Articles

Stories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.

The Spring Equinox 2014 issue of The Planetary Report is here!

Wind-sculpted sand—that is how I think of dunes. In our main feature, “The Dune Whispers,” Ralph D. Lorenz describes the formation, and varieties, of these fascinating and beautiful works of planetary art.

My Own Corner of Mars

How I took a high-res photo of an intriguing spot on the Red Planet--and how you can, too.

Mars Exploration Rovers Update: Opportunity Powers Up in Cook Haven and in Fans' Minds

At the Solander Point section of the rim of Endeavour Crater, Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity spent the month of March just off Murray Ridge working on its final targets in Cook Haven and dusting itself in the winds of winter, while MER mission officials on Earth were roving toward what may be the robot's current greatest potential threat – being cut from NASA's planetary science budget.

Field Report From Mars: Sol 3623 – April 3, 2014

Larry Crumpler gives an update on Opportunity's current location, next long-term target, and excitingly increasing power levels.

Apparent trajectory of Alpha Centauri B around Alpha Centauri A

Update on the search for planets in the Alpha Centauri system

Update from Debra Fischer and her team on the intriguing results of their observations of the main Alpha Centauri stars, as well as future plans.

How Does NASA's Ban on Russian Contact Affect Curiosity?

Earlier this week, NASA announced that it was cutting off ties with Russia, except for activities relating to the ISS. This raised questions about Russian participation on NASA's science missions, particularly the Russian experiment on the Curiosity rover.

NASA's LADEE Spacecraft to Fly Through an Eclipse, Crash into the Lunar Surface on April 21st

LADEE, NASA's latest robotic lunar spacecraft, will reach its planned end-of-mission on April 21st, when it will crash on the far side of the Moon.

Apollo 15 Commander David Scott at the ALSEP station

Commander Dave Scott's Masursky Lecture from LPSC 2014

A video of Apollo astronaut David Scott's lecture to the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. His talk was an absolute treat: funny, educational, engaging, full of joy at his adventure, though at the end, a little angry that we've not sent more humans back. It's well worth 45 minutes of your time.

Great new image of Curiosity from HiRISE, just across Dingo Gap

A Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter HiRISE image taken on February 10 shows Curiosity having just made deep, dark tracks across the Dingo Gap dune.

Fireworks in the Earth's Sky Sent from the Moon: Reflections from LPSC 2014

Deepak Dhingra reports on presentations from this year's Lunar and Planetary Science Conference focusing on how impacts on the Moon have affected Earth.

More excitement in the outermost solar system: 2013 FY27, a new dwarf planet

On the heels of last weeks reports of a second Sedna and a ringed Centaur comes a third cool outer solar system discovery: A new, likely large member of the Kuiper belt. With an absolute magnitude of about 3.0, the new object currently known as 2013 FY27 is the tenth brightest object beyond Neptune .

Discovery Missions for an Icy Moon with Active Plumes

In December, scientists announced the discovery of possible plumes of water being ejected from Jupiters’s moon Europa. If confirmed, Europa would be the second moon with confirmed plumes after Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Two Discovery mission proposals for Enceladus suggest the types of missions that may be proposed for Europa.