Articles

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

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.

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.

Psyche the spacecraft at Psyche the asteroid

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.

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.

Partial solar eclipse of 23 October 2014

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.

What is an annular solar eclipse?

An overview of annular solar eclipses, how they work, what they're like to experience, and how to view one safely.

Want to experience the 2024 total solar eclipse? Here are some tips.

We asked two eclipse chasers for tips on how to plan your big moment in the Moon's shadow.

A guide to eclipse vocabulary

A list of useful words and terms relating to lunar and solar eclipses.

A checklist for what to expect during the 2024 total solar eclipse

Know what to expect ahead of time, and be prepared to experience a cosmic spectacle like nothing else in nature.

Cometary sights and sounds

Discover what causes a comet’s color and what it might be like to listen to one whiz by.

Are your solar eclipse glasses safe?

A guide to how to make sure your solar eclipse glasses are safe and certified, plus tips on what to do — and what not to do — if you want to experience an eclipse without glasses.