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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
The Year 2020 in Pictures
These pictures helped us find hope and perseverance during a tough year on planet Earth.
Calibrating Mars
Two colorful calibration targets will help scientists measure what the Perseverance rover sees on Mars.
Wish upon a shooting star (or a descending asteroid sample)
Hayabusa2 brings its sample safely to Earth, and the Geminids meteor shower approaches.
The Best of 2020
Results from your votes for the best of planetary science and exploration in 2020.
Planetary Society Reacts to Loss of Arecibo Observatory Radio Telescope
Arecibo helped us explore the cosmos and our solar system, search for life, and defend Earth from potentially dangerous asteroids.
NASA and JAXA to Send Planetary Society-supported Sample Technology to the Moon and Phobos
PlanetVac, developed by Honeybee Robotics, is designed to be a reliable, flexible, low-cost sample collection technology.
How to stop microbes from hitching a ride to space
Learn about planetary protection for exploring other worlds and get caught up on the week’s space news.
A Goodbye, But Not Forever, From Emily Lakdawalla
After 19 years, Emily Lakdawalla is leaving The Planetary Society.
Could there be life on Venus?
Explore exciting news in the search for life beyond Earth, and take a trip down memory lane with our co-founder.
Planetary Society Grant Winner Discovers Large Near-Earth Asteroid
The kilometer-wide object won't hit Earth, but would cause global-scale devastation if it did.
Mars approaches Earth, and Earthlings dream of going to Mars
Looking back into space and time, and looking forward to mission milestones and new endeavors. All this and more in your weekly space digest.
Planetary Society Grant Winners Deal with Delays, Hunt Asteroids, and Discover Comet
Every 6 months, we ask our recent Planetary Society Shoemaker NEO Grant winners for a progress report. Here's what they told us.
Perseverance Rover Scientists Make Plans for Mars
As the launch of NASA's Perseverance rover approaches, scientists for the Mastcam-Z instrument prepare for the rover's science activities.
Perseverance Microphones Fulfill Planetary Society Campaign to Hear Sounds from Mars
The first Mars microphone, sponsored by The Planetary Society, flew aboard NASA's Polar Lander spacecraft, which crashed on the Red Planet in 1999.
A ring of fire and Titan’s explosive volcanoes
All the latest space news, plus ways you can celebrate and advocate for space.
LightSail 2 Enters Extended Mission Phase
One year after launch, The Planetary Society’s solar sail spacecraft is embarking on an extended mission dedicated to further advancing solar sailing technology.
Your Impact: June 2020 Solstice
We're celebrating a successful Day of Action in Washington D.C., remembering [email protected], and looking forward to LightSail 2's extended mission.
Our Commitment to Work Against Racism
Many of us are having a hard time looking up right now. It’s a painful moment. We here at The Planetary Society recognize we must do more to support Black people, including Black people who love space.
Visiting Perseverance During Its Final Week at JPL
An undergraduate physics research student describes her visit to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to see the Perseverance rover before it shipped to Florida for launch.
Ten New Pictures from LightSail 2
Images from around the globe, plus some night pictures and the spacecraft's solar panels.
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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