New measurements of impact craters on Mercury’s smooth plains suggest that the topography of the solar system’s innermost planet is changing at twice the rate of landforms on the Moon.
Space & Planets
Posted inNews
Ten Earth-Sized Planets Found by Exoplanet-Hunting Telescope
A new analysis of exoplanet candidates also reveals a previously unrecognized tendency for smaller exoplanets to grow into two distinct sizes.
Posted inNews
Innovative Postage Stamp Celebrates Upcoming Total Solar Eclipse
The eclipse expert whose photographs appear on the stamp said he is thrilled about the opportunities that the stamp and the eclipse afford to excite people about science.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Mysterious Particle Beams Found over Jupiter’s Poles
The unexpected character of the beams, revealed by NASA’s Juno spacecraft, suggests that the processes that produce Jupiter’s auroras are unlike those on Earth.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Lab Tests Probe Carbon Planets’ Inner Dynamics
Thermal convection in deep interiors could be more vigorous in carbide planets than in comparably sized silicate planets, according to new high-pressure measurements of silicon carbide.
Posted inOpinions
Africa Initiative for Planetary and Space Sciences
Elevating planetary and space sciences across Africa could help nations reach their development goals. Efforts will require collaboration, creativity, efficient planning, and political will.
Posted inScience Updates
Instrument Development Enables Planetary Exploration
Third International Workshop on Instrumentation for Planetary Missions; Pasadena, California, 24–27 October 2016
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Meteorites Mix Moon’s Surface at Both Small and Large Scales
A three-dimensional model of material transport suggests that impact cratering can mix lunar soils across distances of more than 100 kilometers.
Posted inNews
Meet KELT-9b, the Hottest Exoplanet Ever Discovered
The exoplanet’s host star blasts it with so much radiation that it will someday evaporate.
Posted inNews
Planetary Science Up, Earth Science Down in Proposed NASA Budget
The agency’s acting administrator says that the fiscal year 2018 White House budget request tells NASA to stay the course.