Astronomers spot water vapor in region where planets likely form

Astronomers have found water vapor around a young star within the constellation Taurus, 450 light-years away from Earth.

Ancient Volcanoes on Mars Hold Clues to Earth's Long-Lost Past

For a quiet, dusty lump of a planet we see today, Mars has had a surprisingly violent history, one that could reveal some clues about Earth.

Confirmation of ancient lake on Mars builds excitement for Perseverance rover's samples

If life ever existed on Mars, the Perseverance rover’s verification of lake sediments at the base of the Jezero crater reinforces the hope that traces might be found in the crater. 

Researchers reveal new findings on diamond rain on ice planets

An international team of researchers has gained new insights into the formation of diamond rain on icy planets such as Neptune and Uranus, using the X-ray laser European XFEL in Schenefeld. 

Mars Express finds evidence of large water deposits

ESA's Mars Express has revisited one of Mars's most mysterious features to clarify its composition. Its findings suggest layers of water ice stretching several kilometers below ground—the most water ever found in this part of the planet.

Astronomers Discover Unexpected Structures In Youngest Planetary Disks

How long does planet formation take? Maybe not as long as we thought, according to new research.

New images reveal what Neptune and Uranus really look like

Neptune is fondly known for being a rich blue and Uranus green – but a new study has revealed that the two ice giants are actually far closer in colour than typically thought.

Lava flows on Mars reveal a turbulent history

When researchers reconstructed lava flows on Mars, they realized the red planet is a lot more active than they previously thought.

Webb telescope's new Uranus image looks increadible

The picture, resembling a glowing blue marble rippling into a black ocean, was funneled through the telescope’s infrared filters to capture wavelengths future space travelers wouldn’t see with the naked eye.

Bizarre solar wind dramatically ballooned atmosphere of Mars

The scientists made a startling observation when they observed that the atmosphere of Mars dramatically ballooned outwards because of a void created due to a powerful gust of solar wind.

A green glow in the martian night

When future astronauts explore Mars's polar regions, they will see a green glow lighting up the night sky. For the first time, a visible nightglow has been detected in the martian atmosphere by ESA's ExoMars mission.

Oxygen directly detected in Venus clouds

Researchers have made the first direct detection of atomic oxygen in the atmosphere of Venus. Some say it builds the case the planet was more hospitable in the past.

Uranus aurora discovery offers clues to habitable icy worlds

Astronomers confirm the existence of an infrared (IR) aurora on Uranus. This could help astronomers identify exoplanets that might support life, a large number of which are icy worlds.

Quakes on Mars Reveal We Were Wrong About Its Core

Two new papers show a 150 kilometer-thick layer of molten silicate rock at the base of the mantle envelopes Mars' liquid iron-alloy core.

Venus' ancient Earth-like plate tectonics

A recent study suggests that Venus, typically viewed as a fiery wasteland, may have experienced Earth-like plate tectonics in its distant past.