Planetary Science

  1. Planetary Science

    Gone perhaps, but Kepler won’t soon be forgotten

    Astronomers look forward to building on the planet-hunting telescope's discoveries.

    By Andrew Grant
  2. Astronomy

    Most Earthlike planets yet seen bring Kepler closer to its holy grail

    Space telescope finds globes that, compared with our world, are slightly larger and orbit a smaller star.

    By Andrew Grant
  3. Planetary Science

    Faint Young Sun

    Scientists struggle to understand how early Earth stayed warm enough for liquid water.

    By Erin Wayman
  4. Planetary Science

    Distant planets’ atmospheres revealed

    Telescopes get first direct glimpse of gases on exoplanets.

    By Erin Wayman
  5. Planetary Science

    Life-friendly environment confirmed on Mars

    Drill sample from bedrock reveals chemistry that could have supported microbial life.

    By Andrew Grant
  6. Planetary Science

    When an asteroid heads for Earth, it’s time to reconsider those doomsday plans

    By Alexandra Witze
  7. Planetary Science

    Meteor explodes over Russia

    The object is unrelated to February 15 asteroid flyby, experts say.

    By Andrew Grant
  8. Planetary Science

    Curiosity goes to Mars

    NASA’s rover looks for life-friendly environments.

    By Nadia Drake
  9. Planetary Science

    Violent past revealed by map of moon’s interior

    A gravity survey by twin orbiters reveals how much the lunar surface was pummeled by meteorite impacts early in its history.

    By Alexandra Witze
  10. Planetary Science

    Mars rover deploys final instrument

    Soil analysis finds organic compounds of uncertain origin.

    By Alexandra Witze
  11. Planetary Science

    Digging deep into Martian soil

    NASA's rover takes a closer look at Mars' surface.

    By Nadia Drake
  12. Humans

    The man behind Sarcastic Rover

    NASA’s newest rover, Curiosity, wasn’t alone on Mars for long.

    By Nadia Drake