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Planetary Sciences news
AI categorizes 700 million aurora images for better geomagnetic storm forecasting
The aurora borealis, or northern lights, is known for a stunning spectacle of light in the night sky, but this near-Earth manifestation, which is caused by explosive activity on the sun and carried by the solar wind, can ...
Planetary Sciences
9 minutes ago
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How to deploy and talk to LEAVES on Venus
Universe Today reported before about a NIAC-funded project known as the Lofted Environment and Atmospheric Venues Sensors (LEAVES) mission to study Venus' atmosphere. While the technology behind the idea is still under development, ...
Space Exploration
2 hours ago
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Spacecraft buzzes Mercury's north pole and beams back stunning photos
A spacecraft has beamed back some of the best close-up photos yet of Mercury's north pole.
Space Exploration
3 hours ago
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Samples from Mars' surface could unravel planet's history, researchers argue
Geologically, Mars is very reminiscent of the moon. But it also looks a lot like the Earth. It all depends on who you ask.
Planetary Sciences
3 hours ago
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Perseverance's 2024 journey: From SHERLOC's revival to ancient rocks
Perseverance's past year operating on the surface of Mars was filled with some of the mission's highest highs, but also some of its greatest challenges. True to its name and its reputation as a mission that overcomes challenges, ...
Space Exploration
5 hours ago
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Planets without plate tectonics could still be habitable
It has been thought that plate tectonics were a significant factor in the shaping of our planet and the evolution of life. Mars and Venus don't experience such movements of crustal plates, but then the differences between ...
Astrobiology
7 hours ago
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Water and carbon dioxide detected in the atmosphere of a hot super-Neptune exoplanet
Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers have characterized the atmosphere of a hot super-Neptune exoplanet designated WASP-166 b. As a result, they found that the atmosphere of this alien world contains water ...
NASA lander to test vacuum cleaner on moon for sample collection
Among all the challenges of voyaging to and successfully landing on other worlds, the effective collection and study of soil and rock samples cannot be underestimated.
Planetary Sciences
Jan 8, 2025
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NASA to explore two landing options for returning samples from Mars
To maximize chances of successfully bringing the first Martian rock and sediment samples to Earth for the benefit of humanity, NASA announced Tuesday a new approach to its Mars Sample Return Program. The agency will simultaneously ...
Space Exploration
Jan 8, 2025
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Will Comet G3 ATLAS perform at perihelion?
What "may" be the best anticipated comet of 2025 is coming right up. Right now, there's only one comet with real potential to reach naked eye visibility in 2025: Comet C/2024 G3 ATLAS. This comet reaches perihelion at 0.094 ...
Astronomy
Jan 7, 2025
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NASA proposes cheaper, quicker way to get Mars rocks and soil to Earth
NASA is pitching a cheaper and quicker way of getting rocks and soil back from Mars, after seeing its original plan swell to $11 billion.
Space Exploration
Jan 7, 2025
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How the US–Indian NISAR satellite will offer unique window on Earth
The upcoming U.S.–India NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission will observe Earth like no mission before, offering insights about our planet's ever-changing surface.
Planetary Sciences
Jan 7, 2025
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Newly discovered 'kiss and capture' mechanism explains the formation of Pluto and its largest moon
Billions of years ago, in the frigid outer reaches of our solar system, two icy worlds collided. Rather than destroying each other in a cosmic catastrophe, they spun together like a celestial snowman, finally separating while ...
Planetary Sciences
Jan 6, 2025
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Citizen science reveals that Jupiter's colorful clouds are not made of ammonia ice
Collaborative work by amateur and professional astronomers has helped to resolve a long-standing misunderstanding about the composition of Jupiter's clouds. Instead of being formed of ammonia ice—the conventional view—it ...
Planetary Sciences
Jan 6, 2025
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Chang'e-5 samples provide evidence that moon had magnetic field 2 billion years ago
A large team of researchers with varied backgrounds at the Chinese Academy of Sciences has found evidence of a weak magnetic field on the moon approximately 2 billion years ago. In their study published in the journal Science ...
NASA's LEXI will provide X-ray vision of Earth's magnetosphere
A NASA X-ray imager is heading to the moon as part of NASA's Artemis campaign, where it will capture the first global images of the magnetic field that shields Earth from solar radiation.
Planetary Sciences
Jan 3, 2025
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Could habitable planets orbiting white dwarfs retain their oceans? Maybe
Potentially habitable exoplanets are so incredibly common that astronomers have started to consider more unusual situations where life might arise. Perhaps life can be found on the moon of a hot Jupiter or lingering in the ...
Astrobiology
Jan 3, 2025
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Using an oil industry framework to map space resources
Cracking the chicken-and-egg problem of utilizing resources in space has been a difficult challenge for over half a century. Getting enough infrastructure built up is necessary to collect those resources effectively, but ...
Space Exploration
Jan 3, 2025
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NASA anticipates lunar findings from next-generation retroreflector
Apollo astronauts set up mirror arrays, or "retroreflectors," on the moon to accurately reflect laser light beamed at them from Earth with minimal scattering or diffusion. Retroreflectors are mirrors that reflect the incoming ...
Space Exploration
Jan 2, 2025
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HYPSO-2 satellite monitors harmful algae from space
It's slightly larger than a 5-liter water bottle, and is whizzing around the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometers per second. The satellite has two cameras built into its body, and can be controlled quickly and turned smoothly ...
Planetary Sciences
Jan 2, 2025
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More news
A new mission watches meteoroids hit the far side of the moon
Here's your 2025 guide to the night sky and other celestial wow moments
The future lifespan of plants just got extended
NASA's Parker Solar Probe sets new record for sun proximity
Image: NASA's Terra satellite captures 2015 eclipse shadow
NASA probe makes closest ever pass by the sun
Two Earth-sized exoplanets orbiting nearby star detected
NASA solar probe to make its closest ever pass of sun
Lab work digs into gullies seen on giant asteroid Vesta by NASA's Dawn
Other news
Scientists create comprehensive map of protein locations within human cells
Natural products from soil fungus could replace harmful pesticides in agriculture
Avalanches, icy explosions and dunes: NASA is tracking New Year on Mars
Chang'e-6 farside basalts reveal a reinforced lunar dynamo
Mars's radiant energy budget profile offers clues to its climate dynamics
NASA payload aims to probe moon's depths to study heat flow
New radar algorithm reveals hidden dance of ionospheric plasma
Young exoplanet's atmosphere unexpectedly differs from its birthplace
Uncovering ghost drivers in the genome: Study shows convergent promoters act as potent regulators
