Interactions between lunar gravity and the terrestrial magnetic field may cause a 90° offset from the Moon’s position in its orbit.
Space & Planets
Posted inResearch Spotlights
How Space Storms Miscue Train Signals
Geomagnetic storms could significantly disrupt electrified train operations in the United Kingdom once every few decades, according to a new study.
Posted inFeatures
Deluges of Data Are Changing Astronomical Science
Astronomers today are more likely than ever to access data from an archive rather than travel to a telescope—a shift that’s democratizing science.
Posted inNews
Newly Discovered Salts May Exist on Icy Moons
For the first time in more than a century, scientists have identified new sodium chloride crystals. The discovery may reconcile puzzling spectroscopic images of Europa’s surface.
Posted inNews
Active Volcanoes on Venus?
With a new look at old imagery, scientists may have found evidence of volcanic activity on Venus.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Martian Rocks May Record Ancient Wind Directions
Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover images of abraded surface rocks may retain records of ancient wind directions, providing important ground-truth to our understanding of Mars’ recent climate history.
Posted inNews
We (Probably) Can’t Tell Whether Mars Has Life
State-of-the-art equipment can’t always identify life inhabiting the most Mars-like spot on Earth, leaving scientists wondering how to do better on the Red Planet.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Martian Lava, Up Close and Personal
The Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover conducted the first investigation of volcanic rocks where they stand in their original configuration on the surface of Mars.
Posted inNews
Marauding Moons Spell Disaster for Some Planets
In solar systems beyond our own, some moons might eventually collide with their host planets, new simulations suggest.
Posted inNews
Quaoar’s Ring Defies Gravity
The dwarf planet’s ring makes astronomers question whether a long-held theory about ring and moon formation needs tweaking.