Could humans soon be walking on the Moon again? NASA is preparing for one of its most ambitious space missions ever, and the countdown is on!
More than 50 years after astronauts last set foot on the Moon, NASA’s Artemis programme aims to send humans back to explore the lunar surface.
But first, there’s a very important practice mission to complete!
Three rockets, four astronauts and one enormous challenge!
In 2027, NASA plans to launch four astronauts into orbit around Earth aboard its Orion spacecraft.
Image copyright NASA / Bill Ingalls NASA’s powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket launched Artemis II in April 2026. The same rocket system will carry astronauts into space for Artemis III.
Two other spacecraft, developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin, will also blast into space. These special vehicles are designed to help astronauts land on the Moon.
The astronauts will practise docking – carefully connecting two spacecraft while they’re travelling thousands of kilometres per hour!
They’ll also test important equipment to make sure everything works properly before attempting a Moon landing.
Image copyright NASA NASA’s plan for Artemis III. The mission will send four astronauts to low Earth orbit next year to test critical systems needed for future lunar landings.
When will astronauts walk on the Moon?
NASA is aiming to land astronauts on the Moon in 2028, as part of its Artemis IV mission.
Unlike the Apollo astronauts, who explored areas near the Moon’s equator, future Artemis astronauts hope to explore the mysterious lunar south pole.
Scientists are particularly interested in this region because frozen water may be hiding inside its permanently shadowed craters!
Could these missions help us build a future Moon base? Perhaps one day, astronauts will even use the Moon as a stepping stone to Mars!
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From incredible space missions to extraordinary animal discoveries, Whizz Pop Bang brings the latest science news to curious kids aged 6 to 12.
Every issue of our award-winning children’s science magazine includes exciting science news, alongside fascinating facts, experiments and activities to try at home.
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Get ready for some sky high science! Whizz Pop Bang Issue 135: Flying High is packed with hands-on activities that explore the science of flight for kids. Make a parachute, fly stunt planes and explore aeroplanes, drones, pterosaurs and amazing flying animals.
To help your child get stuck into the experiments as soon as their magazine arrives, we’ve put together this handy science of flight experiment kit list. Gather these few simple supplies in advance and your young scientist will be ready to go as soon as the magazine hits the doormat.
We haven’t included everyday basics such as scissors and paper.
What you’ll need for the experiments in issue 135: Flying High:
There’s much more than experiments inside Whizz Pop Bang Issue 135: Flying High. Find out how aeroplanes overcome gravity, why wings create lift and how everything from helicopters and hot-air balloons to birds and pterosaurs take to the skies. Investigate gravity and air resistance by making a parachute, experiment with an aerofoil then make a fly your own stunt planes.
Want to join in with the Science of Flight fun?
Subscribe to Whizz Pop Bang and your child can enjoy a new science adventure delivered through the letterbox every month.
Get ready for some brain-bending science! Whizz Pop Bang Issue 134: Brain Power is packed with hands-on activities that explore how our amazing brains work, from testing memory and making a brain-training game to investigating how younger children think.
To help your child get stuck into the experiments as soon as their magazine arrives, we’ve put together this handy Brain Power experiment kit list. Gather these few simple supplies in advance and your young scientist will be ready to experiment!
We haven’t included everyday basics such as scissors and paper.
There’s much more than experiments inside Whizz Pop Bang Issue 134: Brain Power. Kids can discover how billions of neurons help them think and remember, meet super-smart parrots, try clever memory-boosting tricks, explore the science of sleep and tackle plenty of brain-bending puzzles and riddles.
Want to join in with the Brain Power fun?
Subscribe to Whizz Pop Bang and your child can enjoy a new science adventure delivered through the letterbox every month.
On Wednesday 12th August 2026, people across the UK will witness the biggest solar eclipse visible here since 1999. Depending on where you are, the Moon will cover around 90–96% of the Sun, creating an unforgettable sight.
If you’ve left it too late to buy eclipse glasses, don’t panic! There are still plenty of brilliant (and completely safe) ways to enjoy this spectacular event.
