Spherical "Aerobots" may one day swarm the caves of Titan — a moon of Saturn that NASA says is one of the most Earthlike in our solar system.
Titan is covered in rivers, lakes and seas of hydrocarbons, like methane and ethane, as well as a strange "karst" terrain including underground sinkholes and caves. No rover could easily traverse this surface, but flying vehicles may have more success.
So a new grant, under the early-stage NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program, aims to create small, flying vehicles that could explore those caves. It's unclear if the aerobots — called SPARK, or Solid-state Propulsion for Autonomous Reconnaissance of Karst — would be ready in time for NASA's Dragonfly mission to Titan, project lead Daniel Drew, an assistant professor at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, told Space.com.
That's because SPARK is beginning a nine-month Phase 1 grant and would need to at least get through the up-to-two-year Phase 2 before things look "more realistic" for a liftoff, he noted. Dragonfly, meanwhile, is targeted for a 2028 launch but if the mission is delayed, that provides more possibilities for late-mission additions.
"Where does that line up with the current Titan mission timeline, assuming we've missed the window for Dragonfly? I don't know," Drew said of SPARK. But whenever the mission lifts off, Drew said SPARK has a good chance of doing well on Titan with its novel ion (electric) thrusters.
Drew said his design could "provide persistence, maneuverability, robustness to the challenging near-cryogenic [icy] conditions, and minimize downwash disturbance of scientifically-important hydrocarbon layering." He hopes that SPARK, he added, could be a cave-exploration forerunner at Titan similar to the Ingenuity helicopter on Mars that made 72 flights — more than tenfold what the Red Planet demo mission was supposed to do.
Drew has been working on a particular type of ion thrusters, called electrohydrodynamic (EHD) propulsion, since he did graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley. Thanks in part to a National Science Foundation (NSF) fellowship, Drew explored several designs for flying and became interested in creating robots that flap their wings in a way similar to real-life creatures.
While exploring, he stumbled on the hobbyist "lifter" community "pretty much by chance," he said. "These [prototypes] are triangular balsa wood, magnet wire, and aluminum foil prototypes. You connect them to 40,000 volts from a flyback transformer that you rip out of a microwave or CRT monitor or whatever, and they can float above the table. There are plenty of examples of people making these on YouTube," he said.
More plumbing the archives revealed early experiments and studies at NASA and the Air Force similar to what the hobbyists were using. And by coincidence, NIAC awarded funding to another research group, led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, that was interested in using EHD propulsion for Earthborne aircraft. As such, Drew sensed a fruitful direction for research.
"Long story short, I ran with that idea," Drew said, "and wrote a bunch of papers where I created microfabricated centimeter-scale flying robots propelled by atmospheric ion thrusters." His accomplishments prior to the NIAC grant included what he says is the first demonstration of microfabricated EHD actuators (mechanical devices), and other firsts such as a centimeter-scale "ionocraft" taking off and subsequently, carrying a payload.
"We recently published the design and takeoff of the first ion-propelled micro-hovercraft," he added, referring to a paper on preprint server arXiv. "That may seem like a pretty decent list of significant milestones, but it's really not a crowded space of people working on this topic. I'm mostly racing against myself here."
Now with the NIAC support, Drew said he hopes to dive deeper into the benefits of EHD propulsion, such as its scalability, the fact that it's virtually silent, and its simplicity (being solid state, there are fewer parts to worry about).
A graphic depiction of the SPARK concept being developed by Daniel Drew of the University of Hawaii. (Image credit: Daniel Drew/University of Hawaii)
More applications could come outside of Titan, he noted: all-electric aircraft, indoor drones, and mini-flying swarms are just some ideas, but he said the utility will be limited. "The huge weakness is that it just isn't very efficient," he said of EHD propulsion. "Barring a major breakthrough, it will be impossible to really compete with more conventional propulsion techniques, like rotors and jet engines, for the vast majority of terrestrial applications."
As Phase 1 only encompasses about nine months, Drew and his collaborators—including Ethan Schaler and Jacob Izraelevitz from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, as well as Michael Malaska from the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science—plan to quickly design experiments, perform a "trade study" of which subsystems are best to prioritize for aspects like power, and model matters like the thermal effects on the power system.
"I think the idea of 'standing on the shoulders of giants' is very much ingrained into the NIAC culture," Drew noted. "Our major contribution at the end of this process is a comprehensive, public report. Leveraging past related reports, and other open research in the field, is critical for doing a good job with this."
On Aug. 16, 1963, NASA's M2-F1 aircraft prototype made its first glide flight.
This wingless aircraft kind of looked like a flying bathtub. NASA made it to test a new concept called the lifting body, which was an unpowered glider that provided an alternative way to return piloted spacecraft to Earth. Instead of pummeling out of the sky in a ballistic reentry, the lifting body landed sort of like an airplane.
For its first test flight, the M2-F1 was towed 5,200 feet into the air by a C-47 Skytrain and then released. Test pilot Milt Thompson was in the cockpit, and he brought the glider in for a smooth landing in California after a two-minute descent.
On Aug. 16, 1963, NASA's M2-F1 aircraft prototype made its first glide flight. (Image credit: NASA)
Why it mattered
The success of M2-F1's first glide flight proved a wingless lifting-body aircraft could be controlled and landed safely. The introduction of a second potential method of returning astronauts from space was a crucial consideration during a time when NASA was racing against the Soviet Union for access to space and, ultimately, the moon.
Though NASA opted for the familiar capsule and heat shield design used during the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, the M2-F1 and its subsequent test flights paved the way for NASA's continued research into lifting-bodies, and led to the development of an entire family of lifting-body test vehicles like the M2-F2, M2-F3, HL-10, and the U.S. Air Force's X-24A and X-24B, which executed lifting-body flights at much higher speeds and altitudes.
Eventually, data from these programs was applied to the development of the space shuttle, and the real-life practice of landing a spacecraft back on Earth the same way you would an airplane.
MORRISON, Colorado - The Artemis II crew that circuited the moon earlier this year came full circle, dropping by a distinctive spot on Earth that's visually reminiscent of both the moon and Mars.
On Aug. 3, the vast and stunning Red Rocks Amphitheatre served as both an inoculation of near-term nostalgia and heart-felt congratulations to the crew for the impressive journey of Artemis II. The 10-day mission began on April 1 of this year, flew around the moon and back, and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10. It was the first crewed flight to saunter spaceward beyond low Earth orbit in 53 years.
Some 8,500 people packed the open-air venue at Red Rocks to make eye-contact with space travelers Reid Wiseman, commander, Victor Glover, pilot, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen as mission specialists – all of them clearly awestruck by the crowd reaction. The event was a broader post-flight campaign for the foursome, also spotlighting the region's contributions to the sojourn of Artemis II. A science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fest was also part of the early morning affair.
The Artemis II crew speaks at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado on Aug. 3, 2026. (Image credit: Lockheed Martin)
Iconic location
"I can't imagine a more iconic location on Earth to hear about the trip to the moon," said Robert Lightfoot, president of Lockheed Martin Space and a major aerospace contractor for the Artemis program. There were hundreds of suppliers across the rocky mountain region, over 10,000 employees, that supported the Artemis II mission, he told the gathered throng.
