planetary science

Animation of the orbits of Earth and Apophis showing how often they cross each other.

Apophis: From scary asteroid to a rare science opportunity

In just 3 years, asteroid Apophis will zoom safely past Earth. This much-anticipated event is a must-see! Here's how you can see it with your own eyes.

A sunlike star at upper right with a rocky planet, 2 gas planets and then another rocky planet.

Inside-out planetary system upends notions of formation

Scientists have found an inside-out planetary system. They did not expect to find a rocky planet out beyond the gaseous planets. How did it get there?

Mosaic of 3 men in ancient Persian clothing, holding gifts. Palm trees in background. Bright star at upper right.

What was the Christmas star? Science and mystery

What was the Christmas star? Some scientific explanations attempt to explain the Star of Bethlehem, including a planetary conjunction, comet or supernova.

White light at center surrounded by a gray disk and rocky material spiraling inward.

This dead star is still shredding its planetary system

Astronomers have discovered a dead star is still shredding the remains of its ancient planetary system. The metallic debris is spiraling onto the white dwarf.

Brown-orange, nebulous, concentric rings around a bright orange sphere. Plus 2 white trails representing comets carrying water.

Ancient water in protoplanetary disk is older than its star

Astronomers found ancient water in the planet-forming disk of a young star. This heavy water formed in molecular clouds before the star was born.

Planetary nebula IC418 appears as a cloudy oval with intricate patterns. The outer edge is reddish, and the rest of it is light purple. There is a light red central star.

130 years of data on planetary nebula IC 418 puzzle scientists

Astronomers looked at 130 years’ worth of data on planetary nebula IC 418. They found its central star is heating up faster than any star ever observed.

Yellow sphere with 11 scattered black spots and a straight line crossing them, with a graph below.

Star spots and planetary transits on distant stars

NASA scientists use TESS and Kepler data with a new method to map star spots on distant stars to enhance our understanding of stellar activity and exoplanets.

Large smooth, white oblong object with ocean spray splashing violently upward just below it.

UAP and science: Testing new methods of scientific analysis

Physicists from the University at Albany have published their 1st results of an attempt to bring UAP and science together with more rigorous scientific methods.

Proposed NASA cuts to space science: “Staggering”

The White House's proposed NASA cuts would eliminate many existing and future space missions. Anyone from around the world can sign this petition.

How cuts to science in the US endanger everyone

Cuts to science in the United States will impact our ability to monitor storms, improve the safety of structures and prepare for the next pandemic.

A planetary alignment on January 25, 2025?

You've heard the internet rumor of a great planetary alignment on January 25, 2025. So what's true and what isn't? The answers are here.

Gegenschein is the glow of interplanetary dust

The gegenschein is a play of light on interplanetary dust of the solar system. It's a diffuse path of light that lies exactly opposite the sun.

Irregular concentric circles around a glowing spot, with bright flame-like shapes flaring out from the center.

3 young planetary systems revealed by Webb telescope

NASA's Webb space telescope looked for baby planets in the protoplanetary disks in 3 young planetary systems. It didn't find any, and scientists explain why.

Sun at center with four panels, each with a row of planets in different size order.

Of 4 types of planetary systems, ours is rarest

A new study suggests there are 4 types of planetary systems. The Ordered class, which includes our own solar system, is the rarest.

Globe of Earth covered in hundreds of red dots indicating possible impact sites.

Planetary defense exercise: This was only a test

As a planetary defense exercise, scientists used a recent approach of Apophis as a test to see how quickly they could track and identify a hazardous asteroid.

Hear the strange music of distant planetary system TOI-178

In the animation in this post, the rhythmic movement of newly discovered planets around the star TOI-178 is represented through a musical harmony, created by attributing a note (in the pentatonic scale) to each of the planets. Hear the music of these planets.

A shimmery yellow circle on a black background.

Will planetary low tide force regular sunspot sync-ups?

No, it’s not pseudoscience. Does a regular alignment of planets make a strong-enough tug to regulate the sun’s 11- and 22-year cycles? Read more in this story via Eos - a source for news and perspectives about Earth and space science - from the American Geophysical Union.

Apophis: From scary asteroid to a rare science opportunity

Inside-out planetary system upends notions of formation

What was the Christmas star? Science and mystery

This dead star is still shredding its planetary system

Ancient water in protoplanetary disk is older than its star

130 years of data on planetary nebula IC 418 puzzle scientists

Star spots and planetary transits on distant stars

UAP and science: Testing new methods of scientific analysis

Proposed NASA cuts to space science: “Staggering”

How cuts to science in the US endanger everyone

A planetary alignment on January 25, 2025?

Gegenschein is the glow of interplanetary dust

3 young planetary systems revealed by Webb telescope

Of 4 types of planetary systems, ours is rarest

Planetary defense exercise: This was only a test

Hear the strange music of distant planetary system TOI-178

Will planetary low tide force regular sunspot sync-ups?

Groundbreaking science from ultra-close orbits of Saturn

Juno at Jupiter: 1st science results

Today in science: Johannes Kepler

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Apophis: From scary asteroid to a rare science opportunity

Inside-out planetary system upends notions of formation

What was the Christmas star? Science and mystery

This dead star is still shredding its planetary system

Ancient water in protoplanetary disk is older than its star

130 years of data on planetary nebula IC 418 puzzle scientists

Star spots and planetary transits on distant stars

UAP and science: Testing new methods of scientific analysis

Proposed NASA cuts to space science: “Staggering”

How cuts to science in the US endanger everyone

A planetary alignment on January 25, 2025?

Gegenschein is the glow of interplanetary dust

3 young planetary systems revealed by Webb telescope

Of 4 types of planetary systems, ours is rarest

Planetary defense exercise: This was only a test

Hear the strange music of distant planetary system TOI-178

Will planetary low tide force regular sunspot sync-ups?

Groundbreaking science from ultra-close orbits of Saturn

Juno at Jupiter: 1st science results

Today in science: Johannes Kepler