Analysis has revealed the South Pole–Aitken basin is significantly older than other impact basins on the Moon, a finding that has implications for the evolution of the early solar system.
Space & Planets
Posted inNews
Straightening Out Uranus’s Magnetosphere
New analysis of Voyager 2 observations shows that the craft arrived amid gusty solar wind, muddying our ideas about the giant planet.
Posted inNews
Explore Washington, D.C.’s Science Scene
Earth and space science hot spots are sprinkled throughout the D.C. metro region.
Posted inNews
Planetary Perturbations May Strengthen Gaia
Large-scale disruptions to life may ultimately increase ecological complexity over geologic timescales, though the risk of extinction always looms.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Three Ways to Track Venusquakes, from Balloons to Satellites
The planet’s harsh conditions make studying seismicity challenging, but it is likely possible.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Ground-based Transmitters Cause Radiation Belt Electron Loss
A U.S. Navy transmitter in Australia produces wisps of electron loss as observed by the Colorado Inner Radiation Belt Experiment (CIRBE) CubeSat in Low Earth Orbit.
Posted inNews
Martian Meteorite Points to Ancient Hydrothermal Activity
The Red Planet had water—in the form of a hydrothermal system—4.45 billion years ago, new analyses of a Martian meteorite suggest.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
The Explosive Origins of Titan’s Rampart Craters
In a new study, volcanic explosions are explored and modeled to understand the possible origins of rampart craters on Titan and determine whether their formation can source atmospheric methane.
Posted inNews
The Relatively Messy Problem with Lunar Clocks
Using Einstein’s theory of general relativity, physicists found that clocks on the Moon would run 56 microseconds faster than clocks on Earth. That finding will help future lunar missions navigate.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Unusual Occurrence of STEVE: An Aurora-Like Glow
STEVE is a mysterious purple-white arc near the aurora, typically seen after space disturbances called substorms. A new study reveals a rare STEVE event without a substorm, prompting questions about its origin.