The most important thing to remember is this:
Never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection.
Even when most of the Sun is covered by the Moon, its remaining light is still powerful enough to cause permanent eye damage. Unlike a total eclipse, there is never a safe moment to look directly at the Sun during the UK’s partial eclipse.
Here are our favourite safe ways to enjoy eclipse day.
1. Use Certified Eclipse Glasses ⭐
If you’ve already got a pair, check they’re genuine before using them.
Safe eclipse glasses should:
Meet the ISO 12312-2:2015 international safety standard
Be free from scratches, tears or damage
Come from a reputable supplier
Remember:
❌ Regular sunglasses are not safe.
❌ 3D cinema glasses are not safe.
❌ Homemade tinted plastic or smoked glass are not safe.
If your glasses are damaged or you’re unsure whether they’re genuine, don’t risk using them.
2. Make a Simple Pinhole Projector
One of the easiest (and most fun) ways to watch the eclipse is to project an image of the Sun instead of looking at it.
You’ll need:
Two sheets of white paper or card
A pin
Simply make a tiny hole in one sheet of card, stand with your back to the Sun and let the sunlight shine through onto the second sheet.
You’ll see a tiny image of the Sun—and as the eclipse progresses, you’ll notice a little “bite” appearing in it!
It’s a fantastic science activity for children too.
3. Grab a Colander from the Kitchen
Yes, really!
The hundreds of tiny holes in a kitchen colander act like lots of miniature pinhole projectors.
Hold the colander so sunlight shines through onto the ground or a sheet of paper and you’ll see dozens of tiny Suns projected underneath.
As the Moon moves across the Sun, every little image changes shape.
It’s one of the easiest ways to view the eclipse (and bonus – there’s no complicated crafting required!)
4. Look Beneath the Trees
Nature has already made thousands of pinhole projectors.
The tiny gaps between leaves allow sunlight through, creating hundreds of miniature images of the Sun on the ground.
During a solar eclipse those little circles transform into tiny crescents.
Take a walk beneath a leafy tree during the eclipse and have a look—you might be surprised by what you find!
5. Watch a Live Stream
Cloudy skies? No problem.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich will be broadcasting the eclipse live online using professional solar telescopes, with astronomers explaining exactly what’s happening as the Moon passes across the Sun.
It’s completely free and a brilliant option if the British weather doesn’t cooperate.
6. Visit a Local Astronomy Group
Many local astronomy clubs and observatories hold public viewing events during eclipses.
They often provide:
Special solar telescopes
Expert guidance
Safe viewing equipment
Family-friendly activities
It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn more about our nearest star while seeing the eclipse through equipment that’s specially designed for observing the Sun safely.
7. Can’t Wait? Watch a Solar Eclipse Simulation
This video is a realistic 3D simulation of a solar eclipse – no glasses, no special weather conditions and absolutely no patience required! This could be the perfect solution if the eclipse is a little too late, subtle or slow for a young child who wants to see what happens during a solar eclipse.
Things You Should Never Do
However tempting it might be, never:
❌ Look directly at the Sun without proper protection
❌ Use sunglasses instead of eclipse glasses
❌ Look through binoculars or a telescope without a certified solar filter fitted to the front of the instrument
❌ Look through a camera lens while wearing eclipse glasses
These can all cause serious, permanent eye damage.
Make It a Family Science Challenge
Why not turn eclipse day into a mini science investigation?
Try comparing:
Which method gives the clearest image?
Does a metal colander work better than a plastic one?
How does the projected image change every 10 minutes?
Can you spot crescent-shaped patches of light beneath different trees?
It’s a wonderful opportunity to combine astronomy, observation and a little scientific curiosity.
Whether you’re using eclipse glasses, a homemade projector or simply watching online, there are plenty of safe ways to experience one of nature’s most spectacular shows.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed for clear skies! 🌞🌙
Calling all space fans! If your child dreams of exploring space, this brand-new immersive experience should be high on your family’s summer holiday list.
