered near-Earth asteroids 2013 UQ4, 2013 US10 and 2013 UP8 (NASA/JPL-Caltech)2013-11-20T23:35:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/10/29/galileos-visit-with-an-asteroid-22-years-ago-today/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/gal_p39508ac.gifgal_p39508acGalileo images of Gaspra taken from a distance of 9,941 miles (16,000 km). The image on the left is approximately true color. (NASA/JPL)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/4506_9982_1.jpg4506_9982_1Comparison of Gaspra (top) and Mars' moons Deimos and Phobos (NASA/JPL)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/4575_10051_1.jpg4575_10051_1Color mosaic of asteroid Gaspra (NASA/JPL)2013-10-29T14:31:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/10/27/cassini-gets-its-best-look-ever-at-titans-polar-lakes/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/7733_18453_1.jpg7733_18453_1Near-infrared mosaic image from Cassini of Titan's north polar region (NASA/JPL/SSI)2013-10-27T23:52:51+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/10/25/watch-the-suns-skin-split-open-and-then-heal-itself/2013-10-26T13:08:11+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/10/22/never-forget-a-phase-with-this-2014-moon-calendar/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2014-moon-calendar.jpg2014 Moon CalendarThe very handsome 2014 Moon Calendar from Ashland Astronomy Studio on my wall. 2013-10-22T19:18:00+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/10/15/this-is-earth-from-juno/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/efb12-merge1.jpgefb12-mergeColor-composite image of Earth from NASA’s Juno spacecraft on Oct. 9, 2013 (NASA/JPL/MSSS. Edited by J. Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/earth-from-juno.jpgEarth from JunoColor-composite image of Earth as seen by NASA's Juno spacecraft on Oct. 9, 2013 (NASA/JPL/MSSS. Edited by J. Major)2015-10-03T20:58:43+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/10/18/comet-ison-is-keeping-it-together/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/10346759605_b35c100480_h.jpg10346759605_b35c100480_hHubble image of Comet ISON on Oct. 9, 2013. Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA2013-10-18T15:55:43+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/10/16/you-could-never-see-saturn-like-this/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/20131016_saturn_20131010.jpg20131016_saturn_20131010RGB mosaic image of Saturn from Cassini images acquired on Oct. 10, 2013. By Gordan Ugarkovic.2013-10-18T16:03:35+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/10/09/nasas-juno-spacecraft-to-fly-by-earth-today-destined-for-jupiter/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/efb12-merge.jpgefb12-mergeMerged RGB image of Earth taken during the Oct. 9 flyby with JunoCam (NASA/JPL/MSSS)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/efb10-merge.jpgefb10-mergeMerged RGB image of Earth taken during the Oct. 9 flyby with JunoCam (NASA/JPL/MSSS)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/moon_junocam.jpgMoon_JUNOCamColor-composite JunoCam image of the Moon taken at 7:07 am EDT, Oct. 9, 2013 from a distance of 130,000 miles (NASA/JPL/MSSS. Composite by J. Major.)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/bwizemuceaajvkx-jpg-large.jpegBWIzeMUCEAAjvKx.jpg-largeJunoCam image of the Moon taken Oct. 9, 2013 from a distance of 130,000 miles (NASA/JPL/MSSS)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/screen-shot-2013-10-09-at-2-10-52-pm.jpgJuno flybyJuno will fly by Earth on October 9, 2013 (NASA/JPL)2013-10-16T04:11:59+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/09/30/it-wasnt-a-rock-it-was-a-rock-comet/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/phaethon.jpgphaethonZoomed, contoured STEREO image showing the south-eastward extension of the image of (3200) Phaethon. Credit: Jewitt, Li, Agarwal /NASA/STEREO 2013-09-30T17:18:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/09/19/alan-friedman-on-photographing-the-sun/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/screen-shot-2013-09-19-at-12-39-31-am.jpgAlan Friedman, Solar Photographer. (Click to play)2013-10-07T14:06:38+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/09/26/curiosity-gets-the-big-scoop-on-martian-water/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/msl-sam.jpgMSL SAMSAM (Sample Analysis on Mars) is a microwave-oven-sized instrument inside Curiosity that can test the compositions of sampleshttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rocknest_scoops_pia16469.jpgrocknest_scoops_pia16469Trenches dug by Curiosity in a region called "Rocknest" in October 2012 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)2013-09-28T01:58:37+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/09/26/keeping-the-lights-on-how-to-replace-a-macbook-air-battery/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/photo-5.jpgphoto 5Screw in the new battery -- screws might not get very tight. That's ok.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/photo-4.jpgphoto 4Remember to reconnect this -- won't work without it!https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/photo-31.jpgphoto 3Bad battery out, good battery in!https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/photo-2.jpgphoto 2Most of the inside is taken up by the battery itself. Mid-2011 models have 5 screws - remove these.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/photo-1.jpgphoto 1Unscrew these 10 screws (circled). Remember which came from where!https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/photo-3.jpgphoto 3A bad battery almost shut the Lights off... but it was easy to replace and no Genius Bar needed!2015-09-11T05:00:09+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/09/21/saturns-atmosphere-is-more-varied-than-it-looks-with-tropical-jungles-and-ammonia-deserts/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/saturn-rgb-2-25-11.jpgSaturn RGB 2-25-11Saturn's "Great Northern Storm" of 2011. It dredged up material from deep within Saturn's atmosphere via powerful convection currents, similar to thunderstorms on Earth.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/saturns-northern-colors.jpgSaturn's Northern ColorsColor-composite image of Saturn's varied cloud bands (NASA/JPL/SSI. Composite by Jason Major)2013-09-22T08:13:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/09/12/voyager-1-its-officially-out/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/voyager_heliosphere.gifvoyager_heliosphereThe anatomy of the heliosphere - the region of space dominated by the Sun's magnetic influence (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/screen-shot-2013-09-12-at-2-37-36-pm.jpgVoyager 1's target starVoyager 1 is headed toward this star. It will get there in 40,000 years.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/screen-shot-2013-09-12-at-4-42-34-pm.jpgVoyager 1Voyager 1 has become the first human object to enter interstellar space2013-09-16T19:19:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/09/12/a-frog-makes-one-giant-leap-for-lunar-exploration/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wallopsfrog.jpgWallopsFrogThe fate of this splayed amphibian is as yet unknown.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/10v1jce-682x1024.jpg10v1JCe-682x1024The launch of a Minotaur V rocket with NASA's LADEE mission on Sept. 6, 2013. (Credit NASA/Wallops/Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport)2013-09-13T14:44:24+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/09/10/curiosity-will-check-out-these-bright-outcrops-on-her-way-to-mount-sharp/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/pia17360.jpgPIA17360Color-adjusted image of the terrain in front of Curiosity as of Sept. 7, 2013 (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)2013-09-11T11:47:27+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/09/06/what-does-the-moon-smell-like/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/as16-116-18653.jpgAS16-116-18653Apollo astronauts found that the lunar dust was clingy, sharp, irritating stuff... and it smelled like gunpowder. (Apollo 16 image)2015-04-29T09:45:25+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/09/05/titans-misty-mountains-may-have-roots-as-nobody-sees/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/titan-huygens-view-2005.jpgtitan huygens view 2005Wide-angle view of Titan's surface taken by the Huygens lander on Jan. 14, 2005 (ESA/NASA/JPL/University of Arizona)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/663625main_pia15607-43_946-710-1.jpg663625main_pia15607-43_946-710-1A model of the layers of Titan (Credit: A. Tavani)2013-09-08T03:19:17+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/09/03/a-cosmic-quotation-mark-no-its-just-another-moon-of-saturn/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/iapetus-8-30-13.jpgIapetus 8-30-13Saturn's double-colored moon Iapetus2013-09-03T14:57:17+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/08/26/this-is-the-world-waving-at-saturn/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/screen-shot-2013-08-26-at-8-46-24-am.jpgScreen Shot 2013-08-26 at 8.46.24 AMMy WaveAtSaturn photo!https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/earthwave.jpgEarthWave1400-image mosaic of Earthlings waving at Saturn on July 19, 2013 (NASA/JPL)2013-08-26T13:14:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/08/16/saturn-and-titan-together/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/saturn-titan-rgb-8-10-13.jpgSaturn Titan RGB 8-10-13Color-composite made from raw Cassini images acquired on August 10, 2013.2013-08-16T23:36:25+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/08/08/this-video-of-a-sunspot-in-motion-will-blow-your-mind/2013-08-09T17:21:08+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/08/05/happy-1-year-anniversary-to-curiosity-play-it-again-sam/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/screen-shot-2013-08-05-at-3-39-07-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2013-08-05 at 3.39.07 PM2013-08-06T11:09:03+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/07/27/titan-not-windy-enough-for-waves-cassini-will-see-about-that/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/208496_1032265849639_6691177_n.jpg208496_1032265849639_6691177_nSunrise above a liquid methane lake on Titan. © Ron Miller. All rights reserved.