Planetary Science
- Planetary Science
Asteroid disintegrates while spinning too fast
Asteroid P/2013 R3 is shattering into a cloud of debris in these images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.
- Planetary Science
Lunar asteroid impact caught on video
On September 11, a dishwasher-sized meteoroid slammed into the nearside of the moon, exploding with the equivalent of 16 tons of TNT — and a lucky team of Spanish astronomers caught it on video.
- Planetary Science
Moon like blue cheese?
The lunar surface turns out to have more grit than scientists thought.
- Planetary Science
Big space rock makes an impact on Mars
An orbiting spacecraft snapped images of a huge crater and blast marks on the surface of the Red Planet.
- Planetary Science
Asteroid shows its inner differences
The peanut-shaped space rock is more compact on one side than on the other.
- Planetary Science
Mars ‘air’ found thinner
Readers get an update on the Red Planet's atmosphere and how new probes land there with parachutes.
- Planetary Science
China’s moon rover may be beyond repair
If the rover’s electronics are exposed to the extremely cold temperatures on the moon, they will break, leaving Jade Rabbit inoperable.
- Earth
Eighth century carbon spike not from comet impact
The space rock would have to have been 100 kilometers across and 100 billion to 1,000 billion tons, leaving a disastrous impact not supported by geological or written records.
- Planetary Science
Old rover finds new evidence of water on Mars
Opportunity’s analysis of rocks at Endeavour crater reveals chemistry that could have supported life.
- Planetary Science
Dwarf planet Ceres gives off gassy water
Astronomers report observations that Ceres releases water molecules from two distinct spots on its surface.
- 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.
- 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.