Leadership from industry prime contractors including Lockheed Martin, Amentum, Boeing, L3 Harris and Northrop Grumman took part in the salute to the Artemis II voyage.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis pointed out that "here in Colorado, we're a mile closer to space." As the best and biggest homecoming for the Artemis II crew, he added, "keep reaching for the stars."
Lori Glaze, NASA associate administrator for the Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate, said today "is a truly revolutionary and exciting time for NASA and America's space program. We are going to reach farther. We're going to dream bigger. And we're going to secure America's leadership in deep space exploration and discovery."
The Artemis II crew speaks to a crowd of 8,500 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado on Aug. 3, 2026. (Image credit: Lockheed Martin)
What next?
In a pre-event press gaggle, Space.com asked the Artemis II crew members how their Orion spacecraft named Integrity performed and would help the upcoming Artemis III crewed flight in Earth orbit.
"It handled incredibly well," said Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander. "Just from habitability, I think that is where we learned the most, putting four humans in the spacecraft. We knew that the machine was technically competent and capable of getting to the moon … Artemis I taught us that," he told Space.com.
"We had some heat shield things we needed to sort out on Artemis II. But putting the four of us in there, seeing how the life support system worked and how is it for habitability, to eat, live, work, and sleep in there, we definitely learned a lot that we've handed on to Artemis III," said Wiseman.
Sense of gratitude
The Red Rock Artemis II stage event had the four Artemis II crew members facing a huge gathering of supportive spectators. In excess of 1,300 questions were submitted by the attendees.
The Artemis II crew entrance was marked by roaring footage of the Artemis I launch scored by music from thunderous Metallica's "Fuel."
"The biggest thing that this mission has given us is an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I think we've got to figure out how to keep this going," Glover said.
For Christina Koch, the Red Rocks gathering spurred a call and response audience participation. "I say moon, you say joy," to which the throng promptly called back three times. She also asked the audience to put their thumb out in the air. From a distance, "you can cover the entire Earth with your thumb. That's how small it was to us," she said, "but what you knew was that was home."
Proximity operations
Victor Glover, the pilot of Artemis II, focused on a proximity operations demonstration during the flight. That entailed the crew guiding the spacecraft through a series of controlled approach and retreat maneuvers using the detached upper stage, the interim cryogenic propulsion stage, as a reference target.
"That is when we had a chance to fly the spacecraft by hand, not just using the computers," Glover told Space.com. "We actually got to fly. One of the most amazing aspects of that is looking out the window or through the cameras on the [cockpit] displays to determine how far we were from the upper stage," he explained.
That task made use of all four sets of eyes onboard Orion, Glover said. "We did not have radar, or some other type of digital ranging system between us and that vehicle. But the Artemis II team trusted us to fly like that. I'm still blown away by that trust," he said, "and it flew marvelously."
The Artemis II crew gives a thumbs-up to the crowd at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado on Aug. 3, 2026. (Image credit: Lockheed Martin)
"We are going to demonstrate docking with one or both of our two landers, the Blue Origin and the SpaceX lander. They've got some demonstration versions that they are preparing right now. We're working on that mission to prove out, not just going back and forth at a target, but actually docking and doing that hard job," Glaze told Space.com.
Space.com pressed Glaze on the term "demonstration versions" of the Blue Origin and SpaceX lunar landers.
Would the fidelity of those demos be good enough to green-light an actual human moon landing on the Artemis IV mission?
"I do," Glaze responded. "We're working really hard with both of our lander providers on development of the demo pathfinder versions of their landers that we will dock with […] to assure that the docking systems are the same docking system we're going to work with when we are going for the landing mission," she said.
Glaze said that "this is one of the key risks. This allows us to buy down that risk and at least work through that part of the mission. So when we do the landed mission we've got that part out of the way.
"We've got our lessons learned from those docking demonstrations. And then we are really focused on all the risks associated with the landing on the moon … we can really focus our efforts there."
According to Space.com sources, however, there is active discussion of whether the lunar south pole is an advisable location for the first human landing of the Artemis Program. Indeed, Artemis II pilot Glover recently stated that he thinks there's a need to be realistic and progressively work our way to the south pole locale rather than land there first.
"We've had a lot of conversations with both of our lander vendors. The designs they have are for the south pole," responded Glaze. "We're working really closely with them on those designs. And we are very focused on landing at the south pole."
Over the moon
Canada's Artemis II mission specialist, Jeremy Hansen, told the audience that their space trek was a very human experience for the four crew members, "but we came to see and feel you. You shared the moon joy," he said.
Hansen underscored the international character of Artemis II. "It was one of those deliberate contributions to the planet," he said, because billions of us on Earth have to join forces. "We have to work together. We can no longer believe that our end-state is not working together. Not acceptable. We have to collaborate," he said.
Asked by a young audience member about items taken on their excursion around the moon, mission specialist Koch replied: "I took handwritten letters that I hadn't read before from my family, and also a very tall cow figurine. My dad had the idea of having a cow jump over the moon."
When it comes to space exploration, rockets are probably one of the coolest things you'll learn about as a kid. Zooming off into space, traveling to new planets and searching for potential life are all things that feel like they should be impossible. For any age of space enthusiast, it's pretty darn cool. For kids, though, learning about rockets can mark an amazing introduction, sparking a lifelong love of space. But, while real rockets aren't really obtainable, kids can always start out with model rocketry.
One of the most child-friendly, affordable and safest ways to get into this hobby, though, is by trying out Stomp Rockets. These toy rockets can be propelled into the air by a simple stomp onto a launcher, hence the name. Attached with a flexible hose, when you compress the launcher, it releases the air into the rocket and makes it fly. A fairly simple concept, but one that can be a lot of fun for kids and very educational (without feeling like you're learning).
