Science Focus Collection 2020 Space The Final Frontiers - The missions that will unravel the mysteries of the Universe

Immediate Media Co Bristol Ltd. — 100 p. — ISSN: 0966-4270.BBC Focus Magazine is a magazine of popular science and technology that explains the wonders of the Universe through stunning photography and accessible articles.When we first landed on the Moon in 1969, humankind collectively marveled at the ingenuity of our species. We had explored the surface of our own planet and had now successfully set foot on another world as well – no problem was insurmountable for us. While we’d landed an unscrewed craft on the Moon before that, and had already sent probes to Venus and Mars, it was arguably the Moon landing that energized us to continue exploring the cosmos, so we could unlock the secrets of the Universe and perhaps even life itself.We set our sights further afield than the Moon, with missions to Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and beyond. But we also started building space stations that would allow us to explore the effects of space while remaining in comfortable proximity to our own planet.Despite our efforts, however, many aspects of the cosmos remain a mystery. For example, despite all the missions to the Moon, we still know very little about its far side. That could soon change because China’s Chang’e 4’s craft successfully touched down in 2019 (p10). In January this year, they released their first set of data, which is now available for astronomers to pore over – in the process, they’ll revolutionize our knowledge of our Moon.Mars has been the destination of choice in recent years, but we’re still not sure if it hosts life, so later this year ESA will send a mission to the Red Planet to find out if it does (p26). And our other planetary neighbor, Venus, has been somewhat forgotten over the last few decades – that’s why teams of scientists think it’s high time we went back (p18).Speaking of planets, we’re still not sure if our Solar System hosts a huge ninth planet beyond Neptune, so we meet the scientists who are hunting for it (p60). Farther afield, in solar systems beyond our own, scientists are certain there could be Earth-like worlds. By using ingenious methods and a new breed of telescopes, they’re sure they can spot them (p74).