Solar System Astronomy
Feature Writer Articles in Solar System Astronomy
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When Asteroids Collide
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured an image of the aftermath of a collision between two asteroids.
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The Moons of Neptune
Triton is the largest moon of Neptune, with six regular satellites inside its orbit and six irregular ones farther out.
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New Moon and Eclipse
New Moon and Eclipse are more than just books by Stephenie Meyer and a hit movie series.
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Tropical Storms on Titan
Astronomers were surprised to find that Saturn's dry moon has large-scale atmospheric turbulence where none was expected.
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Facts About Meteors
Meteors are sudden streaks of light in the sky that can happen during predicted showers or at random.
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Ice Found on Mars
NASA's Phoenix Lander seems to have fulfilled one of its main missions: finding signs of water on Mars.
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The First Day of Summer
The Northern Hemisphere welcomes the first day of summer on June 20 or June 21 depending on your location.
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Facts About Asteroids
Learn more about the thousands of miniature planets called asteroids that orbit the sun.
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Asteroid Might Hit Mars
An asteroid approximately 60 meters in diameter has a 1-in-25 chance of smashing into Mars on January 30, 2008.
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First Day of Winter
The astronomical beginning of the winter season is signaled by Earth's tilt and the amount of sunlight received in the Northern Hemisphere.
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Contributing Articles in Solar System Astronomy
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A Tour of Mars
Famous for its red color, the fourth planet from the Sun has many interesting characteristics, both unique to itself and in common with Earth.
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An Introduction to the Planet Saturn
Saturn is the second largest planet in our solar system and is best known for its extensive ring system. However, it has other fascinating features worth exploring.
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An Astronomer's View of Earth
Few people consider Earth as an astronomical object, but it is, after all, a planet with its own place in the solar system.
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A Tour of Mercury
The small planet Mercury is a lot more interesting than its monotonously-cratered surface would indicate.
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The Moon is Receding from the Earth
In 1969 the Apollo 11 astronauts placed the Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment on the Moon's surface in the Sea of Tranquility. Scientists now know that the Moon is receding.
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Danger from Near Earth Objects
The Earth has a history of being struck by many large objects and it will happen again. Scientists are trying to keep an eye on those things that come too close.
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Is Pluto a Planet or What
All was well until scientists began to discover some pretty big objects beyond Pluto. The issue has lots of non-scientists in an uproar. What's the problem with Pluto?
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The Curious Outer Solar System
Pluto suffered the indignity of demotion from planetary status. All is not lost, however, for Pluto is now the largest Kuiper Belt object known.
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The Oort Cloud is the Home of Comets
The Oort cloud is a cloud surrounding the solar system extending outward to about three light years from the Sun. It is a haven for trillions of comets.
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New Moon or any Moon Facts and Fun
New moon, blue moon, full moon, and on it goes. The Moon always provides fodder for fascinating conversation. Here are a few fun and interesting examples.
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Asteroid Presents Danger to Earth
Apophis is an asteroid with an orbit that brings it near the Earth. It is large enough to make a catastrophic impact should it strike Earth on one of its near misses.
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What Are Asteroids?
Asteroids are metallic or rocky minor planets that orbit the Sun in the asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars.
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The Book of the Moon by Rick Stroud
Dubbed "a visually striking cornucopia of everything worth knowing about our closest neighbor in space," this book is a celebration of our relationship with the Moon.
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Fun Facts About Saturn's Moons
The planet Saturn, surrounded by its famous rings, is also surrounded by some of the most unique moons in the Solar System.
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Water Found On The Moon, NASA Reports
Water, one of the hallmarks of Earth and a necessity for life, has been discovered on Earth's Moon. Lunar water may facilitate future moon exploration.
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