NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day

December 27, 2025

Apollo 17's Moonship

Awkward and angular looking, Apollo 17's lunar module Challenger was designed for flight in the near vacuum of space. Digitally enhanced and reprocessed, this picture taken from Apollo 17's command module America shows Challenger's ascent stage in lunar orbit. Small reaction control thrusters are at the sides of the moonship with the bell of the ascent rocket engine underneath. The hatch that allowed access to the lunar surface is seen at the front, with a round radar antenna at the top. Mission commander Gene Cernan is clearly visible through the triangular window. This spaceship performed gracefully, landing on the Moon and returning the Apollo astronauts to the orbiting command module in December of 1972. So where is Challenger now? While its descent stage remains at the Apollo 17 landing site in the Taurus-Littrow valley, the ascent stage pictured was intentionally crashed nearby after being jettisoned from the command module prior to the astronauts' return to planet Earth.

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

4 Oceans BELOW, M5 Solar Flare, Very Deep Quake | S0 News and frens

Dec.27.2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8rwn8o_n3M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl4U6uUPbIE (Stefan Burns: A MEGACYCLE is Coming to an End 🚀 Silver's History and the Astrology of Money)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDOVC5NNtVk (Sabine Hossenfelder: New Experiment Sees Order Emerge from Chaos)

https://www.primetimer.com/features/tracing-five-decades-of-weather-and-space-monitoring-through-nasas-goes

https://famagusta-gazette.com/earth-on-pace-for-most-magnetic-storm-days-in-a-decade-russian-scientists-say/

https://x.com/SolarHam/status/2004735436409970832

https://x.com/MrMBB333/status/2004594158355231231

https://x.com/schumannbot/status/2004915216795189497

https://www.spaceweather.gov/news/m51-flare-new-active-region

https://spaceweather.com/

https://usaherald.com/why-nasas-best-image-of-3i-atlas-looks-worse-than-a-40-year-old-comet-photo/

https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/3i-atlas-mystery-interstellar-object-not-behaving-it-races-toward-jupiter-1766163

https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/nine-mysterious-3i-atlas-signals-identified-human-noise-1766033

https://avi-loeb.medium.com/

https://medium.com/@liena.dreams/are-comets-intruders-or-messengers-of-cosmic-freedom-dcf6434022e4

https://x.com/mysteryWN/status/2004676639699931261

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyN4R0XR9tY (John Lenard Walson: @3iatlas #3IATLAS thematically, this can be expressed as:S(t) = Σ I(x, y, t)where I(x, y, t))

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyiWWsa2lkY (Ray's Astrophotography: Something Strange Happening at the Edge of the Solar System - Planet 9?| I Took a PICTURE of REST)

Why Nasa’s Best Image of 3I/ATLAS Looks Worse Than A 40-Year-Old Comet Photo

December 26, 2025

A comparison between Halley’s Comet and 3I/ATLAS raises uncomfortable questions about resolution, transparency, and what the public is actually being shown.

• The image is newer.

• The technology is vastly superior.

• Yet the object is harder to see than ever.

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope reobserved the interstellar comet known as 3I/ATLAS on Nov. 30, using its Wide Field Camera 3 ultraviolet–visible (UVIS) channel.

The released image shows a diffuse, blue-tinted haze with a bright central condensation—scientifically labeled, carefully framed, and technically accurate.

But when placed side by side with imagery of Halley’s Comet captured in 1986, the contrast is jarring.

Forty years ago, using far less advanced technology, humanity was given an image of a comet with sharp structure, visible nucleus detail, and unmistakable physical form.

In 2025, with space-based observatories that dwarf their predecessors in sensitivity, resolution, and processing power, the public sees something far less defined.

That discrepancy is not trivial, and it is not imaginary.

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>>24035207

Halley’s Comet was photographed during its 1986 perihelion by the European Space Agency’s Giotto probe and Earth-based observatories operating with late–20th century optics.

The nucleus was resolved. Jets were visible. The geometry of the coma could be visually interpreted even by non-specialists. The image conveyed physical reality.

In contrast, the 3I/ATLAS image released by NASA is heavily processed, ultraviolet-weighted, and presented at a scale and wavelength that obscures rather than clarifies the object’s structure to the general public.

The nucleus itself is not resolved. The surrounding halo dominates the frame. What should be the most visually informative image of the most scientifically extraordinary visitor in modern astronomy instead appears abstract, distant, and indistinct.

From a forensic standpoint, that choice matters.

The explanation offered by agencies is technical: 3I/ATLAS is faint, fast-moving, unusually active, and best studied in ultraviolet wavelengths where gas emissions are more detectable. All of that is true. But it is also incomplete.

Hubble is capable of multi-filter observations. Other space-based instruments—across optical, infrared, and radar domains—are currently operational. Ground-based adaptive optics systems now rival or exceed the clarity of images produced during the Halley era.

The public-facing question is not whether better data exists, but whether it is being shown.

As someone trained to examine evidence presentation, I focus not only on what is included, but what is excluded.

The decision to release a UVIS F350LP composite rather than a clearer optical frame is not accidental. It shapes perception. It emphasizes diffuse gas over solid structure.

It prioritizes scientific conservatism over visual transparency. And in doing so, it creates an unavoidable optics problem: the most advanced observational infrastructure in human history appears to deliver less clarity than a flyby mission from the Cold War era.

This concern is amplified by the context surrounding 3I/ATLAS itself. Unlike Halley, this object is interstellar in origin.

Its trajectory, non-gravitational acceleration, anomalous jet behavior, and chemical signatures have already placed it outside the comfort zone of standard comet models.