Credit: Smithsonian Institution & Fever
This summer, there’s an awesome new immersive experience at London’s Science Museum. Using virtual reality (VR) technology, ‘Starstruck’ takes you on a journey through the universe, exploring stars, black holes and galaxies.
Credit: Smithsonian Institution & Fever
Whizz Pop Bang went along for a sneak preview before the exhibition opened and we can confirm that it really is out of this world!
We also got to meet awesome ESA astronaut Meganne Christian and discuss black holes with Cambridge University’s astronomy professor and black hole expert Sera Markoff!
Planning a trip to London this summer? If your family loves space, science and immersive experiences, Starstruck looks like a fantastic way to explore the universe together.
Book your tickets and prepare for an unforgettable journey among the stars.
The Eurasian curlew is one of the UK’s most rapidly declining breeding birds. Numbers have fallen by more than 65% since the 1970s, placing it on the Red List of birds of conservation concern. The species requires an estimated 10,000 additional chicks to fledge each year simply to stabilise the UK population.
1 big pompom 1 small pompom 1 piece of fluffy fabric 2 googly eyes 2 lolly sticks glued together in a cross shape String 1 pair of scissors 1 piece of card Craft glue or hot glue
What to do:
Glue the small pompom (head), fluffy fabric (neck) and big pompom (body) together.
On your card, draw 2 feet, a beak and 2 wings for your chick.
Carefully cut out your drawings.
Glue your feet onto some pieces of string and tie them round the body.
Glue the google eyes and beak onto the head. Glue the wings onto the body.
Cut four pieces of string measuring about 30 cm each. You will need to trim these to the right lengths as you attach them to your puppet in steps 7 and 8. Glue a piece of string onto each end of the lolly stick cross.
Glue one string to the top of the head and the opposite string to the back of the body.
Glue one of the other strings to one foot, and the final string to the other foot.
All done! Your curlew chick puppet is ready to creep, stalk and dance!
Help protect real curlews
Curlews are disappearing from the UK countryside, but families and children can help. Find out why these amazing birds are in danger, meet the giant curlews taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks and discover simple ways to help protect them.
The haunting, bubbling call of the Eurasian curlew has been heard across the British countryside for thousands of years. But these extraordinary birds are disappearing.
UK breeding curlew numbers have fallen by more than 65% since the 1970s, making the curlew one of Britain’s fastest-declining breeding birds.
Scientists estimate that around 10,000 more curlew chicks need to survive and learn to fly every year just to stop the population from continuing to fall.
Why are curlews in danger?
Curlews nest on the ground, often in farmland, moorland and grassland.
Their eggs and chicks are vulnerable to predators and disturbance, while changes to farming and the loss of suitable habitats have made it harder for enough young curlews to survive.
Giant curlews take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks!
In April 2026, a team of walkers did something rather unusual to draw attention to the plight of the curlew.
They tackled the gruelling 24-mile Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge dressed as enormous curlews!
Leading the way were Cathy the Curlew, a 10-foot-long handmade bird costume, and her companion Heathcliff.
The team set out to raise £10,000 – one pound for each of the additional 10,000 chicks that need to fledge every year to help stabilise the UK’s curlew population.
Two days after the walk, the giant curlews travelled to the Houses of Parliament for a special World Curlew Day event, helping to bring the campaign to the attention of politicians.
The campaign raised awareness and funds for Curlew Action and the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, which work to protect curlews, their habitats and the landscapes they depend on.
How can children and families help curlews?
You don’t need to climb three mountains dressed as a giant bird to help!
You can:
Keep dogs on leads near ground-nesting birds during the breeding season.
Give nesting birds plenty of space and never disturb eggs or chicks.
Learn to recognise the curlew’s distinctive call and record your sightings.
Tell friends and family why curlews need our help.
Support organisations working to protect curlews and their habitats.
Make your own curlew puppet and use it to help spread the word!
Every person who learns about curlews and helps others understand why they are in danger can help give these extraordinary birds a louder voice.
Here’s a kit list to help you get ready for Whizz Pop Bang 132 (which you can find in our shop now).
