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Stories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
A Spin Through the Inner Solar System
Animated maps of the planets show the spheres in motion.
Sand Waves in the Desert
I have a pet peeve: the words dune and ripple are often used interchangeably, although they are quite distinct from one another. So what’s the difference between aeolian dunes and ripples? And why should anybody care?
Curiosity update, sols 540-8: New rules and longer drives
Curiosity has tested a new driving mode -- backwards -- and achieved their longest single-day drive in three months. And they've committed to driving to the spot formerly known as
Curiosity Update, sols 534-540: Over Dingo Gap, onto softer sand
After more than two months of very slow driving due to concern about the wheels and time spent choosing whether to enter
New Hills, Old Secrets
Exploring a set of newly named hills on Mars reveals tantalizing clues to the planet's story.
Mars Exploration Rovers Update: Opportunity Finds Mystery Rock, Mission Celebrates 10 Years
In the storied history of the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) mission, January 2014 will likely be remembered as one of the most memorable months of all.
The Mars Exploration Family Portrait is expanding, and I need your help
The Mars Exploration Family Portrait is expanding to cover the entire solar system! But before we proceed, I'm asking for feedback.
Looking Backward: Curiosity gazes upon the setting Earth
A few days ago, Curiosity looked westward after sunset and photographed Earth setting toward the mountainous rim of Gale crater.
Curiosity update, sols 521-533: Assessing Dingo Gap
While continuing to perform regular wheel health assessments, Curiosity took a sharp right turn and headed for Dingo Gap. On sol 533, they performed a
The Faces of Mars
Portraits of a planet.
Beautiful view into the valley beyond Dingo Gap, Curiosity sol 528
A beautiful Mastcam panorama from sol 528 shows a landscape so much more like Earth than anything we've explored on the Martian surface before.
Curiosity update: imaging the nonfunctioning REMS boom, closer to Dingo Gap
At long last, on sol 526, Curiosity imaged the part of the weather instrument that was damaged during landing, but no obvious damage is visible, to me anyway. On sol 527 they drove even closer to Dingo Gap, with plans to drive onto the dune in the sol 528 drive.
Mars 2020 Is No Redo
The next major mission to Mars will push the technological envelope in way that preserves its budget and fulfills the scientific goals set by the planetary community for this decade.
A new comet observing campaign for C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring)
You thought you were rid of us...but we're back! Following the spectacular and, quite frankly unprecedented, success of the Comet ISON Observing Campaign, we are launching a similar venture for another unique cometary encounter that's happening this year. In October 2014, comet C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring) will pass extremely close to Mars.
The Planetary Society Congratulates Opportunity's Team for 10 Years on Mars
The Planetary Society released an official statement today recognizing the unprecedented achievement of maintaining an operating rover on the surface of Mars for a decade.
Curiosity images "Dingo Gap," sols 519-521
Over the last few days, Curiosity made steady driving progress to the southwest. For several of those days, an intriguing feature has appeared on the horizon in her images. UPDATE: The Curiosity team has now decided to drive the rover toward the feature, which is now named
Russia's Ambitious Planetary Exploration Goals
Roscosmos has ambitious planetary exploration plans in the coming decades, including a series of solo lunar missions and joint missions to Mars with the European Space Agency.
Curiosity update, sols 488-520: Steady driving while watching the wheels
In the last month, Curiosity put 222 meters on the odometer in 12 short drives, while regularly assessing the wheels for damage. The rover performed touch-and-go analyses of rocks including Oneida and Kodak, and also took some ChemCam RMI mosaics of rocks near the base of Mount Sharp.
New Views of Martian Weather
The latest postcards from Mars Express feature cloudy skies.