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/screen-shot-2013-07-27-at-12-01-56-pm.jpgOntario LacusRadar imaging of Titan has revealed large lakes and rivers of methane (NASA/JPL-Caltech/USGS)2013-07-31T09:50:43+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/01/25/thats-no-space-station-its-a-moon/2013-07-27T21:36:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/07/25/the-frightful-fallacy-of-false-color-2/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pia00057_ip.jpgPIA00057_ipNeptune in "False Color" (NASA/JPL)2013-07-25T21:44:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/10/from-the-litd-archives-face-to-face/2013-07-25T19:57:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/07/22/incredible-images-of-earth-from-saturn-and-mercury/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pia14949-full-jpg.pngpia14949-full.jpgEarth and Moon imaged by Cassini on July 19, 2013, through Saturn's hazy E ringhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/ew1016558881b_montage-e1374530777714.pngEW1016558881B_montageEarth and Moon from Mercury (via MESSENGER)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130722_annotated_earth-moon_from_saturn_1920x1080-jpg.png20130722_annotated_earth-moon_from_saturn_1920x1080.jpgEarth is just a "pale blue dot" from Saturnhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pia17038annotated-jpg.pngpia17038annotated.jpggsdfgsdg2013-07-24T17:53:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/07/20/this-day-in-space-history-one-small-step-2/2013-07-21T11:56:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/07/19/smile-earth/2013-07-19T15:37:53+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/06/30/on-july-19-smile-and-wave-at-saturn/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/cfimg-3234716744237193226.png_cfimg-3234716744237193226You can get a printable certificate saying that you waved!https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/earth2_cassini_big.jpgearth2_cassini_bigWhat Earth looks like from Saturn -- just a "pale blue dot." (NASA/JPL/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/saturn-and-earth-from-cassini.jpgSaturn and Earth from CassiniMosaic of Saturn made from Cassini images in Sept. 2006 -- Earth is the dot within the F ring at upper left. (NASA/JPL/SSI)2013-07-19T15:32:51+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/07/15/a-new-moon-for-neptune/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/hs-2013-30-a-web_print.jpghs-2013-30-a-web_printS2004/N1 is the latest moon to be discovered around distant Neptune2013-07-16T13:35:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/07/15/ring-shadows-surround-saturns-south/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/saturn-rgb-7-13-13.jpgSaturn RGB 7-13-13Color-composite Cassini image of Saturn (NASA/JPL/SSI & J. Major)2013-07-16T16:30:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/07/11/new-horizons-first-look-at-plutos-big-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/charon_2.jpgcharon_2Artist's impression of Pluto's surface with Charon in its permanent spot in the sky. (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130710_1_lg.jpg20130710_1_lgPluto and Charon as seen by the approaching New Horizons spacecraft2013-07-12T16:05:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/07/11/book-giveaway-contest/2013-07-12T13:04:05+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/07/09/nasa-announces-goals-for-next-mars-rover/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pia17273.jpgPIA17273Structural concept for NASA's 2020 Mars rover... look familiar? (NASA/JPL-Caltech)2013-07-10T07:28:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/17/reflections-on-a-tweetup/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/b947c7d8365940d2b2be997a581092b1_7.jpgb947c7d8365940d2b2be997a581092b1_7One day to launch: "The Sign"!https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/the-launch-34b.jpgThe Launch 34bAtlantis ignites! © Jason Majorhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/the-launch-16.jpgThe Launch 16STS-135 Atlantis launched at 11:29 am on July 8, 2011. I was there. © Jason Majorhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/atlantis-at-dawn.jpgAtlantis at DawnAtlantis on the pad before dawn, July 8 2011. © Jason Majorhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/340172953.jpg340172953Me talking with Doug Wheelock. Credit: Patty Cleveland @scienceeslhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/twent.jpgTwentTweeting in the Twenthttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/5914847021_46f3a2f0a0_b.jpgSTS-135 TweetupNASA Tweetup participants stand at the launch clock, Friday, July 8, 2011. © NASA HQ Photo2013-07-08T13:39:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/06/22/supermoon-returns/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/earth-moon.jpgEarth-MoonThis is not going to happen.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2012_moon_lr.jpg2012_moon_LRThere's never not a good time to look at the Moon (even if it is never larger in the sky than a dime held at arm's length!)2013-07-09T21:44:30+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/06/19/want-to-see-a-billion-pixel-view-of-mars-from-curiosity/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/screen-shot-2013-06-19-at-3-31-43-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2013-06-19 at 3.31.43 PMSection of the first NASA-produced gigapixel image from Mars (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)2013-06-21T09:06:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/06/17/what-happens-around-a-hungry-black-hole/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/screen-shot-2013-06-17-at-9-55-16-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2013-06-17 at 9.55.16 PMA black hole's event horizon is the inescapable boundary where all trajectories, including those of light, must go inward. (NASA/GSFC)2013-06-18T03:12:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/06/09/like-l-a-smog-on-steroids-cassini-scientists-pick-apart-titans-haze/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/img004825-br500.jpgIMG004825-br500The various steps that lead to the formation of the aerosols that make up the haze on Titan. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/titan-haze-rgb-7-12-v2.jpgTitan Haze RGB 7-12 v2Layers of Titan's atmosphere (NASA/JPL/SSI/J. Major)2013-06-11T19:01:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/06/06/road-trip-curiosity-prepares-for-some-long-distance-driving/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/753434main_pia17071-43_946-710.jpg753434main_pia17071-43_946-710The 20-inch-high "Point Lake" outcrop near Curiosity's current position (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)2013-06-06T16:11:11+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/06/02/dione-to-join-the-list-of-moons-with-underground-oceans/2013-06-03T20:51:17+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/06/01/you-will-love-this-animated-space-adventure/2013-06-02T16:21:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/05/30/passing-2-mile-wide-asteroid-has-its-own-little-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/screen-shot-2013-05-31-at-11-12-03-am.jpgScreen Shot 2013-05-31 at 11.12.03 AMPurdue University's Impact: Earth! allows you to calculate the effects of any type of asteroid impact.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/screen-shot-2013-05-30-at-1-42-56-pm.jpg1998QE2Goldstone radar images of 1998 QE2 shows an orbiting moon (NASA)2013-06-03T11:54:00+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/05/03/look-into-the-blood-red-eye-of-saturns-polar-hurricane/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/744806main_pia14944-43_800-600.jpg744806main_pia14944-43_800-600The spinning vortex over Saturn’s north pole, imaged by Cassini. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI)2017-04-07T14:54:58+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/04/26/what-would-it-look-like-to-watch-daphnis-fly-past/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/daphnis.jpgdaphnisDaphis by Erik Svensson (All rights reserved)2013-04-27T15:19:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/04/19/the-horsehead-nebula-like-youve-never-seen-it-before/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/52238main_mm_image_feature_89_jw4.jpg52238main_MM_image_feature_89_jw4The Horsehead nebula imaged in optical wavelengths by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope in Hawaii (Jean-Charles Cuillandre [CFHT], Hawaiian Starlight, CFHT)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/742559main_horsehead-670.jpg742559main_horsehead-670dfgdfsgdfgdfs2013-04-22T03:48:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/04/15/50-unbelievable-facts-about-earth-an-infographic/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/50-facts-about-earth3.jpg50-facts-about-earth3https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/screen-shot-2013-04-15-at-9-55-52-am.jpgScreen Shot 2013-04-15 at 9.55.52 AM2015-10-02T11:17:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/04/14/research-reveals-rain-shadows-from-saturns-rings/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/pia16842.jpgPIA16842 Artist's concept showing how charged water particles flow into the Saturnian atmosphere from the planet's rings. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute/University of Leicester)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/saturn_hr.jpgSaturn_HRImage of Saturn taken during its spring equinox on Aug. 11, 2009. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute)2013-04-16T13:02:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/01/30/a-sense-of-scale/2013-04-09T19:56:59+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/04/05/europa-has-water-and-h2o-too/2015-05-01T15:32:24+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/04/05/how-far-is-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/screen-shot-2013-04-04-at-9-53-20-am.pngScreen Shot 2013-04-04 at 9.53.20 AMHow far would Mars be if the Earth were this big? (Infographic by David Paliwoda)2013-04-12T03:36:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/04/04/our-galaxy-isnt-as-big-as-you-think-it-is/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/galaxy-size-comparison-chart.jpgGalaxy Size Comparison ChartGalaxy size comparison chart (Rhys Taylor)2013-04-05T01:10:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/03/21/enceladus-is-spraying-its-salty-sea-out-into-space/2013-03-29T04:05:49+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/03/16/a-clear-blue-sky-on-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/pia16768_crop2.jpgPIA16768_crop2An Earthlike view of the 18,000-foot-high Mount Sharp (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)2013-09-16T19:18:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/03/13/a-comet-and-the-crescent-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/8553846260_e64f73ca94_b.jpg8553846260_e64f73ca94_bPan-STARRS seen from northwestern Georgia by Stephen Rahnhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/8553652192_ce92560731_b.jpg8553652192_ce92560731_bA beautiful shot of Pan-STARRS and the crescent Moon by Bill Dickinson in eastern VA:https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/panstarrs_rector.jpgpanstarrs_rectorComet Pan-STARRS captured by Dr. Travis Rector from Alaska on 12 March 20132013-03-16T17:44:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/07/02/rings-around-uranus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/uranus_moons.jpguranus_moonsDistant Ringed Uranus2013-03-13T03:44:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/03/10/highlighting-rheas-subtle-colors-new-cassini-images-of-saturns-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/rhea-rgb-3-9-13-b.jpgRhea RGB 3-9-13 bPolar view of Rhea made from raw Cassini images taken on March 9, 2013. (NASA/JPL/SSI/J. Major)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/n00203884.jpgN00203884A long fracture in a crater wall on Rhea (2013-03-09)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/rhea-rgb-3-9-13.jpgRhea RGB 3-9-13Color-composite of Rhea (NASA/JPL/SSI/J. Major)2013-03-12T02:28:03+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/02/28/the-colors-of-saturns-northern-skies/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/saturns-northern-colors-2.jpgSaturn's Northern Colors 2https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/saturns-northern-colors.jpgSaturn's Northern ColorsColor-composite of Cassini images acquired on 26 Feb. 2013 (NASA/JPL/SSI/J. Major)2013-03-06T13:44:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/02/26/a-historic-observatorys-connection-to-the-space-station/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/spacestation2.jpgSpaceStation2Heidi and Anthony Ford's view of the ISS (Robert Horton/Brown University)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/ladd.jpgladdLadd Observatory in Providence, RI, seen today and after its opening in 1891 (Brown University)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/iss034-e-048455_lrg.jpgISS034-E-048455_lrgPhoto of southern New England and Long Island captured from the ISS on 14 Feb. 2013 (NASA)2013-02-27T12:29:26+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/02/19/so-what-did-asteroid-2012-da14-actually-look-like/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/asteroid20130219-640.jpgasteroid20130219-640All 72 frames of radar images. Each frame was 320 seconds of observation time. