Solar System: News
This is how we can send a mission to Sedna
Sedna, a distant dwarf planet in the outer solar system, is set to make its closest approach to the Sun in 2075-76.
NASA's Webb telescope discovers an alien planet for first time
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has made a groundbreaking discovery by capturing its first direct image of an exoplanet, TWA 7 b.
World's largest camera captures stunning images of millions of galaxies
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, a revolutionary facility funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy's Office of Science, has released its first images.
This is how baby planets grow over time
A recent study has shed light on the evolution of baby planets, revealing that they consume the remaining gas and dust in their parent star's protoplanetary disk at an astonishing rate.
This icy wall surrounding solar system has a spiral shape
A recent discovery during a planetarium show might change our understanding of the Oort Cloud, a distant wall of icy bodies orbiting the solar system.
Jupiter, Mercury sitting side-by-side in night sky: How to watch
This weekend, stargazers will have a chance to witness a rare celestial event as Jupiter and Mercury come together in the northwestern sky.
Venus reaches 'maximum elongation' point today: How to watch
Today, skywatchers are being treated to a celestial event as Venus has reached its greatest western elongation.
Watch: This is the most detailed picture of Sun ever
The US National Science Foundation's Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) has captured a groundbreaking image of the Sun.
Watch: Uranus passed between Earth and a distant star
NASA scientists recently took advantage of a rare opportunity to study the atmosphere of Uranus.
NASA spacecraft suggests Mercury may have an 18km-thick diamond layer
An interesting discovery has been made about Mercury, the innermost planet in our solar system.
'Strongest evidence' of aliens found on this planet
Astronomers have found what they believe to be the strongest evidence yet that extraterrestrial life might be thriving beyond our solar system.
Rare double solar eruption to trigger auroras: How to watch
A rare double solar eruption, which took place on April 12, 13, is likely to affect Earth's magnetic field.
Is 'Planet Nine' real?—This telescope might finally have the answer
Astronomers have long speculated about the existence of a ninth planet lurking in the outer reaches of our solar system.
NASA's Lucy spacecraft to visit 150M-year-old asteroid next month
NASA's Lucy spacecraft is gearing up for a major milestone in its mission, a flyby of an ancient asteroid called Donaldjohanson, on April 20.
This 'super-Earth' orbits its star in 647 days like Mars
Astronomers have discovered a 'super-Earth' that orbits a Sun-like star 20 light-years away from our planet.
Scientists have discovered 4th form of water: What we know
Scientists have found a new form of water, called "plastic ice VII," that could possibly exist on other planets.
Maha Kumbh to end with all planets visible from India
The Maha Kumbh 2025, India's biggest spiritual event, will conclude with an unprecedented celestial phenomenon.
What is PUNCH—NASA's mission to solve biggest mystery of Sun
NASA is gearing up for the launch of its Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission on February 27.
Rare planetary parade lights up night sky today—How to watch
A rare celestial event is scheduled to mesmerize stargazers today, as four planets — Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars — align in a stunning planetary parade.
Exploring Venus transits and their celestial magic
Venus transits, those infrequent occasions when Venus passes directly between Earth and the Sun, happen in eight-year pairs separated by more than a century.
Comet G3 ATLAS to shine brightest tomorrow: How to watch
Comet G3 ATLAS (C/2024) is expected to reach its maximum brightness tomorrow. The celestial phenomenon may even outshine the planets Venus and Jupiter.
Saturn's rings could be as old as the solar system
A recent study led by a team of Japanese scientists suggests that Saturn's rings may be as old as 4.5 billion years, possibly as ancient as the solar system itself.
Venus was born too hot to support life, says study
A new study published in Nature Astronomy has debunked the age-old myth that Venus, commonly referred to as Earth's "evil twin," may have once supported life.
Uranus is unexpectedly cooling, and we now know the reason
Uranus, the seventh planet from the Sun in our solar system, has been witnessing a mysterious drop in temperature. The phenomenon is specifically observed in its upper atmosphere, called the thermosphere-corona.
Once-in-a-lifetime: Pluto enters zodiac sign Aquarius after almost 250 years
Pluto, the farthest celestial body in our solar system, has entered the zodiac sign of Aquarius for the first time since 1778.
James Webb Space Telescope's new technique could reveal water-rich exoplanets
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will take a new approach in its quest to find water-rich exoplanets. It will analyze minerals present in cooled lava on these planets.
Spectacular planetary alignment to light up January 2025 sky
In January 2025, six planets—Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus—will line up in the night sky in a rare planetary alignment.
Astronomers detect 'Pyrene,' a key molecule for life, in space
In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have unearthed one of the largest carbon-based molecules ever found in deep space.
World's largest camera, with 3,200MP resolution, ready for astronomical exploration
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory on Cerro Pachon in northern Chile is poised to transform astronomy with its world's largest digital camera.
This trash compactor would tackle the biggest problem in space
Sierra Space, a leading space technology company, is all set to send a unique trash compactor to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2026.
China outlines space exploration goals for next 3 decades
China has unveiled an ambitious national-level space exploration plan, covering the period from now to 2050.
Sun officially enters its 'solar maximum period': What it means
The sun has officially entered its "solar maximum period," a phase in the 11-year solar cycle characterized by increased sunspots and solar activity.
NASA's $5.2B probe begins journey to Jupiter's icy moon Europa
NASA has successfully launched a $5.2 billion probe, the Europa Clipper, on a 1.8 billion mile journey to Jupiter and its icy moon Europa.
Earth may have 'stolen' its Moon, new research suggests
The unique mass ratio between Earth and its single moon has long intrigued scientists, as it differs from other planets in our solar system that either have multiple moons or none at all.
