Solar System

Mars Express orbiter captures detailed new video of the crater where Mark Watney was stranded in 'The Martian'

By Josh Dinner Published 20 August 26

Europe's Mars Express orbiter has captured stunning telemetry to create a new flyover visualization of the Red Planet's Southern Highlands and Schiaparelli Crater in magnificent detail.

Try not to be hypnotized by the 'Eye of Africa' | Space photo of the day for Aug. 20, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published 20 August 26

This geologic feature has been mesmerizing astronauts since 1965.

A SpaceX rocket slammed into the moon this month — and a NASA spacecraft has spotted its lunar grave (photos)

By Leonard David Published 19 August 26

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has spotted the crater gouged out on the moon by a SpaceX rocket on Aug. 5, finding it to be about 60 feet (18 meters) wide.

Perseverance rover watches alien solar eclipse on Mars | Space photo of the day for Aug. 19, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published 19 August 26

What a view.

Wildfire smoke blankets volcanoes across the Pacific Northwest | Space photo of the day for Aug. 17, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published 17 August 26

The wildfires ripping across North America have created massive plumes of smoke.

On this day in space! Aug. 17, 1877: Asaph Hall discovers the Martian moon Phobos

By Hanneke Weitering Published 17 August 26

On this day in space, Aug. 17, 1877: American astronomer Asaph Hall discovered Mars's moon Phobos.

'This goes beyond showcasing technological soft power': China's new moon map signals bold space ambitions (video)

By Andrew Jones Published 16 August 26

New chronology, data about the moon's far side and a homegrown cartographic standard signal China's ambitions for how the solar system gets mapped.

Will the new moon race turn Earth's nearest neighbor into a dumping ground?

By Tereza Pultarova Published 14 August 26

We need rules to prevent space companies from dumping their old rockets onto the moon's surface in the future, experts say.

India-US space ties deepen as NASA invites ISRO to join moon base program

By Sharmila Kuthunur Published 14 August 26

NASA has invited the Indian Space Research Organisation to collaborate on its Moon Base program, which aims to build a permanent human outpost near the lunar south pole.