China discovers a new lunar crystal, Changesite-(Y), containing helium-3, a potential game-changer for clean nuclear fusion energy, intensifying the race to mine the moon.
Scientists have discovered a new lunar crystal, Changesite-(Y), which contains helium-3, a promising element for nuclear fusion.
This transparent crystal, named after the Chinese moon goddess Chang’e, was found in lunar basalt particles collected during China’s 2020 Chang’e 5 mission in Oceanus Procellarum.
China is now the third country, after the US and the former Soviet Union, to identify a new lunar mineral.
The crystal formed in a volcanically active region of the moon about 1.2 billion years ago. One of its key components, helium-3, is rare on Earth but abundant on the moon. This element is considered a potential stable fuel for nuclear fusion, a process that mimics the energy generation of stars but without the hazardous waste produced by nuclear fission.
Helium-3 could revolutionize energy production, with an estimated $3 billion value per ton. About 25 tons of helium-3 could power the US for a year. However, extracting and transporting large amounts from the moon presents significant logistical and financial challenges.
The discovery may intensify the race among countries and private companies to mine helium-3 on the moon. China’s upcoming Chang’e 6 mission, scheduled for 2024, aims to collect samples from the moon’s far side, potentially unlocking further insights into this valuable resource.
In Baku, Azerbaijan, the Worm Moon will rise on March 14, 2025, following a stunning total lunar eclipse visible from 11:26 a.m. to 12:31 p.m. AZT
Firefly Aerospace has become the second U.S. company to achieve a soft moon landing with its debut Blue Ghost lander, marking a significant milestone in the private space sector.
Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost spacecraft, launched on January 15, has captured breathtaking close-ups of the Moon’s surface. Currently on a 45-day mission, the spacecraft aims to collect critical data as part of NASA’s lunar exploration effort.
In a historic milestone for private space exploration, Japanese startup Dymon Co. has launched its ultra-compact moon rover, Yaoki, marking the world's first private lunar exploration mission.
NASA has launched its latest satellite, Lunar Trailblazer, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center, on a mission to pinpoint water sources on the Moon - a critical resource for future lunar missions and potential long-term bases.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are now conducting direct peace talks without Russian mediation, according to Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan. He told Armenian media that Moscow’s mediating role has ended and that direct dialogue is now seen as more effective.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confidently announced that there will be no war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, emphasizing a shared commitment to a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.
Britain has imposed fresh sanctions on Russia, including asset freezes targeting directors of the oil trading firm Coral Energy Group, now known as 2Rivers Group.
Moscow is currently holding a Victory Day parade to mark 80 years since the end of the Great Patriotic War, with foreign delegations and military units participating.
A helicopter crash in Sri Lanka has resulted in six fatalities, according to military sources cited by AFP on Friday.
India has fired a series of missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, in what it has described as “Operation Sindoor”
For the first time in history, an American has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church, as Cardinal Robert Prevost is named pope.
Discover every major VE Day 80 event in Britain, 5‑8 May 2025—from London’s parade and fly‑past to street parties, concerts and museum exhibitions.
Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has announced it will no longer sell goods directly from China to U.S. customers, shifting instead to U.S.-based sellers amid the closure of a long-criticized customs loophole.
Cardinals from 70 nations have gathered in Vatican City to begin the historic conclave to elect the next pope, following the death of Pope Francis 17 days ago. This conclave is the most geographically diverse in Church history, showcasing Francis’ legacy of inclusivity.
From record-breaking seaplanes to sleek postwar transports and combat-tested fighters, Italy’s aviation history is rich with daring design and engineering brilliance. These ten aircraft showcase the best of Italian innovation, style, and legacy.
As the final celebrity entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art, fashion lovers worldwide were left with unforgettable looks and a tribute to Black style at the 2025 Met Gala.
Ten suspects, including elderly men dubbed the "grandpa gang," went on trial in Paris on charges of robbing Kim Kardashian at gunpoint during Paris Fashion Week in 2016.
Harvey Weinstein faces a new rape and sexual assault trial in New York, nearly a year after his 2020 conviction was overturned, marking a key test of progress in the post-#MeToo era.
A fresh Star Wars adventure is on the way, as Shawn Levy and Ryan Gosling officially introduce Star Wars: Starfighter, set to hit cinemas in May 2027.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are now conducting direct peace talks without Russian mediation, according to Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan. He told Armenian media that Moscow’s mediating role has ended and that direct dialogue is now seen as more effective.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confidently announced that there will be no war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, emphasizing a shared commitment to a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.
Britain has imposed fresh sanctions on Russia, including asset freezes targeting directors of the oil trading firm Coral Energy Group, now known as 2Rivers Group.
Moscow is currently holding a Victory Day parade to mark 80 years since the end of the Great Patriotic War, with foreign delegations and military units participating.
A helicopter crash in Sri Lanka has resulted in six fatalities, according to military sources cited by AFP on Friday.
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