NASA Explorations

NASA’s Lucy mission is heading to the Jupiter Trojans – two swarms of primitive asteroids trapped in Jupiter’s orbit that may hold clues to the formation of the planets. Lucy launched on October 16, 2021. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Dan Gallagher (KBRwyle): Producer Kel Elkins (USRA): Lead Visualizer Walt Feimer (KBRwyle): Lead Animator Jenny McElligott (AIMM): Animator Krystofer Kim (KBRwyle): Animator Jonathan North (KBRwyle): Animator Katherine Kretke (SwRI): Support Ernie Wright (USRA): Support Aaron E. Lepsch (ADNET): Technical Support Universal Production Music: “Determined Arrival 5” by Joel Goodman; “Finding Solace” by Eric Chevalier; “Subtle Confidence 3” by Joel Goodman

A new NASA and Durham University simulation puts forth a different theory of the Moon’s origin – the Moon may have formed in a matter of hours, when material from the Earth and a Mars sized-body were launched directly into orbit after the impact.

The majestic spiral galaxy NGC 1300’s arms hold blue clusters of young stars, pink clouds of star formation, and dark lanes of dust. Sonification credits: SYSTEM Sounds (M. Russo, A. Santaguida)