Solar System

The top news about what's going on in the cosmic neighborhood—from planet nine to the sun, and everything in between.

Latest in Solar System

nasa cassini saturn

NASA

A spacecraft just flew between Saturn and its rings for the first time ever—and there are pictures A spacecraft just flew between Saturn and its rings for the first time ever—and there are pictures

By Rachel Feltman

Bricks made from fake Martian soil are surprisingly strong

Mars

Bricks made from fake Martian soil are surprisingly strong Bricks made from fake Martian soil are surprisingly strong

rocket infographic

Mars

Whose is bigger? How all the Mars-bound rockets stack up Whose is bigger? How all the Mars-bound rockets stack up

By Mark D. Kaufman

Mars' atmosphere

Mars

What it would actually take to get to Mars by 2020 What it would actually take to get to Mars by 2020

The 5 most amazing things we’ve learned from NASA’s Cassini mission

Moons

The 5 most amazing things we’ve learned from NASA’s Cassini mission The 5 most amazing things we’ve learned from NASA’s Cassini mission

Science

An alien’s view of the galaxy, a space hamburger, and other amazing images of the week An alien’s view of the galaxy, a space hamburger, and other amazing images of the week

By Eleanor Cummins

Salt might actually make you hungry, not thirsty

Health

Salt might actually make you hungry, not thirsty Salt might actually make you hungry, not thirsty

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

Why NASA is going to vaporize one of its best spacecraft

Moons

Why NASA is going to vaporize one of its best spacecraft Why NASA is going to vaporize one of its best spacecraft

Bringing Life To Mars

Mars

We finally know what happened to (most of) Mars’ missing atmosphere We finally know what happened to (most of) Mars’ missing atmosphere

Moons

Electrically charged sands on Titan would make seriously sturdy sandcastles Electrically charged sands on Titan would make seriously sturdy sandcastles

By Mary Beth Griggs

NASA

NASA observatory captures a rare stretch of our sun without spots NASA observatory captures a rare stretch of our sun without spots

By Rachel Feltman

Curiosity Rover takes a self portrait

Mars

The Curiosity Mars rover’s wheels are starting to break The Curiosity Mars rover’s wheels are starting to break

By Rachel Feltman

Saturn has a moon that looks just like a ravioli

Moons

Saturn has a moon that looks just like a ravioli Saturn has a moon that looks just like a ravioli

By Rachel Feltman

Pluto New Horizons

Pluto

Pluto might be a planet again. Let’s talk about why this matters. Pluto might be a planet again. Let’s talk about why this matters.

By Sara Chodosh

Juno spacecraft gives up, decides to take the long way around Jupiter

Science

Juno spacecraft gives up, decides to take the long way around Jupiter Juno spacecraft gives up, decides to take the long way around Jupiter

Here are the winners of NASA’s space poop challenge

Mars

Here are the winners of NASA’s space poop challenge Here are the winners of NASA’s space poop challenge

Aliens are probably out there, according to Winston Churchill

Mars

Aliens are probably out there, according to Winston Churchill Aliens are probably out there, according to Winston Churchill

By Mark D. Kaufman

Mars

The United Arab Emirates wants to build a city on Mars The United Arab Emirates wants to build a city on Mars

Active Regions Galore

NASA

How NASA is planning to touch the sun How NASA is planning to touch the sun

By Ian Graber-Stiehl

NASA has an unusually bold plan to find life on Europa

Moons

NASA has an unusually bold plan to find life on Europa NASA has an unusually bold plan to find life on Europa

These gorgeous photos of Saturn’s rings are Cassini’s ‘Grand Finale’

NASA

These gorgeous photos of Saturn’s rings are Cassini’s ‘Grand Finale’ These gorgeous photos of Saturn’s rings are Cassini’s ‘Grand Finale’

By Sara Chodosh

This moon looks just like the Death Star, which isn’t suspicious at all

Moons

This moon looks just like the Death Star, which isn’t suspicious at all This moon looks just like the Death Star, which isn’t suspicious at all

By Rachel Feltman

These 5 finalists will race to the moon in Google’s Lunar XPrize competition

Moons

These 5 finalists will race to the moon in Google’s Lunar XPrize competition These 5 finalists will race to the moon in Google’s Lunar XPrize competition

This is what it would look like to land on Pluto

Pluto

This is what it would look like to land on Pluto This is what it would look like to land on Pluto

Science

Hey look, Venus is smiling Hey look, Venus is smiling

By Sophie Bushwick

Where did ‘Planet Nine’ come from?

