Topic
Planetary science
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X-ray data may be first evidence of a star devouring a planet
New data may explain star’s mysterious dimming.
July 18, 2018 -
Study finds climate determines shapes of river basins
Results may help identify ancient climates on Earth or other planets.
July 17, 2018 -
Sound waves reveal diamond cache deep in Earth’s interior
Study finds 1–2 percent of Earth’s oldest mantle rocks are made from diamond.
July 16, 2018 -
Nearly 80 exoplanet candidates identified in record time
Search considered successful “dress rehearsal” for exoplanet hunter TESS.
June 20, 2018 -
3 Questions: Roger Summons on finding organic matter on Mars
Discovery adds to evidence suggesting that Mars was at one time habitable.
June 7, 2018 -
TESS takes initial test image
Exoplanet-seeking satellite developed by MIT swings by moon toward final orbit.
May 18, 2018 -
Ushering in the next phase of exoplanet discovery
Professor Sara Seager previews a new era of discovery as a leader of the TESS mission, which is expected to find some 20,000 extrasolar planets.
May 3, 2018 -
TESS readies for takeoff
Satellite developed by MIT aims to discover thousands of nearby exoplanets, including at least 50 Earth-sized ones.
April 12, 2018 -
Computer searches telescope data for evidence of distant planets
Machine-learning system uses physics principles to augment data from NASA crowdsourcing project.
March 29, 2018 -
Scientists find seismic imaging is blind to water
Findings may lead scientists to reinterpret seismic maps of the Earth's interior.
March 14, 2018 -
EAPS welcomes Heising-Simons fellow Ian Wong
The 51 Pegasi b Postdoctoral Fellowship provides junior scientists the opportunity to conduct theoretical, observational, and experimental research in planetary astronomy.
February 7, 2018 -
Citizen scientists discover five tightly packed exoplanets
The planetary system’s dense configuration gives clues to its formation
January 11, 2018 -
Study sheds light on turbulence in astrophysical plasmas
Theoretical analysis uncovers new mechanisms in plasma turbulence.
December 1, 2017 -
Neighboring exoplanets may hold water, study finds
Observations and modeling suggest TRAPPIST-1 exoplanets may have held onto water, billions of years after their formation.
August 31, 2017 -
Lunar dynamo’s lifetime extended by at least 1 billion years
Findings suggest two mechanisms may have powered the moon’s ancient churning, molten core.
August 9, 2017 -
Probing the magnetic universe
Nuclear Science and Engineering Associate Professor Nuno Loureiro ponders the origins of magnetic fields.
June 23, 2017 -
Project Apophis
Space Systems Engineering students design a close-range mission to a giant asteroid that will fly by Earth in 2029.
May 31, 2017 -
Rivers on three worlds tell different tales
Study finds history of Titan’s landscape resembles that of Mars, not Earth
May 18, 2017 -
3Q: Julien de Wit on the discovery of seven temperate, nearby worlds
Planets may harbor conditions suitable for sustaining liquid water — and thus life.
February 22, 2017 -
The heart of a far-off star beats for its planet
Scientists observe first planet-induced stellar pulsations.
February 14, 2017