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Astronomers have classified planetary systems into four distinct categories, based on the sizes and arrangements of their planets. As it turns out, the architecture of our own solar system is the rarest kind.Continue ReadingCategory: Space, ScienceTags… Continue reading Proposed planetary system classifications suggest ours is the rarest
Meteorites burn up in Earth’s atmosphere on a regular basis, but a space rock that landed in Canada last year threatens to shake up our entire understanding of the solar system. Scientists traced its origins back to a distant cloud of comets that wasn’… Continue reading Mysterious meteorite may unravel our understanding of the solar system
Astronomers have detected an eerie glow of “ghost light” that could represent a previously unknown component of the solar system. Comparing data from two distinct viewpoints – Hubble and New Horizons – the researchers subtracted light from known object… Continue reading Eerie “ghost light” detected emanating from within the solar system
While many Earth-based experiments have been run to try to detect dark matter, the mysterious substance remains elusive. Now physicists have proposed a new experiment that would try to find signals by sending atomic clocks to where dark matter should b… Continue reading Atomic clocks orbiting near the Sun could detect dark matter
Tree rings are not just a great record of a tree’s life, but they can preserve a snapshot of the Earth and beyond at different times. Now Australian scientists analyzing these records have found evidence of huge radiation storms that periodically bathe… Continue reading Trees tell tale of extreme, unexplained astronomical radiation storms
Saturn is home to several solar system mysteries. Using data from Cassini, astronomers now suggest a simple answer to a few questions – a lost moon once orbited the planet before being torn to shreds.Continue ReadingCategory: Space, ScienceTags: Saturn… Continue reading “Lost” moon could explain several Saturn mysteries, say astronomers
A six-year round trip to an asteroid and back has yielded unprecedented insights into the formation of the solar system. Scientists have conducted the first comprehensive analysis of samples returned from asteroid Ryugu, finding a detailed history star… Continue reading Returned asteroid sample unlocks time capsule older than the Sun
Astronomers claim to have discovered evidence of huge ice volcanoes that have changed the surface of Pluto relatively recently. Data and images gathered by the New Horizons mission revealed surface structures that seem to have been produced by a phenom… Continue reading Giant ice volcanoes may have recently changed the face of Pluto
Astronomers have discovered the first known quadruple asteroid system. A team from Thailand and France spotted a third moon orbiting the main-belt asteroid Elektra, moving the object into the record books.Continue ReadingCategory: Space, ScienceTags: A… Continue reading First quadruple asteroid discovered in the solar system
An absolutely gigantic comet is currently barreling towards the solar system – and new observations have pinned down just how big it is. A team of astronomers has measured it to be about 150 km (93 miles) wide, making it comfortably the largest comet e… Continue reading Astronomers size up biggest-known comet as it approaches solar system