Solar System
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Latest about Solar System
![A blue, white and green sphere next to an irregular grey orb followed by a white plume. The background is black and dark blue](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/i4FntminwHQNHHaQofGwYe-320-80.png)
China plans to deflect an asteroid by 2030 to showcase Earth protection skills
By Robert Lea published
China aims to launch its first planetary defense mission by 2030, to showcase the skills needed to nudge a dangerous asteroid away from Earth.
![An aurora visible over Utah from the International Space Station, photographed in Oct. 28, 2023 by an Expedition 70 astronaut.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5pM33yxa25MVDvSEz4m9Gi-320-80.jpg)
New study shows mysterious solar particle blasts can devastate the ozone layer, bathing Earth in radiation for years
By Alan Cooper, Pavle Arsenovic published
The remarkable aurora in early May this year demonstrated the power that solar storms can emit as radiation, but occasionally the sun does something far more destructive.
![graphic of the sun in space shows a large orange sphere against a black background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fyY6xiVynEQTPS4HAoD9TY-320-80.jpg)
Solar maximum is in sight but when will it arrive (and when will we know)?
By Ryan French published
We explore the latest solar maximum predictions and look into why it could be a couple of years before we can confidently state when solar maximum occurred.
![a cube-shaped spacecraft with two large wing-like solar panels in orbit above a reddish-orange planet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nhevBXfWuVabx8vBKZXWZ8-320-80.jpg)
Europe's Mars sample return orbiter moving ahead despite NASA budget uncertainty
By Stefanie Waldek published
The European Space Agency's Earth Return Orbiter has passed its design review, which validates its technical details and moves the project onto manufacturing and testing.
![a satellite image of earth's northern hemisphere over north america, with map boarder outlines overlayed. Lots of weather is seen.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ofFESiUnwKBQndGJ6fTTEJ-320-80.jpg)
Saharan dust outbreak lingers across some US states this week
By Meredith Garofalo published
A large plume of Saharan dust settled across the Gulf states this week after an epic journey from Africa.
![A purple sphere surrounded by alternating white and blue bands and an oter white band against a black background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qKcKNdVGYyCPUKgTwkpJpV-320-80.png)
'Traffic jams' around Uranus could solve the mystery of its weak radiation belts
By Robert Lea published
In 1986, the Voyager 2 spacecraft discovered Uranus has a strangely weak radiation belt. Now, researchers think this could be linked to "traffic jams" caused by the world's warped magnetic field.
![a large crater on the grey, cratered surface of the moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SqFakx7o6MMGMi85LUyVQR-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Starship landings could contaminate water ice on the moon
By Leonard David published
Could human landing systems touching down on the moon deliver water from their rocket exhaust plumes? New research says it's a possibility.
![graphic illustration showing a fiery solar flare from the sun and earth in the foreground.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9YhGLPKdwAh3pVvAASMgPA-320-80.jpg)
Are there more solar flares than expected during this solar cycle?
By Ryan French published
We explore why comparing the number of solar flares between solar cycles is more complicated than you may think and why many have got it wrong.
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