Planetary Science
- 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.
- Astronomy
Here are the paths of the next 15 total solar eclipses
From 2017 to 2040, there will be 15 total solar eclipses. Here's a map of where to see them.
