Space.com

Hello space fans!

History has been made. Artemis 2 astronauts have looped around the moon, witnessed a rare eclipse and traveled farther from Earth than any humans before them.

But that’s not all. In today’s issue, we’re also diving into what lunar scientists are most excited about, breaking down Artemis 2’s many spaceflight firsts and gazing at the stunning view of a solar eclipse captured from beyond the moon!

Scientists around the world are celebrating Artemis 2’s return to the moon, not just for the historic flyby, but for what comes next. After more than 50 years, humans are back at our nearest neighbor and researchers say this mission could unlock a new era of lunar science.

The Artemis 2 crew has witnessed one of the rarest sights in spaceflight, a total solar eclipse from beyond the moon. Lasting nearly an hour, the breathtaking view revealed a glowing solar corona wrapped around a dark lunar silhouette with earthshine and distant stars lighting up the scene.

Artemis 2 isn’t just a return to the moon; it’s a mission packed with firsts. From breaking humanity’s distance record to sending a more diverse crew farther than ever before. This historic flight is rewriting the spaceflight playbook and paving the way for future lunar missions.

Venus is back — and it’s putting on one of the best sky shows of 2026. Over the coming months, the brilliant “evening star” will shine brightly after sunset, with stunning close encounters, peak brightness and beautiful views through summer.

NASA could be facing another major funding blow. A new budget proposal would slash the agency’s science spending by 47%, reviving a plan that critics say could threaten missions, delay discoveries and undermine U.S. leadership in space science.

Maul — Shadow Lord dives deep into the dark side, delivering a grittier, more focused take on the Sith Lord than ever before.

Thanks for reading!

That’s all for today’s dose of space — from historic moon moments to what’s next for NASA and beyond.

Keep looking up, and we’ll see you tomorrow!