NASA’s next robotic mission to explore the solar system is headed to Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/dragonfly-nasa-saturn-moon-titan4…
Tag: Atom&Cosmos/Planetary Science
Icy volcanoes on Pluto may have spewed organic-rich water
Planetary scientists found ammonia-rich ice near cracks on Pluto, suggesting the dwarf planet had recent icy volcanoes. Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ice-volcanoes-pluto-may-have-spewed-organic-rich-water4…
China’s lunar rover may have found minerals from the moon’s mantle
The Chang’e-4 mission spotted material on the lunar surface that appears to contain bits originating from the moon’s interior. Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/china-lunar-rover-may-have-found-minerals-moon-mantle4…
Apollo-era moonquakes reveal that the moon may be tectonically active
Moonquakes recorded during the Apollo landings suggest the moon is still tectonically active. Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/apollo-era-moonquakes-reveal-moon-may-be-tectonically-active4…
Water has been found in the dust of an asteroid thought to be bone-dry
Scientists detected water in bits of an asteroid thought to be devoid of the liquid. Such space rocks might have helped create Earth’s oceans. Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/water-found-dust-itokawa-asteroid-thought-be-bone-dry4…
Pictures confirm Hayabusa2 made a crater in asteroid Ryugu
Hayabusa2’s crater-blasting success, confirmed by an image beamed back from the spacecraft, paves the way to grab subsurface asteroid dust. Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/pictures-confirm-hayabusa2-crater-asteroid-ryugu4…
NASA’s Mars InSight lander may have the first recording of a Marsquake
NASA’s InSight mission appears to have detected a Marsquake for the first time. Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/nasa-mars-insight-lander-first-recording-marsquake4…
Mercury has a massive solid inner core
The distribution of Mercury’s mass and small stutters in the planet’s spin suggest it has a giant solid inner core. Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/mercury-has-massive-solid-inner-core4…
A 2014 meteor may have come from another solar system
Scientists have identified a possible interstellar meteor, and think it could be one of millions that have visited Earth over the planet’s history. Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/2014-meteor-another-solar-system-oumuamua4…
Meteor showers dig up water on the moon
Meteorites release water from the moon’s soil, hinting that the moon has water buried all across its surface. Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/meteor-showers-dig-water-moon-nasa4…