Here’s the list of bits and pieces you need to complete the activities this month. As ever, there’s so much science fun to be had, even if you don’t have every single thing on the list.
WILL IT FLOAT? (page 7) ❏ A collection of objects, for example: oranges, sticky tack or modelling clay
MAKE YOUR OWN ICEBERG (page 9) ❏ A cup or bag of water, frozen ❏ A whiteboard pen, sticker or sticky tack
WHAT MAKES IRON AND STEEL RUST? (page 11) ❏ Three sealable containers (e.g. jam jars) ❏ Three identical iron nails (not galvanised) ❏ Water that has been boiled and cooled ❏ Vegetable oil
PADDLE BOAT (page 16) ❏ A clean plastic food tray (ideally black) ❏ Another piece of plastic packaging (ideally black) ❏ Five elastic bands ❏ Two pencils ❏ Sticky tack ❏ A scrap of plastic bag at least 9 cm by 12 cm ❏ A paper straw
MAKE YOUR OWN MINI HOVERCRAFT (page 25)
❏ Sticky tack or modelling clay ❏ Pull up drinks bottle top ❏ An old CD ❏ A balloon
Download a printable version of this kit list to stick on your fridge right here ⬇️
Imagine looking up at the Moon and knowing that people are living there!
NASA has revealed exciting plans for a huge lunar base where astronauts could live, work and explore. The Moon base could cover hundreds of square kilometres and help scientists prepare for future missions to Mars.
Although a permanent Moon base is still many years away, engineers and scientists are already working out how it could become a reality.
Want more kids science news? Try Whizz Pop Bang magazine!
Whizz Pop Bang is the award-winning science magazine for curious kids aged 6–12. Every month, young scientists discover fascinating facts, try hands-on experiments, meet real scientists and explore the incredible world around them.
Packed with screen-free activities, puzzles, competitions and amazing science news, it’s designed to inspire a lifelong love of STEM subjects while having lots of fun along the way.
A Moon base is a place where astronauts could live for long periods of time on the lunar surface.
Just like research stations in Antarctica, a lunar base would provide shelter, food, water and equipment for scientists exploring an extreme environment.
Future Moon bases might include places to live, research laboratories, power stations and even greenhouses where food could be grown.
Why does NASA want a base on the Moon?
NASA hopes that living on the Moon will help humans learn how to survive on other worlds.
The Moon is much closer than Mars, making it the perfect place to test new technology and learn how astronauts can stay healthy during long space missions.
Scientists could also study the Moon’s rocks, history and hidden resources.
How would astronauts survive on the Moon?
Living on the Moon would be very different from living on Earth.
Astronauts would need protection from:
Extreme temperatures
Dangerous space radiation
Tiny sharp Moon dust
Meteorite impacts
Future Moon bases could be built underground or covered with lunar soil for extra protection.
Scientists are also exploring ways to create oxygen, water and fuel using materials already found on the Moon.
Could children ever live on the Moon?
Nobody knows for sure, but it could happen one day.
NASA’s plans are part of a long-term effort to establish a permanent human presence beyond Earth. If future Moon bases become successful, children growing up on the Moon may not just belong in science fiction stories.
Could the first child to live on the Moon be reading Whizz Pop Bang right now?
Amazing Moon Facts
🌕 The Moon is about 384,400 kilometres from Earth.
🚀 It takes about three days for astronauts to travel there.
👨🚀 Twelve people have walked on the Moon so far.
🌑 The Moon has no air that humans can breathe.
🦘 Because gravity is weaker on the Moon, astronauts can jump much higher than on Earth.
Want more space science?
If you love rockets, astronauts and incredible discoveries, check out Whizz Pop Bang magazine – it’s packed with hands-on activities, fascinating facts and out-of-this-world science fun!
Perfect for curious readers who love space, science fiction and fast-paced stories, this is a book they won’t want to put down!
🚀 About the book
Step into a universe of adventure at Star Quest Academy, where young recruits are trained to explore the stars and take on daring missions beyond Earth.