Science

Where did ‘Planet Nine’ come from? Where did ‘Planet Nine’ come from?

Could you walk to the moon in a lifetime?

Moons

Could you walk to the moon in a lifetime? Could you walk to the moon in a lifetime?

By Rachel Feltman

Astronauts could live inside ice domes on Mars

Mars

Astronauts could live inside ice domes on Mars Astronauts could live inside ice domes on Mars

By Sara Chodosh

Could you fertilize Martian crops with human poop?

Ask Us Anything

Could you fertilize Martian crops with human poop? Could you fertilize Martian crops with human poop?

By Michael Koziol

The hibernation science in ‘Passengers’ is not far from reality

Mars

The hibernation science in ‘Passengers’ is not far from reality The hibernation science in ‘Passengers’ is not far from reality

By Jason Lederman

Moons

On Ceres, water ice survives just below the surface, and in the darkest craters On Ceres, water ice survives just below the surface, and in the darkest craters

New Cassini photos show the hexagon on Saturn’s north pole

Science

New Cassini photos show the hexagon on Saturn’s north pole New Cassini photos show the hexagon on Saturn’s north pole

By Sophie Bushwick

Despite a bumpy beginning, NASA’s Juno is hard at work exploring Jupiter

Science

Despite a bumpy beginning, NASA’s Juno is hard at work exploring Jupiter Despite a bumpy beginning, NASA’s Juno is hard at work exploring Jupiter

By Leigh Fletcher/The Conversation

Moons

Private moon rovers may visit the Apollo 17 landing site Private moon rovers may visit the Apollo 17 landing site

Pluto

Pluto’s frozen heart may hide an ocean inside Pluto’s frozen heart may hide an ocean inside

This week’s supermoon is going to be more super than usual (we promise)

Moons

This week’s supermoon is going to be more super than usual (we promise) This week’s supermoon is going to be more super than usual (we promise)

By Samantha Cole

Why Ron Howard and Brian Grazer want to take you to Mars

Mars

Why Ron Howard and Brian Grazer want to take you to Mars Why Ron Howard and Brian Grazer want to take you to Mars

Laser-Eyed Device Could Speed Up NASA’s Search For Life On Mars

Mars

Laser-Eyed Device Could Speed Up NASA’s Search For Life On Mars Laser-Eyed Device Could Speed Up NASA’s Search For Life On Mars

The Cosmic Crash That Created Our Moon Was Crazier Than We Thought

Moons

The Cosmic Crash That Created Our Moon Was Crazier Than We Thought The Cosmic Crash That Created Our Moon Was Crazier Than We Thought

By Samantha Cole

Mars

After Rough Descent, Europe’s Mars Lander Is Probably Dead After Rough Descent, Europe’s Mars Lander Is Probably Dead

By Rebecca Boyle

Mars

Update: One Win, One Big Maybe For Europe’s Mars Mission Update: One Win, One Big Maybe For Europe’s Mars Mission

By Rebecca Boyle

ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and Schiaparelli Separation

Mars

What Will The ExoMars Lander Do? What Will The ExoMars Lander Do?

By Rebecca Boyle

httpswww.popsci.comsitespopsci.comfilesimages201610mars_dust_storm.jpg

Mars

Can We Predict Global Dust Storms On Mars? Can We Predict Global Dust Storms On Mars?

