Solar system

An exploding star is a catastrophe on a cosmic scale, but here on Earth we’re safe from such astral disasters—for now

The far side of the moon holds the keys to the future of radio astronomy. We must maintain its pristine silence to benefit everyone

The solar system’s outer limits aren’t as clear-cut as you might think

Someday an unlucky outburst from our sun could strike Earth and fry most of our electronics—and we’ve already had some too-close-for-comfort near misses

Perspective and subtle motion allows us to peek over the moon’s edge and into its far side

Facing budgetary pressure for its Mars Sample Return program, NASA has turned to private industry for ideas—perhaps with one specific company in mind

How long can humanity’s artifacts endure on the lunar surface? A new installation from artist Jeff Koons is inadvertently putting this question to the test

When astronauts return to the moon later this decade, they’ll bring along science experiments to study moonquakes, lunar water ice and extraterrestrial agriculture

The search for a mysterious planetary body beyond Neptune has narrowed down its possible location—if it exists at all

The ocean’s twice-daily rise and fall is only the most obvious effect of tides—they slow Earth’s spin and shape stars and galaxies, too

Even among hundreds of people, experiencing an eclipse is a joyous solitude

During the total solar eclipse, skywatchers saw ruby-colored prominences sticking out of the moon's shadow. Here's the science of those red dots