Space

Planetary Science

It’s time to redefine what qualifies as a planet, scientists propose

Astronomers can have their definition of a planet, but some planetary scientists plan to stick to the long-held meaning of the word.

Planetary Science

How Pluto’s haze could explain its red spots

Pluto’s collapsing atmosphere may explain the dwarf planet’s seemingly random ruddy spots.

Astronomy

Close pass by sun didn’t radically alter comet 67P’s landscape

Landslides on comet 67P shot plumes of dust into space, but changes like these might not radically alter the landscape of the comet.

Astronomy

Distant galaxies lack dark matter, study suggests

Slower-than-expected velocities of stars in distant galaxies, if confirmed, could reshape astronomers’ ideas of galaxy formation and evolution.

Astronomy

In new Cassini portraits, Saturn’s moon Pan looks like pasta

Photographs taken this week by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft provide a closer view of Saturn’s small moon Pan, which resembles ravioli.

Astronomy

Saturn’s moon Pan looks like ravioli

Photographs taken this week by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft provide a closer view of Saturn’s small moon Pan, which resembles ravioli.

Astronomy

Astronomers detect oldest known stardust in distant galaxy

The first stardust ever generated in the universe may have been spotted in a distant galaxy, seen as it was 600 million years after the Big Bang.

Astronomy

Magnetism helps black holes blow off gas

The turbulent winds that swirl around black holes are probably driven by magnetic fields, scientists say.

Particle Physics

Rare triplet of high-energy neutrinos detected from an unknown source

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory spotted three neutrinos within 100 seconds that seem to have come from the same place in the sky.

Particle Physics

Triplet of high-energy neutrinos detected from unknown source

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory spotted three neutrinos within 100 seconds that seem to have come from the same place in the sky.

Astronomy

Hydrogen volcanoes might boost planets’ potential for life

Volcanoes that spew hydrogen could increase the number of potentially habitable planets in the universe.

Planetary Science

Saturn’s ‘Death Star’ moon may not conceal an ocean after all

A lack of cracks on Mimas suggests that the icy moon of Saturn doesn’t conceal a subsurface ocean of liquid water.