Moons are planets too
What makes a planet a planet? The answer turns out to be rather contentious. The official definition of a planet, as defined by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) is that a planet must satisfy three conditions:.....»»
4 of Uranus’s icy moons could have liquid water oceans
Using data from the Voyager mission, researchers found that four of Uranus's moons likely have liquid water oceans beneath icy crusts......»»
Scientists say they have found more moons with oceans in the Solar System
NASA probably is about to get serious about exploring the Uranian system. Enlarge / The complex terrain of Ariel is viewed in this image, the best Voyager 2 color picture of the Uranian moon. (credit: NASA/JPL) In recent.....»»
Study finds female astronauts more efficient, suggesting future space missions with all-female crews
As humans contemplate life on other planets, we are immediately confronted with two choices. One is a journey to another solar system that would take tens of thousands of years (with current technology), requiring around 2,000 generations to live out.....»»
Study of Uranus" large moons shows four may hold water
Re-analysis of data from NASA's Voyager spacecraft, along with new computer modeling, has led NASA scientists to conclude that four of Uranus' largest moons likely contain an ocean layer between their cores and icy crusts. Their study is the first to.....»»
Study presents new clues about the rise of Earth"s continents
Continents are part of what makes Earth uniquely habitable for life among the planets of the solar system, yet surprisingly little is understood about what gave rise to these huge pieces of the planet's crust and their special properties......»»
Scientists use power of AI to supercharge planetary studies
A new technique for detecting planetary craters that will allow scientists to accurately map the surfaces of planets using different types of data could be used in future space missions......»»
Scientists describe carbon cycle in a subglacial freshwater lake in Antarctica for first time
Subglacial lakes that never see the light of day are among the least accessible frontiers of science, brimming with more tales yet untold than even the planets of our solar system. One thing seems certain: where there is water, there is life—even i.....»»
Europe’s major new interplanetary spacecraft has a slight problem
Various options are still available to nudge the important instrument. Enlarge / In this image, the 16-meter-long Radar for Icy Moons Exploration is seen in stowed configuration. (credit: ESA) It has now been two weeks s.....»»
Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer"s first taste of science from space
ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, Juice, has recorded magnetic field data as its 10.6 m-long magnetometer boom deployed......»»
Webb telescope probes the chemistry in a hot gas giant’s atmosphere
Near a star, there's chemistry that doesn't occur in our Solar System's gas giants. Enlarge / WASP-39b is much closer to its host star than any of our Solar System's planets are to the Sun. (credit: NASA) Up until a few.....»»
VIPER and T-Rex on double rocket launch
Not one, but two rocket launches with ESA-led experiments are flying to the edge of space just a week apart, providing unique data to researchers eager to learn more about fundamental physics, semiconductor production, the formation of planets and ho.....»»
Study of Small Magellanic Cloud suggests planets could have formed during "cosmic noon"
An international team of space scientists has found evidence suggesting that planets could have formed during the so-called "cosmic noon." In their study, reported in the journal Nature Astronomy, the group used data from the James Webb Space Telesco.....»»
Jupiter"s Hot Youth May Have Melted Its Icy Moons
The gas giant planet’s youthful glow could explain major differences between its four largest satellites.....»»
Most Planets in the Galaxy Orbit Stars You Can"t Even See
Red dwarfs are dim bulbs but host more Earth-like planets than any other kind of star.....»»
JUICE mission to Jupiter sends back first images of Earth from space
The European Space Agency's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer spacecraft has sent back its first images from space -- and they are some stunning views of the Earth......»»
From CERN to Jupiter: Juice embarks on its historic journey
It is not only in the tunnels of CERN that we learn about the origin and composition of the universe. Look up, and space offers the most beautiful phenomena to study: black holes, dark matter, cosmic rays, etc. Studying planets, their structure and t.....»»
Icy moonquakes: Surface shaking could trigger landslides
A new NASA study offers an explanation of how quakes could be the source of the mysteriously smooth terrain on moons circling Jupiter and Saturn......»»
See highlights of the launch of the European JUICE spacecraft
See video of an Ariane 5 rocket launching the European Space agency's JUICE mission to Jupiter's icy moons from this morning......»»
Europe successfully launches spacecraft toward the moons of Jupiter [Updated]
"We wanted to see if these were possible habitats for life." Enlarge / Liftoff of the Juice spacecraft on an Ariane 5 rocket. (credit: ESA) 10:00 am ET Friday: After a one-day delay due to lightning, an Ariane 5 rocket s.....»»
How to watch JUICE mission launch to Jupiter’s icy moons
The European Space Agency is making final preparations for the launch of an advanced spacecraft that will explore the icy moons of Jupiter......»»