Solar System

The top news about what's going on in the cosmic neighborhood—from planet nine to the sun, and everything in between.

Latest in Solar System

Illustration of the cases where one impulse Δv = 10−1 m s−1 from a small asteroid impact has been applied to Apophis.

Science

Astrophysicist predicts (slightly) higher chance for major asteroid impact in 2029 Astrophysicist predicts (slightly) higher chance for major asteroid impact in 2029

A black and white image shows a silvery sheet of material toward the bottom

Science

NASA releases first photo of 860-square-foot solar sail in orbit NASA releases first photo of 860-square-foot solar sail in orbit

Meteorite impacts and volcanic eruption producing glass beads on the Moon.

Science

Volcanoes may have existed on the moon far more recently than we thought Volcanoes may have existed on the moon far more recently than we thought

Science

September stargazing: A second supermoon and partial lunar eclipse September stargazing: A second supermoon and partial lunar eclipse

By Laura Baisas

Martian meteorite

Science

Just 5 impacts on Mars sent hundreds of meteorites to Earth Just 5 impacts on Mars sent hundreds of meteorites to Earth

south pole of the moon

Science

The moon was once covered in an ocean of magma: new data supports theory The moon was once covered in an ocean of magma: new data supports theory

Astronomy: the corona of the sun, viewed during a total solar eclipse. Process print after a photograph, 1871.

Science

‘The sun has been eaten’: A brief history of solar eclipses ‘The sun has been eaten’: A brief history of solar eclipses

By Briley Lewis

Odyssey’s THEMIS view the horizon of Mars.

Science

Ultrasonic tools could one day track wind speeds on Mars Ultrasonic tools could one day track wind speeds on Mars

NASA's InSight Mars lander acquired this image of the area in front of the lander using its lander-mounted, Instrument Context Camera (ICC).

Science

NASA data suggests there’s liquid water deep beneath Mars’ surface NASA data suggests there’s liquid water deep beneath Mars’ surface

Saturn’s moon Mimas, floating above the planet’s rings, might conceal a liquid ocean beneath its surface.

Science

Saturn’s moon Mimas may hide a surprisingly young ocean Saturn’s moon Mimas may hide a surprisingly young ocean

By Shannon Hall / Knowable Magazine

Illustration of two astronauts on Mars

Mars

Scientists think atmospheric ‘glitter’ can warm Mars over 50 degrees Scientists think atmospheric ‘glitter’ can warm Mars over 50 degrees

a red aurora along with the stars of the milky way over mountains

Science

19 magnificent images from the Astronomy Photographer of the Year shortlist 19 magnificent images from the Astronomy Photographer of the Year shortlist

By Popular Science Team

moon in the 90s

Science

Yes, the moon has an atmosphere—and it’s metal as hell Yes, the moon has an atmosphere—and it’s metal as hell

Mercury colorful

Science

What ‘Mercury in retrograde’ actually means What ‘Mercury in retrograde’ actually means

By Briley Lewis

a flat map of the planet jupiter, showing reddish-orange lines and the planet's great red spot

Deep Space

Jupiter’s Great Red Spot keeps shrinking Jupiter’s Great Red Spot keeps shrinking

By Laura Baisas

NASA VIPER Rover

Science

NASA’s VIPER rover won’t be going to the moon after all NASA’s VIPER rover won’t be going to the moon after all

Martian landscape simulation room in CHAPEA Mars Dune Alpha

Science

What it was like to spend a year in NASA’s Mars base simulation What it was like to spend a year in NASA’s Mars base simulation

Screenshot from music video for Missy Elliott's "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)"

Deep Space

NASA beamed Missy Elliott’s ‘The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)’ to her favorite planet NASA beamed Missy Elliott’s ‘The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)’ to her favorite planet

Silhouette of moon

Moons

There really are moon lava tunnels—and humans may live in them one day There really are moon lava tunnels—and humans may live in them one day

A new urine filtration system could help future astronauts explore further without needing to lug around hefty water reserves.

Science

Future astronauts could safely drink their own urine with this Dune-like device Future astronauts could safely drink their own urine with this Dune-like device

By Mack DeGeurin