Best stomp rockets you can buy today
Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket Launcher: $19.99 For slightly older kids, aged 5 and up, the Stomp Rocket Ultra can reach heights of up to 200 feet. This time, they lose the cone nose of usual rockets, adopting a foam-tipped rounded tip to make sure they don’t hurt anybody when flying back down to the ground.View Deal
Stomp Rocket Original Dueling Rocket Launcher: $29.99 If playing with Stomp Rockets with friends and family is on the agenda, then the Original Dueling Set comes with eight rockets ready to battle. You can launch two rockets at the same time and compete on who gets theirs the highest. And they can reach heights of up to 200 feet if you stomp them hard enough, which is almost 20 stories high.View Deal
Stomp Rocket NASA Space Collection Rocket Launcher: $29.99 If your kid is a big fan of NASA, then this Stomp Rocket Space Collection comes with three NASA rockets styled like the Saturn V Rocket, Space Shuttle Atlantis and SLS Rocket. Plus, the adjustable launch stand lets kids experiment with different trajectories and forces, creating their own experiments.View Deal
Stomp Rocket Super High-Performance X-Treme Rocket Launcher: $19.99 This set is recommended for ages 9-13 because of just how high it’s capable of going, which isn’t all that surprising to hear since it’s considered to be the ‘Super High-Performance X-Treme’ version. It even comes with its own special X-Treme rockets to reach heights of up to 400 feet.View Deal
Stomp Rocket Jr Glow Rocket Launcher: $17.99 Part of the Jr range, the Glow Rockets come in a pack of four, reaching up to 100 feet in the air. You can also pay an extra $2 to secure three more rockets in the next size up. Listed as the number one bestseller in Toy Foam Blaster Sets on Amazon, they’re a lot of fun and carry that same 100% kid-powered tagline.View Deal
Stomp Rocket Jr Multi-Color Rocket Launcher: $27.99 Part of the Original Stomp Rocket collection, these Jr Multi-Color Rockets are the best starter rockets for kids aged 3 and up. You get eight rockets in the pack and four different colors: Air Force blue, neon green, glow-in-the-dark yellow and fire engine red. A great introduction to experimenting with gravity and force without having to spend more than $30. View Deal
With such simple mechanics behind it and no need for batteries, electronics or even assembly, it's a lot of fun without having to put in too much effort. So, when it comes to kids getting into it, it's a pretty perfect combination.
Model rocketry as a hobby can range anywhere from building your very own rocket from scratch to wiring up an actual engine to make it fly. And, while there are plenty of the best model rocket sets, these may be too advanced for children. So, before you hit the more advanced stages of model rocketry, it's best to find a place to start that feels more beginner-friendly. And there's a variety of different Stomp Rockets you can buy, like the NASA collection Rocket Launcher for $29.99 and the Super High-Performance X-Treme Rocket Launcher for $26.99. We'll jump into exactly what's great about Stomp Rockets below.
They are easy to use
Stomp rockets are a great way to kindle your child's interest in STEM. (Image credit: Getty Images)
The first thing to talk about when it comes to Stomp Rockets is how easy they are to use. Each Stomp Rocket kit usually comes with the rocket, a launch stand, a flexible hose and a launcher — and that's about it. There's no need for batteries, cords or plugs, meaning using them outside is super streamlined and not at all technical. Plus, you'll be urging your kids to get outside to play because, depending on how hard you stomp, rockets can reach up pretty high into the air, sometimes up to 400 feet (depending on age suitability).
Stomp Rockets are also 100% kid-powered, which is a huge deal for little kids who want to practise independence and feel confident in what they're learning about. To help with this, each box comes with a selection of rockets to stomp with. If kids lose any of them, or if they just want to load them up and stomp them over and over again without having to run around picking them up first, then it's easy.
In comparison, other model rocketry can come with an abundance of intricate pieces that can feel overwhelming or too complicated, or there are ignition-based model rockets, like the ones found amongst the best model rocket sets, that can be very technical.
While that's great for model rocketry hobbyists as they get older, the Stomp Rockets are a great place to start for younger kids because of how truly simple they are. Plus, they also encourage a lot of activity from your kids, jumping and running about to blast off. And if there's one thing we know for sure about kids, they've got a lot of energy!
They're about as safe as it gets
Stomp rockets are completely kid-powered and don't require batteries, special fuel or anything that might need adult supervision. (Image credit: D&L Company)
One of the biggest draws to Stomp Rockets is how safe they are to use. As I already mentioned, they're so safe in fact that kids can power them all by themselves. As the Original Stomp Rocket Jr. Rocket Set for $27.99 puts it directly on the box: “100% Kid Powered”.
There's no assembly required; the rockets and accompanying accessories are often made from simple foam and plastic, and the height they travel tends to vary depending on the age on the box. All solid reasons that your kid can play and experiment with them without adults needing to get too involved. For the Jr. Rocket Set, for example, it's suitable for 3 years and up, traveling to heights of 100 feet. For something more advanced, but still accessible, the Stomp Rocket Original Dueling Rockets is for ages 5 and up, reaching up to 200 feet in the air.
You'll notice that the only safety concern with Stomp Rockets seems to relate to how high they launch up into the air. That's why the Super High-Performance X-Treme Rocket Launcher I mentioned earlier recommends use for ages 9-13 only, reaching up to 400 feet. But they also adopt a rounded-out nose, rather than a tip, to ensure safe landing.
As kids get older, they might want to experiment with more advanced model rockets, including those with a launch pad and ignition switch. This is where safety protocol and adult supervision are essential, as they're considered a lot more dangerous. As NASA advises in their Beginner's Guide to Aeronautics: “At NASA, we take safety very seriously in everything that we do. Safety is the first mission in flying, whether it is flying the Space Shuttle, an experimental aircraft, or a model rocket. You must always be aware of the people and things around you that can be harmed by your rocket, or which can harm you or your rocket.”
Stomp rockets are relatively inexpensive
A simple design means stomp rockets are inexpensive and make a great gifts for kids. (Image credit: Getty Images)
Amongst the selection of Stomp Rockets we've researched online, they tend to range between $15-$30 and that's incredibly affordable when it comes to model rocketry. But why are they a lot cheaper? Well, they're a lot simpler and require far fewer parts, especially considering they come fully assembled. If you run out of rockets, you can also purchase refills that'll only cost you around $10-$20, depending on the model and how many you buy.
With more expensive model rockets, the price can jump up when you're buying kits that need to be built. Additionally, you'll be spending more on acquiring extra parts or upgrades to existing model rocket kits. A pack of model rocket engines can cost you as much as a whole kit of Stomp Rockets. Engine starters, igniter plugs, launch pads, and controllers are all things that can cost you money.
When you're just getting started, model rocket kits will also require you to have your own tools to build them. And tools are unlikely to be something you'd have your kids own when they're just learning, and they're only little. So, you can save yourself money there, too (for now).
Don't be surprised by their limitations
Want to extra educational value to the' stomp rocket experience? NASA has instructions on how to build your own. (Image credit: NASA JPL)
Of course, if you're not spending the money on all these additional extras, you're also not getting them. With Stomp Rockets, they're pretty basic kits that don't come with a lot of additional extras and that is one of their limitations. They won't reach incredible heights, they won't deploy parachutes to float safely to the ground, and they certainly won't let out any exhaust when they fly skyward. But they're also incredibly safe and that's why they're better suited for younger children.
If you are missing out on the building perspective of Stomp Rockets, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory does offer an online lesson for teachers to practice in class, creating the nose cone, fuselage and fins while powering it with a simple empty water bottle. However, this is targeted at grades 4 and up.
They might not always fly as high as you want and they might be susceptible to breaking given their foam construction, but it can't be doubted that they're easy for younger kids to use and a great introduction to model rocketry without stressing about safety, price or fun.
