Ever wanted to hop onto a fluffy cloud? Catch a falling star? Bottle sunshine? Well, you can’t. But what you can do is hold some of the Moon in your hand… if you’re one of the few qualified scientists who are researching new lunar material. Sharing is caring, but these researchers have a great reason for being very precious with moon dust.
Moon dust is some of the rarest material on the planet and, for the first time, China has shared its samples of moon dust internationally. These samples have now racked up some serious frequent flyer miles, traveling across the globe after being taken all the way from the Moon. Talk about jet lag. Until now, scientists have been using samples collected decades ago. It wasn’t until 2020 that China’s spacecraft went to an unexplored spot of the Moon, then returned with 2 kilograms of moon rock. This dust is now being studied, and researchers are working carefully (VERY carefully) to uncover the evidence it has to offer about our universe’s environmental history.
Can you zoom to the moon with the Numberblocks? Here's how to play:
- Cut out your rocket counters with a grown-up. Place them at the start. The player who throws the highest number on the die goes first.
- Take turns to roll the die and move around the board. The first person to reach the moon is the winner!
Watch full episodes of Numberblocks on their official YouTube channel!
In Does the Moon Affect Human Behavior? host Harith Iskander debunks myths that connect the Moon's phases to human behavior, particularly the idea of "lunacy" or madness. The Moon's gravitational pull does influence tides, but it does not have an effect on the water in our bodies, despite common myths. Learn about the Moon’s gravitational force and its real effects on Earth, as well as the science that dispels these longstanding myths. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Got Science?, a science magazine series that explores and explains science in everyday life.
In The Power of the Sun and Moon, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes what happens during the powerful spring tides. Learn how the pull of the Moon and the Sun impact the tides and how animals, like raccoons, take advantage of low tide. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Blue Planet, a definitive documentary series diving into the mysterious depths of the sea to discover the natural history of the world’s oceans and the rarely seen marine life that reside there.
In Ridley Turtles Guided by the Moon, narrator Sir David Attenborough explains how the Moon influences the ocean, specifically when Ridley turtles come to lay their eggs. The turtles come during the first or last quarter of the Moon so that the ocean is weaker and less likely to uncover their eggs. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Blue Planet, a definitive documentary series diving into the mysterious depths of the sea to discover the natural history of the world’s oceans and the rarely seen marine life that reside there.
In The Moon's Impact on Earth, learn how the Moon plays a crucial role in Earth’s tides, climate, and seasons. Meet Jerry Wiant who uses a laser to measure the Moon’s distance from Earth at the McDonald Observatory in West Texas, revealing that the Moon is receding at a rate of 3.8 cm/year. This information helps us understand the Moon's influence on Earth and the long-term effects of its gradual movement away from the planet. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Earth: The Power of the Planet, a documentary that explores the fascinating geology on planet Earth.
In Europa and Life on Moons, Professor Brian Cox explains how the geological discoveries on faraway moons have impacted what scientists think about them. Then he visits an ice cave in Iceland to discuss how the ice cave can teach us about Europa, Jupiter’s moon. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In Neil Armstrong and the Moon Landing, host Dermot O'Leary recounts the dramatic moments during the Apollo 11 landing. Despite a critical error code and lost communication, Neil Armstrong remained calm under pressure, ensuring a successful descent to the Moon. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
In The Moon and the Tides, Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers observe that the tide has gone out. Join the Ramblers as they learn how the Moon impacts the tides all around the Earth. This video is excerpted from BBC's Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest, a nature exploration show in which Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers go on quests to discover nature’s wonders and the important role they play in our environment.
A total lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, blocking sunlight from reaching the Moon’s surface. During the eclipse, the Moon can appear dark red or copper-colored as sunlight bends through Earth’s atmosphere.
Even though the Moon travels around Earth about every 28 days, total lunar eclipses are rare. That’s because the Moon’s orbit is tilted slightly, so most months, the Moon passes a little above or below Earth’s shadow instead of through it. Only every six months or so are the Sun, Earth, and Moon lined up closely enough for a possible lunar eclipse.
Last September, millions of people around the world watched the rare event during organized watch parties and backyard gatherings. Astronomers encouraged people to bring blankets, snacks, and telescopes to enjoy the nighttime spectacle together. While cloudy skies blocked views in some places, observers across parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia were able to see the eclipse from beginning to end under clear skies.
In The Rings of Saturn, Professor Brian Cox explains what scientists have learned about how Saturn’s rings came to be and how new they are. Learn which came first, Saturn’s rings or its moons. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In Microscopic Life in Ice, Professor Brian Cox explores an ice cave and finds microorganisms that are living in the ice. He discusses what this means for life on other planets and moons with scientist Richard Hoover. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
Ever wanted to hop onto a fluffy cloud? Catch a falling star? Bottle sunshine? Well, you can’t. But what you can do is hold some of the Moon in your hand… if you’re one of the few qualified scientists who are researching new lunar material. Sharing is caring, but these researchers have a great reason for being very precious with moon dust.
