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As NASA shifts human exploration back to the Moon, U.S. commercial partnerships will be a key to expediting missions and building a sustainable presence on the lunar surface.

Commercial Partners Key to Sustainable Moon Presence

Commercial Partners Key to Sustainable Moon Presence

In the fall of 2011, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission released its original Tour of the Moon, a five-minute animation that takes the viewer on a virtual tour of our nearest neighbor in space. Six years later, the tour has been recreated in eye-popping 4K resolution.

color elevation map of lunar crater

Tour of the Moon 4K

The phase and libration of the Moon for 2018, at hourly intervals.

Moon phases

Moon Phases in 2018

From Clair De Lune to ShinEE's Selene 6.23, explore our long list of Moon songs. Did we miss one? Let us know.

moon

During a lunar eclipse, Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the sunlight falling on the Moon.

State capitol dome with flag and moon in background.

The next full Moon will be Friday afternoon, July 27, 2017. The Moon will appear full for about three days from Thursday through Sunday.

full moon rising over mountains

Full Moon Blog: Sturgeon Moon on the Horizon

NASA unveiled an official logo at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington for use in observing milestone anniversaries at the Moon.

NASA Releases Logo to Mark Apollo's 50th Anniversary

The next full Moon will be on Tuesday morning, May 29, 2018, appearing "opposite" the Sun (in Earth-based longitude) at 10:20 AM EDT. The Moon will appear full for about three days.

Full Moon behind some trees.

The Next Full Moon is the Strawberry Moon

NASA's Exploration Campaign is a national and agency effort focused on three core domains: low Earth orbit; lunar orbit and surface; and Mars and other deep space objectives.

chart of NASA Exploration Campaign

NASA's Exploration Campaign: Back to the Moon and on to Mars

The crew of the International Space Station snapped this image of the full Moon on April 30, 2018, as the station orbited off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

moon rising over blue limb of earth

Full Moon Over Newfoundland

A floor fracture and central peak structure on the floor of the Moon's Humboldt Crater that formed directly after impact. This image is viewable in 3D using red-blue glasses.

3D view of terrain seen from above

Humboldt Crater Floor in 3D

NASA is focused on an ambitious plan to advance the nation’s space program by increasing science activities near and on the Moon and ultimately returning humans to the surface.

spacecraft near the moon

NASA Outlines New Lunar Science, Human Exploration Missions

A shock of color on the Moon! The Lassell Massif (a so-called "red spot") in Mare Nubium appears orange in the center of this color composite image from the Wide Angle Camera aboard NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

lunar surface with craters, seen from above

Color of the Lassell Massif

A new analysis of data finds evidence that the Moon’s water is widely distributed across the surface, though it’s not necessarily easily accessible.

full moon

The Moon's Water May Be Widespread

The Moon looks a little different every night—this chart shows why.

chart showing moon phases in different positions around the earth

What Causes the Phases of the Moon?

The next full moon is the Worm Moon, Crow Moon, Crust Moon, Sap Moon, Sugar Moon, or Lenten Moon.

full moon rising over foothills

Tips for photographing the Moon like a pro.

lincoln memorial with red moon rising nearby

This lunar farside rayed crater is named after planetary scientist Elisabetta “Betty” Pierazzo (1963-2011).

round, deep, bright lunar crater

Luminous Pierazzo Crater

Did you know the Moon is slowly moving away from Earth and that the Moon has water? Jim Green is joined by lunar expert Sarah Noble to discuss how the Moon was formed, lava tubes and moonquakes, the “dark side of the Moon,” and mysteries we have yet to solve about Earth’s nearest neighbor.

the Moon

Gravity Assist: The Moon with Sarah Noble

The next full moon is a super blue blood moon, the Snow Moon, or the Hunger Moon.

blood red moon

If you live in the western part of North America, Alaska, and the Hawaiian islands, get up early on Wednesday, Jan. 31 for a lunar trifecta: a pre-dawn “super blue blood moon.” Learn more, including how to watch live on NASA TV.

Eclipsed moon.

