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![pit crater on Arsia Mons](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KgC6pn7k9gYEuMjmRszheb-320-80.jpg)
Mysterious 'hole' on Mars could be future home for astronauts
By Keith Cooper published
This pit crater making recent headlines may open into a larger cave that could provide a sheltered environment for both astronauts and hypothetical Martian life.
![Jupiter's moon Io](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/atXi6UWm8uoCDGqsEZQ7Z6-320-80.jpg)
A telescope on Earth just took an unbelievable image of Jupiter's moon
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Astronomers using the Large Binocular Telescope in Arizona have taken a close-up picture of Jupiter's volcanic moon Io that rivals similar photos taken from space.
![The composite image shows the planetary parade, along with the moon, during the early hours of June 1.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gdN3bMdfqPzVgsdhAQTsNN-320-80.jpg)
Stunning 'parade of planets' image shows 6 worlds aligned over Earth
By Ben Turner published
A stunning photo of the recent "parade of planets" shows Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in alignment over Earth. It was captured from the U.K. on June 1.
![A photo of a crater on Mars](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hCCLR5b9AvomftBixs798N-320-80.jpg)
Mars is more prone to devastating asteroid impacts than we thought, new study hints
By Abha Jain published
Potentially hazardous asteroids pose a risk to Mars missions, but they can also yield insight into the history of the Red Planet and the early solar system, new research suggests.
![A photo of a cloudy Venus](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LhNdvBfNgtTNcTXKTi2LXN-320-80.jpg)
Japan loses contact with Akatsuki, humanity's only active Venus probe
By Andrew Jones published
Japan has lost contact with its Akatsuki probe, the only spacecraft currently in orbit around Venus.
![An illustration shows a Vulcan like planet HD 26965 b orbiting the star Keid.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Wd8m4RmxjqufRBBiAR8D8M-320-80.jpg)
Real-life 'Star Trek' planet was actually just an illusion caused by a 'jittery' star
By Robert Lea published
New research shows that a planet spotted around the real-life star 40 Eridani A, famous for hosting Dr. Spock's fictional home world in 'Star Trek', may have been an optical illusion all along.
![An illustration of the newly discovered Earth-sized exoplanet Gliese 12](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JprfNYa5LFQXCaeukb6M4F-320-80.jpg)
NASA detects Earth-size planet just 40 light-years away that's 'not a bad place' to hunt for life
By Robert Lea published
The exoplanet Gliese 12 b is tantalizingly close and moderately warm, situated just 40 light-years away around a red dwarf star. The potentially habitable planet could be a good place to search for alien life, scientists say.
![Europa](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/reowe5ut6rLzhpiZDesahm-320-80.jpg)
Space photo of the week: NASA sees a 'Platypus' move on Jupiter's moon Europa
By Jamie Carter published
The Juno spacecraft, which orbits Jupiter, has been imaging the giant planet's moon Europa and spotted apparent movement in its icy crust.
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