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Universe Today • Matthew Williams

Chang'e-6 sample analysis sheds light on Moon's far-side asymmetry

Laboratory analysis of Chang'e-6 lunar samples provides new chemical and geological evidence that helps explain the Moon's nearside–farside dichotomy — the concentration of dark volcanic maria on the near side and the thicker, heavily cratered crust on the far side.

2026-01-16T16:12:40.876136-08:00

Universe Today

Study: Iron-rich asteroids far more resilient than expected, complicating planetary-defence plans

2026-01-16T14:27:12.334384-08:00

Bloomberg

Artemis II rolls to LC‑39B as NASA advances first crewed lunar flyby since 1972; Canada aboard

2026-01-16T04:53:03.590998-08:00

Universe Today

Using Mars' thin atmosphere to 3D-print metal parts could cut mission costs by millions

2026-01-16T04:53:15.673114-08:00

News Timeline

Universe Today

Chang'e-6 sample analysis sheds light on Moon's far-side asymmetry Laboratory analysis of Chang'e-6 lunar samples provides new chemical and geological evidence that helps explain the Moon's nearside–farside dichotomy — the concentration of dark volcanic maria on the near side and the thicker, heavily cratered crust on the far side.

2026-01-16T16:12:40.876136-08:00

Chang'e-6 sample analysis sheds light on Moon's far-side asymmetry

Universe Today

Study: Iron-rich asteroids far more resilient than expected, complicating planetary-defence plans A new study, with contributions from University of Oxford physicists, finds iron‑rich asteroids can absorb far more energy before fragmenting than previously believed. That resilience undermines assumptions behind kinetic‑impact and disruption mitigation concepts and forces a reassessment of planetary‑defence modelling and response options.

2026-01-16T14:27:12.334384-08:00

Study: Iron-rich asteroids far more resilient than expected, complicating planetary-defence plans

Universe Today

Using Mars' thin atmosphere to 3D-print metal parts could cut mission costs by millions A University of Arkansas preprint by Zane Mebruer and Wan Shou shows that additive manufacturing on Mars can leverage the planet's thin CO2‑rich atmosphere to assist metal 3D‑printing, potentially reducing launch mass and cutting mission costs by millions of dollars. The paper examines the underlying chemistry and practical implications.

2026-01-16T04:53:15.673114-08:00

Using Mars' thin atmosphere to 3D-print metal parts could cut mission costs by millions

Bloomberg

❗️

Artemis II rolls to LC‑39B as NASA advances first crewed lunar flyby since 1972; Canada aboard NASA’s Artemis II SLS‑Orion stack rolled from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39B on Jan. 16–17, completing a major prelaunch milestone ahead of the agency’s first crewed lunar flyby since 1972. The four‑person mission includes Canada's first astronaut assigned to a lunar flight.

2026-01-16T04:53:03.590998-08:00

Artemis II rolls to LC‑39B as NASA advances first crewed lunar flyby since 1972; Canada aboard

SpaceNews.com

China nears approval for twin probes to the solar system’s edge China has published coordinated technical papers describing two probes to the solar system’s boundary, a procedural step suggesting the long‑studied dual‑probe program is approaching formal approval. The papers outline mission concepts and coordination that could enable Chinese spacecraft to reach the solar system’s edge.

2026-01-16T03:47:37.266523-08:00

China nears approval for twin probes to the solar system’s edge

Space.com

Satellites map Antarctica’s hidden bedrock, tightening sea‑level forecasts Advanced satellite observations are producing higher-resolution maps of Antarctica's subglacial topography, revealing previously hidden bed features and drainage pathways. Improved elevation and radar-derived datasets narrow uncertainties in ice-sheet dynamics, enabling more accurate projections of ice loss and global sea-level rise over coming decades.

2026-01-15T15:10:32.859693-08:00

Satellites map Antarctica’s hidden bedrock, tightening sea‑level forecasts

Universe Today

JWST detects lensed supernova pair — time delays could pin down the Hubble constant JWST has identified a pair of strongly gravitationally lensed supernovae whose light, emitted billions of years ago, will appear as multiple images separated by years to decades. Measuring those lensing time delays can constrain the Hubble constant and help resolve the Hubble tension.

2026-01-15T09:38:13.293550-08:00

JWST detects lensed supernova pair — time delays could pin down the Hubble constant

Universe Today

Scientists pinpoint Sun’s gamma‑ray source: supercharged atmospheric particles Researchers at the New Jersey Institute of Technology traced intense gamma‑ray bursts from solar flares to a previously unknown population of particles in the Sun’s atmosphere, accelerated to millions of electron volts. The finding resolves a decades‑old mystery about the origin and mechanism of these high‑energy emissions.

2026-01-15T03:06:28.950263-08:00

Scientists pinpoint Sun’s gamma‑ray source: supercharged atmospheric particles

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Space Exploration & Science Missions News

Chang'e-6 sample analysis sheds light on Moon's far-side asymmetry

Study: Iron-rich asteroids far more resilient than expected, complicating planetary-defence plans

Artemis II rolls to LC‑39B as NASA advances first crewed lunar flyby since 1972; Canada aboard

Using Mars' thin atmosphere to 3D-print metal parts could cut mission costs by millions

News Timeline