Planets

More Stories in Planets

  1. Planets

    The surface of Venus is morphing

    Circular landforms speckling Venus' surface may be the work of tectonics — similar to the forces that reshape Earth’s surface.

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  2. Planets

    Perseverance took the first picture of a visible aurora on Mars

    A faint yet visible aurora has been spotted on Mars. It’s the first such light show seen from another planet's surface.

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  3. Space

    A passing star could fling Earth out of orbit — or into the sun

    Computer models show that a star's tug could send Mercury, Venus or Mars crashing into Earth — or let Jupiter eject our world from the solar system.

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  4. Planets

    A giant, busted planet fuels a nebula’s mysterious glow

    This Helix Nebula is like a colorful explosion frozen in time. Its center seems to be steadily radiating X-rays.

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  5. Planets

    Mars’ rust suggests it was once wet — and its seas frigid

    Mars may once have held enough water to fill oceans and form coastlines. And the planet’s red dust hints that its seas would have been quite frigid.

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  6. Planets

    Pluto and its moon Charon may have paired up with a kiss

    After about 30 hours of contact, Charon could have separated from Pluto and drifted into its current orbit.

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  7. Planets

    A distant crumbling planet spills its guts

    Based on the light being emitted by its shed minerals, astronomers can for the first time determine the internal composition of an exoplanet.

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  8. Planets

    So many wondrous moons — just a spaceship ride away

    Scientists are studying extraterrestrial moons for clues to how planets form, how life began — and whether there’s life out there right now.

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  9. Planets

    Scientists Say: Regolith

    This sandlike dust blankets planets, asteroids and other rocky surfaces of our solar system, including our own planet.

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