Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists and an international research team have announced discovery of molecular oxygen ions (O2+) in the upper-most atmosphere of Dione, one of the 62 known moons orbiting the ringed planet. The research appeared recently in Geophysical Research Letters and was made possible via instruments aboard NASA's Cassini spacecraft, which was launched in 1997.
In the grand scheme of the solar system, Venus and Earth are almost the same distance from the sun. Yet the planets differ dramatically: Venus is some 100 times hotter than Earth and its days more than 200 times longer. The atmosphere on Venus is so thick that the longest any spacecraft has survived on its surface before being crushed is a little over two hours. There's another difference, too. Earth has a magnetic field and Venus does not -- a crucial distinction when assessing the effects of the sun on each planet.
Astronauts bravely say they are ready to go on another spaceship as their 520-day simulated mission to Mars ends. .
Titan Saturn System Mission (TSSM) is a joint NASA/ESA proposal for an exploration of Saturn and its moons Titan and Enceladus, where many complex phenomena have been revealed by the recent Cassini Huygens mission.
After 520 days of total isolation in a mock spaceship, the Mars 500 crew were reunited with their loved ones in the outside world. In this edition of Space we have the men’s first accounts and exclusive images of their sealed capsule. We also witness the aftermath and follow their medical and psychological check ups. Finally, we discover just how important this simulated trip to nowhere…
All these worlds are yours except Europa, Attempt no landing there, Use them together use them in peace
Lightning sprites are out-of-this-world: 'sprites' predicted in atmospheres of Jupiter, Saturn and Venus
New images and animated movies from NASA
Is it possible that a life-bearing lake exists on the icy Jupiter moon, Europa. See if it is possible that a life-bearing lake is possible on Europa.
Just as an expert chess player sacrifices a piece to protect the queen, the solar system may have given up a giant planet and spared the Earth, according to an article recently published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
While looking for a safe place to weather the cold Martian winter, the rover Opportunity spied something protruding from the Mars regolith -- something it's never seen before.
The "fifth planet" is a hypothesized giant world that was flung out of our solar system 4 billion years ago.
