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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
What does “Mercury in retrograde” actually mean?
"Mercury in retrograde" is one of the most searched terms relating to the planet. Astrological interpretations aside, apparent retrograde motion is an interesting phenomenon that has to do with orbital speeds and observer perspective.
Want more space? Speak up!
Detailed Mars maps, insights into the Venusian surface, and views of Uranian rings all have one thing in common: they don’t happen without public support for space.
A mission to pull back the shroud
VERITAS would peer through Venus’ clouds to study its surface like never before, but it needs your help.
What the search for aliens can learn from life on Earth
When searching for extraterrestrial life, we have to base our hunt on what we know about life on our own planet. This may seem limiting, but there's a lot we can learn from the astonishingly diverse lifeforms we have here on Earth.
Spectacularly crepuscular!
Curiosity captures crepuscular rays on Mars, a new member community launches, and solar sailing takes exploration into the future.
Red hot space
This week’s roundup of space news and exploration inspiration will leave you seeing red (in the best way possible).
What does a bear have in common with a megatsunami?
An old image of Mars drives scientific questions today, moons and mini asteroids fuel fascination, and an unexpected ursine figure shows itself.
Best space pictures of the month: January 2023
A sample depot on Mars and a stunning green comet top this month's space highlights.
Extraterrestrial frosts
Frost happens throughout the Solar System, creating beautiful views. Learn why and check out the latest in space news.
Ending a year, looking to the future
This year has been great for space exploration. With your support, we’ll make sure the future is even better.
A long night, and “so long!” to InSight
Celebrate the December solstice, be thankful you’re not on Triton, and say goodbye to the InSight Mars lander.
Capturing the Cosmos
This week we have images snapped the old-fashioned and cutting-edge ways, creative ways of thinking about exploration, and artwork that expresses the beauty of it all.
Out-of-this-world astronauts (literally)
Celebrating 50 years of Apollo 17, the last crewed mission to the Moon.
Best space pictures of the month: November 2022
NASA's chief of exploration mission planning Nujoud Merancy walks us through a picture from the Orion spacecraft.
A year in review and a reddish hue
Get ready for a total lunar eclipse and pick your favorites from this year in space.
Best space pictures of the month: October 2022
Stunning views of Europa and the Eagle Nebula headline our roundup of space images released last month.
Creepy Cosmos! Scary space! Petrifying planets!
An especially spooky Halloween edition of The Downlink.
Your guide to water on Mars
Mars used to have oceans, lakes, and rivers. Where did the water go, how much is left, and how can we use it for science and exploration?
Brighten up your day
JWST captures more astonishing images and insights, and DART gets ready for impact.
Tianwen-3: China’s Mars sample return mission
China's Tianwen-3 aims to be the first to collect samples from Mars and deliver them to Earth, potentially landing back home two years ahead of the NASA and the European Space Agency MSR project