| In this week’s newsletter, discover how to help NASA expand our understanding of the universe— all while improving life on Earth—using just a phone or computer; find out where and how to watch NASA astronaut Don Pettit’s return to Earth from the International Space Station this weekend; and listen to the first episode of the new Earth series from NASA’s Curious Universe podcast, as we dive into the stories behind iconic moments like Apollo 8’s Earthrise and explore alongside the astronauts, scientists, and experts who are revealing the secrets of our wild and wonderful home. |
| SCIENCE NASA Science Wants You!  |
| Through NASA’s citizen science projects, volunteers help with cutting-edge research in Earth science, planetary science, astrophysics, biological and physical sciences, and heliophysics. With just your phone or computer, you can help NASA expand our understanding of the universe — all while improving life on Earth. From spotting storms and chasing auroras to exploring distant galaxies, the agency’s citizen science projects tap into the power of people. Projects are available in 18+ languages beyond English and open to anyone, regardless of country of origin or citizenship status, and need no special gear, just curiosity and a willingness to learn. EXPLORE PROJECTS |
 | SCIENCE Become a GLOBE Observer On Tuesday, April 22, celebrate Earth Day by giving our home planet the gift of data! Join the GLOBE Observer international network of citizen scientists and scientists working together to learn more about our shared environment and changing climate. To participate, just download the GLOBE Observer app, choose your favorite project, and submit regular observations. GET THE APP |
| PODCAST NASA’s Curious Universe Have you ever wondered how NASA sees our own planet? Get ready to get curious! Every Tuesday from April 15 to May 13, NASA’s Curious Universe podcast is taking you on an epic adventure, celebrating Earth as only NASA can. Join us as we dive into the stories behind iconic moments like Apollo 8’s Earthrise and explore alongside the astronauts, scientists, and experts who are revealing the secrets of our wild and wonderful home. START LISTENING |  |
 HUMANS IN SPACE Don Pettit’s Return to Earth NASA astronaut Don Pettit, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, will depart the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft and return to Earth on Saturday, April 19. Pettit, Ovchinin, and Vagner will undock from the orbiting laboratory at 5:57 p.m. EDT, heading for a parachute-assisted landing at 9:20 p.m. Live coverage begins on NASA+ at 2 p.m. EDT. LEARN MORE |  HUMANS IN SPACE Delivering NASA Science NASA and SpaceX are targeting 4:15 a.m. EDT, Monday, April 21, for the next launch to deliver science investigations, supplies, and equipment to the International Space Station. This is the 32nd SpaceX commercial resupply services mission to the orbiting laboratory for the agency. Live coverage begins on NASA+ at 3:55 a.m. EDT. LEARN MORE |
| More NASA News |
 | Researchers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered the magnetar called SGR 0501+4516 is traversing our galaxy from an unknown place of origin. Researchers say that this runaway magnetar—the dead remnants of stars—is the likeliest candidate in our Milky Way galaxy for a magnetar that was not born in a supernova explosion as initially predicted. |
 | NASA’s Planetary Defenders is a gripping documentary that delves into the high-stakes world of asteroid detection and planetary defense. Journey alongside a dedicated team of astronomers and scientists working tirelessly to track and monitor near-Earth asteroids, aiming to protect our planet from potential impacts. Available now on NASA+. |
 | The Lucy spacecraft’s closest approach to asteroid Donaldjohanson will occur at 1:51 pm EDT on Sunday, April 20, at a distance of 596 miles. This upcoming event represents a comprehensive “dress rehearsal” for Lucy’s main mission over the next decade: the exploration of multiple Trojan asteroids that share Jupiter’s orbit around the Sun. |
| Do You Know? |
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| The Space Transportation System (STS-1) flight was the first of 135 shuttle launches, but also one of 16 shuttle missions launched in the month of April over the course of the 30-year Space Shuttle Program. On Thursday, April 24, NASA celebrates the 35th anniversary of another notable April shuttle mission: the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope on Discovery’s STS-31 mission. |
| Which month is tied with April as the month with the most shuttle launches? A. May B. July C. September D. November |
| Find out the answer in next week’s edition of the NASA newsletter! |
 | Last week we asked how cold the Apollo 13 lunar module got as the crew tried to conserve power on their emergency return to Earth. The answer? 51°F, although the command module reached a frigid 38°F. In this photo, Apollo 13 Commander James Lovell tries to rest, but he and his crewmates Fred Haise and Jack Swigert reported that they found sleep nearly impossible. Through incredible problem-solving and a whole lot of grit, the Apollo 13 crew safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 17, 1970. Note: 51°F was mistakenly omitted as an answer choice last week, but if you chose 52°F, that was the closest choice to the correct answer! |
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| Do you have a telescope? Would you like to see some of the same night sky objects from the ground that Hubble has seen from space? We invite you to commemorate the Hubble Space Telescope’s 35th anniversary by accepting our yearlong stargazing challenge! New challenge objects will be featured weekly. This week’s object is Caldwell 59 (C59), also called the Ghost of Jupiter. Hubble captured this ghostly image as part of a collection of observations that revealed never-before-seen details that helped astronomers better understand the late evolutionary stages of average, mid-size stars. In the night sky, C59 appears similar in size to Jupiter, though through a large telescope it looks startlingly like an eye. JOIN THE CELEBRATION |
NOTE: This is a NASA public outreach publication. Used with permission. Formatted to fit this screen.