Solar System

Iconic Star Trek filming location spotted from space | Space photo of the day for Sept. 10, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published 10 September 26

This new satellite image shows Vasquez Rocks in southern California, where Captain Kirk once faced off against the Gorn.

Indonesian volcanic eruption spotted from space | Space photo of the day for Sept. 9, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published 9 September 26

Anak Krakatau erupted, and satellites were watching.

China on track to launch Mars sample-return mission in 2028: 'If accurate, this represents a Sputnik moment'

By Leonard David Published 9 September 26

China is making progress on its Tianwen 3 Mars sample-return mission, which aims to launch in 2028 and return a collection of Red Planet dirt and rock to Earth in 2031.

Did Venus eat its own moon?

By Robert Lea Published 8 September 26

Scientists may finally know why Venus, Earth's twin, lacks a moon, finding that the hottest planet in the solar system may have consumed its own natural satellite.

Earth's moon could have formed in just 5 hours after giant impact

By Keith Cooper Published 7 September 26

One day in history about 4.5 billion years ago was a dramatic one for Earth, potentially giving our planet an instant moon and an almighty headache all in one go.

The future of Earth observation: Private satellites and AI bring benefits but also pose risks

By Leonard David Published 7 September 26

We've entered a new world of Earth observation, in which artificial intelligence helps researchers make sense of an ever-glowing glut of privately gathered data.

How did the infant sun form? Scientists get surprising new insights from 4.6-billion-year-old space dust

By Robert Lea Published 4 September 26

"This transition, from a spherical cloud to a protoplanetary disk, is one of the most significant events in all of solar system history."

Scientists watch a comet being born 3 billion miles away

By Keith Cooper Published 4 September 26

A rare look at a centaur transforming into a comet with coma is providing a missing link in the evolution of small, icy solar system bodies.

2 spacecraft will soon reach Mercury after 8 years in space. Here's what BepiColombo can do

By Meghan Bartels Published 3 September 26

After an 8-year trek to Mercury, BepiColombo will finally split into two spacecraft ready to track down the secrets of the least-explored planet in the inner solar system.