Artemis II is the first crewed spaceflight in NASA’s Artemis Program — a long-term campaign that aims to send humans back to the moon for the first time since 1972.

Launched into orbit by the 322-foot-tall (98 meters) Space Launch System and Orion crew capsule stack, the mission's four-astronaut crew took a 10-day flight around the moon and back to Earth, testing key systems and studying the impact of spaceflight on human biology. The record-setting flight sent humans farther into space than ever before.

Following a major overhaul of the Artemis program in late February, NASA now aims to ramp its Artemis missions up to an annual tempo, with Artemis III — an Earth-orbit test of a lunar lander docking — falling in 2027. If successful, NASA will follow up with the Artemis IV and V missions, two crewed lunar landing attempts, in 2028.

Ancient China began as a group of isolated communities during the Stone Age and eventually grew into a formidable empire. Ancient Chinese people developed their own writing system and several famous philosophies that are still studied today. The civilization is also known for building the Great Wall of China.

Five dynasties, or families, ruled ancient China for more than 6,000 years. The last one of the ancient period, the Han dynasty, ruled around the same time as the ancient Roman Empire. Today, archaeologists study ancient Chinese artifacts to find clues about the civilization's culture, religion and technological developments.

5 fast facts about Ancient China

• Around 3,000 years ago, people in ancient China used "oracle bones" — tortoise shells or bones inscribed with Chinese writing — to predict the future.
• The magnetic compass was invented during ancient China's Han dynasty, but at first, it was used to predict the future instead of to navigate.
• Around 2,200 years ago, ancient China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, began connecting many small walls to build the now-famous Great Wall of China. It eventually became over 13,000 miles (20,000 kilometers) long.
• In ancient China, people thought dragons were real, godly figures with magical powers.
• Paper was invented in ancient China up to 1,900 years ago.

Everything you need to know about Ancient China

Ancient China pictures

3I/ATLAS is the third interstellar object ever discovered in our solar system. Telescope observations suggest it is a roughly 7-mile-wide (11 kilometers) comet zooming at more than 130,000 mph (210,000 km/h). Astronomers discovered it in early July as it emerged from beyond the orbit of Jupiter. An analysis of the comet’s composition and unusually flat, straight trajectory revealed that it did not originate within our cosmic neighborhood, and was likely ejected from a distant star system long before our sun ever formed.

The exotic comet has many peculiar properties, from its chemical composition to its large size. This has fuelled speculation that the comet is an alien spacecraft intentionally guided here. That’s almost certainly not the case, but it doesn’t mean that astronomers aren’t excited about studying it to better understand the conditions around other stars, the early Milky Way, and the frontier of interstellar space.

3I/ATLAS reached its closest point to Earth on Friday (Dec. 19) and is now zooming away forever. Research continues to pour in as telescopes around the solar system observe the strange comet's passage.

The dawn is breaking on a new era of space exploration, with moon bases and Mars colonies potentially only decades away. Live Science tracks the researchers, companies and countries setting their sights on the stars to bring you the biggest stories in space. Whether it's reporting on concerns that alien organisms could hitch a ride on our spacecraft and contaminate Earth, explaining what 11 billion people means for space travel, sharing a glorious photo of Earth during a total solar eclipse snapped by Japan's lunar lander, or compiling a list of the weirdest things we have launched into space, our expert writers and editors will ignite your sense of interstellar adventure with the latest space exploration news, features and articles.

Discover more about space exploration

—Here's every spaceship that's ever carried an astronaut into orbit

—How long could a person survive in space without a spacesuit?

The sun is the beating heart of our solar system and supports all life on Earth. At Live Science, you can learn more about this precious star as it reaches a major peak in solar activity called a solar maximum. Whether it's the dazzling "shooting stars" discovered in the sun's atmosphere, a massive solar explosion felt on Earth, the most devastating solar storm in recorded history, or just spectacular images of the sun, our expert writers and editors will have you in awe of that bright ball in the sky with the latest sun news, features and articles.