Independent researchers and amateur astronomers have reported features—anti-sunward jets, pulsations, and rotational irregularities—that are not easily reconciled with a simple icy nucleus.

When the official imagery appears to smooth over detail rather than sharpen it, skepticism is a rational response, not a conspiratorial one.

To be clear, this does not prove intent to withhold information. But it does establish a pattern of extreme caution in public disclosure that contrasts sharply with historical precedent.

During the Halley apparition, agencies embraced clarity because the object was familiar. With 3I/ATLAS, caution dominates because the object is not.

Transparency in science is not just about data collection; it is about presentation. When the clearest comet image in popular memory is four decades old, the burden shifts to institutions to explain why.

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>>24035179

https://x.com/AstronomyVibes/status/2004895766356394391

https://x.com/forallcurious/status/2004910718681055537

>>24035224

>Who CLEANS the solar panels on MARS!?

I'd like to know

Studying Physics in Microgravity

Dec 26, 2025

In this Oct. 20, 2025, photo, tiny ball bearings surround a larger central bearing during the Fluid Particles experiment, conducted inside the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) aboard the International Space Station’s Destiny laboratory module.

A bulk container installed in the MSG, filled with viscous fluid and embedded particles, is subjected to oscillating frequencies to observe how the particles cluster and form larger structures in microgravity.

Insights from this research may advance fire suppression, lunar dust mitigation, and plant growth in space. On Earth, the findings could inform our understanding of pollen dispersion, algae blooms, plastic pollution, and sea salt transport during storms.

In addition to uncovering potential benefits on Earth, research done aboard the space station helps inform long-duration missions like Artemis and future human expeditions to Mars.

https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/studying-physics-in-microgravity/

>>24035268

>AZ anon never got anything cleaned by a dust storm

I've been through those too and my reflective surfaces never looked like that

US officials requested Shannon Airport as Nasa space shuttle’s emergency landing site

Sat Dec 27 2025 - 06:00

US officials contacted the Irish Government in 1995 to request the use of Shannon Airport as an emergency landing location for a Nasa space shuttle, documents released as part of the State Papers show.

In a letter sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs on March 14th, 1995, a senior official from the US Embassy said that an “additional emergency landing site” was needed for the shuttle.

The letter said this requirement was because the US and Russia had agreed to “co-operate on building the International Space Station”, meaning the space shuttle would now be taking off on a slightly different trajectory.

“If there were multiple main engine failures after take off … the shuttle would have to attempt an abort landing at the primary [location] in Zaragoza, Spain,” the note stated.

“If, while taking the action to abort to Zaragoza, the shuttle were to then experience additional engine failures, there would be an eight to 20 second period where insufficient power would exist to get the shuttle all the way to Zaragoza.

“In that event, the shuttle could attempt an emergency landing at Shannon Airport.”

The letter stated that – if such a scenario happened – US personnel would be dispatched to retrieve the space shuttle and anyone on board at the time of the crash landing.

The file also noted that steps would be necessary to “safeguard the lives of the astronauts” involved, and that it would be “prepared to assume liability for damage caused” should the situation occur.

The letter made clear that Ireland was required to allow these events under two international agreements with very long titles – namely the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, and the Agreement on the Return of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched Into Outer Space.

[ What do the 1994 State Papers reveal?Opens in new window ]

Government officials from the departments of foreign affairs and transport ultimately decided to agree to the request as Ireland had signed up to both treaties in the 1960s.

In a handwritten note dated April 28th, 1995, Raphael V Siev of the Department of Foreign Affair’s legal division told his department colleague Seán McDonald that Ireland was “obliged” to adhere to the request.

“We will need to establish a base which will … be able to spring into action if an emergency arises, which will contact Shannon Airport ground services to get prepared, which will notify hospital and fire services in case the landing is in a built up area, which will notify and sea rescue and naval services in case it lands in the sea, etc,” Mr Siev wrote.

“The Departments of Health, Environment, Transport, Communications, Defence and Justice could all be involved.”

While preparations between Nasa, various departments and the Irish Aviation Authority continued, the likelihood of Shannon Airport being used as a landing site was small.

In a note dated June 14th, 1995, Department of Foreign Affairs official Mairéad Creed said: “It is our understanding that the possibility of Shannon Airport actually being used as a landing site is a very remote one.”

https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/3i-atlas-mystery-why-nasa-hiding-observation-logs-interstellar-visitor-1766218

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman

@NASAAdmin

Our number one priority: American leadership in the high ground of space. 🇺🇸

• return to the Moon 🌕

• establish an enduring presence 🧑‍🚀

• realize scientific, economic, national security value 🧫

• make investments in nuclear power 🔋

• strengthen the orbital economy 💵

• increase the rate of world-changing scientific discovery 🔬

All of this is laid out in President Trump’s national space policy, and we’re gonna get it done.

6:27 AM · Dec 27, 2025

https://x.com/NASAAdmin/status/2004922147500695951

https://x.com/NASAAdmin/status/2004713471049695402

https://www.space.com/science/climate-change/from-record-warming-to-rusting-rivers-2025-arctic-report-card-shows-a-region-transforming-faster-than-expected

https://arctic.noaa.gov/report-card/report-card-2025/weaving-the-seen-and-unseen-stewarding-the-arctic-means-sustaining-indigenous-monitoring/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2PF6uk3tqA

From record warming to rusting rivers, 2025 Arctic Report Card shows a region transforming faster than expected

December 25, 2025

The Arctic is transforming faster and with more far-reaching consequences than scientists expected just 20 years ago, when the first Arctic Report Card assessed the state of Earth's far northern environment.