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)2013-02-19T22:19:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/02/15/10-ton-meteor-explodes-over-russia/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/screen-shot-2013-02-15-at-2-14-47-am.pngRussian meteor Feb. 15, 2013A meteor disintegrates over Russia on Feb. 15, 20132013-02-16T15:42:38+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/02/12/this-asteroid-will-pass-closely-on-friday-but-no-chance-of-impact/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/da14-football-field-jpmajor.jpgDA14 Football Field JPMajorEstimated size of 2012 DA14 on an American football field2013-02-14T19:49:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/02/11/vote-to-name-plutos-moons/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/pluto-hades.jpgPluto Hades"Would ya give these guys a name already?"2013-06-01T20:17:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/02/07/captain-kirk-calls-the-space-station-video/2013-02-11T10:03:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/02/04/voyagers-grand-tour-a-webcomic/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/screen-shot-2013-02-04-at-11-02-53-pm1.pngVoyager passes by Jupiterhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/screen-shot-2013-02-04-at-11-02-53-pm.pngScreen Shot 2013-02-04 at 11.02.53 PMhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/screen-shot-2013-02-04-at-10-43-40-pm.pngVoyager by Jed McGowan"Voyager", a webcomic by Jed McGowan 2013-02-06T18:03:04+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/01/17/mercurys-cratered-crescent-in-color/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/8383535025_da401856c5_k.jpgMercuryA view of Mercury from MESSENGER’s October 2008 flyby (NASA / JHUAPL / Gordan Ugarkovic)2013-01-18T04:55:03+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/01/15/remembering-titan/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/pia07232.jpgPIA07232First color image from the surface of Titan2013-01-14T05:22:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2013/01/08/floes-of-frozen-methane-may-be-floating-on-titans-lakes/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pia16635-1.jpgPIA16635-1Cassini radar image of lakes on Titan's surface (NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASI/Cornell)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pia16635.jpgPIA16635Cassini radar image of lakes on Titan (NASA/JPL-Caltech)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pia16634-br500.jpgPIA16634-br500Artist's rendering of an ice-covered lake surface on Titan (NASA/JPL-Caltech/USGS)2013-03-11T14:42:00+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/06/20/you-are-here/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/4542423536_fe582f5359_o.jpg4542423536_fe582f5359_oEarth seen from the rover Spirit on March 8, 20042013-01-05T16:41:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/12/31/happy-new-year/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hny_2013.jpgHNY_20132013-01-01T19:25:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/12/29/a-martian-panorama/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/gale-crater.jpgGale CraterPanorama of MSL Mastcam images captures on Dec. 23, 20122012-12-29T23:40:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/12/27/ghosts-of-worlds-passed/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/f-ring3.gifF-ring3https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/f-ring2.gifF-ring2Animation of Saturn's F ring and shepherd moons2012-12-31T18:54:40+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/12/26/cassinis-christmas-gift-a-peek-at-prometheus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/n00199750.jpgN00199750Prometheus on one of its countless trips around Saturn2013-02-07T00:14:59+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/12/25/a-colorful-christmas-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dione_rgb_12-23-12.jpgDione_RGB_12-23-12Color-composite of Dione (NASA/JPL/SSI/J. Major)2012-12-25T15:04:40+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/12/19/saturns-backlit-beauty/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/7418_17741_1.jpg7418_17741_1Mosaic of a backlit Saturn, made from 60 Cassini images acquired on October 12, 2012. 2012-12-19T15:40:03+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/12/17/heeeeeey-nasa-ladies/2012-12-19T02:40:37+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/12/14/on-the-death-of-my-dad/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/scan-34b.jpgskatingHe was a decent hockey skater (a skill I never acquired)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/scan-12.jpegScan 12So many cool things to find...https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/scan-17.jpegScan 17Me and my brother Corey with our dad several years agohttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/photo35.jpgdad2013-06-16T23:45:00+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/12/13/a-river-runs-through-it-and-when-i-say-it-i-mean-saturns-moon-titan/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/713391main_pia16197-43b_full1.jpg713391main_pia16197-43b_fullRiver system on Titan. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/713391main_pia16197-43b_full.jpg713391main_pia16197-43b_fullRiver system on Titan. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/713391main_pia16197-43b_crop.jpg713391main_pia16197-43b_cropRadar image of Titan's surface from Cassini. North is left. (NASA/JPL/SSI)2013-03-15T22:55:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/12/05/our-electric-earth-at-night-the-black-marble/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/8246931247_d7405f1923_b.jpg8246931247_d7405f1923_bFull world map projection of Suomi NPP nighttime imageshttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/city_lights_namerica_720.jpgcity_lights_namerica_720Suomi NPP satellite image of North and South America at night2014-01-12T10:09:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/12/03/hidden-ice-found-on-mercury/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/708617main_pressconf20121126_full_24x3_946-710.jpg708617main_PressConf20121126_full_24x3_946-710Radar image of Mercury's north polar region from Image 2.1 is shown superposed on a mosaic of MESSENGER images of the same area.2012-12-04T02:17:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/11/29/curiosity-has-so-many-cool-things-to-find/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/screen-shot-2012-11-29-at-11-26-22-pm.pngCool things to findSo many cool things to find...2012-12-04T01:42:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/11/20/what-has-curiosity-found-on-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/etonmars.jpgETonMars2012-11-29T22:17:03+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/11/28/saturns-stunning-swirling-cyclone/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/w00077190.jpgW00077190Saturn's northern hexagon and polar cyclone, seen on Nov. 27 2012 (NASA/JPL/SSI)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/n00198348.jpgN00198348Saturn's north polar cyclone (NASA/JPL/SSI)2012-11-29T12:44:11+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/11/27/titan-dabbling-in-the-occult/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/screen-shot-2012-11-27-at-5-55-02-pm.pngTitan occultationStill from the Dec. 20, 2001 occultation sequence. Titan was removed in the bottom image. (Bouchez, Brown et al.)2012-11-28T10:15:00+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/11/26/the-coolest-calendar-youll-see-all-year/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/april_2013_1152x1584.jpgApril_2013_1152x1584https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/wall-calendar-blurb_3.jpgWall-calendar-blurb_3The 2013 Year in Space wall calendar is chock-full of astro awesome. 2012-11-28T15:46:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/11/25/a-backyard-view-of-a-solar-prominence/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/sun-crop-afriedman.jpgSun crop AFriedmanfldskjfhksdjhfklsad2012-11-28T10:18:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/11/18/daphnis-is-back/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/daphnis-nov11.jpgDaphnis Nov11Daphnis' gravity carves waves into the edges of the Keeler gap on Nov. 11, 20122012-11-19T22:48:26+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/11/13/watch-todays-total-eclipse-live/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/screen-shot-2012-11-13-at-7-02-20-pm.pngScreen Shot 2012-11-13 at 7.02.20 PMhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/eclipse.jpgEclipsehttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/screen-shot-2012-11-13-at-3-39-03-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2012-11-13 at 3.39.03 PMhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/screen-shot-2012-11-13-at-3-32-05-pm1.pngScreen Shot 2012-11-13 at 3.32.05 PMhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/screen-shot-2012-11-13-at-3-38-58-pm.pngScreen Shot 2012-11-13 at 3.38.58 PMhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/screen-shot-2012-11-13-at-3-32-05-pm.pngScreen Shot 2012-11-13 at 3.32.05 PMhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/tse2012pp2a-570x427.jpgTSE2012pp2a-570x427A map of the November 2012 solar eclipse path (NASA/F. Espenak)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/t06-cmp105bw.jpgT06-cmp105bwTotal Solar Eclipse of March 29, 2006 (© Fred Espenak)2012-11-18T20:13:51+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/11/15/experience-eclipse-totality-video/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/screen-shot-2012-11-15-at-10-25-15-am.pngSolar eclipse Nov. 2012"Diamond ring" effect seen during the Nov. 2012 total solar eclipse2012-11-15T15:31:11+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/11/06/heres-something-else-to-vote-on-names-for-plutos-newest-moons/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/dvinfernomegaeratisifphonealecto_m.jpgDVinfernoMegaeraTisifphoneAlecto_m2014-02-21T11:59:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/07/11/pluto-gets-another-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/666710main_p1232_sm.jpg666710main_p1232_smHubble image of the newly-expanded Pluto family (NASA, ESA and M. Showalter/SETI)2016-02-13T12:41:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/11/05/titan-saturns-glow-in-the-dark-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/pia16177.jpgPIA16177A 9 1/2-minute exposure by Cassini reveals the haze-covered moon's internal glow (NASA/JPL/SSI)2012-11-05T21:35:43+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/10/31/a-spooky-space-ghost-for-halloween/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/vdb141-1000.jpgvdb141-1000The full span of the Ghost Nebulahttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/vdb141.jpgvdb141A portion of vdB 141, aka the "Ghost Nebula"2013-02-12T18:16:03+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/10/16/earth-sized-alien-planet-found-around-the-stars-next-door/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/screen-shot-2012-10-16-at-6-59-25-pm.pngAlpha Centauridfgsdfgdfgdsfgdsfgsdfghttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/eso1241a.jpgeso1241aArtist's impression of a planet discovered orbiting Alpha Centauri B, a member of the triple star system that is the closest to Earth. Our Sun is visible to the upper right. (ESO/L. Calçada)2012-11-08T00:16:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/10/14/man-falls-to-earth-from-space-and-lives/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/a5nag9scuaavuyy-jpg-large.jpegA5Nag9sCUAAVuyY.jpg-largeBaumgartner dropped to his knees after a successful landing.