Planetary Society Blog

Could the total solar eclipse reveal a comet?

Wed, 16 Aug 2017 06:00:09 -0500

Next week's solar eclipse will reveal the Sun's corona, nearby bright planets and stars, and, if we get extremely lucky, a comet!

A dispatch from the path of totality: the 2017 solar eclipse in Ravenna, Nebraska

Tue, 15 Aug 2017 06:00:14 -0500

Ravenna, population 1,400, sits on the plains of central Nebraska, and almost on the center line of the path of totality for the upcoming Great American Eclipse. Nebraska native Shane Pekny reports on how this small town is preparing for the big event.

Bill Nye's top eclipse tip: Protect your eyes

Tue, 15 Aug 2017 06:00:07 -0500

Bill Nye, CEO of The Planetary Society, has some suggestions for staying safe during next week's solar eclipse.

Book Review: Sun Moon Earth

Mon, 14 Aug 2017 06:00:00 -0500

With the North American Total Solar Eclipse coming on August 21, people across the continent are getting eclipse mania! Astronomer Tyler Nordgren has written a detailed book on eclipses with a special focus on the August 21st event.

Function over form: NASA's Space Launch System gets a new paint job

Fri, 11 Aug 2017 06:00:11 -0500

Last week, NASA revealed an updated design for the Space Launch System, featuring black-and-white checkerboards streaking down each of the vehicle's solid rocket boosters.

Here's what we know about the 12 proposals for NASA's next New Frontiers mission

Thu, 10 Aug 2017 06:00:15 -0500

NASA officials are in the process of selecting the agency’s next planetary science mission from a field of 12 competitors.

A space advocate on Capitol Hill: Planetary Society intern shares story

Tue, 08 Aug 2017 10:22:22 -0500

Planetary Society intern Aaron Campbell recaps his experience working on Capitol Hill over the course of two summers.

Five Earth Years on Mars

Sat, 05 Aug 2017 07:00:03 -0500

Five (Earth) years ago today, the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity landed in a dramatic fashion on the surface of the Red Planet. We look back at a mission that advanced humanity's understanding of Mars and provided a priceless return on a modest investment.

From space plane to sky crane: How part of a space shuttle landed a rover on Mars

Sat, 05 Aug 2017 06:00:32 -0500

Did you know that hardware from one of NASA's retired space shuttle orbiters played a critical role in the landing of the Curiosity rover on Mars five years ago?

Mars Exploration Rovers Update: Opportunity Enters Perseverance Valley, Settles in for Solar Conjunction

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 03:02:53 -0500

After struggling to get her left front wheel unstuck in June, Opportunity quickly adapted to a new driving strategy and unabashedly cruised into Perseverance Valley in July.

Comments (0) - Read and Add your own Comments