Stomp Rocket Jr Multi-Color Rocket Launcher: $27.99 Part of the Original Stomp Rocket collection, these Jr Multi-Color Rockets are the best starter rockets for kids aged 3 and up. You get eight rockets in the pack and four different colors: Air Force blue, neon green, glow-in-the-dark yellow and fire engine red. A great introduction to experimenting with gravity and force without having to spend more than $30. View Deal
Stomp Rocket Jr Glow Rocket Launcher: $17.99 Part of the Jr range, the Glow Rockets come in a pack of four, reaching up to 100 feet in the air. You can also pay an extra $2 to secure three more rockets in the next size up. Listed as the number one bestseller in Toy Foam Blaster Sets on Amazon, they’re a lot of fun and carry that same 100% kid-powered tagline.View Deal
Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket Launcher: $19.99 For slightly older kids, aged 5 and up, the Stomp Rocket Ultra can reach heights of up to 200 feet. This time, they lose the cone nose of usual rockets, adopting a foam-tipped rounded tip to make sure they don’t hurt anybody when flying back down to the ground.View Deal
Stomp Rocket Original Dueling Rocket Launcher: $29.99 If playing with Stomp Rockets with friends and family is on the agenda, then the Original Dueling Set comes with eight rockets ready to battle. You can launch two rockets at the same time and compete on who gets theirs the highest. And they can reach heights of up to 200 feet if you stomp them hard enough, which is almost 20 stories high.View Deal
Stomp Rocket NASA Space Collection Rocket Launcher: $29.99 If your kid is a big fan of NASA, then this Stomp Rocket Space Collection comes with three NASA rockets styled like the Saturn V Rocket, Space Shuttle Atlantis and SLS Rocket. Plus, the adjustable launch stand lets kids experiment with different trajectories and forces, creating their own experiments.View Deal
Stomp Rocket Super High-Performance X-Treme Rocket Launcher: $19.99 This set is recommended for ages 9-13 because of just how high it’s capable of going, which isn’t all that surprising to hear since it’s considered to be the ‘Super High-Performance X-Treme’ version. It even comes with its own special X-Treme rockets to reach heights of up to 400 feet.View Deal
On Aug. 15, 1977, astronomers using Ohio State University's Big Ear radio telescope detected the famous "Wow!" signal, which to this day is one of the strongest pieces of evidence that we are not alone in the universe.
Astronomer Jerry Ehman was using the telescope to scan a region in the constellation Sagittarius when it detected a weird, 72-second-long radio burst. The signal was too strong to be explained by background noise, and researchers determined that it was very unlikely that this signal came from anything on Earth.
Despite their best efforts, astronomers have not been able to detect any other signals like it.
The now-famous "Wow!" signal. (Image credit: Public domain)
Why it mattered
For as long as humans have existed, we have looked up and wondered, "Are we alone?" This question remains one of the biggest mysteries across not just science but for humanity as a whole. The "Wow" signal remains an iconic and important finding in the search for life out in the cosmos.
Nearly 50 years since the "Wow!" signal, scientists have made incredible progress in the search for alien life. We have landed rovers on Mars that have found possible signs of life on the Red Planet, for example, and discovered thousands of exoplanets, or planets outside of our solar system.
The "Wow!" signal was detected nearly two decades before scientists first confirmed the existence of exoplanets. Today, we have found more than 6,000 of them and are using cutting-edge technologies to explore further and see if any of these far-off planets might contain signs of life.
The DC Universe expands further into the cosmos this month with the addition of "Lanterns".
Created by Chris Mundy, Tom King and Damon Lindelof, the superhero show sees the veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan (played by Kyle Chandler) take rookie John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) under his wing. Wider parts of the Green Lantern Corps lore are incorporated in the story too, as the series unpacks what the famous space cops are all about.
At the same time, let's be real here for a second: for anybody who hasn't kept track of all the DC reboots, Infinite Crises on Corporate Earths and Ryan Reynolds in a green CGI costume, it can become overwhelming to even think about the Green Lantern mythology.
There are many heroes and villains scattered across an overly complex timeline, so let's attempt to break down who's who in terms of the confirmed characters for the show and what their backstory is from the comics.
Here's everything you need to know about the characters in HBO's "Lanterns"
Hal Jordan
(Image credit: HBO Max / DC Studios)
First appearance: "Showcase" #22 (1956)
Played by: Kyle Chandler
While not the first Green Lantern introduced by DC (that honour belongs to Alan Scott), Hal Jordan is arguably the most famous of them all. Debuting in the pages of "Showcase" #22, Hal found himself drawn to the spaceship belonging to Abin Sur, the Green Lantern of Sector 2814. The dying alien instructed his power ring to find a worthy successor, and it did in the form of the test pilot known as Hal Jordan.
While known primarily as a hero, Hal had a memorable stint as the villainous Parallax in the '90s. Hey, it was an edgy era, but at least he didn't have infinite pockets for his costume and badly drawn feet to go along with it!
Ryan Reynolds played a live-action version of Hal Jordan in the heavily derided 2011 "Green Lantern" movie, but Kyle Chandler's interpretation in "Lanterns" is a more seasoned and less CGIed version of the character. Interestingly enough, before Chandler was cast in the role, Josh Brolin was linked with the part.
John Stewart
(Image credit: HBO Max / DC Studios)
First appearance: "Green Lantern" #87 (1972)
Played by: Aaron Pierre
So here's the part where DC's comic book logic tangles itself into knots. When Hal Jordan was selected as the Green Lantern, he received backup in Guy Gardner. After Guy was injured, Hal received a backup for his backup: John Stewart. Introduced as a civil rights activist and architect, John clashed with Hal at first; however, he went on to become the main Green Lantern in the '80s. After the New 52 reboot, John received another alteration to his backstory; this time, he was a former Marine.
For a generation of fans, John is their Green Lantern, thanks to him being the chosen Emerald Knight for the animated shows "Justice League" and "Justice League Unlimited". He almost appeared in "Zack Snyder's Justice League", where he would have been portrayed by Wayne T. Carr, but the whole debacle around that movie and the Snyder Cut is worthy of its own miniseries.
Aaron Pierre won the role of John Stewart in "Lanterns", triumphing over names like Damson Idris and Stephan James for the gig. One only needed to watch Netflix's "Rebel Ridge" to see his take on a former Marine and realise he was born to play John.
Guy Gardner
(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios)
First appearance: "Green Lantern" #59 (1968)
Played by: Nathan Fillion
Ah, the Green Lantern with the worst haircut in the universe. The origin story of Guy Gardner is actually interesting, despite his questionable barber choices.
In "Green Lantern" #59, it's revealed that Guy was also a potential contender to be Abin Sur's heir. The only reason the ring went to Hal Jordan was that he was closer in terms of location. Guy became Hal's backup and eventually assumed the mantle of Green Lantern.
As a character, Guy is something of a prickly pear. He is prone to outbursts and not exactly a people person. However, his heart is in the right place, and he'll show up when necessary for others.
Nathan Fillion returns to play Guy Gardner in "Lanterns", having previously played the character in "Superman" and "Peacemaker" season 2. Oh, and he was all in for Guy's haircut. "I was team bowl cut the whole way," he said on the "DC Studios Showcase Official Podcast." "It's canon. It's set."
