During a recent speech to high school students, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee mistakenly referred to the Moon as a “Planet” primarily made of gases, despite its known composition of solid rock, sparking amusement and head-scratching reactions. The incident, captured on video before a total eclipse in Texas, showcased her lack of basic astronomical knowledge. Her attempt to clarify her statement fell flat, further highlighting the gaffe in a humorous yet cringe-worthy moment.

NASA’s Perseverance rover has captured Mars’ moons, Deimos and Phobos, passing in front of the Sun, showcasing these celestial events as smaller, lumpy eclipses. While fascinating, they pale in comparison to Earth’s total solar eclipse. These events aid scientists in monitoring Mars’ moons, revealing their orbital dynamics and eventual fates – Phobos’s crash into Mars and Deimos’s escape. Such phenomena highlight the cosmic dance of celestial bodies in our solar system.

Millions of people worldwide marveled at the spectacular total solar eclipse today, with NASA’s footage capturing the Moon’s shadow engulfing swathes of the United States. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station had a double treat, witnessing the Moon crossing the Sun and its shadow on the continent. The eclipse, rare due to its visibility to millions, darkened cities like Dallas and Niagara Falls. NASA even joked on social media about blocking the Sun.