The snow season is dramatically shorter today, sea ice is thinning and melting earlier, and wildfire seasons are getting worse. Increasing ocean heat is reshaping ecosystems as non-Arctic marine species move northward.

Thawing permafrost is releasing iron and other minerals into rivers, which degrades drinking water. And extreme storms fueled by warming seas are putting communities at risk.

The past water year, October 2024 through September 2025, brought the highest Arctic air temperatures since records began 125 years ago, including the warmest autumn ever measured and a winter and a summer that were among the warmest on record.

Overall, the Arctic is warming more than twice as fast as the Earth as a whole.

For the 20th Arctic Report Card, we worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an international team of scientists and Indigenous partners from across the Arctic to track environmental changes in the North – from air and ocean temperatures to sea ice, snow, glaciers and ecosystems – and the impacts on communities.

Together, these vital signs reveal a striking and interconnected transformation underway that’s amplifying risks for people who live there.

A wetter Arctic with more extreme precipitation

Arctic warming is intensifying the region's water cycle.

A warmer atmosphere increases evaporation, precipitation and meltwater from snow and ice, adding and moving more water through the climate system.

That leads to more extreme rainstorms and snowstorms, changing river flows and altering ecosystems.

The Arctic region saw record-high precipitation for the entire 2025 water year and for spring, with the other seasons each among the top-five wettest since at least 1950.

Extreme weather – particularly atmospheric rivers, which are long narrow "rivers in the sky" that transport large amounts of water vapor – played an outsized role.

These wetter conditions are reshaping snow cover across the region.

Snow and ice losses accelerate warming, hazards

Snow blankets the Arctic throughout much of the year, but that snow cover isn’t lasting as long.

In 2025, snowpack was above average in the cold winter months, yet rapid spring melting left the area covered by snow far smaller than normal by June, continuing a six-decade decline.

June snow cover in recent years has been half of what it was in the 1960s.

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>>24035354

Losing late spring snow cover means losing a bright, reflective surface that helps keep the Arctic cool, allowing the land instead to be directly warmed by the sun, which raises the temperature.

Sea ice tells a similar story. The year's maximum sea ice coverage, reached in March, was the lowest in the 47-year satellite record. The minimum sea ice coverage, in September, was the 10th lowest.

Since the 1980s, the summer sea ice extent has shrunk by about 50%, while the area covered by the oldest, thickest sea ice – ice that has existed for longer than four years – has declined by more than 95%.

The thinner sea ice cover is more influenced by winds and currents, and less resilient against warming waters. This means greater variability in sea ice conditions, causing new risks for people living and working in the Arctic.

The Greenland Ice Sheet continued to lose mass in 2025, as it has every year since the late 1990s. As the ice sheet melts and calves more icebergs into the surrounding seas, it adds to global sea-level rise.

Mountain glaciers are also losing ice at an extraordinary rate – the annual rate of glacier ice loss across the Arctic has tripled since the 1990s.

This poses immediate local hazards. Glacial lake outburst floods – when water that is dammed up by a glacier is suddenly released – are becoming more frequent.

In Juneau, Alaska, recent outburst floods from Mendenhall Glacier have inundated homes and displaced residents with record-setting levels of floodwater.

Glacier retreat can also contribute to catastrophic landslide impacts.

Following the retreat of South Sawyer Glacier, a landslide in southeast Alaska's Tracy Arm in August 2025 generated a tsunami that swept across the narrow fjord and ran nearly 1,600 feet (nearly 490 meters) up the other side.

Fortunately, the fjord was empty of the cruise ships that regularly visit.

Record-warm oceans drive storms, ecosystem shifts

Arctic Ocean surface waters are steadily warming, with August 2025 temperatures among the highest ever measured.

In some Atlantic-sector regions, sea surface temperatures were as much as 13 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 Celsius) above the 1991-2020 average.

Some parts of the Chukchi and Beaufort seas were cooler than normal.

Warm water in the Bering Sea set the stage for one of the year's most devastating events:

Ex-Typhoon Halong, which fed on unusually warm ocean temperatures before slamming into western Alaska with hurricane-force winds and catastrophic flooding.

Some villages, including Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, were heavily damaged.

As seas warm, powerful Pacific cyclones, which draw energy from warm water, are reaching higher latitudes and maintaining strength longer.

Alaska's Arctic has seen four ex-typhoons since 1970, and three of them arrived in the past four years.

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>>24035357

The Arctic is also seeing warmer, saltier Atlantic Ocean water intrude northward into the Arctic Ocean.

This process, known as Atlantification, weakens the natural layering of water that once shielded sea ice from deeper ocean heat.

It is already increasing sea ice loss and reshaping habitat for marine life, such as by changing the timing of phytoplankton production, which provides the base of the ocean food web, and increasing the likelihood of harmful algal blooms.

From ocean "borealization" to tundra greening

Warming seas and declining sea ice are enabling southern, or boreal, marine species to move northward. In the northern Bering and Chukchi seas, Arctic species have declined sharply – by two-thirds and one-half, respectively – while the populations of boreal species expand.

On land, a similar "borealization" is underway. Satellite data shows that tundra vegetation productivity – known as tundra greenness – hit its third-highest level in the 26-year record in 2025, part of a trend driven by longer growing seasons and warmer temperatures.

Yet greening is not universal – browning events caused by wildfires and extreme weather are also increasing.

Summer 2025 marked the fourth consecutive year with above-median wildfire area across northern North America.

Nearly 1,600 square miles (over 4,000 square kilometers) burned in Alaska and over 5,000 square miles (over 13,600 square kilometers) burned in Canada's Northwest Territories.

