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Artemis II’s record-breaking journey around the moon ends with dramatic splashdown
National
AP Top Story Wire

Artemis II’s record-breaking journey around the moon ends with dramatic splashdown

  • By MARCIA DUNN - AP Aerospace Writer
  • Updated

The first astronauts to visit the moon in more than a half-century are home. Artemis II’s crew of four emerged from their lunar capsule after a splashdown in the Pacific on Friday evening and were flown by helicopter to the Navy’s recovery ship. The three Americans and one Canadian set a distance record for space travel during their lunar flyby, surpassing NASA’s Apollo 13. Artemis II’s astronauts didn’t land on the moon or even orbit it. Instead, they ducked behind the moon’s far side and captured views never before seen by the human eye, along with a total solar eclipse. A finicky toilet seems to have been their biggest problem in space.

Artemis II breaks Apollo 13’s distance record with daring moon flyby that included a solar eclipse
National
AP Wire

Artemis II breaks Apollo 13’s distance record with daring moon flyby that included a solar eclipse

  • By MARCIA DUNN - AP Aerospace Writer
  • Updated

The Artemis II astronauts have completed their record-breaking trip around the moon. Monday’s lunar journey comes after Artemis II surpassed Apollo 13’s distance record. During the flyby, the three Americans and one Canadian were treated to never-before-seen views of the moon’s far side by eye and also a solar eclipse. The crew temporarily lost contact with Mission Control as they swung behind the moon without stopping. They’re now on a path back toward Earth with a splashdown return set for Friday. More activities are planned before then including a phone call with the International Space Station.

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In wrangling dark matter, some scientists find inspiration in the Torah, Krishna and Christ

  • By DEEPA BHARATH - Associated Press

Dark matter and dark energy are mysteries that have confounded scientists for decades, even though they comprise 95% of the universe's mass. Such concepts have also sparked spiritual and philosophical questions about unseen reality, human existence and the origin of the cosmos. Several astronomers and physicists who have researched these topics describe faith as inspiring, not conflicting with their scientific inquiry. Across faith and spiritual traditions, there is mention of invisible worlds, dimensions and entities reminiscent of dark matter and dark energy. But scientists say such stories and interpretations are better not taken literally, but used as inspiration to explore different approaches to today's scientific problems.

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AP

How common are fireballs streaking across the sky?

  • By The Associated Press

Rocks from outer space are constantly hurtling toward Earth, slamming into the atmosphere and often exploding into fireballs that both delight and alarm people. Thankfully, the vast majority cause no damage because they are smashed into small chunks or dust. A fireball streaked across the sky near Cleveland this week, caused by what was thought to be a space rock weighing 7 tons. The American Meteor Society says it was seen from Wisconsin to Maryland. No fragments have been found yet.

Is spring really — finally — here?
National
AP Wire

Is spring really — finally — here?

  • By The Associated Press
  • Updated

Spring gets its official start Friday in the Northern Hemisphere with the arrival of the vernal equinox. But what does that mean? The Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle as it travels around the sun. On the equinox, the Earth’s tilt is neither toward nor away from the sun, so both hemispheres get the same amount of sunlight. This means day and night last about the same amount of time. It also marks the start of a new season. Days will get a little longer every day in the Northern Hemisphere until the solstice in June.