Planetary Science

  1. Planetary Science

    Dwarf planet Ceres gives off gassy water

    Astronomers report observations that Ceres releases water molecules from two distinct spots on its surface.

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  2. Astronomy

    Rosetta spacecraft checks in with Earth

    The spacecraft has successfully transmitted a signal to Earth, meaning that ESA controllers can now prepare Rosetta for its August rendezvous with comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.

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  3. Earth

    The long and winding Colorado

    The history of the West’s iconic river is written in the dramatic landscapes it has shaped. How to interpret that chronicle has become a contentious issue among geologists.

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  4. Astronomy

    Year in Review: Meteorite makes an impact

    A falling rock delivers a wake-up call.

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  5. Astronomy

    Year in Review: Visitor from the Oort cloud

    A visitor from the outer solar system flies past the sun.

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  6. Planetary Science

    Year in Review: Methane shortage on Mars

    A trace of the gas is not enough to be a sign of life.

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  7. Astronomy

    Exoplanet dangerously close to demise

    Kepler-91b could be on the brink of death — at least on astronomical time scales.

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  8. Planetary Science

    Exoplanet mass revealed in light

    A new method could help identify habitable planets.

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  9. Planetary Science

    Sinkholes, tectonics may have shaped Titan’s lakes and seas

    A map of Saturn’s largest moon reveals clues about the object's landscape.

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  10. Planetary Science

    Europa vents water, Hubble data suggest

    Plumes from ice-covered oceans would increase likelihood of life-friendly conditions on one moon of Jupiter.

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  11. Planetary Science

    Mars was habitable longer, more recently than thought

    Warmer, wetter conditions lasted until 3.5 billion years ago on the Red Planet.

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  12. Astronomy

    Saturn’s six-sided cloud pattern gets a close look

    New images show particles in the planet’s hexagonally shaped jet stream.

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