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/a5l6qmxcuaelfnh-jpg-large.jpegA5L6QMxCUAELfNH.jpg-largeLive feed on Discovery HD TV of the moment Baumgartner jumped2012-10-15T16:38:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/10/14/jump-from-the-edge-of-space-live-feed/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/screen-shot-2012-10-09-at-8-42-17-am.pngFreefalling from 22 miles uphttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/screen-shot-2012-10-09-at-8-37-37-am.pngBaumgartner's Pressure Suit2012-10-14T16:15:53+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/10/13/endeavour-rolls-through-la-neighborhoods/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/screen-shot-2012-10-13-at-2-17-20-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2012-10-13 at 2.17.20 PMEndeavour cleared one tree trunk by mere inches!https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/screen-shot-2012-10-13-at-2-50-51-pm.pngScreen Shot 2012-10-13 at 2.50.51 PMThe shuttle Endeavour is driven down Crenshaw Drive in LA on Saturday, October 13 (via NBC4 LA live feed)2012-10-13T19:40:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/10/12/new-msl-pic-of-shiny-thing-shows-its-totally-a-piece-of-plastic/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/0065mh0055000002r0_dxxx_crop.jpg0065MH0055000002R0_DXXX_cropDetail crop (sharpened)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/0065mh0055000002r0_dxxx.jpg0065MH0055000002R0_DXXXHigh-res MAHLI image of the object spotted on Mars (NASA/JPL-Caltech)2012-10-12T19:57:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/10/09/curiosity-spots-an-unidentified-object-on-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/pia16225.jpgPIA162252012-10-09T22:53:59+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/10/06/curiosity-leaves-its-bootprint/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/curiosity_bootprint.jpgCuriosity_BootprintCuriosity's wheel mark and Buzz Aldrin's boot print -- extraterrestrial human marks made 43 years apart2012-10-07T18:27:17+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/10/03/mercurys-sufferingly-sulfrous-surface/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/ew0254483850g-map.jpgEW0254483850G.mapThe rugged terrain surrounding Mercury's Vivaldi basin may be rich in sulfur2012-10-04T15:08:59+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/10/01/venus-has-a-surprisingly-chilly-layer/2012-10-01T15:57:28+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/09/30/a-daytime-moon-on-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/phobos.jpgphobosPhobos seen during the Martian day (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)2012-10-01T03:46:10+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/09/27/curiositys-roving-along-an-ancient-riverbed/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/grotzinger-1-closeup-pia16156-br21.jpgGrotzinger-1-closeup-pia16156-br2Evidence for water flowing within Gale Crater has already been spotted by MSL (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS )https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/williams-3pia16189unannotated-br2.jpgWilliams-3pia16189unannotated-br2Comparison of streambed sedimentary rocks on Earth (right) and what Curiosity has found on Mars (left) NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS and PSI https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/grotzinger-1-closeup-pia16156-br2.jpgGrotzinger-1-closeup-pia16156-br2Evidence for water flowing within Gale Crater has already been spotted by MSL (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS )2012-10-01T13:32:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/09/20/dawn-makes-an-elemental-discovery-on-vesta/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pia16186.jpgPIA16186Map of hydrated material on Vesta (NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/INAF)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pia16182_full.jpgPIA16182_fullhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pia15679still_page.jpgPIA15679still_page2012-09-27T15:43:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/09/27/our-sharpest-ground-based-view-of-pluto-yet/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/fig1.jpgfig1Pluto and its largest moon, Charon, seen by the Gemini North telescope on Mauna Kea (Gemini Observatory)2012-09-28T09:06:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/09/25/poll-would-you-jump-from-the-edge-of-space/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/thumb-ashx.jpegFelix Baumgartner (AUT) and life support engineer Mike Todd (USA) - Egress TrainingFelix and his life support engineer Mike Todd during traininghttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/screen-shot-2012-09-24-at-5-19-50-pm.pngScreen Shot 2012-09-24 at 5.19.50 PMBASE jumper Felix Baumgartner will jump from 120,000 feet on October 8, 20122012-09-27T13:47:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/09/22/take-a-tour-of-the-moon-and-give-a-wink-for-neil/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/346584main_moonimg_01_full.jpg346584main_moonimg_01_fullThis composite image of the moon was constructed using Clementine data from 1994. (NASA)2012-09-24T13:29:46+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/09/19/farewell-endeavour-the-last-shuttles-final-flight-from-floridas-space-coast/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/8003228430_c284856805_b.jpg8003228430_c284856805_bSpace shuttle Endeavour left Kennedy Space Center this morning, September 19, 2012, headed for California2012-09-19T15:46:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/09/17/rhapsody-on-a-impact-event-mercurys-rachmaninoff-crater/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ew0252265399gedit.jpgEW0252265399GEDITThe interior of Mercury's Rachmaninoff crater2012-12-04T08:06:06+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/09/18/blue-marble-pale-blue-dot-whatever-you-call-it-its-home/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/581363main_pia00013_full.jpg581363main_PIA00013_fullPhoto of Earth and Moon captured by Voyager 1 on Sept. 18, 1977 (NASA)2012-09-18T23:27:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/09/17/a-frightful-eclipse-seen-from-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/msl_eclipse.gifMSL_Eclipse2012-09-17T17:00:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/09/14/neil-armstrong-buried-at-sea/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/7986334289_faab6bf3b1_b.jpegNeil Armstrong Burial Service2012-09-15T12:54:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/08/27/president-obama-declares-flags-fly-half-staff-for-neil/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/apollo_halfmast.jpgApollo_HalfMastIn remembrance of a hero for America and all of humanity. Godspeed, Neil. (Image: NASA, edit by J. Major)2012-09-14T21:15:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/07/10/titans-beautiful-boiling-southern-vortex/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/7235_17249_1.jpg7235_17249_1True-color composite image of Titan's south polar vortex2012-09-13T16:44:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/09/10/three-wheels-and-a-mountain/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/0025md0018001000e1_dxxx.jpg0025MD0018001000E1_DXXXCuriosity's wheel tracks stamp "JPL" in Morse as they go! (NASA/JPL-Caltech)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/685403main_pia16134-43_946-710.jpg685403main_pia16134-43_946-710Mosaic of Curiosity's underside taken with the rover's MAHLI instrument (NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems)2012-09-11T04:40:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/09/07/once-you-realize-what-this-cassini-image-is-showing-youll-love-it/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/w00075400edit.jpgW00075400(edit)2012-09-08T17:10:37+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/10/18/a-sphere-of-ice/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/5095675754_0066d435cb_z.jpg2012-09-04T14:00:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/09/03/cassini-peeks-at-titans-southern-vortex/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/titan_rgb_8-28-12.jpgtitan_rgb_8-28-12Color-somposite of Titan (NASA/JPL/SSI/J. Major)2012-09-04T03:38:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/08/30/what-weve-learned-from-the-kuiper-belt/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/1992_qb1_brmax.jpg1992_QB1_brMAXThe first Kuiper Belt Object (besides Pluto and Charon) was spotted on August 30, 1992 (ESO)2012-08-31T01:56:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/08/28/curiositys-camera-reveals-southwestern-landscape-on-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/680998main_pia16102-43_1024-768.jpg680998main_pia16102-43_1024-768The layered flanks of Mount Sharp rise in the distance, beckoning NASA's newest resident rover on Mars (NASA/JPL-Caltech)2012-11-05T17:46:06+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/08/21/curiositys-message-to-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/0013ml0002010000e1_dxxx.jpg0013ML0002010000E1_DXXXAn image from Curiosity's Mastcam shows the rover's sundial mounted on its back. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)2012-08-21T17:21:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/08/20/voyagers-visit-to-uranus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/12bg.jpg12bgVoyager 2 image of the 950-mile-wide Oberon (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/5bg.jpg5bgThe blue-green crescent of a sunlit Uranus, seen by a departing Voyager on January 25, 1986 (NASA)2012-08-21T17:06:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/08/18/a-lomographic-look-at-mount-sharp/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/mtsharp_edit.jpgMtSharp_editColorized image of Mount Sharp from Curiosity's Navcam2013-02-24T05:51:10+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/08/12/an-msl-panorama-from-gale-crater/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/marsleftmastcamhd.jpgMarsLeftMastcamHDPanorama of 5 images from Curiosity's left Mastcam (NASA/JPL-Caltech/J. Major)2012-08-13T04:53:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/08/06/curiosity-lands-on-mars-and-returns-first-images/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/edgettmahli_gis_virtualization_10percentblend_cropped-br2.jpgEdgettMAHLI_GIS_virtualization_10percentblend_cropped-br2https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/curiosity_hazcam_view.jpgCuriosity_Hazcam_Viewhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/screen-shot-2012-08-06-at-1-32-43-am.pngScreen Shot 2012-08-06 at 1.32.43 AMHappy 4th Anniversary, Curiosity! https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/screen-shot-2012-08-06-at-1-39-28-am.pngCuriosity first imagesCuriosity's first two HazCam images (NASA/JPL)2012-08-09T15:04:05+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/08/08/flying-saucers-over-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/0000md9999000072e1_dxxx.jpg0000MD9999000072E1_DXXXhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/0000md9999000036e1_dxxx.jpg0000MD9999000036E1_DXXXCuriosity's heat shield falls away to the Martian surface2012-08-29T08:29:17+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/08/08/heads-up-curiosity/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/nla_397673010edr_f0010008aut_04096madjusted.jpgNLA_397673010EDR_F0010008AUT_04096M(adjusted)Latest full-size image from Curiosity's left navcam2012-08-08T14:43:30+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/08/07/new-mars-rover-is-a-litterbug/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/milkovich-3parachute-br2.jpgMilkovich-3Parachute-br2Curiosity's parachute and back shell (NASA/JPL/Univ. of Arizona)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/674237main_pia16001-43_946-710.jpeg674237main_PIA16001-43_946-710Components of MSL's landing seen from orbit by MRO2012-08-08T13:43:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/08/05/how-curiosity-will-meet-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/msl20110602_pia14175-br2.jpgmsl20110602_PIA14175-br2https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/screen-shot-2012-08-05-at-9-22-18-pm.pngCuriosity ChemCanCuriosity will use a suite of science instruments, like its laser-powered ChemCam, to look for the basic ingredients of life.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/screen-shot-2012-08-05-at-9-05-15-pm.pngSky craneThe 2,000-lb Curiosity will be lowered 60 feet to the Martian surface on three cables from a hovering sky crane (NASA/JPL)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/673357main_communicating-full.jpg673357main_communicating-fullThis artist's still shows how NASA's Curiosity rover will communicate with Earth during landing on August 5. