The FAA has approved SpaceX's plan to significantly increase Falcon 9 launches at Cape Canaveral, allowing up to 120 launches annually and the construction of a new booster landing pad. This expansion, while avoiding a full Environmental Impact Statement, still adheres to environmental regulations. Most booster recoveries will continue via droneships, supporting SpaceX's growing satellite deployments and crewed missions.

Skywatchers across Asia, Australia, Africa, and Europe will witness a stunning Blood Moon total lunar eclipse on September 78, 2025. Unfortunately, most of North America, including the United States, will miss this event due to daylight. However, live streams will be available, and a visible Blood Moon is expected in the US on March 23, 2026.

Iberian harvester ant queens exhibit xenoparous reproduction, a unique phenomenon where they produce hybrid worker ants by utilizing sperm from another species, Messor structor. This allows the queens to essentially clone another species, ensuring colony survival even in areas where M. structor is absent. The discovery challenges existing understanding of reproduction and evolution within social insects.

NASA-backed scientists have created a novel oxygen production system for space. This system uses magnets instead of heavy centrifuges. It separates oxygen bubbles in zero gravity. Tests show it is more effective. This innovation could support lunar and Martian missions. It will allow astronauts to produce oxygen locally. This advancement is crucial for long-term space exploration and habitation.

Millions of years ago, the Mediterranean Sea faced a dramatic event. It largely dried up due to tectonic shifts. This created salt flats. Later, the Strait of Gibraltar reopened. Atlantic waters rushed in, causing a megaflood. This refilled the sea quickly. The flood reshaped coastlines and underwater landscapes. It also transformed ecosystems.

NASA's James Webb and Hubble telescopes have captured stunning images of a young star, IRAS 04302, revealing a butterfly-like structure. This protostar, hidden in gas and dust, offers insights into star and planet formation. The observations highlight a vast planet-forming disc, spanning 65 billion kilometers, and reflection nebulae, providing unprecedented details of early solar system development and material flows.

A recent NASA study reveals a concerning trend in US coastal cities: land subsidence. Urban areas like San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego are sinking faster than sea levels are rising, exacerbating flood risks. Human activities, including groundwater extraction and urban development, contribute significantly to this problem.

A sudden halt to Earth's rotation, though improbable, would trigger catastrophic events. Inertia would cause widespread destruction, reshaping coastlines and disrupting climate patterns. The loss of the day-night cycle and magnetic field would further endanger life, demanding unprecedented adaptation for any survivors. This scenario underscores the vital role of Earth's spin in maintaining planetary stability.

Brown anoles in New Orleans exhibit extraordinary lead tolerance, surviving levels lethal to most vertebrates. A recent study reveals these invasive lizards accumulate high lead concentrations from contaminated urban environments, including soil and insects. Genetic analysis suggests unique biological mechanisms enable their resilience, offering insights into adaptation and heavy metal toxicity.

Amit Kshatriya, an Indian American and NASA veteran, is now associate administrator. Sean Duffy announced the appointment. Kshatriya will guide Artemis Moon missions and Mars exploration. He will advise Duffy and oversee NASA center directors. Kshatriya's career began in 2003. He contributed to the International Space Station. He also contributed to the Artemis I mission.

Kilauea volcano in Hawaii has erupted again, marking its 32nd eruption since December, delighting tourists and residents. The lava remains contained within the summit crater, posing no threat to populated areas. Scientists are closely monitoring the eruption, which features spectacular lava fountains, while advising visitors to stay safe and informed due to potential hazards.