Solar System

Latest about Solar System

Lines shoot through the black night sky above a low faint horizon. Thin blue lines connect tiny points of light in the sky to trace constellations. A giant pair of transparent feet are hanging from above. A bright circle in the center is labeled Sun and bistected by a green line that extends from the horizon to the top. A dark circle the same size is lower right of the Sun and labeled Moon.

November's new moon makes a close pass to Venus

By Jesse Emspak published

The new moon of November 2024 occurs on Nov. 1, and three days later the moon will make a close pass to Venus in the evening sky.

The moon
a craggy grey moon on a black background

Icy moon of Uranus may have once hid watery secret, Voyager 2 archives reveal

By Conor Feehly published

Surface features of Uranus' icy moon Miranda point to the existence of a once deep ocean, one that still may exist today.

Uranus
a graphic illustration of a flat earth with a large dome structure above.

How to debate a flat-Earther

By Paul Sutter last updated

Some people around the world believe our planet is flat. Here's the (surprising) truth about debating them.

Earth
This view of the Moon's cratered South Pole was seen by NASA's Clementine spacecraft in 1996.

India targets 2028 for Chandrayaan-4 sample-return mission to moon's south pole

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

India is eyeing a 2028 launch for its Chandrayaan-4 moon sample-return mission, followed by an uncrewed lunar lander and rover in collaboration with Japan.

The moon
Artist's conception of the vehicles that would participate in a Mars sample return by NASA and the European Space Agency.

Will China return Mars samples to Earth before the US does?

By Leonard David published

China has moved up its timeline for bringing Mars samples to Earth, aiming to do so as early as 2028 — long before the U.S. is slated to achieve this same ambitious goal.

Mars
a bright blue streak of light through a starry night sky

Astrophotographer captures comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS growing an anti-tail (photos)

By Miguel Claro published

Astrophotographer Miguel Claro captured Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) from the Dark Sky Alqueva reserve in Portugal on Oct. 13, 2024 as the comet was displaying an 'anti-tail.'

Comets

November full moon 2024: Last supermoon of the year joins the Pleiades

By Jesse Emspak last updated

November's full Beaver Moon will occur on Nov. 15 and will shine near the well-known Pleiades star cluster in the Taurus constellation.

The moon
Artist's illustration depicting the terraforming of Mars — turning into a more Earth-like world.

'First tree on Mars:' Scientists measure greenhouse effect needed to terraform Red Planet

By Leonard David published

What is the amount of greenhouse warming required to heat up the cold climes of Mars enough so that trees can grow on the Red Planet?

Mars
An illustration of the Earth with blue and red lines swirling through the Atlantic

Key Atlantic current could collapse soon, 'impacting the entire world for centuries to come,' leading climate scientists warn

By Sascha Pare published

Leading climate scientists ring alarm bell on key Atlantic Ocean current collapse in open letter.

Climate Change
A split image with a carter on the left, and a magnified section on the right, with arrows pointing centrally.

Mysterious features on asteroid Vesta may be explained by saltwater

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Temporary flows of saltwater could explain mysterious gullies and fan-shaped deposits spotted across asteroid Vesta.

Asteroids
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