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)2012-08-06T10:04:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/11/26/curiosity-launches/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/msl-separation.pngMSL SeparationMSL at the point of separation. (NASA/Livestream)2012-08-02T20:36:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/07/28/dione-in-color/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/screen-shot-2012-07-28-at-8-37-42-pm.pngScreen Shot 2012-07-28 at 8.37.42 PMScale sizes of Earth, the Moon and Dione (J. Major/LightsInTheDark.com)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/dione-rgb-7-23-12.jpgDione RGB 7-23-122012-07-29T01:40:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/08/05/juno-launches/2012-07-25T22:35:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/07/22/remembering-sojourner-the-first-mars-rover/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/rover_movie18.gifrover_movie18"Sojourner was a good climber, so it would get itself into trouble by climbing onto rocks and need rescuing." – Dr. Dan Britt, Project Manager for Pathfinderhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/geo_correct_prez.gifgeo_correct_prezThe "Presidential Pan" is a full color panorama of the entire Pathfinder landing site, seen from the lander's point of view. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/yogi-pres-col-2.jpgyogi-pres-col-2Sojourner investigates a rock named "Yogi Bear" (NASA/JPL-Caltech)2016-02-29T02:33:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/07/24/is-this-what-life-on-mars-might-have-looked-like/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/531091main_image_1904_946-710.jpg531091main_image_1904_946-710One NASA illustrator's 1975 vision of what Martian life may have looked like2012-09-15T19:43:34+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/07/23/r-i-p-sally-ride-first-american-woman-in-space/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/tumblr_lvw6h7se0q1r8047ro1_1280.jpgtumblr_lvw6h7Se0Q1r8047ro1_1280Sally Ride and the crew of STS-7 in 1983 (NASA)2012-07-24T08:49:56+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/07/20/untitled/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/untitled-1.jpgAurora, CO Shooting - July 20, 20122012-07-23T23:06:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/08/17/sts-135-a-final-tribute/2012-07-21T19:56:53+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/07/22/its-a-small-world/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/as11-40-5923.jpgAS11-40-5923Eagle Lander and Home2012-07-21T04:29:18+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/07/20/this-day-in-space-history-one-small-step/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/as11-40-5863-69.jpgAS11-40-5863-692012-07-21T03:08:00+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/03/05/good-librations/2012-07-19T05:20:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/07/18/canadarm-soars-above-waves-of-aurora/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/7598024296_1ebab521ff_b.jpg7598024296_1ebab521ff_bThe aurora australis glows beneath the ISS in this photo taken on July 15, 20122012-07-19T00:15:03+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/06/23/curiositys-crazy-landing/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/screen-shot-2012-06-23-at-2-26-01-pm.pngScreen Shot 2012-06-23 at 2.26.01 PMMSL's final descent to Mars will be "seven minutes of terror" for many engineers and scientists...2012-07-17T22:23:58+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/07/16/soaring-over-a-shadow-an-eclipse-seen-from-space/2012-07-17T02:33:53+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/07/16/to-the-moon-apollo-11-liftoff-hd-video/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/ap11-s69-39961.jpgap11-S69-39961Apollo 11 seen from the launch tower (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/ap11-69-h-1134.jpgap11-69-H-1134Viewers watch Apollo 11 liftoff from the press site at KSC (NASA)2014-07-17T02:53:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/07/14/here-comes-the-sun-cme-headed-toward-earth-saturday-delivery/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/screen-shot-2012-07-14-at-1-29-32-am.pngScreen Shot 2012-07-14 at 1.29.32 AMCompiled SDO/AIA image of the July 12 X-class flare2012-07-14T06:36:40+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/07/13/an-asteroids-amazing-technicolor-dream-coat/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/screen-shot-2012-07-13-at-10-11-17-pm.pngVesta south poleThe region around Rheasilvia basin on Vesta's south pole is high in iron, based on the green coloration shown in the animation2012-07-14T03:20:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/11/24/northern-exposure/2012-07-11T23:29:43+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/07/09/why-its-so-hard-to-date-a-crater/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/m165190579lr_small.pngM165190579LR_smallPanorama of a sunset-lit Giordano Bruno crater, imaged by LRO (NASA/GSFC/ Arizona State University)2012-07-09T05:19:11+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/07/06/hit-the-slopes/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/boulder-tracks-in-giordano-bruno.jpgBoulder Tracks in Giordano BrunoTracks of boulders down the northwest slope of Giordano Bruno crater2012-07-06T17:00:24+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/07/03/the-colors-of-titan-and-saturn/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/titan-and-saturn-rgb-8-1-12.jpgTitan and Saturn RGB 8-1-12Titan seen in front of Saturn's limb2012-07-04T01:02:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/07/01/expedition-31-sails-back-to-earth/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/screen-shot-2012-07-01-at-12-05-07-am.pngScreen Shot 2012-07-01 at 12.05.07 AMSoyuz seen from the ISS after undocking on July 1 (NASA TV)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/screen-shot-2012-07-01-at-12-18-44-am.pngScreen Shot 2012-07-01 at 12.18.44 AMSoyuz TMA-03M vehicle undocks from the ISS in orbit (NASA TV)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/7477777412_7de389080b_c.jpg7477777412_7de389080b_cThe crew is carried to the medical tent for physical exams after their six-month stay in space. (NASA/Bill Ingalls)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/7478478900_c66d45e7df_b.jpg7478478900_c66d45e7df_bGetting the Expedition 31 out of the Soyuz vehicle (ESA–S. Corvaja)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/7478478560_ba286f7c1d_b.jpg7478478560_ba286f7c1d_bHelicopters and awaiting support crew arrive on the scene of the Soyuz landing immediately after touchdown (ESA–S. Corvaja)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/7478478314_006b42f56c_b.jpg7478478314_006b42f56c_b...and a perfect landing! (ESA–S. Corvaja)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/664324main_31_lands_cropped_946-710.jpg664324main_31_lands_cropped_946-710Almost there... the Expedition 31's Soyuz vehicle just fractions of a second away from touchdown (NASA/Bill Ingalls)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/7478853692_a8202841f6_b.jpg7478853692_a8202841f6_bSoyuz capsule returning to Earth on July 1, 2012 (NASA/Bill Ingalls)2012-07-02T20:01:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/10/25/litd-highlight-what-the-hex/2012-06-29T04:48:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/20/an-orbital-view-over-africa-video/2012-06-29T04:44:18+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/06/28/more-evidence-for-titans-underground-ocean/2012-06-28T20:51:46+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/06/26/high-flying-ice-clouds-spotted-from-space/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/iss031-e-116058_lrg.jpgISS031-E-116058_lrgPolar mesospheric "noctilucent" clouds as seen from the space station (NASA)2012-06-28T20:52:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/06/22/ancient-ice-found-in-a-frigid-lunar-crater/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/7409487586_e08f8789b6_z.jpg7409487586_e08f8789b6_zLaser altimeter data from NASA's LRO spacecraft shows water ice in a lunar crater's surface material2012-07-18T12:46:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/06/19/a-blue-marble-martini-with-extra-ice/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/7394700302_132331438b_b.jpg7394700302_132331438b_bThe latest image of Earth from NASA's Suomi NPP satellite. (NASA/GSFC/Suomi NPP)2012-06-19T17:00:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/nasa-edge/2012-06-03T20:31:40+00:00weekly0.6https://lightsinthedark.com/2012/06/01/up-and-over-the-rings-atlas-and-pandora/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/atlas-and-pandora.jpgAtlas and PandoraCassini image acquired May 23, 2012 (NASA/JPL/SSI)2012-06-19T09:23:27+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/06/01/dragons-splashdown-video/2012-06-03T07:54:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/05/31/the-dragon-returns/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/001.jpg001SpaceX's Dragon capsule awaiting recovery in the Pacific on May 31, 2012. (SpaceX)2012-06-01T18:56:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/05/25/a-dragon-is-berthed/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/7263996078_14f671eee6_b.jpg7263996078_14f671eee6_bSpaceX's Dragon capsule passes between the ISS and Earth on Thursday, May 24 2012. (NASA)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/screen-shot-2012-05-25-at-11-04-57-am.pngSpaceX Dragon berth to ISSThe SpaceX Dragon capsule is now a part of the ISS (NASA TV)2012-05-26T08:30:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/05/22/how-a-falcon-carried-a-dragon-into-the-future/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/screen-shot-2012-05-22-at-3-15-29-am.pngScreen Shot 2012-05-22 at 3.15.29 AMSpaceX's Falcon 9 launch on May 22, 2012 at 3:44 am EDT2012-05-23T15:49:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/05/21/and-the-sun-is-eclipsed-by-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/eclipse_5-20-12.jpgeclipse_5-20-12Annular eclipse sunset seen from Dallas, TX. © Jason Majorhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/eclipse2.jpgEclipse2May 20, 2012 annular eclipse seen from Dallas, TX USA. © Jason Major2012-05-21T19:00:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/05/20/watch-tonights-eclipse-live/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/bnentsgn.jpgBNEntsgnThe National Park Service will feature a live feed of the May 20 eclipse from Petroglyph National Monument in NM. (NPS)2013-01-27T08:03:10+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/05/17/is-earth-alive/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/rosetta-earth-image-2009.jpgRosetta Earth image 2009Image of Earth as seen by ESA's Rosetta spacecraft in 2009.2012-05-18T04:00:38+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/05/16/three-devils-one-image/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/3dustdevils.jpg3dustdevilsHiRISE image showing three dust devils on Mars2012-05-17T18:47:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/05/11/take-a-look-at-titan/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/saturn_titan-5-6-12.jpgSaturn_Titan 5-6-12Color-composite image of Saturn and Titan from Cassini data (NASA/JPL/SSI)2012-05-13T18:21:05+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/05/08/the-surface-of-an-asteroid/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/vesta-pan.jpgVesta panCraters and ridges abound on the surface of Vesta, the solar system's second-largest asteroid.2012-05-08T20:25:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/05/06/super-moons-big-night/2012-05-06T16:06:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/05/04/are-you-ready-for-saturdays-supermoon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may-5-2012-supermoon.jpgMay 5 2012 SupermoonMay 5, 2012 super moon. © Jason Majorhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/5541427149_18ab7c5063_z.jpg5541427149_18ab7c5063_zMarch 19, 2011 supermoon rising. © Jason Major2012-05-06T15:31:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/05/02/nasa-in-pursuit-of-light/2012-05-03T15:26:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/05/01/how-big-is-the-solar-system/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/omg-space-by-margot-trudell.pngOMG