Sinestro
(Image credit: DC Comics / HBO)
First appearance: "Green Lantern" #7 (1961)
Played by: Ulrich Thomsen
Much like other characters in the DC Universe, Thaal Sinestro has experienced changes to his backstory with the various reboots and continuity switch-ups altering his motivations and personality. What does remain consistent is that he's an alien from the planet Korugar who became a member of the Green Lantern Corps once upon a time. He was highly revered among his peers, but he abused his powers, became a dictator, and received the boot as a consequence of his actions.
Not one to be deterred, Sinestro founded the Sinestro Corps, which uses the yellow light of fear to power it. Naturally, this puts him at odds with the Green Lantern Corps – but Sinestro really really despises the Guardians of the Universe the most here.
In "Lanterns", Danish actor Ulrich Thomsen plays Sinestro. The first footage of him didn't exactly inspire fans since he failed to have the reddish-purple skin tone associated with the character from the comics. However, the true outrage should have been about the lack of a wispy moustache. This Sinestro's muzzle fuzz shares more in common with Mario than anything else.
Manhunters
(Image credit: DC Comics)
First appearance: "1st Issue Special" #5 (1975)
Before the Green Lantern Corps, the Guardians of the Universe created the robots known as the Manhunters. Their sole purpose was to fight evil and restore law and order. If this sounds like a potential nightmare out of Sam Altman's OpenAI playbook, it's because it is.
While the Manhunters worked well at first, their obsession with catching criminals and inability to define what justice is saw them go rogue. And as you know, once the genie is out of the bottle, it's tough to put it back in!
At the time of writing, it's unclear exactly how the Manhunters fit into "Lanterns", except for the fact that they shapeshift and are dangerous. Their inclusion in the show makes sense, though, since they're the predecessors to the Green Lantern Corps.
Guardians of the Universe
(Image credit: DC Comics)
First appearance: "Green Lantern" #1 (1960)
Want to know who to blame for DC's multiverse? Well, it's a rogue Maltusian Krona, who couldn't help but peek back in time to see how the universe was created. As a result, Krona's peers decided to band together and form the Guardians of the Universe, an organisation that wants to keep the universe safe from all kinds of threats.
These immortal beings assembled various groups (including the Green Lantern Corps) in an effort to bring about order and peace. Oh, and Sinestro hates them – in case you hadn't figured that out yet.
As the creators of the Green Lantern Corps, it's expected they'll play a role in "Lanterns". To date, only Laura Linney has been confirmed as one of the Guardians.
On August 16, "Lanterns" wills itself into existence on HBO.
Of all the models in the renewed Nikon Action range released in 2026, the Action Zoom 10–22x50 is definitely one of the most attention-getting, with its zoom capability from 10x to 22x magnification.
These are Nikon's third-generation 10-22x50 binoculars, building upon the past designs of 2007's Action VII Zoom XL 10-22x50 and 2013's Aculon 10-22x50 in 2013. The new design features a generous 16.3mm of eye relief, a tough aluminum chassis and updated optics.
We found them to be a versatile pair of binoculars, and used them at 10x magnification to locate objects before zooming in to 22x for a closer look. Changing magnifications is easily done with a lever on the right eyecup, but the optics do suffer from the sacrifices required when producing a binocular with zoom functionality.
Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 binoculars review
Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 binoculars: Design
Strong aluminum chassis
Easy magnification change
Big focus dial
The Nikon Action 16x50 have a solid but lightweight aluminum chassis. (Image credit: Harry Bennett / Future)
Along with the fixed magnification models in the Action series, the Action Zoom 10-22x50 binoculars have the same strong, lightweight aluminum chassis. This helps to protect the careful arrangement of lenses required for zooming, as well as making the binoculars more durable without adding extra weight.
L-R: The Nikon Action 7x50, Nikon Action 10x50, Nikon Action 16x50 and Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 binoculars (Image credit: Harry Bennett / Future)
In fact, the 2026 Action Zoom 10-22x50 is 0.4 oz (10 grams) lighter than the previous Aculon model. This is important for the stargazer or hiker who may already have lots of heavy gear to carry, where small amounts can make all the difference.
We found that the higher the Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50's magnification was, the darker the image. (Image credit: Harry Bennett / Future)
The exterior of the binoculars is covered in a textured rubber armor, which provides good grip while scanning the skies. A chunky focus dial between the barrels is easy to find with your fingers and use, enabling you to adjust focus quickly while observing. Focus touch-ups are usually required when changing magnification.
Specifications
Design: Porro prism
Magnification: 10-22x (zoom)
Objective lens diameter: 50mm
Exit pupil: 5.0mm (10x) - 2.27mm (22x)
Angular field of view: 3.9 degrees (10x)
Eye relief: 16.3 mm
Weight: 2.09 lbs (950 g)
Dimensions: 8.0 x 7.9 x 2.6 in (202 x 200 x 66 mm)
Magnification is easily changed with the right eyecup zoom lever, which is pushed down with the right index finger to move from 10x through to 22x. On the bottom of the right eyecup, there are printed white numbers on the body so that you can also set the magnification precisely at 12x, 15x and 18x. This helps with observing targets that don't require the full 22x zoom, and allows an astronomer to be more precise in their observations.
Not sure what zoom you'll need when you're out and about? The Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 binoculars have you covered. (Image credit: Harry Bennett / Future)
When moving the zoom lever, the lenses in the eyepieces slide forward and backward, changing the distance to the objective lenses at the front of the binoculars. This changes the effective focal length and magnification of the binoculars.
The objective lens caps are easy to remove and replace but they're a little loose so you'll need to keep an eye on them. (Image credit: Harry Bennett / Future)
50mm objective lenses let plenty of light through the binoculars when stargazing, delivering a bright image at 10x magnification and helping you to spot faint objects.
For overhead views, we'd recommend you pair the Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 binoculars with a tripod. (Image credit: Harry Bennett / Future)
Good for star-hopping then zooming in
Noticeably dimmer at 22x
Needs a tripod for overhead views at 22x
The 22x magnification on the Nikon Action Zoom is the strongest out of the entire range, with the next one down being the 16x50. During handheld observation, the zoom functionality was good for night sky objects that weren't too high overhead or terrestrial observation at horizontal and downward angles.
We were able to see the top portion of the Orion constellation with the magnification at 10x, with a bright Orion's belt and smudgy Orion nebula (M42). Switching to 22x magnification, we got a close-up view of the three stars making up Orion's belt and the dog-star Sirius to its left. At 22x these points of light were much more impressive but the binoculars handled stars much better than diffuse objects such as the Orion Nebula, which looked fairly unimpressive at 22x. We actually got a better view of the Orion Nebula with the NIkon Action 16x50.
The maximum exit pupil on the Action Zoom is 5 mm at 10x magnification, but when fully zoomed in at 22x, the exit pupil drops to 2.3 mm, effectively halving the amount of light your eye is receiving. This makes the view seem dimmer and was especially noticeable when observing Orion's nebula and during terrestrial viewing in daylight.
The Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50's rubber eyecups are impressively comfortable, more so than twist-up cups. (Image credit: Harry Bennett / Future)
We found the Beehive Cluster by star-hopping from Castor to Pollux and then to the star cluster. We used the 10x magnification for star-hopping before zooming in to get a better view of the Beehive cluster, but it was still disappointing. The wide-field view of the Beehive Cluster within the triangle of Cancer at 10x was much better than the zoomed-in dim view at 22x. Paired with the increased handshake from overhead observation without a tripod, it was less rewarding than observing at lower magnifications.
For beginners we would usually recommend using a tripod or getting an image-stabilized model when using binoculars with 12x magnification or over. It is possible to get sturdy views during handheld viewing by tucking your elbows into your chest or sides, but this only works when observing on the horizontal or downwards. When looking directly overhead, it was very hard to keep the Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 still enough to make out any details when fully zoomed in.
These binoculars offer excellent wide-field views of the night sky, letting you focus on objects such as the Beehive Cluster. (Image credit: Harry Bennett / Future)
This was also an issue when observing another overhead observation target, Jupiter. When trying to spot the faint line of its Galilean moons, the resulting observation was just a mess of bright squiggles. This would definitely be remedied with the use of a tripod adapter and tripod, but be aware that these accessories become a necessity when stargazing overhead.
Looking at the half moon was good and offered a range of lunar views thanks to the magnification change, but again, the higher magnifications required steady hands. The moon at 22x magnification also looked significantly dimmer than the moon when observed with the Nikon Action 16x50s. While it suffered from similar levels of handshake, 16x50s have better light transmission because of their fixed magnification and wider exit pupil. At 10x magnification, the binoculars suffered from distortion around the edges of the view, but this disappeared when zooming into higher magnification.
The zoom lever is easy to use while observing, with no fumbling about. (Image credit: Harry Bennett / Future)
Rubber eyecups block light
Versatile zoom range
Tripod adapter socket
The Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 is a versatile optical tool and is useful when you are unsure what level of magnification you will need before you go out. We tested them out with the other binoculars in the Nikon Action range, the 7x50, 10x50 and 16x50. If we were going out for the evening, we would usually reach for these as it saved us having to take two different binoculars for wide-field and close-up viewing.
The zoom lever was incredibly easy to use during observation and touching up the focus with the focus wheel was easy with my middle finger. That said, viewing overhead objects at 22x magnification is heavily marred by hand shake and would be improved with the use of a tripod.
Just like the rest of the new Nikon Action range, the Zoom model has a tripod adapter socket in-between the two barrels, hidden behind a screw-in Nikon logo. If you are planning on using these for a lot of high-magnification observation, we would recommend buying the Nikon 7650 binocular tripod adapter and a budget tripod, like the Manfrotto Element II tripod, to ensure you can get blur-free views of the stars.
The fold-down eyecups are a boon for glasses wearers. Harry Bennett / FutureHarry Bennett / FutureHarry Bennett / Future
We found the rubber eyecups were really comfortable, and actually preferred them to the hard, twist-up cups that the rest of the Nikon Action range has. They blocked out any light in the environment far better than the twist-up cups and were much more comfortable on the eye sockets. While the binoculars feature 16.3mm of eye relief, stargazers who wear eyeglasses may be disappointed by only having two heights for eye relief, with the rubber eyecups flipped up or flipped down.
These Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 binoculars come with a soft carry case. Harry Bennett / FutureHowever, these binoculars' neck strap is a little thin. Harry Bennett / Future
The objective lens caps are easy to remove and replace but they can be quite loose and could get lost easily if not attached to a neck strap. The rubber eyecup covers remain fixed in place during transport and keep the eyepieces clean for observation. Nikon provides a neck strap and soft carry case with these binoculars but the neck strap is pretty thin, so if you are planning on carrying them around for a long time, consider getting a padded neoprene strap for binoculars for only $25.
These Nikon binoculars are great if you want variable magnification. Harry Bennett / FutureRemoving the Nikon logo reveals the tripod adapter socket. Harry Bennett / Future
How we tested the Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 binoculars
We took the Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 binoculars to a city and local park test them, using them for stargazing and birdwatching respectively. (Image credit: Harry Bennett / Future)
We tested the Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 binoculars in a city park during the day and at night in mid-March in the U.K. For stargazing, we tested them in a city park with a Bortle scale between 5 and 7. Our primary observation targets were Orion's belt, Sirius, Jupiter, the waxing half moon and the Beehive Cluster in the constellation of Cancer. For terrestrial viewing, we used them for finding birds in a local park and zooming in for up-close observation.
During testing in the U.K., nighttime temperatures were on average between 46 and 54 degrees Fahrenheit (8-12 degrees Celsius). Seeing conditions were clear and during non-lunar viewing, the skies had minimal or no moonlight.
User reviews
At time of writing, reviews for the Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 were relatively positive, with users praising the smooth zoom mechanism and agreeing with the quoted 22x magnification on the zoom.
Users also liked the Zoom’s flexible magnification options and the 50mm objective lenses for height views, but the general consensus was that a tripod would vastly improve observation at the maximum magnification.
Should you buy the Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 binoculars?
Buy it if:
✅ You need one binocular with varied magnification: These binoculars have a variable zoom, from 10x through to 22x
✅ You are a high-magnification beginner: Varying magnification means you can practice higher-magnification viewing without investing in a dedicated pair
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want to look at deep-sky objects with binoculars: The view is much dimmer at 22x than at 10x, which drastically reduces the brightness of nebulas and diffuse deep sky objects.
❌ You need super-still images: Unless you buy a tripod, you are unlikely to get fully stationary images with these binoculars.
If you are a binocular beginner or casual stargazer who wants variable magnification, these are a great purchase. The build quality is solid and the zoom mechanism is very smooth, enabling you to observe from 10x through to 22x.
The zoom function does mean that sacrifices have to be made in terms of light transmission, and at full magnification, the view is noticeably dimmer than at lower magnifications. This reduces the brightness when observing deep space objects like nebulas, but for brighter objects and stars, they performed well.
If you want to observe frequently at 22x magnification, though, we would recommend buying a tripod and binocular tripod adapter, so that you can enjoy these night sky wonders shake-free.
If the Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 binoculars aren't for you
If you need binoculars purely for wide-field observations, we would recommend the Nikon Action 7x50 binoculars or Action 10x50 binoculars. They have fixed lower magnifications and light transmission isn't sacrificed for the zoom functionality. The build is almost identical to the Action zoom model.
If you need optics for looking at deep sky objects, we would recommend one of the best telescopes, or a pair of binoculars with strong magnification and large objective lenses. Try the Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80 or Celestron SkyMaster 25x100 binoculars, both of which have larger objective lenses than the Nikon Action zoom. You will have to use a tripod with these, but the larger objective lenses will give you a brighter view of dim objects.
If you want high-magnification views without needing a tripod, the Fujifilm Fujinon Techno-Stabi TS-L 1640 binoculars are a great choice. The objective lens diameter is only 40mm, but the image stabilization gives you a higher level of detail that makes up for the lower light transmission. For handheld use, the difference is night and day.