Moon dust is some of the rarest material on the planet and, for the first time, China has shared its samples of moon dust internationally. These samples have now racked up some serious frequent flyer miles, traveling across the globe after being taken all the way from the Moon. Talk about jet lag. Until now, scientists have been using samples collected decades ago. It wasn’t until 2020 that China’s spacecraft went to an unexplored spot of the Moon, then returned with 2 kilograms of moon rock. This dust is now being studied, and researchers are working carefully (VERY carefully) to uncover the evidence it has to offer about our universe’s environmental history.
Can you zoom to the moon with the Numberblocks? Here's how to play:
- Cut out your rocket counters with a grown-up. Place them at the start. The player who throws the highest number on the die goes first.
- Take turns to roll the die and move around the board. The first person to reach the moon is the winner!
Watch full episodes of Numberblocks on their official YouTube channel!
In Does the Moon Affect Human Behavior? host Harith Iskander debunks myths that connect the Moon's phases to human behavior, particularly the idea of "lunacy" or madness. The Moon's gravitational pull does influence tides, but it does not have an effect on the water in our bodies, despite common myths. Learn about the Moon’s gravitational force and its real effects on Earth, as well as the science that dispels these longstanding myths. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Got Science?, a science magazine series that explores and explains science in everyday life.
In The Power of the Sun and Moon, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes what happens during the powerful spring tides. Learn how the pull of the Moon and the Sun impact the tides and how animals, like raccoons, take advantage of low tide. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Blue Planet, a definitive documentary series diving into the mysterious depths of the sea to discover the natural history of the world’s oceans and the rarely seen marine life that reside there.
In Ridley Turtles Guided by the Moon, narrator Sir David Attenborough explains how the Moon influences the ocean, specifically when Ridley turtles come to lay their eggs. The turtles come during the first or last quarter of the Moon so that the ocean is weaker and less likely to uncover their eggs. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Blue Planet, a definitive documentary series diving into the mysterious depths of the sea to discover the natural history of the world’s oceans and the rarely seen marine life that reside there.
In The Moon's Impact on Earth, learn how the Moon plays a crucial role in Earth’s tides, climate, and seasons. Meet Jerry Wiant who uses a laser to measure the Moon’s distance from Earth at the McDonald Observatory in West Texas, revealing that the Moon is receding at a rate of 3.8 cm/year. This information helps us understand the Moon's influence on Earth and the long-term effects of its gradual movement away from the planet. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Earth: The Power of the Planet, a documentary that explores the fascinating geology on planet Earth.
In Europa and Life on Moons, Professor Brian Cox explains how the geological discoveries on faraway moons have impacted what scientists think about them. Then he visits an ice cave in Iceland to discuss how the ice cave can teach us about Europa, Jupiter’s moon. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In Neil Armstrong and the Moon Landing, host Dermot O'Leary recounts the dramatic moments during the Apollo 11 landing. Despite a critical error code and lost communication, Neil Armstrong remained calm under pressure, ensuring a successful descent to the Moon. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
In The Moon and the Tides, Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers observe that the tide has gone out. Join the Ramblers as they learn how the Moon impacts the tides all around the Earth. This video is excerpted from BBC's Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest, a nature exploration show in which Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers go on quests to discover nature’s wonders and the important role they play in our environment.
A total lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, blocking sunlight from reaching the Moon’s surface. During the eclipse, the Moon can appear dark red or copper-colored as sunlight bends through Earth’s atmosphere.
Even though the Moon travels around Earth about every 28 days, total lunar eclipses are rare. That’s because the Moon’s orbit is tilted slightly, so most months, the Moon passes a little above or below Earth’s shadow instead of through it. Only every six months or so are the Sun, Earth, and Moon lined up closely enough for a possible lunar eclipse.
Last September, millions of people around the world watched the rare event during organized watch parties and backyard gatherings. Astronomers encouraged people to bring blankets, snacks, and telescopes to enjoy the nighttime spectacle together. While cloudy skies blocked views in some places, observers across parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia were able to see the eclipse from beginning to end under clear skies.
In The Rings of Saturn, Professor Brian Cox explains what scientists have learned about how Saturn’s rings came to be and how new they are. Learn which came first, Saturn’s rings or its moons. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In Microscopic Life in Ice, Professor Brian Cox explores an ice cave and finds microorganisms that are living in the ice. He discusses what this means for life on other planets and moons with scientist Richard Hoover. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.