Planets
Latest about Planets
NASA's Juno probe reveals 'fire-breathing' lava lakes across Jupiter's volcanic moon Io
By Stefanie Waldek published
New infrared images showcase "fire-breathing" lakes all across the surface of Jupiter's volcanic moon Io.
James Webb Space Telescope spies strange shapes above Jupiter's Great Red Spot
By Robert Lea published
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have spotted a previously unseen structure in the atmosphere above Jupiter's famous Great Red Spot.
'Space potato' spotted by NASA Mars satellite is actually something much cooler
By Ben Turner published
The starchy-looking moon Phobos, destined to crash into Mars' surface, has been revealed in new detail by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The 'space potato' image was recently shared on NASA's Instagram.
Gaia space telescope helps astronomers image hidden objects around bright stars
By Robert Lea published
The Gaia space telescope has spotted the dim companions of eight bright stars, suggesting we can expect new glimpses of distant planets.
Saturn's planet-wide storms driven by seasonal heating, Cassini probe reveals
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Saturn pumps into space varying amounts of heat based on its seasons, which drives planet-wide storms, data from NASA's Cassini mission has revealed.
Is Jupiter's Great Red Spot an impostor? Giant storm may not be the original one discovered 350 years ago
By Stefanie Waldek published
Astronomer Giovanni Cassini observed Jupiter's 'Permanent Spot' in 1665, but new research suggests it's a different vortex from today's Great Red Spot.
'1st of its kind': NASA spots unusually light-colored boulder on Mars that may reveal clues of the planet's past
By Kristel Tjandra published
NASA's Perseverance rover spotted a bizarrely light-toned boulder on Mars, the likes of which have never been seen before.
Solar storm slams Mars in eerie new NASA footage
By Meredith Garofalo published
A powerful solar storm in May 2024 created auroras on Mars and provided scientists with crucial information that could aid future crewed missions to the Red Planet.
How long would it take to reach Planet 9, if we ever find it?
By Harry Baker published
Some experts believe that the solar system's hypothetical ninth planet could be just a few years away from being discovered. If this is the case, how long would it take for humans to send probes to the elusive world?
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.