361–380 of 1,246 results
The loss of water on Mars

Solar System

Is an Ocean of Mars Water Trapped in the Planet’s Crust?

A new study suggests that by 3 billion years ago, most of the Red Planet’s water was locked away in minerals, and it has stayed there ever since.

Portrayal of 'Oumuamua (1I/2017 U1)

Solar System

Can We Expect Seven Interstellar Visitors Per Year?

A new study estimates the number of interstellar objects that fly through the inner solar system every year, and it could be quite a lot.

Near-Earth asteroid passing Earth

Solar System

Karma Asteroid Family Might Be Sending Members Near Earth

New simulations have identified the Karma family of asteroids in the main belt as a potential source of near-Earth asteroids.

Zodiacal light

Solar System

Zodiacal Dust Seen from Earth Might Come from Mars

Much of the solar system’s interplanetary dust — seen as zodiacal light from Earth — might come from Mars.

Mars North Pole

Solar System

See the Latest Stunning Images from Mars

NASA's Perseverance rover, China's Tianwen 1, and the United Arab Emirates' Hope orbiter share their latest photos from Mars.

Apophis and Earth in 2029

Solar System

Asteroid Apophis Pays Earth a Visit This Week

When a potentially hazardous asteroid glides safely past Earth on March 6th, astronomers will conduct a dress rehearsal for a dramatic close-miss pass in 2029.

Battered Vesta

Solar System

March — A Good Time to Visit Vesta

Dip into this easy guide to seeing the brightest asteroid, Vesta, and understanding what makes it unique.

Mars water map

Solar System

New Map of Ice on Mars Will Aid Future Crewed Missions

Scientists have made a new and improved map of possible water-ice reservoirs on Mars.

Perseverance during descent

Solar System

NASA’s Perseverance Arrives on Mars

NASA’s Perseverance rover, now safely on the floor of Jezero crater, will soon begin its search for evidence of past life on Mars.

Exomars Trace Gas Orbiter

Solar System

Chlorine and Water Are in the Air in Martian Summertime

Two studies of the Martian atmosphere are changing the way we think about its current climate and its ancient past.

Solar eruption

Solar System

Tree Rings Help Reconstruct a Millennium of the Sun's Activity

Astronomers are using tree rings as a historical record of solar activity — and they've found that the Sun was much more active in the past.

2020 XL5 orbit

Solar System

Second Earth Trojan Asteroid Discovered

A recently discovered asteroid appears to be an Earth Trojan, orbiting a gravitationally stable area with only one other known occupant.

Daytime planet fest

Solar System

Planets and Comets Can't Hide from SOHO's Eye

With the help of the Solar Heliospheric Observatory you can not only keep track of the planets in the daytime sky but maybe even discover a comet.

Artist’s impression of the Ulysses spacecraft

Solar System

Measuring Solar Eruptions with a Rare Alignment

New analysis of a coronal mass ejection detected by the alignment of two spacecraft reveals that it experienced erosion and restructuring as it traveled.

Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Solar System

Comet Watch 2021

If you own an 8-inch or larger telescope you might see more than a dozen new and returning comets this year, including one potential naked-eye candidate.

Lost Jovian moon J 23

Solar System

Amateur Astronomer Finds “Lost” Moons of Jupiter

An amateur astronomer has recovered four of five "lost" Jovian moons.

Sunspot, in detail

Solar System

Will the Next Solar Cycle Surprise Us?

The coming months will test a new prediction that — contrary to most expectations — forecasts one of the strongest sunspot cycles on record.

Artist's impression of the outer reaches of our solar system.

Solar System

The Eventual Fate of Our Solar System

Have you ever wondered about the future of our solar system? Astronomers have predicted the effect of the Sun's expansion on its planets.

Surveyor 2

Solar System

Earth's New "Minimoon" May be a 1960s-Era Rocket Booster

An object set to pass near Earth next month may in fact be a relic of the early Space Age.

2001 Leonid storm

Solar System

Leonid Meteor Shower to the Rescue

Modest but reliable, the annual Leonid meteor shower returns this week. Take an hour or two to relax and enjoy the show.