Moon Joy June artists!Ā
This is the second week of Moon Joy June, and the prompt is āMoon.ā If youāre an artist looking for some inspiration, we have a treat for you: four new and previously unseen images from our Artemis II mission!
All four of these images were captured on April 6, 2026, during flight day 6 of the mission, when the four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft conducted the lunar flyby of their ten-day journey. During the lunar flyby, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen captured photographs and collected scientific observations of the Moon in meticulous detail.
You can find more images from the lunar flyby here.
If youāre feeling inspired to make some art dedicated to our celestial neighbor, you can share your creations on Tumblr with the #ArtemisArtShow hashtag!
Received my copy of #Weirdo by @tonyweaverjr yesterday. I am excited to read it. I love this young man so much! His positive empowerment is infectious. š„°
Patricia McCormick during a bullfighting match in Texas in the US in 1956.Ā
She was the first professional female bullfighter in the US, and although she was gored a number of times, would go on to great success in the sport and die at the old age of 83.Ā
Bullfighting is a brutal sport, often abusing the bull to force them to be as aggressive as they are. They would be stabbed, struck with light arrows and spears, and other measures to make the matches more entertaining. It of course was also very dangerous for the fighter, as numerous bullfighters died over the years. The sport is dying as the abuse of the animals have been far more regulated, at least in the US.
"We came all this way to explore the Moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth." - Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders
On Dec. 24, 1968, Anders snapped this iconic photo of "Earthrise" during the historic Apollo 8 mission. As he and fellow astronauts Frank Borman and Jim Lovell became the first humans to orbit the Moon, they witnessed Earth rising over the Moon's horizon. The image helped spark the first #EarthDay on April 22, 1970.
Anders sat down with Dr. Kate Calvin, our chief scientist and senior climate advisor, to chat about the photo, and NASAās role in studying our home.
Make sure toĀ follow us on TumblrĀ for your regular dose of space!
Women in Science Day (psssst... get a behind the scenes look)
Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science! At the National Archives, women bring considerable technical skills to their work every day, including the women of our Heritage Science Research and Testing Lab.
Lindsay Oakley and Cancy Chu test a new colorimeter instrument with a sheet of color standards. Understanding how color shifts over time is an excellent way for scientists to see how materials change as they age and ensure we provide the best possible preservation conditions for records like documents and photographs.
Jennifer performs X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy to identify the pigments used in this watercolor of Fort Pierre. This supported its safe conservation treatment before being displayed as part of the āAll Americanā exhibit.
How does @USNatArchives decide how long a document can be on display?
Scientists and conservators use another type of artificial aging test, this time with light. This micro-fadometer uses high-intensity light for a short time, measuring changes undetectable to the human eye. This information helps us create light budgets for items as they are displayed or used for research.
Lindsay Oakley, NARAās Director of Heritage Science Research and Testing explains what heritage science is and introduces the scientists and research projects that make the lab such an important part of NARAās preservation efforts.
Finally tasted #CinnaFuegoToastCrunch and it did not disappoint. It was all I hoped it would be. #SweetHeat #HotCinnamonSpice https://www.instagram.com/p/Con749gLNupiQESLylEblahrEUyl320YwzgAYE0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
Do you have any hcs for Okoye and Attuma with children?
Hi, Anon. I'm sorry it took me a while to answer this. Here's a specific headcanon of mine:
It was hard for Okoye and Attuma to get pregnant at first, not through lack of trying. They had both waited so long before feeling ready to start a family. It had become clear, after being together, that they had each found the right person to build a future with.
The pregnancy went as fine as it could. Attuma doted on Okoye endlessly. He took time away from his official duties to look after her, even though she was well and had protested.Ā
The prospect of parenthood had Attuma admitting to his wife that he was afraid (and he was afraid of nothing).
āMy existence as a warrior has been about causing harm to life,ā he had said to Okoye as they laid next to one another, and he rubbed her swollen belly. āHow am I going to know how to nurture life?ā
āThe same way you have shown and fostered love for me,ā Okoye replied softly. āBy listening to your head and your heart ā especially your heart.ā
When their daughter was born, it was the first time Okoye had seen Attuma cry.Ā The baby had her fatherās eyes and her motherās smile.