‘Super Blue Blood Moon:' How to Watch

Astronaut John Young, who walked on the Moon during Apollo 16 and commanded the first space shuttle mission, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, at the age of 87.

astronaut leaping on lunar surface

NASA Mourns the Passing of Astronaut John Young

The Moon became a key focus point for NASA in 2017, whether it was blocking out the Sun during one of the most-viewed events in U.S. history, or reinvigorating the agency’s human space exploration plans.

sun and moon with small space station crossing in front

The Moon Shines Brightly Among NASA’s 2017 Highlights

Determining how much water ice is present at the lunar poles is an important goal, because water could provide a key resource for future lunar explorers, serving as drinking water or rocket fuel.

bottom of crater seen in radar and in natural light

Searching for Ice at the Moon's Poles

President Donald Trump is sending astronauts back to the Moon.

dark curve of Moon in front of Sun

New Space Policy Directive Calls for Human Expansion Across Solar System

On the heels of December's supermoon, there will be two more, one on Jan. 1, 2018, and another on Jan. 31, 2018. The latter will also include a lunar eclipse. Learn more in this short video.

three full moons

A Supermoon Trilogy

See images of the December supermoon and other beautiful shots.

moon and aircraft

Full Moon Photos

Impact melt forms a swirled feature in Giordano Bruno crater, as seen in this image from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

rock solidified in a swirl pattern

Giordano Bruno Whorl

The term “supermoon” has been popping up a lot in the news over the past few years. What are supermoons, why do they occur and how can they be used as an educational tool? Plus, are they really that super?

size comparison: supermoon and regular moon

Teachable Moment: What’s a Supermoon and Just How Super Is It?

The next full Moon will be Sunday morning, Dec. 3, 2017. See what else will be visible in the skies during the next few weeks.

full moon rising over mountains

The Next Full Moon, on Dec. 3, is a Supermoon

The next SuperMoon happens on Dec. 3. It's a bit more subtle than it sounds—but for the interested observer, there's plenty to see.

moon rising over mountains

What is a SuperMoon?

Connecting Apollo 17 to NASA's current Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission through the eyes of astronaut Harrison Jack Schmitt.

Astronaut Schmitt and photo of him working on Moon

Jack Schmitt: From Apollo 17 to LRO

“NASA and the nation have lost one of our early space pioneers. We send our condolences to the family and loved ones of Gemini and Apollo astronaut Richard Gordon, a hero from NASA’s third class of astronauts."

Astronaut in spacecraft simulator.

In Memoriam: Apollo 12's Richard Gordon

On Oct.13, 2014 something very strange happened to the camera aboard NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). The camera appears to have been hit by a tiny meteoroid, a small natural object in space

Black and white image of the move marked by jagged impact lines.

Camera on NASA's Lunar Orbiter Survived 2014 Meteoroid Hit

The next full Moon will be early Saturday morning, November 4, 2017, appearing "opposite" the Sun (in Earth-based longitude) at 1:23 AM EDT.

Next full Moon is the Hunter's Moon

Moon Missive: The Next Full Moon is the Hunter's Moon

Weather permitting, you can observe the Moon most nights, but this week is special. October 28 is International Observe the Moon Night. Here’s all you need to know to join in and celebrate.

Color image of International Space Station passing in front of the Moon.

10 Things to Know About International Observe the Moon Night 2017

NASA has been directed to develop a plan for an innovative and sustainable program of exploration with commercial and international partners to enable human expansion across the solar system, returning humans to the Moon for long-term exploration.

Vice President Mike Pence in front of Space Shuttle.

NASA Statement on National Space Council Policy for Future American Leadership in Space

A new technological application of interplanetary radar has successfully located spacecraft orbiting the moon.

Pixelated radar image showing spacecraft at the moon.

New NASA Radar Technique Finds Lost Lunar Spacecraft

A novel mission concept involving two CubeSats connected by a thin, miles-long tether could help scientists understand how the Moon got its mysterious “tattoos” — swirling patterns of light and dark found at more than 100 locations across the lunar surface.

Black and white image of swirls on the surface of the moon.

NASA Studies Tethered CubeSat Mission to Study Lunar Swirls

Moonquakes detected by sensitive scientific equipment left on the Moon by Apollo astronauts reveal the mysteries of the lunar interior.

Color image of astronaut on the moon with scientific equipment.

In Search of Moonquakes

NASA has named the site where twin agency spacecraft impacted the moon in 2012 in honor of the late astronaut Sally K. Ride, who was America's first woman in space and a member of the probes' mission team.

Color image of smiling Sally Ride in a blue flight suit.

GRAIL Lunar Impact Site Named for Astronaut Sally Ride