'Sub-Earth' exoplanet discovered around nearest single star to solar system
Astronomers have discovering a planet that orbits Barnard's star, the closest single star to our solar system.
Passing comet turns Bengaluru skies pink, green, and yellow
Bengaluru's skyline has turned into a stunning canvas of pink, green, and yellow colors thanks to a passing comet.
Why NASA is developing a time zone for Moon
NASA is moving ahead with its plan to introduce a standard time zone on the Moon, called Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC).
Supernova radiation may have triggered species diversification on Earth: Study
A recent study led by Caitlyn Nojiri from UC Santa Cruz and published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, points to a mind-blowing possibility: a supernova explosion nearby might have really shaken things up for life on Earth.
New theory challenges existence of unseen Planet Nine
The existence of the hypothetical Planet Nine, believed to be lurking on the fringes of our solar system, is being questioned by new astrophysical research.
NASA approves mission to explore world 'potentially habitable today'
NASA's ambitious Europa Clipper mission is set to launch in October, following a successful review of the spacecraft.
NASA's quantum sensor measures ISS vibrations in a first
NASA's Cold Atom Lab (CAL) has achieved a significant breakthrough by using an ultra-cool quantum sensor to measure the subtle vibrations of the International Space Station (ISS).
Jupiter-bound spacecraft to attempt daring double flyby this week
The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing for one of the most daring operations ever undertaken in interplanetary flight.
New discovery challenges everything we thought about Earth's twin
A recent study led by geoscientist Fabio Capitanio of Monash University in Australia, has revealed that the 'continents' of Venus, known as tesserae, might have been formed through processes similar to those that created Earth's earliest continents billions of years ago.
NASA shares skywatching tips for top celestial events this August
NASA has released its list of must-see celestial events for August 2024.
Research finds a mysterious hidden ocean within the Solar System
Recent observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) suggest a potential subsurface ocean on Ariel, one of Uranus' five moons.
China's new space network will improve astronaut communication, lunar navigation
China has proposed a blueprint for a communication superhighway that would link Earth and the Moon.
How Sun starting next solar cycle before schedule impacts Earth
In an unexpected development, scientists have observed the Sun initiating its next solar cycle, Cycle 26, before completing the current one, Cycle 25.
Scientists propose new definition of planets, Pluto still remains excluded
Planetary scientists are challenging the International Astronomical Union's 2006 definition of a planet.
Earth doesn't 'directly' revolve around Sun: What does it mean?
Contrary to popular belief, Earth does not orbit the Sun directly. Instead, it revolves around a point in space known as a barycentre, which is typically near but not within the Sun.
Why Uranus's magnetic field is causing 'traffic jams' in space
Scientists studying data from the Voyager 2 spacecraft, have discovered that the uniquely tilted and asymmetric magnetic field of Uranus, is causing 'traffic jams' of particles within its radiation belts.
Scientists discover our solar system used to have donut shape
Scientists have unearthed evidence suggesting that the solar system was once more donut-shaped than pancake-like.
This unique tanning salon simulates alien suns on Earth
A one-of-a-kind tanning salon, providing a simulated experience of alien suns, has been unveiled at the Festival of the Future in Munich, Germany.
Jupiter's unexplained nighttime glow sparks dark matter theory
Scientists have long been intrigued by the enigmatic nature of dark matter, a substance believed to constitute approximately 70 to 80% of all mass in the universe.
Surprising finding in asteroid Bennu's sample hints at oceanic origin
An analysis of the asteroid Bennu sample, returned by OSIRIS-REx mission in September 2023, has revealed surprising findings.
China's Chang'e-6 successfully lands with samples from Moon's far side
China's Chang'e-6 spacecraft has successfully returned to Earth today after a nearly two-month-long space journey.
NASA issues alert about plane-sized asteroid approaching Earth today
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has issued a public alert about an asteroid, named 2024 KN1, set to make its closest approach to Earth today.
Are we alone? NASA estimates trillions of Earth-like planets
NASA scientists have made a remarkable revelation, estimating that at least a trillion Earth-like planets in the universe could potentially support life.
Ancient meteorite sample reveals secrets of early solar system
An international team of scientists has uncovered evidence of the early solar system within an ancient meteorite that landed on Earth.
Did a mysterious interstellar cloud cause Earth's ice age?
Roughly two million years ago, Earth may have lost its protection from the Sun, as the solar system traversed a dense cloud of dust and gas between stars.
Go for a stargazing adventure to Sahara Sky Observatory, Morocco
The Sahara Sky Observatory, situated in Morocco's expansive desert, provides a prime location for stargazing.
Earth could be swallowed up by Sun, warns new study
A new research suggests a dramatic end awaits our solar system as the Sun exhausts its energy reserves.
Top 5 discoveries about the Sun in 2023
The Sun has been the center of attention in 2023, with several groundbreaking discoveries about the most powerful body in the solar system.
How NASA aims to study solar system's cosmic shield
NASA is working on a new mission that will provide insights into the protective magnetic bubble surrounding our solar system, called the heliosphere. This layer acts as a shield that protects the planets from interstellar radiation.
NASA's streaming service launches this week: Check what it'll offer
NASA is launching a new streaming channel, NASA+, on November 8.
November 2023 skywatching guide: Celestial events to look out for
This November, the night sky offers a variety of celestial events for stargazers to enjoy, ranging from meteor showers to breathtaking views of Jupiter and the Beaver Moon.
NASA is sending a probe to Saturn's largest moon
NASA is gearing up for an unprecedented exploration of Saturn's largest moon Titan with the launch of the Dragonfly mission, set for 2027.