That is the takeaway of a new study examining signals from a dead star, offering what researchers say is the strongest evidence yet that extreme magnetic fields can alter the properties of a vacuum, causing seemingly empty space to act like a prism and changing how light travels through it
The findings, led by Rachael Stewart, a graduate student in physics at the George Washington University, confirm a prediction of a strange effect first proposed 90 years ago.
"The information we obtained from looking at this distant star core also gives us clues about the nature of the fabric of reality as we know it, and I find that to be incredible," Stewart said in a statement.
The idea dates to 1936, when the German physicist Werner Heisenberg and his student Hans Euler proposed that space is never truly void. Instead, they argued, it is a simmering sea of "virtual particles" — electrons and their antimatter counterparts, positrons — that flicker in and out of existence, briefly interacting with their surroundings before vanishing.
This subatomic froth is a consequence of quantum mechanics, and it remains invisible under ordinary conditions. But the theory predicts that an extremely strong magnetic field, such as one around a magnetar, can change how light moves, causing the light's waves to become more strongly aligned in a particular direction in an effect known as "vacuum birefringence."
"Detecting vacuum birefringence requires a magnetic field that is over 100 million times stronger than any we've ever made on Earth," study co-author Marcus Lower, an astrophysicist at the Swinburne University in Australia, said in another statement. "Thankfully, nature has provided us with magnetars, which are the perfect cosmic laboratories to go looking for this effect."
Magnetars are dense, city-size remnants left behind after massive stars explode, hosting the most powerful magnetic fields known in the universe. They are among the rare celestial objects capable of generating fields strong enough to reveal vacuum birefringence, offering scientists an extreme environment to test physics under conditions impossible to replicate on Earth.
"We're not just studying astronomical objects anymore; we're using them to test the laws of nature," study co-author Michela Negro, an astrophysicist at the Louisiana State University, said in a statement.
Astronomers have caught glimpses of this elusive phenomenon before, but not conclusively. In 2017, researchers using the Very Large Telescope in Chile observed polarization hints around a faint neutron star called RX J1856.5-3754, located about 400 light-years from Earth. However, those optical measurements remained open to interpretation, partly due to the challenges of isolating the optical signal.
An illustration of a magnetar. (Image credit: ESA)
At the time, scientists noted that definitive proof would require space-based X-ray observatories, specifically NASA's then-forthcoming Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE). Launched in 2021, IXPE carries three identical telescopes designed to measure the polarization of high-energy X-rays.
"It's only in the last six or so years that we've actually had a telescope capable of detecting this effect around magnetars," Lower told Michael West Media, an independent news website in Australia.
In March and April 2025, the researchers pointed IXPE at 1E 1547-5408, a magnetar that spins once every two seconds and is unusual among its kind for steadily emitting radio waves. The team supplemented that data with observations from an X-ray telescope aboard the International Space Station, as well as Australia's Murriyang radio telescope and the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory.
According to the study, two findings pointed to vacuum birefringence at work.
First, the X-rays picked up by IXPE were nearly three times more polarized than in similar sources, far higher than standard models of a neutron star's surface emission could explain on their own. Second, the polarization pointed the same way as the star's magnetic field, matching the pattern already observed in its radio waves. The researchers concluded that this combination leaves vacuum birefringence as the only explanation that fits the data.
"It's a bit of a relief because it means that our theories still work and there's nothing broken with physics," Lower told the Michael West Media news site.
An artist's depiction of the IXPE observatory in space. (Image credit: NASA)
For Fernando Camilo, chief scientist at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory and a co-author of the new paper, the discovery brings a long journey full circle. Camilo has been studying 1E 1547-5408 since 2007, when he first detected its radio waves using the Murriyang dish, revealing its two-second rotation rate.
"At the time 1E 1547 was only the second magnetar in the Milky Way known to emit radio waves, and we were confident that regular monitoring would unveil interesting behaviour," Camilo said in the statement. "However we could never have imagined that 20 years later it would contribute to investigating a fundamental, and particularly quirky, prediction of quantum mechanics."
The team hopes to confirm the finding with data from future missions, including a proposed orbital mission called GoSOX (short for Globe Orbiting Soft X-ray Polarimeter), alongside improved computer simulations to distinguish the vacuum birefringence signal from other processes around magnetars.
"With these future data on hand and our updated simulations, we may finally be able to complete the quest started by Heisenberg nearly 90 years ago," Lower said in the Swinburne University statement.
This research is described in a paper published Aug. 5 in the journal Nature.
'For All Mankind' was pretty good, wasn't it? Sadly, the show's run has finished now, and while we've got spin-off 'Star City' picking up the mantle, it's still going to be a while before we get any more space politics drama on our screens. Luckily, we can find it on our tabletops instead, with these fantastic space board games.
If you haven't seen it, For All Mankind is the story of an alternate history in which the space race between the U.S. and Russia never fizzled out. Instead, it becomes a multigenerational competition that drives everything from electric vehicle adoption to gender equality.
If, like millions of other Apple TV subscribers, you've been rapt watching 'For All Mankind' and want to bring some of that hot diplomacy and betrayal to your own kitchen table, you're in luck. Several space-based board games let you get a taste of the space race intrigue without having to connive your way to the top of an actual space agency.
Social deduction games have exploded in recent years with good reason. Some of the best tabletop games include some level of politicking, as well as the deal-making, deception, and favor trading that entails. Making social and technological advances often comes at the cost of high levels of international brinkmanship and some very gray ethics.
So, are you ready to kick off the space race once again? Here are 7 space board games that capture the high drama of the era, but without all the devastating foreign policy implications of the real thing.
Twilight Struggle is a perfect distillation of the tension and national anxiety embodied by the Cold War. It follows the conflict between the U.S. and Russia across five decades, and its space race track mirrors For All Mankind's geopolitical stakes.
Every satellite you managed to hurl into the atmosphere or astronaut you successfully guide into space represents both a technical and a propaganda victory. It’s like watching Margo Madison and Sergei Nikulov battle with dice in place of launch vehicles.
Considered by many to be the gold standard in space politicking, Twilight Imperium drops you into a vast galaxy after the fall of the ancient Lazax empire.
Players take on the role of interstellar empires competing to conquer the capital planet at the center of a huge galaxy. They achieve this by building space docks and warships, trading goods, and clashing in cosmic combat.
The true brilliance of TI lies in its asymmetry, with each of the 17 factions having a variety of advantages and quirks that differentiate it from the others, and the way it drives players to negotiate with — and backstab — each other on the galactic stage.
Laws and elections can quickly shift the balance of power in the game, and the rules can be subverted or twisted to your advantage through the deft deployment of crushing bureaucracy. It's a long game and not one for beginners, but there really is nothing quite like a session of Twilight Imperium.
Developer: Phil Eklund (Sierra Madre Games) | Release Date: 2019 | Players: 1-5 | Recommended Age: 14+
Designed by real-world aerospace engineer and rocket scientist Phil Eklund, High Frontier puts you at the helm of a space agency or private aerospace company and tasks you with building a self-sustaining space economy.
