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Sky's the Limit: 10 Mind-Blowing Moments of Celestial Wonder in 2024
In 2024, skywatchers were treated to breathtaking celestial events. The highlight was the "Great American Eclipse" on April 8, where millions witnessed a total solar eclipse across North America. May brought unexpected northern lights visible as far south as Florida and India. October's annular solar eclipse dazzled a few on Easter Island with a "ring of fire." Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS graced the skies in October, while August's Perseid meteor shower coincided with vibrant auroras.
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Researchers Discover Rare 'Fairy Lantern' Plant Species in Malaysia, Potentially Critically Endangered
It looks like something out of a fantasy novel, but it’s very real—and very rare. A new species of “fairy lantern” has been discovered in the Malaysian state of Selangor, tucked beside tree roots near a popular riverside picnic area. Officially named Thismia selangorensis, the tiny plant is only about 10 centimeters tall and is part of a mysterious genus of underground-dwelling, fungus-feeding plants that rarely emerge above ground. And when they do, they bloom with bright, umbrella-like flowers that have earned them their nickname. “It exists—right here, in this small corner of the world, and nowhere else,” said botanist Mat Yunoh Siti-Munirah in a statement. “Understanding its presence is the first step towards ensuring that this extraordinary plant is not lost before many people even know it exists.” So far, researchers have found fewer than 20 individuals of T. selangorensis, putting it on the brink of being classified as critically endangered. The discovery was published in the journal PhytoKeys in November 2023. A plant without chlorophyll Fairy lanterns, or Thismia species, are strange even by botanical standards. Unlike most plants, they don’t have green leaves or use sunlight to make food. Instead, they leech nutrients from underground fungi in a parasitic process known as mycoheterotrophy. About 550 plant species worldwide use this strategy, making them entirely dependent on fungi—and, in turn, on the complex forest ecosystems that support those fungi. The new Malaysian species was first spotted by naturalist Gim Siew Tan, who came across the peach-colored flowers in a riverside forest. Their umbrella-like structures, called mitres, featured three tall antenna-like appendages rising from the center. Tan posted photos to iNaturalist, a citizen science platform. That’s where Siti-Munirah, a botanist at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia, saw them. She quickly realized they had found something new. Further surveys by the research team confirmed the find. The plant’s distinct flowers, coral-shaped roots, and location near riverbanks helped set it apart from the 120 other known Thismia species. Only two had ever been documented in Selangor before. “This discovery shows that significant scientific finds are not limited to remote jungles,” said Siti-Munirah. “They can also be made in ordinary environments where constant human activity leaves little room for expectation.” Vulnerable from the start Despite its magical appearance, T. selangorensis may be under threat already. It’s tiny, fragile, and grows near heavily used public trails, making it vulnerable to trampling and floods. Its reliance on very specific conditions—shade, moist soil, and healthy underground fungi—means any disruption to the habitat could be fatal. Botanist Michal Sochor, who wasn’t involved in the study, told The New York Times the species’ large mitre might help shield the flower from water or debris. The tall antenna-like structures could also be used to release scent or chemicals during flowering, though much about the plant’s biology is still unknown. The research team hopes awareness will help protect it. “The most important effort now is to raise awareness about this species,” said Siti-Munirah. Conservation efforts will likely require cooperation from government officials, forest departments, and the local public. The team has provisionally classified the species as critically endangered under international criteria. For now, the plant remains where it was found—hidden in plain sight in a small Malaysian forest, and possibly unlike anything else on Earth.
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A Lost Puppy Rescued from the Countryside After a 4-Hour Search, Thanks to Drones and Volunteers
A nine-month-old chihuahua named Poppy is safe and back home after disappearing for four hours on a chilly afternoon near Devizes, Wiltshire. Poppy had been spooked in a freak accident while out walking on Roundway Hill on 3 January. She bolted and vanished into the countryside, sparking growing concern as daylight faded and temperatures began to drop. Her owner, Annie Sheppard, quickly turned to social media, and the community responded. Dozens of volunteers arrived on the hill to help. Among them were search experts from RSPCA Wiltshire Mid branch and two volunteer groups—Drone SAR for Lost Dogs and Search and Scan—who brought a drone to scan the landscape from above. “We were concerned about losing the light,” said Jess Scull from the RSPCA. “But we all worked together and between the drone from Drone SAR for Lost Dogs and the ground support from Search and Scan, we found out which field she was in and managed to keep eyes on her.” Poppy’s small figure was eventually spotted hidden in long grass. Using the drone footage and updates from the ground team, volunteers were able to guide Sheppard to her puppy’s location. “It was made possible thanks to the amazing teams who gave their time, expertise, dedication and calmness when I was struggling to keep it together,” Sheppard said. Both Drone SAR for Lost Dogs and Search and Scan offer their services for free. Drone SAR operates across the UK with over 7,000 volunteers, including drone pilots, searchers, sniffer dogs, and trap operators. “Because we all worked together and listened to each other, that dog was able to be reunited quicker than most,” Scull said. Poppy is now home with her beagle brother Buzz—and will soon be wearing a GPS tracker on her collar to prevent future scares. “Overall, the kindness, knowledge, equipment and fantastic teamwork from these guys made such a difference,” Sheppard said. “I will never forget it. It truly reminded me how incredible people can be when it matters most.”
