As a planetary defense exercise, scientists used a recent approach of Apophis as a test to see how quickly they could track and identify a hazardous asteroid.
Scientists were able to grow plants in lunar soil. They weren't quite as robust as those grown in earthly soil. But it's a key step for future space missions.
Members of the EarthSky community - including scientists, as well as science and nature writers from across the globe - weigh in on what's important to them.