Solar System

Latest about Solar System

Saturn moon Enceladus in front of planet Saturn, rings and other moons.

How many moons are in the solar system?

By Harry Baker published

The solar system has many more moons than the one we can see in the sky. But how many do we actually know about? And how many more are waiting to be discovered?

Astronomy
NASA's snap of Phobos, captured by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

'Space potato' spotted by NASA Mars satellite is actually something much cooler

By Ben Turner published

The starchy-looking moon Phobos, destined to crash into Mars' surface, has been revealed in new detail by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The 'space potato' image was recently shared on NASA's Instagram.

Mars
An image of Jupiter's great red spot

Is Jupiter's Great Red Spot an impostor? Giant storm may not be the original one discovered 350 years ago

By Stefanie Waldek published

Astronomer Giovanni Cassini observed Jupiter's 'Permanent Spot' in 1665, but new research suggests it's a different vortex from today's Great Red Spot.

Jupiter
Facts about Earth

50 interesting facts about Earth

By Stephanie Pappas, Robert Roy Britt, Ailsa Harvey last updated

Reference We've collected some of the most interesting and amazing facts about Earth

Reference
An artist's impression of the solar system

8 strange objects that could be hiding in the outer solar system

By Harry Baker published

The outer solar system is a vast and mysterious place that could be harboring hidden objects we know almost nothing about — from the elusive Planet Nine and baby black holes to interstellar visitors and "planet killer" asteroids.

Astronomy
illustration of a protoplanetary disk

James Webb telescope reveals 'cataclysmic' asteroid collision in nearby star system

By Ben Turner published

The James Webb Space Telescope has caught a snapshot of two massive asteroids colliding in a nearby star system — and it could teach us about how common solar systems like our own are.

Cosmology
An asteroid orbiting the sun alongside Earth

New contest lets you name Earth's 1st 'quasi-moon' for free. Here's how to enter.

By Harry Baker published

A new public competition will allow a lucky astronomy enthusiast to name one of Earth's tiny "quasi-moons." Here's everything you need to know about how to enter the competition for free.

Astronomy
The composite image shows the planetary parade, along with the moon, during the early hours of June 1.

Stunning 'parade of planets' image shows 6 worlds aligned over Earth

By Ben Turner published

A stunning photo of the recent "parade of planets" shows Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in alignment over Earth. It was captured from the U.K. on June 1.

Planets
The planets and larger moons to scale with the Sun.

A 'parade of planets' is coming on June 3. Here's what you can actually expect to see.

By Ben Turner last updated

Six worlds will align for a "parade of planets" on June 3, although only a few of them will be visible to the naked eye. Here's what you need to know about the rare alignment.

Astronomy
This computer-simulated image shows a supermassive black hole at the core of a galaxy. The black region in the center represents the black hole’s event horizon, where no light can escape the massive object’s gravitational grip. The black hole’s powerful gravity distorts space around it like a funhouse mirror. Light from background stars is stretched and smeared as the stars skim by the black hole.

32 strange places scientists are looking for aliens

By Isobel Whitcomb published

From planets and moons in our solar system to dying stars and parallel universes, here are some of the far-out places scientists are searching for alien life.

Extraterrestrial Life
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