Planets
- Planets
A Puffy Planetary Puzzle
Astronomers spot an unusual object orbiting a nearby star.
By Eric Jaffe - Planets
Pluto and the plutons
A new definition would raise the number of planets in the solar system from 9 to 12.
By Emily Sohn - Planets
Lakes on Titan
Saturn's giant moon Titan appears to be sprinkled with lakes of liquid methane.
By Emily Sohn - Planets
The Way a Comet Crumbles
Astronomers are getting a close look at a comet that's falling apart as it nears the sun.
By Emily Sohn - Planets
Xena’s Mysterious Sparkle
Orbiting beyond Pluto, the recently discovered 10th planet reflects a lot of light.
By Emily Sohn - Planets
Saturn’s Strangely Warm Moon
Saturn's mysterious moon Enceladus may have liquid water close enough to its surface to produce giant geysers.
By Emily Sohn - Planets
Jupiter’s Second Red Spot
Several huge storms have merged to give Jupiter a second red spot.
By Emily Sohn - Planets
Saturn’s rings created by collision
A shattered moon may have produced Saturn's dazzling rings.
By Emily Sohn - Planets
Fiery Dust from an Icy Comet
Dust samples from a comet contain minerals that form only at high temperatures.
By Emily Sohn - Planets
Storm on Saturn
A spacecraft photographed the most powerful storm ever seen on Saturn.
By Emily Sohn - Planets
Sizing up Pluto’s moon
Pluto's rocky moon Charon appears to lack an atmosphere.
By Emily Sohn - Planets
Evidence of a Wet Mars
An orbiter provides new details about when and where liquid water existed on Mars.
By Emily Sohn