8 months ago
Major Astronomy Stories of 2025
In 2025, there were several big news stories about space.
Blue Origin sent an all-women crew to space for 11 minutes, which some people thought was cool and others thought was a waste.
Scientists found a comet from another star system and studied it when it was closest to Earth.
There was a debate about whether a planet called K2-18b had signs of life, but later studies couldn't find any evidence.
Two NASA astronauts were stuck in space for almost a year instead of the planned eight days.
Finally, scientists discovered 128 new moons around Saturn, making the total number of moons 274.
These discoveries help us learn more about space and how it works.
Blue Origin completed its first all-women space mission, lasting 11 minutes and sparking controversy.
The 3I/ATLAS comet, an interstellar object, was studied when it was closest to Earth in July.
Scientists debated the presence of life on K2-18b after detecting dimethyl sulfide, but later studies found no evidence.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were trapped in space for 286 days due to technical issues.
Scientists discovered 128 new moons orbiting Saturn, bringing the total to 274.
- Who
- Various scientists, astronauts, and private space companies like Blue Origin.
- What
- Significant events in astronomy, including space missions, comet discoveries, and new moons.
- Where
- Various locations in space, including Earth’s orbit, the International Space Station, and distant exoplanets.
- When
- Throughout 2025, with specific events in March, July, and April.
- Why
- To advance scientific knowledge and inspire future generations.
Key facts
- All-women space trip
- Blue Origin's first mission with an all-women crew, including Lauren Sánchez, Amanda Nguyen, Katy Perry, Gayle King, Aisha Bowe, and Kerianne Flynn.
- Duration of the trip
- 11 minutes, sending the women to Earth’s lower orbit and back.
- Controversy
- Viewed as both unnecessary and inspirational.
- Deep space comet
- 3I/ATLAS comet, the third interstellar object recorded.
- Closest approach to Earth
- July 2025.
- Signs of life on K2-18b
- Dimethyl sulfide detected, later questioned by three separate analyses.
- NASA astronauts trapped in space
- Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams spent 286 days in space instead of 8.
- New moons discovered
- 128 new moons orbiting Saturn, bringing the total to 274.
Quotes
Amanda Nguyen
Vietnamese-American scientist, civil rights activist, bioastronautics researcher, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee.
“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed. A month later, when a senior staff at Blue [Origin] called me, I had to hang up on him because I could not speak through my tears.”
NDTV
“When Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon, bombs rained down on Vietnam. This year, when my boat refugee family looked at the sky, instead of bombs they saw the first Vietnamese woman in space.”
NDTV
