Solar System
Latest about Solar System
![An illustration of a young planet forming from rocky asteroids. Some pieces careen off into the atmosphere of the local star.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mrp9HGoDfwgtMPi4LbdGc7-320-80.jpg)
Crushed-up planets around dead stars could rewrite the history of the solar system
By Brandon Specktor published
A new study of white dwarfs with "polluted" atmospheres is causing scientists to rethink how and when planets form.
![So long, and thanks for all the fish.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2YDdgzWkkYkUeZEhAeV2ih-320-80.jpg)
Could Earth ever leave our solar system?
By Joe Phelan last updated
Here's how the Earth could theoretically leave the solar system.
![Global color view of Mars. A large, round, rusty-red planet. There are numerous craters all over on the planet. There is a small white circle at the top (ice cap). In the top-right quadrant of the planet there is a very large darker patch. On the bottom half there is what appears to be a long canyon that is in the shape of a smile.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BiH44Z2Wd9PS55wXBuQK8H-320-80.jpg)
Mars: The Red Planet
By Adam Mann published
Reference Mars is a rusty, red world and one of the most explored planets in the solar system.
![Scientists looked at the heavy elements that make up Jupiter's core and lower atmosphere to learn more about how the biggest planet in our solar system formed.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GWkcLq7kJYmppmaVMEVkT5-320-80.jpg)
Scientists find remains of cannibalized baby planets in Jupiter's cloud-covered belly
By Harry Baker published
A first-of-its-kind study into the inner workings of Jupiter has revealed that the gas giant fed on baby planets as it grew.
![The dramatic outburst of Comet 17P/Holmes, seen in October 2007.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RbbpRgaL85td8pAM5qFguV-320-80.jpg)
Watch the biggest-ever comet outburst spray dust across the cosmos
By Stephanie Pappas published
The dust trail from the largest comet outburst on record will be visible to amateur astronomers in late July 2022.
![A photo of Neptune taken by Voyager 2 on August 16, 1989.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NrpYyu3sEmB5pcry9rWMk8-320-80.jpg)
Neptune: The farthest planet from our sun
By Patrick Pester published
Neptune is the farthest planet from the sun in our solar system and home to blistering winds and diamond rain.
![Mercury in space surrounded by stars. Image elements furnished by NASA.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/w3kqDGBSTqVnNTpd5pajWm-320-80.jpg)
Mercury: Facts about the smallest planet
By Patrick Pester published
Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, the fastest planet orbiting the sun and the smallest planet in our solar system.
![Hubble’s observation of Jupiter in 2021. NASA, ESA, A. Simon (Goddard Space Flight Center), and M.H. Wong (University of California, Berkeley) and the OPAL team.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Cvzdqd7AxLzjzQNoZaQVhC-320-80.jpg)
Jupiter: Facts about the king of the planets
By Adam Mann published
Reference Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system, with moons, rings and beautiful clouds.
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