Solar System
Latest about Solar System
![An image of star-filled space with a green comet shooting through the field of view](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MHSzRy78XBozwr9LejVjJb-320-80.jpg)
New 'potentially interstellar' comet will be visible to the naked eye next month before leaving our solar system forever
By Harry Baker published
Comet Nishimura has a hyperbolic orbit, which suggests that it may have come from outside the solar system and will likely be catapulted into interstellar space after slingshotting around the sun.
![Venus as a razor-thin crescent as it nears inferior conjunction with the sun.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/w45ecKfHzGTkjwxf6j9in4-320-80.jpg)
Why Venus is now a slim crescent and will disappear from the evening sky this weekend
By Jamie Carter published
The second planet from the sun is approaching 'inferior conjunction' as it swaps from being the 'Evening Star' to the 'Morning Star,' passing between Earth and the sun in the meantime.
![An illustration of the small Voyager probe drifting away from the bright glare of our sun](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gB2wsdFzVJr9rBPxrVGRBS-320-80.jpg)
NASA reestablishes full contact with Voyager 2 probe after nail-biting 2-week blackout
By Brandon Specktor last updated
After accidentally shifting Voyager 2's antenna by two degrees, NASA fell out of contact with the interstellar probe on July 21. On Aug. 4, the agency succesfully reset the probe's antenna, restoring communications.
![Asteroid exploding in space into lots of little pieces.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KSpwbTLKUj4HUfbVEJAfgP-320-80.jpg)
How long can an asteroid 'survive'?
By Joanna Thompson published
Asteroids are left over from the early solar system. Here's how they get destroyed.
![An illustration shows the infant solar system shielded from a supernova blast by a filament of a molecular cloud.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hd368jDrhF39JUDYJXMxgg-320-80.jpg)
A nearby supernova nearly blew our solar system to bits 4 billion years ago, new research suggests
By Robert Lea published
A supernova that erupted when a massive star died could have destroyed our infant solar system — if it weren't protected by a cocoon of molecular gas.
![A close-up illustration of a bland, icy exoplanet on a black background. It looks vaguely menacing.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4WBopsPZ6X3XkU4tw8JsEm-320-80.jpg)
A 'captured' alien planet may be hiding at the edge of our solar system — and it's not 'Planet X'
By Joanna Thompson published
The cold and mysterious Oort cloud at the edge of our solar system may be hiding a rogue exoplanet, new research suggests.
![A spiral of asteroids swirl around a central point of light in space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nhFrCpSTZUcMyAVPfgb7RC-320-80.jpg)
Earth may have debris from alien star systems trapped in its orbit, new research suggests
By Robert Lea published
A new study questions if our planet could capture rocky and icy visitors from outside the solar system — and how scientists could spot them.
![Three images of Uranus that are blue, green and red showing a weird bright spot](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2Be8Hc93SrmbnoiYpwfWA9-320-80.jpg)
Raging 'polar vortex' discovered over Uranus' north pole for 1st time
By Keith Cooper published
A polar cyclone is swirling on Uranus, further showing that the planet's atmosphere is a hive of hidden activity.
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.