Planetary Science

Planetary Science

Philae passes first go-no-go tests for comet landing

Philae and its mothership Rosetta are working through the final tests before scientists attempt to launch the lander toward the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Astronomy

Rosetta’s countdown to comet landing has begun

Everything is on track for Rosetta mission scientists to attempt to set the Philae lander on the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Planetary Science

Rosetta prepares to let go of its comet lander

To date, everything is a go for scientists to attempt to land a robotic probe on a comet.

Planetary Science

Comet delivered a showy meteor shower — on Mars

Comet Siding Spring dumped several tons of material into the Martian atmosphere that could have damaged NASA spacecraft.

Planetary Science

Water arrived on Earth earlier than thought

Ancient meteorites from the asteroid Vesta indicate that Earth’s water was available before planet formed.

Science & Society

Asteroids closer to home may get us to Mars

NASA should abandon its attempt to bring a space rock into lunar orbit and instead scrutinize ones already whizzing by Earth, one scientist argues.

Planetary Science

Rosetta’s comet is starting to let off more gas

Rosetta's close encounter with comet 67P reveals the growth of its jets and what's in the comet's surrounding haze.

Planetary Science

Mars orbiter snaps close up of comet Siding Spring

NASA's spacecraft are giving astronomers a good look at a comet from the Oort cloud.

Planetary Science

Comet Siding Spring makes close pass by Mars

Mars appears to have survived its close encounter with comet Siding Spring mostly unscathed.

Planetary Science

‘Mars Rover Curiosity’ chronicles robot’s journey

Engineer Rob Manning recounts the decade of victories and setbacks that preceded Curiosity’s landing on Mars.

Astronomy

Second stop planned for mission to Pluto

Scientists identify three possible targets for the New Horizons probe after it visits the former planet.

Planetary Science

Surprises lurk inside a Saturn moon

NASA’s Cassini spacecraft finds possible ocean or football-shaped core inside Mimas.