Khanyiswa had her naming day almost a year after she was born, in keeping with Attumaās traditions. She was named after one of Okoyeās ancestors, in keeping with her traditions.
They hosted a quiet ceremony at their home on the outskirts of Birnin Zana and invited everyone who was important to them. It was the second time Okoye had seen Attuma cry.
Khanyiswa could already swim and tread water from an early age. When Attuma needed to leave the Surface World for his own wellbeing, she would follow. It was hard for Okoye and Attuma, one half of their partnership being of the Surface World, the other of Talokan, but they were devoted to one another and made it work. They only wanted the best of both worlds for their daughter.
Attuma took Khanyiswa to school most mornings. They would travel on foot, greeting neighbours as they went. Attuma got to know people a lot more because Khanyiswa was observant, like her mother, and liked to know as much as she could about people. Father and daughter enjoyed speaking to their neighbours and keeping up on what was happening in their lives. They found joy in learning that Abi's goats had escaped and wreaked havoc throughout the street.
Okoye took Khanyiswa out to the lands of the Border Tribe when she was still small. She taught their daughter how to fashion a spear from assegai wood, just like her mother had shown her. Okoye would tell stories passed down from griots and they would spend evenings stargazing together.
Attuma and Khanyiswa would spend weekends in Talokan when Okoye was away for work. He would teach their daughter how to fight and hunt, and tell stories of how K'uk'ulkan brought the Sun to their people. Attuma passed his nahual to his daughter: The Hammerhead Shark. This was Khanyiswaās second spirit animal as she inherited the White Rhinoceros from her mother through kinship bloodlines. Both animals were fierce and strong, like Okoye and Attuma ā just like Khanyiswa would be.
The small child filled books with drawings of the animals, proud in the knowledge that it was her duty to protect them and conserve their habitats when she was old enough. It was her cultural mandate to learn every song and dance related to both animals.
Attuma would place Khanyiswaās tiny feet on his, hold her small hands in his, and dance with her in their backyard. Okoye would watch them laughing and smiling as they spun around and around until Attuma got dizzy.
When Okoye would braid Khanyiswaās hair, the small girl would insist that her mother do something with her fatherās long tresses.
āPlease, Umama,ā she would plead. āMake Babaās hair pretty, too.ā
"Mmm, your Baba is already very pretty," Okoye would reply, causing her daughter to cover her mouth and giggle, and cause her husband to blush.
Okoye and Attuma made sure Khanyiswa was surrounded by family, culture, and community. They made sure their daughter knew that even though both of her parents had loyalty to their homelands, and responsibility in their duties, she always came first.
When Okoye became Director of the Agents of Wakanda, she was able to spend more time at home. It was in that time that she found out they were pregnant again.
Their son Kani was born in the summertime. He favoured his big sister: Same eyes, same smile. Attuma held Kani and cried, again. Their little family was complete.
I guess since no one else is doing it, here goes my plotline to my WIP attempt at an Okoye x Attuma Arranged Marriage To Ally Their Kingdoms and Save Lives AU š
Instead of Okoye getting blasted off the bridge in Boston, she's also taken to Talokan with Shuri and Riri. Shuri sends Namor to the surface to meet with her mother, where Queen Ramonda plants a tracker on him. Nakia does still go to rescue them from Talokan via the tracker and her research in the Yucatan.
Except, since Okoye is down in Talokan too, she's able to knock out the handmaiden holding Shuri hostage rather than Nakia killing her to rescue them. Shuri presses one of her kimoyo beads to the handmaid's head, so she survives without injury.
Okoye is still stripped by Queen Ramonda of being a general and a Dora Milaje for allowing Shuri to be taken. Shuri is pissed off because yeah, she volunteered to go to see Namor on her own. In fact, she ordered Okoye to stand down, ending her fight with Attuma and stopping Namora from tossing that water grenade at her.
So Shuri immediately announces in front of Ramonda and the visibly sympathetic tribal council that she's assigning Okoye as general of the Midnight Angels, who will be her personal bodyguard.