Discover more about the sun

—The sun: Facts about the bright star at the center of the solar system

—Is Earth getting closer to the sun, or farther away?

Scientists have been studying the moon for hundreds of years and have built up an incredible wealth of knowledge about our lunar companion. Live Science brings you the best moon facts and answers all of your lunar queries, from how did the moon form and whether the moon could ever be pushed from orbit to what is the "man in the moon" and why we can sometimes see the moon in the daytime. Our expert writers and editors also keep you updated on what's going on with our natural satellite, explain how you can see different lunar events, and provide coverage of new scientific discoveries, such as scientists confirming the moon has a solid iron "heart" just like Earth, and more with the latest moon news, features and articles.

Discover more about the moon

—The Moon: Facts about our planet's lunar companion

—What is the moon phase today?

—Will Earth ever lose its moon?

There are estimated to be trillions and trillions of planets orbiting the stars beyond our solar system. These alien worlds are called exoplanets, and Live Science is as curious as you are about what might be on them.

That's why our expert writers and editors track interstellar research, whether it's the discovery of a new class of exoplanet, a mirror-like exoplanet that "shouldn't exist," or the possibility of the first exoplanet outside the Milky Way. So whether it’s extreme exoplanets or just memorable facts, get the latest exoplanet news, features and articles here.

Discover more about exoplanets

—Exoplanets: Alien worlds beyond our solar system

—How the Nobel Prize-winning exoplanet was found

Meteoroids are tiny asteroids or bits of comets that become meteors when they burn up in a planet's atmosphere, and meteorites when they strike the surface intact.

Live Science tells you everything you need to know about these falling space rocks, with articles about how many meteorites hit Earth every year, guides on how to watch the Perseid meteor shower and other spectacular celestial events, and detailed coverage of meteoroid research, including studies of meteorites containing all of the building blocks of DNA, the world's first "boomerang meteorite" and the oldest evidence of a meteor hitting Earth. So, to become a space rock savant like our expert writers and editors, check out the latest meteoroid news, features and articles at Live Science.

Discover more about meteoroids

—What's the difference between asteroids, comets and meteors?

—Fallen stars: A gallery of famous meteorites

Comets are "snowballs" of ice and dust that formed during the birth of our solar system and have orbited the sun since. Live Science brings you the latest comet news, features and articles as astronomers track these extraordinary objects. From the city-sized comet that grew "horns" to the mega comet that may be the largest seen in recorded history, our expert writers and editors will tell you everything you need to know about them, and how to observe them when they're visible from Earth.

Discover more about comets

—What's the difference between asteroids, comets and meteors?

—Why are asteroids and comets such weird shapes?

Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the sun, and although the vast majority of asteroids are harmless, there are often close shaves with our planet. Live Science is here to put asteroid threats into perspective and answer all of your asteroid-related questions, from whether an asteroid could destroy Earth to why asteroids and comets are such weird shapes.

Whether it’s the fastest-orbiting asteroid in our solar system, a 600-foot asteroid detected near Earth or NASA proving humanity can deflect killer asteroids with rockets, our expert writers and editors are on point to separate the potentially hazardous from the mostly harmless. So, for everything you need to know about the sizeable stones that share our solar system check out the latest asteroid news, features and articles.

Discover more about asteroids

—What are asteroids?

—What's the smallest known asteroid? What about the largest?

—How long can an asteroid 'survive'?

The far-reaching science of geology covers everything from ancient fossils to the precious minerals beneath our feet. At Live Science, we deliver geology discoveries that absolutely rock and help you to understand the makeup of our planet. Whether you want to know how to tell the difference between geologic ages, why Earth has a new geologic age or facts about an ancient supercontinent, our expert writers and editors have you covered with the latest geology news, features and articles.

Discover more about geology

—What's the difference between a rock and a mineral?

—What is plate tectonics?

