Science@NASA
Science News
Solar System, Mars, Planets of Our Solar System
Feb 15, 2021
To land accurately and avoid hazardous terrain, NASA has developed an autonomous, vision-based system for landmark recognition, spacecraft position estimation, and spacecraft retargeting, which will be used on Mars 2020 and potentially other future missions.
Solar System, Planets of Our Solar System
Dec 18, 2020
Have you noticed two bright objects in the sky getting closer together with each passing night? It’s Jupiter and Saturn doing a planetary dance that will result in the Great Conjunction on Dec. 21. On that day, Jupiter and Saturn will be right next to each other in the sky -- the closest they have... Read More
Solar System, Planets of Our Solar System
Sep 24, 2020
Citizen scientist Gerald Eichstädt made this composite image using data obtained by the JunoCam instrument during four of the Juno spacecraft’s close passes by Jupiter. The greatly exaggerated color is partially a result of combining many individual images to create this view.
Solar System, Planets of Our Solar System
Aug 17, 2020
Several years ago, planetary scientist Lynnae Quick began to wonder whether any of the more than 4,000 known planets beyond our solar system might resemble some of the watery moons around Jupiter and Saturn. Though some of these moons don’t have atmospheres and are covered in ice, they are... Read More
Solar System, Planets of Our Solar System
Aug 17, 2020
Life as we know it requires three ingredients: energy, organic molecules, and liquid water. Our search for life beyond Earth is a search for planets, dwarf planets, and moons that harbor substantial liquid water. We call these places “ocean worlds.”
Solar System, Planets of Our Solar System
Jun 2, 2020
Our new NASA solar system mission, #Dragonfly, will send a rotocraft-lander to explore Saturn's moon, Titan! Why Titan? This ocean world is unique in the solar system, with organic compounds that could teach us about the origin of life itself. Watch this special edition of NASA Science Live to... Read More
Solar System, Planets of Our Solar System, Sky Watching
Sep 9, 2019
Neptune will be at opposition in September, providing sky watchers and astronomers the opportunity to observe this planet that is invisible to the naked eye, but that scientists would love to see more clearly.
Solar System, Planets of Our Solar System
Jul 26, 2019
In July 1994, astronomers around the world watched as the fragments of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 slammed into the planet Jupiter.
Solar System, Planets of Our Solar System
Oct 23, 2018
Lightning is beautiful and powerful, and has been observed on planets across the solar system.
Solar System, Mars, Planets of Our Solar System
Jul 6, 2018
July's night skies feature Mars opposition on the 27th, when Mars, Earth, and the Sun all line up, and Mars' closest approach to Earth since 2003 on the 31st. That means great Mars viewing, though the planet-wide Martian dust storm will make seeing details more difficult.
Solar System, Planets of Our Solar System
May 2, 2018
As the Juno spacecraft orbits Jupiter, new discoveries about the giant planet continue to be made.
Solar System, Planets of Our Solar System
May 2, 2018
When NASA’s Juno spacecraft recently flew over the poles of Jupiter, researchers were astonished, as if they had never seen a giant planet before.
And in a sense they hadn’t.
The pictures were unlike anything in the history of planetary exploration.
Solar System, Planets of Our Solar System
Apr 24, 2018
This image of Jupiter’s iconic Great Red Spot and surrounding turbulent zones was captured by NASA’s Juno spacecraft.
Solar System, Planets of Our Solar System, Sky Watching
Apr 4, 2018
The Moon, Mars and Saturn form a pretty triangle in early April, The Lyrid Meteors are visible in late April, peaking high overhead on the 22nd.