Permafrost thaw is turning rivers orange

As permafrost – the frozen ground that underlies much of the Arctic – continues its long-term warming and thaw, one emerging consequence is the spread of rusting rivers.

As thawing soils release iron and other minerals, more than 200 watersheds across Arctic Alaska now show orange discoloration.

These waters exhibit higher acidity and elevated levels of toxic metals, which can contaminate fish habitat and drinking water and impact subsistence livelihoods.

In Kobuk Valley National Park in Alaska, a tributary to the Akillik River lost all its juvenile Dolly Varden and slimy sculpin fish after an abrupt increase in stream acidity when the stream turned orange.

Arctic communities lead new monitoring efforts

The rapid pace of change underscores the need for strong Arctic monitoring systems. Yet many government-funded observing networks face funding shortfalls and other vulnerabilities.

At the same time, Indigenous communities are leading new efforts.

The Arctic Report Card details how the people of St. Paul Island, in the Bering Sea, have spent over 20 years building and operating their own observation system, drawing on research partnerships with outside scientists while retaining control over monitoring, data and sharing of results.

The Indigenous Sentinels Network tracks environmental conditions ranging from mercury in traditional foods to coastal erosion and fish habitat and is building local climate resilience in one of the most rapidly changing environments on the planet.

The Arctic is facing threats from more than the changing climate; it's also a region where concerns of ecosystem health and pollutants come sharply into view.

In this sense, the Arctic provides a vantage point for addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

The next 20 years will continue to reshape the Arctic, with changes felt by communities and economies across the planet.

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Norway Becomes the First Nation to Redefine Arctic Exploration with the Launch of the Midnight Aurora Train, Providing Passengers with a Luxurious and Eco-Friendly Travel Experience Under the Northern Lights

December 27, 2025

Norway has become the first nation to launch the world’s first panoramic night train, offering travelers an unprecedented opportunity to witness the Northern Lights in luxurious comfort.

This innovative Midnight Aurora Route combines cutting-edge design, sustainability, and spectacular views, allowing passengers to relax in heated cabins with reclining seats that tilt upward, providing an uninterrupted view of the mesmerizing aurora above.

With its glass-enclosed carriages and eco-friendly operations powered by renewable energy, this new train journey offers the perfect way to experience one of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders in a responsible and unforgettable way.

Norway, renowned as one of the most coveted destinations for witnessing the mesmerizing Northern Lights, has taken its Arctic tourism experience to a whole new level.

The country has recently launched the world’s first panoramic night train, providing travelers with a unique and luxurious opportunity to observe the stunning Aurora Borealis in the comfort of a heated, glass-enclosed carriage.

This innovative experience, aptly named the Midnight Aurora Route, has quickly become one of the most anticipated Arctic journeys for 2025 and beyond.

Unveiling the Midnight Aurora Route

The Midnight Aurora Route promises an unparalleled combination of luxury, sustainability, and nature’s splendor. Imagine reclining in a plush seat, surrounded by a panoramic view of snow-dusted landscapes and the iconic northern lights shimmering above.

The train’s design ensures that every passenger gets an uninterrupted view of this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon, with seats that recline and tilt upward to give you the perfect perspective of the sky.

The glass-enclosed carriages allow for 360-degree views, making it the ultimate way to witness the Aurora Borealis.

The route operates during the peak months of the aurora season, from October to March, ensuring that travelers have the best chance to witness the dazzling lights.

This makes it not just a trip but a once-in-a-lifetime experience, blending luxury and adventure in the stark beauty of the Arctic winter.

The Special Touches of the Northern Lights Train

What sets this Northern Lights Train apart is its commitment to providing both comfort and an educational experience.

The carriages are equipped with glass roofs and walls, reducing glare and offering maximum visibility of the skies.

Low interior lighting ensures the natural glow of the aurora isn’t compromised, while the climate-controlled environment guarantees warmth during the cold Arctic nights.

Passengers can unwind in heated cabins with reclining seats, designed to tilt towards the sky for the best views. The train ride is not just about comfort but about maximizing the experience.

Onboard English-speaking guides share aurora photography tips, making it easier for travelers to capture the magic of the moment.

In addition to the spectacular visuals, passengers can enjoy a short documentary that delves into the science of the Aurora Borealis, offering real-time insights into geomagnetic activity and cloud cover, thanks to the sensors onboard that monitor these factors. Multimedia screens keep travelers informed throughout the journey, adding an educational dimension to their Arctic adventure.

A Scenic Journey Through Norway’s Arctic Landscape

The journey begins at the Narvik Railway Station, located well beyond the Arctic Circle.

From here, the Midnight Aurora Route takes passengers along the historical Ofoten Line, a rail track famous for its breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, expansive fjords, and the mesmerizing polar landscapes.

The train makes several stops, including at Bjornfjell and Katterat Stations. At each stop, passengers are invited to step off the train and enjoy a traditional bonfire, sip hot drinks, and listen to local tales under the mesmerizing Arctic sky.

The route itself is an exploration of Norway’s rugged wilderness, offering scenic vistas that few get to witness up close.

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>>24035401

One of the highlights of the journey is the immersive nature of the experience—traveling through the quiet, wintery landscape of Norway’s far north, accompanied by the flickering lights of the Aurora Borealis in the night sky.

It’s not just about the destination, but the unforgettable journey itself.

Pricing and Booking the Ultimate Arctic Experience

As with any luxurious experience, you might expect a hefty price tag, but the Midnight Aurora Route offers surprisingly affordable luxury.

