Solar System
Latest about Solar System

1 million 'interstellar objects' — each larger than the Statue of Liberty — may lurk in the outer solar system
By Harry Baker published
New simulations reveal that around 1 million "macroscopic" objects from our closest stellar neighbors, the Alpha Centauri system, may already reside in the Oort Cloud, far from sight.

Pale Blue Dot: The iconic Valentine's Day photo of Earth turns 35 today — and you're probably in it
By Damien Pine published
On this day 35 years ago, NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft took a picture that changed how we see our planet. The iconic "Pale Blue Dot" image is just as awe-inspiring today.

A strange triangle will appear in the zodiac this month. How to see rare 'zodiacal light,' before it disappears.
By Jamie Carter published
A 'false dusk' will be visible during twilight in February, but only from locations that are free of light pollution. Here's everything you need to know about zodiacal light.

Venus, the 'love planet', will look extra special this Valentine's Day. Here's why.
By Jamie Carter published
In a cosmic coincidence, Venus — the planet named for the Roman goddess of love — will be at its brightest and best on Valentine's Day. Heres where and when to see it.

Jupiter's 'tormented moon' Io just unleashed the most powerful volcanic event ever seen
By Harry Baker published
NASA's Juno spacecraft has discovered a giant volcanic hot spot on the surface of Jupiter's hellish moon Io. The eruptions in this area are chucking out six times the energy being produced by all Earth's power stations, researchers say.

Which planet is closest to the sun?
By Briley Lewis published
Mercury takes only 88 Earth days to orbit the sun.

We may finally know what causes Mars' gigantic, planet-wide dust storms
By Abha Jain published
Mars' southern hemisphere absorbs a lot of the sun's energy during the Red Planet's spring, and that may be causing Mars' dust storms, a new study suggests.

See a 'parade' of 6 planets fill the sky on Saturday night — before a bonus 7th planet joins in March
By Jamie Carter last updated
Worlds will align for a "planetary parade" in January, with four bright and easily visible to the naked eye. But an even better view arrives in February and March. Here's what you need to know.

An interstellar visitor may have changed the course of 4 solar system planets, study suggests
By Abha Jain published
An object eight times the mass of Jupiter may have swooped around the sun, coming superclose to Mars' present-day orbit before shoving four of the solar system's planets onto a different course.
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.