-
Strange discovery offers 'missing link' in planet formationA decade of observations of four planets around the young planetary system V1298 Tau revealed a rare, long-sought missing link in planet formation.
By Sharmila Kuthunur Published
exoplanets -
NASA's Mars Sample Return is dead, leaving China to retrieve signs of life from the Red PlanetNASA'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.
By Patrick Pester Published
9 Commentsmars -
Jupiter will outshine every star in the sky this weekend — how to see the 'king of planets' at oppositionJupiter reaches opposition on Jan. 10, when it will shine all night at its brightest as Earth moves between the giant planet and the sun.
By Jamie Carter Published
planets -
Uranus and Neptune may be 'rock giants,' not 'ice giants,' new model of their cores suggestsA new computational model suggests that Uranus' and Neptune's cores may be less icy than their "ice giant" nickname suggests.
By Mason Wakley Published
4 Commentsplanets -
NASA spacecraft takes milestone 100,000th image of Mars (photo)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.
By Brandon Specktor Published
mars -
Why is Venus so bright?The "morning star" is bright because of several factors, including having an atmosphere filled with sulfuric acid.
By Deepa Jain Published
2 Commentsvenus -
Spiders on Jupiter? Scientists uncover secret origins of arachnid-like 'demon' lurking on gas giant's moon.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.
By Harry Baker Published
jupiter -
Saturn's largest moon may be riddled with 'slushy tunnels' that contain alien life, new study hintsDecades ago, a spacecraft suggested Saturn's largest moon, Titan, had an ocean. New observations suggest that the liquid may look more like slush.
By Elizabeth Howell Published
saturn -
City-size 'cosmic butterfly' carved into Mars' surface contains traces of ancient waterThe 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.
By Harry Baker Published
mars
