Tag: The Solar System
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10 Things: Going Interstellar
Introduction Humanity’s great leap into interstellar space – the space between the stars – is underway. NASA’s Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes are both in interstellar space. For the moment, sending humans to the edge of interstellar space, let…
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10 Things: What’s That Space Rock?
The path through the solar system is a rocky road. Asteroids, comets, Kuiper Belt Objects—all kinds of small bodies of rock, metal and ice are in constant motion as they orbit the Sun. But what’s the difference between them? Why…
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Why Uranus and Neptune Are Different Colors
Neptune and Uranus have much in common yet their appearances are notably different. Astronomers now have an explanation for why the two planets are different colors.
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Exploration Extended for 8 Planetary Science Missions
NASA has extended the planetary science missions of eight of its spacecraft due to their scientific productivity and potential to deepen our knowledge.
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What does a Solar Eclipse Look Like on Mars?
This is the most zoomed-in, highest frame-rate observation of a Phobos solar eclipse ever taken from the surface of Mars.
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Partial Solar Eclipse on April 30, 2022
On April 30, 2022, a partial solar eclipse will be visible in parts of South America, Antarctica, and the Pacific and Southern Oceans.
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New Study Finds Unexpected Temperature Changes on Neptune
The average global temperature on Neptune unexpectedly fluctuated during a recent 17-year period, according to a new study.
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Hubble Confirms Largest Comet Nucleus Ever Seen
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has determined the size of the largest icy comet nucleus ever seen by astronomers. The estimated diameter is approximately 80 miles across, making it larger than the state of Rhode Island. The nucleus is about 50…
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Studying the Next Interstellar Interloper with Webb
One of the most exciting findings in planetary science in recent years is the discovery of interstellar objects passing through our solar system. So far, astronomers have confirmed only two of these interlopers from other star systems — 1I/’Oumuamua in…
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10 ‘Super Bowls’ in Our Solar System
Here are 10 impressively super, bowl-shaped venues adorning worlds in our solar system, including a couple where we’ve actually made…touchdowns!