Articles

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

Hera launches to study the aftermath of an asteroid deflection test

The European Space Agency’s Hera spacecraft launched on Oct. 7, 2024, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It will travel to the Didymos-Dimorphos asteroid system to study the aftermath of the first-ever field test of an asteroid deflection technique.

How to spot Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas

Catch this once-in-a-lifetime comet over the next few days.

The Hera launch: What to expect

The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing to launch a mission to study the aftermath of DART's impact on the asteroid moonlet Dimorphos.

Ramses: A new mission racing to land on asteroid Apophis

When a skyscraper-sized asteroid narrowly misses Earth in 2029, three spacecraft may be along for the ride.

Shoemaker-Levy 9 Fragment D and G Impact Scars on Jupiter

Does Jupiter protect Earth from asteroids and comets?

Jupiter has often been thought to protect the inner Solar System from asteroids and comets, but new research has shown that the giant planet may actually increase the risk of an impact.

What are binary asteroids?

Binary asteroid systems can be found near Earth, in the main asteroid belt, beyond Neptune, and more.

What are asteroids made of?

C-type, S-type, and M-type are the three most common kinds of asteroids. Here's what each type is made of.

What DART has taught us so far

NASA's DART mission showed that if we detect a dangerous asteroid headed toward Earth, knocking it off course with a spacecraft is a potential option.

The hottest and coldest places in the Solar System

The worlds of our Solar System run the gamut of temperatures. Here are some of the hottest and coldest places we know of.

Is Planet X/Planet Nine real?

Planet X and Planet Nine are planets that have, at one time or another, been thought to exist in our Solar System. Both were hypothesized to explain the orbital characteristics of smaller outer Solar System bodies.

What is Venus' quasi-moon Zoozve?

The story behind the newly-named quasi-satellite of Venus.

What to look forward to in space in 2024

A total solar eclipse and the launch of Europa Clipper are on our list of cosmic events to get excited about this year.

Asteroids vs comets vs meteorites/meteoroids/meteors

A handy guide to help tease apart the differences between asteroids, comets, meteors, meteorites, and meteoroids. e

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.