The Solar System
In the Solar System Channel, you can explore the planets and celestial objects around our own sun. Learn about topics such as Mars, Jupiter and the Moon.
Back in 2006, the International Astronomical Union decided to demote Pluto to the status of a dwarf planet. A new historical study challenges that designation.
It's a small world with an astonishingly long orbit around our sun. And it could lead us to the fabled Planet X.
Every autumn, Earth passes through a stream of debris left by Halley's comet, resulting in nighttime meteor showers in mid-October. Best time this year is Oct. 21-22.
It dashed through our solar system like a cigar-shaped signal from another star system. But which one? Astronomers are on the case.
Do they even look different?
Jupiter has been notoriously bad about revealing any water deep in its thick atmosphere. That's changing though.
Comet 21P and comet 46P will swing past our planet during the month of September — and you won't need a telescope to see either.
It's a celestial gift in the middle of August. Just look up. At night.
But don't buy your lakefront property just yet.
Scientists recently found 12 more moons revolving around Jupiter, bringing its total to 79. Why does Jupiter have so many darn moons? Is there any advantage to that?
It's the second lunar eclipse of 2018, but it will last longer than any other during the 21st century.
Mars Close Approach is July 31, 2018. That is the point in Mars' orbit when it is nearest to Earth.
The days are getting longer, but don't worry about changing your clocks.
To define the location of objects in the sky, astronomers utilize a system of celestial coordinates, which extends latitude and longitude from Earth's surface into space.
An Alien Asteroid's Been Lurking in Our Solar System Since the Beginning
Once upon a time, the sun caught an interstellar orphan and adopted it as its own. It's named 2015 BZ 509.
Europa might be ready to let us in on a secret.
Some scientists think the existence of plate tectonics could be a prerequisite for life. So do they exist on other planets outside of Earth?
Astronomers have just discovered a gas in Uranus' clouds that does nothing to help the planet being taken seriously.
It's been a while since the sun has hung out with its brothers and sisters in the same stellar nursery, but they're definitely out there, and citizen scientists can help find them.
No one knew exactly what the deal was with ureilites, a rare type of meteorite, until now.
Take that, stars!
Yep, 'Oumuamua was probably kicked out of its own star system by an overbearing gas giant like Jupiter.
Everyone's heard of the blue moon and the harvest moon, but did you know every single moon of the year has a name? Who named them and what do the names mean?
Scholz's star buzzed our solar system back when humans and Neanderthals roamed the planet. Turns out that encounter may have shaken up a whole bunch of comets.
Beneath Jupiter's famous swirls and stripes is an environment that's completely unlike anything on Earth.
