Planetary Science

Astronomy

R.I.P. Cassini

After 20 years, nearly 300 orbits and pioneering discoveries, the Cassini spacecraft plunges to its death in Saturn’s atmosphere — taking data until its very last breath.

Astronomy

These are Cassini’s parting shots of the Saturn system

In its last hours before plunging into Saturn’s atmosphere, the Cassini spacecraft turned its cameras to some of the system’s well-known features.

Planetary Science

The Cassini probe dies tomorrow. Here’s how to follow its end

Science News is on the scene at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the big finish of the Cassini mission to Saturn.

Astronomy

So long, Titan. Cassini snaps parting pics of Saturn’s largest moon

The last swing past Saturn’s largest moon sent Cassini heading directly towards the planet — and showed how future spacecraft will explore other moons.

Astronomy

Final flyby puts Cassini on a collision course with Saturn

A “last kiss goodbye” with Saturn’s largest moon sent the Cassini spacecraft on its final trajectory into the planet’s atmosphere.

Astronomy

Pluto’s pits, ridges and famous plain get official names

From Adlivun to Voyager, the International Astronomical Union officially names 14 surface features on the dwarf planet.

Planetary Science

Readers were curious about rogue planets, exomoons and more

Readers had questions about rogue planets, human arrival in Australia, and exomoons.

Planetary Science

Moons of Uranus face future collision

By studying variations in the rings of Uranus, researchers have determined the mass and density of the planet’s moon Cressida.

Planetary Science

Rings of Uranus reveal secrets of the planet’s moon Cressida

By studying variations in the rings of Uranus, researchers have determined the mass and density of the planet’s moon Cressida.

Planetary Science

‘Death Dive to Saturn’ celebrates the Cassini probe’s accomplishments

A new documentary, “Death Dive to Saturn,” takes a look back at the Cassini spacecraft’s 13 years at Saturn and what to expect from its final days.

Astronomy

As Cassini’s tour of Saturn draws to a close, a look back at postcards from the probe

As Cassini prepares to plunge to its death, we celebrate the spacecraft's discoveries and breathtaking images of Saturn, its rings and moons.

Planetary Science

Mars has nighttime snow storms

When clouds of water-ice particles cool at night, snow starts to fall rapidly on Mars, simulations suggest. The squalls could explain observations made by the Phoenix lander in 2008.