The night sky remains a quiet backdrop for stargazers in the present. Within a short time, however, proliferating satellites and debris will dominate the view overhead. The piece highlights how rapid expansion of orbital technology alters even simple moments of connection with the natural world.
A rider on a dark horse gallops across rocky ground at night under a full moon. The figure, with blonde hair and dark coat, leans forward and points ahead while shouting a repeated warning about communists arriving. The scene draws on a historical ride motif updated to current concerns about communist influence. Publication occurred on July 5, 2026, amid ongoing political debates over foreign policy threats.
Graeme MacKay's cartoon shows a group of green aliens on the moon, clearly annoyed by the approaching NASA Artemis II spacecraft emerging from blackout. The aliens, depicted with headphones, phones, and drinks, make noisy exclamations like 'Yak Yak Yak' and music notes, while a sign pleads 'Kindly Respect Lunar Silence.' One alien laments, 'So much for the peace and quiet zone!' against the backdrop of Earth. This piece satirizes space exploration's impact on supposed lunar solitude, touching on tags like Artemis, moon, NASA, aliens, quiet zone, and communication. The far side setting emphasizes the interruption of silence by human astronauts.
A green ghoul wearing a patched suit and a shirt labeled 2016 ELECTION stands in a graveyard under a full moon, declaring it will keep the spirit alive after Halloween. The October 28 2016 cartoon by Rick McKee captures the ugly persistence of that year's presidential race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton just days before voting.
