Solar System

Latest about Solar System

A silver and blue sphere surrounded green loops representing magnetic field lines.

BepiColombo spacecraft's flyby of Mercury begins unraveling the planet's magnetic mystery

By Robert Lea published

The secrets of Mercury's strange magnetic bubble are gradually being unlocked by the BepiColombo spacecraft as it makes its rapid flybys of the world.

Mercury
close up view of the sun shows the massive x class solar flare erupting as the sunspot region points straight at Earth.

Biggest solar flare since 2017 erupts from sun and Earth is in the firing line (video)

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

On Oct. 3, the sun released the most powerful solar flare this solar cycle, a colossal X9.05 eruption — and it's heading for Earth.

The Sun
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft captured this view of an X7.1 solar flare erupting on Oct. 1, 2024

Sun unleashes monster X7.1 flare that could supercharge Earth auroras (video)

By Meredith Garofalo published

Just when we thought the sun was taking a bit of a break, the sunspot AR3842 fired off two powerful solar flares, including a monster X7.1.

The Sun
China unveiled its moonwalking spacesuit during a ceremony on Sept. 28, 2024.

China unveils spacesuit for moonwalking astronauts (video)

By Leonard David published

China has revealed the design of its moonwalking spacesuit, which the nation hopes to start putting to use on the lunar surface by 2030.

The moon
A blue, white and green sphere next to a white/grey sphere and an irregular grey and black rock

Earth has caught a 'second moon,' scientists say

By Robert Lea last updated

Scientists calculated that, on Sunday (Sept. 29), our planet should have captured the asteroid 2024 PT5, claiming it as a very temporary "mini-moon."

Asteroids
graphic illustration of a laptop with the comet livestream poster on the screen.

Watch spectacular Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS rise during the early hours of Sept. 28 with this free livestream

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS will reach perihelion — and if it survives its close call with the sun, we may be in for a real treat.

Comets
A satellite image of Hurricane Helene making landfall as a Category 4 storm on Sept. 26, 2024.

Satellites reveal Hurricane Helene's deadly fury as a monster Category 4 storm during landfall (videos)

By Tariq Malik published

Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida's Gulf Coast overnight Thursday (Sept. 26) with satellites capturing striking views of a colossal storm.

Earth
A black and white asteroid moves around in a grainy video.

Radar images capture snowman-shaped object tumbling past Earth

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Radar images have captured snowman-shaped 2024 ON asteroid tumbling through space.

Asteroids
A cracked and bruised reddish brown sphere surround by white smoke

Where did Mars' atmosphere go? Scientists say it may be 'hiding in plain sight'

By Robert Lea published

New research suggests that the atmosphere of Mars could have literally "gone to ground" as carbon dioxide was greedily slurped out of the atmosphere and locked away by Red Planet clays.

Mars
Satellite footage of the hurricane moving toward Florida.

Hurricane Helene could yield major flooding, tornadoes and 'devastating' winds, experts warn

By Monisha Ravisetti published

Tropical Storm Helene reached hurricane status on Wednesday (Sept. 25), and scientists warn that its damage could be life-threatening.

Earth
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives