One of the best close-ups ever taken of the Martian moon Phobos reveals fresh details of the strange object.

The impact crater named Stickney is the largest feature on Phobos with a diameter of almost 6 miles (9 km). The crater wall textures come from landslides that formed as materials fell in the weak gravity of the moon. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

Organic compounds contain carbon and hydrogen and form the building blocks of all life on Earth. By analyzing organic material and minerals in the Martian meteorite Allan Hills 84001, scientists have shown for the first time that building blocks of life formed on Mars early in its history. Previously, scientists have thought that organic material in ALH 84001 was brought to Mars by meteorite impac... read full post picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

A study of meteorites suggests that Mars, the Earth and the Moon share a common composition from ‘growing up’ in a unique planetary nursery in the inner solar system.

The finding could lead to a rethink of how the inner solar system formed. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

For the first time, satellite imagery reveals thick Martian salt deposits scattered across the planet's southern surface, which one planetary scientist claims could be sites of ancient life. The mats of sodium chloride — the same taste-enhancing mineral found on your kitchen table — serve as more evidence of Mars' watery past, and researchers think the briney pools that made them could... read full post picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

A spacecraft sent on a mission to inspect comets has filmed the Earth and its moon from 31 million miles away, making an alien's-eye view of our world. VIDEO picked by AutumnLotus 1 year ago

The Phoenix Mars Lander ended its mission last November, but scientists are still pondering the data. One intriguing discovery was a nightly cycle in which water vapor in the atmosphere collapsed into the Martian soil. One researcher thinks this may hint of dew-like films that could have supported life in a previous Martian climate. picked by AutumnLotus 9 months ago

It’s exactly forty years ago today that Neil Armstrong took man’s first step on the moon.

And to mark the historic occasion Google Earth has taken the same leap in cyberspace.

The search engine leader today launched Moon in Google Earth, an interactive 3D atlas of the moon which allows space fans to take their very own virtual steps on the surface of our closest satellite. picked by AutumnLotus 4 months ago

The moon stays inside Earth’s ‘magnetotail’ for six days every month — during full moon. This can have consequences ranging from lunar ‘dust storms’ to strong electrostatic discharges. picked by Bornbad 2 years ago

As spacecraft began to launch on journeys to more distant planets, never to return, their mission controllers often commanded them to take departing views of Earth and the Moon. Mariner 10 and Voyager 1 both took such snapshots, as did Mars Odyssey, Venus Express, and many others. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

Sir Bernard Lovell, the astronomer, was among the team listening to transmissions coming from the area of space and began tracking the unmanned Soviet spacecraft Luna 15, which was trying to collect samples of lunar soil and rock and then return to Earth before the US mission. picked by kakana 5 months ago

Water is present on Mars today, but it is entirely bound up in ice because the surface is too cold for liquid water.

But evidence has been mounting that shows water once flowed across the Martian surface, potentially supporting life. While water does not mean there was life, it's a key prerequisite. picked by AutumnLotus 9 months ago

the Viking spacecraft may have found signs of a weird life form based on hydrogen peroxide picked by Dangerman 2 years ago

A new interpretation of data from NASA's Viking landers indicates that 0.1% of the Martian soil tested could have a biological origin. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

This is the first time that this phenomenon was shot from the moon.

Japan's Kaguya lunar orbiter has beamed home a spectacular movie of Earth eclipsing the sun as seen from the moon. picked by AutumnLotus 9 months ago

This fantastic Martian impact crater was captured by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter at a slightly oblique angle that reveals new detail in the geological strata exposed in the crater wall. picked by AutumnLotus 4 months ago

Thursday, May 31 brings us the second of two full Moons for North Americans this month. Some almanacs and calendars assert that when two full Moons occur within a calendar month, that the second full Moon is called the "Blue Moon." picked by AutumnLotus 3 years ago

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11’s moon landing, National Geographic Channel will be featuring "Naked Science: Living on the Moon" on Sunday, July 19. picked by bornbad 5 months ago

Scientists have found signs that water may once have gurgled up through the Martian soil in hydrothermal vents similar to those in Yellowstone National Park. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

It's a good thing the Moon doesn't have any feelings to hurt. New research suggests it is actually 30 million years younger than anyone had thought, and that it is merely a 'chip off the old block' of Earth rather than being made up of the remnants of a Mars-sized body that slammed into Earth billions of years ago. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and public broadcaster NHK have succeeded in capturing their first high-definition video of Earth from the Kaguya lunar explorer. The video isn't available for download yet, but they do have a beautiful preview image. picked by mitzuzake 2 years ago