—Pangaea: Discover facts about Earth's ancient supercontinent

There are eight species of bear living around the world today, and many more in the fossil record. "Prehistoric" mummified bears have even been found preserved in permafrost thousands of years after they died. At Live Science, our expert writers and editors bring you the latest news, features and articles about bears, whether it's American black bears evolving cinnamon-colored coats, the breeding habits of giant pandas, ferocious fights between grizzly bears, or mighty polar bears that are being forced to dine on "batteries and dirty nappies" because of climate change.

Discover more about bears

—Bears: Facts about the furry omnivores that live in many parts of the world

—Why aren't there polar bears in Antarctica?

—Watch as 2 male Alaskan grizzly bears fight in an epic battle

Cosmology is a branch of physics that grapples with the big questions on the nature of our universe, including where it came from and what will happen to it next. At Live Science, we make this complex and sometimes mind-bending science accessible, explaining everything from the speed of light to the multiverse theory, and describing all of the wild theories about the universe.

Our expert writers and editors also break down new developments in the field, whether it's how "Dark sirens" could solve one of the greatest mysteries in cosmology or why the launch of the Euclid space telescope is groundbreaking, with the latest cosmology news, features and articles.

Discover more about cosmology

—5 fascinating facts about the Big Bang, the theory that defines the history of the universe

—The James Webb telescope has broken cosmology. Can it be fixed?

Staring up into the night sky, it's easy to be overwhelmed by the seemingly infinite expanse of space, with every pinprick of light in the vast canopy of darkness a star holding secrets forged by 13.8 billion years of the universe's existence. And yet, despite its great age and the unfathomable distance between us and even our nearest neighbor, through the study of astronomy we are able to understand more about the world beyond our atmosphere.

Join our expert writers and editors as we reveal the greatest mysteries in cosmology, such as how black holes form, and explore celestial bodies like exoplanets and nebulas, that are scattered throughout our universe. You will also discover how scientists are pushing the boundaries of space exploration using observatories like the James Webb Space Telescope with the latest astronomy news, features and articles.

Discover more about astronomy

—35 jaw-dropping James Webb Space Telescope images

—What is the hottest place in the universe?

—Best telescopes 2024: Beginner and advanced scopes for stars, galaxies and nebulas

Dark matter makes up most of the matter in the universe, but scientists still have much to learn about this mysterious material. At Live Science, we follow the monumental research seeking answers to some of the biggest unanswered questions about dark matter.

Whether it’s a mysterious "kick" just after the Big Bang that may have created dark matter, how scientists narrowed down the 'weight' of dark matter trillions of trillions of times, or the potential for dark matter's secret identity to be hiding in distorted "Einstein rings," our expert writers and editors shine a light on dark matter with the latest news, fascinating features and interesting articles on this mysterious subject.  

Dark energy is the name given to a mysterious force accelerating the universe's expansion. NASA estimates that dark energy makes up 68% of the universe, but while physicists can tell dark energy is real, they don't know much about it. 

At Live Science, our expert writers and editors explain the latest findings from researchers studying this strange force. Whether it’s  why dark energy could lead to a second (and third, and fourth) Big Bang, how the largest dark energy map could reveal the fate of the universe or if the expansion of the universe could be a mirage, you’ll find  the latest dark energy news, features and articles right here.  

Humans have waged war on each other for thousands of years, shaping civilizations and defining ways of life. And despite being the source of suffering for so many, it has also been a catalyst for some of the most significant scientific and medical advances in human history. 

From significant moments in history, such as the Cold War and the Pacific War, to the technologies that transformed warfare today, Live Science’s expert writers and editors have you covered with the latest news, articles and features on how war impacts science.  

Politics influences so much of our daily lives, yet discussing it at the dinner table can turn even the most pleasant conversations with family into verbal jousting matches. At Live Science, we look towards scientific research to explain this polarizing topic, whether it's a study that shows facts don't convince people in political arguments to one that finds conservatives aren't more fearful than liberals.

Our expert writers and editors will also guide you through the history of politics and how it interacts with the sciences, helping you to be fully equipped for your next dinner-time disagreement.

