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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
Pretty Pictures of the Cosmos: Lesser-Known Luminaries
Award-winning astrophotographer Adam Block shares some of his latest images highlighting some hidden gems.
OSIRIS-REx sees Bennu spewing stuff into space
The asteroid's rotation rate is also increasing, and scientists continue refining the plan to collect a regolith sample next year.
The March Equinox Issue of The Planetary Report Is Out!
I’m very pleased to announce the publication of the March Equinox issue of The Planetary Report: “Inside the Ice Giants.” The print issue shipped to members yesterday!
A Kepler Orrery
As of mission end on 30 October 2018, Kepler had detected 1,815 planets or planet candidates in multi-planet systems. All 726 such systems are drawn here.
Where We Are on 1 April 2019
Emily Lakdawalla takes us on a tour of the spacecraft currently exploring from within our solar system. All planets and spacecraft locations are shown at their location for April 1st, 2019.
The Realm of the Ice Giants
Imagine 2 icy worlds far from the Sun. Their serene, blue atmospheres. Huge, ominous-looking storms. Tantalizing glimpses of moons with exotic, icy terrains. Delicate sets of encircling rings.
The Skies of Mini-Neptunes
A GREAT QUEST is underway to discover Earthsize worlds in their stars’ habitable zones. Along the way, astronomers have been surprised to learn that the most typical size of planet in our galaxy is one with no counterpart in our own solar system.
Amidst Cuts to NASA, Mars Sample Return May Finally Happen
The President's Budget Request for NASA in 2020 would start a Mars Sample Return mission and ramp up efforts to send humans to the Moon. But it would still kick off the first year of a new decade with a half-billion dollar cut to the space agency.
The subtle color difference between Uranus and Neptune
The color of Uranus and Neptune is similar, but not identical. Uranus appears greener and Neptune bluer.
Crew Dragon Returns to Earth
The spacecraft completed a successful test flight with splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean on 8 March 2019 at 08:45 EST (13:45 UTC).
Hayabusa2 Scores a Bulls-eye on Touchdown, More Explodey Fun on the Horizon
The mission is also gearing up for a possible second sample collection.
Yutu-2 Rocks On into Lunar Day 3 for Chang’e-4 mission
China’s Yutu-2 rover is continuing to make tracks on the lunar far side.
100 Planetary Society Members. 25 States. 1 Day of Action.
Society members from across the United States came to Washington, D.C. on their own dime to advocate for space science and exploration.
Watch Hayabusa2's incredible touchdown on asteroid Ryugu
The spacecraft fired a bullet into the surface and unleashed a massive spray of debris.
Crew Dragon Successfully Docks to International Space Station
Docking occurred slightly ahead of schedule at 5:51 EST (10:51 UTC).
Crew Dragon Safely on the Way to International Space Station
SpaceX's Crew Dragon has successfully launched on its maiden voyage! It will dock with the ISS tomorrow.
InSight Update, Sol 92: The Mole Did Hit a Rock
The HP3 mole started hammering itself today, and almost immediately (after just 5 minutes) appears to have encountered a rock. No matter; they'll try again Saturday.
Fun With a New Data Set: The OSIRIS-REx Earth Flyby
The OSIRIS-REx team recently issued their first data release to the Planetary Data System. This release doesn’t include any closeup pictures of asteroid Bennu, but it does include all the pictures they took during their September 2017 Earth flyby.
Beresheet Overcomes Early Glitches, Continues Journey to the Moon
The spacecraft performed its second engine burn, raising the highest point of its orbit to more than a third of the way to the Moon.
What to expect when Crew Dragon launches to the International Space Station
SpaceX's Crew Dragon is scheduled to blast off for a 6-day, uncrewed test flight on 2 March at 02:49 EST (07:49 UTC).