Planetary Science
- Astronomy
Fast-spinning young Earth pulled the moon into a yo-yo orbit
The early moon’s orbit created a cycle between lunar phases unlike the one seen nowadays.
- Planetary Science
Aurora shift confirms Ganymede’s ocean
New observations confirm the presence of a liquid saltwater ocean beneath the surface of Jupiter’s largest moon, Ganymede.
- Planetary Science
Chinese rover reveals moon’s layers
Radar imaging done by China’s Yutu lunar rover reveals that the moon’s geological history could be more complex than once thought.
- Planetary Science
Titan’s vast seas may drive methane cycle
A phenomenon similar to Earth’s hydrological cycle on Saturn’s largest moon Titan may create different lake compositions, similar to the salinity difference between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.
- Planetary Science
Rosetta probe to start listening for the lost lander Philae
The European Space Agency’s Rosetta probe will start listening for a signal from the lost lander Philae, missing in action since its landing on comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko on November 12.
- Planetary Science
Something’s cooking on Enceladus
A trail of silicon-rich particles in one of the rings of Saturn points to possible hydrothermal activity on Enceladus.
- Planetary Science
Dawn spacecraft arrives at dwarf planet Ceres
The Dawn spacecraft arrives at Ceres to begin a 14-month investigation of the dwarf planet.
- Planetary Science
Dawn spacecraft on final approach to Ceres
Dawn gets ready to enter the first orbit of its 14-month visit to the dwarf planet Ceres.
- Planetary Science
Mysterious bright spot on Ceres has a partner
A new image from the Dawn spacecraft finds two bright patches within a basin, possibly caused by an ice volcano.
- Earth
Water’s unclear origins, shaky solutions to climate change and more reader feedback
Readers discuss the pitfalls of carbon storage, whether a recent movie got Alan Turing's story right and more.
- Oceans
‘Ocean Worlds’ chronicles the story of water on Earth and across the cosmos
Jan Zalasiewicz and Mark Williams recount the history and predict the future of Earth’s oceans.
- Planetary Science
Space simulations of 1960s focused on survival
50 years ago, space simulations focused on survival. Now, quality of life is critical, too.