It channels For All Mankind’s scientific obsession and is a great showcase for the intersection of personal and national ambition and feasibility. Every decision feels freighted with international importance, and players are forced to grapple with mechanics like realistically modeled orbital mechanics and unforgiving resource scarcity.
Beware, though; High Frontier is one of the most complex board games ever developed, but can also be one of the most rewarding for committed players.
Developer: Phil Eklund (Sierra Madre Games) | Release Date: 2018 | Players: 1-5 | Recommended Age: 14+
SpaceCorp takes us far beyond the imagined future of For All Mankind's world of governmental space agency programs, and into a timeline where vast, powerful corporations have transformed cosmic exploration and exploitation into big business.
Players begin in low Earth orbit and steadily expand their way into the depths of space, trying to find the balance between risk and profit. Like any good far future dystopia, SpaceCorp positions massive corporations as the true governing entities of the future, swapping in private investors for diplomats and corporate boards for politicians.
It's the natural evolution of the creeping commercialization that For All Mankind's later seasons begin to gesture towards. Real life is making similar gestures, if we're honest, and I, for one, welcome our new corporate overlords.
Terraforming Mars takes the terrestrial-based space race so vividly portrayed in For All Mankind and ships it to the Martian surface.
Players compete to build massive engines of profit and production to transform Mars into a livable habitat, all in the glorious name of cutthroat capitalism.
It perfectly embodies the dream-versus-profit conflict so adeptly portrayed in For All Mankind, while also reflecting the later seasons' focus on the red planet as a new stage for human rivalry and ethical reckoning, clothed in the reassuring euphemism of progress.
A personal favorite, Eclipse is a 4X* game that blends elements of exploration with research and direct (fairly deterministic) combat.
Players ruthlessly compete for victory points derived from controlling systems, building specific structures, discovering artifacts, and researching scientific innovations. It's a beautiful interpretation of one of our world's oldest refrains, the often impossible balance of diplomacy and domination.
A full game of Eclipse ends up reflecting on human nature in some of the same ways the show does, illustrating how often our best intentions are undermined by our desire for personal advancement (or total victory).
*4X stands for Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate.
Can Venus cast a shadow? With Aug. 12's total solar eclipse — where the moon's dark silhouette is everything — now behind us, it's a good time to test another kind of celestial shadow.
Astronomical folklore has it that the second rock from the sun, Venus, is, after the sun and moon, the third object able to cast a shadow when it's near peak brightness, albeit extremely faint, according to EarthSky.
Is it true? Not in a city, where skylights glow and porch lights blaze, where shadows are mostly thrown by passing cars that appear to become the brightest object in the solar system briefly. Venus does cast a shadow, but the sky must be very dark, transparent and free of any light — apparently.
Timing is everything. Having reached dichotomy — its half-lit phase — on Aug. 12, Venus is currently 49%-lit and waning as it moves closer to Earth, increasing in angular size as it becomes a slim crescent. Cue a surge in brightness, thanks to its reflective clouds and its closeness. Shouldn't it be brightest when it's "full?" No, because it's an inferior planet — i.e., it orbits closer to the sun — so it's fully lit only when it's on the other side of the sun from Earth, when its disk appears at its smallest.
What’s happening and when to look
Venus is beautifully placed this week because it reaches greatest eastern elongation, its widest apparent separation from the sun in the evening sky. Look low in the west after sunset — Venus will be the bright white "star" that appears before the fainter stars even have a chance.
On Aug. 14-15, it sits about 46 degrees from the sun and shines at a magnitude of -4.3 to -4.4, bright enough to dominate twilight but not quite at its most impressive stage of the apparition. The real test comes around Sept. 18, when Venus reaches its greatest brilliancy at magnitude -4.6. Sadly, by then it's going to be rather low in the sky from mid-northern latitudes, making observation from the U.K. difficult, but possible from most of the U.S.
Venus shines over the Mitsuke Iwa Rock in Ishikawa, Japan. (Image credit: Yuga Kurita via Getty Images)
How and when I’m watching it
According toSky & Telescope, to catch a faint but well-defined shadow of Venus — a point source of light — you'll need to be somewhere free from artificial lighting and wait until twilight is over. Face Venus and place a white surface (a white card or sheet works well) also facing Venus. You'll also need to position something in front of the card to cast a shadow. Although it is possible to see the faint shadow of Venus, photographing the card is the best way to capture it, using a technique similar to that for any night sky photograph — a high ISO, a wide aperture and a long exposure of up to 30 seconds. It may be wise to test the location, find the best line of sight, and work out where the card needs to go while Venus is still high enough above the western horizon.
If you're not in a good location to catch the shadow of Venus, instead try to see and photograph the light from Venus reflecting on water. Any pond, lake or ocean you can get between you and Venus ought to catch its shine in a long exposure image. That identical technique — high ISO, a wide aperture and a long exposure — will also apply, but this time you can actually aim your camera at Venus!
Stargazer’s Corner: August 14-20, 2026
This is an excellent week for darkness and faint objects. With new moon on Aug. 12, this week is all about a crescent moon. On Aug. 15 you may catch a 12%-lit waxing crescent close to Venus, but more likely you'll see it on Aug, 16, when it will be 19%-lit. The latter occasion is one to aim for — a beautiful sight. On both occasions, look for "earthshine" on the darkened limb of the moon — sunlight reflected by Earth, and something else you can try to capture with a long exposure. The waxing crescent moon will be low in the western evening sky, but early in the week it sets early enough to leave most of the night usable for stargazing and deep-sky astronomy.
A crescent moon will meet Venus early this week. (Image credit: Jordan Lye via Getty Images)
The buzz around the Perseid meteor shower, like the solar eclipse, will by now have completely dissipated, but they're still active after their Aug. 12-13 peak, though rates will be lower. With the moon mostly out of the way, it is still worth spending time outside after midnight in the hope of finding "shooting stars." However, the main attraction during dark nights in August is the Milky Way, which streams through the Summer Triangle to Scorpius and Sagittarius. Every time I see the Summer Triangle stars high in the night sky, I tell myself that the Milky Way is right there — and hidden from us by light pollution. It's a reminder to get to a dark-sky site as much as possible when the moon is down (the period between last-quarter moon and new moon is the best week of any month).
Constellation of the week: Scorpius
Scorpius is one of the most distinctive constellations visible from mid-northern latitudes, though it never climbs very high. Its bright red star Antares marks the heart of the scorpion, with a curving tail extending downward toward the horizon. You can see Antares above Venus as it gets dark — a bright, dominating star that's a waymarker of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
The constellation Scorpius. (Image credit: E. Slawik/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/M. Zamani)
Even in brighter skies, its shape is recognizable, forming a hooked pattern that stands out from the surrounding stars. Because it sits low in the south, it's best observed earlier in the evening before it begins to set. It's one of the few constellations that genuinely resembles its name — and it's where to see the Milky Way meet the horizon.