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Score (98)
Hospital Technician Uses X-Ray Machine to Help Woman Locate Lost Heirloom Rings
When Susan Sinnwell showed up at Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Iowa for a routine X-ray, she wasn’t expecting to leave in tears—of gratitude. Sinnwell had removed a pair of cherished rings before her scan, wrapping the heirlooms—passed down from her grandfather—in a napkin for safekeeping. But after the appointment, the napkin ended up in the trash. “It made kind of a funny sound when it hit the bottom of the garbage bin,” she later recalled. But the noise didn’t register at the time. By the time she realized what had happened, the napkin—and the rings—were long gone. She called the hospital, hoping against hope they could help. They did more than that. Craig Buskohl, the imaging manager who had taken her X-rays, jumped into action. He teamed up with the hospital’s waste management crew to track down the missing jewelry. Together, they faced a mountain of roughly 60 garbage bags, which they scanned one by one with metal detectors. Any bag that triggered a beep was set aside and moved to the hospital’s ambulance garage, where Buskohl was waiting—with a portable X-ray machine. They spent 45 minutes scanning trash bags. “It was really rewarding,” Buskohl told CBS 2 Iowa. “Honestly, I didn’t think we were going to find them—but we did.” Sinnwell was stunned when she heard what the team had done. “When he told me how many people helped and everything they did, I just couldn’t believe it,” she said, holding back tears. “This is the best place for care.” Hospital staff say the story is a reminder that care goes beyond medicine—and sometimes includes a mobile X-ray machine, a few metal detectors, and a determined team digging through garbage to make things right.
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What Birds, Dolphins and Seals Can Teach Us About Sleep—Yes, Even Human Sleep
If you’ve ever had a bad night’s rest in a new place, there might be a bird—or a dolphin—to blame. Scientists have long wondered why humans, who spend about a third of our lives asleep, remain completely vulnerable during that time. Most animals need sleep too, but many have evolved ways to rest while staying partially alert. Some even do it on the move. Take dolphins, for example. Or fur seals. Or birds flying over the open ocean. They all share an unusual trick: the ability to put one half of their brain to sleep at a time. Known as unihemispheric slow wave sleep, this phenomenon allows animals to rest one brain hemisphere while the other stays alert. The awake half controls movement, breathing, and, critically, one eye—keeping a watchful gaze on predators, pod mates, or stormy skies. “It allows them to monitor their environment while still getting some sleep,” says Niels Rattenborg, a researcher at Germany’s Max Planck Institute who studies avian sleep. Frigatebirds, which can spend weeks in the air without landing, are a perfect example. While soaring on air currents, they’ve been observed closing one eye and resting half their brain. Rattenborg’s research shows that even in flight, they manage to sneak in sleep in short bursts. Birds, dolphins, belugas, seals—all have been observed sleeping this way. Some, like the Amazon river dolphin, never stop swimming, even while sleeping. Others, like fur seals, float on their sides with one flipper paddling to stay balanced and one eye open toward the depths below—keeping an eye out for sharks and orcas. Even ducks seem to do this. Those sleeping on the edge of a group will often close one eye and leave the other open, while ducks in the center fully relax. The fact that this half-brain sleep has emerged in such a wide range of animals suggests it offers a major evolutionary advantage. It’s safer than full unconsciousness. It lets animals rest while still responding to threats. So why don’t humans have this? Turns out, we might—sort of. Studies have shown that even in humans, sleep can act locally. In 2016, researchers observed a pattern called the “first night effect,” where people sleeping in an unfamiliar place show less slow-wave activity (the kind linked to deep sleep) in the left hemisphere of the brain. People were also more likely to respond to sounds played in their right ear—the side controlled by that same left brain half. “It was serving some ability to monitor the environment,” says Rattenborg. By the second night, both halves of the brain tend to fall asleep together. More recent research suggests this might be a default human defense: a semi-alert state that helps us stay vigilant in unfamiliar settings. That line of thinking is opening up new ideas for sleep science. If parts of the brain can stay awake while the rest sleeps, what happens in people with insomnia or parasomnias, where the brain fails to fully “switch off”? Could some disorders be the result of a failure to balance this local sleep process? “It may help explain what goes wrong in human sleep disorders,” says Oleg Lyamin, a sleep researcher in Russia who has studied marine mammals for decades. This idea is also being explored in patients with traumatic brain injuries. Researchers in Italy found that areas of the brain damaged by injury sometimes show sleep-like brainwaves even when the person is awake—perhaps the brain’s attempt to recover locally. As Rattenborg puts it, studying unusual sleep patterns in birds and dolphins may seem unrelated to human biology, but it’s already helping scientists rethink how sleep works. “It’s a neat example of how studying sleep in unusual animals without any clear direct connection or utility for humans can lead to new thoughts,” he says. New thoughts that might one day lead to new treatments—and maybe, better sleep.
