“On the Moon is a photo of my family. I pray it reminds you that we and America and all of the world are cheering you on.”
Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke recorded a message for the Artemis II crew. Fitting that they hear his words as they close in on their lunar destination.
Artemis II Delivers the First Human Observation of the Complete Orientale BasinDuring the lunar flyby phase of NASA’s Artemis II mission, the crew captured the first-ever images of the entire Orientale Basin as seen directly with human eyes.Orientale is a multi-ringed impact basin approximately 930 km (about 580 miles) in diameter, located near the southwestern limb of the Moon (as viewed from Earth). Because of its position straddling the near and far sides, only portions of its concentric rings and ejecta blanket have been visible from Earth or in previous orbital imagery at certain illuminations. The unique vantage point and trajectory of Artemis II allowed the crew to observe and photograph the full structure — including previously foreshortened or partially obscured segments — in a single, fully illuminated view.Formed roughly 3.8 billion years ago by a large asteroid or comet impact near the end of the Late Heavy Bombardment, Orientale is the youngest and best-preserved large impact basin on the Moon. Its well-defined concentric rings (the outermost Cordillera ring, the Outer Rook, and Inner Rook) provide a textbook example of how massive impacts excavate deep into the lunar crust and mantle, followed by gravitational collapse and rebound that create the characteristic bull’s-eye morphology.This new human-taken documentation adds valuable high-resolution visual context to existing datasets from spacecraft such as Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, GRAIL (which mapped its gravity anomalies), and earlier missions. It will support refined geological mapping, studies of impact dynamics, and preparation for future surface exploration in the region.The observation underscores that even well-studied lunar features can reveal new details when viewed from novel human perspectives during cislunar missions.The Moon continues to hold scientific surprises — and Artemis II is already expanding our understanding of its complex impact history.
Artemis II astronauts begin journey to earth after record-breaking moon mission
The crew of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Artemis II mission is heading back to earth after completing a historic lunar fly-by that saw them travel farther into space than any humans in history.
The astronauts, identified as Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen; reached a maximum distance of 252,756 miles (406,771 kilometres) from earth, surpassing the previous record set by the Apollo 13 crew in 1970.
The mission marks the first crewed flight of NASA’s Orion spacecraft under the Artemis programme, a key step towards future missions to land humans on the moon.
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Make new friends, but keep the old.
A new photo captures the Moon's near side on the right (the side we see from Earth, identifiable by its dark splotches) and its far side on the left. The Artemis II crew are the first to see the far side with human eyes.
PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU'S EASTER MESSAGE TO NIGERIANS 🇳🇬
I rejoice with Nigerians at home and abroad as we celebrate another Easter.
To Christians in Nigeria and around the world, the Easter season reminds us of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the redemptive power of salvation for humanity.
This season also reminds us of the significance of Easter and the message it embodies— of sacrifice, resilience, and the triumph of light over darkness. For us in Nigeria, the essence resonates with our current realities as we navigate a period marked by economic strain and security challenges, even as determined efforts are underway to address them.
Despite the good efforts of the administration and the gallant efforts of our men and women of the Armed Forces who leave behind their families to confront the evil actors in our land, challenges to our security have remained. However, my administration continues to make resources available and forge foreign partnerships to enable us to deal decisive blows to the agents of terror and banditry.
On Thursday, I was in Jos to commiserate with people of Plateau State, share in their grief, and offer reassurances of better days to come. The leaders of the nation's security institutions have given strong assurances of progress. We have also sought and are receiving assistance from outside our shores.
I am reassured that the citizens appreciate our efforts. I will continue to remind us of the imperative of unity and oneness. No nation can thrive where fear prevails, and no progress can be sustained without peace.
To other parts of the country also enduring one form of insecurity or the other, rest assured that concerted efforts are already yielding breakthroughs.
I therefore call upon all citizens to support lawful efforts, be our brothers' keeper, and reject all forces that threaten our collective well-being.
The ongoing reforms, though demanding in their immediate impact, have been carefully put together and backed by a strong commitment to take us to a shared prosperity.
As I have often said, true transformation cannot be achieved without sacrifice, and history affirms that enduring progress is often forged in moments such as these.
As the nation gradually approaches another electoral cycle, this season also serves as a call to civic duty and maturity. The Electoral Act must guide the conduct of our political parties and political actors. Let our choices be guided by a shared commitment to peace, continuity, stability, and the long-term good of our country.
Democracy flourishes where responsibility, restraint, and informed participation prevail.
Easter gives us the encouragement and confidence that, even as present conditions still put pressure on many of our people, economic indicators show we are making the right choices. A new dawn is on the horizon.
Fellow Nigerians, you have been very supportive of my administration because you trust our ability to make our nation better. I will continue to serve to retain your trust. I enjoin you to keep the faith, and never cease to contribute to the progress and greater future we seek, each in our own way, to the emergence of a democratically stronger, more prosperous, and a safer nation.
I wish you all a Happy Easter.
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4. EFCC Act 2004 – Section 7(2) D