Space by Margot TrudellMargot Trudell's graphic design thesis project shows the vast distances of the Solar System.2012-05-02T08:26:35+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/04/26/fragile-earth-puts-a-century-of-climate-change-at-your-fingertips/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/screen-shot-2012-04-26-at-9-56-57-pm.pngScreen Shot from Fragile Earthhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/screen-shot-2012-04-26-at-9-56-43-pm.pngScreen Shot from Fragile Earthhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/screen-shot-2012-04-26-at-9-56-25-pm.pngScreen Shot 2012-04-26 at 9.56.25 PMHarper Collins' latest iPad app reveals our planet's changing landscapes2012-04-27T08:57:40+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/04/24/an-astronauts-lunar-family-photo/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/as16-117-18840.jpgAS16-117-18840Photo left on the Moon by Charlie Duke during Apollo 16 (NASA/JSC scan)2012-04-25T08:59:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/04/19/how-big-is-a-cme/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/4-16-flare_andearth.jpg4-16-flare_andEarthAIA 304 image of the April 16, 2012 CME with Earth inserted to scale. (NASA/SDO/J. Major)2012-04-19T15:47:49+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/04/17/wonders-app-takes-you-on-a-3d-tour-of-the-universe/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/508465867xscreen1.jpg508465867xscreen1Bring the Wonders of the Universe and Prof. Brian Cox to your iPad with this new app from HarperCollins UK2012-04-18T11:25:25+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/04/16/the-sun-fires-off-a-warning-shot/2012-04-17T13:48:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/09/25/on-top-of-the-world/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/ron-garan-in-the-iss-cupola.jpgRon Garan in the ISS CupolaISS astronaut Ron Garan peers out if the Station's cupola at the Earth below.2012-04-16T16:05:49+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/04/16/mighty-melanthius/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tethys-4-14-12-melanthius.jpgTethys 4-14-12 MelanthiusRaw image from Cassini acquired on April 14, 2012.2012-04-16T05:50:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/04/14/coolest-sun-pic-ever/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/sun.jpgSunjfjfjf2012-04-15T12:24:00+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/04/14/signs-of-surprisingly-recent-volcanic-activity-in-tycho/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/565733main_m162350671le-4x3_800-600.jpg565733main_M162350671LE-4x3_800-600Tycho crater's central peaks may have evidence of recent volcanism (NASA Goddard/University of Arizona)2012-04-15T03:20:06+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/04/12/did-we-find-life-on-mars-35-years-ago/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pia00567.jpgconverted PNM fileImage of Mars from Viking 1 in August 1976 (NASA/JPL-Caltech)2012-04-13T08:41:09+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/04/09/a-golden-oldie/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/6887723991_b79b031fca_b.jpg6887723991_b79b031fca_bMimas hides in the shadow of Saturn's rings.2012-04-10T15:26:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/04/07/messenger-gets-it-donne/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/en0220803786m_donne-map.jpgEN0220803786M_Donne.mapDonne crater on Mercury2012-04-07T19:02:09+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/10/30/a-backwards-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/triton-tif-746x600_q85.jpgTriton.tif.746x600_q85Voyager 2 mosaic of Neptune's largest moon Triton2012-04-06T15:12:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/04/04/a-solar-danse-macabre/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dark193.jpgDark193Dark prominences swap material on the Sun on March 27-28, 2012. (NASA/SDO)2012-04-08T22:10:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/04/02/a-blue-monday-on-mercury/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pia15543.jpgPIA15543MESSENGER wide-angle camera image of Mercury's surface acquired July 5, 2011.2012-04-04T17:41:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/03/31/the-color-of-rhea/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/rhea-rgb-3-29-12.jpgRhea RGB 3-29-12Color-composite of Rhea, Saturn's second-largest moon.2012-03-31T23:12:14+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/03/29/enceladus-sprays-its-secrets-to-cassini/2012-04-14T06:40:49+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/03/20/a-little-pas-de-deux-tethys-and-dione/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/tethys.gifTethysSaturn's moons Tethys and Dione pass each other from Cassini's point of view. (CLICK TO PLAY)2012-03-22T15:04:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/03/20/pretty-as-a-picture-enceladus-and-titan/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/enceladus-titan-3-12-12-jmajor.jpgEnceladus Titan 3-12-12 JMajorColor composite of Enceladus, Titan and Saturn's rings.2012-03-21T14:54:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/03/19/star-lab-makes-suborbital-affordable/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/starlab.jpgStarLabRendering of the Star Lab launch vehicle. (Credit: 4Frontiers)2012-03-20T10:05:32+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/03/14/is-this-comet-swans-swan-song/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/cme.gifcmeSOHO animation of the latest sun-diving comet (LASCO/NRL SOHO team)2012-03-14T18:14:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/03/08/the-devils-shadow/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/dustdevil.jpgdustdevilHiRISE image of a half-mile-tall dust devil on Mars2012-03-09T03:44:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/03/02/space-station-vs-orion/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/iss-3-2-12.jpgISS 3-2-12Here's a photo I took of the ISS heading toward Orion on March 2, 2012. © Jason Major2012-03-03T01:28:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/03/01/how-many-stars-can-astronauts-see/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/screen-shot-2012-03-01-at-7-31-36-pm.pngScreen Shot 2012-03-01 at 7.31.36 PMAndromeda galaxy. Credit: Bill Schoening, Vanessa Harvey/REU program/NOAO/AURA/NSF.2012-03-02T00:35:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/28/nasa-satellite-spots-creepy-face-on-the-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/face-shaped-boulder.jpgFace-shaped-BoulderThis is one mad moon rock! (NASA/GSFC/ASU)2012-03-09T22:41:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/27/aurora-ablaze/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/6935485141_7a36ed126e_b.jpg6935485141_7a36ed126e_bThe aurora borealis lights up land and sky in Manitoba, as seen from the ISS. (NASA)2012-02-28T01:47:17+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/27/daytime-moon-hello-venus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/549x580x6929866461_5d61cb8cbe_b-549x580-pagespeed-ic-cjykre1q_1.jpg549x580x6929866461_5d61cb8cbe_b-549x580.jpg.pagespeed.ic.cjyKRE1q_1Saturday Feb .25 brought a view of the Moon and Venus. (J. Major)2012-02-27T19:31:49+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/24/a-daily-dose-of-dawn/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/6925937379_3c648d9132_b.jpg6925937379_3c648d9132_bView from the ISS on Feb. 4, 2012. (NASA)2012-02-24T19:53:26+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/21/sun-moon-and-spots/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/402690_10150699293402498_203773717497_11206366_1264913377_n.jpg402690_10150699293402498_203773717497_11206366_1264913377_nThe Moon transits the Sun on Feb. 21, 2012. (AIA 4500)2012-03-12T22:06:43+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/19/one-very-attractive-simulation/2012-02-21T10:58:26+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/19/more-iss-awesomeness/2012-02-20T11:38:17+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/16/an-artistic-array-of-rays/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/mercury-rays-zoom2.jpgmercury-rays-zoomMESSENGER image of Xiao Zhao crater2012-02-17T04:06:10+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/04/21/do-you-heart-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/marsheart.jpgmarsheartHeart-Shaped Crater2012-02-14T06:33:38+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/11/a-growing-sunspot-ar1416/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/428744_10150673364462498_203773717497_11128424_171562192_n.jpg428744_10150673364462498_203773717497_11128424_171562192_nProjected image of the Sun at 3:45 pm CST, Feb. 11 2012. © Jason Major.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/doubling.gifdoublingActive region 1416 doubling in size over the past several days (SDO/HMI)2012-02-12T00:09:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/11/hubble-spots-jupiters-spooky-northern-lights/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/hs-2007-11-c-large_web.jpghs-2007-11-c-large_webhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/hs-2007-11-b-large_web.jpghs-2007-11-b-large_webHubble image of Jupiter's aurora (March 2007)2012-02-11T18:02:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/10/the-town-that-billy-sunday-couldnt-shut-down/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/6852803799_06f470ed10_b.jpg6852803799_06f470ed10_bExpedition 30 photo of Chicago on the night of Feb. 2, 2012. (NASA)2012-02-10T21:12:18+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/07/titan-in-color/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/titan-rgb-1-30-12-1b.jpgTitan RGB 1-30-12 1bColor-composite raw image of Titan, captured Jan. 30. (NASA/JPL/SSI/J. Major)2012-02-07T23:42:50+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/05/apocalypse-no-despite-what-chevy-says/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/screen-shot-2012-02-05-at-12-46-06-pm.pngScreen Shot 2012-02-05 at 12.46.06 PMChevrolet's commercial plays on 2012 fears2012-02-05T21:56:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/03/martian-hazard-271-falling-frost-avalanches/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/mars_avalanche.jpgMars_AvalancheFrost, dust and soil falls from the edge of a steep Martian scarp. (HiRISE image)2012-05-19T11:21:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/03/two-new-moons-for-jupiter/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/s2011j2all-1.gifs2011j2all-1Images from the Magellan Telescopes at Las Campanas Observatory pick out a newly-discovered irregular satellite of Jupiter. (Courtesy of Scott S. Sheppard, CIW)2012-02-03T09:45:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/01/26/beautiful-barchans/2012-02-02T04:34:09+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/02/01/first-grail-video-shows-moons-dark-side/2012-02-02T16:49:34+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/31/moonset-over-the-atlantic/2012-01-31T22:35:37+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/30/giant-asteroid-to-approach-earth-jan-31/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/near_20000229_mos.jpgnear_20000229_mosAsteroid 433 Eros as seen by NASA's NEAR spacecraft on Feb. 29, 2000. (NASA/JPL/JHUAPL)2012-01-30T22:10:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/26/if-you-like-pluto-put-a-ring-on-it/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/20110720_01_lg-480x480.jpg20110720_01_lg-480x480Hubble image of Pluto and its four known moons. NASA, ESA, and M. Showalter (SETI Institute)2012-01-30T09:13:34+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/09/27/spot-on/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/jupiter_vgr1_grs_mosaic_crop.jpgjupiter_vgr1_grs_mosaic_CROPImage of Jupiter's Great Red Spot from Voyager 1, 1979 data. Processed by Björn Jónsson.2012-01-26T23:13:06+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/25/hello-earth/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/npp_beauty_over_north_pole_youtube_hq_web.pngNPP_Beauty_Over_North_Pole_youtube_hq_webThe Suomi NPP satellite. Click for animation.