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Strange discovery offers 'missing link' in planet formation
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A decade of observations of four planets around the young planetary system V1298 Tau revealed a rare, long-sought missing link in planet formation.

NASA's Mars Sample Return is dead, leaving China to retrieve signs of life from the Red Planet
By Patrick Pester published
NASA's plans for Mars sample return are effectively cancelled as part of a bill approved by the U.S. Congress, ending efforts to collect Perseverance rover samples that could contain evidence of alien life.

Jupiter will outshine every star in the sky this weekend — how to see the 'king of planets' at opposition
By Jamie Carter published
Jupiter reaches opposition on Jan. 10, when it will shine all night at its brightest as Earth moves between the giant planet and the sun.

Uranus and Neptune may be 'rock giants,' not 'ice giants,' new model of their cores suggests
By Mason Wakley published
A new computational model suggests that Uranus' and Neptune's cores may be less icy than their "ice giant" nickname suggests.

NASA spacecraft takes milestone 100,000th image of Mars (photo)
By Brandon Specktor published
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft has just taken its milestone 100,000th photo of the Red Planet using its high-definition camera. It reveals a dark region of moving sand dunes.

Why is Venus so bright?
By Deepa Jain published
The "morning star" is bright because of several factors, including having an atmosphere filled with sulfuric acid.

Spiders on Jupiter? Scientists uncover secret origins of arachnid-like 'demon' lurking on gas giant's moon.
By Harry Baker published
A new study reveals the likely origin of a mysterious spider-like pattern first spotted on Jupiter's moon Europa in 1998. The finding could have implications for a NASA spacecraft en route to the frozen world.

Saturn's largest moon may be riddled with 'slushy tunnels' that contain alien life, new study hints
By Elizabeth Howell published
Decades ago, a spacecraft suggested Saturn's largest moon, Titan, had an ocean. New observations suggest that the liquid may look more like slush.

City-size 'cosmic butterfly' carved into Mars' surface contains traces of ancient water
By Harry Baker published
The European Space Agency has released new images of a rare "butterfly" crater on the Red Planet. The bug-like structure sports a pair of smooth, rocky wings, which were likely "fluidized" by buried Martian ice.
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