Why Do We Have Leap Years

Leap years keep our calendar and seasons in sync with the Earth’s orbit around the Sun The Earth takes about 365.25 days to complete a full orbit around the Sun. If we kept it at exactly 365 days every year, our seasons would slowly drift off course because of the extra 6 hours it takes …

A close-up view of Mars’ surface showcasing its iconic red dust and vast craters, set against the dark expanse of space.

NASA Is Looking for Volunteers for a One-Year Simulated Mars Surface Mission

Wanna be a Martian? In preparation for IRL Mars exploration, the simulated mission involves a four-person volunteer crew living and working inside a 1,700-square-foot, 3D-printed habitat based at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Starting in Spring 2025, crew tasks include simulated spacewalks, robotic operations, habitat maintenance, exercise, and crop growth. The habitat, called the …