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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
Mars approaches Earth, and Earthlings dream of going to Mars
Looking back into space and time, and looking forward to mission milestones and new endeavors. All this and more in your weekly space digest.
Planetary Society Grant Winners Deal with Delays, Hunt Asteroids, and Discover Comet
Every 6 months, we ask our recent Planetary Society Shoemaker NEO Grant winners for a progress report. Here's what they told us.
Perseverance Rover Scientists Make Plans for Mars
As the launch of NASA's Perseverance rover approaches, scientists for the Mastcam-Z instrument prepare for the rover's science activities.
Perseverance Microphones Fulfill Planetary Society Campaign to Hear Sounds from Mars
The first Mars microphone, sponsored by The Planetary Society, flew aboard NASA's Polar Lander spacecraft, which crashed on the Red Planet in 1999.
LightSail 2 Enters Extended Mission Phase
One year after launch, The Planetary Society’s solar sail spacecraft is embarking on an extended mission dedicated to further advancing solar sailing technology.
Your Impact: June 2020 Solstice
We're celebrating a successful Day of Action in Washington D.C., remembering SETI@home, and looking forward to LightSail 2's extended mission.
Our Commitment to Work Against Racism
Many of us are having a hard time looking up right now. It’s a painful moment. We here at The Planetary Society recognize we must do more to support Black people, including Black people who love space.
Visiting Perseverance During Its Final Week at JPL
An undergraduate physics research student describes her visit to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to see the Perseverance rover before it shipped to Florida for launch.
Ten New Pictures from LightSail 2
Images from around the globe, plus some night pictures and the spacecraft's solar panels.
Here's How Scientists Mapped the Perseverance Rover's Landing Site
The maps will help plan scientific field trips for the rover as it explores an ancient river delta.
Your Impact: March Equinox 2020
Celebrating Shoemaker Grant winners, Society awards, and volunteer efforts around the world.
161 meetings. 115 members. 28 states. 1 Day of Action.
More than one hundred Planetary Society members from near and far advocated for space science and exploration in Washington, D.C. on 10 February 2020.
Here's What We've Learned So Far from LightSail 2
A new paper recaps mission events, discusses solar sail performance, and describes how the spacecraft's orbit has changed.
Announcing the 2019 Shoemaker NEO Grant Winners
Six proposals are awarded a total of $57,906. The winners come from 4 countries on 3 continents.
The Biggest Little Asteroid Observatory
The Center for Solar System Studies, a perennial Planetary Society Shoemaker NEO Grant winner, is a small observatory that makes big contributions to near-Earth asteroid research.
Creating A Movement for Space
A look back at The Planetary Society's founding documents and the origins of the organization.
This Holiday Season, Avoid the Politics and Talk Space Instead
When coming together this holiday season, ditch the politics. Instead, here are 5 conversation topics about space that can inspire and engage everyone.
Planetary Society Talks Europa, Planetary Defense, and Solar Sailing in Washington D.C.
Thanks to our members and donors, The Planetary Society participated in several activities at the 2019 International Astronautical Conference.
“I Talk to It Every Day”: Students are Vital Members of LightSail 2 Team
More than 50,000 people supported LightSail 2. But only one person can talk to the spacecraft at a time, and it's often a student.
In 1983, Carl Sagan Urged NASA to Send a Mission to Saturn and Titan
Long before the Cassini-Hugygens spacecraft launched in 1997 to explore Saturn and Titan, The Planetary Society urged NASA to make the mission a reality.