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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
The companions of the planets
Turn your minds to the moons of our solar system, the missions to explore them, and the awe they inspire in us.
Solar System History 101
How did our solar system come to be? Why are the planets, asteroids, comets, and other small worlds where they are now?
Jupiter Mission by China Could Include Callisto Landing
China plans to select one of two Jupiter mission concepts that would launch in 2029 and arrive in 2035.
Processing images of the cosmos and returning to the Moon
Take a look at space image processing, and try it yourself. Plus, catch up on the week’s space news.
Seeing, feeling, and imagining the cosmos
Explore space art created by members of The Planetary Society’s community, and learn about a possible alien signal.
So long, 2020, and thanks for all the space
Look back on the year’s accomplishments and enjoy the beauty of the cosmos.
Jupiter and Saturn Great Conjunction Viewing Guide
There's still time to get outside and see Jupiter and Saturn together in the evening sky.
Congress Comes Through for NASA Science, But Not Artemis
Planetary Society priorities, including Mars Sample Return and the Roman Space Telescope, were funded by Congress in its NASA budget. But Project Artemis's human landing system received only a fraction of its requested amount, pushing a return to the Moon further into the 2020s.
Aliens at Proxima Centauri? A New Radio Signal Raises the Question
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, so here are the reasons why there may or may not be aliens in our cosmic backyard.
The great conjunction! (And how it functions)
Everything you need to know about Saturn and Jupiter’s upcoming conjunction, and more from this week in space exploration.
NASA Abruptly Delays a Critical Planetary Defense Mission
A space telescope that would find thousands of potential "city-killer" size asteroids was abruptly delayed due to unspecified and unrelated funding issues within NASA's science division.
Calibrating Mars
Two colorful calibration targets will help scientists measure what the Perseverance rover sees on Mars.
Your Impact: December Solstice 2020
We're celebrating a congressional nod, PlanetVac's upcoming trip to the Moon and Mars, and more.
The Year 2020 in Pictures
These pictures helped us find hope and perseverance during a tough year on planet Earth.
Wish upon a shooting star (or a descending asteroid sample)
Hayabusa2 brings its sample safely to Earth, and the Geminids meteor shower approaches.
Your guide to future total solar eclipses
Bruce Betts and Sarah Al-Ahmed provided a guide to all total solar eclipses through the end of the 2020s, with dates and locations.
The Best of 2020
Results from your votes for the best of planetary science and exploration in 2020.
Would you care for a sample?
Bringing samples of the Moon and Ryugu to Earth, and mourning further damage to the Arecibo Observatory.
A moon mountain and a radio retrospective
Say hello to a new lunar sample return mission and farewell to a long-lived radio observatory. Plus, celebrate 18 years of Planetary Radio.
Moon Features You Can See From Earth
What can you see on the Moon tonight? This guide from The Planetary Society will help you identify some features.
You can increase discoveries in the worlds of our solar system and beyond. When you join The Planetary Society, you help build public support for planetary science, encourage decision makers to prioritize human and robotic exploration, and support technological advances in planetary exploration.
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