Tickets for the journey are priced at around €130 (approximately Rs 13,752), which is reasonable considering the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity it presents.

When compared to other aurora tours, this train journey provides exceptional value, offering both a scenic train ride and a front-row seat to one of the world’s most magical natural wonders.

Due to its popularity and limited availability, seats on the Midnight Aurora Route sell out quickly, particularly during the peak season.

For those planning to secure their place on this iconic journey, it’s highly recommended to book tickets well in advance.

Reservations can be made through the official provider’s website, Norwegian Travel – Northern Lights Train, ensuring a smooth booking process for eager travelers.

Sustainability at Its Core

In a time when eco-conscious travel is gaining traction, the Northern Lights Train is a prime example of sustainable tourism.

The train runs on electricity sourced from Norway’s renewable hydroelectric grid, minimizing its environmental impact and aligning with Norway’s commitment to sustainability.

By utilizing existing railway lines, the service avoids the need for new track construction, which further reduces its ecological footprint.

This focus on sustainability is a significant part of the train’s appeal. Travelers can enjoy the majestic natural beauty of the Arctic without the guilt of contributing to environmental degradation.

The train’s design and operations embody Norway’s broader commitment to balancing luxury with eco-friendly travel, making it an ideal choice for those looking to experience the Northern Lights in an environmentally responsible way.

Why the Northern Lights Train Is a Must-Do Experience

Norway’s new Midnight Aurora Route train offers the perfect fusion of comfort, luxury, education, and sustainability, all while offering one of the most breathtaking views the world has to offer.

This panoramic journey through the Arctic wilderness is a unique opportunity to witness the Aurora Borealis from the warmth and comfort of a state-of-the-art train.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler seeking a new adventure or someone who has always dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights, this experience is a must.

The combination of luxury and sustainability, coupled with the educational elements and guided insights, sets this train ride apart from other aurora tours.

It is a fully immersive experience—one that is sure to remain in your memories long after the journey ends. With its focus on comfort, incredible views, and responsible travel, the Midnight Aurora Route has set a new standard for Arctic tourism.

For many, seeing the Northern Lights is a lifelong dream, and the Midnight Aurora Route offers the perfect way to bring that dream to life.

From the comfort of a reclining seat in a glass-enclosed cabin to the educational and immersive aspects of the journey, this is not just a train ride—it’s a full experience.

With luxury, sustainability, and the spectacular beauty of the Aurora Borealis all coming together, it’s no wonder this journey has quickly become one of the most anticipated Arctic experiences for 2025 and beyond.

Norway has become the first nation to launch the world’s first panoramic night train, offering travelers a unique opportunity to witness the Northern Lights in comfort and style.

This innovative journey combines luxury, sustainability, and breathtaking views, making it the ultimate way to experience the aurora.

If witnessing the Northern Lights has always been on your bucket list, the Midnight Aurora Route is the ultimate way to make it a reality.

Whether you’re looking to explore the Arctic in luxury, learn about the science behind the aurora, or simply enjoy a serene and breathtaking journey through Norway’s snowy landscapes, this train ride is an unmissable adventure.

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/norway-becomes-the-first-nation-to-redefine-arctic-exploration-with-the-launch-of-the-midnight-aurora-train-providing-passengers-with-a-luxurious-and-eco-friendly-travel-experience-under-the-northern

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>>24035362

https://wanaen.com/dec-28-irans-space-leap-enemies-sleepless-night/

Dec 28: Iran’s Space Leap, Enemies’ Sleepless Night

27 December 2025 7:14 PM

Imagine you are in the midst of a security crisis like a war; suddenly, the maps on your phone stop working, and you are no longer able to find your way.

You struggle to request internet taxis or set your location; navigation apps go haywire and show your position kilometers away…

This is not a science-fiction scenario; this is the reality of the “12-day war” and the days when Iran faced severe disruption in the GPS system.

During those days, all Iranians realized that when a country’s navigation system is “rented” and belongs to the enemy, the country is effectively in a state of “strategic blindness.”

To repel sabotaging drone attacks and other security issues, the Iranian government was forced to create interference itself on a system that was not indigenous; however, this was a temporary solution.

The real cure lay within the launch pads.

December 28: A Storm in LEO Orbit

Now, right on the eve of December 28, the response from Iranian elites is on the table.

Three Iranian satellites—”Kowsar-2,” “Zafar-2,” and “Paya“—are set to board the Russian giant (Soyuz), piercing the heart of the sky to settle into LEO (Low Earth Orbit), representing a step toward filling the gaps in this industry.

These satellites are the new eyes and represent one of the most significant events in the history of Iran’s space industry.

According to Hassan Salarieh, the head of the Iranian Space Agency, the three aforementioned satellites are of the remote-sensing type with imaging capabilities, intended to be used for updating the country’s maps.

Salarieh, noting that these satellites are entirely indigenous and that stages such as design, construction, and the integration of the entire satellite system and subsystems were carried out within Iran, announced that satellites with higher precision are currently under construction.

He stated that Iran is designing and manufacturing satellites with resolutions of four meters, two meters, and one meter.

(The mention of “four meters, two meters, and one meter” refers to Spatial Resolution. The lower the number, the higher the detail.)

National Pride vs. Foreign Dollars

Behind the scenes of these designs, however, a human battle is underway.

The struggle of specialists who say, “I had invitations from various countries but did not go,” is a symbol of a generation that chose “national pride” on their own soil over prosperity in the West.

One of these experts says that the joy of the moment when the first data is received from an indigenous satellite and the Iranian flag “dances” in orbit is incomparable to any dollar-denominated salary.