By Kate Baggaley

We’re About To Get Regional Forecasts For Solar Storms

Environment

We’re About To Get Regional Forecasts For Solar Storms We’re About To Get Regional Forecasts For Solar Storms

By Mary Beth Griggs

Elon Musk’s Plan To Get Us To Mars (In Less Than 90 Seconds)

Mars

Elon Musk’s Plan To Get Us To Mars (In Less Than 90 Seconds) Elon Musk’s Plan To Get Us To Mars (In Less Than 90 Seconds)

By Jason Lederman

Elon Musk’s Plan To Colonize Mars Gives Us The Sci-Fi Future We Crave

Mars

Elon Musk’s Plan To Colonize Mars Gives Us The Sci-Fi Future We Crave Elon Musk’s Plan To Colonize Mars Gives Us The Sci-Fi Future We Crave

Illustration of SpaceX 'Red Dragon' craft on Mars

Mars

4 Questions About Elon Musk’s Plan To Colonize Mars 4 Questions About Elon Musk’s Plan To Colonize Mars

china space race

Moons

China’s Race To Space Domination China’s Race To Space Domination

By Clay Dillow, Jeffrey Lin, and P.W. Singer

New Evidence Shows The Moon Formed From Melted Bits Of Earth

Moons

New Evidence Shows The Moon Formed From Melted Bits Of Earth New Evidence Shows The Moon Formed From Melted Bits Of Earth

By Rebecca Boyle

The Man Whose Models Revealed A Possible Ninth Planet In Our Solar System

Ankündigungen

The Man Whose Models Revealed A Possible Ninth Planet In Our Solar System The Man Whose Models Revealed A Possible Ninth Planet In Our Solar System

By Veronique Greenwood and Cassandra Willyard

acoustic testing chamber

Mars

Inside NASA’s Mars Mission Inside NASA’s Mars Mission

Moons

Saturn’s Moon Titan Has Deep Canyons Flooded With Liquid Saturn’s Moon Titan Has Deep Canyons Flooded With Liquid

By Mary Beth Griggs

Mars Rover Game

Mars

NASA Just Released An Addictive New Mars Rover Game NASA Just Released An Addictive New Mars Rover Game

By Mary Beth Griggs

China’s Jade Rabbit Moon Rover Is Dead

Moons

China’s Jade Rabbit Moon Rover Is Dead China’s Jade Rabbit Moon Rover Is Dead

By Kate Baggaley

How The First Private Landing On The Moon Could Move Humanity Forward

Moons

How The First Private Landing On The Moon Could Move Humanity Forward How The First Private Landing On The Moon Could Move Humanity Forward

By Cliff Ransom

Jupiter’s Great Red Spot Is Mysteriously Hot

Science

Jupiter’s Great Red Spot Is Mysteriously Hot Jupiter’s Great Red Spot Is Mysteriously Hot

By Mary Beth Griggs

The Mars Curiosity Rover Is Starting To Make Its Own Decisions

Mars

The Mars Curiosity Rover Is Starting To Make Its Own Decisions The Mars Curiosity Rover Is Starting To Make Its Own Decisions

By Samantha Cole

Robots Have Been Visiting Mars For 40 Years Today

Mars

Robots Have Been Visiting Mars For 40 Years Today Robots Have Been Visiting Mars For 40 Years Today

By Rebecca Boyle

base camp at mars

Mars

How Lockheed Martin Plans To Set Up A Base Camp In Mars’ Orbit How Lockheed Martin Plans To Set Up A Base Camp In Mars’ Orbit

Experience A Virtual Trip To Mars In A School Bus

Mars

Experience A Virtual Trip To Mars In A School Bus Experience A Virtual Trip To Mars In A School Bus

By G. Clay Whittaker

SpaceX Rocket Carries Chernobyl Fungi Into Space

Mars

SpaceX Rocket Carries Chernobyl Fungi Into Space SpaceX Rocket Carries Chernobyl Fungi Into Space

Science

New Yorkers Crowd Busy Streets To Watch The Sunset New Yorkers Crowd Busy Streets To Watch The Sunset

By Ryan F. Mandelbaum

Weird Exoplanet

Pluto

This Could Be The Strangest Exoplanet Found Yet This Could Be The Strangest Exoplanet Found Yet

By Ryan F. Mandelbaum

Jupiter, Juno, and Galileo

Science

LEGO Figurines On Juno Are Latest In A Long Line Of Bricks In Space LEGO Figurines On Juno Are Latest In A Long Line Of Bricks In Space

By Mary Beth Griggs