Ramonda says her daughter has no authority to do so. Surprisingly, M'Baku comes to Okoye's defense and points out there is nothing in their Tribal Council Constitution that states Shuri doesn't have that power. Besides, considering what happened to Shuri and that she's alive and whole, doesn't that mean there's no better person to protect their princess and only heir than Okoye?
Ramonda is pissed, Shuri is smug in her triumph and M'Baku lives to create drama. Ramonda still sends Okoye away out of her sight. Shuri loudly tells Okoye to meet her in the lab and then promptly bounces out of the meeting.
The two spend the next few days working together to speed up finishing the Midnight Angels suits since Namor and the Talokanil are a new threat. They bring in Aneka to help them review and test the suits' efficiency as well. Shuri also works on creating more sonic weapons since she witnessed how Nakia's sonic gun killed the Talokanil warrior at their rescue.
Namor loses a warrior bodyguard at Shuri's rescue but not a civilian handmaiden. So he's still pissed. But not quite "Fuck up your capital city and assassinate your queen" pissed. Instead and a few days later, he infiltrates Wakanda via one its main rivers. He takes some of the River Tribesmen hostage with Attuma, Namora and some other Talokanil warriors.
Nakia catches him (he has no idea it was her who rescued the three women). He demands an audience with Shuri or else he'll drown his hostages...and keep snatching River Tribe people every day to drown at sunrise and sunset. All while increasing the number killed by one per drowning.
After Nakia calls Shuri on her kimoyo beads, the Princess quickly arrives, accompanied by Aneka and Okoye in their new Midnight Angel suits. Attuma is startled to see Okoye again (her face is uncovered) but remains silent. Namora is on full alert and is definitely in "Fuck around and find out" mode. Aneka smirks at her but remains on guard.
Namor reiterates that he will drown River tribesmen if he is not escorted to the palace. Also, if his warriors don't hear from him by sunset (it's the early morning), he will direct them to drown and kill them. Out of options, Shuri escorts Namor, Attuma and Namora back to palace.
Ramonda is understandably livid. M'Baku is extremely wary but gleeful, pointing out Okoye was right about the "fish man." Especially that big, blue, balloon one. Attuma growls at him but M'Buka ain't concerned and hoots back.
Chaos nearly ensues until Okoye tells both of them to basically shut the fuck up. They're trying to avoid a fucking war here, by Bast!
Namor demands a more binding alliance between Wakanda and Talokan or else he will go to war. The tribal council and Ramonda are in uproar. It gets even worse when Namor recommends a marriage between himself and Shuri, which causes all hell to nearly break loose. Above them, the Dora Milaje go into battle defense mode with a pound of their spears.
Except Shuri actively looks like she's thinking about it. Ramonda bellows that an arranged marriage its absolutely off the table. It's archaic, mad disrespectful and for fuck's sake, Shuri is far too young. She doesn't even rule the kingdom yet.
Namor points out Shuri is heir. He also low-key threatens that he could conceivably make her queen right now. Shuri snaps that he's WAY outta line. Besides, how could she expect to grow to potentially marry him if he's actively threatening the last of her remaining family right now?!
Namor slyly responds that perhaps courting her would prove more constructive. Shuri points out he's still proposing this under duress.
"A binding marriage between one of my nobles and one of yours would prove less beneath your contempt then, princess?"
Okoye feels increasingly guilty since she blames her actions on the bridge forced Shuri to give herself up to Namor in the first place. She's also still reeling from being stripped her command and kicked out of the Dora Milaje. She thinks on the one time she chose a husband for herself, she picked that bitch-ass traitor in W'Kabi, so she has nothing else to lose.
She volunteers herself for a political marriage to one of the Talokanil.
Ramonda sneers that Okoye's been stripped of being a general for failing to protect her daughter in the first place. Okoye feels ashamed (but once she thinks about it later, she realizes this was Ramonda's attempt to save her from being forced into a marriage and leave Wakanda by trying to downplay her value).
