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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
How old is the Earth?
The Earth is thought to be about 4.54 billion years old. Learn more about how it formed, and how we know when this all happened.
Planetary paparazzi
Who needs candid celebrity snapshots? We’ve got all the best pics of your favorite planetary bodies.
The best pictures of Mars from space
Spacecraft have been taking pictures of Mars from space since 1965. Here are some of our favorites.
Lucy’s flyby of Dinkinesh: Everything you need to know
On Nov. 1, 2023, NASA’s Lucy spacecraft flew past Dinkinesh, a small asteroid in the main belt, and discovered a binary pair of moonlets in orbit around the asteroid.
Why aren't there more close-up images of Uranus and Neptune?
There aren't many close-up, high-resolution images of the ice giants Uranus and Neptune. The reason comes down to distance.
The best! The farthest! The maximum!
Space superlatives abound this week. We’ve made a couple of awards, but the rest are up to you to decide.
Galactic ghouls and vampire stars
Space can be a scary place! But fear not — it’s all still fascinating.
Behold, the moon(s)!
With International Observe the Moon Night coming up, there are many moons worth checking out.
Syzygy + apogee = majesty
An annular solar eclipse is about to wow the world, and there’s plenty more to get excited about in space science and exploration this week.
Psyche mission successfully launches
The spacecraft has begun its six-year journey to the same-name metal world.
How astronomers search for life on exoplanets
Technologies for studying planets around other stars are advancing all the time. Along with those advancements come new ways to look for possible signs of life on those planets.
How do humans try to communicate with aliens?
SETI is the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, using various techniques to look for signals from advanced alien civilizations. METI (messaging extraterrestrial intelligence) is when we send out our own signals for aliens to find.
Cosmic cocktail hour
Jupiter looks fit for a martini, and Carl Sagan pairs well with a cosmopolitan. Find out why, and learn about the latest in space science and exploration.
The future of Mars Sample Return
An overview of the 2023 Independent Review Board report on the state and future of Mars Sample Return.
The Psyche launch and its journey to a metal world: What to expect
The Psyche spacecraft is scheduled to blast off on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket on Oct. 13.
With an eye to the future
Mars Sample Return’s future depends on what we do now. NIAC’s projects are very future-forward. And in many ways, the future is already here.
The boy who named Bennu is now an aspiring astronaut
The Planetary Society spoke to Mike Puzio, who won our "Name that asteroid!" contest back in 2013.
Why partial eclipses are worth seeing
Partial eclipses are the most common solar eclipse to see. Here's why that is, and why it's worth going out and (safely) looking up.
OSIRIS-REx returns sample from asteroid Bennu to Earth
The sample capsule parachuted to a landing at the Department of Defense’s Utah Test and Training Range southwest of Salt Lake City.
Equinox and equilux
Celebrate today’s equinox, but be sure to check when your location’s equilux takes place. And there’s lots to celebrate about this year’s Day of Action.