Tag: The Solar System
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Hubble’s Grand Tour of the Outer Solar System
From its vantage point high above Earth’s atmosphere, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has completed this year’s grand tour of the outer solar system – returning crisp images that complement current and past observations from interplanetary spacecraft. This is the realm…
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NASA’s Lucy Mission: A Journey to the Young Solar System
NASA’s Lucy spacecraft launched Oct. 16, 2021, on a 12-year journey to Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids.
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40 Years On, Remembering Voyager’s Legacy at Saturn
Voyager 2 made its closest approach to Saturn on Aug. 25, 1981. The mission revealed a planet so phenomenal scientists had to go back.
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Comet ATLAS May Have Been a Blast from the Past
It’s suspected that about 5,000 years ago a comet swept within 23 million miles of the Sun, closer than the innermost planet Mercury. The comet might have been a spectacular sight to civilizations across Eurasia and North Africa at the…
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What is the North Star and How Do You Find It?
The North Star isn’t the brightest star in the sky, but it’s usually not hard to spot, even from the city. If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, it can help you orient yourself and find your way, as it’s located…
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Five Things to Know about the Moon
Looking for some quick facts to impress others when you’re out enjoying a moonlit night? Well, here are five things to know about the Moon that you can share with others when you’re gazing up at our natural satellite.
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How to Find Good Places to Stargaze
If you’re hoping to do some skywatching, but you’re not quite sure how to find a great spot, we have you covered. Here are some key things to know about how to find the best places for stargazing.
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What Are Asterisms?
There are 88 star patterns known as constellations that are recognized by astronomers and the International Astronomical Union. In addition to the star patterns within the constellations, there are a variety of other familiar patterns of stars. These are called…
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Hubble Finds First Evidence of Water Vapor at Jupiter’s Moon Ganymede
For the first time, astronomers have uncovered evidence of water vapor in the atmosphere of Jupiter’s moon Ganymede. This water vapor forms when ice from the moon’s surface sublimates — that is, turns from solid to gas. Scientists used new…
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One of NASA’s Solar System Ambassadors Will Soon Be an Astronaut
Science educator Sian Proctor won a seat on the upcoming all-civilian SpaceX flight, and is using the opportunity to make space to inspire others.