While its star projector leaves a lot to be desired, the Science Can Solar System Planetary Projector is a fantastic educational tool for kids, with its solar system model, complete with talking ...

For the first time since 2008, two new planets are being added to one of northern Maine's most famous — and scientifically accurate — roadside attractions. Dwarf planets Haumea and Makemake are the ...

Astronomers may have demoted Pluto from full-fledged planet to dwarf status, but evidence suggests the solar system may still ...

The search for life beyond Earth is a key driver of modern astronomy and planetary science. The U.S. is building multiple major telescopes and planetary probes to advance this search. However, the ...

Astronomers at UC Santa Cruz have developed a new model to better understand “steam worlds,” or water-rich sub-Neptunes—some of the most common planets in the universe.

Unusual shape of Fomalhaut's debris ring shows evidence of sculpting by ancient planets, rewriting story of planetary system ...

The Sun's formation caused temperature differences in the surrounding disk of gas and dust. Inner, hotter regions formed rocky planets from less volatile elements. Outer, colder regions allowed ...

Giant worlds beyond the Solar System could be the probe we need to figure out how dark matter manifests in the Universe.

The solar system is 4.54 billion years old, based on rock dating. Gas giants (Jupiter and Saturn) likely formed first. Ice giants (Uranus and Neptune) probably formed next. Rocky planets formed last, ...