Planetary Science

Planetary Science

Juno is closing in on Jupiter

After 5 years of travel, Juno will soon reach Jupiter and begin its up close investigations of the giant planet.

Planetary Science

The 43-year history of journeys to Jupiter, in one graph

With the arrival of Juno, nine spacecraft will have flown past or orbited Jupiter over the last 43 years.

Planetary Science

Long-lost ‘extinct’ meteorite found

A newly discovered meteorite, nicknamed Öst 65, may have originated from the same collision that formed L chondrites, one of the most abundant groups of meteorites on Earth.

Planetary Science

Jupiter’s stormy weather no tempest in teapot

New radio observations reveal how ammonia moves about beneath Jupiter’s clouds and provide a sneak peek at what NASA’s Juno mission will learn later this year.

Earth

Plate tectonics just a stage in Earth’s life cycle

Plate tectonics is just a phase in a planet’s lifetime between conditions that are too hot or too cold for the planet-churning mechanism, new simulations suggest.

Planetary Science

Comet 67P carries two ingredients for life: glycine, phosphorus

Two ingredients essential for all life, phosphorus and the amino acid glycine, have been found floating around a comet.

Planetary Science

Seismic experiment might reveal thickness of Europa’s ice

Crashing an empty rocket fuel tank into the surface of Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa, could help scientists figure out the thickness of the ice.

Planetary Science

Space experts say sending humans to Mars worth the risk

At a meeting in Washington, NASA and aerospace reps discuss the hopes and hurdles of landing a crew on Mars by the 2030s.

Oceans

Ancient tsunamis reshaped Mars’ landscape

Ancient tsunamis generated by meteorite impacts may have reshaped ocean coastlines on Mars.

Health & Medicine

Zika, psychobiotics and more in reader feedback

Readers respond to the April 2, 2016, issue of Science News with thoughts on Zika virus, planetary science, microbes in mental health and more.

Planetary Science

Mercury’s stunning landscape mapped

First complete topographic map of Mercury reveals plains, craters and both the highest and lowest points on the planet.

Planetary Science

Long-running lunar mission reveals moon’s surprises

Seven years into its mission, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is still going strong and finding surprises on the moon.