Meanwhile, as soon as Ramonda tells Namor that Okoye is no longer a general, Shuri counters with the fact that Okoye is general of the Midnight Angels, her personal guard. Ramonda tries to deny it but Shuri presses forward. Namor responds that's excellent, as Okoye clearly has value. "And now, all we must do is decide who your great General will marry," he smugly says.
This is when Attuma declares that he will marry the Warrior. Namor is surprised while Namora hisses. Mostly to cover up her astonishment at Attuma's declaration. 'Cause holy shit, this whole thing is spinning out into some batshit crazy circumstances.
But Attuma points out that the Talokanil have a tradition of "What we cannot kill, we keep." And since he could not kill Okoye on the bridge?He has right of first refusal when it comes to marrying her.
Okoye is stunned, fuming and looks like she wants to rip out Attuma's gills. Hopefully finishing the job this time. Meanwhile, Namor immediately grants him the marriage. Namora is in stunned disbelief
After that, Namor sends word to his warriors holding some of the River Tribe hostage that he is safe. However, he won't have the river tribesmen released until the marriage contract is completed over the next three days.
Over the next three days, the marriage contract is ironed out by him, Shuri, Okoye and Attuma:
-Okoye and Attuma will get married in two different ceremonies. Namor demands the Talokanil ceremony take place first in precedence but Attuma asks Okoye what she wants. She icily insists the marriage first take place in Wakanda.
-The marriage must be consummated within a week of the second marriage ceremony in Talokan or it will be invalid and threaten the end to the treaty.
-They agree that Okoye will live with Attuma for three months at a time in Talokan and he will live with her three months at a time in Wakanda, alternating from there. Since Okoye will have the first wedding in Wakanda, she will be living her first three months with Attuma in Talokan.
Shuri pledges to design a new house for Okoye on the river that can accommodate Attuma. She will also work with the Talokanil scientists to create a home in one of the grottoes in Talokan that can accommodate Okoye since they cannot live separately. Otherwise, why marry?
-They do not have to have children, though it is heavily encouraged. Okoye reminds everyone she's in her early 40s, so yeah, not gonna happen and it's ultimately her choice. Not to mention, they have no fucking clue how human and Talokanil physiology work together.
Attuma points out that they may adopt younglings. Though if they do, it will have to be an equal number of Wakandan and Talokanil younglings to keep things fair.
-If they have a potential marriage ending disputes, they will have to bring it to a council of 2-3 Talokanil and Wakandan members. The nation who has the majority of council members changes every year. Once a dispute is voted on, it is law, unless extenuating circumstances require that the issue be revisited.
-Okoye and Attuma will train the other's forces. Tactics and weapons will be shared.
-This marriage will also open the way to cultural trade between Wakanda and Talokan.
-Any threat against either spouse will be taken as a threat against both nations and treated with equal importance and threat response.
-Attuma insists on properly courting Okoye during the first three months of her living with him in Talokan. Okoye hisses that it's pointless since they're already married. Attuma gets irritated and says that even though the marriage is political, he still needs to court her properly to fulfill Talokanil tradition. Okoye tries to get out of this, but Attuma won't budge.
It pisses off Okoye even more. She then points out that since he's so fond of courting, he can court her in both Talokanil and Wakandan traditions. Attuma shrugs and agrees. Okoye certainly wasn't expecting him to so quickly agree to her traditions, huh.
-The first marriage in Wakanda will take place at the next full moon, which is in just under three weeks.
All four of them sign the marriage contract. Ramonda won't sign it until the end of the first marriage ceremony in Wakanda.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and France most certainly HAVE NOT forgotten losing their ships and mercenaries to Wakanda in their efforts to gain vibranium. The African nation is absolutely still in their sights. And Valentina Fontaine sure in the hell never forgets a perceived insult...
And that's where we are with this crack-ass AU...Help, I HATE IT HERE š
He met Nkosazana (Kosa for short) his first day of his first year.
Despite being from different backgrounds they hit it off immediately and both tell each other about home and their families.
Heās heard Kosa mention his sister countless times but has never met her despite meeting his parents.
In the beginning of the semester, when Attuma is home alone, thereās a knock on their apartment door.
Itās Okoye. She had transferred to the neighbouring University and decided to surprise her brother with a visit.