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Stunning Buddha Sculpture, Inspired By Sixth-Century Statue, Arrives At New York City's High Line
A towering new sculpture is coming to New York City’s High Line this spring—and it’s meant to stop people in their tracks. Standing 27 feet tall, The Light That Shines Through the Universe is a reimagined sandstone Buddha created by Vietnamese-American artist Tuan Andrew Nguyen. It will take over the High Line’s Plinth, the dedicated public art space that has most recently featured a giant pigeon sculpture. Nguyen’s Buddha pays tribute to one of the Bamiyan Buddhas, the ancient statues carved into the cliffs of Afghanistan’s Bamiyan Valley and destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. Those sixth-century monuments once stood more than 100 feet tall and were symbols of cultural exchange along the Silk Road. “This sculpture is a towering, 27-foot call to remembrance,” said Alan van Capelle, executive director of Friends of the High Line. “It asserts that our collective memory and our shared humanity remain the most enduring antidote against those who seek to break and scatter the human spirit.” Nguyen, who was born in Saigon in 1976 and moved to the United States at age three, says he still remembers watching the footage of the Bamiyan Buddhas being demolished. “That collective moment will become part of the conversations as people come and revisit the image of the Bamiyan Buddha now in New York,” he told the New York Times. The new statue isn’t an exact replica of the original, which locals called “Salsal”—meaning “the light shines through the universe.” Instead, Nguyen’s work is meant to be an echo, invoking the memory of what was lost. Like the original, it features an intact torso, but a damaged and incomplete face and legs. “It’s really daunting to produce a replica of something that doesn’t exist,” he said. One of the most striking details: the Buddha’s hands, crafted from melted artillery shells and scrap metal. Nguyen shaped them into symbolic gestures representing compassion and fearlessness—deliberately contrasting their violent origins. “It’s about taking materials that are destructive and transforming them,” he said. Nguyen has long explored war, memory, and cultural heritage in his art. He’s previously used bombshells from the Vietnam War to create sculptures, blending history and healing in his work. The High Line’s art curator Cecilia Alemani also recalled witnessing the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas. “It was the first time, as a young adult, that I felt humanity couldn’t do anything to stop this from happening,” she told Artnet. Nguyen’s proposal was selected from a pool of 56 submissions by 49 artists. He’s currently crafting the piece in Vietnam with the help of a local stone-carving team. The sculpture will remain on display at the Plinth for 18 months. “It’s a reminder,” Nguyen said, “that even in the midst of chaos and violence, we can remain compassionate and fearless.”
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Can Coral Reefs Emerge As a Key Solution To Global Food Insecurity?
