Solar System

A rainbow patchwork quilt shows agriculture from space | Space photo of the day for June 4, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd published 4 June 26

A rainbow blanket of patchwork colors sprawls across South Africa in this new composite image created using data from NASA's latest Earth-observing mission.

Meteorite found in Sahara desert may be 1st evidence of lost solar system world

By Sharmila Kuthunur published 4 June 26

A rare meteorite recovered from the Sahara Desert contains evidence of a long-lost moon-size world that existed just a few million years after the solar system formed.

Scientists call for a secure lunar quarantine facility for extraterrestrial samples: 'The moon may become humanity's first line of biological defense'

By Leonard David published 3 June 26

Scientists propose that a moon base could act as an isolated first line of biological defense against extraterrestrial samples that might be harmful to Earth's biosphere.

The 2026 hurricane season has begun. Will this year be calmer?

By Meredith Garofalo published 1 June 26

Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predict a below-normal number of named storms in the upcoming 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.

Record-breaking Europe heat wave from space | Space photo of the day for May 29, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd published 29 May 26

Even the satellites are seeing red.

A 'lost planet' may have given Jupiter and Uranus their moons

By Kiona N. Smith published 29 May 26

New research suggests the moons of Jupiter and Uranus may hint that our planetary neighborhood once had a third ice giant.

Where did Mercury get its water ice? Maybe from a single slow asteroid impact

By Sharmila Kuthunur published 28 May 26

Mercury may have gotten much of its polar ice within a single Mercurian day following a massive asteroid impact, a new study suggests.

Artemis moon base will cover 'hundreds of square miles' with hopping drones and new lunar rovers, NASA says

By Mike Wall published 26 May 26

NASA envisions its moon base covering hundreds of square miles, and hopping scout drones may mark the facility's perimeter. The agency just awarded $1 billion in contracts to get the ball rolling.

Satellites imaged an underwater volcano erupting — but scientists have no idea what's actually happening on the seafloor

By Stefanie Waldek published 26 May 26

Satellites captured footage of an underwater volcano eruption in a part of the sea that remains largely a mystery.