Find out about the science of learning by learning about science. Whether you’re looking to brush up on your STEM subjects, find fascinating science books to read or want coding toys for kids, you’ll find a range of education-themed news, articles and features from our expert team of writers and editors. 

Discover more about education & STEM

—Why are kids such fast learners?

—Do STEM toys actually teach kids science and math? 

Live Science puts the science into sci-fi, bringing you the latest news, features and articles about art and entertainment for anyone with a thirst for knowledge. Whether it’s the hidden secrets in famous works of art or the best zombie movies, our expert writers and editors delve into popular culture to help you connect with the entertainment you love most. From streaming guides for classic film franchises like Jurassic Park to our pick of the best board game deals — whatever your interests, you'll find something fun to fill your free time with here.

Discover more about arts & entertainment

—Mythbusters streaming guide

—Best shark movies of all time, ranked

Have you ever wondered why we behave the way we do? From the evolution of human aggression to why humans are so curious, Live Science takes you inside our minds to explain the science behind the things we do, why we do them and what is going on in our brain when it happens. Whether it's pondering the weird things humans do every day or why we believe in conspiracy theories, our expert writers and editors track down the biggest stories in psychology, sociology and neuroscience, bringing you the latest news, features and articles about human behavior.  

Discover more about human behavior

—Are humans inherently violent?

—Are some people actually tone deaf?

The ancient city of Rome became the heart of a sprawling empire that lasted for hundreds of years, and we're still unearthing ship-loads of Roman artifacts, mystifying treasures and even forts around 2,000 years later.

At Live Science, our expert writers and editors follow the work of historians and archeologists to bring you the most compelling discoveries and facts about the Romans. From their unusual superstitions to the rise and fall of the once-mighty empire, check out the latest news, features and articles about the Romans.    

Discover more about Romans

—The Roman Empire: Rulers, expansion and fall

—7 Roman inventions: Incredible feats of ancient technology

—Could you stomach the horrors of 'halftime' in Ancient Rome?

Chemistry is the study of matter and what happens when elements and compounds interact with other matter around them. It is a vast but fascinating field of science, and by bringing you the most compelling facts and findings the latest chemistry research has to offer, our expert editors and writers will trigger a chain reaction in your understanding of the central science.

Think you know your Ac to Zr? Test your knowledge with our periodic table quiz.

From how scientists solved the mystery behind a 100-year-old chemistry experiment to the discovery of a new, extremely reactive chemical in our atmosphere, Live Science is fizzing to bring you the latest chemistry news, features and articles.

Discover more about chemistry

—Periodic Table of Elements

—What is chemistry?

—History of chemistry

—How the Periodic Table of the Elements is arranged

We live on a planet with millions of species of animals -and a rich, diverse collection of known wildlife, and yet new species are being identified seemingly every day — both living and extinct.

Whether it’s the deadliest snakes, longest-living creatures or the history of the dinosaurs, at Live Science, our expert writers are here to help you understand Earth's incredible fauna — past and present — with the latest animal news, features and articles.

Black holes are places where gravity is so powerful that nothing — not even light — can escape. Rather than being empty, black holes are chock full of matter that gets squeezed into a teensy space.

The idea of black holes was first proposed in 1916, but at the time, physicists didn't think they actually existed. Today, we know that black holes are all around the universe, from far-away galaxies to the center of our own Milky Way.

Read on to discover everything you need to know about how black holes form, what it's like inside of a black hole and what would happen if you fell in one.

5 fast facts about black holes

• The closest black hole, Gaia BH1, is about 1,500 light-years away.
• The biggest known black hole is TON 618. It's 66 billion times more massive than the sun.
• A supermassive black hole called Sagittarius A* lies at the center of the Milky Way.
• The Milky Way may contain millions of black holes.
• Black holes are freezing cold. At their center, they can reach temperatures near absolute zero.

Everything you need to know about black holes

Black hole pictures

Discover more about black holes

• 9 ideas about black holes that will blow your mind
• How many black holes are there in the universe?
• Could a black hole devour the universe?

