Planetary Science

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. Planetary Science

    Jupiter shows off its infrared colors

    Jupiter glows with infrared light in new images taken in preparation for the July 4 arrival of the Juno spacecraft.

    By Christopher Crockett
  9. Planetary Science

    Earth has a tiny tagalong, and no, it’s not a moon

    Asteroid 2016 HO3 is a quasisatellite of Earth — orbiting the sun while never wandering far from our planet.

    By Christopher Crockett
  10. Planetary Science

    Ancient meteorite granules still mystify scientists

    Shock waves might have formed the oldest solid fragments in the solar system, though interplanetary lightning isn’t entirely off the table.

    By Christopher Crockett
  11. Planetary Science

    Juno is closing in on Jupiter

    After 5 years of travel, Juno will soon reach Jupiter and begin its up close investigations of the giant planet.

    By Christopher Crockett
  12. Planetary Science

    The 43-year history of journeys to Jupiter, in one graph

    With the arrival of Juno, nine spacecraft will have flown past or orbited Jupiter over the last 43 years.

    By Christopher Crockett