Solar System

In 1776, the moon was a clock, a calendar and a streetlight — and it was 31 feet closer to Earth

By Stefanie Waldek Published 2 July 26

The moon that rose on July 4, 1776, was slightly closer to Earth than it is today.

NASA will send a soccer ball to the moon — if the US wins the World Cup

By Mike Wall Published 1 July 26

NASA will send a soccer ball to the moon if the United States wins the FIFA World Cup, agency chief Jared Isaacman said on Tuesday (June 30).

Ocean-monitoring satellite spots wildfire smoke from space | Space photo of the day for July 1, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published 1 July 26

A NASA satellite has found an unintended, important purpose.

In 1776, the solar system only had 6 planets. Now, it has 8. Does it end there?

By Samantha Mathewson Published 1 July 26

As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the history of the solar system tells its own story of exploration.

'PROMISE' me the moon? NASA wants to send spare nuclear-powered Mars rover to the lunar surface

By Josh Dinner Published 30 June 26

NASA has announced new lunar landing contracts for its Artemis Moon Base program, as well as a potential new moon rover mission named PROMISE.

Mars may have once been filled with seas of magma that made the Red Planet habitable

By Keith Cooper Published 30 June 26

Deep oceans of magma once sloshed about inside the crust of Mars, seismic measurements taken by NASA's InSight mission suggest.

'Titan is actually a very reasonable destination for humans': Scientists start mapping out crewed mission to huge Saturn moon

By Leonard David Published 30 June 26

Researchers met recently for the first "Humans to Titan Summit 2026," which explored how to send astronauts to the huge Saturn moon.

NASA will announce moon base news today: Watch it live

By Mike Wall Published 30 June 26

NASA will provide an update about its moon base plans this afternoon, and you can watch it live.

Light pollution may be erasing millions of dollars in value at US dark-sky parks

By Sharmila Kuthunur Published 29 June 26

Researchers combined satellite data and visitor surveys at dark-sky parks to quantify the economic value of dark skies amid rising light pollution.