Researchers trace Mercury’s origins to rare meteorite
Experiments show planet cooled dramatically in half a billion years.
Scientists observe supermassive black hole feeding on cold gas
Findings suggest two dining styles for black holes.
Study pinpoints timing of oxygen’s first appearance in Earth’s atmosphere
Beginning 2.33 billion years ago, atmospheric oxygen built up in just 10 million years.
Scientists discover potentially habitable planets
Just 40 light years from Earth, planets are best targets so far for search for extraterrestrial life.
First temperature map of a “super-Earth” reveals lava world
Exoplanet lacks atmosphere, is covered in rivers of magma.
New Horizons data hint at underground ocean
Ice flows and water ice mountains spied by NASA spacecraft support the idea that an interior ocean may be driving geologic activity on Pluto.
3 Questions: Richard Binzel on New Horizons’ closest view of Pluto
Spacecraft’s close-up images reveal a complex, frozen world.
Q&A: Catching Pluto’s shadow
MIT scientists assist as a NASA mission chases Pluto’s shadow to catch details of its atmosphere.
Tracing the evolution of a landscape
Geologist Taylor Perron explores river networks on Earth and beyond.
A twist on planetary origins
New study finds meteorites were byproducts of planetary formation, not building blocks.
Life on an aquaplanet
MIT study finds an exoplanet, tilted on its side, could still be habitable if covered in ocean.
3 Questions: Ben Weiss on the lunar dynamo
The moon’s molten, churning core likely once generated a dynamo.
Pulling together the early solar system
New study finds that a strong magnetic field whipped the early solar system into shape.
3 Questions: Richard Binzel on NASA’s Asteroid Redirect Mission
Better options available in thousands of near-Earth asteroids, expert says.