When Attuma opened the door he was awestruck.
Heās seen pictures of Okoye but obviously theyāve never done her justice.
He stands there gaping at her for a second before his brain catches up with what she said.
He lets her know Kosa will be back in a few and sheās welcome to wait.
Attuma had never been so nervous in his life. She had him flustered, with sweaty hands and shaky knees. He hasnāt felt like this since middle school.
He was obviously crushing and crushing HARD.
He knew he was in deep shit cause this is his bestfriend/roommateās SISTER. Kosa would KILL him if he ever found out how Attuma was feeling.
They end up talking and getting to know each other. While listening to her talk about her passions and watching how her face lit up he knew he was a goner.
He was so SCREWED.
They got so caught up in their own little bubble that they barely noticed when Kosa came back.
He was so excited to see his sister that he didnāt even notice how cosy his roommate and sister just were.
As Okoye bid him farewell after hugging her brother and promising another visit, she smiled at him and his chest felt like it was gonna explode.
- Itās true, the moment okoye cut his face he was interested but he only knew it was romantic interest when after the first alliance meeting, she came back to wakanda welcoming her dora with smiles and laughter. It was the first time he saw her do anything besides scowl or glare and it made his chest tight. He was a goner.
- Namor knew about his feelings before he did, and he was fine with it. But He wanted to get back into wakandaās (shuri) good graces, so he warned Attuma to keep his distance and be respectful even if he wanted to ācourt some wakandan whoās caught your attentionā and smiled at his general like a father would.
- namora found out when she followed attuma, wondering where he was going at late hours at night to spar with okoye and early in the morning so he could watch okoye garden and train from a distance as instructed. At first, she was furious and very protective of her cousin; how could he fall for or trust this mere surface dweller? But as she watched them spar, there was no mistaking the genuine playfulness and mirth behind each of their eyes as they clashed weapons. She backed off and teased attuma about it.
- shuri knew the moment okoye had returned, there was something between the two. When okoye was announced and entered the door, she heard a sharp intake of air to her right. She chanced a look and the massive blue warrior by Kuākulā kanās side stiffened, his azure skin turning a soft lavender. She laughed to herself and walked up from her seat by mbaku to greet okoye with open arms. This should be interestingā¦
- it started with attuma catching okoye as she surveyed the halls of the palace, āin baā ateā el!ā Heād announce, approaching her. Okoye rolled her eyes, āI cannot spar with you now, shark. Go find someone else to beat you.ā Heād huff and walk away sadly. And when sheād oblige him, saying āI can spare a few minutes to put you in your place. Come with me to the garden then, fish.ā The Dora Milaje who watched nearby would giggle and āaweā, at how heād light up, planting his axe to the ground proudly. āWeāll spar then, in baā ateā el! Prepare yourself.ā
- Fighting with him had been a great addition to her routine, allowing her to release some stress and have some fun in her position as Midnight Angel. So one day when she couldnāt find Attuma to spar with her, she asked another talokanil soldier, passing by. He did not offer nearly as much challenge as Attuma and Okoye was disappointed to find, it wasnāt the same. No matter, sheād learned now and would just ask Attuma when she saw him next.
She saw him next on the outdoor balcony.
When she did, he was cold and very obviously offended by her asking, āI assume Pakal wasnāt the adversary you thought heād be?ā Okoye was surprised. He had been there that day? She had tried to find him, did he watch them spar? Then surely he saw how easily put his soldier on his behind over 3 times.
āAh,ā okoye said āNo, it was quite underwhelming unfortunatelyā¦ I couldnāt find you so I thought Iād find the next best thing-ā
āThe next best thing?ā The large general hissed. āWhat was I? A stand in?ā
Okoye was flustered and didnāt know why. āN- no! Donāt be ridiculous, fish! He- Pakal was the stand in!ā
Attuma seethed, his grip on his axe tightening, ā you call my subordinate by his name, and me a fish? in baā ateā el, this disrespect is starting to seem personal!ā
Attuma didnāt even look mad anymore, he looked hurt and confused and frustrated. āFind someone else to beat you.ā His mask translated, and he stormed off towards his temporary quarters. Okoye stood on the balcony, confused beyond belief. What got his goat so horribly? Had she done something wrong?