Overfishing and climate change are squeezing food out of the oceans. But a new study suggests that coral reefs, if restored and managed properly, could help ease global hunger and provide millions of meals every year. Research from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), published in the journal PNAS, found that fish populations on reefs around the world could be dramatically increased—by nearly 50 percent—if overfished stocks were allowed to recover to sustainable levels. That recovery, researchers say, could provide enough seafood to meet the recommended intake for several million people each year. In hard numbers, that’s between 20,000 and 162 million additional meals annually. The researchers looked at data from coral reef areas in countries like the Dominican Republic, Panama, Jamaica, Kenya, Mauritius, Madagascar, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Their goal was to assess how much more food could be sustainably harvested from reefs if fish populations were brought back to healthy levels. They found that recovery time would depend on the severity of overfishing in each region. In some areas, fish stocks could bounce back in just six years; others could take up to five decades. But overall, the potential for long-term gains is significant. “Effective reef fisheries monitoring and management have substantial and measurable benefits beyond environmental conservation,” said lead author Jessica Zamborain-Mason. “It has food security and public health implications.” The findings are particularly relevant as the world continues to face growing hunger. According to UNICEF, 2.3 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2024—an increase of more than 330 million people compared to 2019. Meanwhile, many coral reef fish populations have been decimated. Overfishing has been a persistent problem, and global warming has led to widespread coral bleaching, leaving much of the ocean’s biodiversity at risk. Still, the researchers say there’s reason for optimism. By rebuilding fish populations and managing them at what scientists call “maximum sustainable yield,” reef ecosystems could once again become rich sources of protein, especially in regions suffering from hunger and micronutrient deficiencies—such as parts of Africa and Southeast Asia. But rebuilding reefs isn’t as simple as letting nature take its course. The researchers stress that achieving sustainable yields will require governments and communities to step in with clear and enforceable management strategies. That could include fishing restrictions, marine protected areas, and better monitoring of fish populations. It will also mean supporting fishing communities during the recovery process. “The next challenge is designing specific strategies that balance conservation with human livelihoods,” the study says, “ensuring that the ocean's potential is fully realised.” In some areas, that might require international aid or financial support to help people transition to alternative work while fish populations rebound. Even with those hurdles, the researchers argue the long-term payoff is worth it: healthier reefs, better nutrition, and a more sustainable future for millions of people.
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A Homeless Hero Just Rescued a Mother and Baby from a Bayou Crash in Texas
A young mother and her infant are alive today thanks to the quick action of a stranger who chose to remain anonymous. On New Year’s Day, a 22-year-old woman was driving along FM 517 near Dickinson, Texas, when her minivan struck a curb on a bridge, veered across several lanes, and plunged into Dickinson Bayou. It was just before 10 p.m., and the water was dark and cold. According to authorities, the woman told first responders she had lost control after hitting the curb. Her 8-month-old baby was in the back seat, properly secured in a car seat. The situation could have turned tragic—but help arrived from an unexpected place. A homeless man living in a wooded area near the bayou saw the crash happen. Without hesitating, he jumped into his canoe and paddled out to the partially submerged vehicle. He managed to get both the mother and her baby out safely and brought them back to shore. By the time they made it back to land, officers from the Dickinson Police Department had arrived. The local volunteer fire department also responded, using their boat to help a tow truck driver reach the van and secure it for removal. The mother and baby were taken to the University of Texas Medical Branch in League City as a precaution. Police later confirmed that both were released from the hospital and are expected to make a full recovery. There were no signs of alcohol or drug use, investigators said, and the baby’s car seat likely played a key role in minimizing injuries. In a public statement, Dickinson police praised the man for his “quick and selfless actions.” Though hailed as a hero, he asked to remain unnamed. His identity may be unknown, but his act of courage is being remembered.