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/6760135001_58b1c5c5f0_b.jpg6760135001_58b1c5c5f0_bNASA satellite image of Earth. January 20122012-01-26T02:32:43+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/24/solar-storm-in-progress/2012-01-25T16:50:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/23/time-for-some-stormy-solar-weather/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/6749803843_91337b8c4d_z.jpg6749803843_91337b8c4d_zPowerful M8.7-class flare seen by SDO on Jan. 23, 2012.2012-02-24T00:53:48+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/17/a-view-from-the-top/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/6717407275_9af2951c37_b.jpg6717407275_9af2951c37_bPhoto taken from the ISS on Nov. 24, 2011. (NASA)2012-01-18T01:21:06+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/15/from-the-litd-archives-eclipsing-mimas/2012-01-15T21:56:40+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/13/more-evidence-for-a-wetter-volcanier-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/picture-12.jpgPicture 12A "bomb sag" near Spirit's location at Home Plate. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)2012-01-14T00:17:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/13/mercurys-smooth-plains/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ew0232288831g_web.jpgEW0232288831G_webMESSENGER image of Mercury's "smooth" north polar region2012-01-13T22:44:18+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/07/iss-performs-a-lunar-pass/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/iss-moon-825.jpgiss-moon-8252012-01-07T22:01:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/05/2012-hoaxes-debunked-by-science/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/aug11mayacalendar.jpgaug11mayacalendarThe Mayans did NOT predict the destruction of Earth on Dec. 21 2012.2012-01-07T20:53:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/05/spacecraft-discovers-mercury-truly-is-a-hollowed-planet/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/mercury-hollows-12-5-12.jpgMercury Hollows 12-5-12Curious erosed terrain called "hollows" on Mercury2012-01-05T22:03:18+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/04/brightest-iss-pass-of-2012/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/iss-pass-1-4-12.jpgISS Pass 1-4-122012-01-05T14:10:22+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/03/no-doom-in-2012-stop-the-insanity/2012-12-21T16:23:51+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2012/01/01/lights-in-the-dark-2011-in-review/2012-01-02T17:58:26+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/12/31/happy-new-year-from-the-iss/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/s133e010447-edit.jpgs133e010447-EDITThe ISS seen in orbit by the STS-133 mission crew. (NASA)2012-01-01T09:48:27+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/12/30/the-tail-of-a-comet-amongst-the-stars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/6596497833_425dacb67b_b.jpg6596497833_425dacb67b_b2011-12-30T20:28:35+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/12/25/merry-christmas-and-happy-holidays/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/413388_243964119006328_123621931040548_594242_1794148631_o.jpg413388_243964119006328_123621931040548_594242_1794148631_o2011-12-26T16:50:00+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/12/22/a-beautiful-comet-rise-at-dawn-video/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/screen-shot-2011-12-22-at-3-57-03-pm.jpgScreen shot 2011-12-22 at 3.57.03 PMComet Lovejoy seen from the space station, Dec. 21 2011. (NASA)2011-12-22T22:01:37+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/12/20/breaking-news-kepler-team-spots-first-earth-sized-exoplanets/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kepler20planetlineup-glry.jpgKepler20PlanetLineup-glryHow Kepler-20e and f compares to Earth and Venus. The new exoplanets are "rocky like Earth but with scorching temperatures."https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/580x435xkepler-20-f-580x435-pagespeed-ic-cuep7xak2b.jpg580x435xkepler-20-f-580x435.jpg.pagespeed.ic.CUEp7xAk2BArtist's concept of Kepler-20f, a rocky planet 1.03 times the radius of Earth. Credit: NASA/Ames/JPL-Caltech 2011-12-21T18:43:09+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/12/21/its-coming-my-precious/2011-12-22T06:28:27+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/12/18/the-colors-of-titans-sky/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/6516837571_c09c73cac3_z.jpg6516837571_c09c73cac3_zColor-composite image of backlit Titan. (NASA/JPL/SSI/J.Major)2011-12-21T01:56:15+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/12/15/comet-lovejoys-dazzling-death-dive/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/screen-shot-2011-12-15-at-11-54-09-am.jpgScreen shot 2011-12-15 at 11.54.09 AMSOHO image of a bright comet streaking towards the Sun on Dec. 152011-12-16T09:39:40+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/12/11/a-december-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/moon-halo-12-10-11.jpgMoon Halo 12-11-11 JMajorA bright moon halo surrounds the Moon on Dec. 11, 2011. © Jason Major2011-12-18T05:55:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/12/08/twitter-hearts-space-tweeps/2011-12-08T21:21:49+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/12/02/pluto-probe-goes-where-none-has-gone-before/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pluto-newhorizons.jpgpluto-newhorizonsArtist's impression of New Horizons' encounter with Pluto in 2015. (NASA/Thierry Lombry)2011-12-03T00:31:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/11/25/black-fridays-solar-eclipse/2011-11-29T14:51:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/11/16/evidence-of-lakes-beneath-europas-ice/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/europa_tstryk.jpgEuropa_TStrykChaos terrain on Europa suggests subsurface lakes. (NASA/JPL/Ted Stryk) 2011-11-17T16:32:30+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/11/16/death-of-a-rover/2011-11-17T14:10:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/11/16/iss-docking-success/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/screen-shot-2011-11-15-at-11-18-07-pm.pngScreen Shot 2011-11-15 at 11.18.07 PMThe TMA-22 Soyuz capsule containing Expedition 29/30 crew approaches the ISS2011-11-16T06:04:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/11/13/earth-from-orbit-in-hd/2011-11-14T09:24:18+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/11/12/a-rover-sees-its-shadow/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/ll2.jpgll2Opportunity's shadow silhouettes her instruments2011-11-13T09:58:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/11/10/solar-nirvana/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/sm_solarnirvana.jpgsm_solarnirvanaThe Sun in hydrogen-alpha on Nov. 6. © Alan Freidman.2011-11-10T23:08:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/11/08/yu55s-close-up/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/screen-shot-2011-11-08-at-5-28-04-pm.pngScreen Shot 2011-11-08 at 5.28.04 PMImage of 2005 YU55 from the Clay Center Observatory.2011-11-10T04:43:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/11/09/onward-to-the-edge-a-space-musical/2011-11-10T18:29:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/11/07/incoming-first-new-image-of-2005-yu55/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/601707main_yu55-20111107-43_946-710.jpg601707main_yu55-20111107-43_946-7102011-11-08T14:59:16+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/11/06/one-big-blemish-ar-1339/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/tumblr_lu81jx3qrl1r1dma9o1_1280.jpgtumblr_lu81jx3Qrl1r1dma9o1_1280Photo of Active Region 1339 by Alan Friedman. (All rights reserved.)2011-11-06T19:55:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/11/05/a-new-mystery-on-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/animation2.gifanimation2Homestake highlighted in a navigation cam image. (Click to play.) NASA/JPL-Caltech/Stu Atkinson.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/hs2.jpghs2Latest image of "Homestake". NASA/JPL-Caltech/Stu Atkinson2011-11-06T00:37:09+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/11/04/a-tall-tale-of-a-prominent-figure/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/tallest_of_allest.jpgtallest_of_allestAn exceptionally tall prominence on the Sun. © Alan Freidman.2013-02-18T02:51:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/10/30/2005-yu55-is-coming/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/asteroid20100429-full.jpgasteroid20100429-fullRadar image of asteroid 2005 YU55, acquired in April 20102011-11-05T00:04:34+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/10/28/a-front-row-seat-to-a-spacewalk/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/435397504.jpg435397504Astronaut Scott Parazynski on EVA, November 3, 2007. Photo by Doug Wheelock.2011-10-31T04:22:02+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/10/26/the-world-keeps-spinnin-round/2011-10-26T09:33:08+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/10/25/monday-night-lights-october-aurorae-surprise-skywatchers/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/319548_2322122345796_1631706805_2250140_1664267928_n.jpg319548_2322122345796_1631706805_2250140_1664267928_nAurora over Chesterfield, Michigan. © Bob Trembleyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/313224_2322123505825_1631706805_2250143_853233290_n.jpg313224_2322123505825_1631706805_2250143_853233290_nAurora over Chesterfield, Michigan on Oct. 24, 2011. © Bob Trembley2011-10-28T17:45:59+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/10/24/fantastic-four/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/6901_16560_1.jpg6901_16560_1Latest Cassini image shows four of Saturn's moons2011-10-24T18:40:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/10/22/into-the-darkness/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/ew0216760220g_darkness-map.pngEW0216760220G_darkness.mapMESSENGER image acquired from orbit around Mercury on June 17, 20112011-10-23T03:42:54+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/10/19/pluto-the-biggest-dwarf/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/plutoids.jpgPlutoidsPluto and Eris: two dwarf planets vying for size2011-10-22T13:10:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/10/15/the-end-of-elenin/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/elenin_10-6.jpgElenin_10-6This image from Leonid Elenin's observations on October 5 show....not very much at all. The comet most likely broke up during its pass around the Sun.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/comet-elenin-mattiazzo-fading-imagery.jpgcomet-elenin-mattiazzo-fading-imageryImages of Comet Elenin by Michael Mattiazzo show a pronounced dimming between August 19 and September 6, indicating a likely disintegration.2011-10-19T01:20:24+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/10/12/latest-images-of-enceladus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/6a00d8341bf67c53ef015435de701f970c.jpg6a00d8341bf67c53ef015435de701f970cHelene, another of Saturn's many moons, peeks out from behind a crescent Enceladus seen here above the rings.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/6a00d8341bf67c53ef0153920acc13970b.jpg6a00d8341bf67c53ef0153920acc13970bEnceladus' ice plumes in action are best seen from its night side. 2011-10-13T02:52:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/10/09/vision-save-the-james-webb/2011-10-10T08:38:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/10/07/goodnight-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/moonset_fromspace_rongaranjuly312011.jpgMoonset_FromSpace_RonGaranJuly312011The Moon seen from low-Earth orbit2011-10-07T15:42:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/10/05/steve-jobs-he-thought-different/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/t_hero.pngt_heroSteve Jobs, creator and CEO of Apple. 