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A significant milestone in space exploration has been reached with the successful landing of the Blue Ghost moon lander on the lunar surface. The spacecraft, developed by Firefly Aerospace, became the second privately built vehicle to execute a soft landing on the Moon. The mission, conducted in partnership with NASA, carried ten scientific experiments aimed at studying the lunar environment. Confirmation of the landing was received early on March 2, with images showcasing Earth visible above the Moon.

Landing Sequence Executed as Planned

According to reports, the descent was initiated at 2:30 a.m. EST with an engine burn to adjust the lander’s trajectory. Positioned at an altitude of approximately 100 kilometres before descent, the spacecraft was directed towards its pre-selected landing site within Mare Crisium, a volcanic plain on the Moon’s near side. Following a controlled descent lasting nearly an hour, the primary engine was deactivated, and the spacecraft switched to its reaction control system for fine adjustments. A boulder-free area was autonomously identified, and the final descent was executed, leading to a successful touchdown at 3:34 a.m. EST.

NASA and Firefly Aerospace React to the Achievement

Excitement over the success was expressed by officials, with the milestone being acknowledged as a major achievement. It was later confirmed by Firefly Aerospace that all phases of the landing had proceeded without complications, and the presence of lunar dust on the lander was noted.

Scientific Goals and Future Observations

The mission, named Ghost Riders in the Sky, is expected to operate for approximately 14 Earth days. Instruments onboard will analyse radiation levels, test new methods for lunar sample collection, and conduct additional studies beneficial for future Artemis missions. On March 14, high-definition footage of a total solar eclipse as viewed from the Moon’s surface is scheduled to be captured, with further observations planned until lunar sunset on March 16.

Expanding Private Lunar Exploration

As part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, the Blue Ghost lander is among several private missions aiming to expand lunar exploration capabilities. A $93 million contract had been awarded to Firefly Aerospace for this mission, with future landings expected in subsequent years. Other companies, including Intuitive Machines and ispace, are also preparing for lunar landings, further advancing commercial participation in space exploration.

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A Pyramid in the Amazon? The Mystery of Cerro El Cono in Peru’s Sierra del Divisor

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May 6, 2025

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A Pyramid in the Amazon? The Mystery of Cerro El Cono in Peru's Sierra del Divisor

The mysterious peak of Cerro El Cono, standing isolated in the Sierra del Divisor, a mountainous border between Peru and Brazil, has drawn attention of researchers for its mysterious pyramidal shape, emerging from the plain and protruding from the virgin lowland forest. In the Andes mountain range, the structure is visible from a distance of up to 250 miles (400 kilometers) on clear days. Because of its remote location, Cerro El Cono’s origins have remained a mystery. Some reports suggest that “The cone hill” may just be a peculiar rock structure, while others speculate that it may be an extinct volcano. 

Origin Theories

According to research featured in La República, the 1310-foot-tall Corro El Cono is a spiritual entity for the local tribes. It is respected as an Andean Apu, a secret mountain believed to hold protective powers for the people living in its vicinity.

Some researchers speculate it as an extinct volcano due to its distinct shape, but this hypothesis remains unconfirmed due to limited research and accessibility issues in this area.
Another explanation — one for which there is no evidence — is that Cerro El Cono sits on the ruins of a pyramid built by ancient Indigenous tribes.

Conservation challenges

The surrounding jungle of Cerro El Cono is a home to several vulnerable species, including giant armadillos (Priodontes maximus), jaguars (Panthera onca) and various types of monkeys, according to The Guardian. This makes it environmentally significant and it is considered a Biodiversity hotspot.

To combat threats of environmental degradation due to illegal logging, gold mining, and poaching, Sierra del Divisor National Park was created in 2015. But recent surveys show, this protected park has failed to deliver the promised threat removal.

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Hubble Captures Stunning Image of Peculiar Spiral Galaxy Arp 184 in Camelopardalis

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May 6, 2025

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Hubble Captures Stunning Image of Peculiar Spiral Galaxy Arp 184 in Camelopardalis

NASA/ESA Hubble space telescope has captured a beautiful yet skewed-shaped spiral galaxy that resides about 190 million light-years away from Earth. This galaxy, named Arp 184 or NGC 1961, is a part of the Camelopardalis or the Giraffe constellation. Its vivid and dazzling image reveals its asymmetric shape, and a single spiral arm stretched towards the viewer make it an interesting prospect for studies. The occurrence of multiple supernovae has drawn the attention of researchers to be a valuable target for research into galactic interactions and stellar explosions.

Cataloguing the galaxy

According to the Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies compiled by astronomer Halton, Arp in 1966, the galaxy is named Arp 184. This catalogues about 338 galaxies that tend to be neither entirely spiral nor entirely elliptical-shaped. Dwarf galaxies without particular structures and the galaxies interacting with one another are also catalogued here. Arp 184 has a bright spot radiating light as the centre. A thick, stormy disc of material surrounds this, with swirling strands of dark dust and bright spots of star formation strewn through the disc.

A large spiral, star-speckled arm extends from the disc towards the viewer, for which it has earned a spot in this Atlas. The far side of Arp 184 does not have this impressive stretched arm, but it sports a few wisps of gas and stars on that side.

Hubble snapshot observing programs

The Hubble image showcases data from three Snapshot observing programs, one of which focused on Arp 184 for its unique appearance. The program surveyed galaxies listed in the Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies and A Catalogue of Southern Peculiar Galaxies and Associations. The other two programs examined the aftermath of astronomical events like supernovae and tidal disruption events. Arp 184, having hosted four known supernovae in the past three decades, is a prime target for a supernova hunt.

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NASA’s Don Pettit Returns to Earth with Russian Crewmates After ISS Science Mission

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May 6, 2025

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NASA’s Don Pettit Returns to Earth with Russian Crewmates After ISS Science Mission

The Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft returned to Earth after a months-long mission on the International Space Station on April 19, 2025. Along with cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, the spacecraft carried NASA astronaut Don Pettit too. Undocked from the ISS, the spacecraft drifted away and began descending three hours later to land in Kazakhstan. Pettit’s time in orbit was marked by numerous scientific investigations focused on future space missions, including experiments on metal 3D printing, advanced water sanitation, plant biology, and fire behaviour in microgravity.

Back to Earth: Soyuz Returns Don Pettit and Crewmates After Scientific Mission in Orbit

As per the NASA mission summary, Pettit logged hundreds of hours on research projects aimed at enhancing long-duration spaceflight technologies. Agency updates state that the 3D printing experiments advanced additive manufacturing in weightless conditions, while the fire dynamics tests offered critical data for onboard safety measures. Research on water purification and sustainable plant growth will help support life support systems on future lunar and Martian habitats.

The Soyuz‘s successful return added another chapter to routine international crew rotation efforts between NASA and Roscosmos. The landing site in Kazakhstan remains a standard recovery zone, where helicopters and ground teams met the crew for medical checks and post-flight evaluations. Despite the early morning landing, visibility was clear, ensuring a smooth retrieval.

Pettit’s mission emphasised how the ISS remains a critical platform for microgravity research. His investigations contribute directly to ongoing goals for sustainable space exploration and planetary habitation, aligning with NASA’s Artemis and Mars-forward objectives.

With the Soyuz MS-26 crew safely home, the ISS programme continues with its next phase of operations, including further earth science, space technology testing, and international crew collaboration.

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