About Space

Hear Meteoroid Striking Mars, Captured by NASA’s InSight Lander NASA’s InSight lander detected seismic waves from a meteoroid and was able to capture the sound of the space rock striking the surface of Mars for the first time. The meteoroid – the term used for incoming space rocks before they hit the ground – entered Mars’ atmosphere on Sept. 5, 2021, exploding into at least three shards that each left craters behind. Mars’ atmosphere is just 1% as dense as Earth’s, allowing far more meteoroids to pass through and impact the Red Planet’s surface. This event marks the first time seismic and acoustic waves from an impact were detected on the Red Planet. Why does this meteoroid impact sound like a “bloop” in the video? It has to do with a peculiar atmospheric effect that’s also observed in deserts on Earth. After sunset, the atmosphere retains some heat accumulated during the day. Sound waves travel through this heated atmosphere at different speeds, depending on their frequency. As a result, lower-pitched sounds arrive before high-pitched sounds. An observer close to the impact would hear a “bang,” while someone many miles away would hear the bass sounds first, creating a “bloop.” NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter flew over the estimated impact site to confirm the location. The orbiter used its black-and-white Context Camera to reveal three darkened spots on the surface. After locating these spots, the orbiter’s team used the High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera, or HiRISE, to get a color close-up of the craters. Because HiRISE sees wavelengths the human eye can’t detect, scientists change the camera’s filters to enhance the color of the image. The areas that appear blue around the craters are where dust has been removed or disturbed by the blast of the impact. Martian dust is bright and red, so removing it makes the surface appear relatively dark and blue.

Apollo 13 Views of the Moon in 4K This video uses data gathered from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft to recreate some of the stunning views of the Moon that the Apollo 13 astronauts saw on their perilous journey around the farside in 1970. These visualizations, in 4K resolution, depict many different views of the lunar surface, starting with earthset and sunrise and concluding with the time Apollo 13 reestablished radio contact with Mission Control. Also depicted is the path of the free return trajectory around the Moon, and a continuous view of the Moon throughout that path. All views have been sped up for timing purposes — they are not shown in "real-time." Credits: Data Visualization by: Ernie Wright (USRA) Video Produced & Edited by: David Ladd (USRA) Music provided by Universal Production Music: "Visions of Grandeur" - Frederick Wiedmann This video is public domain and along with other supporting visualizations can be downloaded from

Lucy Spacecraft Will Slingshot Around Earth 🚀 About Lucy Spacecraft's Earth Slingshot: The Lucy spacecraft, a cutting-edge robotic mission by NASA, is on a mission like no other—to explore the Trojan asteroids, which are ancient relics from the early days of our solar system. To reach its destination efficiently, Lucy will utilize a clever technique known as a gravity assist or slingshot maneuver around Earth. This maneuver allows the spacecraft to harness Earth's gravitational pull to gain speed and change its trajectory, setting the stage for its ultimate journey to the Trojan asteroids. 🌍 Why Slingshot Around Earth? Learn how gravitational assists work and why they're crucial for space missions. We'll break down the physics behind the Earth slingshot, detailing how the spacecraft uses our planet's gravity to "borrow" energy, enabling it to reach higher speeds and explore farther reaches of the solar system. 🔍 The Mechanics of the Slingshot: Discover the intricacies of the Earth slingshot maneuver. We'll discuss the spacecraft's approach, the trajectory it will follow, and how mission planners meticulously calculate the timing and angle of the slingshot for maximum efficiency. 🛰️ Lucy's Bold Mission: Explore the broader mission objectives of Lucy—its goal to visit several Trojan asteroids and study their composition and characteristics. We'll delve into the significance of this mission, shedding light on the mysteries of our solar system's past. 🔔 Stay Tuned for Updates: Don't miss out on the latest developments in space exploration! Subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell so you can stay updated on Lucy's journey through the cosmos and other exciting space-related content. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of space travel, gravitational dynamics, and the awe-inspiring mission of the Lucy spacecraft. If you're as fascinated by space exploration as we are, hit that thumbs up, share with fellow space enthusiasts, and let's embark on this cosmic adventure together!