1955 - 20112011-10-06T08:17:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/10/03/can-comets-cause-cmes/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/cometandcme.gifcometandcme2012-02-24T00:58:59+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/09/30/pay-a-visit-to-vesta/2011-10-01T00:08:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/09/29/mercurys-curious-hollows/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/blewett05a_radit.jpgBlewett05A_RaditMore hollows in Raditladi Basinhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/blewett_03-png.jpegBlewett_03.pngHollows in Sander Crater. 2011-09-30T04:37:21+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/09/28/did-earth-once-have-two-moons/2011-10-04T18:34:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/09/26/ripples-in-the-sky/2011-09-28T05:58:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/09/25/rolling-stones-in-the-lake-of-death/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/boulder-trails1.jpgBoulder TrailsBoulders rest in a crater valley on the Moonhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/boulder-trails.jpgBoulder Trails2011-09-25T05:47:19+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/09/23/as-the-world-turns-2/2011-09-23T18:58:25+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/09/20/moons-of-three/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/dione-and-titan-9-17-11.jpgDione and Titan 9-17-11The moons of Saturn are as beautiful as they are varied...2011-09-21T21:34:38+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/09/17/around-the-world-in-60-seconds/2011-10-10T08:35:33+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2009/07/15/the-oceans-of-venus/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/2008je003118-p11_enh_h.jpg2008je003118-p11_enh.pdfVenus' South Side2012-01-27T10:37:46+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/09/16/kepler-finds-a-real-life-tatooine/2011-09-18T14:21:41+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/09/14/senate-saves-the-jwst/2011-09-15T20:59:23+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/09/10/to-the-moon-grail-successfully-launches-on-91011/2011-09-10T16:37:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/09/09/oh-what-a-relief-it-is/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/en0220461805m-nomap.jpgEN0220461805M.nomapMESSENGER image of hills in Mercury's Caloris Basin2011-09-09T05:30:15+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/09/03/mars-express-gets-the-delta-blues/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/521-20110805-7208-6-co-01-eberswaldecraterdelta_h.jpg521-20110805-7208-6-co-01-EberswaldeCraterDelta_HThe remains of a delta are visible outside this Martian crater.2011-09-04T01:05:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/08/31/juno-looks-back-home/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/juno-atlas-v-launch.jpgJuno Atlas V LaunchJuno's launch aboard an Atlas V rocket on August 5. © Jason Major.https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/juno20110830-full.jpgjuno20110830-fullEarth and Moon seen by Juno on August 26, 2011. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech2011-09-22T17:18:05+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/08/26/high-over-hyperion/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/hyperion-8-25-11.jpgHyperion 8-25-11A dramatically-lit look at the cratered surface of Hyperion2011-08-26T17:39:51+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/08/25/granular-flows-in-a-copernican-crater/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/m135847041re_thumb.jpgM135847041RE_thumbDark-colored material on the slope of a farside lunar craterhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/m135847041re_thumb.pngM135847041RE_thumb2011-08-26T04:30:42+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/08/20/daphnis-in-full-color/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/6063427432_d5562ed46b_z.jpg6063427432_d5562ed46b_zColor-calibrated image of Daphnis and Saturn's rings by Gordan Ugarkovic2011-08-22T11:00:56+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/08/19/martian-motion/2011-09-17T20:36:20+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/08/19/a-look-inside-mars/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/skylight-detail.jpgskylight detailSkylight detailhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/esp_023531_1840.jpgESP_023531_18402011-08-19T21:59:13+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/08/17/got-questions-about-comet-elenin/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/comet20110504-640.jpgcomet20110504-640Comet Elenin's projected path through the inner Solar System2012-03-15T19:10:40+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/08/15/a-snowman-on-vesta/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/snowman-on-vesta-8-6-11.jpgSnowman on Vesta 8-6-11A set of three conjoined craters on Vesta2011-08-16T04:47:14+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/08/13/where-the-craters-have-no-name/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/mercury_9-12-11.jpgMercury_9-12-11An unnamed crater complex on Mercury's southern pole.2011-08-14T02:10:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/08/10/on-the-rim-of-endeavour/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/578683main_pia14508-43_946-710.jpg578683main_pia14508-43_946-710Opportunity's view of Endeavour from Spirit Point2011-08-11T14:34:29+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/08/09/an-x-rated-flare/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/20110809_081147_2048_0304.jpg20110809_081147_2048_0304SDO image of the Sun on 8/9/11https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/x-class-flare-8-9-11.jpgX-Class Flare 8-9-11An X6.9 flare on the Sun's eastern limb on August 9, 2011.2011-08-09T21:46:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/08/01/new-vesta-images/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/pia14324.jpgPIA14324Craters on Vesta's southern regionhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/pia14323.jpgPIA14323A look at Vesta's twin "snowman" cratershttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/pia14322.jpgPIA14322Latest image of Vesta's surface from Dawn2013-05-02T23:10:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/31/july-31-birthday-for-lunar-images/2011-07-31T21:23:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/29/juno-where-ill-be-next-week/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/528774main_pia13746-43_946-710.jpg528774main_pia13746-43_946-7102011-07-30T12:44:39+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/24/space-mountain/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/352725043.jpg352725043Photo taken from orbit by ISS Expedition 27 astronaut Ron Garan2011-07-24T22:01:00+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/22/poll-what-should-we-name-plutos-new-moon/2011-07-27T23:25:57+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/22/now-thats-some-groovy-rock/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/vesta-7-18-11.jpgVesta 7-18-11Image of Vesta's south pole acquired by Dawn on July 18, 20112011-07-22T07:53:55+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/21/the-end/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/5935651417_f132e37a57_b.jpg5935651417_f132e37a57_bhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/atlantis-lands.jpgAtlantis LandsThe shuttle Atlantis landed for the final time this morning at KSC. (NASA TV)2011-07-22T09:00:24+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/20/plutos-new-moon/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/p4.jpgP4Long-exposure image from Hubble showing Pluto's three known moons plus P4, a new discovery.2011-07-20T18:45:15+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/19/atlantis-the-last-launch/2011-07-20T09:09:12+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/19/thank-you-atlantis/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/350239782.jpg350239782The shuttle Atlantis photographed after undocking from the ISS. Credit: NASA/Ron Garan2011-07-20T08:46:43+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/08/the-final-countdown-a-nasatweetup-journal-6/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/atlantis-launch-5.jpgAtlantis Launch 5https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/atlantis-launch.jpgAtlantis Launchhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/atlantis-launch-2.jpgAtlantis Launch 2https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/atlantis-launch-3.jpgAtlantis Launch 3The shuttle Atlantis launched on July 8, 20112011-07-10T08:24:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/08/the-final-countdown-a-nasatweetup-journal-5/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dsc0510.jpg_DSC0510Atlantis looked dramatic lit by xenon lights on the morning of July 82011-07-08T12:17:36+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/05/an-incredible-vehicle/2011-09-08T07:17:31+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/04/one-small-step/2011-07-06T00:40:03+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/01/our-future-in-space/2011-07-02T04:21:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/06/29/the-final-countdown-a-nasatweetup-journal-3/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/joem1.jpgJoeMJoseph Marshall, Jr. 1942-2011https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/joem_head.jpgJoeM_headhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/joem.jpgJoeMhttps://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/201105310010hq1.jpgAtlantis STS-135 RolloutSpace Shuttle Atlantis is seen atop the Mobile Launch Platform as it began its journey from High Bay 3 in the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39a for its final flight. (NASA/Bill Ingalls)https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/201105310010hq.jpgAtlantis STS-135 Rollout2011-07-01T22:19:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/07/01/the-final-countdown-a-nasatweetup-journal-4/2011-07-01T17:24:45+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/06/25/curiosity-in-action/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/msl20110623_pia14268_arriveksc-ci.jpgmsl20110623_PIA14268_arriveKSC-ciCuriosity arrives at KSC on June 22 aboard a C-172011-06-25T19:34:44+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/06/24/more-hope-for-life-on-enceladus/2017-04-09T11:47:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/06/23/the-coming-of-dawn/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/vesta3d.jpgVesta3D3D anaglyph of Vesta (J. Major)2011-06-24T19:32:38+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/06/23/a-close-pass-2/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/asteroid.jpgasteroidAsteroid Gaspra as seen by Galileo on October 29, 1991. NASA/JPL2011-06-23T17:56:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/06/21/mars-by-student-request/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/pavonis-mons-pit.jpgPavonis Mons PitA boulder-filled collapse pit on Mars2011-06-22T02:35:08+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/06/20/moon-noir/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/helene-in-shadows.jpgHelene in ShadowsHelene's just hanging out...2011-06-21T00:24:27+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/06/19/big-sisters-2/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/rhea-and-titan.jpgRhea and TitanSaturn's two largest moons, Rhea and Titan2011-06-21T00:16:01+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2010/03/03/hello-helene/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/helene.jpgheleneCassini snaps a shot of Helene2011-06-20T16:29:07+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.com/2011/02/01/textured-trojan/https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/helene_1-31-11_rgb1.jpgHelene_1-31-11_RGBFor your pleasure: Grooves on the surface of Helene https://lightsinthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/helene_1-31-11.jpgHelene_1-31-11Grooves on the surface of Helene2011-06-20T16:27:52+00:00monthlyhttps://lightsinthedark.comdaily1.02026-02-08T05:26:58+00:00