Discovery of a Recent Martian Mudslide
A geologically recent landslide on Mars appears like mudslides on Earth — but it would have required water during a time when Mars was expected to be dry.
Venus: Thin-skinned and Likely to Blow
Scientists found a strange little volcanic feature on the edge of a Venusian corona, giving further credence to the theory that the planet has a thin outer layer and an active interior.
Saturn Has a Fuzzy Core, Too
New research reveals that Saturn, like Jupiter, has a “fuzzy” core that extends 60% of the way to its surface, a finding that is changing how astronomers think about giant planets.
Gale Crater on Mars: An Ancient Lake or Just Puddles?
A new study suggests that wind, not water, created the rock layers in Gale Crater, where the Curiosity rover roams.
Mars Perseverance Rover Hits a Snag on First Sampling Attempt (Update)
Perseverance came up empty on its first attempt to grab and stow a sample of Mars.
Don’t Worry About Bennu (Yet)
Careful measurements using the OSIRIS-REX spacecraft have refined astronomers’ predictions for how likely it is that this potentially hazardous asteroid will strike Earth.
Two Space Probes to Pass by Venus (Update)
Two spacecraft are heading for a close Venus encounter: Solar Orbiter passes by on August 9th and BepiColombo on August 10th.
Two Extremely Red Asteroids Discovered Far from Home
Astronomers have discovered the two reddest objects in the asteroid belt, and their origin story might tell us more about planet formation.
How the Comet Interceptor Will Chase Visitors to the Inner Solar System
How will engineers plan the trajectory of Comet Interceptor, a mission designed to fly by an interstellar visitor, when its target is still unknown?
"Liquid Water" Below Martian Surface Might Be Clay
Mysterious spots that scientists thought were subsurface lakes beneath the Martian south pole may instead be ancient clay deposits.
How Often Do Chicxulub-level Asteroids Hit Earth?
Asteroids of different sizes crashing on Earth originated from different parts of the main asteroid belt, researchers say; the finding has implications for how often such collisions happen.
NASA's Insight Reveals First Look Inside Mars
The Insight mission science team has used about 10 deep marsquakes to take stock of the planet's anatomy.
NASA's Perseverance to Collect First Sample from Mars
Perseverance will soon collect the first of many samples from the Martian surface in a quest to answer whether the planet once hosted life.
Juno’s Ganymede Flyby: Video Update
NASA's Juno flew by Jupiter's Ganymede, the biggest moon in the solar system, on June 7, 2021.
Mars Helicopter Scouts Risky Terrain for Perseverance Rover
The Ingenuity Mars helicopter has proven itself a valuable asset to Perseverance, scouting out terrain that the rover can't cross.
What Will ESA's EnVision Learn at Venus?
ESA's EnVision mission to Venus adds to the growing number of spacecraft investigating our sister planet. How will they work together to understand our sister planet'?
Amateur Astronomer Discovers New Moon of Jupiter
An amateur astronomer has discovered a new moon of Jupiter. While it hasn't received official designation yet, it would bring the tally of Jovian satellites to 80.
NASA’s Curiosity Takes Step Toward Solving Mars Methane Mystery
New measurements from NASA’s Curiosity rover show that methane concentrations near the Martian surface vary on a daily cycle. The finding could help reconcile conflicting data.
More Mysterious Buried Splotches on Mars Might Not be Liquid Water
Astronomers find more bright spots underneath Mars's south polar cap, but could they really be subterranean lakes?
Venus Surface Is Fragmented Like “Pack Ice”
A new analysis of old data suggests that some of our sister planet’s unique surface formations are due to a “squishy” crust and an active interior.
