Sharmila Kuthunur

Sharmila Kuthunur

Live Science contributor

Sharmila Kuthunur is a Seattle-based science journalist covering astronomy, astrophysics and space exploration. Follow her on X @skuthunur

Articles by: Sharmila Kuthunur

A false color image of the lunar south pole, showing areas of lower gravity in purple and higher gravity in red

Humanity's future on the moon: Why Russia, India and other countries are racing to the lunar south pole

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Half a century after the first humans landed on the moon, global interest is once again rising to visit our celestial neighbor. This time, nations have their sights set on the lunar south pole. Why?

Tracks from India's lunar rover appear on the grey, dusty surface of the moon's south pole

India's lunar rover finds 1st evidence of sulfur near the moon's south pole

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

The six-wheeled Pragyan rover just notched another milestone while exploring the lunar south pole.

A close-up of the fiery sun in space

India's 1st mission to study the sun launches Sept. 2

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

The Aditya-1 solar mission launches hot on the heels of India's first moon landing.

India's Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft snapped this photo while entering orbit around the moon on Aug. 5, 2023.

India lands on moon! Chandrayaan-3 becomes world's 1st spacecraft to land near lunar south pole

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

India landed its Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft near the moon's south pole today (Aug. 23), making history for the nation and for lunar exploration in general.