Articles

Stories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.

Tech funded by Planetary Society launches to the Moon next month

A spacecraft trying to land on the Moon will carry PlanetVac, the lunar dustbuster that could change how we explore other worlds.

Starship prior to first integrated test flight

How soon will Starship fly?

One rocket could decide how soon humanity returns to the Moon — and maybe one day sets foot on Mars.

Apparent sizes of Phobos and Deimos in Curiosity's sky compared to the Moon in Earth's sky

Earth’s quasi-moons, minimoons, and ghost moons

They may not be real moons, but they're worth exploring and studying.

Chang’e-6 launch: What to expect

China will attempt to return the first-ever samples from the far side of the Moon.

The hottest and coldest places in the Solar System

The worlds of our Solar System run the gamut of temperatures. Here are some of the hottest and coldest places we know of.

Is the Moon shrinking?

The Moon is shrinking in both actual volume and its apparent size from Earth’s perspective. We explain how scientists know this, why it happens, and how it might affect Earth.

An exquisite cosmic coincidence

Why eclipses on Earth are unlike anything else in the Solar System.

The best places to search for life in our Solar System

From Earth's neighboring planets to distant moons, these are the best places to look for alien life.

Sharing an eclipse with kids

Here's a simple and safe way to observe solar eclipses that's appropriate for young children, with no eclipse glasses or other special equipment needed.

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.

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.

See for yourself

See the month’s coolest space pictures, see planets in the night sky, and create the future in space that you want to see.

A lunar saga

How the origins of the Moon could shape the future of human space exploration.

The Influence of the Moon on Women’s Minds

Moonstruck

Exploring humanity’s long relationship with the Moon.

What would happen if an asteroid hit the Moon?

If a large asteroid impacted the Moon, would it cause problems for us here on Earth?

Hasta la vista, baby

Terminators abound this week in space, and we’ll be back to Mars if NASA gets the budget it needs.

Moonshadow, Moonshadow

The Moon casts shadows on itself and on Earth, environmental concerns overshadow a test launch’s success, and exoplanets are awesome (beyond a shadow of a doubt).