Understanding how the body works — and what happens when things change — is paramount to improving the health and wellbeing of every person on the planet. Our team of expert health writers and editors are here to demystify the latest medical advances, explain how the latest health news affects you, and help you understand which exercise equipment can really help improve your fitness. Whether you're after facts about the human body or the secrets to extreme longevity, our health articles and features aim to leave you better informed, up to date with the latest discoveries, and even more curious about human health.

Space is a seemingly infinite world of wonder and discovery, filled with mysterious black holes, stunning solar flares, elusive exoplanets and countless cosmic oddities. Our team of expert science writers and editors are ready to hold a lens like that of the James Webb Space Telescope beyond Earth, keeping those on this planet up to date with the latest space news, articles and features.

Discover more about space

—Space photo of the week: Extraordinary images of our sublime universe

—Solar system quiz: How well do you know our cosmic neighborhood?

—Check out some jaw-dropping James Webb Space Telescope images

Running is a great form of exercise for losing weight, increasing cardiovascular health and boosting overall health. Live Science brings you all the latest news, science explainers and product reviews so you can get the most out of your running journey. 

Live Science delivers all the air quality news, explainers and product guides to help you improve your physical health. You'll find information on everything from air purifiers and humidifiers to tips on keeping your indoor air free of pollutants. 

Oral hygiene is important for your overall health, and you can find all the information here on Live Science to keep your gums and teeth healthy. From facts about brushing and flossing to product guides on the best toothbrushes, Live Science delivers all the science of oral hygiene.

Get the latest yoga news, explainers and product reviews related to the integrative discipline of yoga. Whether you're interested in starting a new practice or you're a seasoned yogi, Live Science delivers a wealth of science-based articles to help guide you on your path. 

People vape, or smoke electronic cigarettes, for various reasons, including to quit smoking regular cigarettes and even to boost their social image. Live Science keeps you up to date on all the research findings linked to vaping, answering questions about why people vape, how vaping affects the body and more.

Billions of people across the world believe in a higher power, be it God, gods or something else spiritual. Live Science breaks down the history of that belief, from the origins of religion to the many modern denominations of Christianity, along with the psychology of faith, such as whether belief in God is a delusion or how religion is good (and bad) for mental health. 

Our expert writers and editors follow researchers studying religion and spirituality, and the impact they have had on the sciences — past and present.

Here, you'll find the latest news on solar power, including technologies like solar panels that collect the sun's rays and turn that light into energy.

Something draws us towards the strange and mysterious, but when we can’t explain something through the scientific method, it's easy for our minds to wander into the realm of ghosts, monsters and UFOs. And even when science has a clear explanation, conspiracy theories sprout from nowhere to grip some people's minds. That's why Live Science's expert writers and editors guide you rationally through the science of the supernatural and explain why people believe, with the latest news, features and articles about conspiracies and the paranormal.

Discover more about conspiracy & paranormal phenomena

—Top 10 most famous ghosts

—20 of the best conspiracy theories

—Are flat-earthers being serious?

Entrepreneur and business magnate, Elon Musk is the CEO and founder of the aerospace company SpaceX and co-founder of Tesla Motors. He also hopes to change the world, advancing private spaceflight with the aim of landing humans on other planets like Mars, and developing a new tube-transport system called the Hyperloop. Live Science will keep you up on Musk’s latest ideas and developments so you can keep your two feet on Earth while looking up at the stars.

Elon Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX continues to make headlines, as the company launches rockets and craft into space, with the ultimate goal of bringing humans to other planets like Mars. Live Science keeps up with the most interesting SpaceX developments and achievements, including the Tesla Roadster that is hurtling through space and the Falcon Heavy rocket that carried it there.

Crispr technology is sort of like a pair of tiny and precise scissors for the molecular world. This gene-editing tool can snip out sections of DNA and replace them with new, healthy genetic stretches. Scientists and doctors have high hopes for its health implications, and they’ve used it to alter severe genetic defects in single-celled embryos. Here, Live Science brings you news and features surrounding Crispr achievements and challenges.