This is the same driving force that has enabled Iran, with “empty hands” and in the heart of sanctions that would paralyze any industry, to become one of the top 10 to 11 space-faring nations in the world.

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>>24035432

When Iranian Satellites Take Selfies of Washington

The launch of Iranian satellites has always been accompanied by media waves and public reactions. Some have met these launches with anger, while others have sat in admiration.

An example of these waves occurred when high-precision images from the “Khayyam” satellite of a U.S. nuclear power plant in the state of Georgia were published, causing the non-Persian-speaking virtual space to explode.

Foreign users on platforms like X and YouTube wrote with shock and amazement: “How can a country that has been under the most severe sanctions for decades take images of our most sensitive nuclear centers?”

Others, pointing to Iran’s progress, have admired the country’s possession of a complete space technology cycle (construction, launcher, launch base, and control station) and have wished for its ever-increasing advancement.

These reactions showed that Iran’s space progress is not merely a technical achievement; rather, it is a “moral and political defeat” for those who wanted to return Iran to the Stone Age.

Fear of Monopolists: Iran’s Progress Means Threat

Media coverage surrounding Iran’s space advancements has gone beyond public opinion. Some outlets have reported that Washington and Tel Aviv are closely monitoring these developments.

Global powers that have long maintained a monopoly over the space and nuclear industries understand that “information dominance” equals power.

For them, Iran’s growth in these fields is perceived as a threat—not merely because of military concerns, but because it shatters their established structure of exclusivity.

These powers fear that Iran’s achievement of a complete space technology cycle could turn the country into a model for independent nations.

This mirrors the nuclear energy scenario: wherever knowledge becomes indigenous and slips beyond their control, it is labeled a “security threat” to hinder that nation’s economic and scientific growth.

Iran’s Response: Space Is Our Natural and Peaceful Right

In response to this wave of propaganda that seeks to tie Iran’s scientific progress to military objectives, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, has clearly emphasized the peaceful nature of the country’s space program.

In his remarks, he stressed:

“Iran has achieved significant progress in science and technology, and these satellite launches are designed for entirely peaceful purposes and for utilization in various economic, communications, and environmental sectors.”

“This is Iran’s natural right, just like the activities of other countries active in this field, and it poses no threat to anyone,” Araghchi emphasizes that these satellites are solely for scientific and developmental purposes.

Ultimately, completing the space technology chain for Iran is not a choice, but a “vital necessity” for preserving national sovereignty.

The bitter experience of GPS disruption showed that the security and economy of a developing country cannot be entrusted to keys that are in the hands of others.

Moving toward high-precision remote-sensing satellites means complete oversight of water resources, agriculture, and border security without foreign dependence.

December 28 marks the beginning of a new chapter where “information” will no longer be a weapon used against Iran, but a tool in the hands of domestic elites to build a stronger and more independent Iran.

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COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation Mission

December 27, 2025

SpaceX is targeting Saturday, December 27 for Falcon 9’s launch of the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation mission for the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Liftoff is targeted for 6:08 p.m. PT. If needed, there is a backup opportunity on Sunday, December 28 at the same time.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the X TV app.

This will be the 21st flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission which previously launched Crew-7, CRS-29, PACE, Transporter-10, EarthCARE, NROL-186, Transporter-13, TRACERS, NROL-48, and 11 Starlink missions.

Following stage separation, the first stage will land on Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/cosmo-skymedfm3

Trump Boosts QAnon JFK Jr. Account on Truth Social

December 26, 2025

Donald Trump amplified another QAnon-linked account by reposting content from an account calling itself “John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr.” with the handle @the_17thletter4—a direct reference to Q, the 17th letter of the alphabet.

The Truth Social post shared a screenshot of a tweet featuring footage from Trump’s January 2017 inauguration, captioned, “Trump’s best speech ever, media won’t show you this.”

The account’s name and handle echo one of QAnon’s core conspiracy myths: the false belief that JFK Jr. is still alive and will return to assist Trump.

The account’s broader posting history reinforces its alignment with QAnon ideology. It has shared a post implying JFK Jr. is alive, holiday messages offering “Christmas blessings” to both the JFK family and the Q family.

Another post from the account contained imagery depicting Trump wielding a Thor-like hammer emitting a glowing Q symbol.

Trump’s decision to boost the account continues a long pattern of amplifying Q-adjacent figures and symbolism.

https://meidasnews.com/news/trump-boosts-qanon-jfk-jr-account-on-truth-social

https://x.com/the_17thletter4

Trump pours cold water on Zelensky’s ‘peace plan’

27 Dec, 2025 03:13

US President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism about Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky’s latest peace proposal to end the conflict with Moscow, arguing the discussions could move forward only with his blessing.

Trump’s remarks come as he is expected to hold talks with Zelensky in Florida on Sunday.

Earlier this week, Zelensky presented a 20-point peace framework, which included a freeze of the frontline in Russia’s Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson regions, Moscow’s withdrawal from several Ukrainian regions, and an 800,000-strong Ukrainian army backed by NATO members.

The plan also envisages “Article 5-like” security guarantees from the US, NATO, and European states to Kiev.

In an interview with Politico on Friday, Trump signaled he was in no rush to rally behind Zelensky’s demands. “He doesn’t have anything until I approve it,” Trump stressed. “So we’ll see what he’s got.”

Commenting on Zelensky’s initiative, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov remarked that “the plan – if it can even be called as such – is radically different… from the 27-point [proposal] we were working on with the US side… over the past weeks”.

The initial US-drafted 28-point version leaked to the media in November reportedly required Kiev to relinquish parts of Russia’s Donbass still under Ukrainian control, pledge not to join NATO, and cut the size of its armed forces to 600,000, with a frontline freeze in Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions.

