Pluto’s Surfaces
New research reveals that frozen nitrogen flows across the surface of Pluto.
Pluto’s Origins
A violent collision between two worlds may have given rise to Pluto and its satellites.
Pluto’s Big Discoveries
A trickle of data from the New Horizons spacecraft is building into a flood of new findings.
Dark Mercury
How did Mercury get to be the darkest planet in the solar system?
Babylonian Astronomers
Scientists uncover the lost astronomical calculations of the Babylonians.
Science Breakthroughs of 2015: Dwarf Planets
Science Breakthroughs of 2015: The larger planets may get more publicity, but the solar system’s smaller planetary bodies harbor just as many surprises.
Earth’s Water Origins
Lava found deep below the earth reveals the origins of earth’s water.
The Martian Atmosphere
A space probe orbiting Mars is sending back evidence of what happened to its once-thick atmosphere.
Pluto’s Secrets Revealed
Pluto’s first close-ups reveal unexpected geological features.
Comet Chemistry
Comet 67P offers a window into the early solar system, and harbors organic compounds that may have provided building blocks for life on earth.
Hubble’s 25th Birthday
The Hubble Space Telescope has expanded our knowledge of the universe by leaps and bounds in just 25 years.
MESSENGER’s last messages
Before crashing into Mercury’s surface, the MESSENGER spacecraft will capture high-resolution images and other data.
The Jupiter Effect
The planet Jupiter may be responsible for Earth’s mild climate.
Waving to Aliens
Is it time to actively signal civilizations that might exist beyond earth?
Rubber Ducky Comet
The Rosetta spacecraft currently orbits Comet 67P. Its uncanny resemblance to a child’s rubber ducky toy produces seasons which affect its thin atmosphere.
Naming Mercury’s Craters
Planetary geologists provide the public with a chance to name five craters on Mercury.
Science Breakthroughs of 2014: CubeSats
2014 Science Breakthroughs of the Year: The rise of the pint-sized satellite.
Space Elevator
Could a “space elevator” carry supplies to the International Space Station?
Syrian Cultural Site Destruction
War in Syria is reducing much of the country’s cultural heritage to rubble.
Earth’s Ancient Water
The earth’s water is older than the sun’s and may point to the possibility of life in other parts of space.