Perhaps the epitome of the cute-ugly, creepy-cool divide, tardigrades are marvels of nature. The microscopic creatures, also called water bears, are known as much for their pudgy, almost comical, appearances as their ability to survive almost anything thrown there way, from starvation to radiation. When it comes to tardigrades, Live Science leaves no micro-stone unturned. Here's the latest news on all things tardigrades, from recent discoveries, to dissections of their oddities, to breakdowns of various mysteries.

Unlike traditional computers that rely on bits of information that can be in one of two states (1 or 0), quantum computers manipulate qubits, or units of information tucked inside subatomic particles. That means, they follow the wacky laws of quantum mechanics and so can be in two states at once. This ability allows quantum computers to theoretically store exponentially more information than your everyday laptop. Live Science is here to dissect the latest achievements and discoveries in this bizarre quantum world of computing.

Magnets, those objects that attract or repel each other, are more than staples of your refrigerator door. They are found in just about every laptop and the force they produce protects Earthlings from some lethal radiation from space. Live Science keeps up with the most interesting discoveries related to magnets and magnetism.

Whether it's the forces that keep athletes twirling, the weird laws governing the quantum realm, or the far-out ideas of time travel and alternate universes, physics and mathematics cover a lot of interesting territory. Our team of expert science writers and editors are here to demystify these concepts with clarity and accuracy, keeping you up to date with the latest physics news, discoveries, articles and features.

Discover more about physics & math

—What is string theory?

—What is a singularity?

They’re small, sneaky, and likely to make you sick. From viruses, to bacteria, to pesky protozoa, here are the latest findings on the parasites that live among (and on, and in) the creatures of the Earth.

Related Topics: Insects, Invasive Species

Oxygen goes in, carbon dioxide goes out. Sounds simple enough, but your respiratory system — composed of your lungs, trachea, sinuses, and sundry microscopic helpers — works a grueling 24/7 job just to keep your blood oxygenated, and your body alive. Learn all about the air you breath (and the respiratory organs that make it possible) here.

If you are an arthropod, you’ve come to the wrong place. About 98 percent of all animals are invertebrates, meaning they have no backbone or internal skeletal system, and humans happen to be in the minority. Humans: Read on to learn all about your 206 bones (270 if you’re a newborn), plus the ligaments, tendons, and cartilage that connects them.

The word endocrine comes from the Greek words “endo,” meaning within, and “crinis,” meaning to secrete. Put the two together and you get glands — those hormone-producing organs that regulate your mood and help control your body’s most critical functions. Endocrine all-stars include the pituitary gland (responsible for raging teenage hormones), the thyroid gland (your body’s master metabolic control center) and even the testes and ovaries (which need no introduction). More on those — and other endocrine system news, diseases, and research — right here.

Science in film can mean futuristic sci-fi, with faster-than-light-speed spacecraft; laser battles on distant planets; or an uprising of humanlike, intelligent androids. It could also accompany stories of global disasters fueled by exaggerated versions of modern threats, such as pandemics, nuclear war, extreme weather or climate change. It could even present thoughtful portraits of real women and men who were scientific pioneers and innovators, whose discoveries shaped the world as we know it today. Grab some popcorn and settle in with Live Science at the movies.

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is an enormous and spectacular natural wonder, but it is also one of the most devastating examples of ecosystems that are increasingly threatened by a warming world. Explore its diverse communities of marine wildlife, and discover the challenges facing corals — which are especially sensitive to temperature change — and the animals that depend on them.

The terms "sex" and "gender" are frequently used interchangeably, but the connotations of "gender" are more complex. The word refers to a range of social characteristics that define what is typically accepted as "masculine" or "feminine," including gender identity, and individual's biological sex, and social structures that are based upon sex, not all of which fit neatly into a male/female binary interpretation. Here you can the latest research exploring the relationship between sex and gender, and discover how new discoveries in biology and cognition are changing the ways in which we define ourselves.

A spoonful of monosaccharides helps the medicine go down! Feed your sweet tooth with the latest health findings on the sugar in your tea, your food and all over your body.