Moscow has said that the US proposal could work as a basis for future negotiations. At the same time, Ukraine’s backers in the EU signaled that they would be opposed to any major concessions from Kiev.

Russia maintains that a sustainable settlement is only possible if Ukraine recognizes new territorial realities and commits to neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification.

https://www.rt.com/news/630071-trump-pours-cold-water-zelensky-plan/

Trump teases new talks with Putin

26 Dec, 2025 23:35

US President Donald Trump has said he will likely speak with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in the near future to discuss the Ukraine conflict.

His comments come as the US leader is expected to hold talks with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky this weekend.

In an interview with Politico on Friday, Trump suggested that “it’s going to go good with Putin,” adding that he expects to speak with him “soon, as much as I want.”

He would not elaborate on when the talks would take place, or whether they would be before or after negotiations with Zelensky.

The last Putin-Trump phone call took place on October 16, when the Russian leader congratulated the US president on helping to mediate a peace agreement in Gaza.

At the same time, Moscow and Washington have maintained active contacts over Ukraine, with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, holding five-hour talks with Putin over the Ukraine conflict at the Kremlin in early December.

The Trump-Zelensky meeting in Florida on Sunday will focus on territorial issues – particularly regarding Russia’s Donbass – which remain the main stumbling block in talks to end the conflict, according to the Ukrainian leader.

Zelensky also said he would bring up the idea of a referendum on territorial concessions to Russia if Moscow agrees to a ceasefire of 60 days or longer.

Moscow, however, has dismissed the referendum idea as a ploy to buy time to rearm and regroup, stressing that Donetsk and Lugansk Regions are inalienable parts of Russia.

Earlier this week, Zelensky unveiled a plan that proposes to freeze the conflict along current front lines in Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson regions and requires Russian forces to withdraw from several Ukrainian regions.

Zelensky has also demanded ”Article 5-like” security guarantees from the US, NATO, and European states.

Moscow insists that a sustainable settlement is only possible if Ukraine renounces its NATO membership aspirations, commits to demilitarization and denazification, and recognizes the new territorial reality on the ground.

https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/3i-atlas-mystery-why-nasa-hiding-observation-logs-interstellar-visitor-1766218

>>24035480

~~https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/3i-atlas-mystery-why-nasa-hiding-observation-logs-interstellar-visitor-1766218~~

https://www.rt.com/news/630069-trump-teases-new-talks-putin/

https://www.rt.com/russia/630066-ukraine-conflict-resolution-close-moscow/

New corruption scandal erupts in Kiev

27 Dec, 2025 16:19

Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities say they have uncovered a criminal vote-rigging and bribery scheme involving serving members of the country’s parliament, following an undercover operation.

The development comes ahead of a meeting between Vladimir Zelensky and US President Donald Trump in Florida.

Kiev is still reeling from a major corruption scandal in state nuclear operator Energoatom, involving Zelensky’s longtime associate, Timur Mindich.

Two ministers and the Ukrainian leader’s influential chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, were ousted in the wake of the revelations.

Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) exposed an organized criminal enterprise involving serving MPs, the agencies reported on Saturday.

“According to the investigation, the group’s members systematically received illicit benefits in exchange for voting in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine,” NABU said in a statement on Telegram.

Members of Ukraine’s State Security Administration, a law enforcement agency subordinate to the Ukrainian presidency and the Rada, were “illegally” interfering with NABU agents during the ongoing investigation, the anti-graft agency noted.

On Saturday, NABU reportedly conducted searches in the Rada’s Transport Committee, which is led by Yuri Kisel, a member of Zelensky’s ruling party.

Earlier in December, Ukrainian outlet ZN.ua reported that anti-graft agencies discovered an illegal lobbying “cash window” after wire-tapping the MP over the course of two years.

NABU and SAPO began their broader crackdown earlier this year, with their revelations on a $100 million kickback scheme in Energoatom.

While the investigation implicated the Ukrainian leader’s close aides and former associates, Zelensky has distanced himself from the scandal.

However, nearly 40% of Ukrainians believe the Ukrainian leader is implicated in corruption, according to a recent Socis poll.

The country’s leadership has long devolved into a “criminal gang that holds power for personal enrichment,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week.

It’s clear that the corrupt and out-of-touch officials in Kiev no longer care about “the fate of common people in Ukraine or the fate of ordinary soldiers,” he stressed.

https://www.rt.com/russia/630086-new-corruption-scandal-ukraine-rada/

https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/kyiv-hit-national-aviation-university-dormitory-1766821818.html

https://t.me/RBC_ua_news/176060

https://t.me/RBC_ua_news/176091

other Russia and Ukraine

https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/27/kyiv-under-fire-drones-hit-five-districts-one-person-trapped-under-rubble-as-third-of-capital-loses-heat/

https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/26/ukraines-drone-troops-hit-russian-nebo-radar-and-boat-in-crimea-bases-in-donetsk-oblast-video-map/

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/video-appears-show-drone-hitting-160841674.html

https://www.twz.com/sea/ukraine-now-using-drone-boats-to-attack-russian-riverine-targets

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/russian-drone-attacks-damage-foreign-flagged-vessels-at-ukrainian-ports/

https://kyivindependent.com/missiles-and-drones-speak-for-russia-zelensky-blasts-moscow-ahead-of-trump-meeting/

https://www.firstpost.com/world/zelensky-says-russia-has-no-intention-to-end-war-as-kyiv-reels-from-deadly-drone-strike-13963342.html

https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/russian-volunteer-corps-commander-killed-by-russian-drone/ar-AA1T7a0V?cvid=694fd3e9405d42429cc857245ecd30f7&ocid=hpmsn

https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/russia-intensifies-fpv-and-fiber-optic-drone-1766836247.html

Missiles, drones, blackouts: All about Russia's overnight attack on Kyiv

Sat, December 27, 2025 - 11:03

During the night of Saturday, December 27, the Russian Federation carried out a double combined strike on Kyiv. Russian forces targeted the capital’s energy infrastructure.

