For many of us, the solar system was simple. We learned in school that there were nine planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. It was a fact, as solid as the ground we stand on. Then, in 2006, everything changed. A group of scientists voted, and suddenly, Pluto was “demoted.” … Read more
Jupiter is the king of our solar system. It is a massive, swirling giant of gas so large that all the other planets could fit inside it. For centuries, we have looked at it through telescopes and seen a tan-colored, striped ball with a famous “Great Red Spot.” But in recent years, our view of … Read more
When we talk about Mars, the “Red Planet,” the first thing that often comes to mind is water. For decades, scientists have been hunting for it. We know that Mars is not a completely dry world. We can see vast, white polar ice caps with our telescopes, and we know these are made of both … Read more
Our solar system is filled with amazing and mysterious places. We have giant gas planets, rocky worlds, and icy moons. But one moon stands out as truly special: Titan. Titan is the largest moon of Saturn, and it is one of the most Earth-like places we have ever found. It has a thick atmosphere, clouds, … Read more
Mars is our neighbor in space, a cold, dusty, and reddish world. For decades, humans have been sending robotic explorers, called rovers, to drive across its surface and learn its secrets. Most of these rovers have come from the United States. But in 2021, China successfully landed its very first rover on the Red Planet. … Read more
When we look for life beyond Earth, our first thought usually goes to planets. We spend a lot of time studying places like Mars. But in recent years, scientists have turned their attention to a new and exciting set of targets: moons. It turns out that the giant planets in our outer solar system, like … Read more
Saturn is the jewel of our solar system. For as long as we have had telescopes, people have been amazed by its beautiful, shining rings. They are what make the planet so famous. When we think of Saturn, we think of its rings. They seem permanent, as if they have been there forever and will … Read more
For decades, humanity has dreamed of setting foot on Mars. But the journey to the Red Planet is incredibly long, difficult, and dangerous. NASA and its partners around the world are working on a plan, and a big part of that plan is the Artemis program, which will take us back to the Moon. As … Read more
NASA, America’s space agency, has a big goal: to send astronauts back to the Moon. This exciting new chapter in space exploration is called the Artemis program. It is named after the twin sister of Apollo, who was the Greek goddess of the Moon. This name is fitting, as the program plans to land the … Read more
When we look up at the night sky, Mars is one of our closest and most interesting neighbors. It is often called the “Red Planet,” and for a long time, people have wondered if it is like Earth. We have sent many robotic explorers, like rovers and orbiters, to study it. These robots act as … Read more