Spectral data from NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft indicate that the properties of the depressions on Mercury's surface can vary within a single crater and that these differences may correlate to age.
Space & Planets
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Gamma Ray Bursts Leave Their Mark in the Low Ionosphere
Scientists use very low and low-frequency radio signals to detect short gamma ray bursts and their impact on the low ionosphere.
Posted inScience Updates
Planetary Caves' Role in Astronaut Bases and the Search for Life
2nd International Planetary Caves Conference; Flagstaff, Arizona, 20–23 October 2015
Posted inResearch Spotlights
New GPS Satellite Technique to Monitor Ionospheric Disturbances
Researchers are developing better ways to use satellites to understand space weather events that can interfere with technology.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
What Causes the Strange Pulses in Saturn's Magnetosphere?
A new model shows that a spiral wave may explain why many phenomena in the gas giant's magnetosphere undergo periodic cycles.
Posted inNews
Congress Tussles over Bill to Provide Stability to NASA
Witnesses at a congressional hearing highlighted the need to provide stability to NASA but were lukewarm in supporting specific provisions of the proposed Space Leadership Preservation Act.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Sun's Magnetic Fields Best at Forecasting Solar Cycle Peaks
Models based on the Sun's polar magnetic fields performed best in simulating the solar cycle and predicting solar behavior.
Posted inNews
Proposed NASA Budget: Earth Science Up, Planetary Science Down
A new line item for space transportation would support NASA partnerships with commercial spaceflight vendors and reduce dependence on Russia for transporting astronauts.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Magnetic Field Pulsations and Aurora Tightly Linked
Mysterious plasma waves from space are generating displays of aurora near Earth's poles.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
New Model Predicts Big Solar Proton Storms
Forecasts of dangerous solar events could buy time for astronauts en route to the Moon or Mars.