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Planetary Sciences news
'What is that?' Scientists explain white patch that appears near northern lights
A whitish, gray patch that sometimes appears in the night sky alongside the northern lights has been explained for the first time by researchers at the University of Calgary.
Astronomy
21 hours ago
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From Earth to the edge of space: Entire atmosphere dataset could benefit climate models and space weather prediction
A team led by researchers at the University of Tokyo has created a dataset of the whole atmosphere, enabling new research to be conducted on previously difficult-to-study regions. The work has been published in Progress in ...
Planetary Sciences
Jan 10, 2025
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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
Jan 9, 2025
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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
Jan 9, 2025
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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
Jan 9, 2025
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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
Jan 9, 2025
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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
Jan 9, 2025
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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
Jan 9, 2025
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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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More news
HYPSO-2 satellite monitors harmful algae from space
A new mission watches meteoroids hit the far side of the moon
NASA anticipates lunar findings from next-generation retroreflector
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
Quantum breakthrough may lead to sustainable chiral spintronics
Biofilm busters: Plant-derived molecule stops bacteria from forming protective biofilms on surfaces
Plant hormones that help roots reach deeper water provide potential strategy for drought-resistant crops
Woodrats use 'quantity over quality' as a detox plan, study finds
Study reveals secrets behind cordierite's anomalous thermal expansion
Shallow waters and fast currents boost elkhorn coral restoration
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
Hydrogen peroxide and the mystery of fruit ripening: 'Signal messengers' in plants
Ocean temperatures hit record highs in 2024, study finds