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Traveling Phone Booth Lets Users Leave Messages Of Kindness Across The US
When Kayla Lamoreaux first Googled “how to start a nonprofit,” she didn’t imagine she’d soon be leading a global kindness movement with tens of thousands of supporters and nearly 5,000 good deeds on the record. But that’s exactly what happened. Lamoreaux launched Wildly Kind in 2022, just two years after beginning her own recovery from alcohol addiction. At the time, she was still working at a mental health facility for adolescents in Portland, Oregon, and trying to navigate life after getting sober. “I thought, after finding sobriety, that first year was going to be a very positive experience, and I was going to find a new identity,” she told local outlet KOIN 6. “I was looking for a coping skill to help with this newly-found sobriety.” Instead of falling back into old habits, Lamoreaux started redirecting the money she would’ve spent on alcohol toward doing small acts of kindness. Each week, she paid it forward in her community—buying groceries for strangers, creating care packages for unsheltered people, and finding small ways to brighten someone else’s day. Those small gestures became the foundation of Wildly Kind, which has since grown into a fast-moving positivity campaign with over 100 ambassadors across six countries and a dedicated following of nearly 70,000 people on Instagram. It’s an unconventional path for someone who once planned to pursue a traditional route into social work. Lamoreaux had been accepted to Portland State University’s master’s program in social work, but she deferred her admission to focus full-time on building the nonprofit. In her words, the experience of launching Wildly Kind has become “a very own graduate school experience.” One of the group’s most popular projects is a repurposed phone booth—an art installation called A Call for Kindness. It first appeared at the Portland Winter Light Festival, where passersby were invited to leave anonymous messages of encouragement for others who might be struggling. One message in particular struck a nerve. “I was 39 years old when I met the love of my life and 42 years old when I learned what I wanted to do with the rest of my life,” a caller named Carrie shared. She ended the message with a simple, hopeful reminder: “Don’t give up before the miracle happens.” That audio clip was posted to Instagram, where it quickly went viral—racking up more than 620,000 likes and thousands of comments from people who said it gave them hope. Now, Lamoreaux and her team are hoping to find Carrie and thank her. “We’ve reached out to miss connections. We’ve tried to find who this Carrie may be… We would love to at least show her the impact that she has made and the message that she put out into the world,” Lamoreaux said. In the meantime, A Call for Kindness is going on tour. The pop-up phone booth will travel to several cities across the U.S. later this year, with exact locations still under wraps. The goal, Lamoreaux says, is to spread the same kind of anonymous encouragement—and spark the same kind of emotional resonance—in other communities. It’s a long way from those first few grocery store pay-it-forwards. But for Lamoreaux, every act of kindness still counts just as much. And if Carrie’s message is any indication, they matter more than we know.
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Walnuts are Gaining Popularity As A Healthy Snack Choice — Here's Why
Once relegated to the back of the pantry or crushed into holiday stuffing, walnuts are suddenly everywhere. People are tossing them into salads, blending them into pasta sauces, adding them to oatmeal and yogurt, and snacking on them straight from the bag. And the numbers back up the hype. In 2020, the U.S. walnut ingredients market was valued at just over $17.5 million. This year, that figure hit $21.4 million. By 2030, it’s projected to climb past $28 million. They’re not just riding the coattails of almond and pistachio popularity either. Walnuts are being recognized for something more substantial: a growing body of research showing they’re a nutritional powerhouse. That’s part of why their popularity “has grown in recent years, especially among health-conscious consumers,” says LeeAnn Weintraub, a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant based in Los Angeles. Where walnuts come from Today’s global walnut industry traces its roots back thousands of years to Central Asia, near present-day Iran, Afghanistan, and the Himalayas. From there, the nuts spread along ancient trade routes to Europe and the Americas. These days, they grow in temperate climates across the globe, with top producers including the U.S., China, Iran, and Turkey. In the United States, “California is the home to most walnut trees,” says Jill Weisenberger, a Virginia-based registered dietitian and author of Prediabetes: A Complete Guide. Each spring, walnut trees begin a growing cycle that ends in early fall. The nuts start out in green hulls, which mature throughout summer. When the hulls split open, it’s harvest time. That’s when a large piece of equipment, aptly named a “shaker,” grabs each tree and shakes the walnuts loose. Then a sweeper pushes them into neat rows for pickup. After that, more machines hull, clean, sort, and dry the walnuts before they head to processing facilities. Are walnuts actually good for you? The short answer: yes. Among nuts, walnuts rank high in nutritional benefits, especially for the heart and brain. What sets them apart is their fat profile. Walnuts are rich in polyunsaturated fats, including alpha-linolenic acid, a type of plant-based omega-3. “These fats work alongside antioxidant and polyphenol compounds to support healthier blood vessels,” says Weisenberger. They help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and improve how blood vessels expand and contract—all of which are linked to a lower risk of heart disease. They also contain gamma-tocopherol, a form of vitamin E that acts as an antioxidant. And they offer more than 2 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein in just a single ounce. That’s a powerful combo. “Fiber aids digestion, supports gut health and helps regulate blood sugar,” says Weintraub. Protein, she adds, “supports muscle maintenance, satiety and overall metabolic health.” There’s also growing evidence that walnuts may play a role in brain health and aging. Some studies show they can improve markers of brain function and reduce oxidative stress, which may help delay age-related cognitive decline. Even beyond the heart and brain, walnuts seem to have benefits for metabolism and the gut microbiome. “Clinical research has found that eating walnuts may help diversify and increase populations of beneficial gut bacteria,” says Weintraub. That can lead to better digestion, lower inflammation, and improved metabolic health. They also pack a micronutrient punch. Magnesium, copper, and manganese are all found in walnuts, and they “play roles in bone health, energy metabolism and antioxidant enzyme function,” she adds. Can you eat them every day? Many nutritionists are on board with daily walnut consumption—but with a few caveats. First, they’re calorie-dense: about 190 calories per ounce. So even though they’re healthy, eating too many can add up fast. “Eating too many can contribute to excess calorie intake and potential weight gain if not balanced within the overall diet,” says Weintraub. There are other things to watch for. Some medications, including thyroid and blood pressure drugs, may interact with components in walnuts. And thanks to their high fiber content, overdoing it can lead to bloating or gas. People with nut allergies should obviously avoid them unless cleared by a medical professional. Still, for most people, “walnuts can be a nutritious, heart-healthy addition to a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation,” Weintraub says. Just a small handful a day delivers a steady supply of healthy fats, protein, fiber and antioxidants. Enough to do your heart, brain, and gut some real good.
