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The Geminid meteor shower, one of the strongest annual meteor displays, peaks overnight from December 13 to 14, with up to 120 meteors per hour visible under dark skies. Best viewed in the northern hemisphere, including the UK, the shower will continue until December 20. Viewing conditions depend on weather and light pollution.
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Recent studies reveal a rogue planet, Cha 1107-7626, accreting gas and dust at an unprecedented rate, blurring lines between stars and planets. Meanwhile, the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, larger than previously thought, passed near Mars and is being closely observed. Finnish scientists also captured the first image of two black holes orbiting each other, confirming their binary nature.
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On October 7, 2025, the first of three supermoons this year, known as the Harvest Moon, appeared. It was the largest and brightest full moon of 2025 so far, appearing up to 14% larger and 30% brighter due to its close orbit to Earth. Meanwhile, two comets, Lemmon and SWAN, are making close passes to Earth this month, visible with binoculars or the naked eye under dark skies. Comet Lemmon will be closest on October 21, and both comets may be seen through the end of October. The UAE and other regions are hosting viewing events for these celestial phenomena.
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On November 14, 2025, Chinese astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie safely returned to Earth after a nine-day delay caused by space debris damage to their original Shenzhou-20 return capsule. They landed in the Gobi Desert aboard the newer Shenzhou-21 spacecraft. The incident highlights growing risks from orbital debris amid China's expanding space ambitions.
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Recent articles reveal significant space findings: a rare meteorite on Earth with insights into planetary cores, a giant nebula in the Milky Way, and new evidence of electrical activity on Mars. These discoveries deepen understanding of planetary formation, interstellar objects, and Martian phenomena, highlighting ongoing space exploration progress as of December 2025.
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In late 2025, Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket carrying NASA's twin Mars orbiters, marking a milestone in reusable rocket technology. Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome suffered significant launchpad damage during a Soyuz crewed mission, threatening future launches. SpaceX's Starship V3 booster experienced a critical failure during ground testing, delaying its development. Russia removed veteran cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev from a SpaceX mission amid espionage allegations. Russia and India continue talks on rocket engine cooperation.
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NASA is deploying new robotic and human exploration initiatives. The Artemis IV lunar rover, MAPP, will study dust and plasma environments on the Moon, supporting upcoming Artemis missions. Meanwhile, a new report emphasizes prioritizing Mars life detection and resource utilization, as the US prepares for human Mars exploration amid strategic competition with China.