Planetary Science

  1. Planetary Science

    Ceres is more than just a space rock

    Dawn spacecraft reveals that the dwarf planet Ceres hides a core of solid rock beneath an outer crust of minerals, salts and ices.

    By Christopher Crockett
  2. Planetary Science

    Rosetta spacecraft has stopped listening for Philae lander

    Rosetta is no longer listening for communications from the comet lander Philae.

    By Emily Conover
  3. Planetary Science

    Jupiter’s Great Red Spot is hot

    High temperatures over Jupiter’s Great Red Spot suggest that storms pump heat into the atmosphere and warm the entire planet.

    By Christopher Crockett
  4. Planetary Science

    40 years ago, Viking 1 pioneered U.S. exploration on Mars

    Forty years ago, Viking 1 became the first U.S. mission to land safely on the surface of Mars.

    By Christopher Crockett
  5. Planetary Science

    Juno snaps its first pic of Jupiter

    Jupiter and three of its moons take center stage in the first snapshot taken by the Juno spacecraft since arriving at the planet on July 4.

    By Christopher Crockett
  6. Planetary Science

    New dwarf planet discovered lurking beyond Neptune

    Newly discovered dwarf planet 2015 RR245 takes about 700 years to orbit the sun and lives among the icy boulders of the Kuiper belt.

    By Christopher Crockett
  7. Planetary Science

    New clues in search for Planet Nine

    Lots of unknowns remain as researchers try to pin down where a possible ninth planet might be hiding in the solar system.

    By Christopher Crockett
  8. Planetary Science

    The Juno spacecraft is now in orbit around Jupiter

    NASA’s Juno spacecraft successfully entered orbit around Jupiter, beginning a 20-month investigation of the giant planet’s interior.

    By Christopher Crockett
  9. Planetary Science

    The Juno spacecraft is now in orbit around Jupiter

    NASA’s Juno spacecraft successfully entered orbit around Jupiter, beginning a 20-month investigation of the giant planet’s interior.

    By Christopher Crockett
  10. Planetary Science

    Mars once had many moons

    Mars' moons might be the only two left of a larger family of satellites that helped them form in the wake of an asteroid collision.

    By Christopher Crockett
  11. Planetary Science

    Juno spacecraft is on its final approach to Jupiter

    Everything looks good for the Juno spacecraft, which arrives at Jupiter on July 4.

    By Christopher Crockett
  12. Astronomy

    Asteroid Day is a chance to learn about space and plan for disaster

    Asteroid Day on June 30 tries to raise awareness about the hazards of an asteroid impact and what we could do to stop it.

    By Christopher Crockett