Score (96)
Why This Private Spacecraft is Aiming For a Lunar Landing In This Year's Moon Rush
The moon is about to get busy. After years of slow momentum, 2026 is shaping up to be a breakout year for lunar exploration — not just for NASA and China, but for private companies with serious ambitions of joining the moon rush. Several commercial missions are lined up to attempt landings, showcasing a mix of science, technology demonstrations, and international payloads. If successful, they could help shift lunar landings from rare government-led events to something far more routine — and far more commercial. Blue Origin: Blue Moon Pathfinder Mission 1 Jeff Bezos’s space company is finally heading to the moon. Blue Origin plans to launch its first Blue Moon lander on a New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral in early 2026. The mission is a tech demo, but there’s a lot riding on it. It will test systems critical for future NASA missions, including precision landing and propulsion technologies. The robotic lander — known as the Blue Moon Mark 1 — is targeting the lunar south pole, a high-interest region believed to contain water ice. It will carry a NASA payload called SCALPSS to study how the lander’s exhaust affects the moon’s surface during descent. Blue Origin is also NASA’s contractor for the Human Landing System, so this is essentially a dress rehearsal for future astronaut landings. Firefly Aerospace: Blue Ghost Mission 2 Texas-based Firefly is heading back to the moon just one year after its first successful lunar mission. Blue Ghost M2 is scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 in the second quarter of 2026 and will try to land on the far side of the moon — something only China has accomplished so far. The mission is packed. It includes the Rashid Rover 2 for the United Arab Emirates, a wireless power receiver from Volta Space, and six other international and commercial payloads. It also features the European Space Agency’s Lunar Pathfinder orbiter, which will be deployed into orbit by Firefly’s Elytra spacecraft and will serve as a comms relay — a necessity for far-side missions, where Earth contact is impossible without support. Intuitive Machines: IM-3 After two hard landings in 2024 and 2025, Intuitive Machines is back for another shot. IM-3, the company’s third attempt, is scheduled for the second half of 2026, using the same NOVA-C lander as before. The mission will launch on a Falcon 9 from Kennedy Space Center and aim for the Reiner Gamma region — home to a mysterious swirl on the moon’s surface, linked to a local magnetic field. The lander will carry a suite of magnetometers and plasma instruments under NASA’s CLPS program. With the lessons learned from IM-1 and IM-2, the company is hoping for a cleaner touchdown this time. Astrobotic: Griffin Mission 1 Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic is also trying again after its Peregrine lander failed to reach the moon in 2024 due to a propulsion issue. The company’s Griffin lander is a much larger vehicle and is scheduled to launch on a Falcon Heavy no earlier than July 2026. Originally, Griffin was supposed to carry NASA’s VIPER rover, which was later delayed. Instead, it will now transport Astrolab’s 450-kilogram FLIP rover, along with Astrobotic’s own small CubeRover and a set of commercial and cultural payloads. The landing site? The south pole — another sign of the region’s growing strategic importance. A Pivotal Year for Private Moon Missions Taken together, these missions represent a key shift in how the moon is explored. They’re testing technologies and delivering scientific tools that will feed directly into the Artemis program and future international efforts. But just as importantly, they’re proving out business models. If companies like Blue Origin, Firefly, Intuitive Machines, and Astrobotic can pull off repeatable, reliable lunar deliveries, it could mark the beginning of a new phase — where private spaceflight plays an everyday role in humanity’s lunar presence. And if they can’t? Well, 2026 will still offer valuable data, hard lessons, and a few spectacular attempts. Either way, all eyes are on the moon.