Planetary Science

Planetary Science

Hayabusa2 has blasted the surface of asteroid Ryugu to make a crater

Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft shot a projectile at Ryugu. Next: collecting asteroid dust from the probable impact crater left behind.

Astronomy

This planetary remnant somehow survived the death of its sun

A small, sturdy piece of planet survived the collapse of its sun and now orbits the dead star.

Planetary Science

Metal asteroids may have once had iron-spewing volcanoes

Two groups of scientists introduce the idea of “ferrovolcanism,” or iron volcanoes, that could have occurred on metal asteroids like Psyche.

Planetary Science

Saturn’s rings paint some of its moons shades of blue and red

Moons located among Saturn’s inner rings are different colors depending on their distance from the planet, suggesting they’re picking up ring debris.

Planetary Science

Kuiper Belt dust may be in our atmosphere (and NASA labs) right now

Bits of space debris that collect in Earth’s atmosphere may come from as far as the cold, distant Kuiper Belt region beyond Neptune.

Planetary Science

Ryugu is probably a chip off one of these two other asteroids

Japan’s Hayabusa2 team has narrowed down the asteroid Ryugu’s origins based on its color.

Planetary Science

Surprising astronomers, Bennu spits plumes of dust into space

Bennu spews dust from its rocky surface, which may be a new kind of asteroid activity.

Planetary Science

Ultima Thule may be a frankenworld

The first geologic map of Ultima Thule shows it might be made of many smaller rocks that clumped together under the force of their own gravity.

Astronomy

3 explanations for ‘Oumuamua that aren’t alien spaceships

Astronomers are coming up with some creative ideas to explain the weird behavior of the first known interstellar object.

Planetary Science

Hayabusa2 just tried to collect asteroid dust for the first time

The Japanese Hayabusa2 spacecraft touched down on asteroid Ryugu and attempted to gather a sample of its rock to bring back to Earth.

Planetary Science

Neptune’s smallest moon may be a chip off another moon

Neptune’s tiniest moon probably formed when a comet hit a larger moon.

Planetary Science

Mars’ lake may need an underground volcano to exist

If a lake under Martian ice is real, there must be a subsurface magma pool to keep conditions warm enough for water to remain liquid, scientists say.