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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
Syzygy + apogee = majesty
An annular solar eclipse is about to wow the world, and there’s plenty more to get excited about in space science and exploration this week.
Psyche mission successfully launches
The spacecraft has begun its six-year journey to the same-name metal world.
How astronomers search for life on exoplanets
Technologies for studying planets around other stars are advancing all the time. Along with those advancements come new ways to look for possible signs of life on those planets.
How do humans try to communicate with aliens?
SETI is the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, using various techniques to look for signals from advanced alien civilizations. METI (messaging extraterrestrial intelligence) is when we send out our own signals for aliens to find.
Cosmic cocktail hour
Jupiter looks fit for a martini, and Carl Sagan pairs well with a cosmopolitan. Find out why, and learn about the latest in space science and exploration.
The future of Mars Sample Return
An overview of the 2023 Independent Review Board report on the state and future of Mars Sample Return.
The Psyche launch and its journey to a metal world: What to expect
The Psyche spacecraft is scheduled to blast off on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket on Oct. 13.
With an eye to the future
Mars Sample Return’s future depends on what we do now. NIAC’s projects are very future-forward. And in many ways, the future is already here.
The boy who named Bennu is now an aspiring astronaut
The Planetary Society spoke to Mike Puzio, who won our "Name that asteroid!" contest back in 2013.
Why partial eclipses are worth seeing
Partial eclipses are the most common solar eclipse to see. Here's why that is, and why it's worth going out and (safely) looking up.
OSIRIS-REx returns sample from asteroid Bennu to Earth
The sample capsule parachuted to a landing at the Department of Defense’s Utah Test and Training Range southwest of Salt Lake City.
Equinox and equilux
Celebrate today’s equinox, but be sure to check when your location’s equilux takes place. And there’s lots to celebrate about this year’s Day of Action.
What is an annular solar eclipse?
An overview of annular solar eclipses, how they work, what they're like to experience, and how to view one safely.
Want to experience the 2024 total solar eclipse? Here are some tips.
We asked two eclipse chasers for tips on how to plan your big moment in the Moon's shadow.
The Day of Action returns to Capitol Hill
Planetary Society members traveled to Washington, D.C., in September 2023 to advocate for the future of space science and exploration.
Lost and found
Some things are lost — Moon rocks, Io’s water, even (briefly) the Sun’s light — but what we find in space is so much greater.
A guide to eclipse vocabulary
A list of useful words and terms relating to lunar and solar eclipses.
Cometary sights and sounds
Discover what causes a comet’s color and what it might be like to listen to one whiz by.
A checklist for what to expect during the 2024 total solar eclipse
Know what to expect ahead of time, and be prepared to experience a cosmic spectacle like nothing else in nature.
Are your solar eclipse glasses safe?
A guide to how to make sure your solar eclipse glasses are safe and certified, plus tips on what to do — and what not to do — if you want to experience an eclipse without glasses.