RBC-Ukraine reports what is currently known about Russia’s massive overnight attack.

Key points:

Drones and missiles attacked Kyiv in several waves;

Damage was recorded in seven districts of the capital;

Strikes damaged a depot, a dormitory of the National Aviation University, and a care home for the elderly;

One-third of Kyiv has been left without heat supply.

First wave of attacks

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported explosions in the capital and the operation of air defense systems, urging residents to remain in shelters.

Ukraine’s Air Force warned of a MiG-31K aircraft taking off — a carrier of Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles — as well as multiple high-speed targets heading toward Kyiv. Monitoring groups also suggested a possible threat from Iskander-K missiles.

According to RBC-Ukraine journalists, power outages were observed in some areas of the capital. Toward morning, Russian forces also launched attack drones from multiple directions, with several series of explosions heard across the city.

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>>24035513

Casualties

According to the mayor, five people sought medical assistance as a result of the attack. Four were hospitalized, while one received outpatient treatment.

Consequences of the Russian strike

The State Emergency Service reported that in the Holosiivskyi district, a falling drone caused three vehicles to catch fire at a service station; the fire has since been extinguished.

In the Obolonskyi district, a drone attack sparked a fire in a three-story private residential building, with the roof and second floor burning; firefighting operations are ongoing.

In the Darnytskyi district, a fire broke out in a private two-story home, with rescuers working at the scene. Emergency services also responded to a call about a car fire after drone debris fell onto a roadway — no fire was found, but damage to parked vehicles was recorded, along with one injured person.

Second wave of attacks

What Russia used

At around 6:30 a.m. local time, another wave of missiles and several dozen attack drones was reported approaching the capital. Preliminary assessments suggest the main targets were Kyiv’s and the surrounding region’s energy infrastructure.

Impact of the second wave

As of 8:15 a.m. local time, fires were recorded in the Desnianskyi, Dniprovskyi, and Solomianskyi districts.

At 8:30 a.m., a fire was reported on the fourth floor of an 18-story residential building in the Dniprovskyi district, with emergency services dispatched to the scene.

In the Desnianskyi district, medics were called, while additional ambulance teams responded to two addresses in the Solomianskyi district.

In the Darnytskyi district, there was a threat of fire spreading to a care home for the elderly — several private houses were reportedly burning.

Rescuers evacuated ten residents from the facility. A fire also broke out in a residential building near the drone impact site, including on the upper floors. In the Dniprovskyi district, a strike hit a depot.

The rector of the National Aviation University, Kseniia Semenova, confirmed to RBC-Ukraine that a drone hit a university dormitory.

“It struck the elevator shaft. There were no casualties. Windows were blown out in the dormitory,” Semenova said.

Casualties and emergency response

As of now, at least 11 people are known to have been injured as a result of the air attack, with eight hospitalized in Kyiv medical facilities.

Klitschko also reported additional consequences: a fire in the Holosiivskyi district, reportedly on the territory of a service station; debris falling onto a garden cooperative in the Obolonskyi district; and debris landing in an open area in the Desnianskyi district.

All emergency services are operating on site. At least ten people aged between 36 and 75 were injured, including two minors aged 9 and 16.

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>>24035510

They didn't include one and had X screenshots.

I didn't see that account on TS.

IDF strikes Hezbollah terror compound in Lebanon

Dec. 27, 2025

The Israel Defense Forces on Friday struck a terror compound in Lebanon used by Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force to conduct drills for attacks against Israeli troops and civilians.

According to the military, training at the facility included live-fire exercises and additional drills involving a range of weapons.

“The training activities conducted at the compound constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon,” said the IDF.

At the same time, the military struck several weapon storage sites and other Hezbollah infrastructure used to facilitate attacks against the Jewish state.

On Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces killed a Hezbollah terrorist in the village of Al-Jamijmah in Southern Lebanon. The previous night, the military carried out strikes against Hezbollah missile launch sites in the same region.

On Monday, Israel’s military killed three Hezbollah operatives involved in advancing attacks against troops and in reestablishing terrorist infrastructure in the Sidon area of southwestern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said last Saturday that the disarmament of Hezbollah south of the Litani River—a key requirement of Beirut’s ceasefire with Israel—was “only days away from completion.”

The truce went into effect on Nov. 27, 2024, following an intense two-month IDF campaign that weakened Hezbollah’s leadership. The deal was cemented by the Israeli and Lebanese governments and five mediators, including Washington.

https://www.jns.org/idf-strikes-hezbollah-terror-compound-in-lebanon/

other Israel

https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-it-killed-2-suspects-who-posed-threat-after-crossing-gaza-ceasefire-line/

https://www.jns.org/idf-raids-samaria-home-of-terrorist-who-killed-two-in-northern-israel/

https://www.jns.org/idf-arrests-palestinian-hunter-on-suspicion-of-opening-fire-near-modiin/

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-881483

https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjlfzipmzx

https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bydg6ma7wg

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-december-27-2025/

https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2025/12/israel-rotates-military-units-in-gaza-as-new-phase-of-ceasefire-deal-looms.php