She went to the lab and talked to Shuri and Riri about it, and to her dismay did not get the āyeah, heās crazy. I donāt know what heās mad aboutā she was hoping to hear.
āHeās being so frustrating and cryptic!ā Okoye said to them both, as they worked.
Riri and Shuri looked at each other knowingly, and Riri shrugged, āI donāt know, Kokoā¦ it sounds like heās jealousā¦ā
Okoye groaned in annoyance, āDonāt call me Koko, and jealous?! Of what?ā
Riri made a face, āI donāt know, you and him have been pretty buddy buddy latelyā¦ youāve been sparring and talking with other each other for two months. Maybe when you so easily replaced him with somebody elseā¦ā Riri trailed off, trying to let Okoye put it together.
Okoye looked at her with a dazed expression, āā¦ what? Maybe heās being ridiculous?ā
Shuri laughed and put her hand on Okoyes shoulder, āsister, remember that we in Wakanda have different definitions ofā¦ friendship than those from Talokan. He might think you donāt want to be his friend-ā
āWeāre not friends! Weāre sparring partners at best!ā
āFine.ā Shuri pressed her mouth into a line, āHe might think you no longer wish to spar with him, he might take that as an insult.ā
Okoye understood now, nodding. This was about honor and pride, two things she knew very well. She turned back to Shuri. ā how can I correct it? I want no bad blood.ā
Riri put a hand on her hips, smirking knowingly. āYou should get him some food,ā Okoye shrunk back, making a face like something stunk. āA peace offering! Warriors from bikini bottom gotta eat too.ā
āBikiniā¦ bottoms?ā
Shuri snickered, āRiri has an idea, you should make something or have something made for him, just to show him you meant no ill will.ā Okoye looked to Riri who nodded and gave a thumbs up.
āOkay, that sounds reasonable.ā
***
āWhatās this, in baā ateā el?ā Attuma said, after she caught him by the shore bordering the palace. He was sulking but she didnāt need to know that.
Okoye nervously blushed holding in her arms a dish of Tamales and corn meal bread, she had clumsily attempted to put together to the best of her ability. Sheās a warrior, the best in wakanda, not a cook. But she tried.
Now comes the pathetic part of the apology, she thought. āIām sorry if I offended you, Attuma. It was not my intention, so I made you some food as an offering of repentance.ā
Attuma was silent, staring between the dish and the warrior avoiding eye contact with him, with an unreadable look on his chiseled face.
The large man gingerly took the dish from her with a quiet āthank youā. She nodded curtly, trying to ignore how warm her face felt and turned swiftly away from him, making her way back through the golden city marketplace.
The next day there were flowers. The day after that when she saw him , his eyes lit up and he handed her a sheathed dagger made from vibranium and bone. She attached it to her waist and he glowed with pride.
After that it was a necklace appearing on her dresser, a few pearls left in her pouch, and then suddenly fish showing up at her door. She knew it was him.
Marching up to him, before he could ask her to spar again to redeem himself from the day before she hissed at him, āWhat is the meaning of this fish? Is this a threat or prank of some sort?ā
āYouā¦ā He looked at a loss, the look of amusement falling from his strong features, āyou didnāt like the fish?ā He asked, in the softest voice sheād ever heard from him.
Caught off guard, she narrowed her eyes at him. āDid I like the live fish you left at my door this morning? Why would I like it?ā
Attuma turned purple, āit was very fresh and the kind is a very rare delicacy in Talokanā¦ā
Okoye nodded, so for later, sheād have to get used to this cultural exchange. āOh. Well, next time, instead of leaving it for me raw, have it prepared! I didnāt know what to think seeing this creature beg me for life!ā
Attuma tilted his head. āYes, I suppose thatās better, than you will see how I can provide for you and cook. I seeā¦ is this how Wakandan men usually court to their women?
āWHAT!?ā
ā¦
ļæ¼
little one shot š¤ I love attuma and okoye together, I might write more if yāall want
